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2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Or 2010 Cadillac CTS-V?

2010-05-07T06:41:00.001-07:00

2010 Cadillac CTS-V

2010 mercedes benz e63 amg 13
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For some, nothing can replace German engineering, and for some, it's American or nothing. Whether you're talking about quality, reliability, performance or features, there's a list of pros and cons on either side of the aisle. Today we ask: if you could put either one in you garage, would you choose the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG or the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V?

First up, the E63 AMG. Apart from costing a pretty penny more than the $62,000 CTS-V, the $85,750 2010 E63 is a close match for the Cadillac, though many would prefer the Merc's materials and finish quality over the American competition. At 525 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 engine, the car isn't hurting for speed--it can run to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph in a hurry, and it'll handle the shifting for you with its 7-speed MCT transmission--a computer-controlled manual that's a step above the standard torque-converter auto in the Cadillac. Fuel economy isn't great, at 13/20 mpg city/highway, but all that power has to come from somewhere.

Next, the CTS-V. Cheaper, a hair quicker at 3.9 seconds to 60 mph, and little less luxurious in its accommodations, the CTS-V sedan has a lot going for it--556 things, actually, if you're a horsepower fan. With a 6.2-liter V-8 engine supercharged to deliver instant torque, it's fast from idle, and just keeps getting faster--right up to its 191 mph top speed (178 mph for the automatic). Like the Mercedes, it's a thirsty beast, sucking down gas at the rate of 12/18 mpg with the automatic and 14/19 mpg with the manual. Therein lies one of the V's big advantages: it's available with a stick. While the automatics in both the V and the E63 are impressive units that can get more out of the car than most drivers can, there's an element of purity to a manual 'box.

Aside from the raw stats, there's the issue of image or brand cachet. Some wouldn't be caught dead slumming it in a GM car of any label, while others might feel like they'd be shot dead driving a high-dollar German car through the Heartland. It's a matter of personal preference that can't be boiled down to an easy formula. But it's definitely a major factor in spending for either car.

2010 Cadillac CTS-V versus 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
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There's a lot more to both cars--suspension, handling, comfort, and maintenance costs, for starters--than we've covered in this high-level overview, so we put the question to you, dear reader: if you had the cash in hand to buy either one, and an empty spot in your garage, would it be a three-pointed star greeting you each morning or would it be the Caddy crest? Let us know in the comments below.

Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept Car

2010-04-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

In October 2004 Mercedes-Benz established a new market segment with the four-door Coupé CLS. In September 2008, the brand revealed a fresh and exciting interpretation of the emotionally-appealing Coupé-based design in the form of the FASCINATION concept car. Now making its premiere at Auto China 2010 is the Shooting Break concept car - a further insight by Mercedes designers into the possible future development of the Coupé concept. The Shooting Break concept car also represents a clear indication of the further emotional appeal of the Mercedes design idiom.

Wide and flat, with a long bonnet and a roof which continues through to the rear: the Shooting Break concept car features some astonishing proportions which at the same time are clearly reminiscent of another design icon - the CLS. The design of the front is completely new, but makes use of elements which are mindful of the SLS AMG super sports car: the radiator grille, with the large star and eye-catching, bionic slats, is not integrated into the bonnet but has been designed separately in the form of a "soft nose". The grille is flanked on each side by full LED headlamps, which for the first time feature LED technology for all of the usual dynamic light functions. The side profile is given a touch of dynamism thanks to the high, exaggerated beltline sweeping towards the rear, and the dramatic character line which is supported by the powerful-looking rear wheel arches. The coupé-like side view is also emphasised with a low window design which also highlights the greenhouse with polished aluminium trim.

The interior is dominated by natural wood and leather materials. One eye-catching feature is the large full-length centre console. It highlights the four- seat layout as well as the high levels of comfort afforded by the Shooting Break concept car. The wooden floor of the luggage compartment reflects the true interpretation of this area of the vehicle, where the dark-stained silky oak contrasts against inlaid aluminium protective loading strips.

The Shooting Break concept car is driven by the forerunner to the forthcoming new V-engine generation from Mercedes-Benz. The V6 benefits from a 60° cylinder angle and a displacement of 3.5 litres, and is characterised by direct injection featuring a control system which enables lean-burn operation. The six-cylinder engine produces 225 kW (306 hp) with a maximum torque of 370 Nm and in line with the BlueEFFICIENCY criteria of Mercedes-Benz also sets new standards among the competition in terms of fuel consumption.

The exterior: stylish and sporty

The proportions are clearly those of a coupé: the long bonnet, narrow-look windows with frameless side windows, and dynamic roof sloping back towards the rear create a basic stance with which it looks ready for the off. It is only when taking a second look that it becomes clear that the Shooting Break concept car actually has four doors and an estate rear. As such, this study in design reveals its philosophical links with the four-door CLS Coupé, a car which has established a new market segment since 2004 and today is already seen as a design icon which is likely to occupy a very special place in the history of the motor car. The Shooting Break concept car may well be looked back on at some point as having played a similar role, taking ideas from the FASCINATION concept car premiered in 2008 and projecting them into the future.

"The Shooting Break concept car is based on the great tradition of a stylish, cultivated sportiness which has always characterised the great Mercedes Coupés, and it takes this unique legacy an exciting step further," explains Professor Gorden Wagener, chief designer at Mercedes-Benz. "At the same time it points the way towards the future design idiom of Mercedes-Benz."

The vocabulary of the design idiom includes the contrasting play between lines and exaggerated areas, which combine to create an animated area of interaction. The expressive design of the front immediately catches the eye, using elements which are mindful of the SLS AMG super sports car, and with a radiator grille which for the first time has been designed as a "soft nose" and is not integrated into the bonnet. This contributes to better pedestrian protection and at the same time also helps to improve the focus on the long, sporty bonnet. The grille is dominated by the large central star, highlighting its relationship to the other Coupés of the Mercedes brand. It is supported by bionic, curved grille slats. Their curved design is reflected in the expressive look of the front apron and air intakes.

Particularly eye-catching are the full LED headlamps, which for the first time offer all of the regular dynamic light functions using LED technology. Inside they are divided into three arrow-shaped layers from top to bottom: the upper layer contains an LED indicator, beneath which is a striking LED side light offering LED low beam functions. The side light can also be seen when the dipped beam function is switched on, thereby creating a novel and separate night-time design and distinctive look. The lowest level of the headlamp houses the main beam and nightview functions. A total of 71 LEDs not only provide an unmistakable appearance, but also a significantly enhanced view of the road compared with previous systems.

The side profile of the Shooting Break concept car is dominated by the low, frameless side windows, the coupé-like shape of which is further highlighted with the incorporation of a polished aluminium frame along the body. Thanks to the positioning of the outside mirrors on the beltline, the side line is emphasised and all-round visibility has been improved in the region of the A-pillars. The side windows are supported on a high beltline, which slopes towards the rear in a fresh interpretation of the classic "dropping line" of iconic Mercedes Coupés. An additional exciting touch has been made with the prominent, muscular hip points which forcefully support the side line. This interaction gives the impression of a sprinter, poised in the starting blocks, ready to release an explosive forward surge of energy. The roof follows through to the rear and also drops away in typical coupé fashion. Another special feature is the recessed, filigree door handles, which emerge on being touched with the aid of sensors to allow access to the interior.

The side view is rounded off with wide wrap-around tail lights featuring LED technology. As such they form a linking element to the low, steeply-angled estate car rear end with top-hinged tailgate. The shape is emphasised by the broad shoulder line, which is clearly visible from behind and supports the lowered-look greenhouse. The twin pipe exhaust system, with two polished exhaust covers, is integrated into the rear bumper, which features an elegantly curved wing.

Also contributing to the special appearance of the Shooting Break concept car is the exceptional paint finish. A satin-finish clear coat has been used, which gives the vehicle's allanite grey magno colour a mysterious glint and also further brings out the Coupé's exquisite lines.

The sporty look of the Shooting Break concept car is complemented with large 20-inch sterling silver wheels, featuring a special bionically arranged five-spoke filigree design. They allow a glimpse of the large brake discs behind. The front wheels are fitted with 255/30 ZR 20 tyres, while the rear of this exceptional vehicle sits on 285/25 ZR 20 tyres.

The interior: design makes quality noticeable; high-quality materials,
hand-crafted perfection

A large panoramic glass sunroof provides a glimpse into the high-quality, perfectly hand-crafted interior of the Shooting Break concept car, where natural materials such as wood and leather dominate. Wood is used on the trim elements and door pulls, the instrument panel and centre console, and primarily on the luggage compartment floor in the rear. When it came to choosing the wood, the interior designers opted for silky oak on account of its unusual, lens-shaped texture. The wooden floor in the luggage compartment has inlaid aluminium protective loading strips, and is reminiscent of finishes normally seen in yacht building.

Four saddle bags along the sides of the luggage compartment are useful for storing small tools. They are finished in leather, a material which has been used extensively throughout the Shooting Break concept car: in fact, almost ten square metres of leather have been incorporated into the interior. Light sections of porcelain-coloured nappa leather form an attractive contrast to the dark-brown natural-coloured aniline leather and perforated metallic-silver finish seat cushions and door centre panels. Extensive double-lapped stitching and discerning colour-coordinated upholstery seat piping reflect the hand-crafted perfection and attention to detail, as does the tuck stitching on the instrument panel, door sill covers and seat backrests, all of which highlights the contours of the components extremely well.

Perfection and attention to detail also apply to the trim elements. While on the exterior they are polished to a high-sheen finish, in the interior they feature a matt finish. A total of seven manual processes are necessary - from grinding to polishing - to transform the components, which are milled completely from aluminium, into their final decorative form. The matt finish of the interior trim has also served as inspiration for the metallic-silver leather on the seats, door centre panels and bags in the luggage compartment. The deep-pile carpet in the footwell - finished in porcelain colour - is a luxurious material used by Maybach-Manufaktur. The light-coloured roof liner made of silk cloth adds the finishing touch to the impression of comfortable elegance in the interior.

The Shooting Break concept car is clearly a four-seater. The four identically shaped leather seats have a touch of the sports car about them thanks to their integrated head restraints. Openings in the upper area of the backrests make it possible to see through the seats. A large full-length wood console on the transmission tunnel provides a visual divide between driver and front passenger and at the same time indulges the occupants with two large leather-covered armrests. It also houses two cup holders as well as controls for the rear-compartment air conditioning. The centre console is finished off at the rear with inlaid work: curved Mercedes lettering which harks back to the style of the 1920s. The striking cursive-script lettering is also repeated on the front door sills.

Since the central screen has been integrated into the upper part of the instrument panel, the cockpit has a "wrap-around" effect. The elegant verve and bionic details of the exterior are captured, among other things, in the dynamic wave-design air vents in the instrument panel. An analogue clock sits in the centre. The instrument cluster comprises three tubes for dial-type gauges as well as a colour display for service indications.

The headlamps: exciting LED technology offering full functionality

The Shooting Break concept car has dynamic full LED headlamps, which combine the exciting daylight colour impression of LED technology with the performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon light generation. The new light system, due to make its debut in series production this year, features the Intelligent Light System which has already been tried and tested in Mercedes models with bi-xenon headlamps. Its five light functions - country lights, motorway lights, enhanced fog lights, active curve lights and cornering lights -have been specifically designed for typical driving or weather conditions.

The light specialists at Mercedes-Benz have also been able to combine LED technology with the innovative Adaptive Highbeam Assist for the first time, leading to a completely new level of safety at night.

The engine: enhanced performance, enhanced efficiency

The Shooting Break concept car is driven by the forerunner to the forthcoming new V-engine generation from Mercedes-Benz. The special features of the spray-guided direct injection engine include the latest generation of piezo-electric injection valves which enable multiple injections. Better lean operation is possible thanks to load monitoring of the pressure information. Even the operation of the ancillary components has been made efficient and there is also a start/stop function. The V6 with a 60° cylinder angle and displacement of 3.5 litres produces 225 kW (306 hp) with a maximum torque of 370 Nm.

It's all in a name: the origins of the name "Shooting Break"

Break, or the homonym Brake, was the name once given to carriages used to "break" in wild horses and also to restrict (or "brake") their urge to move, so that they could be put to use as work horses. Since the carts could easily be broken as part of this process, people tended not to use ones which they may have urgently needed for other purposes. Where necessary, "Brakes" were often fitted out with variable bodies, which were only really used to carry along anything that may have been necessary for the hunt, for example. Any such vehicle which was used when going out shooting was called a Shooting Brake or Shooting Break. In the 1960s and 1970s motorised Shooting Breaks were popular in Great Britain - exclusive cross-over vehicles, which combined the luxuriousness of a coupé with the luggage space of an estate.

2011 Mercedes E-Class Cabrio with AMG Package

2010-03-27T14:46:00.001-07:00

In addition to the forthcoming Prime Edition, Mercedes will also offer an AMG Sports package for the newly launched E-Class Cabrio. Unlike the Prime Edition, which seems to have an entire catalog of Mercedes models to choose from, the AMG Sports package will only be available for the E500 model.

The rather exclusivity of the AMG Sports package comes to the fact it comes with some pretty nifty additions, not the least of which includes an AMG sports steering wheel, multicontour front seats and – in conjunction with an automatic transmission – shift paddles on the steering wheel.

In addition to that, the exterior gets light-alloy wheels featuring AMG six-twin-spoke styling, a special front and rear apron, and side sill panels. As well as providing the car with a dynamic appearance, the AMG Sports package also includes AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension, whose speed-sensitive sports steering has a more direct ratio. Perforated brake discs are also included in the package.

2011 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

2010-03-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

While everyone is still waiting for the SLS AMG roadster version, Mercedes decided to surprise us with a GT3 version - racing version of the gullwing model. The sports car will compete in the 2011 racing season.

The SLS AMG GT3 features a new new front apron with a splitter, the bonnet with central cooling air vent, wider front and rear wings, sideskirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, a rear diffuser and the adjustable rear aerofoil.

The race car will be powered by the same 6,3 liter V8 engine, but tuned to deliver an impressive +600 hp (up from a standard 571 hp).

Also on the interior AMG will drop all luxury such as air conditioning, navigation and upholstery. Instead the car will get a steel rollover cage, racing buucket seat with a six-point seat belt and HANS system.

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Facelift Spied Almost Undisguised

2010-02-24T04:40:00.000-08:00

Our spies have captured the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class almost without disguise during testing in Germany. The big two-door coupe model, which may be re-designated as the S-Coupe when it arrives in Mercedes' showrooms later this year, benefits from similar changes to the ones seen in the recently pepped-up S-Class sedan.

At the front there are new headlamp, bonnet and bumper designs plus a more pointed and tapering front grille featuring two horizontal bars instead of three, while Mercedes also added the mandatory LED daytime running lights as well.

The exterior door mirrors are also new, as are the alloy wheel designs. At the back, we find new LED tail lights plus an additional set of lights flanking the license plate area, and a restyled rear bumper with newly shaped exhaust pipes.

It is expected that the refreshed CL-Class or S-Coupe will also introduce a new range of high-tech gadgets and some minor upgrades in the interior.

The engine lineup is likely to remain the same, however, expect mild improvements in fuel economy and performance.

There's a strong possibility that we see the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class making its premiere as early as next week at the Geneva Motor Show, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz museum showcases 120 years of automotive history

2010-02-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Located in Stuttgart, Germany, the new Mercedes-Benz museum houses more than 160 vehicles and 1,500 exhibits ranging from the company's first cars, dating back to 1886, to the SLS AMG supercar of today. Built in 2006, the facility has accommodated no fewer than 2.8 million visitors who have had the option of taking a guided tour or browsing the car collection on their own. Unfortunately, haven't gotten the opportunity to be included in that list of visitors yet.

Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz has unloaded nearly 100 new photos of the 16,500-square-meter facility. You can see everything from the legendary Silver Arrows, to Formula 1 racers, to beautiful pre-war cars. All are included in the gallery below, or you can even take a virtual tour of the building at the museum's official web site.

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: Four seasons, four personalities

2010-01-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

* Comfortable: AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop plus AIRSCARF®
* Quiet: acoustic soft top as standard
* Safe: robust roll-over protection and new headbags

The highly appealing and emotionally charged Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which goes on sale on 11 January 2010, features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling. Viewed from the side, the new model is an intriguing proposition – with its clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette.

In keeping with the motto "four seasons, four personalities", all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the developers' list of priorities. With the new E-Class Cabriolet, the cabriolet season lasts the whole year because, while many cabriolets tend to disappear from the roads of Western Europe in the autumn, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/breadth/height: 4698/1786/1402 mm) provides driving pleasure and comfort whether the roof is open or closed.

New features include:

* The AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop: always on board and easily controllable at the push of a button, it reduces turbulence substantially for all four seat occupants
* The modified AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system
* The acoustic soft top fitted as standard

The soft top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds – even when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the boot area; it must be closed in order to close the soft top. If the roof is to remain closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, in which case the boot capacity is increased by 90 litres to 390 litres. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the new Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY – a manually
operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.

The powerplants for the new E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the new direct-injection diesel and petrol models combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements, plus the crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics. The Cabriolet's cd figure of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a continuation of the E-Class success story in the field of aerodynamics.

An overview of the engines:

* E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 125 kW (170 hp)
* E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 150 kW (204 hp)
* E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 170 kW (231 hp)
* E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 135 kW (184 hp)
* E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 150 kW (204 hp)
* E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 215 kW (292 hp)
* E 500 Cabriolet: 285 kW (388 hp)

Less turbulence, easier to use: AIRCAP® is a world-first

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the SL model series, followed in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to further enhance comfort in open-top models. Now comes another world-first: the AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces turbulence in the interior of the new Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, creating a sea of warm air. It is also much easier to implement and use than conventional draught-stops: there is no tricky installation, the two individual rear seats remain free and the Cabriolet's flowing side lines remain uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is therefore a classic Mercedes innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe.

AIRCAP® consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around six centimetres with a net in the windscreen frame and a draught-stop between the rear seats.

The functions of the two components:

* Elevation of the free flow above the interior
* Net at the front increases the basic pressure in the interior
* Draught-stop at the rear reduces the backflow

As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draught when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be activated at speeds of up to 160 km/h and remains in use right up to the car's top speed) reduces the interior noise level – so passengers in all seats find it far easier to communicate.

The Cabriolet Comfort package includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®. This patented system functions like an invisible scarf, which warms the occupants' head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the front seats and provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.

The Mercedes engineers have modified this unique innovation specifically for the E-Class Cabriolet: in this model, an adjustment wheel pivots the outlet nozzle upwards and downwards by a total of 36 degrees over and above the head restraint height adjustment, meaning that the driver and front passenger can enjoy the unique neck-level heating regardless of how short or tall they are.

Quiet, warm and windproof: acoustic soft top fitted as standard

Thanks to its acoustic soft top, fitted as standard, even the closed E-Class Cabriolet has one of the quietest interiors in the segment for four-seater premium cabriolets with a fabric roof. The soft top's exceptionally high-quality insulation brings about a clearly noticeable reduction in the interior noise level compared to conventional fabric soft tops. Exterior noise caused by other vehicles and wind noise are therefore absorbed more effectively. On the road, the difference is audible from speeds of just 80 km/h, for example when driving through a tunnel or overtaking a convoy of trucks. At higher speeds, the benefits of the acoustic soft top are even more tangible. For instance, it is possible to have a perfectly normal phone conversation in hands-free mode even when travelling at a speed of over 200 km/h.

The soft top is of course waterproof and windproof. Plus it can be put through an automatic carwash without any hesitation. With a total thickness of 23.5 mm, the fabric soft top offers excellent thermal insulation, meaning that the E-Class. Cabriolet is also ideal for use in winter.

Safety: robust structure, anticipatory protection and windowbags

The new Cabriolet offers the wealth of safety innovations one would expect from a Mercedes model. Highlights of the open-top two-door model include roll-over protection, the A-pillars reinforced by two additional tubes and the plug-in B-pillars. This new model is also the first Mercedes cabriolet to feature headbags.

