Honda’s new urban electric vehicle will be previewed at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show in the form of the Honda e Prototype. This new model leads on from the brand’s highly acclaimed 2017 Urban EV Concept, and is a key part of Honda’s “Electric Vision” strategy for the European region. Designed to meet the… Continue reading Honda Global | February 27, 2019 “Honda e Prototype” World Premiere at Geneva International Motor Show 2019
Tag: Manufacturing
“HONDA E PROTOTYPE” WORLD PREMIERE AT GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTORSHOW 2019
Honda e Prototype previews production model evolved from 2017 Urban EV Concept Distinctive, clean exterior design combined with a contemporary, minimalist interior featuring advanced technology Rear-wheel-drive platform and wide stance deliver dynamic driving characteristics Honda e Prototype delivers a vehicle package to meet the needs of the modern urban environment Honda’s new urban electric vehicle… Continue reading “HONDA E PROTOTYPE” WORLD PREMIERE AT GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTORSHOW 2019
China’s Horizon Robotics bags $600m Series B financing
February 27, 2019 Chinese artificial intelligence firm Horizon Robotics has secured a $600-million Series B financing jointly led by SK China, SK Hynix and several automotive groups. The funding round values Horizon Robotics at $3 billion, the company said in a statement. The investment was joined by China Oceanwide Group’s Oceanwide Capital, CMBC Capital, CLSA’s CSOBOR Fund, Oceanpine… Continue reading China’s Horizon Robotics bags $600m Series B financing
Honda Global | February 27, 2019 Honda Sets Monthly Records for Worldwide Automobile Production
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the month of January 2019. Worldwide Production January 2019 Units vs.’18 Japan 76,776 +24.4% Outside of Japan 399,447 -3.1% Worldwide Total 476,223* +0.5% * Record high for month of January Production Outside of Japan… Continue reading Honda Global | February 27, 2019 Honda Sets Monthly Records for Worldwide Automobile Production
Former Tesla VP Spins Up New Energy Company To Accelerate Solar Plus Storage
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Batteries Published on February 23rd, 2019 | by Kyle Field
Former Tesla VP Spins Up New Energy Company To Accelerate Solar Plus StorageTwitterLinkedInFacebookFebruary 23rd, 2019 by Kyle Field
My kids play with LEGOs and work together to assemble puzzles, which is pretty normal stuff, but as far back as he can remember, clean energy enthusiast Ben Hill grew up playing with solar cells. His father was one of the founding fathers of today’s photovoltaic industry, Robert Hill, so that shouldn’t be surprising, but those early years set the trajectory for the rest of his life.
CleanTechnica caught up with Ben on the 2019 Electric Vehicle Road Trip Middle East and learned about how Ben has helped grow global solar companies around the world, including a stint at Tesla as its Vice President of Tesla’s operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where he oversaw the launch of Tesla’s Powerwall and Tesla Energy.
A New CompanyTo truly tap into his passion for renewables and to maximize the opportunity he saw in the integration of solar and energy storage intelligence, Ben left Tesla in 2017 to build a new company from the ground up. And so it was that B3 New Energy was born.
Ben said that B3 New Energy was created to provide his decades of experience in the solar, energy storage, and virtual power plant industries to companies ranging from global behemoths to small startups to financial institutions as they work to maximize the benefits of the new energy transition. In the year since he launched his consultancy, he has made significant progress in realizing that goal and is working to scale up in the year ahead.
B3 New Energy is providing consultancy services for investment banks on solar, energy storage, and EV charging and infrastructure, in addition to serving as a specialist consultant for other consultancies. These services are critical to helping the industry move forward, but what Ben is really passionate about, and what he loves doing at B3 New Energy, is helping startups get their ideas into the market. “I consult for or I’m in several different companies that are in energy storage or virtual power plants right now,” Ben said.
Virtual Power Plants Solve Problems At ScaleVirtual Power Plants (VPP) leverage the power of centralized intelligence to control distributed energy generation, energy storage, and demand response resources to meet the needs of grid operators. During the peak solar production each day, the grid operator may need all that excess energy sucked up and might activate some energy storage units to store the power. As the evening demand peak surges, the operator might call on a block of EV chargers to throttle back their usage in order to keep things humming along nicely.
