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Mercedes-Benz Heritage presents Silver Arrows and super sports cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023. From 13 to 16 July 2023, the brand’s unique racing history will be brought to life for the more than 210,000 expected visitors. On the 1.86-kilometre, slightly uphill tarmac strip in the park at Goodwood House, as well as on the Forest Rally Stage, renowned brand ambassadors will drive a dozen famous racing sports cars and sports cars from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG built between 1939 and 2023. This promises a thrilling combination of speed, sound and the aesthetic appeal of the Silver Arrows.
Festival of Speed in shining silver

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has been hosted by Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond, at his family’s country estate for 30 years. The event is affectionately known as the “largest motorised garden party in the world”. Every year since 1993, racing cars and sports cars from the very early years of motorsport to current vehicles can be seen in action here, especially on the hillclimb track. The attractive supporting programme extends far beyond motorsport and includes insights into the mobility of the future.

The racing cars presented by Mercedes-Benz Heritage recall highlights of motorsport history. Between the driving events, the vehicles can be admired in the Classic Car Paddock.

    The oldest operational vehicle presented by Mercedes-Benz Heritage is the Mercedes-Benz W 165. It was developed for a single race, the 1939 Tripoli Grand Prix. Despite a change in the race regulations, it enabled Mercedes-Benz to compete in the prestigious competition and achieve a double victory: Hermann Lang won the race with this Silver Arrow, ahead of his teammate Rudolf Caracciola.
    The double victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 1952 was one of the great successes of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194). In that year, the brand made a highly successful return to motor racing: the 300 SL also won the Berne Prize, the Nürburgring Grand Jubilee Prize for sports cars and the Carrera Panamericana. In the famous 24-hour race, Hermann Lang shared the eventual winning car with Fritz Rieß. The 300 SL with the distinctive blue radiator grille surround is brought to Goodwood by a private collector.
    With the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S) racing sports car, the brand won the 1955 World Sports Car Championship. Great successes included the legendary victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, with start number 722. The vehicle presented at Goodwood is the 300 SLR with chassis number 10 – the last racing sports car of this type to be built. It was not used in races in 1955 but was scheduled to compete in 1956 – as were the famous 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupés”. However, at the end of the 1955 season, at the height of its success, Mercedes-Benz withdrew from motor racing for a period and concentrated entirely on the development of new passenger cars.
    40 years ago, a Mercedes-Benz 280 GE was the overall winner of the legendary Paris–Dakar Rally. The aerodynamic improvements made to the off-road vehicle were particularly unusual. G-specialist Jörg Sand built the 280 GE rally car presented at Goodwood as a true replica of the original winning car driven by Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur in 1983. The vehicle will be used on the Forest Rally Stage.
    In 1989, Jochen Mass, Stanley Dickens and Manuel Reuter won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Sauber-Mercedes C 9. Their vehicle is on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. At Goodwood, Mercedes-Benz Classic is showing the second-placed car driven by Mauro Baldi, Kenny Acheson and Gianfranco Brancatelli.
    The uncompromisingly open Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (Z 199) of 2009 crowned the development of this series of high-performance sports cars. 20 years ago, Mercedes-Benz together with McLaren, its Formula One partner at the time, presented the coupé with gullwing doors as the first model in the series.

The fastest Silver Arrows at Goodwood are two Formula One racing cars:

    The MGP W02 dates from 2011 and, in that season, it was driven by the duo of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. Mick Schumacher, a test driver for the Mercedes-AMG Formula One team since 2023, will drive his father’s racing car at Goodwood.
    In 2021, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance won the Formula One Constructors’ Championship with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Grand Prix driver Esteban Gutiérrez will drive the monoposto from the hybrid era that was so successful for the brand at Goodwood.
    The two racing cars will be on display in the Formula One Pit Lane.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles at Goodwood:

    Mercedes-AMG is showing the peak of supercar engineering with the Mercedes-AMG ONE. Formula One technology enables a system output of 782 kW (1,063 hp) to be achieved.
    Also taking to the track at Goodwood are a still camouflaged variant of the next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT and a Mercedes-AMG GT2 customer sports racing car.
    The Mercedes-AMG ONE and the new Mercedes-AMG GT can be seen in the Supercar Paddock, while the Mercedes-AMG GT2 is presented in the Classic Car Paddock.

20 years of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and well-known brand ambassadors

Mercedes-Benz presented the high-performance Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports car of the 199 series at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt/Main (IAA) from 11 to 21 September 2003. The car had been jointly developed with Formula One partner McLaren. Its 460 kW (626 hp) 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine (M 155) came from Mercedes-AMG. The 199 series comprised the SLR McLaren Coupé (2004 to 2008), the SLR McLaren Roadster (2007 to 2009), the SLR McLaren 722 Edition (2006 to 2008) and the uncompromisingly open SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (2009). An SLR McLaren Stirling Moss from the Mercedes-Benz Heritage collection is on display in the Classic Car Paddock.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the SLR premiere in 2003, the Mercedes-Benz SLR.CLUB will be a guest at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a total of 20 vehicles from this exclusive model series (including four examples of the SLR McLaren Stirling Moss). The vehicles of the recognised brand club will be parked in the Performance Car Paddock. On 13 July, they will complete the legendary Goodwood Hillclimb.
Brand ambassadors

Mercedes-Benz Heritage and Mercedes-AMG are bringing current and former racing drivers to Goodwood as knowledgeable brand ambassadors. They not only routinely drive valuable classics at racing speed but are also sought-after conversation partners. At the Festival of Speed, the brand ambassadors are often in action several times a day with different vehicles. The following drivers are scheduled to take part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed:

    Esteban Gutiérrez
    Thomas Jäger
    Jochen Mass
    Bernd Mayländer
    Jörg Sand
    Bernd Schneider
    Mick Schumacher
    Karl Wendlinger

