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Hagerty Hill Climb returns to Shelsley Walsh 27th – 28th May

  • 2023 Hagerty Hill Climb returns to Shelsley Walsh on 27th and 28th May
  • 12 fast iconic Group A and B rally cars will run up the hill
  • A host of other classic and enthusiast vehicles will also take part
  • Guests can drive their own cars up the hillclimb course
  • Superb array of facilities for spectators
  • Spectator tickets for the event start at just £27
  • Further information can be found here


Hagerty, an automotive lifestyle brand and leading specialist insurance provider hosts a number of renowned automotive events around the world, with its leading UK events including the Festival of the Unexceptional, Radwood UK and the Hagerty Hill Climb.

Launched last year, the inaugural 2022 Hagerty Hill Climb was such a success that it returns to the iconic Shelsley Walsh Hill climb for two days of hill climbing action taking place on the 27th and 28th May, lining up some of the country’s finest road and competition cars alongside legends of Group B and WRC rallying. A must-see spectacle for any automotive enthusiast.

A rarely seen collection of motorsport stars will take to the iconic hill route including a Audi Sport Quattro, an ex-Tony Pond MG Metro 6R4, Petter Solberg’s Subaru Impreza and a Ford RS200 all of which will  perform fast and furious demonstration runs. Other confirmed rally stars include a Group B Ferrari 308 GTB, Lancia 037 and BMW E30 M3 along with a Group A Ford Escort Cosworth and Mitsubishi Lancer. A rare Ford Escort 1700T and RS200 will also be presented as part of a static display

Cars like these need to be seen and heard for the full experience, and the 2023 Hagerty Hill Climb provides a rare opportunity to see and hear these wonderful racers up close while being used as intended.

Hill Climbing is one of Britain’s oldest forms of motorsport and Shelsley Walsh is regarded as one of the best hill climb venues in the world. Set in the stunning Worcestershire hills it opened in 1905, and has held events continuously since then, only pausing for World War II and the COVID 19 pandemic. Over the years, 1000s of cars have competed at Shelsley Walsh, with drivers such as Stirling Moss having tried their luck on the course. The fastest time ever on the hill was recorded in 2021 when Sean Gould completed the 1000-yard (910m) course in just 22.37 seconds.

Shelsley Walsh is also the perfect place to watch cars in action, set in stunning countryside it offers numerous places from which to spectate, and a short walk up the hill offers outstanding views of the cars and surrounding scenery. Away from the action, there will be plenty of great options for food and drink, including a fully-licensed bar, coffee shop and a number of food options to make this a great day out.

Tickets start at £25 per car, per day, meaning a family can enjoy a full day of motorsport action for less than the price of a trip to the cinema. For those who want to get even more from the day, a Driver’s Enclosure ticket us available for just £35 per person from which guests can enjoy grandstand access, complimentary food and drink and the chance to chat with drivers and owners about their cars.

For those who prefer to be a part of the action, Hagerty offers the chance for guests to drive their own car up the hill climb course priced at just £135 per day, which guarantees at least 3 hillclimb runs as well as complimentary food and drink.

Hagerty International Managing Director said “Hagerty caters for all types of motoring enthusiast from fans of modern classics and unexceptional-era cars to multi-million collections and professional motorsport teams. Events like this bring together all types of Hagerty members with a relaxed, inclusive, and interactive weekend of automotive action. This promises to be an exciting two days and I encourage guests to book tickets early to ensure entry.”

Gates open at 8.30am, with the first cars away from the start line at 9.00am. Tickets are strictly limited across all categories. To book, click here.

All 2023 Hagerty UK events, comprising Hagerty Hill Climb, Festival of the Unexceptional and RADwood UK, are open for sponsorship and exhibitor enquiries. Interested parties should email Hagerty directly for more information.

For further details click here

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1953 Fiat 8V Elaborata Sport Coupe by Zagato

1953 Fiat 8V Elaborata Sport Coupe by Zagato

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Classic sophisticated curves drape along the aerodynamic body of the gorgeous Fiat 8V Zagato Coupe.

The Elaborata presents with a militant stance and conceals the one and only V-8 engine ever produced by Fiat.

The sleek 2-seat beauty debuted at the 1952 Geneva Auto Show intending to compete directly against Ferrari, Maserati, etc in the two-liter sports racing division.

It’s fascinating to note that the Fiat ‘8V’ (Otto Vu in Italian) was named as such…simply because Fiat mistakenly assumed that Ford held the trademark on “V8”which was not the case.

For homologation reasons Fiat set out to build a total of 200 Elaboratas however, only 114 of the highly advanced chassis’ were created from 1952-1954.

To stimulate interest and push sales of the high performance limited-run sports car Fiat sent 32 of the 8V chassis’ to the most prestigious bespoke coach builders such as Vignale, Ghia, Pininfarina, etc

Five of the 8V chassis’ were sent to the esteemed Italian Carrozzeria Zagato in Milan Italy. (Zagato refined his skills during the war building fighter aircraft for the Italian Air Force).

Pictured below is one of the five gorgeous bespoke 8V Zagato Sports Car.

Penned by the acclaimed designer Dante Giacosa and stylist Luigi Rapi the luxury car soon morphed into a formidable and competitive race car project.

Zagato had become famous for its lightweight-bodied racers taking wins at the 1955 Targa Florio, 1957 Mille Miglia, and many other prominent races. It also claimed the 1956 Italian Sports Car Championship division/2-liter class. These were all monumental achievements for this historic brands racing heritage.

