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October 06 News |
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Parking assistance
A newly developed parking guidance system makes its series production debut in the Mercedes CL
this autumn. The system uses radar technology to help the driver find a suitable parking space and
park the vehicle. When driving past at a speed of up to around 25 mph, side-mounted radar sensors
in the front and rear bumpers measure whether the parking spaces on the driver and front passenger
sides are sufficiently large for the vehicle. Once the system has found a suitable parking space on the
front passenger side, a blue "P" symbol appears in the instrument cluster if the vehicle speed is below
10 mph. Parking spaces on the driver's side are shown if the indicator on that side is operated. Once
the driver has stopped the coupé in the position shown on the display and engaged reverse gear, the
display shows a symbolic, bird's-eye-view representation of the parking situation. Coloured guide
lines show the driver how best to park: a red line indicates the current steering angle, while a yellow
line shows the steering angle required for parking. The driver now turns the steering wheel until the
two lines coincide, and can then begin to reverse slowly. As soon as the ideal and actual steering
angles coincide, the guidelines on the display change to green. When reversing, an acoustic signal
informs the driver when it is time to countersteer. During the parking manoeuvre, the guidance system
continuously monitors the steering angle and vehicle position. If the driver stops before reaching the
recommended position, for example, the system automatically recalculates the ideal steering angle for
smooth parking. The new radar-based parking guidance system, which will be optionally available for
the CL-Class from the end of 2006, works in tandem with the Parking Assist feature familiar from the
S-Class. This system uses radar to measure the distance to obstacles in front of and behind the car,
informing the driver by means of the display and an intermittent acoustic warning.
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A funny thing happened...
It sounds like an old time Music Hall gag, but it isn’t. Whilst running a Binz hearse on trial, Welsh
funeral director Scott Owen of Tom Owen & Son Ltd of Llandudno, found himself flagged down when
stopped at the traffic lights by a passing pedestrian, who wanted to know what make of vehicle he
was using. Such is the impact of the Binz hearse that the public recognise the vehicle as something
just a little bit special. In today’s consumer oriented
market funerals are increasingly becoming about
offering the service and the standard that the
consumer desires. If during their life they were
used to quality goods and high standards, it is
certain that the bereaved family will wish to see
that represented at their funeral. Anything less just
will not pass muster. The concept of burying the
chief with his finery has not quite faded into the
mists of time.
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SLR 722 edition
The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 edition displays thoroughbred motor-racing attributes, having been developed at the headquarters of the McLaren
Formula 1 team in England. Featuring more than 300 modified components, the super sports car serves up a boost in output, more dynamic chassis tuning,
improved aerodynamics and distinctly sporty interior appointments to thrill even the most demanding of sports-car enthusiasts. The new limited-edition series,
only 150 models are being produced, for the most part hand-crafted, is the brand's response to calls from discerning SLR customers for even more sportiness
combined with everyday practicality.
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The devil in an S-Class
The Mercedes S-Class is set to premiere in the ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, the eagerly awaited film out this autumn. Oscar winner Meryl Streep plays the
high-powered, revered editor-in-chief of the world’s most respected fashion magazine in this potential blockbuster, chauffeured in the Mercedes-Benz top-
of-the-line model from meeting to meeting with fashion’s crème de la crème in New York and Paris. The story revolves around the tyrannical fashion
editor, who fills her employees with terror and awe, and her new assistant Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway of Brokeback Mountain fame, fresh out
of university who refuses to let her boss’s impossible demands demoralize her and tries to keep her feet firmly on the ground.
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Million-miler search
Mercedes has launched a search to find a passenger car that has covered more
than a million miles in the UK. There are several examples in Europe, mainly
taxis, but the British arm wants to locate one here. It could end up at the firm's
new showcase site, Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands in Surrey, which opens
in late October. Pictured is Greek taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis with his 1976
Mercedes Benz 240 D, which has covered all of 2.8 million miles. Can anybody
beat that?
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A drive in the sun
Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire put local drivers firmly in the driving seat with
a recent 'Summer Drive' event. Customers drove different Mercedes and
smart models on a dedicated 14-mile test route. Over 500 customers
attended and 625 test drives were taken. And when customers weren't
following the varied test route around the roads of Hatfield, they were able
to enjoy a complimentary dip in the pool and use of the gym facilities at
the Next Generation Club. Younger visitors, and indeed many of the adults
too, also had the opportunity to test their virtual driving skills on a McLaren
F1 driving simulator. Most popular test drives were the recently revised
open-top SL and the new-generation E-Class.
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