Mercedes partners with Lufthansa to design executive jet cabins [w/poll]

Mercedes partners with Lufthansa to design executive jet cabins [w/poll]Image Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzMore PhotosMercedes-Benz Vehicles for Jurassic World1991 Mercedes-Benz 350SD2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe: ReviewMercedes-Benz Untertürkheim Plant2015 Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 Safety/Medical CarsNoah Joseph

Luxury automakers like to crow about their flagship models boasting first-class cabins, but the truly elite class of travelers know there's a class above that. We're talking about private jets, and now Mercedes is applying its skills to those as well.

The German automaker isn't building its own jet aircraft. Its design department has, however, collaborated with Lufthansa to create a cabin space for executive jets that looks even more upscale.

The concept integrates the walls, ceiling, and floor of the cabin into one fluid, continuous surface, with the furniture similarly integrated into the design with chairs, sofas, beds, and tables. It's even got a fish tank on board and auto-dimming touchscreen glass panels in front of the windows that can control the infotainment system.

The design is being showcased by Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibit (EBACE) in Geneva. It's the same show where Brabus displayed its jet cabin design, rival BMW Designworks did the same, and where the Mercedes' Eurocopter cabin design debuted four years ago. There, Mercedes hopes to attract orders from private customers. If the finished product ends up half as stunning as these design renderings look, we don't doubt they'll find a few takers.

How much do you want to fly in this jet?

More than anything. It looks alright, if you're into that kinda thing. I'll fly commercial or stay grounded, thanks. Vote Show full PR textMercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik develop VIP cabin for short- and medium-haul aircraft: State-of-the-art luxury high above the clouds
Stuttgart/Geneva, May 19, 2015

In time for EBACE 2015, which will take place from 19 to 21 May 2015 in Geneva, Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik have announced their cooperation on the design and completion of VIP aircraft cabins. The two companies will jointly develop an entirely innovative, luxurious and integrated cabin concept for short- and medium-haul aircraft.

Dynamic architecture instead of traditional interior cabin design: Under the joint approach adopted by the two companies, the traditional separation of ceiling, wall and floor will be entirely replaced by a dynamic, spiral layout. This gives rise to new, independent spatial zones without the typical arrangement of seat and wall elements. The new sense of space is additionally reinforced by Mercedes's typically strong emphasis on contrast in terms of material, colour and lighting. The overall design is characterised by the aesthetic appeal of state-of-the-art luxury embodied in the Mercedes-Benz brand. Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik plan to target this innovative concept at a private global clientele with a strong affinity for unique design. Lufthansa Technik will contribute its decades of experience in the customisation of VIP and VVIP aircraft in order to harmonise unique design with the particular requirements of an aircraft cabin.

"It was an inspiring challenge to transfer our design philosophy of sensual purity into the area of aeronautical engineering. The spectacular architecture of the interior shows creativity and modernity. Sensual surfaces and clear forms, combined with intelligent high-tech features and perfectly shaped modern luxury are the characteristic features of Mercedes-Benz design," explains Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG. "The purpose of our cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Style is to unite the two companies' innovative expertise in the areas of design and technology. Our goal is to offer a highly discerning global clientele a standard of interior design that leaves nothing to be desired. Whether for private or business use, our modular completion concept perfectly fits every purpose," says Walter Heerdt, Senior Vice President VIP & Executive Jet Solutions, Lufthansa Technik AG.

Innovative approach, away from the familiar

In a departure from the familiar design of aircraft interiors, the cabin concept adopts an entirely new approach. The interior of the cabin is organic and homogeneous like a DNA helix. Floor, wall and ceiling flow into each other. Featuring numerous innovative details, the furniture with its sensuous clarity of design merges seamlessly with the cabin interior. The cabin windows are concealed by so-called black panels, which, inspired by the screen design in the Mercedes‑Benz S-Class, appear to float in front of the window like a light corona. Innovative Mercedes-Benz Magic Sky technology allows the panels to be dimmed electrically from black to transparent. Displays and touch screens for entertainment and information can easily be integrated into the black panels.

In the coming months, the two companies will jointly evaluate the general level of customer interest on the VIP market, in addition to further developing the details of the design concept.

