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First Mercedes-Benz fully-electric premium MPV to make public debut next month

Mercedes-Benz is wasting no time building up its EQ range of fully-electric models. Following the launch of the EQC SUV at the 2018 Paris Motorshow, it will unveil its first fully-electric premium MPV at the Frankfurt Motorshow next month. The new EQV is based on the Concept EQV that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year.

“Our MPVs meet the highest standards in terms of functionality and variability. The EQV also does not compromise in this respect. It offers comfortable handling, dynamic electro-aesthetics, intuitive operation and generous space – and all locally emissions-free. This means that it offers all of the typical qualities of the brand and segment that our customers expect, whether as a family car or a shuttle vehicle with a lounge-like character”, says Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

150 kW drivetrain, 405 kms range
The electric drivetrain (eATS) of the EQV is situated on the front axle under the front end with a charging connection in the bumper. It has a peak output of 150 kW which can take the MPV up to a claimed maximum speed of 160 km/h. It has a claimed range of 405 kms and with rapid charging, the high-voltage battery pack can be ‘refuelled’ from 10% to 80% within less than an hour.

The electric motor, the transmission with a fixed gear ratio, the cooling system and the power electronics constitute a highly integrated, compact unit. Power is provided by a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor of the vehicle. Its low, central location also has a positive effect on the handling characteristics of the EQV.

Battery pack is constantly recharged
As standard, the EQV will be equipped with a water-cooled on-board charger with a capacity of 11 kW, making it suitable for AC charging at home or at public charging stations. To ensure that the technical operating range is used to the maximum, the EQV also charges its batteries when on the move. When accelerating or braking, the mechanical rotation is converted into electrical energy and used to charge the high-voltage battery (recuperation).

The driver has a major influence on recuperation. He or she is also able to influence the recuperation level using paddles behind the steering wheel. The paddle on the left increases the level of recuperation, the paddle on the right reduces it. At the weakest level, the vehicle ‘coasts’ while at the strongest level, it is possible to drive using a single pedal. This is because, in most situations, the slowing effect of recuperation is sufficient to make the brake pedal redundant.

The recuperation level D Auto reflects the intelligence of the EQV. The automatically activated ECO Assistant helps the driver to achieve the best possible efficiency. It combines navigation data, road traffic sign recognition and information provided by the intelligent safety assistance systems (radar and camera) and adjusts the level of recuperation itself.

In combination with EQ-optimised navigation, active range monitoring ensures that the driver reaches the destination safely even if a charging stop is missed. It is also assisted by the E+ driving mode, which optimises the vehicle’s parameters to maximise the range.

Flexible seating for 6 to 8 persons
For flexibility, the EQV will be offered with two different wheelbase dimensions. It can be configured as a 6-seater with individual seats for high-quality transportation, or converted into a 7 or even an 8-seater to serve as a shuttle.

The refinement of MBUX (the Mercedes-Benz user interface) specifically for EQ is a particular highlight. In the high-resolution, 10-inch media display, the EQ tile in the main menu serves as a central point of access to the specific displays and settings. These include the charging current, departure time, energy flow and consumption histogram. EQV drivers can plan their destinations from the home or office, enter a departure time and bring the interior to the desired temperature.

The EQV will be produced at a factory in northern Spain where the V-Class and Vito models are also made. This facilitates flexible and synergetic production in direct correlation with customer demand globally.

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2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro unveiled – From RM821,560

Mercedes-Benz has launched yet another exclusive model into their high-performance AMG GT family and it’s called the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro. Those who are looking for a race-performing machine with spectacular driving dynamics should definitely have a look at this bad boy. (more…)

Manufacturers must make their electric cars noisy

As the era of the electric car dawns and more such cars will be on the roads, safety issues are beginning to get increasing attention. The fact that cars with only electric motors run almost silently may be good for the environment but can be a danger to pedestrians. It’s already bad enough that there are pedestrians who are walk around with earphones blocking out ambient noises that they do not realise a car is approaching them. With electric cars, even pedestrians who can hear may not know a car is coming up behind them.

For the past few years, safety authorities in some countries have begun to introduce new regulations that require electric vehicles to ‘make noise’ as a safety measure. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for example, added such a requirement for all new hybrid and electric light-duty vehicles sold in the USA. The new federal safety standard is intended to help pedestrians who are blind, have low vision, and other pedestrians detect the presence, direction and location of these vehicles when they are traveling at low speeds.

*Special acoustic chambers are used to conduct tests on noise generated by vehicles.*

Under the new rule, to come into effect in September this year, all hybrid and electric light vehicles with 4 wheels and a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds (4,545 kgs) or less will be required to make audible noise when traveling in reverse or forward at speeds up to 30 km/h. At higher speeds, the sound alert is not required because other factors, such as tyre and wind noise, provide adequate audible warning to pedestrians.

New EU directive to make noise
Since the beginning of July 2019, a new EU directive has made it mandatory to install a warning sound generator in electric cars in Europe. This stipulates that initially in newly certificated hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles – also trucks and buses – an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) must be installed for the protection of other road users.

The warning is mandatory up to a speed of 20 km/h and the Directive formulates the parameters for how an AVAS warning may and may not sound in great detail. This applies for example to the minimum and maximum sound volume, and to certain sound components.

How manufacturers are meeting the requirement
It is subject to these and many other regulations that the sound experts of the acoustic test facility at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre in Germany are working on giving a ‘voice’ to the electrified Mercedes-Benz models. Special microphones in the exterior sound testing facilities are used to develop an individually configured e-sound for each electric model.

