Latest news with #MarkusSchäfer
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major car brand makes huge change to flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a SPACESHIP
A MAJOR car brand has made a huge change to its flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a spaceship. A refreshed version of the Mercedes Benz EQS EV limo is set to hit the market next year - but customers may be in for a shock. 3 3 Instead of a traditional steering wheel, the model will come complete with a futuristic "yoke" wheel. Yoke wheels are usually U or T-shaped - rather than circular. And unlike conventional steering wheels, where the driver's hands can be placed anywhere around the circumference, yokes generally have two horizontal grips - a bit like a joystick. In this way, they create a futuristic, techy feel that is also present in many F1 cars. Fans of the 1980s Knight Rider series may equally see similarities between the yoke and the steering unit in Michael Knight's talking car, KITT. Mercedes is not the first brand to introduce a yoke - with Tesla launching its own version in 2021 as part of its Model S and Model X. However, the feature drew criticism from customers for its lack of practical usability. Mercedes is determined to avoid the same mistakes - and has combined the funky shape with a host of snazzy controls for an optimal user-friendly experience. With the merest of hand movements, drivers will be able to access their audio settings, cruise control and hands-free phone operation on two panels in the middle of the wheel. Plus, the model will have what's called a "steer-by-wire" system, meaning the steering wheel and front wheels are connected electronically rather than mechanically. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move The system will automatically know how much angle is required - meaning the driver is never required to fully rotate the yoke. This comes as part of the brand's transition towards self-driving cars. Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer for development and procurement, explained: "Steer-by-wire is another big step towards the mobility of tomorrow, and we're proud that we will be launching such a system in 2026. "The technology enables a unique customer experience that goes far beyond steering alone. "In combination with Level 3 conditionally automated driving, it will enable an even more immersive entertainment experience in the medium term. "That's because the flat steering wheel provides a better view of the display when streaming your favourite show, for example." It comes after the brand gave a sneak peak into its Vision V electric range, which is also set to launch in 2026. The vans will feature plush white leather seats and clear acrylic storage compartments attached to the doors. The cabinets are said to mimic display cabinets in high-end designer stores, and can be used to carry handbags or sunglasses. And, passengers can even separate themselves from the driver with a glass panel, which creates a "private lounge."
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car brand makes huge change to flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a SPACESHIP
The quirky feature will emulate the feeling of driving an F1 car OUT OF THIS WORLD OUT OF THIS WORLD Major car brand makes huge change to flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a SPACESHIP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR car brand has made a huge change to its flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a spaceship. A refreshed version of the Mercedes Benz EQS EV limo is set to hit the market next year - but customers may be in for a shock. 3 The new Mercedes EQS EV limo is set to launch next year Credit: Mercedes-Benz AG 3 The yoke has a semi-circular shape with controls placed on two central panels Credit: Mercedes-Benz Instead of a traditional steering wheel, the model will come complete with a futuristic "yoke" wheel. Yoke wheels are usually U or T-shaped - rather than circular. And unlike conventional steering wheels, where the driver's hands can be placed anywhere around the circumference, yokes generally have two horizontal grips - a bit like a joystick. In this way, they create a futuristic, techy feel that is also present in many F1 cars. Fans of the 1980s Knight Rider series may equally see similarities between the yoke and the steering unit in Michael Knight's talking car, KITT. Mercedes is not the first brand to introduce a yoke - with Tesla launching its own version in 2021 as part of its Model S and Model X. However, the feature drew criticism from customers for its lack of practical usability. Mercedes is determined to avoid the same mistakes - and has combined the funky shape with a host of snazzy controls for an optimal user-friendly experience. With the merest of hand movements, drivers will be able to access their audio settings, cruise control and hands-free phone operation on two panels in the middle of the wheel. Plus, the model will have what's called a "steer-by-wire" system, meaning the steering wheel and front wheels are connected electronically rather than mechanically. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move The system will automatically know how much angle is required - meaning the driver is never required to fully rotate the yoke. This comes as part of the brand's transition towards self-driving cars. Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer for development and procurement, explained: "Steer-by-wire is another big step towards the mobility of tomorrow, and we're proud that we will be launching such a system in 2026. "The technology enables a unique customer experience that goes far beyond steering alone. "In combination with Level 3 conditionally automated driving, it will enable an even more immersive entertainment experience in the medium term. "That's because the flat steering wheel provides a better view of the display when streaming your favourite show, for example." It comes after the brand gave a sneak peak into its Vision V electric range, which is also set to launch in 2026. The vans will feature plush white leather seats and clear acrylic storage compartments attached to the doors. The cabinets are said to mimic display cabinets in high-end designer stores, and can be used to carry handbags or sunglasses. And, passengers can even separate themselves from the driver with a glass panel, which creates a "private lounge."
