A-Class (W177) 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class spy shots and rumors

[Centurion]

Just as a general observation Mercedes needs to roll out updated Command Systems much more quickly across the range. For example the system in the C-class and GLC now feel positively ancient compared to the comparative BMW and Audi systems.

BMW tends to update I-drive systems very readily during model year updates.

How different or similar are infotainments in Mercs launched the past 5 year. iDrive for example is pretty much the same, for good reasons, in most of their cars with graphics and speed improving every 2 years or so.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

How different or similar are infotainments in Mercs launched the past 5 year. iDrive for example is pretty much the same, for good reasons, in most of their cars with graphics and speed improving every 2 years or so.

Well the new E-class represented a complete rethink of the command system. The system currently being shipped on the C etc has drawbacks in that it’s not CarPlay compatible, is very slow when using phone based apps or internet, lacks key features such a station art, album art etc. And is generally just a bit clunky next to iDrive and MMI in its interface and the actual speed it processes inputs such as keyword searches. This is pretty poor form when you consider much cheaper brands are shipping systems that already have many features command is lacking and BMW has had most of these features, excluding CarPlay, on even the previous generation of iDrive which my 3 series is fitted with.

 

[Rainer271]

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[MercFan]

I don't understand, why the new A-class has this "completely new infotainment system", but the new CLS and new G-class don't have it?

 

[fortuner]

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That looks really small Sedan...

 

[Grosser]

I don't understand, why the new A-class has this "completely new infotainment system", but the new CLS and new G-class don't have it?

Younger buyers vs older (traditional) buyers.

 

[Der Hofmeister]

I don't understand, why the new A-class has this "completely new infotainment system", but the new CLS and new G-class don't have it?

Mercedes-Benz is testing waters with the new MBUX infotainment system. It would have been quite extreme and risky to test the reaction on an upper segment model, as it introduces a rather radical control layout, which makes it without the handy rotary controller. Although you can use the touchpad even in the current COMAND instead of the controller to scroll and surf through the menu, the operation is quite tacky, moreso if the temperatures outside are lower. If they really want to get something out of the new MBUX before they spread it across the entire range, they'd better have already sorted out the sensitivity and performance of the touchpad, as to offer close-to-perfect navigation in the menu. Otherwise, it's pure bullshit and nonsense to throw out the controller. To me, the perfect layout is at BMW, which is still miles away in every aspect. You still have the controller, which also incorporates a touchpad, you have the big touch-sensitive display and also gesture control, which can be rather useful sometimes.

The new MBUX, in the absence of a touch-sensitive display, will take time to get used to. Although it might be a nice idea in the end, having the Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel and the bigger touchpad to operate seems to me more like a hard try to get noticed, to have something new than a revolutionary breakthrough. The smoothness of operation is the big question here. How hard or how easy will it be to operate the most simple functions of the car using the touchpad? You have to take into account the fact that the front passenger will also need to take control of the MBUX when needing to do changes for the HVAC system, for instance.

It will be rather impressive if first reviews and owner reactions are positive from the beginning.

 

[Wolfgang]

You have to take into account the fact that the front passenger will also need to take control of the MBUX when needing to do changes for the HVAC system, for instance.

Yes, there may still be an HVAC control panel with buttons below the nozzles, though?



The dashboard layout is a special feature of the cockpit…

Sinkwitz: ...yes, that's correct. Thanks to the visual separation of the lower section from the main body of the dashboard, the former appears to float in front of the dashboard. At the same time, the A-Class is the first series-production model to dispense completely with a classic cockpit shroud. This literally places the large widescreen cockpit with its bonded glass technology in the foreground. Moreover, there is no longer a display in the A/C control panel, as the visual representation is exclusively via the central display. This helped us to create our clean, puristic and reduced design approach.

View attachment 430690
Spied! - 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class spy shots and rumors

 

[75KoDe]

From what I heard, MB is introducing NTG 6 or now called MBUX in their compact segment first, the models that will follow such as the new GLE and GLS will also feature this free-standing display, but don't hold me to that since I'm not 100% certain.