Identifiable and famous amongst its racing competitors the Elaborata 8V was the first car to wear the iconic Zagato double-bubble roof. The legendary roof design allowed for more helmet space and also added rigidity and strength to the frame.
The 8Vs Tipo 106 chassis was one of the worlds most technically advanced and it proudly challenged its racing competitors.
The five custom cars varied per owners request but generally the power internals consisted of:

  1. 1,996 CC OHV 70degree V-8 engine
  2. Twin Weber 36 DCZ3 Carburetors
  3. 110 HP at 6,000 RPM
  4. 5-speed manual gearbox
  5. Four wheel Alfin hydraulic drum brakes
  6. Four wheel independent racing suspension…with additional innovative race components such as a forged crankshaft, finned aluminum sump, and stainless steel exhaust manifolds…and most of the 5 cars were finished off with Borrani wire wheels.

This wickedly cool racing coupe tops out at speeds of 120+mph quite remarkable for 1953.

This premium high cost sports car was doomed with low-number production and its demise came in 1954 when production ceased.

This coach built jewel continues to be celebrated for its fabled and celebrated racing history. Priced at well over $2million due to its rarity and pedigree it can be viewed at prestigious concours globally.

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The new E-Class: dimensional concept and interior design

Immersive, interactive, intelligent: Smartphone Integration in the new E-Class

  • New electronics architecture allows a comprehensive user experience
  • Particularly fast data transfer with the 5G standard
  • Numerous new, intelligent functions in interior systems

Stuttgart. Customers can look forward to a particularly immersive entertainment experience in the new E‑Class. Music, games and streaming content can be experienced in the car with almost all the senses. Thanks to digital innovations in the interior, the E-Class is now more intelligent, achieving a new dimension of personalisation and interaction. At the same time, the electronic architecture is more software-driven and less hardware-driven. This forms the basis for more individual updating of the interior systems in the future.

The computing functions of previously separate domains take place in a single processor. Screens and the MBUX infotainment system thus share a new, very powerful central onboard computer. This form of networking improves performance, as the data streams can be transmitted significantly faster.

The Entertainment package (MBUX Entertainment Plus) will be available for the new E-Class. It includes hardware, Mercedes me connect services[1] and a data package from a third-party provider. Depending on the market, a communication module with 5G as the transmission technology is used[2]. The mobile phone standard 5G makes much faster data rates possible than LTE/UMTS[3].

The E-Class launch starts with the Saloon model. The first models of the 214 series will arrive at the European dealerships in summer 2023. In the USA, the market launch will take place in autumn 2023.

Music becomes visible: sound visualisation
With the new Active Ambient Lighting with Sound Visualisation, occupants in the new E-Class can experience music with three senses: pieces of music and the sound from films or apps can be heard (with Dolby Atmos® technology if desired), felt (by means of sound resonating transducers in the optional Burmester® 4D surround sound system) and now also “seen”. Visualisation takes place on the light strip of the Active Ambient Lighting (optional extra). For the first time, this applies throughout in the E-Class. For example, fast sequences of beats can cause rapid light changes, while flowing rhythms can create softly merging lighting moods.

The entertainment experience for the front passenger is always impressive. On his/her optional screen, the front passenger can watch dynamic content such as TV or video streaming1 even when the driver at the wheel is looking over at them. This is because the display is switchable. The advanced camera-based visual shield function reduces its brightness and thus reduces the risk of distraction for the driver.

The entertainment programme in the E-Class is more interactive than ever. The software experts at Mercedes-Benz have developed a new compatibility layer that allows the installation of third-party apps[4]. The following apps are available on the central display on the launch of the E-Class[5]: the entertainment platform “TikTok”, the game “Angry Birds”, the collaboration application “Webex”, the office application “Zoom” and the browser “Vivaldi”. In addition, the ZYNC entertainment portal[6] (optionally) offers video streaming, on-demand content, interactive experiences, local video programmes, sports, news, games and much more on the central and passenger displays, via one user interface.

Another new feature is a selfie and video camera (part of the optional MBUX Superscreen) on top of the dashboard[7]. When the vehicle is stationary, the driver[8] can participate in online video conferences via e.g. Webex, and take personal photos and videos.

More operating convenience is also available with MBUX. With the “Just Talk” function, the intelligent voice control can now be activated without the keyword “Hey Mercedes”. When the function is activated, a red microphone symbol appears in the display. This indicates that the vehicle is ready and waiting for commands.

Added day-to-day convenience: the routines
Mercedes-Benz is working on using artificial intelligence (AI) so that the car learns which comfort systems vehicle occupants use repeatedly. Given the same circumstances, the aim is for AI to automate such functions[9]. The result is personalised automation. Mercedes-Benz uses the term “routine” for this innovation, the development of which is already well advanced.

On the launch of the new E-Class, customers will be able to use templates for standard routines. They also have the option of creating routines themselves. In doing so, the occupants can link several functions and conditions. For example, “Switch on the seat heating and set the ambient lighting to warm orange if the interior temperature is below twelve degrees Celsius”.

For enhanced well-being: ENERGIZING COMFORT and THERMOTRONIC with Digital Vent Control (both optional) Soothing sounds, mobilising massage, activating light – Mercedes-Benz offers a comprehensive wellness programme with the variously configured ENERGIZING COMFORT programmes and the individual recommendations of the ENERGIZING COACH. The E-Class brings the debut of a new feature: The Motion sickness prevention programme[10] of ENERGIZING COMFORT helps affected passengers to alleviate the symptoms. A bio‑feedback function10 is planned for the ENERGIZING COACH in the medium term. This can reduce the feeling of stress with breathing exercises.

With THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control (optional extra), Digital Vent Control enhances the comfort experience. It automatically adjusts the front air vents to a desired ventilation scenario. This can be done via the user profile on a seat-by-seat basis, for example. However, the nozzles can also be aligned by hand as usual.

