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Mercedes teases IAA Concept for Frankfurt

Mercedes-Benz is being coy about the IAA Concept you see above. The Germany automaker admits its name is short for Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile, but isn't letting out much more. In a very short statement, Mercedes describes the IAA as "two cars in one: an aerodynamics world champion and a four-door coupe embodying irresistible design." Does that mean the IAA points the way forward for the next version of the brand's shapely CLS, which it also refers to as a four-door coupe? Probably, but we're not sure where the "Intelligent" part comes in. Will it be an electric machine that presages a competitor to the Tesla Model S? We'll just have to wait and see. One thing is for certain: The Mercedes IAA looks sleek. While the details of its design are shrouded in strategically placed shadows, we can clearly see a double-bubble roofline that flows seamlessly into a graceful hatch that reminds us of the Audi A7, which isn't a bad design to borrow cues from. The overall shape of the Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile makes it look like bodywork shrink-wrapped atop the chassis as tightly as possible. We're keen to take a look at the IAA ourselves, and that's going to happen rather soon. Mercedes promises a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the early afternoon (Eastern). Stay tuned. The Mercedes-Benz "Concept IAA" (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) is two cars in one: an aerodynamics world champion and a four-door coupe embodying irresistible design. World premiere. September 14, 7.30 pm (CEST). Featured Gallery Mercedes IAA Concept teasers News Source: Mercedes-Benz via Facebook Design/Style Frankfurt Motor Show Mercedes-Benz Coupe Concept Cars Sedan

Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept gets mobbed in China

If the reception it received at the Shanghai Motor Show is any judge of marketplace acceptance, Mercedes-Benz has a hit on its hands in the form of the GLA Concept. And we can understand why - we're quickly becoming fans of Mercedes' recent styling language, as defined by new models like the CLA and this GLA Concept.
The big news on the exterior front are the headlamp clusters, which have frickin' laser beams attached to their foreheads embedded inside that are capable of projecting videos and images on a screen. Plus, a pair of video cameras are mounted on the roof that can be used to capture driving excitement or removed and taken with you. How cool is that? We just hope they have a substantial locking mechanism to prevent would-be thievery...
If the exterior is mostly ready for production, with a few of the more outlandish elements moved to the trash bin - like, for instance, laser-beam headlamps and removable action cams - the interior is a true custom job that screams concept loud and clear. There are all kinds of jewel-like finishes inside, along with transparent surfaces showing what looks like metal latticework underneath and some awfully thick looking leather with massive exterior stitching done by hand similar to what you'd find on a baseball glove.

Daimler: 2017 the right time to launch our hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle

Zero-emissions vehicle development has never focused purely on off-the-line acceleration. So when a research executive with Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler says it's Okay that companies like Toyota and Hyundai will have a head start selling hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, it's somewhat believable. But is Daimler really fine with being two years behind? It appears so. Daimler plans on debuting its first fuel-cell vehicle in 2017, Automotive News says, citing an interview Automobilwoche had with Daimler's corporate research chief Herbert Kohler. The German automaker estimated about a decade ago that it would be able to get fuel-cell production costs down to an "acceptable" level in 2012, but it turns out that estimate was about five years too aggressive. Daimler originally started leasing out a limited number of its F-Cell hydrogen vehicles in the US for $849 a month, though later brought that down to $599 a month. Daimler says it received a boost in its effort to accelerate fuel-cell powertrain development when it reached an agreement early last year with Nissan and Ford to work together on speeding up relevant powertrain technology. While Toyota's first fuel-cell vehicle in Japan is priced at almost $70,000 (before big government incentives kick in), Kohler says Daimler's first fuel-cell vehicle will be priced similar to a hybrid vehicle. Of course, that's a Mercedes-Benz hybrid we're talking about here, but still. Related Gallery Mercedes-Benz F-Cell View 9 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req. Green Mercedes-Benz Hydrogen Cars h2