We wrote enthusiastically about our road test of the new Mercedes-Benz S Class just a few months ago. With the introduction of the latest cars joining the family at the ); return…
Continue Reading…
Au début des années 1990, l’artiste Jacqueline Hassink a photographié les salles de réunion des plus grandes multinationales du monde, comme Mercedes ou BP. Quinze ans plus tard, ces Tables de Pouvoir n’ont pas changé et sont toujours aussi désincarnées. Une belle et alarmante série de photo à découvrir.
A l’occasion de la dernière Mixed Tape « Prime Choices » du constructeur Mercedes-Benz dont il a signé la couverture, voici un focus vidéo sur les œuvres et les inspirations de l’artiste Sage Vaughn. Un document enrichissant à découvrir en images dans la suite de l’article.
This modern day re-interpretation of the 300SL grand tourer convertible is a return to the speedy, striking Mercedes-Benz of yesteryear. Sharing the same design DNA as its predecessor, the modern vision maintains the characteristic gullwing doors, elongated nose, low roof, wide stance and polished… well… everything… for visual drama only a Merc can pull off!
Designer: Slimane Toubal
–
Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Gull-winged Bird of Prey was originally posted on Yanko Design)
Related posts:
 |  |
The Pure Light is a concept vehicle for the elite in China, especially aimed for cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, where people can appreciate luxury. Inspired by Taoism, this 4-seater car uses superconducting magnetic levitation technology. The levitating feel and fluid form deceive you into thinking that you are gliding in space. It also uses light as a calming element and hologram technology. Simply elegant!
Designer: Lena Knab
–
Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Pure and Light Wheels was originally posted on Yanko Design)
Related posts:
| |
Voici sur Fubiz, le nouveau film TV de la marque Mercedes-Benz. Intitulé Etoiles, il a été réalisé par Ludovic Houplain du collectif H5 (Logorama) et rythmé sur le titre “Road Game” de l’artiste Kavinsky. Produit par Addict, sur une post-production de Mikros. A découvrir dans la suite.
Copyright Fubiz™ – Suivez nous sur Twitter et Facebook
Bespoke detailing, matte paint jobs and cute cabriolets from across the industry
This year’s International Auto Show in Geneva brought about design innovations and curious concepts hitting all different market segments. From customizable supercars to cute cabriolets, the following themes prevailed at the show.
Customers shopping for the latest supercar have more options than ever on factory paint and interiors. But for the truly discerning and unique individual, more and more companies are offering a genuinely bespoke design service where customers can take part in every step of the process. Much like getting a suit made, this time intensive approach requires picking from an extensive selection of some of the most beautiful materials in the world.
Ferrari unveiled its personalization service, called Ferrari Tailor-Made, which actually draws its roots from the custom coachbuiding that occurred in Maranello in the 1950s. The lucky few that qualify will be teamed with an expert Ferrari designer who will guide them through each step of the process, much like a tailor might explain the various options for tuxedo lapels.
Aston Martin also debuted their version of this deep customization program in Geneva. Called “Q” (you’ll forgive them the 007 references), the service offers to elevate customization beyond paint and leather selection, giving a customer the ability to alter the external and internal styling of the cars themselves. Since almost every car in Aston’s lineup is based on a common underpinning, the ability to manufacture a one-off masterpiece to a customer’s specification is within reach.
A predominant theme at the show came centered on the use of non-traditional paint finishes on new models. Once seen only in rap videos and aftermarket customization, matte and satin paint have hit the mainstream. From Aston Martin and Audi down to Hyundai, nearly every major manufacturer had a model on display done up in a dull finish. Of particular note were the Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG (having its world premiere at Geneva), the new Ferrari F12berlinetta in a stunning satin aluminum, and the Aston Martin Virage in a dark blue satin with yellow accents. Of course these finishes tend to work better in the showroom than in day-to-day practicality, but this was a show after all.
Last year at Geneva was the year of the hybrid, but with GM stalling production of the Volt due to slow sales, Tesla dealing with customer backlash from a technical issue gone viral, and general tepid interest across the industry in hybrids and electric cars, automakers were less enthusiastic this year. While the penchant for gas-free vehicles may have cooled in the general market, fuel efficiency is here to stay. Manufacturers from Mercedes to Ferrari were quick to point out their gas efficiency improvements and plans for even leaner engines to come, whether they be hybrid, diesel or just evolved gas technologies.