MBUX Superscreen with a large glass surface and newly designed icons: the interior design
Sporty, high-quality, digital – these three attributes describe the interior design. The instrument panel shapes the digital experience in the interior. If the E-Class is equipped with the optional front passenger screen, a large glass surface extends to the central display. Visually detached from this is the high-resolution instrument cluster display in the driver’s field of vision.

The main icons on the central and optional passenger displays are now simpler, and also colour-coded to match smartphone tiles. This enables the driver to recognise them even more intuitively.

“The heart of the brand” for over 75 years: history
With more than 17 million vehicles delivered since 1946, the E-Class and its predecessors are the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Many perceive it as the “heart of the brand”. The E-Class’s heritage dates back to the very early days of the brand. Even in the early years of the 20th century, the predecessor companies of today’s Mercedes-Benz AG dominated this segment: vehicles positioned below the luxury class but above the small car class are an integral part of the model portfolio of Mercedes-Benz and the original brands. Since the 1930s, the models have had designations that still sound familiar today: for example the 200 (1933) and 230 (1936), as well as the diesel variant 260 D (W 138, 1936) – the world’s first diesel-powered passenger car.

Analogue and digital sensory experience
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: the interior design

Sporty, high-quality, digital – these three attributes describe the interior of the new E-Class
The combination of digital and analogue luxury was previously reserved for top-of-the-range models
Newly designed icons on the screens can be recognised even more intuitively by drivers

The instrument panel shapes the digital experience in the interior. If the E-Class is equipped with the optional front passenger screen, the large glass surface of the MBUX Superscreen extends to the central display. Visually detached from this is the high-resolution instrument cluster display in the driver’s field of vision.

The contour of the cover glass is dynamic in design. For the central display, the glass surface is extended downwards accordingly. The profile becomes flat towards the outer edges. A narrow nozzle band nestles against the upper contour of the glass surface, connecting the central nozzle with the outer nozzles to form a single unit.

The models without a passenger display feature a large trim element that extends to the centre. Visually detached, the central display appears to float above the concave surface of this trim element.

The front section of the instrument panel is illuminated by the light strip of the Active Ambient Lighting. This runs in a wide arc from the windscreen, past the A-pillars and into the doors, so creating a spacious feeling in the way the door panels merge with the collar of the instrument panel to form a single unit. An apparently free-floating control island in the upper section of the door panels matches the look of the glass surfaces of the screens.

The centre console is designed as a homogeneous unit and merges in a straight line into the lower section of the instrument panel. At the front, a storage compartment with lid and cup holders is integrated into the three-dimensionally shaped trim element. There is a soft padded armrest in the rear part of the centre console. USB ports are located in the compartment below.

The door centre panel merges seamlessly into the armrest with a concave sweep. The front section here is designed as a metallic high-tech element. It serves as a grab and closing handle, and incorporates the switches for the power windows. Another highlight is the free-floating control island incorporating the door opener and the controls for the seat functions.

The contours of the seat surface and backrest flow elegantly from the inside to the outside and seem to float above the basic body of the seat thanks to their layer design. Indented vertical lines follow the outer contour, widening out towards the top. The association made here by the interior designers was with the organic beauty of shells. If the customer opts for leather upholstery, the seats are designed with elaborate longitudinal fluting, created in individual panels. The nappa leather seats feature quilted and perforated diamond patterns that follow the shape of the seat. The DINAMICA seat offered as part of the AMG Line interior is also perforated.

Extensive range of interior colours and trims
The colour & trim concept conveys a technoid character. E-Class buyers can choose between numerous interior colour combinations. The palette ranges from light beige combined with space grey, including a classy pearl effect, to the sophisticated, cinnamon-coloured tonka brown and the cool and technical-looking grey.

The interior surfaces have a new fine-grain finish from the base trim level upwards, underlining the contemporary character. The interplay between analogue and digital sensory experience is further exemplified by the wide range of trims with innovative, natural or technoid surfaces. Exclusive to the E-Class is interior trim of open-pore wood – dark ash – which is backlit by the Mercedes-Benz pattern.

In addition to other trim variants featuring open-pore woods, the “MANUFAKTUR black flowing lines piano lacquer” variant familiar from the S-Class is also available. Another highlight is interior trim in a silver-coloured metal-mix material. Its high-gloss finish gives it a very futuristic look.

Customisable UI design
The main icons on the central and optional passenger displays are now simpler, and also colour-coded to match smartphone tiles. This enables the driver to recognise them even more intuitively.

With two display styles (Classic and Sporty) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service), the graphics of the screens can be individualised. In the “Classic” style, the driver is greeted by the familiar display layout with the look of two dial instruments. Varying content with vehicle-related information is displayed between the two tubes.

The “Sporty” style is dominated by the colour red, with a dynamically designed central rev counter. A holistically impressive colour experience is created in the interior by the optional seven colour themes of the ambient lighting.

Sound becomes visible
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: sound visualisation

Sound is interpreted in visual terms on the light strip of the Active Ambient Lighting system
This in-house development works with any source of entertainment sound
For the first time, the light strip takes the form of a continuous line in the cockpit

For a long time, it was only possible to listen to music in the car. Starting with the current S-Class generation and the Burmester® 4D surround sound system, the sound has also been “feelable” for a few years now. Structure-borne sound transducers (exciters) in the seat backrests translate sounds into vibrations. Now, in the new E-Class, the acoustics can be experienced with a third sense: the active light strip at the top of the instrument panel and in the front door panels can be used to produce a visual interpretation of any content from any of the sources of entertainment sound. This extends, for example, to music tracks and the sound from films and apps. For example, fast sequences of beats can cause rapid light changes, while flowing rhythms can create softly merging lighting moods.

