Showing posts with label wheels. Show all posts

New light-alloy wheels from Mercedes-Benz Accessories: Into the spring on new wheels

By | Published Tuesday, 17 April 2012

High-sheen bichromatic wheels and large wheels up to size 53.34 cm (21-inch) continue to enjoy great popularity. Accordingly, Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH is expanding its range of these light-alloy wheels. Just in time for the changeover from winter to summer tyres, the new models are available for numerous model series. In all, the diverse product range from Mercedes-Benz Accessories currently comprises around 170 different wheel designs, including two models for the new Mercedes-Benz SL, that is available at Mercedes-Benz dealerships as of 31 March.

High-sheen bichromatic light-alloy wheels derive their additional appeal from the interesting contrast between the apparently bare metal surface and the painted areas. They lend the vehicle a yet more exclusive appearance and are considered by the designers at Mercedes-Benz to be more than just a passing fad. Accordingly, Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH is now extending its range of bichromatic wheels. The popular wheels in single-tone painted finish also remain available.

The trend towards larger wheels fitted flush with the outer body contours is also continuing in all categories of vehicle. This design style signals power, dynamism and driving stability. Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH also has new products to offer in this area – such as the 5-twin-spoke wheel in bichromatic design in size 53.34 cm (21-inch) for the M-Class.

For spring 2012, Mercedes-Benz Accessories is offering new light-alloy wheels for numerous vehicles including the following model series (situation as per March 2012):

SL-Class
incenio 5-spoke wheel, 45.7 cm (18-inch)
Surface finish: matt satin silver / high-sheen
Wheel size: 8.5J x 18 ET 35.5 (A231 401 2902 7x34)
Wheel size: 9.5J x 18 ET 47.5 (A231 401 3002 7x34)
incenio multi-spoke wheel, 48.3 cm (19-inch)
Surface finish: palladium silver / high-sheen
Wheel size: 8.5J x 19 ET 35.5 (A231 401 2702 7x19)
Wheel size: 9.5J x 19 ET 47.5 (A231 401 2802 7x19)

M-Class
incenio 5-twin-spoke wheel, 53.34 cm (21-inch)
Surface finish: Himalayas grey / high-sheen
Wheel size: 9J x 21 ET 53 (A166 401 2707 7x21)

GLK-Class
incenio 5-spoke wheel, 48.3 cm (19-inch)
Surface finish: tremolite metallic
Wheel size: 7.5J x 19 ET 47 (A204 401 8902 7x28)
Wheel size: 8.5J x 19 ET 52 (A204 401 9302 7x28)

C-Class
incenio 5-twin-spoke wheel, 45.7 cm (18-inch)
Surface finish: Himalayas grey
Wheel size: 7.5 J x 18 ET 47 (A204 401 9102 7756)
Wheel size: 8.5 J x 18 ET 54 (A204 4019 202 7756)

E-Class (Saloon and Estate)
incenio 5-twin-spoke wheel, 48.3 cm (19-inch)
Surface finish: Himalayas grey / high-sheen
Wheel size: 8.5J x 19 ET 48 (A212 401 4802 7x21)
Wheel size: 9.5J x 19 ET 48 (A212 401 4902 7x21)

E-Class (Coupé and Cabrio)
incenio 5-twin-spoke wheel, 48.3 cm (19-inch)
Surface finish: Himalayas grey / high-sheen
Wheel size: 8J x 19 8 ET 44 (A207 401 1902 7x21)
Wheel size: 8.5J x 19 ET 48 (A212 401 4802 7x21)

Highest quality standards

The same high safety standards apply to all the light-alloy wheels on offer – there are no differences in quality between the models belonging to the standard and optional equipment and the versions available from Mercedes-Benz Accessories. All wheels are required to meet the same high standards. Neither certification nor registration with the TÜV technical inspection authority are required when fitting the light-alloy wheels from Mercedes-Benz Accessories, as they all form part of the vehicle homologation. The customer always receives a product which is tailored perfectly to Mercedes-Benz vehicles: it supports their exemplary ride comfort and high driving dynamics and fulfils the high requirements of the design idiom, additionally combining high performance with an outstanding service life.