About Mercedes-Benz Style

Since 2010, in addition to classic automobile design, Mercedes-Benz designers have also created designs for other products in cooperation with selected partners under the label Mercedes-Benz Style. The aim is to transfer Mercedes-Benz's unmistakable, progressive design idiom and high standards of luxury and aesthetic appeal to other spheres of life. All Mercedes-Benz Style products stand out through the dynamic and avant-garde design that is a hallmark of the brand, uncompromising quality and the choice of fine materials finished to perfection. The portfolio of Mercedes-Benz Style includes products from the areas of mobility, lifestyle, sport and interior design. The complete portfolio can be seen at www.mercedes-benz-style.com.

About Lufthansa Technik

Lufthansa Technik is one of the world's leading providers of technical services for commercial and corporate aircraft as well as VIP and government aircraft. In addition to maintenance, overhaul and repair, Lufthansa Technik also offers special services such as the completion of customised aircraft cabins. In the area of VIP aircraft, Lufthansa Technik has over 50 years of experience in the development and installation of technically and aesthetically high-end solutions. To date, the VIP & Executive Jet Solutions Division of Lufthansa Technik has modified or completed over 100 short-,
medium- and long-haul aircraft. More information is available at www.lufthansa-technik.com.
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#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-478025{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-478025, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-478025{width:100%;display:block;}Featured GalleryPrivate jet cabin by Mercedes-Benz Style

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Breaking it down: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 agree on three-year contract extension

Reports in Europe say deal is worth more than $150 million

The waiting finally ended Wednesday when Mercedes chose Monaco to confirm that Lewis Hamilton has signed a contract extension with the team. After months of negotiation, the Brit has at last committed to three more years, which will cover the seasons 2016 to 2018. And he's guaranteed himself an income of around £100m (approximately $155 million), if the British media is correct.

It's big news because Mercedes is the team that any driver in the paddock wants to be in, even allowing for the lure of Ferrari and the fact that Ferrari is clearly making progress. Nico Rosberg was already committed to Mercedes for the next couple of years, so now all the other drivers know that there will be no opening at Mercedes for the foreseeable future. That's food for thought especially for Fernando Alonso, one man who might still have harbored thoughts about making a move, even though he is supposedly in a three-year deal at McLaren.

Hamilton's name had been connected with Ferrari in recent weeks, and that was suggested as a reason why news was so slow to emerge from Mercedes. Given that Ferrari was on the up, and that the magic of the name obviously has appeal even to every driver, why wouldn't he at least test the water? A Sebastian Vettel/Hamilton combination looked pretty good on paper, and appeared to be more manageable than some other pairings one might care to invent.

Was there any contact between Lewis and Maranello? Was he, as it's all too easy to suggest, just trying to up the ante and put a little pressure on Mercedes? He denies that he spoke to anyone other than his current team, so we have to take that at face value, we guess.

Indeed, on Wednesday he noted, “I said to Mercedes from the get-go that I wasn't planning to speak to anyone, and I believe they did the same...”

He added, “There was never any doubt, honestly. I was always led to believe that the team wanted to continue with me, and naturally with the success we've had, and the relationship we've had, it felt certain. I took my time, I wasn't being challenged elsewhere by another driver, which was a good thing.”

Last winter, Hamilton split with his management company -- the organization that looks after soccer star David Beckham, among others -- and in recent weeks has made a point of telling us that he was doing all his own negotiations. At one stage, he said he hadn't read the proposed contract all the way through, but more recently he said he had, and admitted that he'd found the process quite taxing given the legalese involved. He joked today that he had “earned his 10 percent,” so complex did it prove.

Lewis Hamilton is the center of attention as he strolls into the Mercedes compound in Monaco on Wednesday, Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The bottom line was, of course, money, and the not-surprising fact that he wanted to guarantee that as much as possible flowed into his bank account over the next three seasons. No one can blame him for holding out. He is, after all, a global brand, and compared with some U.S. sports, F1 salaries as a whole are relatively modest. Mercedes faced the nightmare prospect of a double whammy, in that if he left he would not only potentially weaken the team, but strengthen the team that he was heading to.

In the end, it was all talked through and Mercedes came up with a number that both parties found acceptable. In announcing the deal, team boss Toto Wolff made it clear how important Hamilton is to Mercedes. “We have taken the right amount of time with the process and not rushed ourselves," he said. "The result is a strong agreement that will enhance Lewis' association with the Mercedes-Benz brand, and that recognizes and respects the market value of Lewis and of Mercedes in Formula One. Lewis' sporting track record speaks for itself and he is a great personality for the company.”

Hamilton seemed relaxed when he met the media on Wednesday, well aware that he would face a grilling about the details of the contract, and the process that led to it.

