Newest iPad Peripheral: A Mercedes

[Paul Daniel Ash]

With previous projects embedding iPads in cars, and the tablet's increasing visibility as a business tool, it was probably just matter of time before the device found its way into some high-end corporate luxury limo. That time has come: take a look at iBusiness, a highly-customized Mercedes-Benz S600 with dual keyboard-equipped iPads in the seat backs, a built-in Mac mini, wireless networking attached to an external 3G radio and a 64GB iPod touch in the dash to control it all. Oh yeah, and it can go 0 to 60 in four seconds.

Brabus, the elite "supercar" tuners from Bottrop, Germany, built their fame making fabulously expensive retrofits of Mercedes, Smart and Maybach cars, adding racing suspensions, huge engines and sophisticated electronics. Brabus engineers took the S-class Benz's stock 5.5 liter V-12 engine and stroked and bored it out to 6.3 liters and added larger turbochargers and a stainless-steel exhaust pipe. The mods boost the already-impressive 510-horsepower powerplant to an insane 740 horsepower, and allow the iBusiness to hit 124 mph in 11.9 seconds out to a maximum speed electronically limited to 211 mph to keep the tires from flying off the 21-inch alloy wheels.

All the onboard tech integrates with the Mercedes-Benz COckpit MAnagement And Data system - COMAND for short - which links together all audio, telematics and telecommunications functions on the Benz. It can be controlled through a custom iOS app from either of the two iPads or the iPod touch in the center console. The iPads link into the car's onboard WiFi, with internet backhaul via UMTS and HSDPA connections from an external antenna. And when the executives in this super-limo need some real computing power, they can access the Mac mini under the seat via a drop-down 15-inch display and USB 2.0 ports.

There's no price given for this monster, but given that the stock S600 starts at $150,000, this is probably a case of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it." The iBusiness package is also available as a retrofit for people who already have S600s.

Source: Cult of Mac

[iLaw-One]

Now that's some serious peripheral...This is the real shizzle...

[EddieLeonard]

woah... insane

[g12007]

740hp... Damn that must be nice to drive

[LastSonOfKrypton]

I want!

[quidam_brujah]

But, as your driver, Fritz, hangs a two-wheeled corner at 150Km/hr, what keeps your iPad from flying into the window?

[EskimoRuler]

I'll take two please

[jvoni]

MACcedes Benz!

[JacquesChirac]

it's not as tough as it looks. ya just gotta be in the business of connecting wires and making holders

[lsufan51]

Engines and ipads, whatelse does a man need?

[ninthchamber99]

I would only need a source of food (mini fridge) and I would live in that car!!

[Bluemoldycheeze88]

Engines and ipads, whatelse does a man need?

a Woman and cash man.

[reanimationxp]

New by Mercedes, the iDrive.

[awesomeSlayer]

I thought those were two MacBooks.

I WANTZZZ!!!!

[zozodouce]

very nice.

[adrian1480]

word. $150k? kinda expensive for a MB. but our Rolls was $350k, so I can't be mad.

[alirz]

hmm well my veryon was about 1.2 mil. JK, or am i?

[greek.guy]

what will be next?

...

[sprtn036]

A car controlled completely through a Touch, iPhone, or iPad

[punjabi212]

Thats fresh!