2001 Mercedes-benz C Class on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Why it's difficult to accurately test the efficiency of a plug-in car

When it comes to electric vehicles and plug-ins in general, the Environmental Protection Agency-certified range is a hugely important number. While actual range anxiety is largely psychological, the magic number does provide a point of comparison of buyers considering one EV over another. The driving distance is also often touted by automakers when marketing their models. Unfortunately, as Green Car Reports finds in a recent deep dive, the way the EPA calculates the figure is a convoluted mess, and discovering the reasons why is definitely worth the read. The issue isn't about bad science but instead comes down to vague wording. The EPA's accepted range test is sourced from an evaluation called J-1634 from the Society of Automotive Engineers, and it seems to provide balanced results for vehicles that automatically reach a single state of charge when plugged in. However for models with multiple charge settings, the situation gets complicated very quickly. Of course, these modes are often created in the software, meaning that a car's certified driving distance can change with just a few taps of the keyboard without the real world results owners might experience actually changing. By showing the test's effects on the certified range for the Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf and Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive over the last few years, Green Car Reports makes a compelling argument that it's the evaluation that needs to change. Thankfully, it appears that the solution is a very simple one. Get the details here.

Mercedes-AMG not making more Black Series models... for now

There was a time when AMG only made one version of any given vehicle, but those times are long behind us. These days it's cranking out entry-level AMG Sport models, the main AMG line and the more potent S-models. But what about the Black Series? According to Autocar, which spoke with Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers at the Geneva Motor Show last week, the Black Series is still in the cards... just not for the short term. Moers said AMG is currently focused more on "making the cars more sophisticated, more precise" than about making headline-grabbing horsepower and torque figures. "The Black Series name... will be necessary in the future, but for now the base cars are so good. The Black Series must be at the top of the hill, but I don't know when or on what model yet." The nearest possible candidate could be the more hardcore version of the Mercedes-AMG GT that's in the works to take on the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3, but Moers didn't say whether that model would warrant reviving the Black Series label. AMG previously applied the Black Series designation to extreme high-performance versions of the SLK, SL, SLS, CLK and C-Class coupe, carrying upgraded engines, suspension, rolling stock, brakes and aerodynamics to make them more track-focused. Related Video:

Mercedes S-Class Cabrio caught nearly naked

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a handsome car, and its new two-door variant is positively dashing. Considering that, did you really think Mercedes would shake things up when it finally came time to drop the top on its flagship luxury model? Nope, neither did we. This is the S-Class Cabriolet, and from the beltline down, it's basically the same fixed-roof car we tested back in October – same grille, same headlights, same twin character lines in the profile. This is not a bad thing. We're betting it'll wear very similar taillights to the S-Class Coupe, although it's difficult to tell on the more heavily camo'd example of the luxurious droptop. Differences, meanwhile, are kept to the absolute minimum. The windshield looks more aggressively raked, and the inclusion of a canvas roof has softened the Coupe's svelte profile, but other than that, there aren't many changes at all. Expect the S-Class Sedan and Coupe's engine lineup to inform the powertrain strategy for the Cabriolet, meaning a base S550 with a 4.7-liter, twin-turbocharged V8. It's unclear if AMG variants will be offered, although we wouldn't bet against it. Our spies report that the S-Class Cabrio will saunter into dealers later this year, eager to steal the lunch money of the aging BMW 6 Series Convertible. We're betting on a European auto show debut, so keep an eye open at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. If not there, Frankfurt seems like a likely destination for the new droptop.