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Automakers should disable technologies that distract drivers, U.S. says

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday released its long-awaited guidelines on distracted driving, calling on automakers to disable applications that allow drivers to manually access social media, surf the Web or send text messages while on the road. The recommendations also seek to prevent any in-car technologies that require drivers to use both hands or take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds.

Mercedes accidentally publishes the first 2014 Mercedes S-Class photo

The image has since been removed, but not before it escaped in to the wild to give us our first official view of the new S Class, a car which has always set new standards in equipment and safety with each new launch, and the 2014 S Class will be no different. What will be different is the range of models we expect to arrive in the next few years, from standard and long wheelbase S Class through an S Class Coupe, S Class Convertible and a super-luxury S Class Pullman, which will effectively replace Mercedes’ failed Maybach adventure. The new S Class looks less bulbous than its current incarnation, with the bulging rear wheel arches gone and a slimmer look all round.

BMW 9-series concept expected to debut in Beijing

BMW will be previewing the upcoming 9-series sedan at the 2014 China Auto Show, according to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The extra-long-wheelbase 9-series will take on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S600 Maybach, which itself is production ready and is set to debut in a matter of months. The 9-series will be positioned alongside the Rolls-Royce Ghost in BMW's global lineup, and is expected to feature packaging and interior appointments similar to that of the S600 Maybach while building upon the design language recently seen in the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe.