Mercedes follows Lexus and shows parking system for the new CL-Class

Agent001 submitted on 08/28/2006 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 6:50 PM
from: www.autospies.com

Tags: Mecedes, CL, Self park, Lexus

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Self park

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Mercedes follows Lexus and shows parking system for the new CL-Class

The technology behind the new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class - Parking assistance: New Mercedes coupé uses radar to help the driver park

A newly developed parking guidance system is making its series production debut in the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class this autumn. The system uses radar technology to help the driver find a suitable parking space and park the vehicle. When driving past at a speed of up to around 40 km/h, side-mounted radar sensors in the front and rear bumpers of the new luxury coupé measure whether the parking spaces on the driver and front passenger sides are sufficiently large for the vehicle. Once the system has found a suitable parking space on the front passenger side, a blue "P" symbol appears in the instrument cluster if the vehicle speed is below 16 km/h. Parking spaces on the driver’s side are shown if the indicator on that side is operated.

Once the driver has stopped the coupé in the position shown on the display and engaged reverse gear, the display shows a symbolic, bird’s-eye-view representation of the parking situation. Coloured guide lines show the driver how best to park: a red line indicates the current steering angle, while a yellow line shows the steering angle required for parking. The driver now turns the steering wheel until the two lines coincide, and can then begin to reverse slowly. As soon as the ideal and actual steering angles coincide, the guide lines on the display change to green. When reversing, an acoustic signal informs the driver when it is time to countersteer.

During the parking manoeuvre, the guidance system continuously monitors the steering angle and vehicle position. If the driver stops before reaching the recommended position, for example, the system automatically recalculates the ideal steering angle for smooth parking.

The new radar-based parking guidance system, which will be optionally available for the CL-Class from the end of 2006, works in tandem with the Parking Assist feature familiar from the S-Class. This system uses radar to measure the distance to obstacles in front of and behind the car, informing the driver by means of the display and an intermittent acoustic warning.

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answer - 8/28/2006 7:08:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I wonder if both this Mercedes and Lexus' systems are going to park the cars really tight, thus forcing the drivers to have a tough time getting out of the spot when leaving.

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bny24 - 8/28/2006 7:38:01 PM

+1 Boost

As Mercedes-Benz Enthusiast MB offered the park assist option on the 2007 S-class that was introduced in Febuary of this year. Park Assist uses radar technology rather than parktronic which uses ultrasonic senors. The Park Assist sensors are mounted under the bumper which why they would not be seen on a S600. It also works tandem with the rear camera option on the S550.

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mstangpny07 - 8/28/2006 7:59:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

So this one tells you how to park, and the Lex actually parks for you?
Well, if I was a bad driver, I would rather take the system in the Benz because it would teach me how to park correctly. People should learn to properly park their cars, instead of having some gizmo do it for you?
But I can also see if elderly people don't have sufficient arm strenght to park, or if their vision/judgement is not good. But these people should be off the road anyways.

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BMW530i - 8/28/2006 8:06:14 PM

+1 Boost

Who cares who offered it first?

That won't affect sales. Gee, I am going to buy car A because it offered this option before car B. Silly...

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cynic - 8/28/2006 8:23:15 PM

+1 Boost

Who cares who offered it first?

That won't affect sales. Gee, I am going to buy car A because it offered this option before car B. Silly...

But isn't this the argument that German car lovers use whenever another competitor introduces a similar technology that Germans car companies have introduced it first?

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sewingmachine - 8/28/2006 8:29:51 PM

+1 Boost

^^^^^^^ no kidding lol

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kart1 - 8/28/2006 9:15:12 PM

+1 Boost

"Who cares who offered it first?

That won't affect sales. Gee, I am going to buy car A because it offered this option before car B. Silly.."

This is why I mean that we have to be fair when we judge cars and car companies. You see all the German fans always talk about innovation and how it is important, etc. but when Toyota does something new it gets an response like this. If you like one car company fine but you can't take away another cars achievements.

Also it is very stupid to buy something from one company because they invented it first. And also going off of that and buying copy systems you shouldn't be very proud of you BMW's as they use variable valve technology right? It doesn't matter who did it first it matters who does it the best.

How hypocritical.

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Designer1 - 8/28/2006 9:20:59 PM

+2 Boost

If I was a German car fan, I wouldn't taken my hat to Lexus by now. Come on guys don't be imbarrased! :-)

My question on this silly MB option is, who in the HELL will be looking into the speedometer or listen to get points on how to park than push a button and let the car do it for you quick and easy? I think only those with prestige would, oh yeah that's right, sorry people, Lexus has no prestige, so we better squeez our eyes on that small car icon to learn how to park. I I drive a car, isn't it too late to someone teach me how to park?

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spiritfilled - 8/28/2006 9:35:13 PM

+2 Boost

I still cannot understand how folks still complain and bicker about which car company is the best or who invented what. If you like audi, then buy audi's, if you like bmw's then buy them, same with mercs and lexuses. Have an open mind when discussing these matters. Each of these car companies have their different philosophies which translates into certain strengths and weaknesses. We all do not like the same foods, or style of houses, or genres of music, or clothing likewise cars. I understand that technology can be an objective issue, only when comparing data to data and facts to facts, not emotions to emotions or preferences to preferences as we tend to do on this site. I am a Bimmer fan, and will be one till I die, it doesn't matter what other car companies offer whether Toyota, Ferrari, Spyker or Kia, I will still be in love with BMW'S. I cannot say they are the best cars in the world based on any objective qualifications, but to ME they are the most beautiful and I am gripped by their philosophies and how it translates into their cars. As for a company being the first to develop something new, i really do not see what the big deal, who invented power windows? who invented anti lock brakes? or 4wd? or keyless entry? and the list goes on forever, yet all our favorite car companies incorporate all these innovations into their car. It rea;;y does not matter who came out with it first, yes coming out with it first might mean a company is a cutting edge, very innovative, brilliant and so on as not to rob innovators of their glory, but seriously one car company cannot invent it all, that is why it is called an industry not a monopoly. Ideas are ideas. The only area I might see where copying or following should be criticized is in terms of styling because that lends itself to the artistic side of a company which must make it unique and stand out from the others. Common guys lets be grown up about this whole thing, lets stop the mine is better than yours arguments which sometimes only shows how ignorant, biased and closed minded in the automotive world that has so much to offer us.

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spiritfilled - 8/28/2006 9:37:29 PM

+1 Boost

sorry for the grammatical errors

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woood - 8/28/2006 10:45:01 PM

+1 Boost

I agree with Will, the tables were turned and we get one sided reactions from german car fans.

spiritfilled, I also agree with you totally but this site is designed exactly for this type of arguements and a place where different people can voice out their personal opinions and get reactions from other users with different views on the topics.

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EL34 - 8/28/2006 11:00:59 PM

+2 Boost

If Self park is an option on the Lexus and Mercedes I'm sure Lexus will sell many more Self Park options because little old ladies will like the feature and prefer Lexus for it's soft boat like ride.

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lexusis350 - 8/28/2006 11:07:23 PM

-1 Boost

Mercedes, copying Lexus! It's too good to be true. This is a real achievement for Lexus. This means that they as a company are setting new standards as a luxury automaker.

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TheGenius - 8/28/2006 11:24:18 PM

+2 Boost

Too many morons out there. Lexus may not make great looking cars or cars that handle well and have great feed-back, but I think their marketing is suberb and beats the German three hands down, and nobody can argue that. For some reason, they are able to put out garbage that a lot of people believe. The post should have read. "Lexus copies Self-park from VW and then claims to have invented it". Stop the crap and click on the two links below..

Article of demo
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1430/is_n12_v14/ai_12516738

Dictionary of automotive terms.. The VW is included in the official definition.. Any questions???

http://www.100megsfree4.com/dictionary/car-dics.htm#SE

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Matthew1 - 8/28/2006 11:27:59 PM

+2 Boost

Far out!

Did Toyota create this technology? I doubt it. Many European engineering companies have been trialling 'self-parking' systems for years, many using Smart ForTwo's as a base vehicle.

Good for Toyota for applying the technology to their cars first, but in no way did Mercedes 'copy' them.

To be honest, 'self parking' technology does nothing for me. It's just another advancement set on 'removing' the driver from the task of actually driving.

ABS, good. ESP, good. Automatic windscreen wipers? Actually more handy than I expected. A car that parks itself? Fun to watch, but personally not for me.

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00JT - 8/29/2006 2:41:09 AM

+1 Boost

Will,

Good Going! This was my point all along in my previous article. Now that the tables have turned a bit, lets see how it feels like on their end.

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BMW530i - 8/29/2006 3:43:58 AM

+1 Boost

Hold on a minute.

All of a sudden, I am being attacked as a "defensive German car fan who is trying to save face"!?

Give me a fucking break. The moment someone wants to talk some sense here, all hell breaks loose. Welcome to Autospies...

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Jthree - 8/29/2006 5:25:29 AM

-1 Boost

The genius, Have you taken a look at when that article was written? 1992. Where is the consumer product? Lexus debuted in 1990, 2 years before this article was published and they brought this to market before the "innovators".
This tells me how slow the r&d is at v duhhhhh b (small school bus). This system is useless from MB, it will confuse you rather than help you. The system from lexus is proven and has been on the road since 2003. Mercedes is the inventor of all, perfector of none and lexus is just the opposite. We all know how mercedes electronics are. Like the kid who finishes his test first and fails because his test is incomplete. I dont hear you MB fans talking about the brake by wire problems they were having recently. "I dont care if the brakes dont stop the car, at least we were the first to bring it to market." Take the blinders off you fools.

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VQ35HR - 8/29/2006 6:09:51 AM

+1 Boost

I think BMW has the lead in this technology

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sewingmachine - 8/29/2006 7:19:33 AM

+3 Boost

toyoda should just buy daimler, bmw and vw/audi so theres no more bickering, but then wheres the fun in that.

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BMW530i - 8/29/2006 8:08:54 AM

+1 Boost

toyoda should just buy daimler, bmw and vw/audi so theres no more bickering, but then wheres the fun in that.
-------------------------------

No, please no. That means BMW will be boring to drive... *Devil Smiley*

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BMW530i - 8/29/2006 8:10:47 AM

+2 Boost

JThree,

This system is useless from MB, it will confuse you rather than help you. The system from lexus is proven and has been on the road since 2003. Mercedes is the inventor of all, perfector of none and lexus is just the opposite.
-------------------------------------

I suggest you drive the car first and then comment, no base your opinion from a bunch of biased Lexus forums. From what I have read (non-Mercedes websites), the Benz system is pretty straightforward and get's the job done. I however have not driven the new S or LS so I can't comment. I suggest you do the same.

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TheGenius - 8/29/2006 10:40:06 AM

+1 Boost

Jthree,
you should read the article and look at the car dictionary not look at when the magazine posted it.. The car in the article was a 1991 VW . You don't build a 1991 vw in 1992 for crying out loud. Also, the original Futura was designed a 1989 model. Can you tell me in which year you design an 89 model..1992?? Since you can't read, here's the "1989 video" including the parking demo. All, please watch this. In case you're still stunned, look at the in-car computer screen which has the date, and the cameras the car comes with. Its in German, but the video is pretty clear... I'll tell you one thing, I don't care who invented whatever gadget I'm using as long as it works fine, but misrepresentation is a different story.. Over the years, the Japanese have had a history of copying the Germans and that's a fact not fad. However, putting on my business hat, I actually think that's a good strategy. While that may not get you a lot of respect, its cost effective and safer, especially if you have great marketing, and allows you to improve on the original product. I think self-park is a good thing and we have to applaud Lexus for taking the risk to put it in the LS. I remember reading an article in the early 90s where a VW exec thought that litigation, especially in the US may be a problem so they wanted to hold off, but fast forward to 2006 and that "may" no longer be the case.. Most of these guys have had it on the shelf for years so I expect them to dust it off and bring to market..but please lets stop the BS. If a dictionary has your car included in the definition of self-park, there must be a reason why. See video below

http://www.hr-online.de/website/specials/iaa/zukunft_gesucht12888.jsp?

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RefuG - 8/29/2006 10:49:41 AM

+1 Boost

I just dont see tha point to havin a feature in your car which helps you park it for you. If you cant park a car using your common skills/knowledge you shouldn't be driving, period. I mean, wasnt parallel parking required field to pass when you got your driving liscense? Even if Kia came out with this feature, I still think its pointless/worthless.

G

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wwww - 8/29/2006 2:04:35 PM

+1 Boost

Let just say Mercedes' system is a guidance system for which the driver follows the direction from the screen to see how much space they have around them. While Lexus' or BMW's is parked by the car itself. which means the driver doesn't need to know how to park at all. They just need to push a button. While the guidance approach merc has reguires driver interaction and input. It is like parking with someone looking out for you

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Brembo - 8/29/2006 3:26:58 PM

+1 Boost

Here is the point. We will never know who develop the self-park first. But we all clearly see who is put technology on sell first.

At my other post I stateed. Honda came out with push button start first on sell. And now they are selling european Honda accord that can drive itself - straight and turn at curves.

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Brembo - 8/29/2006 3:31:51 PM

-1 Boost

Also Mitsubishi was the first to sell a hard convertible back 1994 or 1995 with their 3000gt. Mercedes followed with their slk hardtop in 1996.

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Brembo - 8/29/2006 3:34:03 PM

+1 Boost

Honda was first to sell varible valve timing back the mid to late 90's. BMW and Toyota followed a little later with their own version.

