Mercedes-Benz will introduce mbrace Connect, a bundle of connected car services, with its 2016 model year vehicles as standard equipment for passenger cars and SUVs for five years.

Three optional packages include mbrace Secure, mbrace Concierge and mbrace Entertain, which offers an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot.

The mbrace Connect bundle offers owners use of the mbrace mobile phone application, mbrace web services, in-vehicle roadside assistance services, third-party applications and remote updates.

The mbrace Secure package brings safety and security services like emergency crash notification, stolen vehicle location and automatic alarm notification, offered at no cost for a six-month trial period. Following the trial, owners may choose to purchase mbrace Secure for $199 per year.

mbrace mobile phone app. Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.

mbrace mobile phone app. Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. 

The two additional service packages, mbrace Concierge and mbrace Entertain, include a three-month trial. The mbrace Concierge option offers drivers a "personal assistant" with 24/7 non-emergency agent support such as turn-by-turn route assistance and location-based traffic and weather updates.

The mbrace Entertain option gives customers access to streaming apps, including the iHeartRadio App this fall, as well as an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. Owners can continue these services after the trial for $20 per month and $18 per month respectively or together for $28 per month.

The mbrace Mobile App offers remote starting so owners can start their vehicle's engine from their smartphone. Remote start works with no distance restriction between car and driver and will run the engine for 10 minutes up to two consecutive times. Drivers can set up their vehicle for operation based on their last climate control settings.

Owners of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models will have access to the vehicle homepage, which allows drivers to check vehicle charge levels and map out charging stations along a route.

Mercedes-Benz's 2016 vehicles delivered prior to Aug. 10 will also be upgraded with mbrace Connect.

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