Geneva debuted several new convertible models, ranging from accessible to the “if you have to ask” variety. The first one to note is the VW GTI Cabriolet, a topless version of Volkswagen’s excellent compact car, slated only for the European market. Other droptops include the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63, a 1200 horsepower Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and the one-off, completely insane Lamborghini Aventador J, which does away with a windshield as well.
The most unexpected topless rendition was the Range Rover Evoque, introduced as a concept to gauge customer interest. A convertible SUV may seem like a gamble—especially after the unfortunate Nissan Murano still fresh in memory—but luckily the Evoque maintains the character that makes it appealing as a coupe. The addition of a roll-bar on a production version would go a long way to balancing out the rugged looks with the top down.
The German auto maker brings its “A Game” to the popular premium compact segment
“A is for Attack.” So said Daimler AG chairman Dieter Zetsche as he took to the stage to introduce the new A Class, a car that Mercedes Benz has designed from the ground up as an entry point for aspirational consumers eager to experience the quality Mercedes offers. No longer a tall compact—Mercedes is shifting that focus to their B Class—the new A is designed as a premium compact to appeal to the newest car buyers. Mercedes sees the 1992 190 as the spiritual predecessor to the A, and while the term “Baby Benz” used to be derogatory, this new A is intended to be less a car you settle for and more an entrance into a lifetime of Mercedes Benz ownership.
The philosophy of the A Class originates in the concept of a young driver’s always-on connectivity, with Mercedes believing that a car is meant not only transport you, but to share and experience those journeys as they happen.
Having spent the previous few days with Mercedes, we were already becoming familiar with the thinking behind this new car, and how they intended to reach this aspirational audience. We participated in what MB called “Hunting the New A Class”, a two-day mission through Switzerland which culminated in the world premiere of the new A. Having first arrived in Zurich, we were tasked with using the Mercedes’ in-car COMAND system and its integration with Google maps to find our first waypoint—a lecture on the telemetry and design of the A Class. The A represents the biggest design challenge Mercedes has undertaken as of late: how to you invent a completely new product that both honors your heritage while appealing to an energetic, less stodgy market? Fortunately the design and production of the A drew much of its cues (externally, at least) from the Concept A Class, which envisioned the Mercedes style through a near-futuristic lens inspired, in part, by the work of Zaha Hadid.
Our next waypoint utilized COMAND’s Facebook integration to navigate us. We “friended” a Mercedes employee who then checked in on Facebook. By asking our test car (an SLK 200) to find our friends, we were able to map a route automatically to where he was waiting.
These types of integrated social tools, while novel and useful, are far from unique to Mercedes. Even the reading of status updates via text-to-speech is available on most mid-level Ford vehicles. The real ace in the hole for the A Class is the close integration with Apple’s iPhone, and SIRI in particular. The 2013 A Class is the first vehicle to offer built-in SIRI integration as part of the car, through a free iOS app called DriveStyle.
The Achilles heel of software development for automotive integration is that it is often bound to the development cycle of the car, meaning innovations and upgrades would happen every few years, not months. Mercedes has solved this by decoupling the A’s app development from the car itself: the social, navigational and entertainment systems are tied to the iPhone app that is mirrored on the car’s display when the phone is docked. Drivers can start their car in the morning to find new functionality already added, without a trip to the dealer. Mercedes also has plans to have an “app store” of sorts for DriveStyle in the future, allowing users to decide which functions they would like to add.
In creating an independent system, the app’s evolution and refinement can happen at a much more rapid pace, adapting to the ever-shifting connectivity requirements of its user. Mercedes-Benz recognizes the need for this seperate development cycle, and has invested in the strategy by starting an 80+ person office in Palo Alto assigned specifically to keep up with progress (and stay close to Apple). They call them their “in-house geeks”. With that many people working with a full-time focus on digital experiences, don’t expect DriveStyle to stay exclusive to the A for long.
While the new A is only available in Europe to start, we can’t imagine it being kept from the U.S. for long—with Audi’s new A3, BMW’s 1 series and a new Volvo V40 all available here, the A can’t be far behind. While it’s only available as a five-door to start, we were promised that Mercedes sees this as the start of a family—one we hope includes a three-door like the original Concept A.
The new A Class represents a sort of critical moment for Mercedes: can a car company so rooted in history and tradition bend toward a very non-traditional emerging consumer while still staying true to their brand’s image and promise? Will the new A cost Mercedes some exclusivity, or will it extend their brand’s reach to the very beginning of car ownership? While only driving the A Class will answer this question definitively, we expect this represents a bankable future.