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iown1 - 8/29/2006 5:48:20 PM

+1 Boost

I'm confused. If Lexus is debuting the self-parking in the fall with the release of the new LS and Mercedes is debuting self-parking in the CL, also available in the fall, aren't they (Lexus and Merc) introducing the technology simultaniously?

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lexusis350 - 8/29/2006 6:28:17 PM

+1 Boost

No because Lexus has announced this technology several months before they started making the new LS. Mercedes probably hurried to create the same thing to make it seem like they both had the same idea at the same time. Lexus came up with it first though.

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Rupert - 8/29/2006 6:29:27 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

some idiot who wrote this
"Mercedes can't even make a proper electric parking system like Lexus. Why is this company still afloat?"

because a parking system doesn't make or break a company, and because mercedes don't do electric power steering (on the s class), which ruins steering feel, but enables the car to steer for you.
bmw learnt that when they put it on the Z4, the m people took it off.

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iown1 - 8/29/2006 6:44:22 PM

+1 Boost

lexusis350

Thanks for clarifying, however, (and I'm not bashing Lexus) according to you, Mercedes accomplished the same technology in months while Lexus required a longer period of time. Call me crazy but I'd imagine these companies were exploring this technology simultaniously.

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lexusis350 - 8/29/2006 7:24:28 PM

+1 Boost

Or, Mercedes made a lower quality version of self parking. That does sound like a Mercedes.

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EL34 - 8/29/2006 7:42:30 PM

+1 Boost

Actually The first aircraft autopilot was developed by Sperry Corporation in 1912. Elmer Sperry demonstrated it two years later in 1914, and proved his credibility of the invention, by flying the plane with his hands up. In the early 1920s, the Standard Oil tanker J.A Moffet became the first ship to use autopilot.

But who knows, maybe Toyoda invented it first. :sad:

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stimling - 8/29/2006 8:26:38 PM

+1 Boost

If self parking is for old ladies, why does power steering exist? Last I checked all the german cars had them too.

I am not an old lady but I'd love this feature. Parking is a pain in the ass and I don't derive any driving pleasure from doing it.

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nybimmer - 8/29/2006 8:44:13 PM

+1 Boost

Its one thing for Lexus to encourage the 'dumbing down' of driving - but its another thing for MB to release its own version, just disgraceful.

People should be forced to drive a real stick shift for a few years before being promoted up to an automatic and they should do their own parking

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Brembo - 8/29/2006 10:23:01 PM

0 Boost

All these are probably came from a common source. The individual car company buys the foundation of the technology and apply it to their own liking.

Like cars body design. Most of they time they out source the project a design house. For example, why does the new Mercedes M class looks like a fancier version of the Kia Serento.

You're lying to yourself if you don't see the similarities.

Did you also know that the new twin turbo from the new BMW coupe are made by Mitsubishi? I will investigate the rumor when I get a change to closer at the turbo.

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Jthree - 8/30/2006 2:12:23 AM

+2 Boost

Bmwexpert the sad thing is despite having all these models, they still sell less than lexus. I also think they were forced to have free maintainance because of all the electrical problems they have. Bmw's are leased more than lexus. I think bmw's are nice but they are like a hot chick that you know is no good. You would'nt mind hitting it for a while and tell all your friends but you know she's not wife material. Lexus is like the good girl that was good looking but kind of a nerd. She will cook, clean, and even park the car for you. The other one will have her hand out for $ for her fake hair, nails, boobs and tan. Ill take #2, if you buy a nice dress for her (rims,kit,lower) she will also look hot and be there when you need her.

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huu76 - 8/30/2006 10:21:36 PM

+1 Boost

BMWExpert,
550i has higher hp, but also has a higher 0-60 compared to the GS450h (a V6). Better sprinkle some more hp, and don't forget to add more Germanness.

AWD coupes? Not in N.America. You might as well start tossing in diesels and any other car not offered here. There's the skateboard and bicycle too.

KKKatch you later my KKKlever KKKomrade.

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huu76 - 9/3/2006 12:50:43 AM

+1 Boost

Hey Will,
Not sure what you mean but my KKK remarks are towards BMWExperts oh so intellectual comebacks regarding Lexus' success, and diesel's failure in Japan.

His best reply was making a bunch of Bruce Lee squawking noises, and some other oaf joined in with him.

That's all.

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huu76 - 9/3/2006 12:53:00 AM

+1 Boost

Jthree,
Nice analogy. Although I like to think of the good girl as so precious that you don't need to brag about her.

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