Smart FORTWO PASSION CABRIOLET, page #9

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Maybach crossover looking more likely, Smart crossover possible

Mercedes-Benz executives are still making positive noises about the chances of a Mercedes-Maybach SUV. Following Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche's answer of "most likely" at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes Cars head of sales and marketing Ola Kallenius told Autocar that a Maybach SUV based on the next-generation GLS is "the more likely scenario." That's the same Kallenius that told Automotive News just last November that "we have no plans for it [a Maybach SUV]." It's a subtle shift, to be sure, but it's still a shift. The GLS – introduced as the latest-generation GL in 2013 – is still undergoing testing for its its mid-cycle refresh, so a Maybach version is a few years off. That would, coincidentally, give Mercedes time to see how the other super-luxe entrants are faring, and prepare its charge accordingly. Autocar expects that should it be built, it will come when the GLS shifts to the S-Class platform and most likely get the twin-turbo V12 from the Mercdes-Maybach S600 sedan, although the company's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is possible if there are strong intentions for the Chinese market. Also on Stuttgart's agenda of dreams is a Smart crossover, according to the report. It could be Smart's best chance at profitably extending the range, based on the mania for tiny utes, and that would help both Daimler and the ForTwo's Renault Twingo sibling. It sounds like this is a ways off, though, due to coming up with an engineering solution for the Smart's engine packaging. Related Video:

Daimler teaching teens to drive with EVs, offers Car2go access

If you want to drive the future, perhaps it makes sense to start with future drivers. That's the thinking behind Daimler's new electric vehicle driver's license trial program in Stuttgart, Germany. The automaker is giving teens who are learning to drive a chance to do so in a Smart Fortwo ED and a Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive as they get their Class B or BF17 passenger car driving license. Daimler is also offering test-takers a so-called eDriverLicence for their knowledge of electric vehicles. The minimum driving age is 18 in Germany, and teens who get their license through this program will be able to sign up for the Car2go carsharing program for free. Seems like a good deal for parents, because who doesn't want to put brand new drivers in someone else's car? Learning the future: Daimler introduces electric mobility in driving schools Electric cars make it easier for new drivers to get started. An initiative from Daimler AG and the ACADEMY Holding AG prepares novice drivers for a future of electric mobility. Pilot project with five driving schools in the wider Stuttgart area. eDriverLicence gives quick access to car2go. Drawing on the maxim "electric mobility is something you can learn", Daimler AG and the ACADEMY Holding AG are launching a pilot project with five selected ACADEMY driving schools in the wider Stuttgart area, with the aim of making electric vehicles an integral part of driver training. Kick-off for the project will be on April 10 at the Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlet in Stuttgart, in the presence of the Mayor of Stuttgart, Fritz Kuhn. Driving instructors, educational experts and business representatives will discuss the issue of "Electric mobility in driving schools in the context of current driving licence regulations". From April, the driving schools will be offering learner drivers a simple and timely introduction to today's world of locally emission-free mobility. The specially developed training concept is unparalleled in the way it tackles every aspect of electric mobility, focusing as it does on gaining familiarity and experience, as well as on the correct way to handle and work with alternative drive systems. The aim of the initiative is to integrate electric vehicles into the driver training process and so to generate enthusiasm for electric mobility, particularly among young people. The initiative is also designed to make the first experience of driving significantly easier for learners.

Auto Show Notebook: Legendary Continental name inspired Lincoln's designers

What's in a name? A lot for the Continental concept, and it gave Lincoln designers a sense of purpose as they styled the brand's upcoming flagship sedan. "The moment that we told them, it was amazing," Lincoln president Kumar Galhotra said. "They totally got it." "It" is cutting-edge technology wrapped in stately, large-sedan design. It's a nod to Lincoln's storied past, but a signpost for where the brand is heading. Though the Continental name dates to the late 1930s, Lincoln designers avoided making the concept overtly retro. "You can't let it pull yourself back too far in history, but you've got to design a car that lives up to the name," Galhotra said. Speaking to Autoblog on the floor of the New York Auto Show where the Continental formally debuted Wednesday, the Lincoln president reiterated that the car is on track to launch in 2016. It will compete against the Audi A6, Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series and other large luxury sedans. After its debut, the concept in New York will fly to China – another critical market for Lincoln – for display there. It will be replaced in New York by a prototype without an interior. The Continental is the latest high profile play by Lincoln to raise its image with consumers, who have either ignored or forgotten about it amid steep competition in the luxury sector from German and Japanese brands and a potentially resilient Cadillac. Lincoln sales are essentially flat compared with 2014 through the first quarter of this year, with total volume of 21,478 units. The middling start to 2015 comes on the heels of nearly 16-percent sales growth last year spurred by the launch of the MKC and the prominent signing of Matthew McConaughey to star in Lincoln advertisements. Other News, Notes & Quotes Speaking of names, Chevrolet did its homework before deciding to proceed with "Malibu" for its new generation of midsize cars. "We went out and researched it," said Alan Batey, president of General Motors North America. "People actually like the name 'Malibu,'" he said. Admittedly, the current Malibu has struggled in the marketplace against entrenched competitors, Batey said, but he's optimistic its awareness and historical value are assets to the dramatically redesigned sedan."The name's strong," he said. Meanwhile, in other Chevy news, the brand kicked off a new marketing campaign, "Real People, Not Actors" Wednesday. It will show consumers interacting with Chevys and their spontaneous reactions to the vehicles.