30 years of the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Goodwood has had a firm place in motorsport since the middle of the 20th century. In 1936, the grandfather of the present Duke held a race on the hillclimb track in the park at Goodwood House, which he won with a Lancia. The Goodwood Motor Circuit was opened in 1948, and car races were held there until 1966. Born in 1955, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond, attended the last of these events at the side of his grandfather, who was known for his love of motor racing. In 1993, 30 years ago, he hosted the first Festival of Speed. A few years later, the authorities also permitted additional races with historic vehicles to be held on the tradition-laden circuit. This year, the resulting Goodwood Revival will be held on 10 September 2023.
The Mercedes-Benz Heritage vehicles at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023
Mercedes-Benz 1.5-litre W 165 racing car (1939)

Presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Dynamic

Mercedes-Benz developed the W 165 for one single race – the 1939 Tripoli Grand Prix in Libya. The Italian event organisers announced the race exclusively for voiturette formula vehicles with a 1.5-litre engine. The aim was to end the previous winning streak of the German manufacturers, since neither Mercedes-Benz (Tripoli winner in 1935, 1937 and 1938) nor Auto Union (winner in 1936) had a racing car suitable for this category. However, the racing department in Stuttgart accepted the challenge and built an all-new 1.5-litre racing car in less than eight months. Two W 165s took up the gauntlet on 7 May 1939, vastly outnumbered by the competition consisting of 28 red-painted Alfa Romeos and Maseratis. They went on to secure a triumphant double victory: Hermann Lang won the spectacular desert race for the third time, and Rudolf Caracciola finished second. The fastest Italian car crossed the finishing line a good 4 minutes after the Silver Arrows.
Technical data: Mercedes-Benz 1.5-litre racing car W 165

Deployment: 1939
Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 1,493 cc
Max. output: 187 kW (254 hp)
Top speed: 272 km/h
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194, 1952)

Presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Static

The winner of the 1952 Le Mans race was a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194). This 300 SL belongs to a private collector. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1952, Hermann Lang and Fritz Rieß won with this car (00007/52) with the start number 21 and a blue border around the radiator grille. Second place went to Theo Helfrich and Helmut Niedermayr, also with a 300 SL. After the Second World War, Mercedes-Benz re-entered motor racing with the W 194. Limited resources initially inhibited the development of a Formula One racing car as new rules had been announced for the 1954 season. The axles, transmission and engine of the new racing car were derived from components of the Mercedes-Benz 300 (W 186) prestige saloon. One completely new feature was an extremely lightweight yet very torsionally rigid spaceframe enclosed by a streamlined light-alloy body. As the height of the spaceframe restricted the available entry space, the racing sports car was fitted with characteristic gullwing doors with roof-mounted hinges. The 300 SL racing sports car achieved immediate success in 1952: in addition to the double victory at Le Mans, its major racing successes included the triple victory at the Berne Prize (Switzerland), the double victory at the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico and the quadruple victory at the Nürburgring Grand Jubilee Prize.
Technical data: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194)

Deployment: 1952
Cylinders: 6/In-line
Displacement: 2,996 cc
Output: 125 kW (170 hp)
Top speed: 240 km/h
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S, 1955)

Presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Dynamic

Mercedes-Benz developed the 300 SLR (W 196 S) for the 1955 World Sportscar Championship. It was based on the successful W 196 R Formula One racing car. Besides the two-seater body, the main difference was the engine: the racing sports car was not bound by the displacement limit of Formula One and was powered by a three-litre version of the in-line eight-cylinder engine which did not require any special racing fuel and ran on regular premium petrol. Its high performance potential and unequalled durability and reliability made the 300 SLR far superior to its competitors in 1955: this was impressively demonstrated by double victories in the Mille Miglia, the Eifel Race, the Swedish Grand Prix and the Targa Florio (Sicily), the triple victory in the Tourist Trophy in Ireland and finally its victory in the World Sportscar Championship. The vehicle with chassis number 10 is presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023. It was intended for the 1956 season and never took part in a race.
Technical data: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S) racing sports car

Deployment: 1955
Cylinders: 8/In-line
Displacement: 2,982 cc
Output: 222 kW (302 hp)
Top speed: More than 300 km/h
Mercedes-Benz 280 GE “Paris–Dakar” (W 460, 1983)

Presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Dynamic

40 years ago, Mercedes-Benz triumphed in the world’s toughest rally: racing driver Jacky Ickx and his co-driver, actor Claude Brasseur, won the 1983 Paris–Dakar Rally in the Mercedes-Benz 280 GE. The project was managed by Mercedes-Benz France and supported by the company’s engineers from Germany. The twin-cam six-cylinder engine was optimised for the rigours of the rally, and above all the aerodynamics of the G-model were improved. The result was a more than 20 km/h increase in top speed with lower fuel consumption. The fate of the original winning car of the 1983 Paris–Dakar Rally is unknown. Rally fan and G-model specialist Jörg Sand built a faithful replica based on a 1982 G-model. He used photos to help him and was supported by the Mercedes-Benz engineers involved in the 1983 project. Jörg Sand will present this off-road vehicle at Goodwood.
Technical data: Mercedes-Benz 280 GE “Paris–Dakar” (W 460)

Deployment: 1983
Cylinders: 6
Displacement: 4,973 cc
Output: 145 kW (197 hp)
Top speed: Just under 200 km/h
Sauber-Mercedes C 9 Group C racing sports car (1989)

Presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Dynamic

The late 1980s were marked by the return of Mercedes-Benz to the race track: Group C racing cars were the first to bear the three-pointed star. Sauber-Mercedes C 9 vehicles had usually appeared in a black or dark blue livery since 1987, but in 1989 they were also updated visually: they now received a silver paint finish that clearly placed them in the tradition of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows. In 1989 alone, the new racing cars emerged victorious in eight out of nine races. One of these was the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 10 and 11 June 1989: Mercedes-Benz drivers Jochen Mass / Manuel Reuter / Stanley Dickens and Mauro Baldi / Kenny Acheson / Gianfranco Brancatelli achieved a double victory with the C 9 Silver Arrows. At the end of the season, Jean-Louis Schlesser won the Sportscar World Championship in the C 9.
Technical data: Sauber-Mercedes C 9 Group C racing sports car

Deployment: 1989 to 1990
Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 4,973 cc
Output: 530 kW (720 hp)
Top speed: 400 km/h
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (Z 199), 2009

Presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Dynamic

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren high-performance sports car made its debut in 2004. It was created in cooperation with the then Formula One partner McLaren. Its design with gullwing doors and stylistic features of the Formula One Silver Arrows linked the two-seater to the legendary SLR racing sports cars of the 1950s, and to the formula cars of the modern era with which McLaren-Mercedes won the Formula One World Championship in 1998 and 1999. The 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine was developed by Mercedes-AMG, as was the AMG Speedshift transmission. 2006 saw the launch of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The SLR McLaren Roadster followed in 2007, and the SLR McLaren 722 Edition Roadster in 2008. In 2009, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren crowned the SLR series with the spectacular and uncompromising SLR McLaren Stirling Moss. The high-performance sports car has no roof, windscreen or side windows; instead, the driver and passenger enjoy sheer high-speed fascination with all the attributes of a speedster. A 478 kW (650 hp) V8 supercharged engine accelerates the SLR McLaren Stirling Moss from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h. This vehicle was the final model of the 199 series and was limited to 75 examples.
Technical data: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (Z 199)

Production time: 2009
Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 5,439 cc
Output: 478 kW (650 hp)
Top speed: 334 km/h
The brand ambassadors of Mercedes-Benz Heritage and Mercedes-AMG at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023

Esteban Gutiérrez
Born on 5 August 1991 in Monterrey, Mexico
Esteban caught the motorsport virus at a young age, from his older brother Andrés. At the age of 13, he started kart racing and achieved success in Mexico. From there he switched to Formula BMW USA for the 2007 season. This not only gave him his first experience in formula racing, but he also ended the year as the best rookie with second place overall. The following year, he went on to compete in the European championship and secured the title with seven victories and a 26-point lead. He rounded off the year with third place at the 2008 Formula BMW World Final in Mexico City. His talent was also evident in the Formula 3 Euro Series. At the end of 2009 he tested a Formula One car for BMW Sauber for the first time, a reward for winning Formula BMW Europe. In 2010, two races before the end of the season, he secured the championship in his first season of the GP3 series. He also became a test and reserve driver for the Sauber F1 Team. In parallel, and also successfully, he competed in the GP2 series from 2011. He made his Formula One racing debut with Sauber in 2013. However, the season was difficult, and he achieved only one top-10 result. At the end of the 2014 season, he left Sauber to become a test and reserve driver at Ferrari. A year later, he made a comeback with Haas. After leaving there, Gutiérrez competed in various racing series, including Formula E and the IndyCar Series. He has been a simulator and development driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team since 2019.

Thomas Jäger
Born on 27 October 1976 in Chemnitz (then Karl-Marx-Stadt), Germany
Racing driver, developer, manager: Thomas Jäger has “petrol in his blood” in every respect. The beginnings of his passion for motorsport date back to 1990: he won his first kart race at the age of 14, laying the foundation for his future career. After Formula 3, he became a pro in 2000 and achieved success as a Mercedes works driver in the DTM for four years. In 2009 he added an overall victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup to his collection of titles. In 2010, the Business Administration degree holder from Munich joined Mercedes-AMG’s new customer sports project as coordinator, where he played a key role in its establishment and development. On the race track too, he continued to celebrate successes of a historic nature: at the 4-hour race on the Nürburgring North Loop, he achieved the very first victory by an SLS AMG GT3 in 2010. In 2012, he won the 24-hour race in Dubai and, in 2013, the 12-hour race in Bathurst. In 2014 and 2015, further victories followed on the North Loop and at the 24-hour race in Le Castellet. In 2016 and 2018, Jäger won the 6-hour qualifying race at Nürburgring and was on the rostrum again after the 24-hour race in 2018 and 2019. Today, Thomas Jäger still works as a development driver for Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, and, on completion of GT2 development, he won the 2023 Nürburgring 24-hour race in the SP-X class. With his driving expertise, he is also responsible for the sporting management of the DTM programme at AMG, among other activities.
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Technology / Mercedes-Benz tests ChatGPT in intelligent vehicle production
« Last post by fasteddy on July 07, 2023, 01:07:02 PM »
Mercedes-Benz AG is testing ChatGPT in production, accelerating the use of intelligent tools in the MO360 digital production ecosystem, which was first introduced in 2020. With the aim of optimising the analysis of production data, for example from quality management, ChatGPT will now support production employees as a universal, voice-based interface. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates for example error identification and analysis as well as quality management and process optimisation at Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz is integrating ChatGPT through Azure OpenAI Service, leveraging the enterprise-grade capabilities of Microsoft’s cloud and AI platform.

Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, responsible for Production and Supply Chain Management: “Using ChatGPT through Microsoft as part of the MO360 digital ecosystem is another example of how digitalisation is taking production at Mercedes-Benz to the next level. Through new digital tools, employees are further empowered to optimise production processes and quality management in a sustainable way. After a successful pilot phase, ChatGPT will be used throughout the Mercedes-Benz global production network.“
Chat-based analysis within the MO360 Data Platform

An automated analysis tool enables intelligent networking of quality data from development, customer experience and production. Potential malfunctions can be identified and analysed as quickly as possible. ChatGPT can additionally support Mercedes-Benz quality engineers in identifying faults by clustering data. For example, with the help of ChatGPT, complex evaluation and presentations of production-relevant data and quality management are significantly simplified for employees.

Instead of complex programming functions, queries are steered in a dialogue, so that not only engineers but also employees without prior programming knowledge can have the necessary data at their disposal. They are using Microsoft AI for real-time processing of production data, which remains the MO360 Data Platform. Questions are narrowed down further and further in the digital evaluation process in dialogue with the chatbot until a new level of detail is reached. The overview of the daily production planning can be checked in real time and flexibly adjusted if necessary. At this point, ChatGPT is intended to support strategic decision-making for the entire production chain within the shortest possible time. Thanks to the democratisation of all relevant data, every employee can use ChatGPT to make quick evaluations and derive the next steps within the scope of his or her field of work.
“MO360 Support Bot“: Round-the-clock employee advisor

Another area of focus of integrating ChatGPT in production is to provide employees worldwide with an AI-based digital contact person. Production employees communicate through MO360 via a self-service portal that is available on any company device - including tablets, smartphones and laptops. The MO360 Support Bot is designed to take queries and clarify them in dialogue with the employees.
Mercedes-Benz guarantees data protection

The basis for the integration of ChatGPT is a cooperation with Microsoft. Via Azure AI, Mercedes-Benz uses the large-scale generative AI models in combination with the enterprise-grade security, privacy and reliability capabilities of Azure. Mercedes-Benz has sovereignty over the IT processes in the background at all times. Employees' voice inputs are processed anonymously in the Azure cloud. Production data stays into the MO360 Data Platform. Data protection is a high for Mercedes-Benz.
ChatGPT in line with Mercedes-Benz AI principles

GPT stands for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer". Behind this are sophisticated neural networks that have been trained to create texts, so-called large language models. The system answers questions, creates or summarises texts, can translate and even generate programme code.