The whole VPP is orchestrated by a central intelligence that responds to the operation of its individual units and leverages them en masse to maximize the benefits they provide to the grid. In the new world of distributed renewable generation and energy storage, VPPs are the conductors that keep everyone playing nicely together.
Solving The Right ProblemHis passion to create and build comes along with the inevitable need to deconstruct teams and organizations. That’s never fun, Ben said, but it is necessary at times, before rebuilding the right team that can take on the challenges of today.
It took several decades for photovoltaic solar to achieve the scale necessary to challenge incumbent electricity generation technologies, and less than a decade for lithium-ion energy storage to become a serious player. In the last few years, the falling costs and technology improvements with batteries have changed the game for stationary energy storage, which has revealed the secret sauce that holds solar and energy storage together — that is the intelligence that powers the energy storage. This is true for both grid-connected and off-grid applications.
Ben explained that it is not a simple matter of wiring a battery into the grid that solves problems and adds value, but rather, it is the ability to intelligently dispatch the battery to store up power at exactly the right time or to dispatch its stored power to fill a gap that makes the difference. Depending on its size, that battery can be in your home, factory or nearby field, including tapping into the battery of your EV with vehicle-to-grid technologies.
Most recently, Ben joined forces with Solo Energy, in September of last year, as its commercial and technical advisor, where he will work to accelerate the company’s move into the “virtual power plant” space. “I’m incredibly excited to be working with Solo Energy,” Ben said. “The team has a strong vision for the future, and its peer-to-peer trading concept using the latest blockchain technology is cutting edge.”
The future of renewables and energy storage is being built right before our eyes thanks to experts, team builders, and passionate leaders like Ben Hill. Stay tuned to CleanTechnica as we continue to dig and explore the emerging world of smart energy storage solutions, among other topics of interest.
About the AuthorKyle Field I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. TSLA investor.
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Elon Musk lashes out: ‘Something is broken with SEC oversight’
SEC wants Elon Musk to be held in contempt of court for allegedly violating December agreement
8 Hours Ago | 02:56
Tesla CEO Elon Musk lashed out at the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, one day after the agency asked a judge to hold him in contempt for allegedly violating the terms of a settlement made last year.
“Something is broken with SEC oversight,” Musk tweeted.
The SEC's latest complaint said a Feb. 19 tweet by Musk about Tesla production was inaccurate.
At first, Musk had said Tesla would make “around” 500,000 vehicles in 2019, but then revised the tweet hours later.
“Meant to say annualized production rate at end of 2019 probably around 500k, ie 10k cars/week,” he said. “Deliveries for year still estimated to be about 400k.”
After reports surfaced that the agency was seeking an injunction against him, Musk said Monday night that he had already mentioned these numbers in an earnings call.
“SEC forgot to read Tesla earnings transcript, which clearly states 350k to 500k,” Musk said. “How embarrassing …”
Shares of Tesla were down nearly 2.5 percent in premarket trading Tuesday. They had fallen by as much as 5 percent on Monday night.
Tesla's share price has given the electric car maker a $51 billion market value, which is almost as high as the $56 billion market value of General Motors, the largest U.S. automaker, and larger than Ford's $34 billion market capitalization.
But Tesla shares have fallen more than 10 percent this year and 15 percent over the last 12 months.
Musk and the SEC have battled a number of times over the last several months. The two parties settled a dispute in October over some tweets Musk had made earlier in 2018 saying he was considering taking Tesla private and that he had already secured the funding. One of the conditions of that deal is that someone is required to oversee and approve anything Musk intends to say to the public about the company.
Investors had hoped that the settlement would allow Tesla to put the whole affair behind it and focus on its ambitious plans for ramping production, building new factories and developing new vehicles.
“With Tesla/Musk settling with the SEC in October this black cloud was in the rear view mirror for the company (and investors) and now this latest tweet (which most investors shrugged off at the time) represents a wild card that could potentially bring this tornado of uncertainty back into the Tesla story until resolved,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note sent Tuesday morning. “At this point we are more concerned around this issue being another distraction for Musk & Co. as the company navigates one of its most challenging periods in its history and certainty did not need this news.”