Simulations, measurements, evaluations and detailed improvements continue until the result is perfect. During the subsequent test drives, there is a particularly sensitive passenger on board – the artificial head. This registers the tiniest noises, and comes impressively close to human hearing.

The Mercedes-Benz AVAS sound differs only slightly for the EU, Japan and China. There are other requirements for the USA, for example concerning the sound volume. Furthermore, the stationary vehicle must already generate a sound when a gear is engaged, becoming louder up to 30 km/h. Switching off the AVAS by the customer is prohibited in almost all countries.

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The new Mercedes-AMG GT3 is a 6.3L V8 monster

Looking for engineering perfection in terms of performance, safety, reliability, handling and ergonomics? Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing has something for you in the form of the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 V8 monster machine, now with higher standards and lower running costs. (more…)

REVIEW: Mercedes-Benz A 250 AMG Line – “German Emotion”

What can you get with RM267,888? A lot of things, we bet. If you ask Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, they will post probably point towards the Mercedes-Benz A 250 AMG Line. Why? Because that is how much it costs and we here at Piston.my had the opportunity to test this bad boy out (huge thanks to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia for the hook-up). (more…)

Mercedes-Benz EQ Range unveiled in Malaysia

‘The pinnacle of luxury meets electric intelligence’. That’s how the Mercedes-Benz EQ Range was presented during its formal introduction earlier today in Kuala Lumpur with three very exciting model; The S 560 e, C 300 e, and the very first Southeast Asia premiere, the all-electric EQC.

The exclusive showcases represent the brand’s technological leadership and their overall direction in the future on mobility. The Mercedes-Benz EQ Range starts with the first ever S-Class Plug-In Hybrid, the S 560 e. Featuring Mercedes’ latest PHEV system, the latest entry into the S-Class is now more efficient and powerful than ever. (more…)

Mercedes A250 AMG: Sesi Pandu Uji Bertukar Ke Sesi Uji Kesabaran

Ramai yang teruja ketika Mercedes-Benz melancarkan model A Class, A250 AMG 2019 hujung tahun lalu.

Manakan tidak, model A250 berjaya mendapat tempat di hati pembeli berkemampuan di Malaysia hasil daripada kejayaan Mercedes mereka jentera empat roda yang memiliki reka bentuk menarik.

Jadi tidak hairanlah setiap kali Mercedes melancarkan model baharu, ramai yang ternanti-nanti apakah tawaran baharu bagi model ini.

Model A Class julung kalinya dilancarkan pada 1997 sebelum generasi keempat menembusi pasaran pada tahun lalu.

Pasaran kereta mengalami pelbagai perubahan dalam tempoh 20 tahun ini tetapi A-Class tidak pernah gagal dalam bergerak seiring dengan arus peredaran zaman.

Lebih-lebih lagi, model baharu ini disuntik dengan pelbagai ciri mewah yang sebelum ini hanya boleh didapati pada model premium, S-Class.

Antara paling mencuri tumpuan, sistem navigasi canggih, paparan skrin 10.25 inchi, lampu depan LED High Performance, ekzos berkembar, tayar aloi 18 inci dan sistem infotainmen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). Selain itu, rekaan corong berilhamkan ‘turbine’ turut memantapkan rekaan keseluruhan A250 AMG.

Tampak kecil berbanding model Mercedes lain namun A250 dilengkapi enjin 2.0 liter yang mampu menghasilkan 224hp pada 5,500rpm. Ia juga mampu mencapai kelajuan 100km/j di bawah 6.2 saat!

Walaupun maklumat ini semua menampakkan Mercedes A250 AMG tampak lebih gah namun tumpuan kami lebih terarah kepada sistem kawalan suara Linguatronic yang julung kalinya didatangkan pada model kali ini.

Dengan hanya menyebut ‘Hey Mercedes’, pengeluar Jerman itu mendakwa pemandu boleh mengawal pelbagai fungsi di dalam kereta antaranya suhu penyejuk, radio dan sistem navigasi kenderaan. Bukan itu sahaja, sistem Linguatronic itu turut dikatakan mampu memahami penggunaan bahasa pasar!

Berasa sedikit skpetikal, kami alami sendiri sistem kawalan suara yang canggih ini.

Sama ada kami pelat berbahasa Inggeris atau dakwaan Mercedes itu kurang tepat apa pun kami berjaya juga untuk memberi arahan suara – walaupun tiada di dalam video di atas.

Secara keseluruhan, prestasi Mercedes A250 AMG sememangnya tidak mengecewakan dan berjaya menanda semua ‘checklist’ yang kami letakkan. Tambahan pula dengan harga RM263,888, ini mungkin model Mercedes yang paling berbaloi untuk dibeli.

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VIDEO HARI INI

Mercedes-AMG produces world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine

There’s a newly developed Mercedes-AMG engine that has just started going into production and it means business with loads of power to match. Standing at 421hp, the Mercedes-AMG 2.0-litre M 139 engine is the world’s most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine in series production. (more…)

Cycle & Carriage organises ‘Balik Kampung’ drive with Petronas

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad together with Petronas Dagangan Berhad organised a very special ‘Balik Kampung’ themed drive with 200 Mercedes-Benz owners around Selangor. The customers were also given the opportunity to test out Petronas’ latest PRIMAX 95 with Pro-Drive fuel. (more…)

Mercedes-Benz EQC goes into production – First all-electric Mercedes

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is finally going into full production mode and orders are beginning to come in for the electric vehicle ahead of its global launch. Produced at the brand’s Bremen plant which is also known as the world’s largest Mercedes production facility, the full-electric SUV is ensured with the highest production standards when it comes to manufacturing and assembly. (more…)