These merits result on the one hand from close collaboration between the vehicle development staff and the wheel development specialists. In order to win their Mercedes stars, wheels additionally have to pass a comprehensive test programme which goes well beyond the statutory licensing requirements for use in road traffic. This includes effective testing procedures geared towards the toughest service conditions encountered in real driving conditions, even extending to tests in cutting-edge x-ray systems and computer tomographs.

Care and handling tips

Even the best development programme, the most innovative production technology and a perfectly coordinated test programme are unable to influence how customers treat their vehicles, including the valuable light-alloy wheels. The manner in which wheels are handled continues to have a major influence on their value retention and the safety of the vehicle. Useful tips:

- Clean the winter/summer wheels thoroughly after changing in the spring/autumn, regardless of whether steel or light-alloy wheels are fitted

- Do not use aggressive cleaners. Products recommended by Mercedes-Benz are gentle agents which will clean the wheels effectively

- Do not clean with sharp or rough sponges

- Observe the specified wheel tightening torques. Wheel bolts which are too tight or too loose will damage the wheel in the long term

- Do not oil or grease wheel bolts, as at the specified tightening torque this will result in excessive pre-stressing, which may cause damage to both wheels and bolts

- Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts

- Check the wheels after they have taken heavy knocks, e.g. when driving through deep potholes. If deformation is visible, be sure to have the damage checked at a dealership

- Fit only the size of tyre approved for the wheel

- When carrying high payloads and/or towing a trailer, adjust the tyre pressure accordingly and be sure to observe the permissible wheel loads

Information on changing wheels or tyres as well as storing wheels is available at every Mercedes-Benz partner.





Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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World Debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show: BRABUS MONOBLOCK R - The new Alloy Wheel with Two-Plain Design

By | Published Monday, 5 March 2012

All over the world BRABUS Monoblock alloy wheels are the top choice for owners of Mercedes-Benz automobiles who value exclusive design and highest quality. At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show BRABUS presents the new Monoblock R wheel in a world premiere. This new wheel family sets itself apart from the masses with its two-plain design and the Liquid Titanium Smoked paint finish.


The BRABUS designers have come up with an especially innovative styling for the new one-piece Monoblock R wheel. Two sets of five double spokes are arranged in two plains. Elaborate machining and a special paint finish ensure maximum effect of this spoke arrangement.

While the inner set of spokes is painted a "Liquid Titanium" shade, the outer spokes are diamond-polished and afterwards sealed with a smoke-colored clear lacquer, lending the wheel its very own character.

The new BRABUS Monoblock R wheels are available in six different sizes from 8.5Jx18 to 10Jx22. This allows installing this new wheel design on almost all latest Mercedes-Benz automobiles from the new B-Class to the GL-Class. The optimal high-performance tires in each respective size are supplied by BRABUS technology partners Continental, Pirelli or YOKOHAMA.






* Official photos and details courtesy of BRABUS GmbH *

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is "always on": Mercedes-Benz puts the iPhone® on wheels

By | Published Thursday, 23 February 2012

Mercedes-Benz is making smartphones mobile and ensuring that such electronic assistants will in future be fully linked into the car's infotainment system. First off the blocks is the Apple® iPhone®, which Mercedes-Benz has now integrated comprehensively into the user experience concept of the new A-Class, as the first automotive manufacturer in the world to take this step. Thanks to a new "Digital DriveStyle App", developed in-house, together with the „Drive Kit Plus for the Apple® iPhone®“, drivers can now access all the key content of their Apple® iPhone® through the in-vehicle display and enjoy safe and convenient operation of the device via the Controller on the center armrest. The attractive 'look' is ensured by the revolutionary user interface design. In a further world premiere, Mercedes-Benz will enable access to the voice-based intelligent companion Siri™ in the vehicle. This allows natural speech input, without the need for specific commands, to send messages, select music tracks and check the weather forecast or stock prices, as well as to make appointments. All the iPhone® integration functions can be used even with the entry-level Audio 20 system.


This seamless integration of the Apple® iPhone® into the vehicle, in conjunction with the new revolutionary user interface design, means that Mercedes-Benz is now able to offer the Facebook generation its natural home on four wheels, in the form of the new A-Class. Along with Facebook, Twitter and so on, the "Digital DriveStyle App" developed by Daimler offers further services and content to suit the digital lifestyle and will be available to download free of charge from the Apple® iTunes® store. Its highlights include:

- Personalised internet radio by AUPEO! Personal Radio, which offers radio stations that compile an individual program for listeners and recommend similar music by genre or artists based on personal taste.