Also concerning is the continued turnover in the company. Most recently, general counsel Dane Butswinkas left the company one day after Musk tweeted his 2019 projections for vehicle production. Butswinkas had only been on the job for two months.
Chief Financial Officer Deepak Ahuja announced his retirement when Tesla reported fourth-quarter earnings in January.
“Certainly, we don't like to see the turnover that we've seen with senior management with Deepak Ahuja leaving and the general counsel,” Oppenheimer analyst Colin Rusch said Tuesday on CNBC's “Squawk Box.” “That is not a great sign for the stability of the organization. We do think that there's enough management depth to keep this thing going, and certainly a big enough window in terms of the competitive environment for them to continue to take share of the market. But the volatility in the staff and the news flow is certainly a concern for us.”
Canada’s cut-price answer to Tesla just officially opened its factory in China
The “SOLO EV” has a 100-mile range and a retail price of $15,500.
Vancouver-based Electra Meccanica has confirmed that larger-scale production of its single-seat budget electric car is underway at a facility in central China.
The “SOLO EV” has a 100-mile range and a retail price of $15,500. The three-wheeler can be charged at a regular household socket in under 6 hours.
Deliveries began in May 2018, with components supplied by Zongshen Industrial Group and assembled in British Columbia, Canada. Now the firm is looking to ramp up production by building in China itself and has officially opened the Zongshen facility in the province of Chongqing.
Electra said in a statement Monday that it expects to produce approximately 50 SOLO EVs in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 before accelerating to a total of 5,000 cars by year-end.
“I am proud of our strategic partners at Zongshen, who have provided us with a state-of-the-art production facility and a highly-skilled production team to make the Electra Meccanica SOLO EV a reality,” said Jerry Kroll, CEO of Electra Meccanica.
The company is also developing the Tofino, a two-seater electric roadster sports car and in November 2018, the company said total vehicle pre-orders exceeded 64,000 units, representing $2.4 billion in potential sales. The majority of these orders were for the as-yet unbuilt Torfino.
The company's first U.S. dealership opened in Los Angeles in 2018 as the firm looks to target California's early adoption of electric cars.
With a market cap of just $126 million, shares in the firm now trade on the NASDAQ. They have been highly volatile over the last 52-weeks, hitting a low of 90 cents and a high of $8.25. As at Tuesday morning, the latest price was $3.89.
WATCH:Elon Musk's big ambitions may be killing Tesla
Tesla's earnings were better than expected, but Elon Musk still has a lot on his plate
8:48 PM ET Wed, 2 May 2018 | 05:31
We’ll have to wait before autonomous vehicles are mainstream, CEO of Softbank’s Arm says
ARM Holdings CEO on the future of self-driving cars
15 Hours Ago | 05:31
It's going to be “a while” before self-driving cars become mainstream, the CEO of Arm Holdings told CNBC Tuesday.
“It is a phenomenally hard problem to anticipate what a car could do under absolutely any set of circumstances,” Simon Segars, who was speaking at CNBC's Karen Tso at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, added.
“I think you're going to start to see early services, in quite a constrained way, quite soon over the next couple of years,” he added, explaining that there was “some way to come” before the technology was “completely mainstream.”
Over the last few years, the development of technology has led to several trial runs of autonomous vehicles.
In August 2018, for example, the Hyundai Motor announced that the first journey by an autonomous truck on a South Korean highway had taken place. The firm's Xcient truck, which has a maximum load capacity of 40 tons, drove around 40 kilometers between Uiwang and Incheon.
The vehicle used an autonomous driving system that allowed it to accelerate, decelerate, steer and maneuver through traffic without needing input from a human, although one was on board to take control as and when required.
Back in Barcelona, Arm Holdings' Segars gave an insight into the technology required for autonomous vehicles.
“Self-driving cars have … racks of servers in them, that's great for prototyping, but if you want to make millions of them then you've got to shrink it down, so there has to be a pathway to get all of that technology into very low cost, very power efficient chips.”