This in-house development by Mercedes-Benz is available in conjunction with Active Ambient Lighting. Software analyses the audio signals based on the parameters of frequency (bass/mid-tones/treble tones) and direction (right/left). The visual representation is beat-synchronous, in other words with no time lag. Depending on the preferred colour selected for the ambient lighting, the bass, mid-tones and high tones are visualised locally in coordinated colour tones and brightness levels. To use the function, the customer only needs to activate the “Sound visualisation” button on the central display. When a telephone call is accepted, the playback and visual display of the music are automatically stopped. System prompts from the driving assistance systems[11] naturally have a higher priority within the Active Ambient Lighting than the sound visualisation function, and therefore temporarily overlay it.

In the E-Class, the light strip in the cockpit takes the form of a continuous line for the first time and is no longer interrupted by the driver’s display. In addition to the sound visualisation, the functional scope of the Active Ambient Lighting is supplemented and expanded by further new features:

Information from the parking assistant is visualised.
In the anti-car-sickness function of ENERGIZING COMFORT (see corresponding section), the Active Ambient Lighting is also actuated.
And the Drive Away function of Active Brake Assist[12], which ensures extra safety when moving off on junctions with crossing traffic, can use the active ambient lighting to give a visual warning.

Multidimensional sound experience
The E-Class is available with the Burmester® 4D surround sound system as an option. A total of 17 loudspeakers and four structure-borne sound transducers allow high-end music lovers to experience a new world of sound in their vehicle. The structure-borne sound transducers are installed in the front seats. Another element contributing to a premium listening experience is the native integration of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos® from Apple Music[13]. The immersive audio experience adds space, clarity and depth to the music.

For more app variety
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: the in-car apps[14]

Third-party apps optimised for the vehicle for a better user experience
Popular apps such as the entertainment platform “TikTok” and the game “Angry Birds”, among others[15]
Part of the optional Entertainment package, download possible directly in the E-Class

Until now, apps found their way into the car mainly by being mirrored from the user’s smartphone into the infotainment system. Apple Car Play or Android Auto are such systems, which allow some functions of the mobile device to be used on the central and passenger display while the car is moving. The software experts at Mercedes-Benz have developed a new compatibility layer that allows the installation of third-party apps.

For example, the driver can use the vehicle’s own selfie and video camera for the collaboration application “Webex” and the video conferencing app “Zoom”[16]. To avoid driver distraction, image transmission is not activated while driving. There is an added advantage: the new software architecture means that apps will find their way into the vehicle much more quickly in future.

A new App Store has been integrated into the Mercedes me Store, with a gradually expanding portfolio of apps. In this way, the E-Class remains up-to-date and can be extensively personalised.

The following apps are part of the portfolio at the launch of the new E-Class:

“TikTok”
“Angry Birds” game
“Webex by Cisco”, cloud-based collaboration solutions
Video conference system “Zoom”
“Vivaldi” browser

The entertainment portal ZYNC is also on board. On a user interface on the central and passenger displays (optional), it offers video streaming, on-demand content, interactive experiences, local video programmes, sports, news and much more. More than 30 streaming services from well-known global, regional and local partners are already available, while further partners and channels are continually being integrated.

The in-car calendar also has new features. Compared to the previous version as part of In-Car-Office, it is now even more compatible with public (i.e. non-corporate) calendars.

Intelligent image filtering
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: the visual shield function of the passenger screen

Further improved concept reduces the risk of distraction for the driver
The front passenger can still see dynamic content on the screen
In many countries, the use of headphones is no longer a requirement

In Europe and in more and more countries, the front passenger can watch dynamic content such as TV or video streaming on the display during a journey. The prerequisite for this is that the driver is protected from distraction. The camera-based system in the E-Class uses an advanced filtering concept that is even more intelligent than the previous solution. The driver can no longer see the content on the screen. This has been verified in extensive trials with test subjects. In addition, the authorities in the EU, the USA, China, Norway, the UK and Switzerland allow free audio enjoyment of dynamic content with this system. The pairing of headphones is not a mandatory requirement in this respect.

The concept works in two stages: first of all, the seat occupancy recognition system registers whether the seat next to the driver is occupied. If this is the case, the touch surface of the display can be used via MBUX from the passenger seat while on the move. If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the screen becomes a digital decorative feature. The customer can choose from various motifs. Among them is a starry sky, for example, i.e. the Mercedes-Benz pattern.

The passenger display’s dual light control (DLC) technology prevents dynamic content such as films from being seen peripherally by the person behind the wheel. This visual shield function developed by Mercedes‑Benz can be switched on and off. Based on the content, the system can thus switch the visibility for the driver on or off.

A camera (either in the driver’s display or on the dashboard, depending on the equipment) also records the driver’s eye movements. The intelligent system can detect whether the eyes are looking at the front passenger screen. This takes into account, for example, how the driver steers and how often and for how long he/she looks over to the passenger side. If necessary, the brightness of the passenger screen is reduced. The passenger can therefore continue to follow the graphic content while it is not visible to the driver. This reduces the potential for distraction to a minimum.

Artificial intelligence will relieve the burden of everyday processes in the future
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: the routines

This allows the E-Class to be adapted to personal habits
First of all, templates and self-created routines will relieve the workload during everyday driving
In the next stage of development, AI-generated routines for the driver will follow

Stop at the company gate shortly before 8 o’clock in the morning, lower the side window and present your company pass to be allowed to drive onto the premises – many working people start their working day like this, or similarly. But there are also recurring processes during leisure time: on Tuesday evenings after tennis practice, for example, the seat heating is always switched on when returning home. These are just two of the many applications where Mercedes-Benz wants to make everyday tasks easier for its customers with the help of so-called routines[17].