The roll-over protection consists of two robust bars, each with a diameter of 35 mm, which are housed in the rear head restraints in modules behind the rear seat backrests. A tilting cone sensor detects imminent danger to the occupants based on extreme skidding movements or acceleration caused by impact. If this sensor then sends a corresponding signal, pre-tensioned pressure springs are activated by pyrotechnic means, i.e. extremely quickly.

Consequently, both roll-over bars in the rear head restraints are extended. They reach their highest point and are locked automatically within a fraction of a second. In combination with the robust A-pillars, each of which is reinforced with two high-strength steel tubes, the steel bars provide highly effective roll-over protection.

The plug-in B-pillars are extremely robustly connected as they engage in the side skirts, thus offering highly effective protection in the event of a crash. A shoe made from ultra-high-strength steel braces the inside of the B-pillar against the rear seat crossmember.

With seven airbags fitted as standard, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all seats, not to mention crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger, the new E-Class Cabriolet offers the most extensive safety equipment package in this vehicle category. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags and sidebags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver's side, and headbags. The latter, which appear in a Mercedes cabriolet for the first time, are housed in the door panelling in the beltline area. Covering a wide area – around 0.7 x 0.5 metres with a volume of 17 litres when deployed – the airbags provide extremely effective protection for occupants large and small in the event of a crash. The three-part side protection system – comprising headbag and thoraxbag – optimises the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body. Rear sidebags are available as an option.

Further exemplary safety equipment available for the E-Class Cabriolet includes ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant
protection, the sophisticated Intelligent Light System, the Active Bonnet and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.
The E-Class range: four attractive models

An innovative family at the heart of the brand

* Complete: the Cabriolet is the fourth model in the E-Class range
* Innovative: all variants are characterised by ground-breaking new products and features
* Successful: the E-Class is the clear leader in its market segment

In March 2009 Mercedes-Benz embarked on the renewal of the E-Class model family - one year later, with the market launch of the Cabriolet, the portfolio will be complete. A number of technical innovations have been incorporated into the new E-Class which no other car in this class is able to offer - from drowsiness detection to automatic emergency braking when an accident is recognised as imminent, and from Adaptive Highbeam Assist to the active bonnet. The E-Class is one the safest vehicles in its segment, a fact which has also been proven by independent crash tests and the specialist press.

In addition, there is a wide selection of powerful and efficient engines which is set to be systematically extended over the coming months. Depending on model, these range from the innovative E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 100 kW (136 hp) up to the E 500 producing 285 kW (388 hp). There are also AMG versions producing 386 kW (525 hp) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC. Exemplary aerodynamics are yet another feature of the model range: with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, the saloon is the most aerodynamically efficient four-door car in the world, while the model range's Coupé achieves the best overall figure for a series-production car with a Cd figure of just 0.24.

"The renewal of the E-Class model family at the heart of the Mercedes brand has come at precisely the right time. The success of the new E-Class shows that even in what are now economically turbulent times, Mercedes brand values such as safety and efficiency, combined with exciting design, enjoy particular significance among discerning customers", explains Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

As such the E-Class is the clear leader in its market segment: in Germany the E-Class Saloon enjoys a market share of around 60 percent in its respective segment, while in Western Europe (excluding Germany) its share is more than 40 percent.

The four models in the current Mercedes luxury class series:

* The E-Class Saloon: the benchmark in the luxury class. Market launch: March 2009
* The E-Class Coupé: excitement can be this efficient. Market launch: May 2009
* The E-Class Estate: intelligent (E)state-of-the-art. Market launch: November 2009 and
* The E-Class Cabriolet: the 4-seater for all 4 seasons. Market launch: March 2010

Besides the innovations which all of the models of this family share, the individual variants have a number of new products and features to enhance the comfort, safety and appeal which are specific to this model. With the new AIRCAP® feature, enhanced AIRSCARF® and also the standard acoustic soft top, the new E-Class Cabriolet for example provides all-year-round comfort which is unique in the segment of open-top vehicles. "The development of AIRCAP® is an example of the perseverance and tenacity of our engineers and technicians: convinced of the customer benefit of an automatic draught-stop, our specialists have finally found the Mercedes solution, which at the press of a button helps to significantly reduce turbulence in the car's interior for all passengers – it is easy to use and always there. In this way we are enabling our customers to enjoy comfortable, open-top driving all year round", says Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Corporate Research and Head of Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

For its part, in addition to air suspension with self-levelling at the rear as standard, the Estate model also provides unique new load compartment management features.

"Never before have we had such an effective presence with our E-Class model series as we have with today's range. Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet all share the same winning gene, yet appeal to our customers in a very individual way. This mixture has been extremely well received by our customers. With the new Cabriolet we are complementing our successful E-Class family with yet another particularly emotionally appealing model, in which our customers can continue to enjoy the Cabriolet season even longer thanks to the unique automatic draught-stop", confirms Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Source: Tuning News

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wins Golden Steering Wheel Award

2009-11-05T23:02:00.000-08:00

The iconic 300SL Gullwing’s spiritual successor, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, won the title of Best Super Sports Car in the 2009 Golden Steering Wheel awards yesterday.

Out of a field of eleven, the SLS AMG triumphed, receiving more than a third of votes from the quarter of a million readers of Bild am Sonntag, Auto Bild and associated publications. No doubt, the styling, gullwing doors and combination of 420kW V8 and rear-wheel-drive had plenty to do with the award, of which Mercedes-Benz has 18 on the shelf.

The SLS AMG’s features include 47:53 front/rear weight distribution, 650Nm, and a top speed of 317km/h – much higher than the current 250km/h limit imposed on MB’s vehicles. Helping its cause is the rear-mounted seven-speed double-clutch transmission, giving the car a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds. Gigantic 390mm carbon-ceramic front and 360mm rear stoppers round out the imposing package.

Australians can expect to see the SLS AMG on our roads late second quarter 2010 with pricing to be around $500,000.

Source: Car Advice

2010 North American Car of the Year nominees announced

2009-10-02T08:26:00.001-07:00

Here in the car journalism biz, this is that time of year when everyone is evaluating all the recently introduced cars to determine which ones truly stand out. Here in town, the crew from Car and Driver are doing their 10 Best testing this week. Elsewhere other magazines are doing their own evaluations.

The organizers of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards have just released the short list of vehicles that they have deemed worthy of consideration for this year's awards. The winning vehicles will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show. For now, the jury has to evaluate a list of 15 cars that includes the new MK VI Volkswagen Golf, Ford's Fusion and Taurus, and a dozen others. The list includes three cars with hybrid powertrains, two that offer diesels and everything from the Kia Soul to the Porsche Panamera.

On the truck side –which also includes crossovers and tall wagons like the new Honda Accord Crosstour, Acura ZDX and Subaru Outback – there are only 10 nominees. Check out the nominees in our galleries below – who will pick up the mantle after 2009's Ford F-150 and Hyundai Genesis?

Gallery: 2010 North American Car of the Year short list

Gallery: 2010 North American Truck of the Year nominees

Carlsson CK50 based on Mercedes E 500 E-class Coupé (C 207)

2009-09-26T02:27:00.000-07:00

For the new E-class Coupé (Type C 207) Carlsson introduces an entire individualisation kit on the occasion of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the E 500, the performance is increased to 435 hp with a maximum torque of 600 Newton metres. The sport rear exhaust silencer is made of stainless steel and with its two oval end pipes it guarantees a sportive sound and an extra output of eleven hp. The sport centre exhaust silencer and a sport air filter effectively complete the engine kit.

Carlsson provides optimal road holding with a coilover suspension which offers a stepless adjustment for damping and vehicle height. Carlsson sport springs with a lowering range of 30 millimetres are also available.

Carlsson offers the light alloy rim 1/5 REVO in modern two-colour varnish and in the size 8.5 x 20 inches at the front- and rear axle with Dunlop tyres measuring 235/30. The visual kit includes the Carlsson front spoiler. The Carlsson front spoiler lip RS is delivered optionally in real carbon. The flow line optimised Carlsson rear spoiler concludes the optical refinement.

Also for the interior, Carlsson offers a broad range of accessories: The gearstick is available in leather/ultra suede, for the steering wheel, a leather/ultra suede cover has been engineered and for the pedals, sporty Carlsson aluminium covers. Moreover, the programme also includes floor mats with an illuminated Carlsson logo; especially at night times, they render an impressive ambience without blinding the passengers.

Lorinser already working on tuned Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing

2009-09-23T03:15:00.001-07:00

Lorinser SLS AMG Gullwing Rendering - click above image for hi-res gallery

Much of the discussion in Frankfurt centered on our personal "best of show" car. Going into the show, it would have been pretty safe to assume that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG would have been the run away winner. What's not to love? 571 hp, essentially mid-engined (you should see how far back that engine sits in the chassis), gullwings -- its got everything. But up close, something about it left us... a little cold. It's probably the headlights. So our best of show group decision went to the E63 AMG Wagon. There's something so very right about 500+ horsepower wagons. But maybe Lorinser could help steer our affections back to the Gullwing?

If you don't know, Mercedes tuner Lorinser has never met a fender it liked. Meaning that there idea of a good time is to hack vents into every body surface it can. Sometimes the results are okay. And sometimes, let's just say not so okay. Lorinser actually has two competing design studies it's considering. The first and probably most controversial is a Carbon Fiber design, with an unpainted CF hood, a Lorinser family crest in place of the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star in the grill and scores of carbon fiber trims pieces all over the place.

The second, more low-key design is probably closer to the real deal. It even features a soon to be Lorinser signature -- vents behind vents. There are also six giant eyebrows festooned around the car. A homage, no doubt, to the brows on the original 300 SL. We will admit that we like the headlights in Lorinser's rendering more than the production SLS.

Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid broods quietly

2009-09-16T04:32:00.000-07:00

Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-In Hybrid - Click above for a high-res gallery

Mercedes is working to complete the circle, combining the frugality of its smallest A- and B-Class offerings with the luxury of its S-Class offerings. For the U.S. the S400 Hybrid began the earnest trek down that road, followed by the announcement of the four-cylinder S-Class, and at Frankfurt, Mercedes has introduced the S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid concept. The home of the pointed star sees it as putting "the luxury class on the road to the three-liter car."