Brazil’s CAOA in talks to buy Ford factory: source
FILE PHOTO: Ford’s oldest Brazil plant is seen after the company announced its closure, in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian automaker CAOA, which produces vehicles with Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co and China’s Chery Automobile Co, is in talks to buy a Ford Motor Co plant… Continue reading Brazil’s CAOA in talks to buy Ford factory: source
The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+: The SUV trendsetter now with even more power and precision
27.
February 2019
Affalterbach
Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+: combined fuel consumption: 9.3 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 212 g/km*Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG launches its performance offering for the new GLE generation with the GLE 53 4MATIC+ (combined fuel consumption: 9.3 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 212 g/km)[1]. The basis for the signature AMG driving dynamics is provided by the 320 kW (435 hp) 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine, the fully variable all-wheel drive, the agile 9-speed automatic transmission, the AMG-specific drive programs and the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL air suspension based on AMG RIDE CONTROL+ with electro-mechanical roll stabilisation. Thanks to the AMG-specific radiator grille with 15 vertical strips, it is immediately obvious that it is part of the AMG family. Numerous options such as the selectable performance exhaust system and the AMG steering wheel buttons make the driving experience even more emotional.
“As the inventors of the performance SUV, it is important to us to continue to be at the top with the new generation of the GLE when it comes to innovations, driving dynamics, individuality and design. The first step here is the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+, with which we offer our customers more power than the predecessor model as well as our fully variable all-wheel technology. Not least of all its striking radiator grill shows our new GLE 53 as a fully-fledged member of the AMG family”, states Tobias Moers, Chief Executive of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
[1] The stated figures were determined in accordance with the prescribed measuring method. These are the “NEDC CO2 figures” according to Art. 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures.
Always staying nicely in line: six-cylinder engine with twin charging
Its centrepiece is the electrified 3.0-litre engine featuring twin-turbocharging and an electric auxiliary compressor. The 6-cylinder in-line engine generates 320 kW (435 hp) and delivers maximum torque of 520 Nm. Its EQ Boost starter generator briefly provides an additional 16 kW of output plus 250 Nm of torque and additionally feeds the 48 V on-board electrical system.
The EQ Boost starter-alternator combines a starter motor and alternator in a powerful electric motor and is fitted between the engine and transmission. This innovation as well as the intelligent charging via an electric auxiliary compressor and an exhaust gas turbocharger all have the same goal: to enhance the hallmark AMG performance and driving dynamics, but also to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. And this move has been a successful one: The GLE 53 4MATIC+ accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds and achieves an electronically limited speed of 250 km/h.
It really turns on the pressure: electric auxiliary compressor
The electric auxiliary compressor builds up a high level of boost pressure without any delays until the big exhaust gas turbocharger kicks in. As a result the 3.0-litre engine reacts extremely spontaneously and provides a dynamic response without turbo lag. An additional bonus is the high level of refinement of the six-cylinder in-line engine.
It will be electrifying: 48 V on-board electrical system
But the EQ Boost starter-alternator can do even more. It also provides the 48 V on-board electrical system with electricity. The conventional 12 V electrical system is likewise supplied from the new network – by means of a DC/DC converter. The 48 V battery increases the overall battery capacity in the vehicle, which allows supplying more electrical energy. An additional advantage: the same power requires only a quarter of the current of a conventional system. The result is that the wiring can be thinner and therefore lighter, which indirectly contributes to saving fuel. The existing 12 V system supplies power to consumers such as lights, cockpit, infotainment displays and control units.
It also does hybrid: EQ Boost starter-alternator
The EQ Boost starter generator is a key component of the 48 V system and not only serves as an alternator, but is also responsible for hybrid functions. This allows fuel savings that were previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology. For the first time, the EQ Boost starter-alternator is also responsible for idle speed control.
The hybrid functions include boost with 16 kW of output and 250 Nm of torque, energy recovery, shifting of the load point, gliding mode and the virtually imperceptible restarting of the engine with the start/stop function.
