2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman All4: No-Drama Service

The Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 had its first service Monday, and it was entirely uneventful: an oil change, tire-pressure check, inspection and a car wash, all handled in the span of about four hours (Might have gone...
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/09/2011-mini-cooper-s-countryman-all4-no-drama-service.html

Mercedes SLA roadster will smoke its front tires in 2013

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz is preparing an Audi TT fighter for 2013 based on the company's B-Class architecture. Dubbed the SLA, the smallest Mercedes roadster will deliver grunt to its front wheels, a first for a two-door drop top wearing the three-pointed star.

Engines include a 1.6-liter direct injection turbo four-pot, or a 1.8-liter turbo diesel for our friends in Europe. Transmission options will include either a new seven-speed dual-clutch arrangement or a six-speed row-your-own.

Apparently, a soft top will be the only roof option available, in an attempt to keep costs reigned in. Speaking of costs, we don't have a solid number, but GoAuto.com reports it should ring the register at about $65k Australian.

Mercedes SLA roadster will smoke its front tires in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/06/mercedes-sla-roadster-will-smoke-its-front-tires-in-2013/

Mercedes-Benz shows off next-generation connectivity in Concept A-Class

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Infotainment

Here's the problem with decking out a high-end Mercedes-Benz with a range of infotainment functionality: The average S-Class buyer doesn't use it and the "digital natives" - those born with a mobile phone in their hands - can't afford one. That's set to change, and the Concept A-Class is the beginning.

The video after the break details a range of new connectivity functions employed on the smallest Benz, including Twitter and Facebook integration, and text-to-speech translation of email messages and status updates. The pseudo-holographic interface is a Tron bridge too far, but the concepts are sound. Now if M-B can bring it to market at a reasonable price-point, they'll be able to snatch up a few Millenials with three-pointed aspirations.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz shows off next-generation connectivity in Concept A-Class

Mercedes-Benz shows off next-generation connectivity in Concept A-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/mercedes-benz-shows-off-next-generation-connectivity-in-concept/

File Under Old News: Paceman Going into Production

It seems as if the rest of the automotive press can’t quite get it right when it comes to the Paceman. First there were those patent renderings that were wrongly reported to be of the production Paceman when in fact they were simply for the concept car. Then today Car and Driver reports (with great [...]
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