Benz Sez New Concept will drive itself - in a sense

The F800 includes a feature called Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant. The system allows the car to maintain its place while cruising along in a lane and to follow the vehicle in front of it at speeds up to 25 miles per hour -- even through curves.

Many luxury cars are able to keep a pre-set distance in front of them without the driver having to work the brake and accelerator. Drivers still have to steer. Not here:

The system even recognizes when the car ahead of it is changing lanes and doesn't blindly follow behind. It knows when a curve is really a curve.

"The driver can just sit back and relax — with hands on the steering wheel," Mercedes says. When the car's speed starts to creep above 25 mph, it gradually dampens the steering torque and leaves the driving to the driver.

The first Distronic proximity-controlled cruise control showed up in the F100 concept in 1991 and made its production debut in the S-Class in 1998.

Should Bolt Go For A Bentley?

Having recently treated himself to a GT-R, maybe Usain Bolt ought not to read this side-by-side comparison with Bentley's latest refined beast - from Motor Trend


If you could pit one sports car and one luxury car to engage in a good old fashioned quarter-mile race, you couldn’t find a more unlikely pairing than a Nissan GT-R and a Bentley Continental Supersports.

That is, until you look at the tale of the tape. Then the stats will tell you that despite the obvious disparities, these two cars are a lot more evenly-matched than you’d think. Consider for a second that the Bentley is half a ton heavier than the GT-R. On the other hand, it also puts out about 140 more horsepower – 621 to 485 - than Godzilla, so at the end of the day, the two car’s power-to-weight ratio rounds out to about 8lb/hp.

See how looks – and stats - can be misleading?

Motor Trend went through a lot of work to put these two cars up to the challenge and the result is…well…you have to watch it to find out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qXYjBxnteA

High Five for the new 5; Jamaican launch soon

BMW's updated 5-series gets a welcoming _ and welcomed - new look, both in front (changes to the legendary "kideny grille" and the headlamp package).

Jamaican reps Stewart Motors plan an official "wilkomen to Jamaika" for the new 5. Stay tuned for detials and a review

Audi's "Green Police" Super Bowl spot makes some see red

Still reviewing those Super Bowl ads from Sunday's game? never saw any? Well this one is quite funny, even if you're an environmentalist. Lighten up a bit.

Is it offensive or humorous? Does it support or mock environmentalists? Audi's "green police" Super Bowl ad, ranked sixth best in USA TODAY's ad meter, is stirring controversy for its portrayal of the eco-movement.

In the one-minute ad, which you can watch above or by clicking here, ordinary citizens are arrested for using plastic instead of paper, throwing away batteries, not composting orange rinds, using incandescent light bulbs and setting their hot tub thermostats too high. All this happens while Robin Zander sings redone lyrics to Cheap Trick's '70s classic The Dream Police.

The "green police," however, gives a thumbs up to Audi's diesel A3 TDI, which claims to get 42 miles per gallon on the highway and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%.

It's not just the Super Bowl ad, which the New York Times says puts "the "mental" in "environmental,"" that's raised questions.

SAAB GOES "DUTCH"

The fabled Swedish brand has endced a rocky American sojourn as a GM subsidiary and now goes to the Dutch sports car maker Spyker.


GM Reaches Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 13:37
DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the purchase of Saab Automobile AB.

"Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.

“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we're all happy for the positive outcome,” Smith said.

As part of the agreement, Spyker intends to form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, which will carry the Saab brand forward. The sale will be subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory, governmental and court approvals. Other terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time.

The Swedish government is at present reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank. Assuming quick action, the transaction is expected to close in mid-February, and previously announced wind down activities at Saab will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.

“Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand,” added Nick Reilly, president, GM Europe. “We’ve worked with many parties over the past year, including governments and investors, and I’m very pleased that we could come to such a good conclusion, one that preserves jobs in Sweden and elsewhere. GM will continue to support Saab and Spyker on their way forward.”

-Saab News (Saab Club of America)