Mercedes has a new $298 accessory available now that adds another level of smartphone compatibility to its existing in-vehicle controls of iPods and aux audio. The Media Interface Plus allows the car to stream audio from an iPhone, BlackBerry, or any other compatible Bluetooth music player (we're guessing A2DP, though Mercedes doesn't specify). The MIP can also control the Pandora app on the iPhone and BlackBerry, and other features like SMS and email reading / writing are forthcoming. There are iPod / iPhone and Mini-USB plugs for charging, and an optional cable can pull video from your iPhone as well and display it on your in-dash screen -- when the car is at a standstill, of course. Related posts:Mercedes-Benz collects $2.5 million via its Iphone app

In the plaza by Lincoln Center, passers-by got an eyeful of the stylishly surreal attendees in town for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. It seems some of these fashion-fabulous folks are there just to be photographed, and throngs of tourists gathered to gawk at the "show" outside the tents that housed the official presentations. Once through a giant faux-marble entrance next to the Metropolitan Opera House, the press and other fashionistas discovered the new high-tech system that IMG Worldwide installed to make sure only the invited got in. Compared to years past in Bryant Park, a few glitches in the barcode system made for shorter lines and more tolerable delays at Fashion Week, which continues through Thursday. Not all of the action was indoors. The Grande Promenade at Lincoln Center was the stage and stunning backdrop for Catherine Malandrino. Models stood on pedestals, some barely clad in shear drapes and embroidered thigh-high sandals for ...

Michael Schumacher is thinking about pulling out of Formula 1 at the end of this season, according to BBC Sport pundit Eddie Jordan. The German, 41, ended three years in retirement when he signed last winter a three-year deal to drive for Mercedes. "I've a hunch something fundamental has changed. I believe he is disillusioned and thinking of quitting," said Jordan. Jordan said: "There are too many indications that now give me the feeling he is reconsidering his commitment to his three-year contract. "There is far too much movement in the Mercedes motorhome involving managers from drivers from other teams. "I have heard rumours that (team principal) Ross Brawn's continuity with the team is in doubt, which would be a huge blow. "It's also rumoured that as a result of the lack of performance of the Mercedes car, expectations for next year within the team are not as high as they were at first. "The Barrichello incident ...

The German auto group Daimler, world leader in heavy truck manufacturing, said Friday it would build a popular Mercedes-Benz model in Brazil to meet fast growing demand in Latin America. The Actros truck designed for long-distance transport is to be produced in Juis de Fora, southern Brazil, a statement said, in addition to plants in Woerth, southern Germany and Aksaray, central Turkey. "The move will enable Mercedes-Benz do Brasil to respond more quickly and flexibly to the growing demand for trucks in Latin America, particularly in the rapidly expanding heavy-duty segment," the statement said. In the first half of 2010, Brazil emerged as the truck unit's biggest market, with sales of 21,700 vehicles from a global total of 56.300. Mercedes was surprised by strong growth in Brazil, even though it announced in March an extension of its biggest truck factory outside Europe, in Sao Bernardo do Campo, southern Brazil. Building its trucks close to ...

Mercedes-AMG is challenging the future with its SLS AMG E-CELL a state-of-the-art development of its exciting gullwing super sports car that features a zero-emission high-tech drive. With exceptional performance, this devcelopment project vehicle boasts a power output of 392 kW and 880 Nm of torque, and is part of the company's 'AMG Performance 2015' strategy which aims to continually reduce fuel consumption and emissions. "With the SLS AMG E-CELL, Mercedes-AMG is providing a powerful and locally emission-free super sports car that may go into limited production," said Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant. Finished in fluorescent "AMG lumilectric magno" paint, the gullwing reflects the innovative strength and development competence of the AMG brand. The ground-breaking drive system of the technology vehicle boasts some outstanding features with powerful traction provided by four synchronous electric motors with a combined peak output of 392 kW and a maximum torque of ...