The Mercedes-Benz CLS, the SLS AMG Roadster and the various models in the C-Class are the most attractive vehicles in their respective classes. Furthermore, the legendary 300 SL Gullwing of the 1950s has earned the right to be called a design icon of recent decades. Such were the results of a survey of readers undertaken by leading German motoring magazine "auto motor und sport".


22,916 readers submitted votes in this year's Autonis design awards, which are made each year by "auto motor und sport" to honour the most beautiful new cars. The survey's only criterion is to establish which car readers find the most visually appealing. The clear winners in the medium-size category, with more than two thirds of all readers' votes, were the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the coupé of the same model family. Readers showed themselves impressed by the dynamic design of the new generation C-Class. This was especially true in the case of the C-Class coupé, with its classic coupé proportions.

In the luxury segment, the magazine's very percipient readers voted the Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door coupé into first place in the beauty contest. Like its predecessor, the new version of the CLS offers a very convincing package of captivating design and refined sportiness.

When it came to the cabriolets, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster was the car that found most favour with readers. The open version of the super sports car features the same technical highlights as the coupé model with gullwing doors that caused such a stir in this same competition back in 2009. With its compact soft top, which opens and closes in just eleven seconds, the new SLS AMG Roadster combines excellent driving dynamics with breathtaking roadster fun.

Even after almost 60 years, eyes light up when one of the legendary 300 SL models appears on the scene – Gullwing or Roadster, the effect is the same. This reaction serves to underline the longevity of the car's stunning design. It also underpins "auto motor und sport" readers' decision to award the title of "Design icon of recent decades" to the 300 SL – a "lifetime achievement award", as it were.

In future, Mercedes-Benz engines will be even more fuel-efficient, more resistant to wear and markedly lighter. These improvements have been made possible by NANOSLIDE technology, which has been evolved and developed to production standard by Mercedes-Benz. NANOSLIDE produces a perfectly smooth cylinder barrel, resulting in extremely low piston friction far below previously attainable levels. Mercedes-Benz has received the MATERIALICA Award 2011 in recognition of this achievement.


The NANOSLIDE technology developed by Mercedes-Benz employs twin-wire arc-sprayed coating (TWAS) to optimise cylinder surfaces. After melting iron-carbon wires by means of an electric arc, a flow of gas is applied to spray the metal droplets onto the inner walls of the cylinders of the lightweight aluminium crankcase. Extremely fine finishing of the resultant ultra-fine to nano-crystalline iron layer produces an almost perfectly smooth surface with fine pores which reduces friction and wear between pistons and cylinder walls by up to 50 percent in comparison to the barrel technologies available to date and additionally possesses an extremely high level of wear resistance. The resultant benefits are reduced fuel consumption and emissions, plus a markedly lighter engine.

The NANOSLIDE technology, which received the coveted MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award 2011 as an outstanding innovation in the Surface&Technology category, was developed by the Stuttgart-based automobile manufacturer. It has already been in successful use in AMG engines for five years now. As of 2011, the NANOSLIDE technology is now being introduced into series production of the new six-cylinder Mercedes diesel engines.

A high-calibre jury scrutinised almost 150 entries in various categories for the MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award 2011. Aspects which were considered in assessing the technological innovations included design quality, the technological aspect, workmanship, choice of materials, environmental compatibility, functionality, utility value, safety, brand value and feasibility. The MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award 2011 will be presented at a special ceremony during the 14th MATERIALICA fair (18 – 20 October 2011 in Munich). This will be the ninth such award ceremony.

The "Deutscher Zukunftspreis", or German Future Prize, is the Federal President’s prize for technology and innovation and is acknowledged as the country's most prestigious award for technical and scientific innovations. In the anniversary year of the automobile, a team from Daimler is again among the three teams of researchers nominated for the prize by Federal President Christian Wulff. With their 6D-vision technology, which can make a vital contribution to the avoidance of accidents, the researchers won through against other potential candidates and are now nominated for the final selection.





"Road safety for all road users has always been a major area of focus and a core competence at Mercedes-Benz." Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, continues: "The 6D-Vision project represents a milestone along the road to accident-free driving and will form the basis of our future safety systems. I am absolutely delighted that this unique technology has been honoured in this special way by being nominated for the ”Deutscher Zukunftspreis” in our 125th anniversary year."



Specifically named in the nomination were Dr Uwe Franke, Dr Stefan Gehrig and Dr Clemens Rabe, who are responsible for this pioneering project as part of their work in Daimler AG's Research and Advance Development department for Assistance Systems and Chassis Systems.