The new MBUX, in the absence of a touch-sensitive display, will take time to get used to.

Who said they won't have a touch-sensitive display?

What annoys me is that MB clearly cut down on material quality compared to the predecessor, which already was not the last word in that respect. The gear leaver was the same as in the the more expensive models with inlays in silver shadow, whereas now it could be sourced directly from Renault judging from the pictures, same goes for the release for the glove compartment.

 

[tennmb]

We were told in a training session that although Mercedes has shunned touch screens, don't be surprised if future models incorporate it.

 

[tennmb]

From what I heard, MB is introducing NTG 6 or now called MBUX in their compact segment first, the models that will follow such as the new GLE and GLS will also feature this free-standing display, but don't hold me to that since I'm not 100% certain.


Who said they won't have a touch-sensitive display?

What annoys me is that MB clearly cut down on material quality compared to the predecessor, which already was not the last word in that respect. The gear leaver was the same as in the the more expensive models with inlays in silver shadow, whereas now it could be sourced directly from Renault judging from the pictures, same goes for the release for the glove compartment.

I said years ago that MB should use the Smart brand to expand into the economy market and preserve the Mercedes nameplate. One, Mercedes continues to struggle in the entry level arena. young buyers still see it as aloof and too expensive (even though it isn't) and traditionalist (like myself) see the entry stuff as an insult to the brand.
No one would complain about the materials if this was badged a Smart and sold at Mercedes dealers. You CANNOT enter these price points and not cost cut. It's not a matter of if, but where.

 

[Monster]

One thing I have always wondered is the reliability and durability of these LCD displays. Not only are they on at all times, most of the time it is set on maximum brightness. These screens has to endure a wide range of temperatures, exposure to UV rays, as well as constant vibrations.

I would imagine by having this "free standing" display, MB can further cut down on material cost on things like the dashboard, and speed up the assembly process. The screens seems like a relatively straight forward installation.

 

[Wolfgang]

^ MB uses P-OLEDs. Here's a blurb. They are popular as the widescreen option is currently bottlenecked into 2018 according to the latest update from MB Passion.

LG Display to supply improved OLED to Benz
SEOUL -- LG Display Co. plans to supply advanced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays to Mercedes-Benz, industry sources said Wednesday, marking the first time for a carmaker to adopt the advanced screen.

The South Korean display maker said it will supply the 12.3-inch P-OLED display to the New E-Class produced by the German carmaker. The screen will be composed of two segments, each displaying different information including an instrument cluster.

Industry watchers estimate for the E-Class models to take up 42 percent of the carmakers' combined shipment.

The P-OLED paves the way for manufacturers to make diverse designs compared to other glass-based liquid crystal displays. It is also far lighter and boasts improved resolution.

LG Display earlier said it plans to boast US$2 billion in sales from the automobile display sector, and become the No. 1 player globally by taking up 30 percent of the market.

South Korea is the only country in the world with companies that mass-produce P-OLED products, with the other being Samsung Display Co.

The company is also seeking to make similar ties with other carmakers around the globe, industry watchers added.

LG Display to supply improved OLED to Benz

 

[Monster]

^ MB uses P-OLEDs. Here's a blurb. They are popular as the widescreen option is currently bottlenecked into 2018 according to the latest update from MB Passion.

LG Display to supply improved OLED to Benz
SEOUL -- LG Display Co. plans to supply advanced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays to Mercedes-Benz, industry sources said Wednesday, marking the first time for a carmaker to adopt the advanced screen.

The South Korean display maker said it will supply the 12.3-inch P-OLED display to the New E-Class produced by the German carmaker. The screen will be composed of two segments, each displaying different information including an instrument cluster.

Industry watchers estimate for the E-Class models to take up 42 percent of the carmakers' combined shipment.

The P-OLED paves the way for manufacturers to make diverse designs compared to other glass-based liquid crystal displays. It is also far lighter and boasts improved resolution.

