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Mercedes GLE Coupe to feature in Jurassic World

It was back in 1997 that Mercedes first got into the crossover game with the launch of the M-Class, and most of us got our first look at the luxury high-rider when it debuted on the big screen in the Jurassic Park sequel The Lost World. It's been 18 years since that event, but now its successor is set to appear in the revival of the once-popular movie franchise. Come June 12, moviegoers will be able to catch the new Jurassic World film at their local theaters, but the dinosaurs will have to share the spotlight with the new GLE Coupe. The slant-roofed crossover that'll share its underpinnings with the M-Class' successor and challenge the BMW X6, will appear in the film in GLE 450 AMG Sport guise, and Universal Studios apparently did a good enough job keeping the Mercedes under wraps during filming until its release just a month ago. Mercedes Continues Its Decades Long Relationship with Universal: Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe launches in Universal Pictures' Jurassic World Stuttgart, Jan 08, 2015 Stuttgart. On-screen, multiple Mercedes-Benz vehicles are once again in on the Jurassic action. Twenty-two years since the events of the original film, Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. During their adventures in the jungles of Jurassic World, the characters played by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard put their trust in the off-road capabilities of various Mercedes-Benz vehicles – especially in the all-new GLE Coupe, which appears in its series-look for the first time. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers. Jurassic World will be released in 3D by Universal Pictures on June 12, 2015. The partnership continues the relationship between Universal and Mercedes-Benz, first forged in 1997's The Lost World: Jurassic Park, when Mercedes introduced the M-Class vehicle. "We are delighted to have been able to support this epic action-adventure with our vehicles," said Dr. Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Our wide range of SUVs in particular fit perfectly with Jurassic World's various requirements, with the focus on our new trendsetter, the GLE Coupe." Above all, it is the new GLE Coupe that shows off its best side.

Recharge Wrap-up: Venturi seeks funding for speed record, Kia partners on V2G

Venturi Automobiles has started a crowdfunding campaign to help break an EV speed record. Venturi's goal, with the help of The Ohio State University, is to set a new FIA World Speed Record for Battery Powered Electric Vehicles of over 7000 pounds with its VBB-3. Venturi set the current record at 307 miles per hour, but wants to exceed that this September at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Funders can score merchandise like T-shirts, miniature models, and even their name on the side of the car. Learn more at Venturi Automobiles' Kickstarter page. Kia is providing six Soul EVs to UC Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP). APEP is using the electric vehicles for the development of vehicle-to-grid technology and smart charging systems. Kia says the collaboration is helpful in its goals of expanding EVs over the next five years. "Grid-connected electric vehicles offer tremendous potential in terms of energy storage and dispersion during high-demand periods," says Kia VP of Product Planning Orth Hedrick, "and Kia is excited to collaborate with APEP in the study and development of advanced smart grid technologies." Read more from Kia, or at Green Car Congress. Daimler is launching its Mercedes-Benz Energy brand for stationary energy storage. Taking on the likes of Tesla with its Powerwall, Daimler began shipping battery packs for residential energy storage in Germany in April, with an eye toward solar systems. Now, with its new brand, the company looks to expand to the global market. "By founding Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, we are underscoring our ambition to be a technological and market leader in the field of highly efficient storage systems," says Daimler's Harald Kroger. "With our unique combination of high standards of quality and safety and positive economies of scale, we are supporting the success of the new energy era while helping to make electromobility affordable." Read more in the press release below. Daimler Establishes Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH for Stationary Energy Storage Daimler AG is continuing to expand its network of expertise in the field of lithium-ion battery applications. Within this innovative line of business, the newly established Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH is assuming the development and global sale of Mercedes-Benz brand stationary energy storage with immediate effect. Thus, Daimler is focusing even more on the growing market for stationary batteries.

YouTube's Super Bowl commercial buzz list dominated by automakers [w/videos]

After Sunday's big game, YouTube will be the place to watch every commercial that you missed when you left your seat for an emergency guac refill or, as we say in Cleveland, took the Browns to the Super Bowl. That makes YouTube the nation's water cooler on Monday, and it's got some preliminary stats to share in the lead up to kickoff.
As you know, Super Bowl advertisers, particularly automakers, like to endlessly tease their big budget commercials in the weeks before the game, many times revealing them outright days in advance. Because of this, YouTube can tell us which commercials have been viewed the most so far, and their top five list is all automakers.
Kaley Cuoco appears to have been a good investment for Toyota, as her ad for the RAV4 has garnered the most YouTube views - six million and counting - among Super Bowl commercials so far. Second place goes to Mercedes-Benz, though not its actual Super Bowl commercial, but rather the teaser for it. You know, the one with Kate Upton and the car washing, which is up to 5.6 million views. Third place is Audi's Prom commercial (3.3M views), fourth goes to Volkswagen's slightly controversial Get In, Get Happy ad (3.3M views), and the fifth and final spot is bookended by the teaser video for Kaley Cuoco's commercial (3.2M views). You can watch all five in order below.