At market launch of the new model series, the following options will be available:

Templates: With the help of these templates, customers can experiment with the basic types of support that are possible with the help of artificial intelligence. Examples here include “Cold days” (switching on the seat heating at a certain outside temperature, ambient lighting changes to warm orange) or “Date night” (romantic music is played via Bluetooth audio, ambient lighting turns pink). The templates are mostly stored in the backend. Some are stored locally in the vehicle, so they can be used even if there happens to be no connectivity. The templates are operated via the vehicle’s central display and are arranged in carousel-style on the screen.
Self-created routines: Conditions can be linked to an action on the central display For example, “Switch on the seat heating and set the ambient lighting to warm orange if the interior temperature is below twelve degrees Celsius”. The E-Class driver can also assign a name to such self‑created routines, such as “Warm me up”. Under this personally chosen name, the routine then appears on the screen under the menu item “My routines” and can be activated there. This routine category can be recognised by the blue tab in the menu bar. Routines can be created and edited in the vehicle, on the central display.
AI-generated routines17: In the future, the aim is for the E-Class to fully automate recurring routine tasks if desired. Artificial intelligence (AI) will make this possible. The vehicle’s ability to learn and evolve with the customer will represent a new level of intelligence. In the first stage of expansion, Mercedes-Benz will offer AI-generated routines for the driver and the seating system (ventilation, heating, massage). Other interior systems are to be successively integrated and further routines made possible.

Equally adaptive: in-app suggestions and “Magic Modules”
Mercedes-Benz is already using AI as part of MBUX: on the one hand, the apps for navigation, radio and phone already suggest actions. These are based on how likely an application is and include the suggestion of a specific phone number or navigation destination. On the other hand, more than 20 additional functions – from ENERGIZING COMFORT to birthday reminders to suggestions for the to-do list – are offered automatically with the help of AI if they are relevant to the particular customer. Internally, the developers have christened these modules “Magic Modules”. They are displayed on the so-called zero-layer interface of MBUX.

With the “Just Talk” function, the intelligent voice control can now be activated without the keyword “Hey Mercedes”. When the function is activated, a red microphone symbol appears in the display. This means that the vehicle is ready and waiting for commands such as “Navigate me to Berlin, to the Brandenburg Gate” or “Please turn on the seat heating”. Furthermore, with the voice control, several commands can now be linked by “and”.

For more peace of mind, physical fitness and climatic comfort
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: ENERGIZING COMFORT and climate control

To alleviate symptoms: new ENERGIZING COMFORT programme Motion sickness prevention[18]
More wearables can be linked, in future with a bio-feedback function[19]: ENERGIZING COACH
Automatic setting: the THERMOTRONIC electric air vents

Many car drivers are familiar with motion sickness (kinetosis) from their own experience. Symptoms include fatigue, sweating, paleness, drowsiness, nausea, headache and vomiting. The new Motion sickness prevention programme of ENERGIZING COMFORT can alleviate the front passenger’s symptoms or delay their onset, reduce the perceived severity and generally increase well-being.

As with all ENERGIZING COMFORT programs, several comfort systems work together in this new function: The passenger is prompted to incline the seatback slightly to the rear. The seat cushion is adjusted automatically. Fresh air is supplied from the air conditioning system in intermittent bursts. The Active Ambient Lighting is animated in accordance with the speed, while the audio system and, if required, the ionisation and fragrancing of the optional AIR BALANCE package are likewise activated. A reduced, atmospheric video animation is shown on the front passenger or central display. The ENERGIZING COMFORT program can be used either while the vehicle is on the move or when it is stationary. When the approximately ten-minute program ends, the front passenger seat is automatically returned to its original position.

Mercedes-Benz already offers a comprehensive wellness programme with the multi-faceted ENERGIZING COMFORT programmes. The ENERGIZING programs in the E-Class have been slightly revised in terms of content, heightening the experience. In the Vitality program, ENERGIZING Seat Kinetics is now activated throughout in parallel with a massage, and supports the muscles with small changes in the seat surface and backrest angles. The music of the ENERGIZING COMFORT programs has also been updated. Depending on the equipment level, the system now also uses Dolby Surround 7.1 in the E-Class.

ENERGIZING COACH: more wearables and bio-feedback
New features of the ENERGIZING COACH in the E-Class include the integration of additional wearables and expansion of the vital data shown in the central display[20]. The ENERGIZING COACH is based on an intelligent algorithm. It recommends the Freshness, Warmth, Vitality or Joy programme depending on the situation and individual. If compatible wearables are integrated, vital data such as stress level or quality of sleep optimise the accuracy of the recommendation. The Mercedes me ENERGIZING app transmits the vital data to the ENERGIZING COACH via a smartwatch. The respective comfort programme can be started directly via the recommendation in the form of a “notification” in the MBUX system. The aim is to ensure that the driver feels well and relaxed even during demanding or monotonous journeys. In the E-Class, in addition to pulse and stress level, the number of steps taken per day and the calories burned are now also shown on the central display.

Mercedes-Benz is also planning to expand ENERGIZING COACH with a bio-feedback function. Front passengers can then reduce high stress levels by performing breathing exercises while driving. The programme provides detailed and interactive guidance: the ideal inhalation and exhalation intervals are indicated on the central display with the help of the bio-feedback. Feedback supports the six-second breathing phases. Depending on the equipment of the E-Class, the bio-feedback includes adjustment of the backrest angle, a light cone in the Active Ambient Lighting and a wave sound.

