The Mercedes-AMG G 65 Final Edition: Powerful and refined

The Mercedes-AMG G 65 Final Edition: Powerful and refined

The Mercedes-AMG G 65 Final Edition: Powerful and refined

To mark the discontinuation of the Mercedes-AMG G 65 (fuel consumption, combined: 17 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 397 g/km) AMG is offering an exclusive Final Edition, limited to just 65 examples worldwide. The particularly expressive Final Edition reflects the successful story of the world’s most powerful series production off-roader. More than a third of all G‑Class vehicles sold worldwide originate from AMG. The G 65 Final Edition is available with immediate effect starting at 310,233 euros*.

The AMG 6.0-litre V12 engine generating 463 kW (630 hp) is totally self-assured. With a maximum torque of 1000 Nm at 2300-4300 rpm, the top-of-the-line V12 engine boasts a unique combination of drive dynamics and smooth running characteristics. The G 65 Final Edition accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 km/h (electronically limited).

The V12 biturbo engine with its superior response and powerful sound is unquestionably a highlight in the long, successful story of petrol engines and features a host of top-class technical details. Alongside twin turbochargers it boasts a multi-spark ignition with twelve twin-spark ignition units plus a particularly effective engine management system. The results are optimum combustion, accomplished comfort, maximum efficiency as well as outstanding levels of refinement and power delivery. The high-quality carbon-fibre/aluminium engine cover rounds off the package visually. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G‑TRONIC automatic transmission takes care of the transfer of power to all four wheels.

The Mercedes-AMG G 65 Final Edition: Powerful and refined

High ground clearance and long suspension travel form the basis for the excellent off-road characteristics of the Mercedes-AMG G 65. The figures speak for themselves:

  • Slope climbing ability of up to 80% on suitable surfaces
  • Maximum fording depth of 60 cm when driving through water and mud
  • Driving stability at angles of 28°
  • Angle of approach/departure: 27°
  • Breakover angle: 22°

Expressive exterior, high-quality interior
The sporty appearance of the dynamic exterior design of the G 65 Final Edition is underscored by large 21‑inch 5‑t win-spoke light-alloy wheels in bronze, silver brake callipers and AMG Sport trim strips on the sides. Additional highlights come courtesy of features retained in matt bronze such as the underride guard, the trim elements in the bumpers, the wheels and exterior mirrors plus the spare wheel cover in obsidian black with appropriately designed insert. These are complemented by the radiator grille with black mesh screen and surround painted in matt bronze. Running boards and tailpipes are retained in matt black. Inserts in the exterior protective strips in high-gloss black complete the look.

This special model also has a high-quality interior design: the scope of equipment includes the designo Exclusive package in designo black nappa leather with seat side bolsters in a carbon-fibre look and topstitching in light brown. Carbon-fibre trim elements with decorative stitching in bronze, the milled Edition lettering in the grab handle plus floor mats with leather edging in light brown and topstitching in black round off the look. The driver sits behind an AMG Performance steering wheel in black nappa leather featuring a flattened bottom section and excellent grip. Driving is particularly comfortable thanks to the Seat Comfort package including multicontour seats and climatised seats for driver and front passenger.

An off-road legend since 1979
The G-Class has been the top model among luxury off-road vehicles since 1979. It is not only by far the passenger car model series with the longest production run in the history of Mercedes-Benz, but also the forefather of all SUVs to bear the three-pointed star – this is why all Mercedes off-road models feature the upper-case G in their name. Like the entire model series, the G 65 Final Edition will be produced in Graz, primarily in the hand-finishing section of the production facility.

AMG brought a G model onto the market as early as 1979. This was followed in 1999 by the G 55 AMG. Its V8 engine produced 260 kW/354 hp. Although the eight-cylinder engine with a displacement enlarged to 5.5 litres adopted the three-valve technology and dual ignition of the series production unit, it also offered high torque of 525 Nm from 3000 rpm alongside significantly increased output. The G 55 AMG was available with closed roof in short- and long-wheelbase variants and as a cabriolet with a short wheelbase.

