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Porsche teams with Delta airlines to woo VIP passengers

The next time you're waiting for a flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, see if you can spot a Porsche Cayenne or Panamera zipping between aircraft on the busy tarmac. The high-performance German vehicles aren't there practicing for an upcoming autocross; they are tasked with whisking some of the airline's most important customers between flights so they can keep their busy schedules intact.
Launched nearly two years ago, the program has proven popular with the automaker, airline and passengers as all benefit from the unique arrangement. Atlanta-based Porsche is able to showcase its cars to Delta's frequent-flying Medallion members, the airline is recognized for providing unusual perks to its high-value customers and those fortunate enough to be surprised with a quick lift are able to make connections without a stressful run through the terminal. Based on its success, the airline is rolling our similar programs in New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis this month.
And don't think Porsche is the only automaker working with an airline to entice its frequent flyers. Mercedes-Benz ran a program over the summer that offered purchasing and leasing incentives to MileagePlus Premier members of United Airlines, and the two are currently shuttling top fliers around Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the automaker's S-Class and GL-Class models.

Major Alexa deal will bring Amazon services into more cars

Amazon and its personal assistance service Alexa are partnering with HERE Technologies to create a new connected mobility service powerhouse. Alexa will integrate with HERE's navigation and location services to offer what the two companies are calling a "true voice-first-navigation experience." Alexa will come pre-integrated with HERE navigation on-demand, which the automakers can then enable, which should help cut down on development time. One of the biggest features from this partnership is how directions could be offered and delivered using HERE's Open Location Platform (OLP). Currently, the OLP uses data from several car manufacturers to provide insights into real-time location and traffic. But on Alexa, this could be used to provide directional context. For example, Alexa could say, "Turn right after [such-and-such a building]" rather than just, "Turn right." Amazon has been testing the automotive waters throughout the past decade. Its home-based Alexa-enabled devices are already offered with connections to several manufacturers. To various degrees of integration, it can already pair with Ford, Genesis, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai and BMW vehicles. At the end of 2018, Amazon took things a step further when it introduced the Echo Auto, a Bluetooth-connected Alexa assistant device that can be physically kept in a car. Currently only available by invitation (its production and distribution have been delayed), the $25 device is essentially a voice service that works together with smartphones and connects to a car's speakers. Users can command it to do a variety of things, including playing music, setting navigation, opening the garage door, finding local stores, making calls, setting reminders, and thousands of other "skills." According to The Verge, nearly 1 million people have already ordered the device. Some (well, probably few) may know HERE Technologies from its maps on Windows Phones. We all know how that turned out, though. Today, HERE has expanded into a multi-function suite that is available in multiple mediums, including many automotive applications. HERE Automotive's connected vehicle services include real-time traffic, parking, weather, fuel prices, hazard warnings, traffic sign integration, and even EV charging stations. These all incorporate and extend the use of HERE's location and tracking programming. HERE is already partnered with BMW, Audi, Daimler, Intel, Mobileye, NVIDIA, and has investments from Bosch, Continental and Pioneer.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Sport is not too hot, not too cold

Mercedes-Benz is moving to a new system for performance models, launching its AMG Sport line that will slot above the standard cars, but below the full-fledged Mercedes-AMG offerings. The perfect example of how this all looks can be seen with the C-Class – we've already driven (and enjoyed) the standard C300 and C400 offerings, and we're absolutely geeked to test the Mercedes-AMG C63. Slotting in the middle, though, is this new C450 AMG Sport, which makes its debut at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Power comes from the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the C400, but output is increased to 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque – up from 329 and 354, respectively. That's all shuffled through the company's 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, and sent to the road via 4Matic all-wheel drive. Hitting 60 miles per hour is said to take just 4.9 seconds, en route to a 155-mph top end. There's an AMG adaptive sport suspension with adjustable dampers (from the C63), and the interior and exterior aesthetics have been pumped up for a more sporting appearance. It all seems like a good fit, and we think it'll slot nicely in the middle of the already good C-Class range. Check out our fresh batch of lives images of the C450 above. Featured Gallery 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Sport: Detroit 2015 View 12 Photos Related Gallery 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Detroit Auto Show Mercedes-Benz Luxury Performance Sedan 2015 Detroit Auto Show mercedes c450 amg sport