In order to responsibly exploit the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, Mercedes-Benz was one of the first automobile manufacturers to adopt principles for dealing with AI. "Responsible use", "explainability", "protection of privacy" and "security and reliability" are the four guiding principles according to which the company develops and uses AI. Mercedes-Benz is taking an approach to integrating ChatGPT that is in line with these principles while keeping an eye on potential risks. The system is to be continuously improved in the interests of all employees.
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Formula One / 2023 British Grand Prix - Preview
« Last post by fasteddy on July 07, 2023, 01:01:36 PM »
Toto Talks Great Britain

We’re pleased to get back racing after a bruising weekend in Austria. We scored a handful of points, but we didn’t have the pace for much more. The field behind Red Bull is incredibly close and also fluctuating each weekend. Some of this is circuit-specific, and some the upgrade cycle across the grid. We fell on the wrong side of this equation in Spielberg, but we’ve got a chance to bounce back immediately.

The Team has been hard at work to analyse and draw learnings from our performance. We have taken the result on the chin and will aim to recapture the momentum we had built up across previous races. With the next upgrades and experiments coming in Silverstone, there are reasons for optimism. Nevertheless, we are not getting ahead of ourselves. We’re focused on the job at hand, extracting performance from the car, and will see where we stand this weekend.

The British Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the season. The atmosphere at Silverstone is unique and the support from the fans is truly incredible. It’s also our local race, with the track just down the road from the factories in Brackley and Brixworth. It’s a fast and flowing layout which creates great racing, so hopefully we can perform well and put on a good show.
Fact File: British Grand Prix

    At 5.891km, Silverstone is the fifth-longest circuit on the 2023 calendar. It was previously the fourth-longest, but the introduction of Las Vegas (6.120km) has demoted it down a place.
    Silverstone’s legendary layout is tough on tyres, especially the left-front which has huge loads imposed on it through Turns 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15.
    Given its high-speed nature with fast, flowing corners, brakes are not put under a great strain at Silverstone. Teams therefore can focus on other areas such as fine-tuning aerodynamic set-up rather than on brake cooling.
    As an open, exposed, former airfield, the circuit is notoriously windy and changes in wind direction happen frequently. That can have a major impact on vehicle balance and change the car’s behaviour. This forces drivers to adjust accordingly in terms of braking points, entry speeds as they approach the apex of turns, and acceleration as they exit.
    From the start, drivers will complete two corners before hitting the brakes for the first time at Village (Turn 3). The distance from pole position to this point is 644 metres but, on full fuel tanks at the beginning of the Grand Prix, they do have to lift off the throttle after 225 metres.
    The only race where we see a longer distance from pole position to first braking zone is at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico. The vast start/finish straight there sees drivers hit the brakes for the first time 811 metres from pole position.
    Silverstone also has the second longest pit lane length of the season at 509 metres – the pit lane entry begins after Turn 15, with the pit exit feeding in at Turn 2.
    This means that whilst time in the pit lane clocks in at 23 seconds, the third highest of the season, time loss is limited with drivers not having to negotiate Turns 16, 17, 18, and 1.
    The long straights and flat-out sections around the circuit mean that 78% of the lap is taken at full throttle, the fifth highest total of the season.
    Silverstone boasts some of the most iconic corner names in the whole of motorsport. It is one of only three tracks on the calendar where engineers discuss corners through their names and not numbers; the other two being Spa-Francorchamps and Monaco.
    Drivers experience some of the highest lateral g-forces of the season at the British Grand Prix, with an expected maximum of 5g at Turn 11 through the Maggotts-Becketts sequence.
    Silverstone is something of a home race for the team. The Brackley factory is a mere nine miles away and the home of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains at Brixworth is just over 20 miles from the track.
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The popular Children’s and Family Day at the Mercedes-Benz Museum this year offers an even more extensive range of activities. It will take place on Sunday, 9 July 2023, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The programme, featuring numerous providers from around the region, includes attractions in the outdoor area of the Museum as well as on Level 1 and in the CAMPUS. All activities on offer are free of charge. Sports enthusiasts can venture onto the bungee trampoline, play bubble ball, have a go on the ninja course or take part in exciting competitions with a racing car that they build themselves. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can travel at a maximum of 16 km/h on the Benz Patent Motor Car or enjoy the varied entertainment programme on the large show stage. In addition, various hands-on activities for crafts enthusiasts will make the day a great experience with lots of games, fun and excitement.
Here is what visitors can experience:

    Design a racing car that is then tested on the race track. Get that racing feeling right up close with Aventerra e.V., a non-profit organisation that offers camps, study trips and experiential education for children and adolescents. A racing team always consists of children with their parents.
    Take a spin in the world’s first vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz Museum invites you to take a ride in the Benz Patent Motor Car, an authentic reconstruction with a true-to-the-original single-cylinder engine.
    Take a seat in a Mercedes-Benz 600 and be chauffeured through the Neckarpark in this representative vehicle just like crowned heads, heads of state and other high-ranking figures once did.
    Sport stacking (build a pyramid of cups against the clock) and have fun at the participatory sports stand of the German Children’s Sports Academy.
    Test your skills on the frisbee wall at the Tripsdrill stand. There are also prizes to be won when you participate in the activities offered by Tripsdrill Adventure Park.
    Programme small beetle robots, tinker with the perfect circuit or build a Morse code machine. At the stand of the Science Centre of the Forscherfabrik Schorndorf, there will be exciting hands-on activities for young and grown-up inventors alike. There’s also a tricky team game that lets visitors find out how well they work as a group.
    Experience the fascination of model railways. Model trains from Göppingen-based Swabian toy manufacturer Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH are sure to attract all generations.
    Build a sustainable and resource-saving racing car. In the “Genius Challenge”, the result goes into the racing tube. Who is the fastest?
    Activity course for brave acrobats and a bouncy castle. The radio station Hitradio Antenne 1 will be there with games, fun and action.
    Follow in the footsteps of famous artists. The creative programme from KuBUS, the mobile studio of the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, allows you to create your own works of art using an experimental printing process.
    “Radio you can touch”. The children’s and family radio station Radio Teddy will be a guest on the open-air stage with a large entertainment programme, including for example a music and cuddly toy show and hits from the well-known musical “Bibi and Tina”.
    Football with bubble balls, a football wall, sim racing, table football and mini table tennis are the attractions on offer from the SG Stern e.V., the Mercedes-Benz sports community.
    Jump up to eight metres high on a bungee trampoline, try the circle jump with fitness jumps over a rotating, padded beam or complete the ninja course. Courage, skill and athleticism are required in the jumping area.
    Disc golf and adventure golf are among the family and leisure activities on offer from the Town of Nürtingen.
    What speed does a handball throw reach? The throw measuring system of the handball club TV Bittenfeld gives the exact result.
    Goal-shooting contest, hockey with a technical course and show competitions, table tennis with a table tennis robot: VfB Stuttgart 1893 e.V. will be represented by its hockey and table tennis sections. Fritzle, the VfB mascot, will visit the Children’s and Family Day, and be available for photos and autographs. Guides will offer a tour of the Mercedes-Benz Arena at various starting times.
    With a wheel of fortune and its mascot Wonni, the popular leisure pool Wonnemar Backnang will be on site.
    Activities and information on the topic of nutrition will be offered by DAK-Gesundheit, including a vitamin cocktail in a chilled lounge.
    Technological innovations will be presented by the Mercedes-Benz SUSTAINEER, a technology carrier with innovative solutions for better quality of life and road safety in cities, climate protection and resource conservation as well as driver health and safety.

Numerous mascots from the region will be out and about on the site all day. Among others: Fritzle (VfB Stuttgart), Johnny Blue (TVB Stuttgart), Lenny Luchs (WILDLINE Bad Wildbad), Luftikus (parents’ newspaper Luftballon), Wonni (Wonnemar) and, of course, Carlotta (Mercedes-Benz Museum).

If they can grab one of the coveted seats, visitors may arrange the arrival or departure of the Family Day as a journey through time. Between Stuttgart's Schlossplatz and the Mercedes-Benz Museum, two vintage buses from the 1950s will run throughout the day.

 

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is open daily from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ticket desk always closes at 5 p.m.

Registration, reservations and latest information: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. by phone on +49 (0) 711 17-30 000, by email to classic@mercedes-benz.com or online at www.mercedes-benz.com/museum
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Formula One / 2023 Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
« Last post by fasteddy on July 07, 2023, 12:53:25 PM »
Lewis Hamilton

It was not the greatest of days today. We weren’t expecting to be as slow as we were and our performance this weekend was a surprise. We don’t have the answer as to why just yet, but this track has highlighted several areas of improvement we need to focus on.

We knew we didn’t have a strong rear-end this weekend, so we took out a lot of front-wing to maintain the balance. I was really struggling into certain corners, particularly Turn 10, and sliding, which I couldn’t do anything about it. That is why I was struggling with track limits. We added some front-wing at both stops and the car began to come back to us, but it was still a challenge.
George Russell

It was really challenging today, and our pace was not as we expected. After yesterday, I was hoping for a little bit more from the Grand Prix. I am sure we will go away and get to the bottom of our performance here. We have the same car that we had in Barcelona where we were flying so we need to understand what went wrong on our side. The car certainly doesn’t feel how we want it to at the moment. It’s moving around a lot, and it felt a little bit worse this weekend than at other circuits; the pace was substantially worse though, so we need to get to the bottom of that.

Our performance is clearly circuit dependent now. We were nowhere here but good in Montreal and Barcelona. That bodes well for Silverstone as that is a circuit more similar to Barcelona than Austria, so we’re excited for next weekend’s British Grand Prix. We will be aiming to come back stronger.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO

Today was a bruising day for the Team. We’ve had a positive upward trajectory recently but clearly, we didn’t have the pace we needed here. It’s been a tough weekend overall and both drivers have struggled with the car since FP1. From Friday onwards, we have seen that we were lacking a couple of tenths and we couldn’t make the car quicker. Once the tyres start sliding, either under braking or through the corner, then you have no grip. That contributed to our lack of performance, but we will have to go away and analyse it in more detail. We will take this weekend on the chin and move forward.

The swings are quite interesting from circuit to circuit where sometimes we are the closest challengers to Red Bull, and at others struggling. We have a step of performance that we are bringing to Silverstone. Let’s see if that circuit suits the characteristics of the car a little more and we will analyse from there.
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

There’s lots for us to improve on leaving here. The performance clearly hasn’t been good enough; we need to understand how much is down to not landing the set-up in the right place and how much is just base performance. We’ve not brought any updates to the last few races, so it’s also possible we’re lacking development. We’ve got plans in place to address that but the gap to Ferrari was certainly a worry today.

The situation with track limits was difficult; the notifications were coming in after the fact, so Lewis ended up with a penalty before we could do anything about it. We’re happy that we’ve only got to wait a few days before getting back on track. We need to work hard to understand the areas that need improvement, but we’re looking forward to Silverstone and putting this race behind us.
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Motorsports / Mercedes-AMG with good perspectives in CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa
« Last post by fasteddy on July 07, 2023, 12:48:44 PM »
Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing has also confirmed its upward trend from the opening stages after darkness has set in during the 75th CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. Meanwhile, four Mercedes-AMG GT3s have established themselves in the top 20. The spearhead is the car with starting number 88 of the AKKODIS ASP Team.  Timur Boguslavskiy (FIA), Jules Gounon (AND) and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) have made up further positions and are currently battling for a top 3 position. The #777 Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar car with drivers Lucas Auer (AUT), Fabian Schiller (GER) and Luca Stolz (GER) has made it into the top 10. The trio had started from 27th on the grid and temporarily ran as high as seventh. Varying pit stop strategies, however, continue to mix up the order time and again. Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is also in a position with a good perspective in the Pro-Am Cup. In this category, SunEnergy1 Racing and CrowdStrike Racing by Riley are competing for a podium result.