Because the belt drive for ancillary components on the front edge of the engine is omitted, the installation length of the new six-cylinder engine is also significantly reduced compared with conventional six-cylinder engines. This creates space for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system mounted near the engine, which is therefore particularly efficient. The particulate filter is the only part of the emission control system that is under the floor.
A special acoustic experience comes courtesy of the optional, selectable AMG Performance exhaust system. The variable adjustable exhaust flaps give the option to change the sound of the vehicle at the press of a button. Depending on the drive program, the sound characteristics change from unobtrusive comfort through to maximum emotive appeal.
Speedy shifting: AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission (TCT = Torque-Clutch Transmission) ensures emotional gear shifting with extremely short shift times. It is optimally tuned to the engine and promises agile pulling off typical of AMG as well as speedy shifting – regardless of an automatic or manual transmission via the steering wheel shift paddles. Upshifts or downshifts are implemented instantly. Especially in the “Sport+” and in manual driving modes, the transmission is very responsive. Multiple downshifting enables fast bursts of speed, while the double-clutching function makes shift operations acoustically more emotional.
Unlimited grip: AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive
The new GLE 53 4MATIC+ is equipped for maximum traction and dynamics with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive. The intelligent steering variably links the permanently driven rear axle with the front axle and continually calculates the optimum torque distribution – depending on the driving situation and the driver's wishes. The all-wheel drive thus improves longitudinal dynamics as well as traction and lateral dynamics. The outcome: yet more powerful acceleration from a standing position and for short sprints.
Total stabilisation: AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension
Redeveloped in Affalterbach, the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension based on AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension forms the basis for a driving experience that is characterised by a high level of agility, neutral cornering behaviour and optimal traction. A new feature makes a significant contribution to the AMG-specific tuning for high levels of driving dynamics: the active roll stabilisation with two electro-mechanic actuators working independently of one another on the front and rear axle as well as fully variable torque distribution.
Not only does the system reduce rolling movements when cornering, it also enables more precise tuning of the cornering and load change properties. In addition, it increases the drive comfort when driving straight ahead because stimuli are balanced out by one-sided road bumps, for example. Movements in the body can be actively and optimally adjusted to the driving conditions. This means that the AMG-typical form of the driving characteristics regarding dynamics, precision and response can be even more intensively experienced by the driver.
Another benefit in comparison to the usual hydraulic-based systems is the significantly faster response. The AMG control can adapt the driving status up to 1000 times per second. The sampling rate is thus a mere one-thousandth of a second. There is also the low weight of the components in comparison to the usual solutions.
Especially long breath: air suspension with continuously adjustable damping
The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with particularly sporty spring/damper set-up and adaptive adjustable damping ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System) combines outstanding driving dynamics with high ride comfort. The damping characteristics can be preselected in three modes, “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+”, allowing a significantly more noticeable differentiation between excellent long-distance comfort and sporty driving dynamics. In addition, there are two new levels for off-road use – “Trail” and “Sand”.
Thanks to pneumatic self-levelling at the front and rear axle, the GLE 53 4MATIC+ maintains a constant ride height regardless of the vehicle load. The vehicle level is generally lowered by 15 mm in the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programmes “Sport” and “Sport+”. In the “Comfort” drive programme, the vehicle is lowered by 15 mm from a speed of 120 km/h. This reduces aerodynamic drag and, in turn, fuel consumption. In addition, handling stability is improved thanks to a lower centre of gravity. In order to increase the ground clearance on poor road surfaces or on ramps, the vehicle body level can be raised by up to 55 mm at the touch of a button with the engine running – both with the car stationary and in motion.
Everything under control: Sports steering and high-performance braking system
The electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering has a variable ratio. It wins over customers with AMG-specific rack and pinion ratio and precise feedback. In addition, steering power assistance is adjusted in the two stages “Comfort” or “Sport”. The configuration is automatically activated based on the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programme. They can optionally be personalised at any time in the “Individual” drive programme.
The large sized high-performance braking system reliably slows down the performance SUV even with heavier loads and short braking distances. 400 x 36 mm internally ventilated and perforated integral brake disks are used on the front axle as well as 2-piston fixed callipers painted silver with black AMG lettering. On the rear, the internally ventilated integral brake disks measure 345 x 25 mm and have a 1-piston floating calliper.