The S500 Vision Plug-in uses the same basic components as the S400 Hybrid: a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a battery. The larger capacity lithium-ion cell with an additional internal clutch is moved to the S500's trunk and is said to be good for 30 km (19.2 miles) of electric-only driving. Daimler CEO Zetsche admits there's a long way to go before the car goes on sale, but for now it promises a 5.5-second 0-to-60 and 3.2 liters-100 km. The new luxury will still stink of money, and of fresh air as well

Mercedes bringing E-Class Wagon Stateside

2009-08-28T05:47:00.003-07:00

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon - click above image for high-res gallery

Wagons, wagons everywhere! Just yesterday there were rumors that Acura is tinkering with the idea of a TSX Wagon. Today, none other than the Gray Lady reports that Mercedes-Benz is planning on bringing an E-Class wagon to the U.S. Dubbed the E350 4MATIC Wagon, the potent people mover will sport a 268 hp 3.5-liter V6, Mercedes excellent seven-speed autobox and all-wheel drive. The E350 Wagon should reach our shores by June of 2010 as a 2011 model.

No word on price, but as the E-Class sedan starts at $52,00, expect the wagon to cost more. Same goes for mileage: the sedan gets 16/24 mpg so the slightly heavier AWD wagon should do a bit worse. Over in Europe-land the E-Class wagons get all sorts of different engines ranging from teeny turbo gas engines to bigger boosted diesels. Not here. In fact, we're not even getting a BlueTec diesel wagon. But you can bet your pinks that we'll be getting an AMG E63 wagon, so you can sleep soundly tonight.

AMG-fettled Mercedes E-Class Coupe to favor agility over power?

2009-08-28T05:47:00.001-07:00

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Exact details are few and far between, but for those that value handling over tire-smoking POWA, this is great news. Autocar is reporting that the next AMG-fettled Mercedes-Benz E-Class will rely on weight-saving materials and techniques, as well as fine-tuning of suspension pieces to increase agility. You know, as opposed to the regular AMG way of doing things, which is lobbing yet another salvo into the breach of the sky's no-limit horsepower war. The next AMG E-Class Coupe will actually be a Black Series model, meaning that not only will there be no "regular" AMG E-Class Coupe (for now), but you really ought to start saving your pennies now. Err, saving your bundles of Grants and Franklins.

According to Autocar, there's also not going to be any Black Series C-Series cars because the limited edition AMGs must be based on two-door models (though we'll see how long that actually lasts). There will, however, be a new C63 – and unlike the upcoming Black Series E-Class Coupe, there will be better driving through more power. The current C63 is AMG's weakest offering with "only" 453 horsepower on tap. The new version will belch thrust to the tune of 500 to 525 ponies. Phew, we were worried there for a moment that AMG had lost its power uber all mind. One last thing: even though it will fit, there's no plan to use the highly lauded seven-speed dual-clutch Speedshift transmission from the E63 and SL63 in the C63. Pity.

Miserly S 250 CDI BlueEfficiency is first S-Class ever with four-cylinder power

2009-08-28T05:47:00.000-07:00

Europe's Mercedes-Benz S 320 CDI BlueEfficiency began this year as the most frugal S-Class available. With 235 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, 31 mpg, and S-Class luxury, it's a fine runner if you want to have it all without grenading your treehugging credentials. But hang on – new reports are now popping up suggesting that Mercedes will soon up the frugal luxury stakes with a new S 250 CDI BlueEfficiency – the first S-Class with a four-cylinder engine.

According to the rumors, it will use the 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged diesel four-pot fitted to the E- and C-Class, putting out 224 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. The obvious sacrifice in sheer grunt and top end ought to be made up for by the mileage, which is predicted to be 35 mpg. To keep the four- and six-cylinder engines from being too close to one another, the six is said to grow in output to 285 hp and 516 lb-ft, and that should spell the end of the eight-cylinder S 450 CDI engine.

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLC convertible caught in Monterey

2009-08-28T05:40:00.003-07:00

Mercedes-Benz SLC AMG Convertible - Click above for a high-res gallery

With the Frankfurt Motor Show right around the corner, Mercedes-Benz is putting the finishing touches on its 565-hp, 6.3-liter AMG SLC supercar. A North American media event is likely scheduled for next month, and lo-and-behold, when we stepped out of the Intercontinental Hotel in Monterey, CA yesterday morning, four mildly camouflaged SLS prototypes were waiting outside.

According to one of our insiders, the M-B crew will be holding a press event in and around the Monterey peninsula (undoubtedly with track time at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca), and the engineers on hand were scouting roads and drive routes ahead of the September shindig.

Although we've seen countless spy shots of the SLS over the last year, this was our first opportunity to see Merc's newest supercar up close, along with the upcoming convertible variant that's likely to be revealed along with the coupe in Germany, or shortly thereafter.

In person, the SLS' dimensions are nearly perfect, with its elongated hood and squat rear end coming off as far more subdued that its McMerc predecessor. Two things to note in the gallery below: first, the Aston-esque door handles are mounted directly in the middle of the doors, which seems like an odd choice considering there's no apparent reason not to install the units below the window on the SLS' strong beltline. Secondly, the convertible variant features a cloth top, although the vinyl camo appears to have a non-functioning zipper that follows the line of the gullwing coupe's doors. We're assuming the camouflage was just adapted to fit the convertible or perhaps it was a bit of visual trickery employed to throw off would-be spy photogs, but it still struck us as strange. Regardless, enjoy the images below and check out the massive carbon ceramic brakes complete with gold Brembo calipers.

Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern

2009-08-28T05:40:00.002-07:00

2009 Toyota Matrix -Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has begun working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 95,700 vehicles with a brake issue that could lead to poor stopping at low temperatures. The recall involves 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models and 2008-2009 Scion xD models with the 1.8-liter engine, and only customers in 19 cold weather states are eligible for the recall.

Toyota says the problem may arise when condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation port seeps into the brake system vacuum port and freezes. As ice accumulates, the brake vacuum port could plug up and "power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances." That doesn't sound good. Owners of affected vehicles will soon receive a notice from Toyota, followed by instructions to take the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for no-cost repairs. Dealer technicians will install a newly designed intake air connector that relocates the brake system vacuum port, a one-hour procedure.

While it's definitely a good thing that Toyota caught this issue as soon as it did, we have a bit of an issue with the fact that the recall is only for cold weather states. It's not like a Corolla or Matrix can't cross state lines during winter, and nobody deserves to be met with brakesicles when they try to stop. Hit the jump to pour over Toyota's press release.

Edmunds praises Volvo XC60, pans Cadillac SRX in new entry-lux CUV comparo

2009-08-28T05:40:00.001-07:00

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo's new XC60 sits at the top of the pack when it battles head-to-head against the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK350, and Cadillac SRX, says Edmunds in its latest four-way comparison. The entrants, each new members of the expanding Compact Luxury Crossover segment, were all selected for the battle based on size and their less-than-$40,000 starting prices. Veterans such as the Acura RDX, BMW X3, and Infiniti EX35 were left home as they aren't rookies to the field.

With a resolutely last place finish, the Cadillac SRX was clobbered over its outward visibility, weight, lack of overall space (despite being the largest of the bunch), and cramped second-row seating. The fact that the Edmund's test car was a base FWD model didn't help either.

Tied for second place were the GLK350 and Q5, both praised for their power, ride, and handling. The Mercedes came up short in overall utility, while the Audi took some hits for its electric power steering.

According to the testers, the XC60 "won by a hair" thanks to its generous cargo capacity, second-row comfort, and "safety features galore." While the Swede offered plenty of power, it suffered from poor fuel economy and less-than-satisfying handling. So, how did a not-fun-to-drive Volvo CUV climb to the top of the comparison (one that Edmunds says, "none of our editors would personally choose")? You'll have to read their story to find out.

Hughes Telematics and Chrysler relationship looks to be over

2009-08-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

Back in 2008 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, we got to spend some time in a Jeep Grand Cherokee outfitted with a bunch of technogoodies from Hughes Telematics. And again at this year's CES, Hughes let us play with even cooler stuff in a Dodge Journey. They bragged of downloadable apps for your Chrysler-branded vehicle and super-cool, futuristic travel guides from your in-dash nav system. Stuff that might convince someone to actually purchase a Journey.

But, alas, since then, Chrysler went bankrupt and it seems the company's relationship with Hughes soured. In an official statement Hughes tells Autoblog:

New Chrysler introduced additional business terms that were not part of either the prior business discussions or the original arrangement. As a result, we reached an impasse in the negotiations and are ceasing our work with new Chrysler to deploy our hardware and launch our services with them in the fourth quarter of 2009, as was previously planned.

That's okay, Hughes says, because they still have Mercedes-Benz as a customer, and they don't need Chrysler anymore. We're not financial experts by any means, but as we stumbled through the SEC report, it was obvious Hughes had invested a lot of time, money and emotions into making things work with Chrysler and that it might take a while to get over losing the bond they once cherished.

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL Class Overview

2009-08-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

An understated exterior may be a disappointment to some, but the interior of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is sure to impress.

According to Edmunds, minimal external differences separate the different CL models other than the AMG versions that come with "unique exterior enhancements" and "20-inch wheels.” Otherwise, they share a "sporty" appearance highlighted by a roofline that "sweeps smoothly from windshield to rear window without the interruption of a B-pillar." Cars.com calls that roofline "one of the CL550's best attributes" and goes on to say that "in the world of high-dollar coupes, the CL550's styling is rather restrained," though "its long profile, low-slung stance and big three-pointed star on the grille say 'I'm expensive.'"

Reviewers at ForbesAutos comment that this 2009 Mercedes-Benz "looks shapely from some angles," but it also "appears a bit fussed-over from other angles," and overall, it simply "didn't provoke public swooning in the manner of the BMW M6 or Jaguar XKR." Kelley Blue Book calls it “neither showy nor obviously exotic.”