The first points for the Endurance Cup standings of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS were already attributed after six hours. There are 12-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points to be won by the top 9 in all classes. Therefore, among others, the third-placed #88 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Boguslavskiy/Gounon/Marciello) and the ninth-placed #777 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Auer/Schiller/Stolz) racked up valuable points. In Gold Cup, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with starting number 157 (Born/Schumacher/Zug) held third place after six hours while the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Braun/Fraga/James/Kurtz) also had a solid points’ haul in third place of the Pro-Am Cup.

“My stint went well. I got into the car after Colin and managed to keep us on the lead lap. Our goal is to minimise the error rate and to get us into a good position for the battle for the Pro-Am class win. It is still very early in the race, so therefore we want to drive conservatively and just rack up our laps.”
George Kurtz, CrowdStrike Racing by Riley #4

“I have now completed three stints in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with number 75. So far, everything went superbly for us and we didn’t have any issues during the race. Another two stints have been planned for me during the night and one more on Sunday morning. Our goal is to stay out of all the incidents.”
Martin Konrad, SunEnergy1 Racing #75

“For me, it went pretty well, although I had to be a bit careful with the track limits. Therefore, I drove quite cautiously, especially in the first and third sector. During my second stint, I got stuck in traffic and my pursuers were able to catch me as a result. I didn’t want to damage the car and therefore had to let two opponents get past.”
Lorenzo Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG Team AKKODIS ASP #87

“I had a great stint and brought the car back in fourth place. With third place after six hours, we have already scored solid points for the championship. The car handles well, but the opposition is strong as well. Now, the goal is to make it through the night without any incidents and then see who is still up there in the morning. Then we can really push. It is pretty wild out there, but that was to be expected with 70 cars. Our car is running well and hopefully we can continue like this.”
Jules Gounon, AKKODIS ASP Team #88

“I had some good moments in my first double stint. Now, we have to make sure that we make it well through the night to lay the foundation for a good result. Our goal is to keep the car out of all the incidents. Tomorrow, we want to shift up a gear and continue to fight.”
Lucas Auer, Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar #777
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Motorsports / Impressions after qualifying at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa
« Last post by fasteddy on July 07, 2023, 12:45:53 PM »
Gradually intensifying rain showers made the four-segment qualifying at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps a challenge for the teams and drivers. As the track was still comparatively dry at the start of the first segment, the cars with three-driver line-ups, who didn’t participate in Q1, were almost fully without a chance. Subsequently, numerous favourites failed to make it into the top 20 qualifying. The Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Teams also had a hard time getting themselves into an optimal position in the challenging conditions. The #999 Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM ended up in ninth position as the best-placed Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the second-fastest PRO car in qualifying, in which the average time of all the drivers counted. In his qualifying stint on a drying track, Maro Engel (GER) opted for slicks and therefore was able to lay the foundation for the good achievement. As a result, the Performance Team with Engel, Mikaël Grenier (CAN) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP) is allowed to compete for pole position in Friday’s shoot-out. The #79 Haupt Racing Team car with Sébastien Baud (FRA), Hubert Haupt (GER), Jordan Love (AUS) and Arjun Maini (IND) will also participate as it was classified 19th. Moreover, the #3 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 has also secured third on the grid in the PRO-AM category. No longer able to take part in the qualifying sessions was the #75 SunEnergy1 Racing car. Following an accident in pre-qualifying, driver Kenny Habul (AUS) was transported to a nearby hospital for further examination as a precaution after an initial check in the medical centre. The team plans to participate in the race with a replacement car. Due to the heavy rain, race control cancelled night practice, originally scheduled for 11pm.

Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Superpole:
#79 Haupt Racing Team
#999 Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM

Provisional starting grid positions of the further Mercedes-AMG GT3s:
P23: #88 AKKODIS ASP Team
P27: #777 Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar
P38: #87 Mercedes-AMG Team AKKODIS ASP
P39: #2 GetSpeed
P42: #89 AKKODIS ASP Team
P43: #157 Winward Racing
P44: #64 Haupt Racing Team
P52: #57 Winward Racing
P53: #81 Theeba Motorsport
P63: #3 GetSpeed
P64: #90 Madpanda Motorsport
P66: #4 CrowdStrike Racing by Riley

“A good qualifying for us, we were at the right place at the right time in these conditions. There, the team has made many right calls. We made it into Superpole, so from that perspective, that is our job done for today.”
Daniel Juncadella, Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM #999

“It was a difficult qualifying with rain setting in. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to drive a clean lap, but the car handled well. It looks like we have made it into Superpole, but we have caused a red flag and we aren’t sure why. Now, we have to wait what race control decides.”
Arjun Maini, Haupt Racing Team #79

“That was a very disappointing qualifying for us. Lello and Timur had heavy traffic, impeding them both. Unfortunately, P23 therefore was all that was in store for us. The rules made it a bit crazy, too. Many cars with four drivers were able to post a lap time in the dry and it is the average lap time that counts. But that is the way it is. We knew that this could happen. Hopefully, we can turn things around in the race.”
Jules Gounon, AKKODIS ASP Team #88

“Conditions changed throughout qualifying. Q1 was dry and we were able to complete a lap before the red flag was out. Then the rain got stronger and stronger and the car worked really well in these conditions. Third place in class is a strong position to be in for the 24-hour race.”
Lance Bergstein, GetSpeed #3

“Qualifying was a bit unlucky for us. We didn’t make it into the top 20 because of the chaos in Q2. In these mixed conditions, it was slightly difficult, but we have a strong car, even though it doesn’t show on the result sheets yet. We are confident and we have a very strong team, a car that works really well in any conditions and a strong driver line-up. We have chances of a good result, even though we are starting from outside the top 20.”
Fabian Schiller, Mercedes-AMG Team AlManar #777
98
Formula One / 2023 Austrian Grand Prix - Preview
« Last post by fasteddy on June 29, 2023, 04:38:29 PM »
Toto Talks Austria

There were plenty of positives to take from the last race in Canada. Although we didn’t get both cars to the chequered flag, a podium was a solid result and we saw encouraging signs from our updated package.