THERMOTRONIC with Digital Vent Control: air vents adjustment as if by magic
If the customer opts for the THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system (optional extra), the E-Class comes with a new type of air vents: All air vents in the front area can be adjusted electrically as if by magic. This new comfort function is called Digital Vent Control. It is technically implemented with actuators. In each ventilation duct there are two of these small electric motors, one for the vertical and one for the horizontal louvres.

The operating concept is hybrid. Adjustment by hand is still possible. Visually, the intelligent air vents are indistinguishable from the purely manual versions in the base model, and the operating force required for both variants is also the same.

Three functions increase climatic comfort: Customers can select presets for the air vents in MBUX (“Head”, “Upper body”, “Even” and “Averted”). Seat-related personalisation of the ais vent position is also possible. If the air vents are adjusted manually, the menu item jumps to “Individual”. In this setting, the air vents can be adjusted by hand to a preferred airflow. This individual setting is saved and stored in the user profile. With Active Defrost for the side windows, the air vents are set in the direction of the side windows.

[1] To use the Mercedes me connect services, a personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the terms of use for the Mercedes me connect services are required. In addition, the vehicle must be paired with the corresponding user account. Upon expiry of the initial term, the services can be renewed on payment of a fee, provided they are still offered for the corresponding vehicle at that point. First activation of the services is possible within one year from first vehicle registration or commissioning by the customer, whichever comes first.
[2] To use 5G, the optional Entertainment package including comfort data volume from a third-party provider (valid for 12 months) or the customer’s own data volume is required.
[3] The speed and availability of the data connection will vary depending on such factors as the network coverage at the vehicle’s location.
[4] A personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the Terms of Use for the Mercedes me connect services are required to use the services. In addition, the vehicle must be paired with the corresponding user account. Upon expiry of the initial term, the services can be renewed on payment of a fee, provided they are still offered for the corresponding vehicle at that point. First activation of the services is possible within one year from first vehicle registration or commissioning by the customer, whichever comes first. Use of the entertainment package also requires the customer’s own data volume. In order to use certain apps via the Mercedes me connect service, a separate customer-specific contract with app provider may be required.
[5] An app package is planned for the market launch. The apps may vary over the lifecycle of the E-Class. A personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the Terms of Use for the Mercedes me connect services are required to use the services. In addition, the vehicle must be paired with the corresponding user account. Upon expiry of the initial term, the services can be renewed on payment of a fee, provided they are still offered for the corresponding vehicle at that point. First activation of the services is possible within one year from first vehicle registration or commissioning by the customer, whichever comes first.
[6] To use ZYNC, an active Mercedes-Benz me account and the MBUX Entertainment Plus package are required. This is currently available for one year free of change from the original booking, and can subsequently be renewed on payment of a fee via the Mercedes me Portal (country-specific variations possible).
[7] New technologies must always meet the legal requirements of the different markets, and must therefore be adapted accordingly. We are currently looking into the approval situation in this respect.
[8] At a later date, camera functions will also be possible for the front passenger.
[9] The functions described are visions for the future, some of which are not yet available and will depend on the respective vehicle model, the individual configuration and the respective market.
[10] The prerequisite for the function is a vehicle specification that includes ENERGIZING COMFORT and seat adjustment with memory function. The Motion sickness prevention programme cannot be used in conjunction with child seats, and is not available in the USA and Canada.
[11] The Mercedes-Benz driving assistance and safety systems are aids, and do not relieve the driver of his or her responsibility. The driver should follow the instructions in the Owner’s Manual and the system limits described therein.
[12] Part of the optional Driving Assistance Plus package
[13] In order to use the online music service “Apple Music”, a personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the Mercedes me connect Terms of Use are required. A mobile data connection is also required. Customers can purchase the required data volume from a mobile network operator (MNO) via the Mercedes me portal, or use it via their smartphone data tariff by tethering. The use of Dolby Atmos results in increased data volume consumption.
[14] A personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the Terms of Use for the Mercedes me connect services are required to use the services. In addition, the vehicle must be paired with the corresponding user account. Upon expiry of the initial term, the services can be renewed on payment of a fee, provided they are still offered for the corresponding vehicle at that point. First activation of the services is possible within one year from first vehicle registration or commissioning by the customer, whichever comes first. Use of MBUX Entertainment Plus also requires the customer’s own data volume.
[15] An app package is planned for the market launch. The apps may vary over the lifecycle of the E-Class.
[16] New technologies must always meet the legal requirements of the different markets, and must therefore be adapted accordingly. We are currently looking into the approval situation in this respect.
[17] The functions described represent visions of the future, some of which are not yet available and will depend on the respective vehicle model, the individual configuration and the particular market.
[18] The prerequisite for the function is a vehicle specification that includes ENERGIZING COMFORT and seat adjustment with memory function. The Motion sickness prevention programme cannot be used in conjunction with child seats, and is not available in the USA and Canada.
[19] This function is not yet available at the market launch of the E-Class.
[20] Compatible Smartwatches from Garmin are the prerequisite.

The descriptions and information in this press kit apply to the international model range of Mercedes-Benz. Details may vary from country to country. Further information about the vehicles offered, including the WLTP figures, can be found for each country at www.mercedes-benz.com.

The technologies presented must always comply with valid legal parameters. Therefore they may be country-specific or not available everywhere.

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1948 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan

1948 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan

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The first Chrysler Town and Country was a wood-bodied, barrel-back sedan in the 1941 six-cylinder Royal line.