Select your programme: AMG DYNAMIC SELECT
The GLE 53 4MATIC+ has seven drive programmes: The levels “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+” and “Individual” are complemented by two off-road-specific settings: “Trail” and “Sand”. AMG DYNAMIC SELECT adapts important parameters such as the responsiveness of the engine and transmission, the characteristic curve of the accelerator and steering, the suspension damping or even the vehicle's sound. Selected using the paddle in the centre console or the AMG steering wheel buttons, the programmes are then visualised in the instrument cluster and on the multimedia display.
“Slippery”: optimised for slippery road conditions, with reduced power and a flat torque curve for a driving impression oriented toward stability. “Comfort”: comfortable and fuel-efficient driving, e.g. thanks to early upshifts. Suspension and steering are set up for an emphasis on comfort. “Sport”: sporty characteristics thanks to a more agile response to the driver's accelerator pedal input, shorter shift times, earlier downshifts and significantly more emotive gearshifts owing to double de-clutching. A more dynamic suspension and steering set-up. “Sport+”: extremely sporty characteristics thanks to an even more agile throttle response, increased acoustic emphasis on double de-clutching during downshifts as well as selective torque control on upshifts with cylinder suppression for optimal shift times. Increased idle speed for faster pulling away. An even more dynamic set-up for suspension, steering and drivetrain. “Individual”: individual adjustment of the drive system, transmission, AMG DYNAMICS, suspension and exhaust system. “Trail”: safe driving at maximum performance on soft, muddy or slippery ground. “Sand”: sporty set-up for the best possible grip and steerability on sandy slopes and in desert dunes. AMG DYNAMICS vehicle dynamics control is integrated into the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programmes. In the “Basic”, “Advanced” and “Pro” levels, it influences e.g. the control strategies of the ESP ® (Electronic Stability Program) or the all-wheel drive. The intelligent pilot control anticipates the desired vehicle behaviour based on the driver's actions and the sensor data. The spectrum ranges from extremely stable to highly dynamic. Additionally there are the “Traction” and “Slide” levels in the off-road “Trail” and “Sand” drive programmes when the ESP® is deactivated.
Quite the eye-catcher: exterior with AMG-specific radiator grille
The appearance of the GLE 53 4MATIC+ captivates thanks to its exclusivity, powerful sportiness and progressive dominance. Thanks to the AMG-specific radiator grille with 15 vertical chromed strips, it is immediately obvious that it is part of the AMG family. Equally striking is the star in the double ring, the narrow headlamps and the striking A-Wing in the front apron. Apart from the slats in the outer air inlets and the trim element on the A-Wing, the front splitter is also silver chrome-plated. The wheel arches in the same colour as the car provide space for the large wheels – mounted with 20-inch light alloy wheels with AMG lettering as standard. There are seven rim variants optionally available from 20 to 22 inch.
The horizontal chromed diffuser strip in the pronounced rear apron and the special exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes underline the powerful appearance from the rear and emphasis the effect of the width. The optional AMG Night Package further enhances the vehicle. It includes heat-insulating, dark tinted windows as well as front splitter, trim elements in the front apron and the outer air inlets, mirror covers, window frames, roof railing, diffuser and tailpipe trim in refined black.
The colour of love: interior design with red accents
The GLE 53 4MATIC+ can be recognised by the characteristic red colour accents. This starts with the seats, fitted as standard with covers in ARTICO / microfibre DINAMICA man-made leather black with red contrasting topstitching. They not only offer optimal lateral support, but also have an AMG-specific design and “AMG” badge in the front seat backrest. The top part of the instrument panel is covered in ARTICO man-made leather. The black roof liner and the trim elements in aluminium brushed with light longitudinal grain underscore the sporty appearance.
Further elements to individualise the interior include different leather seat covers and a wide range of high-quality trim elements, among other items. The carbon AMG trim elements impart a particularly sporty feel to the interior.
