Mercedes Mulls over electric luxury vehicles; plans are put in place for E-Class autonomous driving updates
Multiple takes on autonomous driving, gesture based control and connectivity systems, electric vehicle powertrain and alternate fuel technology have inevitably dominated the proceedings at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
During the eve of 2016, Audi announced its three billion investment plan on future technologies and technicial know-how. Last year saw the A3 e-tron Sportback hybrid came into life as the German company’s first plug-in offering.
The Q7 e-tron is more likely to be available in international markets very soon with a pure BEV(Battery Electric Vehicle) SUV based on the notorious Audi e-tron Quattro Concept is in the pipeline as Audi is pushing to expand its range to models to 60 by 2020.
Similarly BMW has taken a head-start with its ‘i’ division and several other manufacturers – like Hyundai with Prius rival Ioniq – pushing boundaries to get the most viable electric mobility solution up on road for customers as fast they possibly can.
Mercedes-Benz’s parental company, Diamler AG, took to the 2016 CES to announce future plans of the luxury German car maker as well. It includes a range of electric luxury vehicles whilst the flagship executive E-Class will receive autonomous driving upgrades for longer distance drives on highways.
The 2016 E-Class will be offered with driver assistance features such as automatic evasive steering, piloted highway driving, automatic evasive steering and a system to match legal speed limits automatically.
The software updates to new range of E-Class models meant that the hands-free driving range can be extended from its current state. Set to be unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, the new E-Class embarks on a new technological challenge from Tesla Motors which is on a hot pursuit in the American markets.
The Tesla Motors vehicle range comprises the highly successful Model S, Model X and Roadster with potential products lined-up for the coming years. The California-based company also sells electric powertrain components and battery products to big automobile giants like Toyota and Daimler.
The Mercedes EVs will be built on a flexible architecture to cope with fully-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid platforms with addition of battery packs and other components are deemed necessary for various segments of green cars.
The German company won’t be basing anything on its former tie-up with Tesla and is aware of building new facilities for volume production of electric models. It will be another painstaking path into developing from scratch just as its main competitors such as GM and Volkswagen AG are currently undergoing.
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