smart times 2013 in Lucerne: A big gathering for little smarts

From 23 to 25 August 2013 the worldwide smart fan community will come together on the south bank of Lake Lucerne against the scenic backdrop of the Alps for this year’s smart times. Several thousand smart enthusiasts are expected in Buochs, Lucerne with their vehicles of all smart model series, some of which have been painstakingly customised or exotically modified by their owners. This year the focus of the world’s largest gathering of smart fans is on electric mobility. 100 percent driving fun with zero emissions: the urban trend brand is already the epitome of electric driving. A further highlight of the event is the smart roadster’s tenth birthday celebrations.

"For smart’s 15th birthday the worldwide smart community has selected Lucerne as the venue for its annual gathering. Switzerland, the birthplace of the smart, is a beautiful and easily accessible meeting point in central Europe for the smart family to celebrate the smart attitude to life," says Dr Annette Winkler, Head of smart. "I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of smart fans, enjoying a great event together and discovering the mountains around Lucerne during the smart parade."

In Lucerne the organisers have a varied programme in store for the participants including trendy sporting activities, fun excursions to the mountains, live music and interesting talks with designers, tuners and experts. The children’s programme has been greatly expanded: an information and entertainment programme has been put together in cooperation with Genius, Daimler’s young knowledge community, and the University of Zurich, which is fun and also packed full of things to learn. The range of activities is rounded off by an opportunity to try out the smart ebike and test drive the smart fortwo electric drive, the world’s only electric cabriolet, as well as further current smart models. 　

An overview of the smart times 2013 programme

- Friday 23 August: smart roadster birthday excursion and opening party. On the first day smart will celebrate the tenth birthday of the roadster. A day full of surprises and small gifts awaits owners of the little sports car. The big birthday excursion will start in Lucerne and end in the idyllic mountain village of Engelberg. In the evening smart fans can enjoy the official opening party.

- Saturday 24 August: car contest, convoy celebrations and smart times parade. At 1.30 p.m. on the dot the starting signal will be given for the smart times parade, the world’s longest smart convoy. Along the route convoy celebrations will be held in Emmetten village square. Spectators will celebrate the participants in the smart parade with live music and typical Swiss food and drink. In the evening the trend brand from Stuttgart invites participants to attend the car contest presentation ceremony and a closing party with live music. Here the smart community will decide the venue for "smart times 14".

smart times networking

A virtual get-together is already taking place in the run-up to the event at http://on.fb.me/smarttimes .

All information and the event programme can be found at www.smart.com/smarttimes. Attendance at smart times is free of charge, however, accreditation is a prerequisite – also at www.smart.com/smarttimes .

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Auto China 2013: Mercedes-Benz sets a clear course in China

With attractive new products and an optimised sales structure, Mercedes-Benz is setting a clear course for sustainable growth in the key market of China. The previously separate sales businesses for imported and locally produced vehicle have been merged. At the head of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co. Ltd. is Nicholas Speeks, who has been President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Limited since 1st December and reports directly to the Daimler China Board Hubertus Troska. Tailor-made for the Chinese market is the new long-wheelbase E-Class produced in Beijing and celebrating its world premiere at Auto Shanghai. In another world first, Mercedes-Benz is also presenting the Concept GLA. The close-to-production study provides a preview of the forthcoming GLA-Class, the compact premium SUV with the three-pointed star. And celebrating is market launch is the new A-Class, with which Mercedes-Benz now intends to attract new target groups in the Middle Kingdom, too.

The new A-Class is launching in China just a few months after making its highly successful debut on the European market. Sales of the all-new Mercedes entry model virtually doubled there during the first quarter compared with the previous year. Among the most important reasons for purchase are the independent and distinctly sporty design and the extremely sporty handling characteristics.