In 2012 the family tree was extended. As part of a very comprehensive facelift, the G‑Class was given a completely new exterior. Affalterbach also made some powerful refinements and launched the G 65 AMG into the mix. It incorporated everything the performance-hungry fans of the off-road icon had been dreaming of – such as a 6.0‑litre 12‑cylinder engine with carbon-fibre/aluminium cover. Generating 1000 Nm, the G 65 AMG became the most powerful series production off-road vehicle in the world. The G became an ultra-modern legend, which has since delighted a growing community of fans.

courtesy: media.daimler.com

S-Class campaign “Feel Intelligent Drive”: ENERGIZING comfort control: How the new S-Class tames the lion

S-Class campaign "Feel Intelligent Drive": ENERGIZING comfort control: How the new S-Class tames the lion

S-Class campaign "Feel Intelligent Drive": ENERGIZING comfort control: How the new S-Class tames the lion

The S-Class, the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz brand, has throughout its long, prestigious history always been a technological pioneer in the automotive sector. Once again, the new generation of the luxury saloon combines ground-breaking technologies with unparalleled ride comfort. The focus of the global campaign “Feel Intelligent Drive” is on the unique interaction between various comfort systems. In the driving mode, air-conditioning, fragrance, light, music and seat massage can be adapted to the current mood at the push of a button, thus increasing well-being. The video function can be activated in stand-by mode and contributes additionally to the relaxation. “ENERGIZING comfort control” is the name of the latest achievement of the S-Class. How convincing this feature is in action is shown by the film “Leon”, which will be available to view on social media from October 15. In humorous scenes, it shows how even a bad-tempered “business lion” is tamed into a gently purring kitten by the new comfort control. The ENERGIZING comfort control is available since September 2017 at the price of 238 Euro*.

S-Class campaign "Feel Intelligent Drive": ENERGIZING comfort control: How the new S-Class tames the lion

“The campaign tracks the reorientation of Mercedes-Benz as a brand of “human-centered innovation” that consistently focuses on people and their needs,” says Natanael Sijanta, Head of Marketing Communications at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “No other vehicle in the luxury class is currently as intelligent as the new S-Class. With “Feel Intelligent Drive”, we show in an entertaining and humorous way how the latest, intelligent technologies perfectly match the needs of driver and front passenger.”

In the film about the new S-Class, a lion stands as a metaphor for an alpha animal from the world of business. We see the boss of a young company, who is having anything but a successful day. He suffers a series of minor mishaps that put him in an increasingly bad temper. Stressed out and in anything but a good mood, he climbs into the new S-Class at the end of a long working day. There, he experiences the effect of the ENERGIZING comfort control features. The press of a button is all it takes, the lion’s bad mood vanishes and he relaxes. He sets out on a journey through the night, at the end of which he arrives home in the best of moods. The stress of the day has vanished – thanks to the personalised wellness experience on board the S-Class.

 

courtesy: media.daimler.com

Mercedes-Benz Vans focuses on intelligent production for the new Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vans focuses on intelligent production for the new Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vans has been holding a leading position in the area of intelligent production among the van manufacturers already for years. Now the business division is lighting the next stage: For the upcoming start of production of the new model of the iconic Sprinter van, Mercedes-Benz Vans brings new connected series-production technologies online. The reasons behind this are increasing requirements on flexibility and efficiency. For one, the variety of variants will increase further – for example, as the result of manufacturing electrified vans. In addition, the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Vans has been utilised near capacity for years, and sales are rising continuously. The employees benefit from the increasing digitisation in production by being relieved of routine tasks. This is to give them more and more time for higher-end tasks.

Between 2017 and 2025, Mercedes-Benz Vans will invest more than 200 million euros in the expansion of intelligent production. Frank Klein, Head of Operations Mercedes-Benz Vans, today presented key new technologies in running production operations in a press workshop at the Sprinter plant in Ludwigsfelde near Berlin.

New milestone on the road to full connectivity

“We will take the next logical step in the advancement of intelligent production at Mercedes-Benz Vans with the upcoming new Sprinter“, says Frank Klein. “We already accomplished a great deal in recent years. With the paperless factory, self-driving transport systems and a host of other projects, we have set the course for the future. As part of our ‘IntelligentProduction@VANS‘ strategy, we are now setting another milestone on the road to the fully connected ‘factory of the future‘ for more efficiency and flexibility. We want to realise potentials throughout the entire production process with new technologies such as RFID. Our production operations around the world are to be fully digitised by 2025“.