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car brand makes huge change to flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a SPACESHIP
A MAJOR car brand has made a huge change to its flagship motor that will make drivers feel like they're in a spaceship. A refreshed version of the Mercedes Benz EQS EV limo is set to hit the market next year - but customers may be in for a shock. 3 The new Mercedes EQS EV limo is set to launch next year Credit: Mercedes-Benz AG 3 The yoke has a semi-circular shape with controls placed on two central panels Credit: Mercedes-Benz Instead of a traditional steering wheel, the model will come complete with a futuristic "yoke" wheel. Yoke wheels are usually U or T-shaped - rather than circular. And unlike conventional steering wheels, where the driver's hands can be placed anywhere around the circumference, yokes generally have two horizontal grips - a bit like a joystick. In this way, they create a futuristic, techy feel that is also present in many F1 cars. read more motors news Fans of the 1980s Knight Rider series may equally see similarities between the yoke and the steering unit in Michael Knight's talking car, KITT. Mercedes is not the first brand to introduce a yoke - with Tesla launching its own version in 2021 as part of its Model S and Model X. However, the feature drew criticism from customers for its lack of practical usability. Mercedes is determined to avoid the same mistakes - and has combined the funky shape with a host of snazzy controls for an optimal user-friendly experience. Most read in Motors With the merest of hand movements, drivers will be able to access their audio settings, cruise control and hands-free phone operation on two panels in the middle of the wheel. Plus, the model will have what's called a "steer-by-wire" system, meaning the steering wheel and front wheels are connected electronically rather than mechanically. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move The system will automatically know how much angle is required - meaning the driver is never required to fully rotate the yoke. This comes as part of the brand's transition towards self-driving cars. Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer for development and procurement, explained: "Steer-by-wire is another big step towards the mobility of tomorrow, and we're proud that we will be launching such a system in 2026. "The technology enables a unique customer experience that goes far beyond steering alone. "In combination with Level 3 conditionally automated driving, it will enable an even more immersive entertainment experience in the medium term. "That's because the flat steering wheel provides a better view of the display when streaming your favourite show, for example." It comes after the brand gave a The vans will feature plush white leather seats and clear acrylic storage compartments attached to the doors. The cabinets are said to mimic display cabinets in high-end designer stores, and can be used to carry handbags or sunglasses. And, passengers can even separate themselves from the driver with a glass panel, which creates a "private lounge." 3 The yoke gives customers a futuristic experience Credit: Mercedes-Benz
Telegraph
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Mercedes appears to have cracked the electric car conundrum
The CLA was traduced as 'the Mercedes for poor people' at its launch in 2013, but this new fourth-generation model is the vanguard of the company's electric vehicle (EV) push. Such is the pace of change at the company, which previously would only introduce cutting-edge technology in its S-Class flagship saloon, which would then trickle down to lesser models. Ola Kallenius, the chairman of Mercedes-Benz, has never wavered from his declared intent to place the firm's three-pointed star symbol at the heart of premium EV peregrination, but even Mercedes can't avoid the tide and times, which have seen a softening of zero emissions timetables in the face of public refusal to take the plunge. The CLA saloon, while initially introducing unheard-of levels of efficiency and range to the EV market, will also be available in petrol/electric hybrid form with a 48-volt system. Inspired by a record-breaker It's heavily inspired by the Vision EQXX experimental car of 2023, which achieved an unprecedented 621 miles (1,000km) on a single charge of its 100kWh lithium-ion battery. The CLA, which is likely to cost from about £50,000, has an 85kWh useable lithium-ion battery using low-cobalt NMC chemistry, and like the EQXX, it has Onsemi-type silicon carbide chemistry for the anode, in the interests of increased efficiency. With an 800-volt operating system, fast charging speeds are up to 320kW DC (assuming you can find a unit delivering that amount of energy). If you can, a 10-minute charge will deliver 202 miles of range. In front-wheel-drive 268bhp/247lb ft form, the base CLA is capable of a 492-mile range, a top speed of 130mph and 0-62mph in 6.7sec. With a two-speed transmission, it joins cars such as the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, which have such two-speed gearboxes to allow the electric motor to spin at its most efficient speeds, which gives a higher top speed and more efficient use of the battery energy. 