- CES premières: Mercedes-Benz EQC and Vision Urbanetic
- Also on show the next Mercedes CLA – both for SA
- Cabin car tech set to go way upmarket for 2019
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa and /LAS VEGAS,Nevada – Daimler’s trade fair exhibition at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas running until Jan 11 will focus on future mobility.
The stand will feature the world première of the a Mercedes-Benz CLA and an electric Mercedes-Benz EQC – each of which, The Corner was told, is destined for South Africa! – a ”revolutionary” Vision Urbanetic concept and news about automated trucks.
The launch will be at about 8am South African time on Wednesday (Jan 9). We’ll bring you images as soon as they are available.
The CLA will have an ”evolved” Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX, in Mercspeak) infotainment that premièred at CES a year earlier but now has new functions so, the automaker says, ”the new CLA Coupé is not only the most emotional vehicle of its class but is also a highly intelligent automobile”
READ MORE Mercedes features on Carman’s Corner
The MBUX can interpret the driver’s needs according to hisher movements, including augmented navigation reality and the ability to understand indirect voice commands.
The EQC is the first fully electric Mercedes-Benz EQ series production model and said by M-B to be ”a symbol for the start of a new mobility era”.
‘DYNAMIC ELECTRIC PERFORMANCE’
”Visually,” the automaker says, ”the crossover SUV is a pioneer of avant-garde electric aesthetics that represents an impressive combination of convenience, quality, and everyday suitability”.
”These elements are accompanied by dynamic performance from an electric motor on each axle with a combined output of 300kW. Provisional range tests indicate 450km between charges.
The Vision Urbanetic (NOT for SA – at least for now?), is a completely new mobility concept for ”efficient and sustainable mobility”. It rides on a concept is based on a chassis suited for various bodyshells and either people or goods.
‘DRIVERLESS SMOOTH FUNCTIONING’
The vehicles are said to be part of a system in which logistics companies, public transport – even individuals – can digitally send their transport requests across urban environments to reduce traffic volume, ease city infrastructure, and ”contribute to a new quality of urban life”.
”The show car,” M-B added, ”will also demonstrate how innovative and intelligent design can maintain the smooth functioning of mobility – even without a driver.”
