Mercedes-Benz's autonomous driving features dominate the industry -- and will for years - 0 views
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When Mercedes-Benz debuted its new Intelligent Drive package of safety and driving-assistance systems last fall, it raised the bar for the rest of the industry.
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The features on the 2014 S-class sedan are the most advanced in a production vehicle. And Mercedes-Benz appears likely to stay ahead of the competition for several years.
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When the S class debuted, I'd say they had a 30-month lead on the competition in terms of technology deployment,"
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"This skips a whole generation of S class -- it went into the future. It is 70 percent autonomous driving."
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Available first on the S-class sedan as a $2,800 option, Intelligent Drive also is offered on the re-engineered 2014 E-class lineup. Much of the technology will trickle down to the redesigned 2015 C-class sedan that goes on sale in the fall. Some features are even available on the smaller B-class Electric Drive that went on sale last month.
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The take rate on Intelligent Drive for the S-class sedan is 50 percent. It falls to 15 percent for the E class.
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For Mercedes, having this edge is a competitive weapon in the luxury segment, where quality, gadgets and horsepower are no longer significant differentiators.