'Efficiency is the challenge,' says Markus Schäfer, Mercedes's chief technical officer and board member. 'In range, in faster charging and better efficiency – although lower energy prices would help,' he adds. Exemplary efficiency The quoted efficiency of the CLA in 250+ front-drive form is 5.09 miles per kWh, which is not just class-leading but something of a record for a standard passenger car of this size. 'It is a one-litre car [one litre of fuel per 100km, or 282.5mpg] for the electric vehicle age,' says Schäfer, claiming that taking the equivalent calorific value of petrol and electricity means this EV, if powered instead by an internal combustion engine, would be capable of achieving about 282mpg. The base CLA, with its steel-and-aluminium body, weighs just over two tons (2,055kg) but has a carbon footprint about 40 per cent less in value terms over the outgoing non-EV CLA model. Quite apart from the question of why Mercedes launched the CLA in Rome, there's also a more pertinent question about why burden your entry-level model with a cherry-picked level of technology that might make the less-than-well-heeled buyer blink? Moving back upmarket The answer is that Mercedes has been heading back upmarket for some years after its questionable dalliance with cheap(er) hatchbacks and Renault-derived drivetrains – there is no hatchback version of this car, although there will be a 4x4, a shooting brake and a couple of SUVs to replace the GLC and GLB. No prices are confirmed, but we estimate the CLA will start at about £50,000. Some pundits think this move is a sensible response to surging premium brand launches out of China and increasing competition from Audi and BMW. Others think that Mercedes has overinvested in production facilities to produce its more downmarket models, which might represent a cost issue in the future. But from now on the new CLA is as cheap as a Mercedes gets, with its starry grille and front and rear lights. Nifty voice control Inside, there's a new look, too, although the star theme continues with a 'star avatar', which some users might find as irritating as the Microsoft paper clip. The new Super Screen is a full-width glass facia consisting of the instrument binnacle, centre touchscreen and a passenger touchscreen on which video games can be played (but not by the driver). There's a single new computer system controlling all the functions in the car, which stores information on the cloud and is capable of faster processing than has been previously achieved. The new operating system (MBOS) has been developed by Mercedes with the co-operation of Qualcomm and Nvidia, enhanced with artificial intelligence using Chat GPT to answer questions and converse in a limited way with passengers. Navigation is via Google Maps, while Google also provides the information back-up for the car's AI. If the idea of chatting with your car seems like a poor substitute for a life, chief software officer Magnus Östberg points out that the main benefit is that you no longer have to ask the system to do things in a pernickety and pedantic way merely to access simple functions. The AI will learn your regular habits and likes, but will also be able to discern what you want when you simply tell it that you are cold (then it will turn up the heating). 'It's our mission to simplify,' says Östberg, 'so the interaction will be like a butler; you won't have to speak to it with a load of special words and phrases.' Clearly this man has never read an exchange between PG Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster and his manservant, Jeeves… Under the skin Christoph Starzynski, the company's vice-president of EV architecture, admits that the CLA's platform chassis, being suitable for both pure electric and petrol electric hybrid drivetrains, might 'have a little bit more weight [than a purely combustion platform], but not much'. The transverse engine configuration means the electric and petrol drivetrains can be pretty much dropped into the same space, although this would not be a suitable solution for the longitudinal layouts of the larger, more expensive Mercedes models. Self-driving capability He says that while the CLA's autonomous driving system is capable of SAE Level 2 ++, using just a camera and radar-based technology, that arrangement wouldn't be suitable for Level 3. (Level 2 provides partial automation with the driver supervising