The success story of the new A-Class began exactly two years ago at Auto Shanghai. “We unveiled the Concept A-Class here in 2011 and, with it, announced not only a great car, but also great plans,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars speaking at today’s Mercedes-Benz press conference at Asia’s most important auto show next to Auto China in Beijing. “We promised that the new A-Class would represent ‘the pulse of a new generation’ – and this is what we delivered. The A-Class is a great success. In its native market buyers are an average of ten years younger, more than 40 percent of customers come from other brands and, after the first quarter, the A-Class is lying well ahead of its direct competitors.”

Mercedes-Benz Cars sold more than 200,000 cars in China in 2012. By 2015, its sales figures are set to rise to over 300,000. Dr Zetsche: “A large part of this growth will be generated by our compact models, because they are the perfect proposition in a still growing market, where the demand for smaller premium vehicles continues to increase rapidly.”

The new long-wheelbase E-Class – from China for China

The E-Class is a traditional core product for Mercedes-Benz in China. The new model with the long wheelbase comes, likes its predecessor, from local production and is celebrating its world premiere at Auto Shanghai. With new, highly efficient engines and innovative driver assistance systems, the new generation of the successful business sedan combines efficient driving fun and active safety at the very highest level. The comprehensive safety concept includes systems that, for the first time, can prevent accidents with vehicles approaching from the side.

As in all markets worldwide, E-Class customers in China also have the choice between two standalone characters. Hubertus Troska: “The distinctly dynamic variant ‘Sport Sedan’ carries the star in its radiator grille and is aimed at customers with a sporty orientation. In parallel, we are also offering the classically elegant version ‘E-Class Sedan’ – for me the perfect business sedan - which has its star on the hood and thus stresses the traditional Mercedes brand values.”

Both versions are available for the first time with full-LED headlamps. The interior harmonises with the highly distinctive exterior. Fine materials and meticulous craftsmanship applied with great attention to detail underscore the premium look-and-feel of the generously proportioned interior.

“Like the new A-Class, the new E-Class has also enjoyed a highly successful start in Europe,” says Troska. “Customers and press alike have given it an enthusiastic welcome and I am convinced that we will continue that success story here in China.”

The A-Class and E-Class making their debuts in Shanghai are the first of a total of around 20 new and facelifted models that Mercedes-Benz is scheduled to launch by 2015 in the world’s largest car market. One more highly promising newcomer that is already waiting in the wings also celebrated its world premiere in Shanghai today - the concept GLA, the harbinger of a particularly sporty compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz.

>> More details on the new E-Class Long

Concept GLA – escape the everyday

The Concept GLA combines dynamic design and modern technology with a high degree of leisure value. Beneath the hood of the show car is the 155 kW (211 hp) two-litre turbocharged gasoline engine. Its power is transmitted by the innovative 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox to the extremely lightweight and compact 4MATIC all-wheel drive that Mercedes-Benz developed specifically for its new premium compact cars.

Dr. Zetsche: “We began the A-Class success story here in Shanghai in 2011. Two years later, on exactly the same spot, we are presenting the Concept GLA, which provides a preview of the sportiest model in the compact premium SUV segment – an extremely interesting vehicle that brings additional momentum to our ongoing offensive in the compact premium class. Just like the A-class, the GLA offers an attractive overall package – also for customers who perhaps, until now, have not had our brand on their shopping list.”

>> More details on the Concept GLA


100 years of Mercedes-Benz in China – looking forward

2013 marks an important anniversary in China for the inventor of the automobile: It was 100 years ago, in 1913, that Daimler opened its first sales office in the Middle Kingdom. Now the existing Mercedes dealer network is being expanded with additional locations. “Today,” says Dr. Zetsche, “we have more than 260 Mercedes dealers in China. This year alone, we will add at least 50 additional outlets.”