“I've been with Mercedes for a long time,” he said. “They were part of getting me to F1, when I signed in '97 for McLaren and Mercedes. They were hugely influential in guiding me to F1, and I've only ever driven for Mercedes. So I wanted to continue with them, plus I joined this team and made it a success. I'm very, very happy with the package and the group of people within this team. So it was kind of a very easy decision to make, and it was also great that the team wanted to continue to work with me.”

It's true that the connections go back for years. Although we regard him as a protege of McLaren, engine supplier Mercedes was very much in the loop too when he was picked up as a teenager in karting. He used Mercedes engines in F3, and running in Euro races that supported the DTM, he was very much part of the Stuttgart manufacturer's family. And Mercedes was involved in the decision making process that saw him fast-tracked into a McLaren race seat in 2007. He knows the company, and they know him. Why give all that up and jump into the cauldron of Ferrari?

When the new contract ends, Hamilton will be 33, and on Wednesday he made it clear that he already sees himself carrying on beyond then. It's fascinating to speculate as to what his career stats might look like by 2018, assuming that the team remains the one to beat.

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Niki Lauda expects Ferrari to stay close to Mercedes in F1 title chase

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg hope to extend Formula One points lead in Monaco

Mercedes F1 team chairman and three-time Formula One champion Niki Lauda says he always knew 2015 would be a tougher challenge for Mercedes than its virtual cakewalk to the title in 2014.

The German outfit utterly dominated last year, but so far in 2015 Ferrari has put up a fight. Heading into this weekend's race in Monaco, Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton (111 points) and Nico Rosberg (91 points) hold down the top spots in the driver standings, but Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel (81) is within striking distance. Vettel's teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, is fourth in the championship with 52 points.

"The higher you climb," Lauda told Germany's Kolner Express newspaper, "the thinner the air."

Barcelona winner Rosberg, however, said he is not expecting any additional teams to intervene in Mercedes' title push.

"No," he told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "Just us and Ferrari."

Lauda continued, "It quickly became clear to us that Ferrari had found 40 hp more compared to last year.

"So we had to develop faster as well in order to maintain our competitive edge."

The strategy appeared to have worked in Spain recently, as Mercedes' Rosberg and Hamilton easily finished first and second.

Lauda said, "The victory in Barcelona was important because I know from experience that whoever is quick there is quick everywhere. Until Barcelona, Lewis was driving like an extraterrestrial, and I thought it would be impossible to beat him. But Nico recovered and managed to break Lewis' run. That's good news for him and also for us."

Rosberg has won the past two Monaco Grands Prix, but Hamilton will be determined to resume his run of top form this weekend, Lauda warned.

"(Rosberg) has to go there and be on pole again, because if Lewis is on pole, it's over," Lauda said.

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Mercedes gets handy with Apple Watch app

Mercedes gets handy with Apple Watch appImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzImage Credit: Mercedes-BenzMore PhotosHottest Cars and Trucks in AmericaMost Popular Cars By StateOur Picks For The Best $5,000 Used CarsCars That Depreciate FastestHistory's 10 Best Selling Cars Of All TimeWard's 10 Best Engines of 2015Noah Joseph

Whether you yourself have been caught up in Apple Watch fever or not, automakers have been embracing the new wearable device one after the other. The latest is Mercedes-Benz.

The MB Companion App for the Apple Watch initially focuses on seamless navigation. Punch in your destination on your watch or iPhone and it'll port over to the onboard navigation system in your Merc. Park the car, get out and the directions will switch back over to the Apple Watch to guide you from your parking spot to your destination on foot. It's similar to the app Mercedes had designed for Google Glass, only in this application it actually stands a chance of catching on.

Designed by Benz's Silicon Valley R&D center, the Apple Watch app is being rolled out this fall in the new C-Class and S-Class equipped with the COMAND Online navigation system. It's earmarked to to spread to other models as well, with further updates to the app planned to allow it to display the vehicle's fuel level, range, odometer and maintenance code.

Of course, Mercedes isn't the first automaker to release an app for the Apple Watch. It's not even the first German automaker to do so: BMW previewed its app for the device back in September, and Volkswagen got on board earlier this month.
Show full PR textMercedes-Benz to introduce new App: Guided all the way: Mercedes-Benz is one of the first to introduce Door-to-Door Navigation with Apple Watch

May 15, 2015

Stuttgart/Sunnyvale. Mercedes-Benz creates an intelligent integration between Apple Watch and Mercedes-Benz vehicles with its new MB Companion App. The MB Companion App allows Mercedes-Benz costumers to search for directions on the Apple Watch or on iPhone initiating a complete door-to-door experience. A seamless integration unfolds: giving walking directions to the car on the Apple Watch, driving directions on the vehicle navigation system and again walking directions on the Apple Watch from the car to the final destination.