Kelley Blue Book praises the interior of this 2009 Mercedes-Benz, as do most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, for the luxury that "abounds door-to-door, floor-to-roof" and is enhanced by a "leather-trimmed aviation-style cockpit." ForbesAutos goes on to say that "nearly everything about the design" of the Mercedes-Benz 2009 CL-Class interior "announces that this is a genuine luxury article." ConsumerGuide mentions "most major controls are logically placed and easy to reach." Cars.com is impressed by the way that the "CL550's cabin manages to elegantly fuse modern technology with old-world sophistication," thanks to its "orange ambient lighting with classic burled walnut trim and a full-leather interior."

EDO competition tunes Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG

2009-08-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

Experiencing this exceptional vehicle on the road even surpasses what it promises on paper. The latest generation of the AMG C-Class offers a perfect blend of unrivalled performance and expressive styling.

Remarkable comfort, sporty manners and long distance capability are not mutually exclusive qualities for this car.

Power in abundance and unbridled V8 goodness are provided by edo competition.

The verdict was unanimous: 457 horsepower and 600 Nm (442 ft-lb) are not enough. A newly developed high-performance exhaust system, exhaust headers, high-flow catalytic converters, new air filters and a recalibrated ECU (including top speed governor removal) boost these numbers to an impressive 555 horsepower and 680 Nm (501 ft-lb). As a matter of principle, all recalibrations done by edo competition are verified on the dynamometer to document the true power output.

The facts about the exceptional edo C 63: 6.3 liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine, 408 kW (555 hp), 680 Nm (501 ft-lb) of torque, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds, top speed: 199 mph – there’s no better way to sum up the capabilities of the edo C 63!

The high-performance exhaust featuring butterfly valves is as aurally impressive as it is advanced, monitoring the exhaust backpressure in real-time. The accompanying controller is programmable and the integrated 70 mm exhaust flaps open at a predetermined level of backpressure. The advantage of this system is that it provides a good amount of torque at low revs without restricting the maximum power at the top end. The high-flow exhaust system is made from 100% stainless steel and the stock-like dual exhaust tips underscore the expressive styling.

To provide superior levels of grip, edo competition offers exclusive wheel/tire combinations. Using a new wheel design the C 63 was equipped with a set of ultra-lightweight 19 in. sport wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Front: 235/35 19, Rear: 265/30 19

As with all edo competition models, we set no limit to our customers’ imaginations. Special interiors or lavish leather upholstery, individual requests are accommodated and executed with quality.

All modifications are carried out exclusively at edo competition Motorsport GmbH in Ahlen.

Video: 2012 Mercedes SLK Spy Video

2009-07-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

The future Mercedes Benz SLK has been caught on video. Set to be revealed in 2012, the new SLK will feature the usual naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines, but also a turbo diesel engine. The AMG version will get a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 470hp.

Mercedes-Benz to offer 58 BlueEfficiency models by end of 2009

2009-07-24T13:45:00.001-07:00

Green isn't always green - sometimes it's blue. Or at least that's what Mercedes-Benz wants us to think when we think of efficient, environment-friendlier motoring. And to help back up Mercedes' claim to being one of the cleanest luxury carmakers, it has announced it will have 58 BlueEfficiency models on the market by the end of the year, including the new additions to the E-Class range revealed yesterday.

Like BMW's EfficientDynamics tag, the BlueEfficiency name is used to demarcate cars that combine a range of efficiency-enhancing design features and materials to yield a completely conventional car that's nonetheless up to 23% more efficient than a typical vehicle.

"The success of this concept is clearly demonstrated by the new E-Class, which combines state-of-the-art engines and the world's best cd value in this vehicle class with further targeted vehicle optimization measures, including lightweight design and intelligent energy management," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler board member for group research and development for Mercedes-Benz cars.

BlueEfficiency shouldn't be confused with the emissions-enhancing diesel BlueTEC technology, though more of those will be joining the ranks as well. Already the GL, M and R-Class vehicles are on the U.S. market, and will soon be joining the European Mercedes fleet.

The next step forward is the hybrid, however, and the S400 Hybrid claims the title of the most fuel efficient luxury sedan with a gasoline engine at 29.8mpg US (7.9L/100km) in the combined European cycle. Joining it in the lineup is the ML450 Hybrid, itself rated at 21mpg city and 24mpg highway (11.2 and 9.8L/100km, respectively.

These three elements highlight the core aspects of Mercedes' strategy for efficiency: applying technology to the problems of fuel consumption and pollution.

Looking to the future, Mercedes has plans to make advances in electric vehicles and fuel cell technology that promise to completely offload the emissions generation process to electrical energy or hydrogen storage plants, which by their design nature can more efficiently process and treat the harmful by-products of the energy generation process. An early preview of what an electric Mercedes will look like can be found in the shape of the recently announced SLS AMG Electric.

Six Truths To Get You Cheap Car Insurance

2009-07-19T03:19:00.001-07:00

All drivers want cheap car insurance. After all, who wants to pay more for a product that is being sold cheaper somewhere else? While it certainly would be optimal to call one insurer and expect them to offer the least expensive rates, it is unlikely for such a random occurrence. Not every company is dedicated to giving out low rates, and so the great search begins. When looking to buy really cheap auto insurance, all consumers should know there isn’t one flat out cheapest insurer out there. Breaking down all the ways a driver can attain inexpensive rates makes sense and shows just how any driver can get cheap rates.

Scenario: Your friend just told you how excited she is to finally be getting her auto insurance at a cheap rate, but doesn’t tell you how much she’s paying. You grimace and wish it was you getting the deal. You quickly change the subject to avoid anger.

Truth #1: This friend hasn’t come clean with everything she has put into finding this cheap rate, and there are many possible explanations as to why. The first aspect to focus on is, did she compare her new found rate with what other companies offer? If not, there’s a good chance she’s not getting the lowest rate possible. Completing a thorough comparison of local companies will ensure you aren’t missing out on cheaper auto insurance. Using our comparison tool, you can compare at least four local companies’ prices to each other.

Truth #2: What is your friend’s driving record like? It is possible that she has been given a low rate as a reward due to good driving. Even receiving just one traffic violation ticket will cause a driver’s insurance rate to go up, and causing an accident will cause an even higher rate. Perhaps her record has fewer errors than your record. How many tickets and accidents have you had in the past year or two? A spotless (or close to it) driving history indicates to the insurer the driver is a safe one and has a low risk of ever needing to file a claim. The insurer will give this safe driver a cheaper insurance rate.

Truth #3: The personal status of your friend could also play a factor. Is she under 25 years of age or older? Are you male or female? Is she married? As random as these may seem, they play a large role in paying a low price to insure a vehicle. Young drivers will always pay a high price for insurance, because they typically file more claims than older drivers. Around the age of 25 years is when the insurance companies start to lighten up on pricing. And, it’s true that males will pay more for their insurance than females. Males, especially younger males, statistically are involved in more reckless behavior than their female peers. Finally, married drivers pay less for insurance than single people do. They’re more cautious with or without their spouse in the vehicle as they drive.

Truth #4: Are you and your friend neighbors? If so, then you will have that same thing going for you. If you are not neighbors and live in another town, there is a good chance that this will affect your ability to find a cheap rate. Insurance companies use your residential dwellings as part of their process to determine your rate. Living in a town or city with high crime will only get you high rates, and if your friend lives in a low crime area, then you can be sure that this attributed to her low rate.

Truth #5: What kind of car does your friend drive in comparison to you? And how often does she drive it? Your vehicle information plays another role in the ability to get cheap insurance. An expensive car will be more expensive to insure, while a modest car may not be quite so much. This is because a luxury car also costs more for the insurance company to repair or replace. Cars with safety features will be qualified for discounts, compared to cars that are too old and weren’t equipped with the latest safety features.

The second part to this truth is the number of miles put on the car during the calendar year. Think about the relationship between traveling a high number of miles and accidents. The more a driver is on the road, the higher the chances of being involved in traffic incidents. Therefore, it costs the driver less to insure a vehicle that doesn’t drive very often.

Truth #6: How much coverage did she purchase? Purchasing only the state minimum requirements will definitely get you the cheapest rates, but it may not be the coverage you desire. Your friend may have only purchased this minimal amount while you are carrying full coverage. Cheaper insurance in terms of how much coverage is purchased may backfire if there is ever a major accident. Usually minimal coverage will not cover the expenses involved in a major accident, especially if you are at fault. There are medical bills and property repairs (possibly of both parties) that would need to be taken care of. Some states only require drivers to purchase $10,000 of property damage, but the total cash value of some of the cars on the road today are far more than that amount. However, the final decision of coverage purchased is decided by the policyholder, usually according to their budget.

Don’t get in the habit of comparing your car insurance policy to someone else’s policy, especially when all of these factors between the two policyholders are different. The only comparing that should be done is by insurer to insurer for the policy you want to purchase. Who offers the lowest price for the coverage YOU want? Check out our comparison tool on our homepage or at the top of almost any page on our site by entering in your local zip code. We pride ourselves on our ability to get any driver the cheapest car insurance in town.

Source: Car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com

Review:2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

2009-07-19T03:19:00.000-07:00

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which debuted in 2003 and is wrapping up production this year, was a car as convoluted as its name. The unhappy child of bickering parents, the SLR came out too heavy, too big, and too unprofitable. Now that the Mercedes-Benz/McLaren marriage has dissolved, both sides are coming to their senses. For McLaren, that means developing a lightweight, mid-engine supercar codenamed P11, a car you'll be reading about here soon. For Mercedes-Benz, it means going back to its sports car roots with another Gullwing, the SLS AMG.

Inspired by the 300SL coupe of the 1950s, this new SLS also has the bobbed tail, football-shaped grille, and bottom-mounted door handles of the original. Where it differs is, well, pretty much everywhere else. Indeed, AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg says the SLS is no simple homage. “We did not build a retro car at all,” he says. “It is the most advanced supercar you can find today!” The SLS is 182.7 inches long and rides on a 105.5-inch wheelbase, figures roughly equivalent to those of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. The entire car is constructed out of aluminum; the space frame weighs just 530 pounds.