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Limited edition of smart forjeremy goes into series production: Haute couture on four wheels

The smart forjeremy is going into series production. At the Shanghai Auto Show (21 to 29 April 2013), smart will be showcasing the unique model created together with internationally renowned fashion designer Jeremy Scott, which will be available as an extremely limited special edition licensed for road use. With its striking wings at the rear, the vehicle retains a central design element of the original show car. Production is scheduled to begin in April 2013. The smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott is available as a coupé with either a local emission-free electric drive, BRABUS electric drive or a powerful BRABUS 75 kW petrol engine.

Jeremy Scott gives smart wings – the most eye-catching feature of the new smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott is the two vertical wings just above its rear lights. As Jeremy Scott explains: “I wanted to design something out of the ordinary, something that expressed my dreams and fantasies and that transferred my fashion ideas to automotive design. I see myself driving this car and can well imagine my friends and cool people all over the world loving the unique design of this smart.”

The tridion safety cell, door mirror caps and radiator grille are all painted in alubeam. By contrast, the bodypanels and 16”/17” Monoblock alloy wheels are finished in polar white in the BRABUS drive variants. The mirror triangle and rear lid are embellished by logos and lettering featuring the words “by Jeremy Scott”.

White is also the dominant colour in the interior, together with fine materials: the seats, door centre panels, gear knob (petrol version only) and kneepad are all tailor made with white, embossed leather complete with white stitching. The diamond stitching on the seat surfaces and backs is also found on the door centre panel. The top part of the instrument panel is covered with embossed black tailor made leather and also boasts white contrast stitching. The 3-spoke sports steering wheel is covered with white leather.

A pleasing contrast is created by the dashboard instruments, the trim to the side of the instrument panel and the gearshift trim, all of which are finished in alubeam. The classy look is underlined by black velours floor mats with white leather trim and “Jeremy Scott” in elegant lettering.

A choice of three engines

The exclusive special model is available with three different engine versions. All vehicles will be built by smart-BRABUS GmbH in a tailor made manufacturing process:

- smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott electric drive: with a 55 kW electric motor

- smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott BRABUS electric drive: with a 60 kW electric motor

- smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott BRABUS: with a 75 kW petrol engine

Exuberant creations: Jeremy Scott

Wings are one of the recurring design elements used by Jeremy Scott to great effect. Be it sweatshirts, sunglasses, watches or sneakers, winged motifs crop up again and again in his collections. Jeremy Scott is regarded as the last rebel of the fashion scene. When it comes to style and design, he knows neither boundaries nor conventions. His polarising impact has established him as a pop icon and a creator of exceptional fashion designs. Many stars from the music scene have embraced his avant-garde creations – they are worn by leading names such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Madonna, Björk and Kanye West.

Born in Kansas, Missouri, Jeremy Scott first went to New York in 1992 to study fashion design at the Pratt Institute, one of the leading schools of art and design in the USA. After graduating in 1996, he made a beeline for Paris to launch his design career at the tender age of 21. In 1996 and 1997, he won the “Venus de la Mode Award” for the “Best New Designer” and was nominated for the “Best Young Designer” award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1999. In 2001, the award-winning wunderkind returned to the USA to take up residence in Los Angeles.

Here is an overview of the prices:

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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SPY: Future smart models scooped in Northern Scandinavia

The 2015 generations of the smart fortwo and fortwo+2 has been undergoing road development since late summer 2012. As the outer shell is yet to be stylistically defined, the prototypes are still wearing Renault Twingo clothes. But to some trained eye, the differently visible proportions and the modified body panels indicate we are dealing with a smart.

The forthcoming fortwo will be launched next year, with the official premiere prone for Paris Motor Show 2014. The new rear-wheel-drive platform is shared with the next generation Renault Twingo and is also designed to accomodate a new range of 3-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines ranging in output from 64 hp to 104 hp (the latter uses turbocharging to boost power).

Moreover, the new powertrain offers a smooth integration of Daimler's state-of-the-art Tridion* safety cell, that increases security levels aboard this city car. In addition, the forfour will be revived as a new 4-door smart entitled fortwo+2 will join the 2-door model. It adds extra centimeters but it also increases practicality and passenger comfort due to the enlarged interior space.