- The advanced navigation software from Garmin, with internet-based real-time traffic information, online POI searches and 3D map display, all of which work even in combination with the entry-level multimedia system Audio 20

- A socially interactive experience involving "sharing", "posting" and the integration of music and other content from social networks including text-to-speech.

- An intuitive 'Car Finder' which automatically stores the vehicle's location. Pedestrian navigation makes it completely easy to find your way back to the car.

- Access to the voice-based intelligent companion Siri™.

New here is also the contextual and location-based display of menu content under the headings "Social", "Media" and "Places". The basic logic behind this was presented by Daimler for the first time in January of this year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Appearing under the heading "Social", for example, are the various friends and latest news from the social networks.

The user interface design is unique and revolutionary. Transparent symbols are illuminated in red to create three-dimensionally arranged navigation levels. Within the three-dimensional illustration provided by this menu structure, the user can move intuitively between the various functions in fluid, animated transitions. The user interface concept was designed and implemented by designers and engineers in the Mercedes-Benz research and development center in Palo Alto, California/USA. Enlarging the display of content on the screen to an appropriate format for use in a vehicle and allowing it to be controlled through the ergonomically positioned Controller on the center armrest makes operating the system both safe and easy.

The iPhone® is connected through an interface developed by Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH. This allows content to be fed directly from the graphics output of the device to the display of the vehicle. At the same time, the iPhone® is both powered and charged automatically while it is being used.

Full iPhone® integration is not only possible in conjunction with the COMAND Online multimedia system. All functions, including navigation, can also be used even with the entry-level Audio 20 system. Mercedes-Benz is thus making it possible for the A-Class's younger target group in particular to continue their digital lifestyle seamlessly inside the vehicle. Both the "Digital DriveStyle App" and the "Drive Kit Plus for the Apple® iPhone®" will be making their debut in the new A-Class, which will be celebrating its world premiere at this year's Geneva Motor Show, and are also planned to be available from autumn 2012 for the B-, C- and E-Class.

Always at your service: the voice-based intelligent companion Siri™

As the first automotive manufacturer to do so, Mercedes-Benz will be introducing Siri™ in a vehicle with easy access to it from the “Digital DriveStyle App”. While conventional voice recognition software demands the use of specific spoken commands, Siri™ understands natural speech patterns and will even ask questions in return should more information be needed in order to complete a given task.

Siri™ is a function of the latest iPhone® generation, 4S, and acts as a personal assistant. Given verbal instructions, for example, it will access the personal calendar to make or decline requests for appointments or meetings. SMS text messages can be dictated or read out, and emails sent. Siri™ can also be used as a convenient way of accessing the complete range of music stored on an iPhone® or to request the latest weather forecast.

Always up-to-date: COMAND Online with Cloud technology and Mercedes-Benz App Shop
Safe and convenient access to the internet on the move is already available in a whole series of Mercedes-Benz models: the fully integrated multimedia system COMAND Online was introduced in 2011. As well as innovative applications such as Google Local Search including Google Street View and Panoramio, Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer to offer the option of sending individually preconfigured routes from Google Maps on a PC to the vehicle. The internet connection that is required for the functions in COMAND Online is established via a mobile telephone Bluetooth link and a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Mercedes-Benz is firmly convinced that the future lies with cloud computing. The software used in the COMAND Online applications is not stored in the vehicle, but runs off the Daimler Vehicle Backend. The advantage of this is that applications can be continually updated in the cloud, and new applications released to Mercedes-Benz customers, without the need to visit a workshop.

In this sense on March 31st, 2012 a new Mercedes-Benz App to access News will be available to COMAND Online customers.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Apps for COMAND Online will be offered soon in the new Mercedes-Benz App Shop. The first two Mercedes-Benz Apps to become available in the App Shop will be the Parking Finder and Morningstar Finance, that offers access to stock prices.

It is planned to introduce a dozen or so new applications each year. To this end, Daimler has set up App Development Groups in both Palo Alto, California/USA, and Bangalore, India.
Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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