Reengineered Engine, All-New Gearbox

Climbing into the driver’s seat of the new SLS AMG is surprisingly straightforward—the sill is easier to clamber over than the old 300SL’s—but you’ll need every inch of your left arm to reach the strap you tug to close the gullwing doors. The view out the front is dominated by the loooong hood, which provides shelter to the heart of the reborn Gullwing: a 6.2-liter, AMG-built V-8. Known internally as the M159 engine, the SLS’s V-8 is a reengineered version of the M156 V-8 found in the C63, E63, and S63, among others. The M159 has an all-new magnesium intake with individual velocity stacks, a reworked valvetrain, and revised camshafts. The tubular steel headers are further optimized for flow, and the exhaust system is similarly changed. Output stands at 563 hp at 6800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The engineers also switched to dry-sump lubrication in order to mount the engine very low in the chassis, which imparts a lower center of gravity, and the entire mill sits behind the front-axle line.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $175,000

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 379 cu in, 6208cc
Power (SAE net): 563 bhp @ 6800 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 479 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 105.5 in Length: 182.7 in Width: NA Height: NA Curb weight (C/D est): 3600 lb

PERFORMANCE (MFR’S EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top speed (governed): 196 mph

The V-8 hooks to an all-new, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox integrated into a rear-mounted transaxle. The connection is made via a carbon-fiber driveshaft housed within a torque tube, which ensures a very rigid link between engine and transmission. There are four driving modes: Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus, and Manual. The Race Start launch-control mode guarantees neck-snapping starts, and the stability control is selectable to on, off, or Sport.

It’s as Incredible to Drive as You Imagine

Once the engine is ignited—via a button on the dash, naturally—it idles with a deep thrum. Toe the throttle a bit, and the revs gather quickly, as in a race engine, and the aural accompaniment becomes more metallic in tone. Lift the throttle, and engine speed drops as quickly as it rises. Floored from a stop, the acceleration is nothing less than explosive: Mercedes claims a 0-to-62-mph time of an astonishing 3.8 seconds. (Mercedes estimates are notoriously conservative.) The engine note under load is a throaty war cry that changes into a sort of zinging buzzsaw above 4500 rpm. The engine response above 6000 rpm is as direct as any we’ve ever felt—and that includes the Ferrari F430’s masterful V-8. Top speed is governed at 196 mph.

The SLS understeers slightly on corner entry, but the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, immediate throttle response, and talkative steering—perhaps the sharpest rack ever to be fitted to a Mercedes road car—make repositioning the car a snap. Give it mid-corner throttle, and car gently transitions to easily controllable oversteer. The SLS is wonderfully neutral (helped by the near-ideal 48/52-percent front-to-rear weight distribution), and sitting so close to the rear axle means you can easily determine what the car’s doing and take immediate action. It is mind-blowingly simple to drive the SLS quickly.

High exit speeds are aided by a mechanical limited-slip differential that offers 30 percent lock under load; it provides 60 percent lock under deceleration. Grip is high, to say the least, thanks in part to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires developed especially for the SLS. They measure a beefy, 295/30-19 in the back and 265/35-19 up front. Suspension is by forged aluminum wishbones all around, and a wide track (66.1 inches in the front and 64.9 inches in back) imparts stability. The coupe will eventually spawn an SLS roadster and the SLS eDrive, which is a fully electric version that replaces the raucous V-8 with lithium-ion batteries and four individual electric motors.

The new Gullwing is incredible; even in this prototype form, it is clearly every bit the driver’s car the SLR wasn’t. We won’t be able to afford an SLS when it goes on sale next spring—unless it’s a ’95 Cadillac SLS that pops up on eBay—but those with the means will be able to nab one for $175,000 or so. We’re already green with envy.

Source: Caranddriver.com

Spy Photos:Mercedes Benz SLK caught at the Nurburgring

2009-07-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

The SLK roadster has served Mercedes Benz well over its life since introduction in 2004, and like all cars its once-cutting-edge design has become somewhat tired, despite a mid-cycle facelift. An all-new SLK is in the works, however, and it's been spotted testing in the still-wintry German weather.

Aside from the car's general proportions not much is clear thanks to generous slabs of camouflage cladding. Nevertheless, the car's LED daytime running lights, common to all of Mercedes' most recent models, are obvious. The door-mounted side mirrors stand out further on thinner stalks than the outgoing model, while the general proportions of the car with the top up seem to reflect a longer hood and more rearward seating position.

The sharper angle between the rear of the hard top and the rear deck area also mimics the 2010 SLC to a degree, though the real design cues shared with that car are expected to be located around the front fascia. At any rate, it's clear that Mercedes has dumped the controversial front end of the current models for something new.

Powertrains expected for the next-generation SLK include the 2.2L four-cylinder diesel found in the current C250 CDI. Rated at 204hp (152kW) and 369lb-ft (500Nm) in its C-Class application, the engine would be sporty, but whether Americans would find it palatable is an open question. Mercedes has discussed bringing diesels to the U.S., but in the GLK and C-Class, not a sporty model like the SLK.

Petrol engines featuring evolutionary developments on the current range are expected, though there is also talk of a possible twin-turbo 3.5L V6 generating over 470hp (350kW) for an AMG version. More details and specifics will emerge as the car moves forward in its development cycle.

The next-generation SLK is expected to make its debut in late 2010. Pricing for the current model starts just under $46,000 in the U.S., and the next model is expected to stay near that mark.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

2009-07-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

The new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG fulfils its role as the powerful, top-of-the-line E-Class model with effortless superiority. The exterior design conveys presence, precision and typical Mercedes dynamism. Functional sportiness, top quality and consummate business class comfort combine in the interior. In short: it comes across as sporty without being showy.

Dominant, masculine, dynamic – take a look at the new E 63 AMG and you instantly get a sense of these three attributes. The distinctive wings immediately catch the eye in the front section of the high-performance saloon. They are 17 millimetres wider on each side to accommodate the new front axle with its larger track width and the 255/40 front tyres.

The striking AMG front apron is an integral part of the characteristic AMG bodystyling. A central air intake and two side apertures provide an efficient supply of fresh air to the cooling module placed behind. The side air vents in the front apron serve to expel the hot air from the oil coolers. The AMG-specific LED daytime driving lights are another eye-catching detail. In conjunction with the optional Intelligent Light System, the E 63 AMG is equipped with tinted bi-xenon main headlamps.

From the side, the eye is drawn to the 18 or 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels as well as the "6.3 AMG" lettering integrated stylishly into the wings; this lettering is testimony to the powerful eight-cylinder powerpack under the bonnet. The side sill panels pick up the sweeping line of the spoiler edges on the front apron, extending it through to the AMG rear apron – the same line also emphasises the saloon's width: the two newly designed chrome-plated twin tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system, the characteristically black insert and the overlying light-catching contour provide further visual highlights on the muscular rear section.

Sporty and high-grade interior ambience

Luxurious quality, high-grade materials, consummate business class comfort combined with a noticeable degree of dynamism and sportiness – the interior of the E 63 AMG in a nutshell. Dedicated, newly developed electrically adjustable, heated AMG sports seats and AMG badges await the driver and front passenger. All the seats, armrests and door centre panels are trimmed in exquisite leather, the seat centre panels with perforated leather. Three different appointment colours are available: black, mocha brown/almond beige and reef grey/alpaca grey. The perfect finishing touch comes courtesy of the black ashwood trim.

The AMG sports steering wheel in a four-spoke design with a 385-millimetre rim is trimmed with perforated leather in the specially moulded grip areas. Gear selection can be performed manually by means of the AMG aluminium shift paddles with "up" and "down".

AMG main menu and AMG DRIVE UNIT

Behind the steering wheel lies the equally new AMG instrument cluster with a 320 km/h speedometer scale and silver-coloured backplate. The five classic dial instruments come with a new look, red needles and all-new lettering. AMG lettering adorns the speedometer while "6.3 V8" lettering adds a special touch to the rev counter. The AMG main menu is integrated into the central display of the speedometer, which can be operated conveniently using the multifunction buttons on the AMG sports steering wheel. The three modes "Warm Up", "Set Up" and "RACE" keep the driver well informed: "Warm Up" indicates the engine oil and coolant temperature, "Set Up" indicates the current ESP® mode, the suspension setting "Comfort", "Sport" or "Sport Plus" and the transmission mode "C", "S", "S+" or "M". In "RACE" the RACETIMER is ready; this allows the driver to record lap times on private racing circuits.

The AMG DRIVE UNIT, which is familiar from the SL 63 AMG, is angled towards the driver and enables individual settings to be selected for the MCT sports transmission, the ESP functions, the suspension set-up and the AMG drive modes. A completely new feature for the DRIVE UNIT comes in the shape of the AMG E-SELECT selector lever in the centre console. The driver can shift directly between R, N and D simply by nudging the lever, all thanks to drive-by-wire, Briefly pressing the P button is sufficient to activate the parking lock.

The wide range of standard equipment includes (selection):

Adaptive brake lights
AMG door entry sills in brushed stainless steel
AMG sports pedal cluster in brushed stainless steel
Child Safety package
THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control

The wide range of optional extras includes (selection):

COMAND APS
DAB – digital radio
Driving Assistance package
Rear-seat entertainment system
Speed Limit Assist
Intelligent Light System
KEYLESS-GO package
Heated steering wheel
Media interface
Memory package
Night View Assist Plus
PARKTRONIC incl. Parking Guidance
Tyrepressure monitoring system
Reversing camera for PARKTRONIC
Heated/climatised seats
Sun Protection package
Lane Tracking package
Surround-sound system
TV tuner

Even more individuality with tailor-made AMG extras

Customers requiring even more sporty individuality are catered for by the AMG Performance Studio: the E 63 AMG can be dynamically enhanced even further ex factory, with the Performance package. This includes the following:

Lightweight, forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear
AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension with a stiffer set-up
AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid
AMG Performance steering wheel (365 mm) in a three-spoke design
Roller blind for rear window

The high-quality interior ambience of the E 63 AMG can also be substantially enhanced with the AMG Exclusive package. It includes:

Nappa leather appointments for the AMG sports seats, top section of the dashboard, the beltlines, the door armrests, the centre console and door centre panels
Roof liner, A, B and C-pillars and sun visors in Alcantara®
AMG floor mats

Optional extras from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are also individually available ex factory:

Lightweight, forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear
AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
Brake callipers, painted red (scheduled to be available from 4th quarter of 2009)
AMG Exterior Carbon package
AMG Performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design with Alcantara® inserts in the grip areas
AMG carbon trim elements
Illuminated AMG door entry sills
AMG Driver's Package (restriction of top speed to 300 km/h, attendance at driver training at the AMG Driving Academy, AMG spoiler lip and roller blind for rear window)
AMG floor mats

New designo range for the E 63 AMG

The new designo range for the E 63 AMG, which will be available from the end of the year, offers further individualisation options. The designo colour chart includes a total of ten eye-catching colours, including three new matt finishes: designo magno platinum, designo magno allanite grey and designo magno cashmere white. Nine different single-tone designo leather upholstery options and three designo trim elements are available in the interior.

