Mercedes-Benz and Hughes Telematics have partnered to create their own iteration of Ford’s Sync, and GM’s OnStar offerings. This new technology will be known as “mbrace,” and will feature 18 unique services.
In true luxury fashion, Mercedes-Benz’ new technology will offer premium and forward-thinking options such as linking to the vehicle’s interface via smart phones such as the iPhone or Blackberry- allowing remote door unlocking and locking. There are also traditional features such as automatic emergency notification in the event of an accident or if the vehicle is stolen.
There is also a definite broadening of the offerings from competitive technologies which will include a health-check function that broadcasts live information to the most local dealership, as well as real-time weather and traffic reporting.
Certainly exclusive to the Mercedes-Benz technology is a personal concierge service which can connect the driver to a representative that can assist in booking reservations for dinner, hotels and even airfare.
The mbrace system will be available across the entire Mercedes-Benz lineup, and will come as standard equipment except on the GLK, C-Class, SLK and E-Class Coupe.
Service will be complimentary for the first six months – after which an annual subscription will set you back $280 for the standard service, and an additional $20 annual fee for the concierge service.
11/19, 7:19 AM
posted by:
carstuff
The concierge service used to be available on an OnStar package but never took off. $20 seems pretty cheap. One phone call and the $20 is used up?
Lexus is also supposed to come out with an OnStar type service.
11/19, 8:03 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
haha…I laughed when I read the iphone can unlock/lock the doors…I have that on my passat, and remote start it from my iphone…thanks to Viper Alarm Systems!! Didn’t MB have an emergency system
(telematics?)? Onstar was fun on the aura/suburban the first year, but renewing it wasn’t…we haven’t missed it yet
11/19, 9:15 AM
posted by:
shaver
Will it re-jet the carb?
11/19, 9:18 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Funny to see the Germans and Japanese trying to play catchup with a technology that GM has had for 10 years now.
11/19, 9:35 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
so all it takes to steal a car now is nabbing an iphone? no thanks…it’s easier to lose/steal an iphone than keys..seems like a drawback more than a convenience…
11/19, 11:25 AM
posted by:
Ashes to Ashes_Dust to Dust
GM did have something with OnStar, but as usual GM f@cked it up. The system was too proprietary, and I am sure there are those (like me) who remember the analog to digital fiasco (although GM knew all along, and sold vehicles with obsolete technology) where GM happily charged customers for the upgrade. The OnStar concierge service was great too, but GM was too greedy about matters. So goes GM. Competition is a good thing, and GM will now be last place in the race—again. Glad to see others are doing it right.
11/19, 11:49 AM
posted by:
Dingleberry Divas of Dallas
Vheck out http://www.syncmyride.com and see what you can have in a Focus… Instead of paying a premium for a Mercedes Benz.
You can get this in the Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Escape, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Expedition, Econoline, Flex, Mustang, Super Duty, F-150. This is standard equipment in higher end models of the Focus, Escape, Mustang etc…
Here are some of the greatest SYNC Features Include:
Hands-free Calling
Stereo Bluetooth Audio
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
911 Assistâ„¢
Music Search
Vehicle Health Report
My Favorites
Business Search
Real-time Traffic
Audible Text
and much much more…
11/19, 1:41 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
Competition is a great thing, but I don’t think the competition is really there when you compare a gm to MERCEDES! Maybe it would be the same if it were in a honda or toyota
11/19, 4:25 PM
posted by:
A.J.
Wow, Dingleberry. You’re practically advertising for Ford! In fact, I’ve never heard anyone OUTSIDE of Ford’s marketing refer to the E-Series vans as the ECONOLINE. Something isn’t right here…
Anyway, this may be a good idea, but a telematics service isn’t going to be the breaking point when cross-shopping high-end luxury cars, especially when Ford and Chevrolet vehicles offer similar services.
11/19, 7:44 PM
posted by:
A.J.
^Not that luxury car buyers would buy Fords or Chevrolets…what I meant is that it’s not as prestigious when such mainstream vehicles offer the services.