Neither sedan nor station wagon, it had a fastback profile with twin hinged “barn doors” at the rear. Exactly 999 were built, 200 of them in six-passenger configuration and the rest with three bench seats to hold nine people. A similar lineup was continued into 1942, with nearly identical production despite the war-shortened model year.

The response was such that an expanded range of five body styles was planned for 1946. In the end, only a conventional trunk-back sedan and an eight-cylinder convertible coupe were built. Just 100 long-wheelbase eight-cylinder sedans were built, the rest being six-cylinder cars on the shorter Windsor wheelbase. The new-design second-series 1949 line dropped the T&C sedan, and for 1950 the model retreated to an eight-cylinder hardtop coupe with painted insert panels. Thereafter, the name “Town and Country” graced a long succession of Chrysler steel-bodied station wagons and minivans.

Total Chrysler Town and Country sedan production for 1948 was limited with just 1,175 examples built. Most wood-bodied cars were lost long ago, and according to Town and Country authority Donald Narus, this car is one of only 41 known to survive.

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1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé built, one of only six chassis to receive this swooping fastback bodywork by Jacques Saoutchik of Paris.

1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé

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One of only six chassis to receive this swooping fastback bodywork by Jacques Saoutchik of Paris.

Automobiles Talbot S.A. was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside Paris. The Suresnes factory had been built by Alexandre Darracq for his pioneering car manufacturing business begun in 1896, which he named A. Darracq & Cie.

It was very profitable. Alexandre Darracq built racing as well as “pleasure” cars and Darracq rapidly became famous for its motor racing successes.

Darracq sold his remaining portion of his business in 1912.

New owners renamed the Darracq business Automobiles Talbot in 1922.

However, though its ordinary production cars were badged as Talbots, the new owners continued incorporating the Darracq name in Talbot-Darracq for their competition cars.

Owing to the simultaneous existence of British Talbot cars, French products when sold in Britain were badged Darracq-Talbot or Talbot-Darracq, or even simply Darracq

In 1932, after the onset of the Great Depression, Italo-British businessman Antonio Lago was appointed managing director in the hope that he might revive Automobiles Talbot’s business. Lago began this process, but the owners were unable to stave off receivership beyond the end of 1934.

Fortunately the receiver did not immediately close Automobiles Talbot, and in 1936 Antonio Lago managed to complete a management buy-out from the receiver.

For 1935, the existing range continued in production but from 1936 these were steadily replaced with cars designed by Walter Becchia, featuring transverse leaf-sprung independent suspension.

These included the 4-cylinder 2323 cc (13CV) Talbot Type T4 “Minor”, a surprise introduction at the 1937 Paris Motor Show, and the 6-cylinder 2,696 cc (15CV) Talbot “Cadette-15”, along with and the 6-cylinder 2,996 cc or 3,996 cc (17 or 23CV) Talbot “Major” and its long-wheelbase version, the Talbot “Master”: these were classified as Touring cars (voitures de tourisme).

There was also in the second half of the 1930s a range of Sporting cars (voitures de sport) which started with the Talbot “Baby-15”, mechanically the same as the “Cadette-15” but using a shorter slightly lighter chassis.

The Sporting Cars range centred on the 6-cylinder 2,996 cc or 3,996 cc (17 or 23CV) Talbot “Baby” and also included the 3,996 cc (23CV) 23 and sporting Lago-Spéciale and Lago-SS models, respectively with two and three carburettors, and corresponding increases in power and performance.

The most frequently specified body for the Lago-SS was built by Figoni et Falaschi, and featured a particularly eye-catching aerodynamic form.

Lago was an excellent engineer who developed the existing six-cylinder engine into a high-performance 4-litre one.
The sporting six-cylinder models had a great racing history.

The bodies—such as of the T150 coupé—were made by excellent coachbuilders such as Figoni et Falaschi or Saoutchik. Although the proliferation of cars types and model names that followed Lago’s acquisition of the business is at first glance bewildering, it actually involved only four standard chassis lengths as follows:
During the early years of the war Walter Becchia left Talbot to work for Citroen, but Lago was joined in 1942 by another exceptional engineer, Carlo Machetti, and from then the two of them were working on the twin camshaft 4483 cc six-cylinder unit that would lie at the heart of the 1946 Talbot T26.

After the war, the company continued to be known both for successful high-performance racing cars and for large luxurious passenger cars, with extensive sharing of chassis and engine components between the two.

Nevertheless, the period was one of economic stagnation and financial stringency.

The company had difficulty finding customers, and its finances were stretched.

In 1946, the company began production of a new engine design, based on earlier units but with a new cylinder head featuring a twin overhead camshaft.

This engine, designed under the leadership of Carlo Marchetti, was in many respects a new engine.

A 4483 cc six-cylinder in-line engine was developed for the Talbot Lago Record (1946–1952) and for the Talbot Grand Sport 26CV (1947–1954).

These cars were priced against large luxurious cars from the likes of Delahaye, Delage, Hotchkiss and Salmson.

Talbot would remain in the auto-making business for longer than any of these others, and the Talbot name had the further dubious distinction of a resurrection in the early 1980’s

The Talbot Lago Record T26 was a large car with a fiscal horsepower of 26 CV and a claimed actual power output of 170 hp, delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gear box, with the option at extra cost of a Wilson pre-selector gear box, and supporting a claimed top speed of 170 km/h (105 mph).

The car was commonly sold as a stylish four-door sedan, but a two-door cabriolet was also offered.

There were also coachbuilt specials with bodywork by traditionalist firms such as Graber.

The T26 Grand Sport (GS) was first displayed in public in October 1947 as a shortened chassis, and only 12 were made during 1948 which was the models’s first full year of production.