RFID technology for even better production processes

For employees in logistics and production, it has been a long-pursued goal: knowing exactly where a particular component is at any given time. The benefits are obvious: This information allows them to respond flexibly to changes in the sequence, such as caused by delays in certain areas, and change plans on short notice. In addition, they always know the current warehouse stock. The quality assurance employees are consequently also always informed whether the right component was installed in the right vehicle. All that is already reality in the Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde plant. In a pilot phase, the so-called RFID technology (radio-frequency identification) is used to track and identify the door mirrors and seats automatically and contactlessly via radio waves. This happens from the moment they are received to the time the Sprinter rolls off the lines. The project is being implemented in close cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation (IFF). The goal in Ludwigsfelde is to digitally connect up to 40 parts with the production system via RFID in the next few years. With the ramp-up of the new Sprinter, the technology will become an integral part of series production in Ludwigsfelde. Other locations of Mercedes-Benz Vans are also to be equipped with this technology.

Relieving the employees of routine tasks

“New digital technologies such as RFID offer the major advantage of relieving our highly qualified production employees of routine tasks such as documenting work steps“, says Klein. “Our employees have extensive experience and know-how in the production of globally successful vans. They should also be able to use both to full effect in their day-to-day work.”

In the past, the employees in Ludwigsfelde had to manually and repeatedly scan barcodes on the mirrors and seats at various stations – in addition to their actual production job. The RFID solution eliminates a total of seven documentation-related work steps per vehicle for these two components alone. RFID consequently relieves the employees of this routine task and thanks to automatic checks gives them peace of mind knowing they installed the right parts.

RFID from supplier to the van customer

The implementation already starts far outside the gates of the Mercedes-Benz plant: at the suppliers. They attach the electronic labels required for RFID – so-called RFID tags – to the components. As a result, the suppliers are the first to benefit from the advantages of the technology in their own logistics and production operations and are able to identify and track parts via radio waves. The labels are computer chips roughly the size of a postage stamp, which can store and send information. To track the components with these transponders, readers are located at key points of the logistics and production operations. The wireless contact is established by radio waves generated by the readers. The waves power the chips and thereby prompt them to send their information. RFID also offers advantages in after-sales, when the vehicle later is in customer hands. It allows service employees to use information stored in databases to retrace which parts are installed with the greatest of ease.

Additional self-driving transport systems for the new Sprinter

The Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde plant already has extensive experience with RFID. Since 2012, automated guided vehicles (AGV) have been deployed effectively in the assembly operations in Ludwigsfelde – currently around 20 vehicles. They are controlled for one by being connected to the IT system, but for another also by RFID. To this end, the transponders are in the floor of the factory buildings and contain driving commands. Ten more AGVs will be used and additional routes will be developed with the start of production of the new Sprinter. For about a year now, the second generation of the AGVs has already been operating in the plant. These vehicles communicate with each other via Bluetooth to coordinate their actions autonomously. This ensures a smooth traffic flow even when several AGVs cross paths. Up to now, simultaneous coordination was only possible between a few vehicles. By the end of the year, the first vehicles are to be able to operate freely and thus flexibly in the buildings thanks to optical sensors. Currently, the AGVs still follow predetermined paths. The AGVs of the first generation also are able to recognise obstacles such as forklifts or pedestrians via laser scanning. In this case, they stop automatically.

New IT architecture for global data networking

New digital systems such as AGVs or the parts connectivity via RFID require a highly effective IT infrastructure. A lot of data must be acquired, processed and provided to other areas in real time. For example, the RFID data are sent to Equipment Monitoring, Production Control, Quality Inspection, and Parts Scheduling. Experts from Mercedes-Benz Vans have now developed a completely revised IT architecture together with partners. The central element is a “data highway”, which all systems can access at the same time. In addition, the different IT platforms of the plants worldwide will be harmonised to ensure a global exchange can take place. Furthermore, the architecture makes it possible to quickly add new digital applications – just as the ‘app’ principle of smartphones. This means that once the RFID pilot project is completed successfully, other plants will be able to use the finished software immediately. Mercedes-Benz Vans will gradually roll out the new IT architecture globally starting next year.

