Week 38 has accelerated past us at one heck of a rate, but not to be missed were three industry-must-know stories courtesy of BMW, SsangYong and Mercedes-AMG.
BMW Connected to come to the UK market via Alexa
The BMW Connected personal digital mobility assistant will be available via an Alexa skill on all Alexa-enabled devices when the service is available in the U.K and Germany. BMW is the first car maker to announce integration with Alexa in the U.K. and Germany, enabling vehicle functions to be operated from users’ homes by voice. BMW Connected will therefore be integrated into users’ digital lives through another new touchpoint alongside the iPhone, Apple Watch, and Android smartphones and smartwatches. As previously announced, the mobility assistant skill from BMW will be available in the U.S. on Alexa-enabled devices later this September.
SsangYong set to reveal premium SUV concept at Paris Motor Show
SsangYong Motor Company, (CEO, Johng-sik Choi; www.smotor.com/en) will unveil its LIV-2 large premium SUV concept at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
The SsangYong LIV-2 – Limitless Interface Vehicle – is the final concept of the Y400 development model, and will be launched next year. As the latest iteration of the LIV-1 concept exhibited at the Seoul Motor Show in 2013, it advances the car’s design language and helps to communicate the brand theme of ‘Dignified Motion.’
LIV-2 is powered by SsangYong’s own 2.2 litre Euro 6 diesel engine to achieve a powerful yet efficient performance, or its newly developed 2.0 litre GDi turbo petrol engine. The concept features high levels of safety as well as a contemporary luxury interior equipped with a suite of advanced communication technologies.
Mercedes-AMG unveils new model : The AMG GT C Roadster
Mercedes-AMG is blowing even more fresh air into the AMG GT family. Shortly after the world premiere of the AMG GT R, the sports car and performance brand from Affalterbach is presenting two exciting roadster variants of the two-seater sports car.
Alongside the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT C Roadster enhances the portfolio with a completely new model variant. With an output of 410 kW (557 hp) and peak torque of 680 Nm, the AMG GT C is the most powerful new Roadster variant and uses some of the technical refinements of the AMG GT R. These include active rear axle steering and the electronically controlled rear axle locking differential. In combination with the AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension, the AMG GT C Roadster guarantees dynamic performance at the very highest level.
The top Roadster also takes its lead from the top AMG GT R sports car where muscular proportions are concerned: the wider rear wings create space for a wider track and wider wheels at the rear axle, allowing even higher cornering speeds and excellent traction. The variable performance exhaust system also ensures an authentic V8 sound from the AMG Roadster.