The car was noted for its speed. The engine which produced 170 hp in the Lago Record was adapted to provide 190 bhp (140 kW) or, later, 195 bhp (145 kW) in the GS, and a top speed of around 200 km/h (124 mph) was claimed, depending on the body that was fitted.

The car was built for either racing or luxury and benefited directly from Talbot’s successful T26C Grand Prix car. As such it was expensive, rare and helped Louis Rosier with his son to win the LeMans 24 Hour race in 1950. The GS replaced the Lago-Record chassis which was named for its remarkable top speed.

The GS was one of the world’s most powerful production cars at the time. It had several special features from the T26 Grand Prix cars, such as a 4.5-litre inline-6 aluminum cylinder head, a hollowed camshaft, multiport exhaust system and triple carburetors.

Chassis details were similar to the Grand Prix cars, but it was longer and wider. It came it two wheelbase lengths -104 and 110 inches (2,800 mm).

Almost all the Talbots sold during the late 1940s came with Talbot bodies, constructed in the manufacturer’s extensive workshops.

The T26 Grand Sport (GS) was the exception, however, and cars were delivered only as bare chassis, requiring customers to choose bespoke bodywork from a specialist coachbuilder.

The GS was a star turn in a dull world and coachbuilders such as Saoutchik, Franay, Oblin, and Figoni et Falaschi competed to trump Talbot’s own designers with elaborately elegant bodies

The Talbot Lago Baby (1948–1951) marked the return of a pre-war Talbot model name and was the third model presented by the company during the 1940s.

The car was commonly sold as a four-door sedan, but a two-door cabriolet was also offered. Its engine comprised only four cylinders, but the twin overhead camshaft with cylinder valves on both sides of the engine block was again featured: At 2690 cc the engine capacity equated to a fiscal horsepower of 15 CV, which was enough to attract the punitive levels of car tax applied by the French government to large cars.

The power output was initially 110 bhp (82 kW), which in 1949 was increased to 120 bhp (89 kW)

Although the postwar Baby sedan closely resembled the more powerful Record on a brief glance, the Baby’s 2,950 mm wheelbase was slightly shorter than the 3130 mm wheelbase of the Record, and the overall length was correspondingly 200 mm shorter, reflecting the shortened 4-cylinder engine block.

The T26C was a single-seater racing car with a box section chassis, an unsupercharged 4.5 litre straight six engine and a four speed Wilson preselector gearbox.

Chassis and gearbox were derived from the company’s 1930s racing cars and were similar to those used on their post-war road cars.

The T26C made its racing debut in the 1948 Monaco Grand Prix, finishing second in the hands of Louis Chiron. Grand Prix victories were achieved the following year with Louis Rosier winning the 1949 Belgian Grand Prix and Louis Chiron winning the 1949 French Grand Prix.

A modified two-seat version won the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans driven by Louis Rosier and Jean-Louis Rosier. Doug Whiteford won the 1952 and 1953 Australian Grand Prix driving a Talbot-Lago T26C.

In 1951, as rumours of the company’s financial difficulties intensified, a new Ponton format body appeared for the Talbot Baby and Record.

The wheelbases were carried over from the earlier models. Although in many ways strikingly modern, the new car featured a two piece front windscreen in place of the single flat screen of its predecessor, presumably reflecting the difficulties at the time of combining the strength of a windscreen with curved glass at an acceptable price and quality.The new car’s large rear window was itself replaced by a larger three-piece “panoramic” wrap around back window as part of the car’s first face-lift, which took place in time for the 1952 Paris Motor Show.

The engine specification of the four-cylinder unit was unchanged as was the claimed performance even though the new body was some 100 kg heavier than the old.

A new development with the Ponton-bodied cars body was the availability of the larger six-cylinder unit from the Talbot Record in the top-of-the-line Talbot Baby, which in this form was called the Talbot Baby/6 Luxe, and had the slightly longer wheel-base and overall length enforced by the greater length of the six-cylinder engine.

1948 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Figoni Fastback Coupé, built for France’s Zipper King.

This particular one was bodied by Figoni et Falaschi, a pair of Italian partners who started a coachbuilding concern in Paris in 1935. They were known for extravagant, flamboyant, and flowing designs, as you can tell from this example.

This one was built for Monsieur Fayolle, a man who made his money selling zippers, and you can see a hint of that in the nose of the car, those chrome strips above the cyclopean headlight that are meant to suggest a zipper.

Talbot-Lago updated their pre-war cars after WWII, getting back into the business of making fast, expensive racing and sports cars. These cars used a 4.5-liter straight-six and, like a number of manufacturers of that era and before, the cars had bodies made by coachbuilders, so there’s a wide variety of looks for the 29 chassis Talbot-Lago delivered.

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“The GAUK Motors app has been a gift. I used to waste hours a day searching different sites and monitoring emails. Now I just set up a search and I’m done”

Joel Marchant

Car Dealer
Easy to use

“I used the free service for a while and it wasn’t until I upgraded that I realised just what a fantastic app you’ve built. I’m a customer for life.”

Great Company

“Hey GAUK. Awesome app. I use it on a daily basis and just bought my first classic car … an EType Jag of all things”

Well done!

“I never usually write reviews but after watching GAUK grow I just wanted to say well done and keep up the great work”

Jane Cavanah

Sales Assistant
Not what I expected!

“There a lot os sites out there promising great things. It was so refreshing to find that you guys actually delivered on all that marketing hype. Cool!”

Looking forward to it

“The GAUK Motors Newsletter is the only one I look forward to seeing drop into my inbox”

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GAUK has consistently delivered quality information. Thousands of vehicles from hundreds of websites making your perfect ride … easier to find.

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