Worldwide project teams at work on intelligent production

Currently, some 100 technology and IT experts of Mercedes-Benz Vans at headquarters in Stuttgart and plants in Germany, Spain, Argentina and the USA are working in more than 20 projects on intelligent production. The global teams cooperate closely in flat hierarchies across national and specialist unit boundaries. Employees from Logistics, Quality Assurance, Engineering and IT are already part of the project teams at the start of the planning phases. The relevant experts also involve production employees early to ensure the practicality of projects from the start. Intelligent production is a component of employee qualification and the apprenticeship programme as well.

Stepped up cooperation with partners

“We are also opening up more and more to the outside world to be even closer to the heartbeat of new technologies“, says Klein. “To this end, we are stepping up the cooperation with partners such as suppliers, research institutions, but also tech start-ups and universities. We also want to provide school and university students more insights into our activities to get them interested early in the subject of production and in Mercedes-Benz Vans.”

courtesy: media.daimler.com

Exclusive colour combination in the interior: GLS available as Grand Edition

Exclusive colour combination in the interior: GLS available as Grand Edition

Exclusive colour combination in the interior: GLS available as Grand Edition

A highly luxurious interior with an exclusive colour combination, a dashboard all in nappa leather and unique wood trim plus 50.8 cm (20-inch) 10-spoke light-alloy wheels are the hallmarks of the Grand Edition of the GLS immediately available for ordering (fuel consumption combined: 11.3–7.7 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 264-190 g/km). Customers have a choice of an Interior and an Exterior package, which also combine to perfection. The special models will reach the showrooms from March 2018.

The highlights in the interior include the fine colour combination porcelain/espresso brown, which is only available in this edition. The seats in designo nappa leather boast exclusive diamond quilting, seams in mid brown and special Budapest-design piping. The dashboard and upper section are in nappa leather. The open-pore trim Radiant lime with light stripes is an exclusive feature. The standard specification also includes an ambiance light and velour floor mats in espresso brown. The Interior package costs 5950 euros.

Exclusive colour combination in the interior: GLS available as Grand Edition

A strikingly sporty look on the exterior comes courtesy of 50.8 cm (20-inch) 10-spoke light-alloy wheels, painted black with a high-sheen finish. As standard the Grand Edition models boast appropriate badges on the sides of the wings. The price for the Exterior package is 2300 euros.

The Grand Edition models at a glance:

GLS 350 d 4MATIC GLS 400 4MATIC GLS 500 4MATIC
Number of cylinders/arrangement 6/V 6/V 8/V
Displacement (cc) 2987 2996 4663
Rated output (kW/hp) 190/258 245/333 335/455
Rated torque (Nm) 620 480 700
Fuel consumption, combined (l/100 km) 8.0-7.7 9.4-8.9 11.3-10.9
CO2 emissions combined (g/km) 203-190 218-206 264-255

courtesy: media.daimler.com

Extreme G-Class Model now available in 1:18: Extreme colours for the extreme G

Extreme G-Class Model now available in 1:18: Extreme colours for the extreme G

Extreme G-Class Model now available in 1:18: Extreme colours for the extreme G

Stuttgart. After the great success of the model car series of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 Colour Package (Code: 01), Mercedes-Benz now brings out a limited edition of the G 500 4×4² in eight distinctive special colours.

With portal axles and a full 44 centimetres of ground clearance, the G 500 4×4² has been the highlight in the model program of the off-road icon since 2015. Even scaled down to 1:18, the extreme G has an imposing appearance. The G 500 4×4² is now available as a limited edition model car in the eight special colours; diamond white, electric beam, tektite grey, mauritius blue, sunset beam, alien green, tomato red and galactic beam. In line with the internal model code W 463, there are be exactly 463 copies of every colour – each numbered, i.e., “1 of 463”, “2 of 463”, etc., on the bottom of the each car.

The exclusive, resin-made miniatures were created in collaboration with the model car specialist GT Spirit, who Mercedes-Benz gave the original design data to for the development of these unique models. The level of detail is extremely high: for example, the 4×4² logo on the rim was implemented as true to the original vehicle as the perforated metal under the front apron. The eight miniature extreme G models consist of up to 100 parts and are outfitted with a number of special equipment.

courtesy: media.daimler.com