Austria is always a special weekend, as it’s my home race and I have good memories from the track; both with the team but also from my early years racing there and teaching as an instructor. It’s also the second Sprint of the season so it will be interesting to see the impact it has on the weekend, at a more traditional circuit.

It’s a short lap in Spielberg and looks straightforward on paper; several long straights broken up by a range of slow, medium-speed and fast corners. But it’s a challenging one to put together and get right.

We will aim to build on the momentum we have generated over the past two races and continue our positive trajectory with the car. It’s a venue where the W14 should perform better than in Canada, but we won’t take anything for granted. As always, we will be working hard to maximise our performance and deliver strong results.
Fact File: Austrian Grand Prix

    With a lap record of just 1:02.939, set by Valtteri Bottas in 2020, the circuit in Spielberg is the shortest in terms of time on the 2023 calendar.
    Despite that, it ranks fifth in terms of shortest distance, clocking in at 4.318 km. Only Monaco, Zandvoort, Mexico City, and Interlagos are shorter.
    With just 10 corners, the Ring has the fewest of any track of the current F1 circuits. At the same time, Turns 2, 5 and 8 are taken at full throttle and are therefore not considered to be corners in an engineering sense.
    Unsurprisingly given the nature of the track, we see the fewest amount of gear changes of any lap across the season at just 32.
    There are large demands placed on a car’s handling in Austria, whilst at the same time the circuit demands good mechanical grip at low speed (Turns 1, 3, and 4) and strong performance at high speed (Turns 6-7 and 9-10). Engineers have to find the best compromise with set-up in order to achieve the best lap time.
    This weekend sees the second running of the new Sprint weekend format – teams will partake in FP1 on Friday before Qualifying takes place that afternoon. Saturday sees the Sprint Shootout followed by the F1 Sprint, with the Austrian Grand Prix taking place on Sunday.
    The difference in elevation of 69 metres between the lowest and highest points at the circuit is one of the largest of the season. That is unsurprising given the track’s location in the Styrian mountains.
    It also has a steep gradient from track edge-to-edge in places, as exemplified by Turns 3 and 4. The circuit here slopes up towards the apex as the car drives over the crest while accelerating out of the corner. This can result in one wheel leaving the ground, causing challenges with braking, stability, and traction.
    The track has three very hard braking zones in succession on the approaches to Turns 1, 3, and 4. As the brakes are unable to cool down sufficiently over the rest of the track, as the lap is relatively short, it has an impact on the maximum pressures and general wear and tear experienced.
    For that reason, teams must apply as much cooling as possible to the brakes. That poses a challenge in warming up the front tyres. With a short out-lap, it is difficult to get them in the right operating window for a qualifying lap.
    The Ring is notorious for its aggressive kerbs and is considered to be one of the toughest tests for vehicle suspension. This especially applies to the kerbs at the exit of T1, T6, and T7, which take a high toll on the cars due to their amplitude (i.e. the gap between the highest and lowest points of the kerbs) and the frequency (speed effect) at which they are taken.
99
Technology / MANUFAKTUR– the label for individualisation
« Last post by fasteddy on June 20, 2023, 09:02:48 AM »
Mercedes-Benz has always made it possible for customers to give their vehicles a personalised touch. From many different shades of paint to a host of cutting-edge options to choose from, it’s easy to tailor a Mercedes to a specific taste or liking. But a little over a year-and-a-half ago Mercedes-Benz took this a step further and rolled out its “MANUFAKTUR” programme, allowing customers to attain an even higher level of individual craftsmanship when ordering their vehicles.

As the programme has been highly popular with customers, it will be continuously expanded. Over the next few years, the goal of the MANUFAKTUR customisation programme is to become the ultimate enabler of customer self-expression at Mercedes-Benz, available on all top-end luxury models. Customers will gain access to features such as hues of leather new to Mercedes-Benz, along with custom seat graphics and leather embossing. They will also get access to new styles of interior trim – for example, trim pieces painted in special, eye-catching colours and bespoke finishes. With MANUFAKTUR, customers already receive a car of special value – built according to their personal ideas and wishes from a wide selection of options.

All this has been made possible by a combination of several factors. First, close exchange with customers was crucial in order to best understand – and meet – almost any need or desire when it came to their vehicles. Much investment also went into in the training of employees selected to work on this programme. The results can be seen in unmatched levels of quality, individualisation and exclusivity.

“When it comes to choosing a car, our customers expect a desirable vehicle with the latest automotive technology and highest quality craftsmanship, produced in a responsible and sustainable way. This is what the MANUFAKTUR at our German production site in Sindelfingen delivers. The dedicated team of hand-picked specialists are trained to tailor vehicles to the personal tastes of our clients, using the finest materials and craftsmanship at Mercedes-Benz.”
Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production & Supply Chain Management
Individuality hand-crafted by highly trained experts

MANUFAKTUR comprises a range of custom, personalised elements not normally found in the order books – options such as magno paint finishes and interior touches like custom upholstery combined with wood or piano-lacquer dashboard and door trim parts, for example. It is currently available on such exclusive vehicles as the GT 4-Door Coupé and SL from Mercedes-AMG, the Mercedes-Benz EQS Saloon, the S-Class – including its Maybach and AMG counterparts – and, of course, the G-Class. With MANUFAKTUR, stunning compositions of colour, texture, materials and surface finishes are made possible. Ensuring a flawless application of these materials and finishes are a team of dedicated hand-finishing specialists who have been specially trained in a three-year programme or longer. This commitment to the craft is expressed in a level of workmanship which is second to none.
A wide array of different options

Numerous solid colours as well as metallic and magno paints are available for the MANUFAKTUR exterior. For example, customers can choose from around 30 MANUFAKTUR paints for the G-Class and up to 13 MANUFAKTUR paints for the S-Class. For the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, numerous two-tone paint finishes are also available.

