Daily Archives: December 27, 2017
Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon: The Fastest Wagon in the World
The Mercedes -AMG E63 S Wagon is not your average family car. Beneath its luxurious exterior lies an engine with a performance that can beat even the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
Performance
According to Mercedes-Benz USA , the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is the fastest station wagon in the world. Beneath the hood of the car rests a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The unit has an output of 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. The auto operates on a 4MATIC all-wheel drive configuration. Then, its power is distributed through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission that uses a wet clutch.
Putting the pedal to the metal will allow the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon to reach 60 mph from a complete stop in just 3.4 seconds. That beats the acceleration of the Mustang and the Camaro. On the other hand, the maximum speed of the auto is electronically-capped at 180 mph.
Mercedes noted that when the car was tested by a journalist at the Nordschleife of the Nuerburgring track, it conquered the whole circuit with its lap time of 7:45.19.
Design
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is the high-performance version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon. Therefore, it has all the signature look of Mercedes’ midrange luxury vehicle such as the curvaceous corners, glossy finish and striking body lines. Its appeal is further highlighted by its improved stance, thanks to AMG’s suspension; jet wing-inspired front bumper complete with air intakes; rear diffuser; rear lip spoiler at the roofing; quad exhaust tips; and chrome horizontal grille with black vertical slats in the background.
The most noticeable part of the E63 S Wagon is its 12.3-inch digital display. The gauges also come in carbon fiber look to enhance the sporty elements of the car’s cockpit. Moreover, it has AMG Performance Seats and Steering Wheel as well as nappa leather surfaces.
Pricing
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S has a starting price of $106,950, excluding its $995 delivery and destination fees.
Self-Driving Cars: Are We Close to Getting Them?
The race to roll out the first road-worthy autonomous vehicle in the market continues. A lot of players have laid their cards in the competition with the goal of producing their entry in the segment by the start of the next decade. Let us take a look at how far the major players have gone in the development of self-driving cars.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is very close to their goal of producing their first ever road-legal self-driving car. Most of the technologies that they are using now in their premium cars show semi-autonomous driving capabilities like auto-steering, auto-braking, lane assist, Pilot Parking, and many more.
The German brand also revealed the F015 Luxury in Motion concept car in 2015 which possesses full auto-driving features. Based on the press release of the company, the vehicle is electric-powered and it is equipped with a fully-digital interior that uses touchscreens coupled with smartphone integration. This enables the occupant of the car to set his or her destination conveniently. Then, the on-board sensors and computer of the auto will help identify obstacles along the way and safely maneuver itself during the trip.
A self-driving truck was presented by the German brand too back in 2014 called the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025. It successfully navigated itself on auto-pilot along the way.
Fast-forward in 2017, Mercedes launched the actual road test of its S-Class with self-driving tech at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car just finished its testing in the public roads of Germany, China, Australia and South Africa. The last leg will be in the U.S. in time for CES in Vegas. However, the company seems to be hurdling with legal and regulatory issues concerning autonomous vehicles. The automaker estimates that they will be able to have their self-driving cars ready for consumers within a decade.
Waymo
Waymo stemmed from Google’s self-driving car project. They are aggressively developing their self-driving cars and the program has already accrued over 4 million miles of testing. The company successfully fitted their tech in a Chrysler Pacifica and some of them are now operating in Phoenix.
However, it is only confined within a certain geographical location because of its limited mapping data. Like Mercedes, their reach is roadblocked by legal elements.
Uber
After its disruptive innovation relative to taxi services worldwide, the company is also dipping its hand in the self-driving car contest. It started its project early this year. So far, Uber in hot waters with the authorities in California according to Forbes because of the operation of its autonomous cars without a permit in San Francisco. They were recently sued by Waymo too for allegedly stealing trade secrets. Add to that the rollover accident it was involved in last March in Arizona.
Despite the mentioned hiccups, Uber is determined to push through with their self-driving car program. At present, they have accumulated 2 million miles in their testing and they are looking for another million mile early next year.