Next-gen Smart ED will use LG Chem battery

LG Chem will be the battery maker of choice for the two-seat Smart ED electric vehicle starting next year. LG Chem says the contract gives the Seoul-based company the prestigious title of the world's largest automotive-battery supplier. In 2016, LG Chem will be making batteries for more than a dozen of the world's largest automakers. The news is a little more fortuitous than some of the more recent times LG Chem and its lithium-ion battery production activity showed up in these pages. LG Chem built a factory about 30 miles outside of Grand Rapids, MI in 2012 to make batteries for the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle. Unfortunately, the plant sat idle for months even though the feds committed more than $300 million combined in funds and tax breaks for the factory. Those factory lines officially cranked up in 2013 and are going to make packs for the next-gen Volt in the near future. For now, you can take a look at LG Chem's press release for the Smart agreement below. LG Chem to supply EV batteries to Daimler Group Seoul, Korea - Mar 31, 2015 – LG Chem, Korea's leading manufacturer of advanced batteries, has been selected by Daimler AG (Daimler) as the supplier of lithium-ion batteries for Smart EV that will be newly launched in 2016. Based on the results of mass supply contract, LG Chem will be providing battery cells to Smart EV and the cells will be installed into packs by Daimler. Smart is a brand of Daimler that manufactures and markets micro cars such as Smart Fortwo and Smart Forfour. Despite the compact size of the vehicle, Smart is renowned for agility on city roads, secured safety and differentiated design. It has a steady sales record of more than 100,000 vehicles annually. LG Chem had been invited to the 'Supplier Day' hosted by Daimler in Stuttgart, February. LG Chem was the only lithium-ion battery maker invited to participate at the event and had the chance to discuss core strategies with numerous automotive partners of Daimler Group. Based on such experience, LG Chem plans to supply a battery that can cope with the prestigious name value of Daimler brands with the best specification and highest output of energy - a battery that has the best driving performance while running through electric motor. With the advent of 'Benz Patent Motor Car' in 1886, Daimler gave birth to the first automobile in the world.

Car2go NA's new CEO says carsharing service will upgrade tech

Since its first car was shared in the US in 2009, Car2go has seen tremendous growth and a steadily increasing number of users. Car2go is the largest carsharing company in the world today, and the company's North American division just got a new president and CEO: former marketing and sales manager Paul DeLong (pictured, above right). DeLong announced his new position in a letter to Car2go users and said that the company is working on some "key service upgrades" for the ways that the cars connect to Car2go's servers and will soon be using "local mobile providers and 3G networks, resulting in a faster connection when members begin and start their trip." The first city to get upgraded is Seattle. Announcing car2go's new CEO with some key service upgrades planned for you. Today, I have officially transitioned into a new role as the CEO and President of car2go North America. Joining car2go when it was first introduced in Austin in 2009 was the best decision that I've ever made, and as I kick off my first day as CEO today, I would like to share with you what we have in the pipeline for our valued members in the coming months, as well as my thoughts on car2go's bright future. • Our service is getting a speed upgrade. Currently, we are operating a massive switch to introduce technology that will allow us to use local mobile providers and 3G networks, resulting in a faster connection when members begin and start their trip. In fact, we are actively working on this in Seattle at this moment. • Accelerated development with new product features. The past two weeks, we have been working hard to migrate our IT systems to a high-performance cloud-based solution, which will accelerate the development of product updates for our services, and improve and scale our business in all of our cities worldwide. While the upgrades to the new and improved technology have been significant, we realize that they have not been easy. Some members may have been affected recently by disruptions to our service, but we would like to reassure you that all of these investments in our technology will make the car2go experience live up to your expectations. At car2go, we don't strive for just "OK," we strive to be a trusted partner that helps you get from Point A to Point B with ease.

