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Recharge Wrap-up: KillaJoule hits 270 mph; Mercedes B-Class ED gets PlugShare

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive will get its own version of the PlugShare charging-station locator app. Developed by Recargo with the help of Daimler, the vehicle-specific app will be integrated into the car's navigation system. The system maps the location of nearby charging stations from various networks. So far, Mercedes-Benz doesn't offer a universal pay service for the various charging networks, like those offered by BMW and Nissan. Read more at Green Car Reports. HyperSolar uses solar energy to make hydrogen from water. Without using electrolyzers, HyperSolar uses a photochemical process to separate and capture the hydrogen in the water, which can then be used for clean energy, such as automotive fuel cells. The solar devices are submerged in water inside a container, and sunlight powers the device to free the hydrogen. HyperSolar claims that its process is more efficient and cost effective than other methods used to produce hydrogen from water. See some demonstrations in the videos below and learn more at HyperSolar's website. Eva Hakansson drove the KillaJoule electric motorcycle to a top speed of 270.224 miles per hour. After a computer model showed a possibility of about 270 mph, the team took the motorcycle with sidecar out to the salt flats for Mike Cook's Shootout. Everything went smoothly, and Hakansson easily surpassed speeds of the 249.1-mph world record she set a few weeks ago. The team is calling it quits for the season, but will make some tweaks to the KillaJoule in hopes of getting 300 mph out of the red bullet next year. Read more at KillaCycle Racing, or at Business Insider. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG formalize technical partnership

The development of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin has been a long time coming. The news dates back to 2008, and over the five years since was supposed to lead to a rejuvenation of both the Maybach and Lagonda brands. That program ultimately fell apart, but the tie-in was forged afresh in July when the two automakers signed a letter of intent over a renewed partnership. And now that partnership has been formalized.
In a deal just announced, Mercedes-AMG will build a new V8 engine for Aston Martin that will power a new generation of luxury GTs for the British marque, presumably to replace the 4.7-liter V8 in the Vantage. The relationship appears to be similar to the one already in place between AMG and Pagani, only in this case, will involve Daimler taking as much as a five-percent stake in Aston Martin and an observer seat on Aston's board.
The technical partnership is also set to lead to the supply of electric and electronic systems, and could incorporate "additional areas of cooperation in the future." Whether that will include a fresh attempt at reviving Lagonda remains to be seen, as does the future of Aston's long-serving, Ford-based 6.0-liter V12 engine. But for now you can read the full announcement below.

Jalopnik and Consumer Reports see who can pull off the best snow drift

The weather throughout much of the United States is pretty awful at the moment with some combination of extremely low temperatures, inches of snow and maybe some ice underneath it all. The folks at Jalopnik and Consumer Reports are making the absolute best out of a difficult situation by heading to CR's snow-covered test track and attempting to make the longest drift in a quartet of very different performance vehicles. Jalopnik brought along a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Wagon, a Subaru WRX STI, a BMW 228i and a 1973 Volkswagen Baja Bug (heck yeah!) for the challenge. Also, the track was perfect for this group, with a mix of packed snow in places and still a few inches of unsullied powder in spots too. Ostensibly the goal was to get the tail to step out through a particular corner, but in reality this was more about having hilarious fun in the snow with fast cars. The result just looks like the best time humanly possible in this weather.