An SUV highlight is the optional, foldable third row of seats, which make the GLE 53 4MATIC+ a seven-seater. Thanks to the Easy Entry function of the fully electrically adjustable second seat row, the two rearmost passengers can conveniently reach their seats.
Stylishly chic: AMG-specific displays in the MBUX system
The innovative operating and display concept MBUX is included as standard in the GLE 53 4MATIC+ and contains numerous AMG-specific content. With the widescreen cockpit, the instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia display optically combine into one unit. Numerous functions can also be activated via the intelligent voice-operated control “Hey Mercedes”. The optional MBUX Interior Assist also allows intuitive, natural operation of different comfort and MBUX functions by movement recognition and gestures.
The instrument cluster has its own specific details such as the AMG start-up menu and the four selectable styles: “Classic”, “Sport”, AMG exclusive “Supersport” and “Discreet”. When the AMG-specific DYNAMIC SELECT drive programmes “Trail” and “Sand” are activated, off-road-specific settings such as slope, incline and level can be selected and displayed on the instrument cluster. Rocker switches are embedded in the centre console for displaying and controlling the drive programmes, transmission, suspension, ESP® and exhaust system.
Hands sitting pretty on the steering wheel: AMG Performance steering wheel
The AMG Performance steering wheel in black Nappa leather with red contrasting topstitching and red 12-o'clock marking combines maximum functionality, high-quality haptics and perfect ergonomics. Apart from the aluminium shift paddles, it also impresses thanks to the touch control buttons which are intuitive to operate. The entire infotainment system can be controlled with swiping finger movements.
Innovative steering wheel buttons optionally enhance the steering wheel with a round controller with an integrated display beneath the right-hand steering-wheel spoke, plus two vertically positioned colour display buttons with switches beneath the left-hand steering-wheel spoke.
Drive better: improve your skills with AMG TRACK PACE
With the optional extra AMG TRACK PACE, MBUX is enhanced with a virtual engineer which enables up to 80 vehicle-specific data as well as times on closed routes outside of the public traffic area to be recorded and analysed in detail. Many of these values can be displayed if desired on the widescreen cockpit or in the optional head-up display in real-time. After putting in some fast laps, the driver can use the data to analyse and, if necessary, improve their driving skills. In addition, acceleration and deceleration values (e.g. 0-100 km/h, ¼ mile, 100-0 km/h) can be measured and saved.
The driver can record any circuits and open circuits him or herself and can save them for later vehicle data recording. Thanks to a newly developed algorithm which determines the vehicle position as precisely as possible, AMG TRACK PACE even detects when the circuit has been left or it has been shortened. This is done using GPS data as well as the sensors available in the vehicle (acceleration, gyroscope, steering angle, wheel speeds).
The additional smartphone app enhances AMG TRACK PACE on these circuits with functionalities such as video recording of the journey, individualisation options for the recorded videos and photos as well as sharing the experiences on social networks.
Sporty fragrance: fuel for the senses
There is an exclusive fragrance for the interior, named “AMG#63” as part of the AIR-BALANCE package. It is an inspiring, sporty scent to match the spirit of the performance sports car brand.
Data at a glance
Mercedes-AMG
GLE 53 4MATIC+
Cylinders/arrangement
6/in-line
Displacement (cc)
2999
Combustion engine output (kW/hp)
320/435
at rpm
6100
Output from EQ Boost (kW/hp)
16/22 hp
Max. torque Combustion engine (Nm)
520
at rpm
1800-5800
max. EQ Boost torque (Nm)
250
Fuel consumption, combined (l/100 km)
9,3*
Combined CO2 emissions (g/km)
212*
Efficiency class
C
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s)
5.3
Top speed (km/h)
250**
* The stated figures were determined in accordance with the prescribed measuring method. These are the “NEDC CO2 figures according to Art. 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. ** Electronically limited
Press Contact
Jochen Übler
Mercedes-AMG GmbH
jochen.uebler@daimler.com
Tel: +49 (0) 7144 30292470
Fax: –
Koert Groeneveld
Head of International Product & Technology Communications
koert.groeneveld@daimler.com
Tel: +49 711 17-92311
Fax: +49 711 17-94365
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