6D-Vision – faster than the human eye to recognise danger



The Daimler research team's 6D-Vision project opens up whole new possibilities for future assistance systems that will make our roads safer for all road users. Key to bringing about reductions in accidents is a timely and full understanding of the often very complex issues going on around a vehicle and of the traffic situation. Other road users have to be recognised within split seconds and possible collision hazards reliably identified. For the first time in a car, 6D-Vision is able to convey the three-dimensional perception of a person and the identification of potential risks on a small, powerful piece of hardware that is absolutely viable for series production.



6D-Vision uses a stereo camera, acting in much the same way as the two eyes of its human exemplar, to compute the three-dimensional geometry of the situation in front of the vehicle in real time from the images it sees, using special algorithms developed by Daimler to do so. An analysis of consecutive pairs of images allows instant and reliable identification of any movement. Dr Uwe Franke: "The capability of 6D-Vision is such that we are able to support the driver in precisely the sort of situation where the complexity of traffic conditions increases the potential for an accident, for example at junctions or in roadworks."



Split seconds are crucial



By linking the perception of both space and time, it is possible to differentiate between stationary and animated objects, even from a moving vehicle. Animated objects, for example children running unexpectedly into the road, are perceived within 200 milliseconds across a broad range of vision. Even the most alert person takes twice as long to do so; and should he or she be distracted, a further 500 milliseconds may be added to this time. An additional moment of shock adds further delay while the situation is assessed and until a reaction kicks in.



In purely mathematical terms, one second at a speed of 50 km/h equates to a vehicle covering a distance of around 15 metres. The computer works twice as fast as the driver and initiates safety measures after just seven metres. In an emergency braking situation, the vehicle therefore comes to a standstill more than a whole vehicle length sooner.



Since 6D-Vision technology is seen as being able to contribute significantly to reductions in road traffic accidents, it is Daimler's aim to make this technology available in the future to other manufacturers as well. Prof Dr Thomas Weber: "6D-Vision will take its place in the long line of safety innovations that have celebrated their premiere in our company over the last 125 years. Ultimately, however, it will benefit all motorists."



The ”Deutscher Zukunftspreis” of the country's Federal President has been awarded annually since 1997. As well as recognising scientific achievement, the award takes account of the marketability of a particular development. The award is given for projects that improve people's lives, create new employment opportunities and sustain the country's prosperity. Those organisations entitled to make nominations submit possible projects to an eminent jury made up of independent experts from both academia and industry. The jury then selects the three teams of researchers who, in their view, have the most innovative and marketable projects.



Daimler has been nominated for the award four times previously in the following areas:



1997 |"An environmentally compatible and resource-efficient fuel cell-based vehicle drive system"

2002 | "Protector – anticipatory emergency braking system for commercial vehicles"

2003 | "Anticipatory occupant protection system for passenger cars" 2006 | "Night View Assist – infrared technology for safer driving after dark"



The presentation of the award by German Federal President Christian Wulff will take place on 14 December 2011 in Berlin.

L.E.A.D.E.R. stands for Leaders in European Automotive Development, Excellence and Research. The award recognises innovation excellence in product development and environmental technology. The award was presented by Automotive News Europe.


Mercedes-Benz is a winner for its 125 years of innovation within the automotive industry, which started in 1886 when Carl Benz invented the motor car. The company was also chosen for its work towards boosting efficiency and reducing emissions by way of the many measures that come under the BlueEFFICIENCY banner. One recent example of these activities was the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive. A trio of B-Class F-CELL vehicles covered more than 30,000 kilometres around the globe in 125 days. The hydrogen-powered B-Class cars and their support vehicles started their journey in Stuttgart at the end of January to coincide with the official 125th anniversary of the motor car, taking in 14 countries on four continents.

Source: Daimler Media

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK is celebrating a brilliant victory in the great AUTO BILD magazine design competition. After the E-Class in 2009 and the SLS AMG in 2010, Mercedes-Benz has now won the AUTO BILD Design Award for the third time in a row. The new Roadster from Mercedes-Benz was voted as the overall winner of the automotive beauty contest by around 90,000 readers of the popular specialist magazine. As a result, the SLK can now proudly carry the title of "Germany's most beautiful car".


The new roadster uncompromisingly takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to a new level. It blends light-footed sportiness with stylish comfort, a striking sports-car design with total suitability for everyday use, top performance with exemplary ecology. What’s more, the SLK is proud to present the world premiere of the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which switches to light or dark at the touch of a button. Exemplary efficiency and sporty flair come courtesy of powerful new 4- and 6-cylinder engines featuring the standard-specification ECO start/stop function. With their superb levels of performance they are up to 25 percent more economical than their predecessors. And a unique set of safety equipment bestows role-model status on the SLK in this segment. With its wealth of technical innovations the SLK is once again the benchmark in its class.

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.