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Daimler wants to cut EV research spending as it preps EQ

Daimler AG is hoping that the legwork it's done preparing its EQ electric-vehicle sub-brand will allow it to slightly reduce annual spending on plug-in vehicle technology. The Mercedes-Benz parent is looking to cut electric-vehicle research-and-development spending to $13.2 billion in 2017 from about $15.4 billion this year, Bloomberg News says, citing comments Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche made to journalists in Hamburg, Germany, this week. Daimler's annual R&D spending is up from about $11.5 billion in both 2013 and 2014. Like its competitors – for example Audi and BMW and its i sub-brand – Daimler is aiming to have as much as 25 percent of its annual vehicle sales be battery-electric within the next 10 years as part of an effort to meet stricter greenhouse-gas emissions mandates in both Europe and North America. In fact, Mercedes-Benz and Daimler's Smart division collectively have at least 10 electric-vehicle models on their slates during the next few years, though Zetsche said the German automaker will continue to find ways to make its gas- and diesel-powered vehicles more fuel-efficient as well. Daimler introduced a concept version of the Generation EQ electric SUV at the Paris Motor Show late last month. It comes powered by two electric motors and is made up of a combination of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber, and boasts a 311-mile single-charge range (on the relatively lenient European testing standards). The SUV also has 402 horsepower, and the ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds. Zetsche said at the time that Daimler was prepping powertrains and platforms for electric sedans, wagons, coupes, and roadsters, in addition to SUVs. Additionally, Daimler's Deutsche Accumotive unit is producing the lithium-ion battery packs for the EQs. Featured Gallery Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept: Paris 2016 View 19 Photos News Source: Bloomberg News via Automotive News-sub.req. Green Mercedes-Benz smart Electric eq mercedes eq

2016 Tech of the Year | Autoblog Minute

Deliberation on the winners of Autoblog's Tech of the Year Award is under way. Nominees for best car in 2016 are: the Tesla Model S, the Chevy Volt and the BMW 7 series. Nominees for best tech in 2016 are: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, VW's MiB II with AppConnect, Ford Sync 3, Audi Virtual Cockpit, the Smart Cross Connect App, and Volvo Sensus. Autoblog's Chris McGraw reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Audi BMW Chevrolet Ford smart Tesla Volvo Technology of the Year Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video volt android auto ford sync 3

Brabus Smart range tuned all the way to 107 hp

Performance is relative. Take these new Smart models tuned by Brabus, for example. They only pack 107 horsepower, which would hardly be enough to reach highway speed in most cars. But in something this small, a seemingly modest output increase is enough to make all the difference. Revealed at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show, the new Brabus versions of the Smart ForTwo, ForTwo Cabrio, and ForFour boast a series of mild performance upgrades. The 898-cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine carries over, but it has been retuned to pull in more air and fuel and produce 20 percent more power and 25 percent more torque; that 107-hp figure represents an 18-horse increase over the 89 hp in the standard version, and the 125 pound-feet of torque a solid improvement over the standard 100. It's also 7 hp and 17 lb-ft more potent than the previous Brabus Smart. The Brabus-fettled ForTwo with the dual-clutch transmission can reach 62 miles per hour in 9.5 seconds versus 11.3 for the stock car. See what we mean about things being relative? Of course, Brabus being Brabus, the tuners didn't just tweak the engine and call it a day. They also increased the suspension's stiffness by 20 percent, fitted a front anti-roll bar, retuned the ESP and steering, mounted new wheels, added a launch-control-like Race Start feature, and installed a new exhaust system. There's a host of cosmetic upgrades available as well. While a little extra power would be a big help on American roads, these high-output Smarts aren't likely to make it here. If the past is a guide, we might get a Brabus-look package at some point. That's too bad, because if you have to drive a city car, these new Smarts seem like the most fun options. Related Video: Top version with 80 kW/109 hp coming in the summer: More power than ever: the new smart BRABUS Beijing/Stuttgart. With 80 kW/109 hp, the new smart BRABUS is among the sportiest vehicles in its segment. Alongside the powerful turbo engine, this is down to the BRABUS Performance sports suspension with specially adapted ESP®, the sports power steering and sporty configuration of the twinamic dual-clutch transmission with Race Start function. The vehicle also comes as standard with a sporty look both inside and out. Available in fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour versions, the new smart BRABUS will celebrate its world premiere at the Beijing Automotive Exhibition (25 April to 4 May 2016). The first models will be in European dealers' showrooms from July 2016.