the system, while Level 3 allows the vehicle to handle all driving tasks but requires the driver to be ready to intervene when requested.) Mercedes is one of the few car makers with certification for Level 3 self-driving (although not in Europe), but Starzynski says that 'Level 3 is the Rubicon you can't cross without LiDAR' (light detection and ranging, which uses lasers instead of the less sophisticated radio waves of radar). The Telegraph verdict There's not much that's spanking new in the CLA, but its significance is in the combination of expensive and complex state-of-the-art technology brought to the bottom of the Mercedes food chain. Starzynski says the way in which Mercedes combines the latest technology with refinement and luxury marks its difference. 'A lot of car makers can make sparkling wine,' he says, 'but not Champagne…' The car's styling divided opinion. I think that, like Starzynski's claims, the looks will require further consideration outside of the media frenzy of the Rome launch. As ever, the proof of the pudding is in the driving – watch out for a full review from the launch this summer.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-Benz reveals prototype vehicle with astonishing capabilities: 'Cutting-edge'
The secret behind Mercedes-Benz's latest electric vehicle innovation is plainly written on the prototype EQS's hood, which reads "Solid State." And given the headlines it's been making, the breakthrough technology isn't under wraps anymore. The biggest news of all might be the astounding 620-mile range the innovative battery is set to deliver — a distance now being tested along with other performance metrics, according to the company. The solid-state power pack was designed in collaboration with Massachusetts-based Factorial, per a news release. And the ballyhoo will be well warranted if Mercedes can make the tech available for its customers after vetting. "We will gain crucial insights into possible series integration of this cutting-edge battery technology," Mercedes chief technology officer Markus Schäfer, who works in development and procurement, said in the statement about the road tests. Solid-state electrolyte batteries have been heralded by some experts as "holy grail"-caliber tech for EV power packs. They have the potential to be lighter, charge faster, and last longer and are safer than common lithium-ion ones with a flammable liquid electrolyte. But scalable manufacturing has been a setback, according to Top Speed. When batteries operate, ions move between two electrodes through the electrolyte, as described by the Department of Energy. The Mercedes-Factorial team used a lithium-metal anode, made possible with the solid-state electrolyte. The combination is key to unlocking the superior range — a 25% boost — per Mercedes. Lithium-metal tech is also under development elsewhere, but it has been hindered by performance issues, mostly the formation of ruinous metal branch-like structures called dendrites, InsideEVs noted. But the Mercedes version seems to have overcome the hurdles, as road tests started in February. Passive battery cooling, better energy density — the amount of electricity stored per pound — and other improvements helped the experts cut weight and add range, all per Mercedes. For reference, the DOE listed the median EV range at 270 miles (a new high) for model year 2023, though certain other makes have achieved far greater benchmarks. The Ford Mustang Mach-E recently set a record of 569.6 miles on one charge. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. It's all important as we shift to a cleaner transportation future. While millions of tons of metals and minerals will be needed each year to power the switch, that's far short of the 16.5 billion tons of planet-warming dirty fuels hauled from Earth each year, Sustainability by Numbers reported. Each EV that replaces a gas-burning vehicle also prevents thousands of pounds of harmful exhaust from being spewed, per government data. That's true even in states that use mostly dirty energy to make the electricity to charge them. Tailpipe gases are linked by medical experts to cancer, lung, heart, and other health risks. And it's still a great time to buy an EV. Nearly 130,000 Americans purchased a new or used one in January alone, beating prior sales in both categories, according to Cox Automotive. Up to $7,500 in tax credits remain available, and you can plan to save $1,500 a year on gas and maintenance, too. For their part, the Mercedes and Factorial experts seem confident that solid-state batteries can become common on highways around the world. "This breakthrough demonstrates that solid-state battery technology has moved beyond the laboratory and into real-world application" Factorial CEO Siyu Huang said. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