The MANUFAKTUR interior package available for all S-Class models includes the front and rear seats finished in MANUFAKTUR exclusive nappa leather, and they feature intricate diamond quilting. Nappa leather in MANUFAKTUR colours is also used for the armrests and centre panels in the doors, the centre console including armrests, and the lower section of the instrument panel. This level of MANUFAKTUR gives customers all the benefits of personalisation without any additional production time.

In addition to the MANUFAKTUR offer, specific, individual customer requirements can be met through even more bespoke individualisation. For this application, the customer consultants at the Mercedes-Benz Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen or at the Maybach Atelier in Shanghai are available for consultation.
Vision of MANUFAKTUR – the future of desire through ultimate individualisation

The Vision of MANUFAKTUR show car gives a tantalising glimpse of the hyper-exclusive possibilities unleashed by the company’s individualisation programme. Exquisitely showcased on a Mercedes-Maybach S‑Class, the exterior and interior customisation provides a taste of what might be. The subtle sparkle of the exterior delivers the overture to a sumptuously distinctive interior, complete with never-before-seen detailing.
Sparkling clear coat brings added finesse and mystique to the exterior

Containing actual glass flakes, the sparkling clear coat over the colour base coat augments the powerful presence of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class with a subtle hint of stardust. The resulting elegant shimmer varies slightly with the time of day and intensity of ambient light. The same effect applied to the mighty 20‑inch wheels, with their forged five-hole design, completes the overall look. The expressive paintwork contrasts with the gleaming chrome exterior trim and distinctive Mercedes-Maybach grille as well as the Mercedes-Maybach emblem on the C-pillar.
Stylish colour and trim elements explore new expression of hand-crafted excellence

Resplendent in the new corn yellow colourway, the executive seats in the Vision of MANUFAKTUR are upholstered in the finest sustainably processed nappa leather and feature a new kaleidoscope pattern. The bold geometric curves make a progressive statement of comfort. The seats boast highly crafted seams which frame the extraordinary seat graphics and centre console. The fully adjustable rear seats nestle their occupants in a wraparound cocoon clad in black or white nappa leather, while the trim section flowing behind the shoulders and downward between the seats is finished in the same deep sparkling clear coat as the exterior. The corn yellow nappa leather upholstery also features on the door panels, centre tunnel and armrests. This use of new, daring colours and patterns creates an innovative visual experience for Mercedes‑Maybach vehicles, with the goal of opening up the brand to new target groups.
100
Technology / Design No.5 – Creating Iconic Luxury
« Last post by fasteddy on June 20, 2023, 08:57:56 AM »
Design No.5 – “Creating Iconic Luxury”: the key facts at a glance

#CreatingIconicLuxury: The Mercedes-Benz brand history is a source of inspiration for the future. From the three-pointed star to gullwing doors and cab-forward design: over the decades, the Mercedes-Benz design teams have created and established iconic elements. These are unmistakably associated with the brand, shaping the Mercedes-Benz myth and creating desire. The Mercedes-Benz design team will continue to develop the brand's iconic style to further strengthen this heritage and carry it into the future.

#PinnacleOfExclusivity: Exceptional customisation options, one-offs from collaborations, limited collector’s and special editions, pioneering show cars and research and concept vehicles are the epitome of exclusivity for Mercedes-Benz.

#IDCCarlsbad: The Mercedes-Benz Design Centers provide important impetus for the continuous development of the design philosophy of sensual purity and for setting trends with new design ideas. At the International Design Center Carlsbad, the Mercedes-Benz design Team creates show car exteriors, vehicle studies and mobility concepts for tomorrow and beyond. It does this by picking up on stylistic trends on site, then analysing and creatively implementing them. The Californian lifestyle influences the site just as much as its proximity to Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. A very special form of creativity flourishes in Carlsbad, leaving its mark on Mercedes-Benz design and opening up new perspectives.

#VisionOneEleven: With the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven, the brand presents a concept sports car that progressively reinterprets the C 111, a brand icon of the 1970s. Much like its historic predecessor, it combines stunning design with the most innovative drive technology. The Vision One-Eleven makes use of axial flux motors from YASA, which have an unmatched power density far beyond comparable radial motors, while being extremely lightweight.

#ExclusiveCollection: Mercedes-Benz is launching the “LIMITED EDITION 1 OF 111” collection along with the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven. This is the first time that an iconic design study has been accompanied by a lifestyle collection consisting of five exclusive pieces. In addition to the striking colour of the concept sports car, the individual accessories also reflect the vehicle’s characteristic design elements.

#AugmentedReality: The Mercedes-Benz design team used augmented reality (AR) to create a visionary user experience for the premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven and integrated it into a virtual test model of the Vision One-Eleven interior. The physical vehicle interior and the digital interface merge seamlessly, so that virtually the entire car becomes a user interface.

#MANUFAKTUR: With the MANUFAKTUR individualisation programme, Mercedes-Benz offers an ever-greater degree of exclusive design options at the highest level of craftsmanship. From a choice of bespoke colours to a wide range of exclusive interior fittings a Mercedes can be tailored exactly to one’s personal taste. With the Vision of MANUFAKTUR, Mercedes-Benz gives a glimpse of potential future hyper-exclusive design possibilities for the customisation programme.

#MercedesMaybachNightSeries: With the Night Series, Mercedes-Maybach is presenting the next chapter in the brand’s mission to further develop its curated portfolio. The most progressive design package from the tradition-steeped brand takes Maybach design to a new level. Unexpected and exquisite in its design, the Night Series defies convention and appeals to new target groups.

#NFT: Digital collectibles in the form of NFTs (Non-Fungible Token) allow Mercedes-Benz to support new strategic dimensions of digital brand and business development. Through NFTs, Mercedes-Benz is creating connections and experiences with new audiences. The brand with the star is teaming up with the artist Harm van den Dorpel to create blockchain-based digital art. A new in-car app that makes it possible to experience digital artworks in the vehicle will be tested for the first time in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
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