April | 2014 | rlauferblog

Huge thanks to Mercedes Benz Canada, the MBCA Toronto Section and Timz for organizing the 2014 Spring TechSession!

I arrived early enough to get good parking

Hmmm lots of cones, what to do, what to do?

Aha! I am developing quite the reputation for using parking cones lol.

Soon some fellow forumites arrived

Now on to the session room

Filled up pretty quickly

The theme of the day was Technical Highlights with a focus on the new CLA and S-Class

The presentation started with a video of a 4matic equipped C-class racing a snowmobile

Some nice drift action

Hard to top that, but a history of AMG will do it

A shot of the Red Pig (coincidentally i had one on the back of my sweatshirt)

Next we learned about the CLA and some of its new technologies. The topic turned to fuel economy and those of us sitting at the AMG table were like “we dont give a shit about fuel economy” lol…indeed, i get 18l/100km or 13 mpg with 94 octane fuel and the consensus at the table was if you doing better, you are not driving properly lol.

Next we looked at the new S-Class..the Canadian version has 70 control modules while the European model has 90!

These modules control things like night vision, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, distronic plus adaptive cruise control, pre-safe brake and BAS plus, scent diffusion (choice of three scents), and hot stone massage (btw, i checked with the Tech guy after the session, the hot stone massage does NOT offer a happy ending).

To help power these modules, the S-class has a lithium ion battery…that costs $2,800!!! The battery on the hybrid version is $14,000!

We also saw a couple of videos on the new F1 cars and had some draws for prizes

the S-class model went to our table!

Now it was time for some hands-on experiences, courtesy of a stripped-down training S-class.

We all gathered around to get a closer look

And even stopped for a group pic

A shot of the Red Pig on my sweatshirt

I think Timz likes the new S-class

Alright on to the car itself…5.5 litre twin-turbo

Interior with “ribbon lighting” available in 7 colours

The 7 speed transmission…Mercedes will be releasing a NINE SPEED soon!

The larger of the two turbos

and the smaller one

A simulator to let you try the electronic features

A shot of the $2,800 battery

After the session i followed Simon part way home..your spoiler looks awesome bro!

Then i stopped off for gas where i ran into another AMG..oh the irony! lol. Also a limited edition, specifically a 45 year anniversary, one of 45 made SL65..also in matte paint!