Portland Car2go carsharing program adds, what else, bike racks

Yes, you can indeed fit a guitar in the back of a Smart ForTwo. That's one of the side lessons we learned from a 95-second video that Daimler's carsharing division Car2go has posted about adding bike racks to a good chunk of its fleet in Portland, OR. Beyond that, the video had a nice tutorial on how to strap on a pair of bikes to the back of a really small car. Looks like it's not all that difficult. The details in the video are sparse, but Oregon Public Broadcasting has elaborated on Car2go's plan to affix bike racks to the back of about half of the Portland-area's fleet of 530 vehicles, which makes sense given that biking is a bit of a religion up there. Daimler launched Car2go in Portland during the summer of 2012, kicking things off with about 250 vehicles and 6,000 members. Since then, the fleet has doubled while membership has multiplied by a factor of five. And a good 40 percent of that membership has said it regularly bikes, hence the new racks. We get the feeling a fair number of those folks are musicians as well, hence the guitar. Car2go operates in 15 US cities. Check out Car2go's video above. Related Gallery Car2go Miami, Toronto, Calgary, Amsterdam News Source: Car2go/YouTube, Oregon Public Broadcasting via Green Car Reports Green smart Transportation Alternatives bike car2go portland

Five reasons to love, or hate, the culture of German cars

A few months back, we took a 500-foot view of the culture of American cars, dissecting prides and prejudices on our way to the conclusion that automotive allegiances can be simultaneously embraced and derided. We had so much fun with the narrative that we decided to do it again, this time taking a look at Germany and its world-renowned lineup of automakers, including the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen, among others. Join us below as we discuss the points and counterpoints that make or have made the German auto industry what it is today. And remember, Germany did pretty much invent the automobile, after all... The V12 Engine If America is known for the proliferation of the V8 engine, an argument could be made that Germany owns the V12. Yes, of course, other companies have created V12 engines – Ferrari, Jaguar and Lamborghini immediately come to mind – but the big 12-cylinder powerplants from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in particular, have proven to be some of the most effortless, luxurious and downright over-built engines the world has ever seen. These days, having 12 cylinders is more a case of wretched excess than ever before, and yet, you can still stroll into your local BMW or Mercedes dealership and get a brand-new 760i, S600 or even an over-the-top G65 AMG, efficiency be damned. Best of all, since the majority of these German powerhouses depreciate as fast as an anchor sinks, nearly any auto enthusiast who dreams of a dozen cylinders can satisfy their carnal desires. Current Star: 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 View 28 Photos Diesel Engines Remember how we talked about those glorious V12 engines? Well, you can even get one from Audi that runs on diesel. If your compression-ignition fantasies err more on the side of fuel savings, that's no problem, either. Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen have got you covered, with engines starting as small as 800 cubic centimeters (Smart Fortwo). If you want something a little more practical, it's hard to argue with a VW Golf TDI, which will provide plenty of space for you and three of your best friends, plus a fair bit of luggage, all while returning 50-ish miles per gallon. For the purposes of this discussion, we'd rather focus on the asinine levels of torque provided by Germany's high-end diesel engines than the lower-end fuel sippers.

Smart Fortwo Edition Moscot is a strange collaboration

If you happen to be the type who prefers your eyeglasses to match your car, we have great news: Smart has teamed up with Moscot of New York City to create the Smart Fortwo Edition Moscot. The black and yellow (black and yellow, black and yellow...) cabriolet is likely to be the last and final version of the long-running first-generation city car, as a new model is right around the corner. It doesn't happen often, but we're really at a loss for words on how best to describe this offbeat collaboration, so here's a statement from Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of Smart: "The 'Smart Fortwo Edition Moscot' and the 'Lemtosh smart' eyeglasses look great. I'm also particularly delighted by the way they combine to showcase the urban lifestyle and our smart attitude to perfection." So, there you have it. Urban lifestyle, smart attitude and perfection, all wrapped up in one microcar package. Feel free to read more in the press release down below, and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery of live photos above. smart fortwo edition MOSCOT: Special edition smart fortwo cabrio with cult appeal Milan/Geneva, Feb 28, 2015 smart and MOSCOT invite fans to "Keep moving–stay original!," with the introduction of the new black and yellow "smart fortwo edition MOSCOT". It will be produced in a limited run of 100 units. Also new are "The LEMTOSH smart" eyeglasses in coordinating colours, and "The MOSCOT smart Drive Package" featuring three clip-on sun lenses for perfect vision on the road in all weather conditions. The world premiere takes place in Milan/Italy on 28 February 2015 at the "MOSCOT 100-Year Anniversary Party," at the "Officine Del Volo" against the backdrop of the MIDO eyewear fair. The "smart fortwo edition MOSCOT" will make its second major appearance at the Geneva Motor Show (5 to 15 March 2015). The exclusive two-seater cabrio with the BRABUS 75 kW turbo engine is available in Germany at prices starting from ˆ29,524 (recommended retail price including 19% VAT). The first vehicles will be delivered to customers in early summer. To mark the 100th anniversary of MOSCOT and the impending finale of the current smart cabrio, smart, the Stuttgart-based car brand for urban mobility, and MOSCOT, the New York City eyewear institution, joined forces to produce the special "smart fortwo edition MOSCOT" featuring a striking black and yellow colour scheme in a limited run of 100 units.