Afin de mettre en avant la pile à combustible utilisée dans la Modèle Classe B n’émettant pas de CO2, la marque de voitures Mercedes-Benz a recouvert la partie gauche du modèle de LEDs et a installé des Canon Eos 5D Mark II, permettant de rendre la voiture invisible.
Copyright Fubiz™ – Suivez nous sur Twitter et Facebook
Looking back at the photographs that captured some of our greatest experiences this year
Since 2003 Cool Hunting has been about finding and sharing stories of creativity and innovation from a broad range of categories. Looking back on our photos from the year I feel very fortunate that we have had so many incredible experiences. What follows is a photographic year-in-review, highlighting some of my favorite shots.
January 2011, Burlington, VT. Finally got to meet and interview the man who created an industry, Jake Burton. More Burton
January 2011, New York, NY. Sat down with the hailed portrait photographer, Albert Watson, and even got to take his portrait. Albert Watson for The Macallan
February 2011, Iznik, Turkey. Learned the centuries-old secret of Turkey’s Iznik ceramics. Cool Hunting Video Presents: Iznik Tiles
February 2011, Long Beach, CA. Saw the unveiling of JR’s Inside Out Project at TED and got to use his oversized photo booth. Inside Out
March 2011, Near Reykjavic, Iceland. Made friends with this Icelandic horse. Nature-Inspired Accessories
May 2011, New York, NY. Witnessed Olek’s brilliant crocheted bodysuits at the Festival of Ideas in NYC.
May 2011, Santa Fe, NM. Moved by Colette Hosmer’s ancient modern Japanese sculpture.
June 2011, Los Angeles, CA. Created the Gap’s Fall ad campaign focused around their denim design studio in downtown LA. The Pico Creative Loft
June 2011, Halewood, England. Visited the assembly line for the Range Rover Evoque to learn how design gets built. Cool Hunting Video Presents: Making the Evoque
June 2011, New York, NY. Met Scott Morrison and took our denim lust to all new levels.3×1
June 2011, Crewe, England. Learned the truly bespoke nature of creating a Bentley motorcar. Cool Hunting Video Presents: Bentley
July 2011, France. Followed the journey of the Grey Goose wheat all over France to learn how their vodka is made.
July 2011, Maranello, Italy. Ferrari’s V8 assembly line is as impressive as the cars it creates. Ferrari Campus Visit
August 2011, Pebble Beach, CA. Witnessed the epitome of passion and dedication among the car owners presenting their vehicles at the Concours D’Elegance. Vintage Automobiles at Pebble Beach 2011
August 2011, Salinas, CA. Watched vintage Jaguar X-Types race on the Laguna Seca Speedway. Vintage Automobiles at Pebble Beach 2011
August 2011, Flushing, NY. Joined Olympus for a photo safari at the US Open and got to take pictures from all the best spots in the stadium. Olympus E-P3
September 2011, Los Angeles, CA. Attended the unveiling of the most anticipated shoe in history, the Nike Mag. Nike Mag
September 2011, Romeo, MI. Spent a day on Aston Martin’s Performance Driving Course pushing a Rapide and Vantage V12 to their limits. Aston Martin Performance Driving Course
November 2011, Le Marche, Italy. Harvested and pressed olives to make oil with Nudo during a full immersion of the region’s community and culture. Le Marche
November 2011, Mexico City, Mexico. When celebrated architect Luis Barragán designed a house for you he spec’d everything, including the pots.
November 2011, Paris, France. Met and interviewed the fashion industry icon, Karl Lagerfeld. CH Capsule Video: Printemps Holiday Windows by Karl Lagerfeld
November 2011, Carlsbad, CA. Discovered the truest form of luxury travel on the road and in the air with Mercedes Benz. Four Innovations in the 2012 Mercedes Benz SL
December 2011, Miami Beach, FL. Bathed in copious amounts of art during Art Basel and the surrounding fairs. Art + Design in Miami: Tricks On The Eye
December 2011, Mutianyu, China. Jeralyn Gerber, co-founder of FathomAway.com, gets in the noodle pulling groove at The Schoolhouse, near China’s Great Wall.
December 2011, Hong Kong. Discovered Hong Kong’s Fungus Workshop, a small classroom and atelier that offers leather-working classes and sells items that people have made there.
December 2011, Hong Kong. This cured meat vendor in the Wan Chai market, Hong Kong was very friendly and happy to speak about her products.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
