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2019 Autoblog Technology of the Year finalists revealed

Every fall, we line up a range of new models with the latest and most compelling automotive technology from the past year. We test everything from semi-autonomous systems like Tesla's Autopilot to trick suspension setups like the Multimatic spool-valve shocks on the Chevy Colorado ZR2. We spend months paring down the list to a small group of contenders. After testing, dinner and healthy debate, we tally up the votes and name our winner. For Autoblog's 2019 Technology of the Year Award, our three finalists are the Cadillac CT6 with Super Cruise, the Infiniti QX50 with Variable Compression Turbo and the Mercedes-AMG E 53 with EQ Boost. Super Cruise is an advanced SAE Level 2 semi-autonomous system, though Cadillac (unlike some of its rivals) is reluctant to push that point. Cadillac would like you to think of this as an advanced driver assistance feature rather than a semi-autonomous system. Super Cruise allows completely hands-free highway driving. Thanks to a driver-facing camera, the system forces the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road even if hands are off the wheel. Although the CT6 is being discontinued, look for Super Cruise to make its way to other Cadillacs soon. VC Turbo is a little more complicated. Basically, Infiniti's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four can vary the compression ratio on the fly. In general, turbocharged engines are more efficient than naturally-aspirated engines when on boost, but can perform worse at low revs. VC Turbo allows for a best-of-both-worlds situation, increasing the compression at low revs and backing it off once the turbo spools up. The best part is that it does so seamlessly, with only a dash readout letting you know what's going on under the hood. Our third finalist is the EQ Boost 48-volt system in the Mercedes-AMG E 53. Like VC Turbo, EQ Boost does a lot just beneath the surface. Mercedes has developed a new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and paired it with a small electric motor. While the car can't run on electricity alone, the motor helps improve both efficiency and performance, smoothing shifts and filling in low-end torque before the turbos spool up. Think torque fill, similar to a McLaren P1. Who can complain about better fuel economy and more torque? Look for the 48-volt system to make its way into most of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. The winner will be revealed next week on Autoblog, and we'll present the award Jan. 15 at the Detroit Auto Show. Related Video:

Mercedes-Benz teases SL-Class for LA Auto Show

There's no better place in the world to unveil a styling update for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class than at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The luxury droptop's combination of handsome style, big power, and a huge price tag also makes it a perfect fit for stylish, wealthy Southern California. Mercedes is getting us excited to see the rest of the SL's facelift thanks to this shadowy preview. We can spy a redesigned hood in the image above, and it's smoother and simpler than the current design. You can also spot the restyled headlights at each corner that seem thinner than the present units. The updated bumper now features four inlets: one on each side and a double-decker one in the center. Spy shots from earlier this year suggest even more updates for the refreshed SL, like a new rear bumper and redesigned exhaust tips. Keep an eye out for possible improvements to the infotainment system and other interior upgrades. The 2015 LA Auto Show begins in about a week, so we won't have to wait long to see all of Mercedes' tweaks. Related Video:

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 is about to get official [UPDATE]

UPDATE: As predicted, Mercedes followed up with official information and a full set of images of the C63. Click through to read the lot of it. Let's not kid ourselves; we already know what the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe looks like. The company has been dropping teasers like they're hot, in video and photo form. We caught a spied glance of the whole car very recently, too. And we saw the base C-Class Coupe in all of its official glory just last week. Still, Mercedes knows that the new C63 is likely to be a hot topic with the enthusiast crowd (that's you and me, Bub), so it's dropping as many breadcrumbs as it can between now and the fully fleshed out information. This afternoon that means this first official image of the car: a double-fantasy of German speed in stirring red and striking silver. Big 14-spoke wheels ground each corner of this flowing coupe shape, with air-gulping intakes, a pointillistic metallic grille, and LED-strip headlights dominating the front end. Mercedes has promised us that more information about its performance-focused C-Class is upcoming. We're going to update this very post with that knowledge just as soon as we have it, so stay tuned. Related Video: