2018 Mercedes-benz C-class C 63 S Amg on 2040-cars

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Chicago Car2Go app reportedly hacked, some 100 cars missing

Car2Go launched in Chicago in the summer of 2018, with 400 Daimler cars rolled out on the Windy City streets soon after. But that big fleet just took a big hit: The car-sharing app has now reportedly been hacked, and some 100 cars have been stolen as a result. CBS Chicago is reporting that some of the missing cars have been used to commit crimes. It is yet unclear what the hacking has exactly enabled the perps to do, but the compromised app appears to have opened the doors and given the thieves free rein with easily stolen cars. Within Chicago, there is a 29 square mile area where the vehicles were supposed to be dropped off, but they haven't been limited from exiting that zone at any point. The Chicago Car2Go fleet started out with Smart ForTwo cars and bigger Mercedes-Benz CLA/GLA models; we can imagine the ForTwos are a touch slight for any ram raiding, but an escape car that can vanish in a crowd of other shared Smart cars seems handy for misuse. To address the matter, Car2Go froze its Chicago operations today, saying it is "neutralizing a fraud issue and working together with law enforcement." No personal or confidential user info is said to have been compromised. CBS Chicago's Brad Edwards tweeted today that 12 people have been taken into custody so far, with the story developing as we speak.

Mercedes-Maybach Pullman stretches its way to Geneva

Mercedes-Benz is known the world over for producing luxury automobiles, but even among Benzes there's a hierarchy. The S-Class sits at the top of the Mercedes range, the Maybach at the top of the S-Class, and what you see here sits at the top of the Maybach line. It's the new Pullman limousine, and it arrives on the 50th anniversary of the original. Stretching a massive 21.3 feet, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is even longer than the previous Maybach 62 by a full foot, and a good 3.5 feet longer than the standard-wheelbase Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, or two feet longer than the G63 AMG 6x6. In other terms, it's over a foot longer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB, and the better part of a yard longer than even the Cadillac Escalade ESV. Heck, you could just about fit Benz's other flagship, the Mercedes-AMG GT, inside the new Pullman's 14.5-foot wheelbase. As if that's not enough, it also stands 3.9 inches higher than a standard S-Class to the benefit of its imposing presence and interior space. Should you be so fortunate as to be graced with an invitation to step inside, you'd find an interior entirely clad in leather with four seats: two recliners and two fold-down seats facing backwards. Those principal rear seats can recline between 19 and 43.5 degrees and offer an extensive array of individual adjustments to cater just-so to the occupants' individual preferences. Ingress and egress are enabled by larger rear doors that open in front of – instead of next to – those rear seats to enhance the privacy of the traveling dignitaries, who will be able to monitor the state of affairs through the analog thermometer, speedometer and clock mounted in the roof liner. They'll also enjoy privacy thanks to the electrically operated glass partition wall with an 18.5-inch monitor mounted in front of it and a choice of Burmester sound systems. Long the favorite of heads of state and captains of industry, the new Pullman will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show now just weeks away. We don't doubt that Mercedes will offer its customers a choice of engine options (as long as they're capable of motivating the new Pullman's assuredly substantial heft), but most suitable to the task will of course be the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 with its 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.

Autoblog's top 50 car photos of 2016

This one shouldn't need much explanation. We like cars a whole lot, and that includes not just driving them but taking great pictures of them. We've collected our 50 favorite images from this year in the mega-gallery above. It's a mix of old and new, with a healthy dose of vintage and modern race cars mixed in, and not one single shot under the harsh lights of an auto show. So click through and enjoy. Featured Gallery Autoblog's Top 50 Photos of 2016 View 50 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2016 Autoblog.com Audi BMW Chevrolet Dodge Ferrari Ford Lamborghini Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Porsche Rolls-Royce Volvo Convertible Coupe Motorcycle Luxury Racing Vehicles Performance Supercars Classics