Test Drive: The 2016 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

A tiny engine that packs a punch hurtles this compact to the next generation

When Mercedes-Benz re-introduced the A-Class in 2012, the radical redesign was presented as the “heartbeat of a generation.” This double entendre referred to the brand’s new generation of design as well as its new target consumer market. Since then we’ve seen their favor among a younger, more creative audience grow. This success, in part, is due to a tighter relationship between Head of Design, Gordon …

The Digital Transformer from Mercedes-Benz

An exclusive look at the Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile concept

Today in Frankfurt, ahead of the IAA Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented their latest concept. The Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile concept (or IAA, cheekily) is a study in the balance of beauty and aerodynamics, solved through a transforming shape. Once the car reaches 80 km/h—like a transformer or the second generation KITT—the tail extends, wheels flatten and nose widens. We hear from the exterior designer, Bastian Baudy …

Jawbone UP Gets Back on Track

The activity monitor gets slimmer bands, new colorways, but most importantly: a much-needed firmware update

Released earlier this spring, the new generation of Jawbone UP products (2, 3 and 4, the latter which includes contactless AmEx payments on top of heart rate and temperature tracking) offered a favorable initial impression, but after a few weeks, we retired the UP3 from our arm line-up due to some unacceptable usability issues. A double-tap gesture was required to switch between activity and sleep …