Safety: "Intelligent" partner thanks to unique combination of assistance and protection systems

For more than 50 years, the E-Class Saloons and their predecessors have been the acknowledged trendsetters in the field of automotive safety. The new top-of-the-line E 63 AMG model continues this tradition with an unrivalled combination of the very latest assistance and protection systems whose concept and development are based on what actually happens during accidents.

The systems turn the E-Class into an "intelligent" partner that is able to see, feel, respond reflexively in dangerous situations and act autonomously to prevent accidents or mitigate their effects. With this concept the new E 63 AMG not only protects its own occupants, but also contributes greatly to the safety of other road users.

The new E-Class is the first car in the world to be equipped with headlamps which adapt to the traffic situation and respond automatically to provide the best possible road illumination in a given situation and avoid dazzling other road users. The optional Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses a camera on the windscreen to recognise oncoming traffic and vehicles in front and to control the headlamps so their beams do not reach the other vehicle. The range of the dipped headlamp beams can be extended from the current 65 to as much as 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam. Mercedes-Benz offers this new system in a Light package that includes bi-xenon headlamps, the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights.

The Lane Tracking package for the E 63 AMG includes Blind Spot Assist familiar from the S-Class, and as a new development, Lane Keeping Assist which seeks to prevent the vehicle from leaving the road unintentionally. When the system recognises that the car is drifting from its lane, the driver is prompted to take countersteering action by three brief but unmistakable vibrations of the steering wheel. The images from the windscreen camera are also used by the new, optionally available Speed Limit Assist, which recognises speed limit signs as the car passes them, then displays the relevant speed limit in the speedometer.

Night View Assist Plus is now also available as an optional extra for the E 63 AMG. Mercedes-Benz has improved this system with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as Night View Assist Plus recognises pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted in the onboard display to provide a greatly enhanced warning effect.

Detection of drowsiness based on 70 parameters as standard

Thanks to an innovative technology, the new E 63 AMG is very sensitive to its driver's attention level, and warns him or her of drowsiness in good time. This new ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, which is standard equipment, is equipped with highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor more than 70 different parameters. Observing the driver's steering behaviour has proved to be a particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research by Mercedes engineers have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors which they often correct very rapidly in characteristic ways. These corrections are recognised by a highly sensitive steering angle sensor.

Automatic emergency braking when a collision is imminent

The well-proven, radar-based assistance systems from the S-Class are now also optionally available to E-Class customers. An enhanced long-range radar sensor now has a range of 200 metres (previously 150 metres), and is able to monitor the mid-distance so that dynamic events such as a vehicle ahead suddenly pulling out to overtake can be detected even more effectively. The two wide-angle short-range radar sensors, which have a range of around 30 metres, continue to be included in the system.

The radar-supported systems are able to assist the driver with emergency braking. Their sensors are linked to the BAS PLUS system, which automatically calculates the braking pressure to prevent a collision in critical situations. The driver is given an audible and visual warning at the same time. When the brake pedal is pressed, the system immediately provides the calculated level of braking assistance.

If the driver fails to respond to the warnings, the radar system first initiates partial braking action. As a second stage, if there is still no driver response and a collision is unavoidable, emergency braking is initiated. This can reduce the severity of an impact considerably as the system can be regarded as a kind of "electronic crumple zone".

Seven airbags and PRE-SAFE® as standard

During the course of its development, the new E-Class was subjected to more than 150 high-speed crash tests. The crumple zone principle invented by Mercedes safety pioneer Béla Barényi has been continuously honed by the engineers in Sindelfingen. The front-end deformation zone of the E-Class acts on four independent levels, and is even more effective than before. The increased use of extra-high-strength steel alloys also helps to ensure that the bodyshell is able to withstand high impact forces. Around 72 percent of all the body panels are made from these high-tech steels – yet another unrivalled figure in passenger car development.

With seven airbags as standard, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, crash-responsive head restraints and ISOFIX child seat attachments, the E 63 AMG has even more extensive safety features than the preceding model. Another standard feature is the unrivalled anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®. In potentially hazardous situations this reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags are able to fulfil their protective function to the full during an impact

Mercedes Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 6.7 Percent In June 2009

2009-07-11T03:30:00.001-07:00

Daimler AG is reporting that in the month of June 2009, sales at their Mercedes-Benz Cars division dropped to 111,300 new units, a decrease of 6.7 percent when compared to last year's June figure of 119,300 new units. As a result, worldwide sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands now total 544,400 new units through the first six months of the year, a decrease over last year's six-month YTD total of 18.5 percent.

Individually, sales at Mercedes-Benz dropped 5.4 percent to 100,300 units in June – this compared to 106,000 units last year. At smart, the brand noted a more substantial decline, with sales of the compact fortwo totaling 11,000 new units – down 17.1 percent when compared to the prior year.

To learn more about the worldwide sale of Mercedes-Benz Cars in June 2009, keep reading for the official press release.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Mercedes-Benz Sells 100,300 Passenger Vehicles in June, Continuing Positive Momentum of Previous Month

Sales decline cut by more than half compared to May
Vehicle inventories at the end of the second quarter below original target level
Mercedes-Benz once again sets new record for sales in China

Stuttgart – In June, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 111,300 Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart, and Maybach brand vehicles (June 2008: 119,300) worldwide (minus seven percent). Despite ongoing market difficulties, a total of 100,300 Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide in June (June 2008: 106,000; minus five percent). Mercedes-Benz thus continued the positive trend from the prior month, and succeeded in cutting its sales decline by more than half compared to May. This development was in part due to the successful launch of the new E-Class, which remained the global market leader in its segment in June. In addition, sales of Mercedes-Benz models recovered noticeably in many Western European markets, while also continuing to develop positively in China.

“The development of sales in June exceeded our expectations,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “By the end of the second quarter of the year we had reduced our inventory and the inventory at the dealerships to the lowest levels in years. As a result, our inventories at the end of June were even lower than our original targets. We expect to see our sales stabilize in the second half of 2009.” The contributing factors will include the introduction of the new E-Class sedan and the E-Class coupe in important markets such as the U.S. and China, the new generation of the S-Class, the launch of the E-Class station wagon, and efficient, high-volume engine variants in models like the C-Class.

Mercedes-Benz remained the market leader in Germany in the premium segment in June, with 30,100 vehicles sold, a result that matches last year´s level of sales (June 2008: 30,500). In addition to the new E-Class, positive sales development on the brand’s home market was recorded in the A-Class and B-Class segment in June, with sales increasing by 14 percent to 11,300 units (June 2008: 9,900). Worldwide deliveries in the compact segment rose eight percent to 22,900 A-Class and B-Class models (June 2008: 21,300). Sales of the smart fortwo on the German home market were also up, having increased by seven percent to 16,700 units since the beginning of the year (January – June 2008: 15,600). A total of 61,100 customers worldwide purchased the innovative two-seater since the beginning of the year (January – June 2008: 68,900; minus 11 percent).

Mercedes-Benz outperformed the market as a whole in Spain, France, and the UK in June, while boosting market shares. Deliveries in the difficult market environment in the UK were at the same level as in June 2008, totaling 7,400 vehicles. Also at the same level compared to last year were sales in Italy, where Mercedes-Benz delivered 5,000 units in June. In France, the brand posted a sales increase of two percent to 6,100 units (June 2008: 6,000).

Mercedes-Benz continued its dynamic growth in the emerging markets of China and Brazil in June. Sales in China once again reached record levels last month, increasing by 34 percent to 4,900 vehicles (June 2008: 3,700). Mercedes-Benz is the fastest-growing premium brand in China since the beginning of the year. The B-Class, which has been available in China since January, and the smart fortwo, which was launched in the country in April, are both a big hit with Chinese customers. In Brazil, sales of Mercedes-Benz models have increased by 44 percent since the beginning of the year, to 2,300 units (same period last year: 1,600 units).

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

	June 2009	% change	January - June 2009	% change
Mercedes-Benz	100,300	-5.4	483,300	-19.3
smart*	11,000	-17.1	61,100	-11.3

Mercedes-Benz Cars	111,300	-6.7	544,400	-18.5
Western Europe	69,300	-3.8	323,000	-18.8
- of which Germany	33,100	-1.3	147,700	-12.5
NAFTA	19,500	-22.4	109,500	-25.1
- of which U.S.	16,300	-26.5	93,700	-28.3
Asia/Pacific	14,200	-1.8	73.900	-4.7
- of which Japan	2,700	-31.3	13,600	-33.1
- of which China	5,300	+45.0	28,200	+40.4

*smart brand sales include the smart roadster and the smart forfour

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing photo leaked

2009-07-11T03:30:00.000-07:00

Mercedes-Benz has been teasing us for months now, not only did they publishing official photos of the SLS in camo, but also showed us pictures of the interior. Well the curtain is now off, thanks to a leaked image that a German magazine will publish, which in turn has also been leaked. Numerous sites are reporting that the first leaked image of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS is real. Even our very own “Insider” has confirmed that this is real and that he/she has seen it.

In case you you forgot: An AMG 6.3-liter V8 front-mid engine will be developing 571 hp/420 kW peak output and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration and sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones. The ideal front/rear weight distribution of 48 to 52% and the vehicle’s low center of gravity.

Benz, BMW Sales Drops Slow as Contraction Wanes

2009-07-11T02:48:00.000-07:00

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit, the world’s top two luxury- vehicle makers, reported the slowest sales declines in at least eight months in a sign the worst market in decades is abating.