The quality will be superior to the current models in every aspect and especially inside, where the carefully chosen materials and the pleasant colour tones will ensure a premium atmosphere. Most of the assistance systems on board the future smart models will be adapted starting from the existing ones seen on Mercedes-Benz models.

A recent report indicates the range-topping gasoline powerplant will develop around 150 hp of maximum output and deliver a consistent torque curve using a 3-cylinder layout and additional turbocharging technology. It should also power a high-end fortwo+2 variant, as well as the 2015 smart cabrio and smart SUV.

The partnered development with Renault means overall costs should be lower and so the pricing for each version of the new smart city models. As it is still early for some specific values, it is worth saying we shall get rid of Twingo test mules in the next months, as summer is approaching quickly - right in time for the finished, 'frozen design' body test prototypes.

* Some interesting facts about the Tridion safety cell:

- The tridion safety cell protects its occupants like the hard shell around a nut. Its structure is additionally reinforced with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel at strategically important points (more than 50 percent).

- The tridion safety cell’s longitudinal and transverse members activate the crumple zone of the other vehicle involved in the accident and distribute the impact energy evenly over the car’s body.

- And in case of a collision, the wheels also take on the function of crumple zones. When this happens, the front wheels are supported by the side members.

- The rear-mounted engine enables a larger crumple zone at the front and acts as a shock-absorbing unit that absorbs the impact energy in a rebound.

- Thanks to the sandwich-type construction of the tridion safety cell, the passengers are usually somewhat above the direct danger zone in the event of a side impact. Further, in the case of a side impact, the other vehicle almost always hits an axle that can absorb impact energy due to the relatively short wheelbase.

- All interior trims have been optimised to prevent injuries to occupants. And the soft foam-backed lower instrument panel (knee pad) offers protection for the passengers' knees and lower legs.

- The door structure is reinforced by high-strength sheet metal at key points.

Related articles:

- SPY: Early test mules for the 2015 smart fortwo and forfour spotted in Germany

- REPORT: Future smart lineup to include cabriolet and crossover offerings

Image Credits: WorldCarFans / Autoevolution

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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REPORT: Future smart lineup to include cabriolet and crossover offerings

The forthcoming generation of smart models will start coming out towards the end of next year. Apart from the standard fortwo and fortwo+2 choices, the mini-class brand of Daimler AG will make room for two niche versions that are expected to sell like hot cakes: an open-top and a crossover.

As you happen to already know, Mercedes-Benz has partnered Renault to write the next chapter in the smart story. A new rear-drive platform perfectly fitted for shared use under both the future Twingo and the new smart two-door/four-door models is currently in advanced stages of development. This means the future smart and Renault mini models will also share a series of specially developed, 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engines featuring low displacement and extraordinary efficiency, as well as special transmission systems.

Sticking to our topic, the cabriolet and the compact "SUV" under the smart brand are slated to be unleashed in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The future convertible will be inspired by the for-us study presented at Detroit and Geneva in 2012, while the other will follow the trails of the forstars concept showcased last year at Paris.

The street-legal products will be very similar in terms of styling to the show-bound cars and will boast smart's brand new design philosophy. The perforated grille and the tubular LED lights will be present trademarks on the future models. While the smart cabrio displays a two-door architecture and a lowered ride height for more dynamism, the smart "SUV" will boast larger proportions similar to those of Nissan Juke (whom it will supposedly share a modified powertrain with), four doors and a bespoke 4x4 traction system, offered as an option on high-end variants. Besides the standard version, a sporty 3-door smart SUV with fun factor and resembling the forstars concept car is also very likely to be greenlighted for serial production.

Note: smart forstars and smart for-us pictured.

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Urban mobility meets urban living room: Design cooperation between smart and BoConcept

smart, the car brand for urban mobility, and BoConcept, the Danish urban interior design specialist, have pooled their expertise in the disciplines of “form” and “functionality”. Together the design teams of both brands have created a collection of furniture and accessories and a smart fortwo cabrio. The aim of the design process was to combine the best of both product worlds: the inviting comfort and the warm personal touch of your own home with the vitality and speed of city life. The “smart fortwo BoConcept signature style” and the “smartville collection” will be presented in the BoConcept Friedrichstraße Store in Berlin on 28 February 2013.

The collaboration began as creative exchange about urban design and resulted in the two concrete projects because the requirements in terms of design, functionality and quality are very similar in both areas. The increasing limitation of usable space is a big challenge both in the car industry and in the design of living space – especially in the context of an urban environment and city living. This is why smart and BoConcept have both risen to the challenge of developing intelligent, space-saving solutions, but with no compromises in terms of design and quality. For example, the intelligent smart mobility concept provides an answer to limited parking space and multifunctional furniture helps optimise limited living space. At the same time both manufacturers offer their customers the widest possible options for individualising their products.

“smart and BoConcept unites one common aim: to make optimal use of the limited space available in the city with attractively designed products – products that allow our customers to both express their personality and organise their lives, and that also enable relaxed communication. The intensive exchange with BoConcept about how to create inviting living spaces was very exciting. It resulted in special furniture and a special smart that you feel at home in wherever you are in the city”, explains Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. Claus Ditlev Jensen, Visual Director of BoConcept, adds: “It is of course a new experience for us to work with a car designer. The creative expression within the limits but also within the options of car design was extremely inspiring for us.”

The smart fortwo BoConcept signature style

Taking a smart BRABUS cabrio (75 kW) as their starting point, the designers from smart and BoConcept developed a vehicle that unites design trends from both product worlds. The exterior has a fresh and elegant appearance. At the same time the interior, which is dominated by natural materials such as leather and felt, has a warm, cosy character.

The typical smart bodypanels come in matt crystal white. Matt colours have found their way into car design inspired by home interiors where matt surfaces are very exclusive. The open texture of the paint offers both a high-quality look and an attractive feel.

The typical smart contrasting colour on the smart fortwo BoConcept signature style is a matt oriental brown metallic. This is found on the tridion cell and the door mirror caps. The soft top is also brown. The colour is a clear reference to the wood colours of the furniture world and looks very elegant on a car. Stripes in smart light lemon that adorn both the door mirror caps and the matt oriental brown metallic BRABUS Monoblock VII alloy wheels provide an eye-catching contrast.

The interior clearly carries the signature of the Danish designers: it is dominated by the tobacco brown leather that covers the seats, the interior door trim, the indicating instruments and the sporty BRABUS three-spoke steering wheel. A grey felt material has been worked into the seat backrests, interior door trim and the upper part of the knee pad. As on the exterior, the smart light lemon also creates vivid accents in the interior – in the quilting and double stitching on the seats, on the steering wheel and in the surround of the indicating instruments. The BoConcept lettering on the black velour floor mats and the labels sewn into the seats mark the cooperation. The trim of the oak gear button is the first time that real wood has been fitted in a smart.

As of March 2013 BoConcept Stores in various cities around the world will be using the smart fortwo BoConcept signature style as an agile brand ambassador.

The smartville collection

The jointly designed smartville collection reflects the colour scheme and materials of the smart fortwo BoConcept signature style in the furniture and accessories. At the same time the functionality of the smart is the driving force behind the designs. The heart of the collection is a modular sofa, whose standard size of 2.69m corresponds exactly to the compact measurements of a smart fortwo. The furniture collection is supplemented by an iconic lounge armchair with several references to a car seat as well as a coffee table which is modern and light in its look. The accessories collection includes smartville tableware, special cushions and a table clock that smart customers will recognise from the cockpit of their smart fortwo.

The smartville collection is available from 5 March 2013 in all BoConcept stores around the world and online at www.boconcept.com.








Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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