LG Display earlier said it plans to boast US$2 billion in sales from the automobile display sector, and become the No. 1 player globally by taking up 30 percent of the market.

South Korea is the only country in the world with companies that mass-produce P-OLED products, with the other being Samsung Display Co.

The company is also seeking to make similar ties with other carmakers around the globe, industry watchers added.

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Very interesting, I wonder how do they prevent the screens from image burn in problems? I have also read that there seems to be a supply constrain of the dual screen display, affecting orders, especially in the US market. Someone also mention that the displays received a tech upgrade recently. Not sure if that is true or not.

 

[Centurion]

Very interesting, I wonder how do they prevent the screens from image burn in problems?

Good point. I think most OLEDd have image burn protection. I certainly haven't had any image burn or ghosting issues on my now 2 years old galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

 

[Monster]

Good point. I think most OLEDd have image burn protection. I certainly haven't had any image burn or ghosting issues on my now 2 years old galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

I think the screen burn in issue isn't as bad on phones because the images are rarely static on the screen, except for things like the "home screen" button and navigation arrows, and I don't think people have their screen on maximum brightness at all times. However for these displays on cars, the level of brightness is very high, and they are on at all times, plus the large portion of the images on the screen remain static. I could be wrong though.

 

[Wolfgang]

Gorden Wagener dropped in on Klaus Frenzel, Digital Design lead.

 

[Wolfgang]

MBUX with an alleged new touch screen according to MB Passion, to debut in the A and Sprinter?

MB Passion

 

[Wolfgang]

View attachment 431189

The world in three words. MB uses innovative address system

A new coordinate system organises the world: founded in 2013, what3words assigns three words to every point on Earth, making locations easily and unambiguously identifiable – even where there are no addresses. Mercedes-Benz will be the first automotive manufacturer to use the new address system.

Conventional address systems are unsuitable for many everyday needs. For example, there are many areas of the world where there are no addresses – such as away from settlements, in parks, forests or mountains. On top of that, addresses can be imprecise or ambiguous, e.g. if there is more than one instance of the same street name. Although every location on Earth can be identified by its GPS coordinates, who can memorise the complicated sequences of numbers?

Founded in 2013 as a start-up, what3words has divided the world into 57 trillion squares measuring three metres by three metres and assigned three words to each square. This means that every one of these locations is unambiguously identified and easy to memorise. An algorithm uses its vocabulary of 25,000 words in such a way that any combinations liable to be confused are kept well apart and so that both humans and machines are easily able to notice mistakes when entering an address. The system is now available in 14 languages.

View attachment 431193

With this simple and ingenious idea, what3words won the attention of Daimler and CEO Dieter Zetsche and was selected in February 2017 for the second programme of the innovation platform STARTUP AUTOBAHN. As a result, Mercedes-Benz will within the next six months become the first automotive manufacturer to exclusively unveil the address system as a standard navigation solution in a car.

"With what3words´ easy address entry method, we´re adding another logical element to our navigation system. You can enter your destination by speaking just three words and are then guided there to within an accuracy of nine square metres. Anywhere in the world. All I can say is: simple.ingenious.innovative."
Sajjad Khan, Vice President Digital Vehicle & Mobility, Daimler AG

If, for example, you enter ///meister.fahrende.fackel (///lottery.jotting.inched) as your destination, you will end up at the world's first petrol station, in the Stadtapotheke Wiesloch, where there is a plaque in memory of the pioneering journey made by Bertha Benz. And anyone wishing to pick up their new E-Class straight from the factory in Sindelfingen should enter ///ausfahrt.eulen.ewig (///staples.system.habit) as their destination.

The world in three words: Mercedes-Benz to become first automotive manufacturer to use innovative address system. | Daimler

 

[Centurion]

^^
Excellent news. Address input remains a big sore point when using Satnavs, even advanced ones. If Merc invented a genius way of making it easier then I'm all for it.