Smart Fortwo Moscot may be final swan song for outgoing city car

The long-serving Smart Fortwo – introduced back in 1998 and updated in 2007 – is finally on its way out. Soon there'll even be a new Cabrio model to replace the existing one. But before Daimler's city-car brand sends off the vehicle that put it on the map, it's releasing what we hope, at least, will be one last special edition. Created in collaboration between Smart and celebrated eyewear label Moscot, this special-edition Fortwo Cabrio was revealed just a couple of days ago at the MIDO optics expo in Milan and will be on hand for the Geneva Motor Show this week. It's characterized by a black and pale yellow livery and packs a front spoiler, wheels and sport suspension by Brabus, with an interior enhanced by special leather trim. Only 100 units will be made, in celebration of Moscot's centenary, to be delivered (in Europe at least) early this coming summer. And as a special bonus, each comes with a pair of Moscot Lemtosh glasses with three clip-on sub lenses. smart fortwo edition MOSCOT: Special edition smart fortwo cabrio with cult appeal Milan/Geneva, Feb 28, 2015 smart and MOSCOT invite fans to "Keep moving–stay original!," with the introduction of the new black and yellow "smart fortwo edition MOSCOT". It will be produced in a limited run of 100 units. Also new are "The LEMTOSH smart" eyeglasses in coordinating colours, and "The MOSCOT smart Drive Package" featuring three clip-on sun lenses for perfect vision on the road in all weather conditions. The world premiere takes place in Milan/Italy on 28 February 2015 at the "MOSCOT 100-Year Anniversary Party," at the "Officine Del Volo" against the backdrop of the MIDO eyewear fair. The "smart fortwo edition MOSCOT" will make its second major appearance at the Geneva Motor Show (5 to 15 March 2015). The exclusive two-seater cabrio with the BRABUS 75 kW turbo engine is available in Germany at prices starting from ˆ29,524 (recommended retail price including 19% VAT). The first vehicles will be delivered to customers in early summer. To mark the 100th anniversary of MOSCOT and the impending finale of the current smart cabrio, smart, the Stuttgart-based car brand for urban mobility, and MOSCOT, the New York City eyewear institution, joined forces to produce the special "smart fortwo edition MOSCOT" featuring a striking black and yellow colour scheme in a limited run of 100 units.

Top horsepower-per-dollar cars in 2017

Bang for the buck. That quasi-scientific statistic is bandied about by motor heads everywhere from classrooms to barrooms, though the truth of the matter is that it's exceedingly complex to measure. A fair performance-per-dollar index would include something like cross-referencing MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) with point-to-point times on a track or driving route, which is obviously hard to do comprehensively. But, for the sheer joy of talking about cars and playing with a big spreadsheet, there's always the horsepower-per-dollar index, which is more straightforward, albeit hilariously flawed. There are vagaries even with this simple formula, of course: MSRP for vehicles can change at a moment's notice, to say nothing of the bottom-line shifting that happens with local deals or showroom negotiation. For this list we're running with the straight MSRP wherever possible, and as recently reported as we can get it. All the vehicles on this list are 2017 models, and all trims are reported where the lowest price and differing power levels intersect. Some choices were made for personal preference and some for sanity, avoiding things like all 48 trim levels of the Ford Transit, all with the same horsepower). If this list were a simple top ten, or even a top fifty, you'd be bored to tears with all the red, white and blue that is represented. Following perfectly with conventional wisdom, American cars really do lead the world where hp/$ is concerned. So, for the sake of variety (and the sheer joy of seeing a minivan 'win' one round of this thing) I've sorted out some top five and bottom five lists for broad power categories. Let's dive in. Less Than 100 Horsepower Okay, okay, this is hardly a category we'll grant you. But we've often tried to click off all the sub-100-hp cars on sale in the US, and making this list gave us an excuse. It also illustrates that none of these smallish vehicles bring cheap horsepower to the table - for that you'll need a motorcycle. The segment-leading Chevy Spark (above) asks just over $139 for each hp, and that Smart Fortwo Electric Drive has hp on sale for about the same price as its very distant family cousin, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (insert your favorite Smart joke here... we know you want to).