The destination that the driver selects on Apple Watch is passed to Mercedes-Benz COMAND Online once the driver starts the vehicle. He then receives safe and non-distracting driving directions to his selected destination from Mercedes-Benz navigation. When the driver parks and leaves his car, Apple Watch gives him walking directions to the final destination making it the perfect guide for "Last Mile Navigation".

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and S-Class vehicles equipped with COMAND Online will be able to work with the MB Companion App as of fall this year. Further models will follow soon. By then, the MB Companion App will also enable drivers to find vehicle information such as Fuel Level, Range, Maintenance Code, and Odometer Readings on Apple Watch.

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) – the agile innovation center in Silicon Valley has worked together with Daimler development experts from Sindelfingen to enable Mercedes-Benz to make this new Door-to-Door navigation available for customers. With its culture of collaboration, networking, innovation and creativity, Mercedes-Benz's team in Silicon Valley established a track record in integrating Silicon Valley innovations into vehicles.Featured GalleryMB Companion App for Apple Watch

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Mercedes Launching “MB Companion” Apple Watch App—Here’s a Sneak Peek

Mercedes Launching "MB Companion" Apple Watch App – News – Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog Car and Driver - Intelligence. Independence. Irreverence. VehiclesAcuraFiatLincolnRamAlfa RomeoFordLotusRolls-RoyceAston MartinGMCMaseratiScionAudiHondaMazdaSmartBentleyHyundaiMcLarenSpykerBMWInfinitiMercedes-AMGSubaruBugattiJaguarMercedes-BenzTeslaBuickJeepMercedes-MaybachToyotaCadillacKiaMiniVolkswagenChevroletKoenigseggMitsubishiVolvoChryslerLamborghiniNissanDodgeLand RoverPaganiFerrariLexusPorscheView AllReviewsFirst DrivesInstrumented TestsComparison TestsLong-Term TestsArchived ReviewsView All ReviewsNews2015 NY Auto Show2015 Geneva ShowBlogFuture CarsAuto ShowsView All NewsVideoCar and Driver VideoYouTubeFeatures10Best Cars2015 Editors' Choice2014 Editors' ChoiceColumnsGearboxTech Dept.View All FeaturesBuyer's Guide2015 Editors' Choice2014 Editors' ChoiceShopping AdviceGet a Free QuoteUsed Car ListingsView Buyer's GuideSubscribeMagazineDigital EditionGive a GiftNewsletterText AlertsCar and Driver Store Backfires Skip to navigation Skip to main content Skip to secondary content Skip to footer Home >News > 'Featured' > Mercedes Launching “MB Companion” Apple Watch App—Here’s a Sneak Peek Mercedes Launching “MB Companion” Apple Watch App—Here’s a Sneak Peek May 12, 2015 at 3:24 pm by Jens Meiners SHARE TWEET

Sometimes it’s worth staying to the very end of an event. Such as last week, when Daimler R&D chief Thomas Weber used his closing speech at the Vienna Engine Symposium to make an announcement that deviated from the regular talk of new powertrains, efficiency targets, transmissions, hybrids, and the like: He confirmed that an app is coming for Benz owners who happen to own an Apple Watch.

Like Weber, the Mercedes-Benz Companion App deviates a bit from the script followed so far by the first batch of automaker Watch apps in that it offers just one function at launch, namely door-to-door navigation. A user enters a destination via the Apple Watch or an iPhone, and the watch then leads its owner to their Mercedes. At that point, your in-car COMAND navigation system—to which you’ve previously paired—takes over to provide road guidance. Once parked, pedestrian directions are again provided via your wrist.

Mercedes told German site Computer Bild that as it adds features, it wants to limit them strictly to those most viable for the Apple Watch, and not cram in functions for the sake of, well, functions. Possibilities include remotely checking the fuel level, whether the doors are locked or unlocked, your car’s speed and location information, etc.

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MB Companion will launch this fall in Europe and the U.S. At first, it will be compatible only with the current C-class and S-class, but expect access to be opened up shortly to more countries and additional Mercedes-Benz models.

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