BMW, which also makes Mini and Rolls-Royce models, delivered 127,546 cars and sport-utility vehicles in June compared with 146,136 a year earlier, the Munich-based company said in a statement today. The 13 percent drop was the slowest since October. Sales of Mercedes-Benz models fell 5 percent to 100,300 vehicles, the smallest decrease since September, Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler said.

“The luxury carmakers are more of a true bellwether of underlying demand, because they haven’t benefited measurably from government incentives,” said Peter Kelly, senior director at J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting in Oxford, England. While discounts may have, the two carmakers’ sales numbers “suggest that the market may find a bottom in the second half.”

Government-funded rebates in Germany, France and Italy have helped stem car-sales declines after the recession led Europe’s auto market in 2008 to shrink by the most in 15 years. Deliveries in the region fell 4.9 percent in May, the slowest drop in 13 months, according to European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association figures.

BMW fell 15 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 25.48 euros in Frankfurt trading, the lowest price since May 29. Daimler declined 37 cents, or 1.5 percent, to a three-month low of 24.20 euros.

‘Favorable’ Incentive Effects

PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe’s second-largest carmaker, said today that first-half global sales fell 14 percent. The incentives were “quite favorable for us” in attracting customers for the Paris-based company’s smaller cars, Citroen division Managing Director Frederic Banzet said.

Lower inventories of unsold cars and improving demand have helped Daimler and BMW increase production rates. Daimler, which is also the world’s largest truckmaker, has reduced the number of employees on short-time work to 47,000 from 60,000 at the end of April. BMW has cut the number of workers on reduced hours to 12,000 from 25,000 in March.

“There are first indications of a slight recovery on the automobile markets,” Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief, said in the statement. Introductions of the X1 SUV and 5-Series Gran Turismo crossover model “will give sales a further boost in the second half of the year.”

German, Chinese Growth

Sales by the BMW brand fell 13 percent to 105,220 vehicles, while Mini-division deliveries slipped 8.9 percent to 22,273. Rolls-Royce sold 53 cars in June compared with 114 a year earlier. Group sales increased in Germany, China, India and Brazil. Sales in the U.S. fell 20 percent.

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Cars group, which includes the two- seat Smart minicar, delivered 111,300 vehicles in June, a decline of 6.7 percent, limiting the drop in the first half to 19 percent. Smart-car sales fell 17 percent to 11,000. Group deliveries rose in China, Brazil and France, helping push inventories to their “lowest level in years,” Daimler said. Sales fell in Japan and the U.S.

“The development of sales in June exceeded our expectations,” Klaus Maier, Mercedes-Benz Cars’ top sales executive, said in Daimler’s statement. “We expect to see our sales stabilize in the second half of 2009.”

Source: bloomberg.com

2009 Mercedes ESF

2009-07-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

MERCEDES-BENZ ESF 2009 EXPERIMENTAL SAFETY VEHICLE

Stuttgart – 2009 is a year in which Mercedes-Benz celebrates several anniversaries in the safety field: in August 1939 the safety pioneer Béla Barényi started his work in Sindelfingen. He invented for example the principle of the crumple zone, a trailblazing innovation which entered series production at Mercedes-Benz in 1959. With the help of its in-house accident research function, which was founded in 1969, Mercedes engineers in the following years have developed sev-eral groundbreaking innovations in passenger car safety. Now it is time for a look behind the scenes, and in this anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz is using the ESF 2009 research vehicle to reveal what its safety specialists are currently working on – with a time horizon that often extends well into the future.

The ESF 2009 is the first Experimental Safety Vehicle to be built by Mercedes-Benz since 1974. Like its historic predecessors, it illustrates trailblazing in-novations in the field of safety and makes the progress achieved clearly visible. These amazing but by no means crazy ideas include inflatable metallic sections which give more stability to structural components within fractions of a second, as well as the so-called "Braking Bag". This airbag housed within the vehicle floor is deployed when a crash is deemed to be unavoidable, and uses a friction coating to support the vehicle against the road surface. The ESF 2009 will be premiered on 15 June 2009, at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference in Stuttgart.

"Safety is a central element of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In this respect we have been setting the pace in the market for almost 70 years. For the benefit of our customers and for road users in general. The ESF 2009 shows that we still have plenty of ideas and the absolute will, to lead the automobile industry in this field even in future", says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The ESF 2009 was developed and built completely in the test vehicle workshops in Sindelfingen. This safety research vehicle based on the Mercedes S 400 HYBRID fea-tures more than a dozen safety innovations, most of which are fully functioning in demonstration mode. "With the ESF 2009, we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler. Anybody examining the ESF 2009 in detail will recognise that more safety and improved energy efficiency are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas ", says Dr. Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The following five innovations on the basis of the S 400 Hybrid are among the high-lights of the ESF 2009:

• PRE-SAFE Structure: The inflatable metal structures save weight or increase the stability of structural components. When at rest, the metal section is in a folded state to save space. If its protective effect is required, a gas generator builds up an internal pressure of 10 to 20 bar within fractions of a second, causing the sec-tion to unfold for significantly more stability.

• Braking Bag: This auxiliary brake accommodated in the vehicle floor is a new type of PRE-SAFE® component. If the sensor system concludes that an impact is unavoidable, the Braking Bag is deployed shortly before the crash and stabilises the car on the road surface by means of a friction coating. The vehicle's vertical acceleration increases the friction, and helps to decelerate the vehicle before the impact occurs.

• Interactive Vehicle Communication: The ESF 2009 is able to communicate di-rectly with other vehicles, or via relay stations. Using "ad hoc" networks and WLAN radio technology, it is e.g. able to receive and transmit warnings of bad weather or obstacles in the road.

• PRE-SAFE Pulse: This further development of PRE-SAFE® is able to reduce the forces acting on the torsos of the occupants during a lateral collision by around one third. It does this by moving them towards the centre of the vehicle by up to 50 millimetres as a precautionary measure. As an active re-straint system, it uses the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests.

• Spotlight lighting function: This partial LED main beam specifically illuminates potential hazards. If the infrared camera of Night View Assist PLUS e.g. detects deer at the roadside or pedestrians on the road, these can be briefly il-luminated beyond the normal area covered by the main beams, as if by a spot-light.

Mercedes-Benz is also presenting an innovative PRE-SAFE Demonstrator at the 21st ESV Conference. For the first time this simulator uses a linear motor for this purpose, in order to accelerate the vehicle cabin to up to 16 km/h within a distance of four me-tres before the impact occurs. The linear drive system, which is similar to that used by the Transrapid train, is freely programmable and also works in the opposite direction. This enables various acceleration profiles and also a rear-end collision to be demonstrated. The special feature of this system is that the 'vehicle occupants' experience the effect of the PRE-SAFE® functions live, e.g. belt pretensioning, NECK-PRO and the inflatable side bolsters of the seats.

Mercedes-Benz is continuing a longstanding tradition with the ESF 2009: for the ESV Safety Conferences held in 1971 to 1975, the safety experts in Stuttgart built more than 30 experimental vehicles and subjected them to crash tests to satisfy the vision-ary safety requirements of that time. Four of these ESFs (Experimental Safety Vehicles) were presented to the public, and many of the revolutionary ideas such as ABS or the airbag first entered series production at Mercedes-Benz.

Daimler management comments on the ESF 2009: "Safety is one of our core brand values"

"Safety is a central element of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In this respect we have been setting the pace in the market for almost 70 years. For the benefit of our customers and for road users in general. The ESF 2009 shows that we still have plenty of ideas and the absolute will, to lead the automobile industry in this field even in future." Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

"Even in economically difficult times, we refuse to make any cuts where innovation is concerned, as shown by the highly complex ESF 2009 project, where we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz. Anybody examining the ESF 2009 in detail will recognise that more safety and less fuel consumption are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas." Dr. Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

"Real Life Safety is about more than scoring points in standardised crash tests, or the number of onboard airbags. The ESF 2009 clearly illustrates the comprehensive ap-proach of Mercedes-Benz with its numerous innovations for more passive and active safety. In line with our claim: One star is sufficient." Ulrich Mellinghoff, Head of Mercedes Safety Development

PRE-SAFE Structure: inflatable metal structures

It sounds like science-fiction: concealed metallic structures that wait patiently in a collapsed, space-saving state until they are required to go
into action. Daimler researchers working together with the gas generator specialists at Autoliv spent two years actively researching such active metal sup-port systems, and tested a variety of applications. For the very first time, inflat-able metal side impact protection can be seen in the ESF 2009.

Imagine an inflatable mattress. When it is not needed, it is rolled up flat and e.g. con-signed to a shelf in the attic. When inflated, however, it has a highly resistant structure that can easily carry a man weighing 100 kilograms. Inflatable metallic structures work in the same way: when not in use, the metal section is folded together to save space. Once its protective effect is needed, a gas generator just like those used to inflate airbags builds up an internal pressure of 10 to 20 bar within frac-tions of a second, the metal section is unfolded and the structure has significantly greater stability.

The advantages are obvious, and mainly involve packaging and weight: more stable structures can be accommodated within the increasingly tight installation spaces of an automobile, or weight can be greatly reduced while maintaining the same stability. Using the example of the side impact protection member in the doors of the S-Class, the researchers have calculated that around 500 grams less weight per door would be feasible.

Daimler safety researchers examined various applications for these innovative, crash-responsive metal structures, among them side impact protection, the side skirts and the seat cross-members. These have the advantage of being several centimetres away from the impact zone. The gas generator therefore only needs to be activated when a crash has definitely taken place.

One of the still unsolved problems of these protective members is that unlike the PRE-SAFE® measures already in series production, their active deformation is not reversi-ble. Moreover, the activation of protective members installed well to the outside of the bodyshell that can be inflated by internal pressure requires their deployment before the crash. The pre-crash sensor system must therefore provide highly reliable signals.

Another hurdle is the currently still uncompetitive cost level of the required gas gen-erators in relation to the cost requirements for weight-saving measures. These crash-responsive metal structures are therefore still a thing of the future – but the same was also once true of standard safety features like the airbag, ABS or ESP®.

Braking Bag: a braking parachute for the car

Airbags in cars have previously only been used as a restraint system for the occupants. In the future they might also be a PRE-CRASH- component, acti-vating an auxiliary brake in the vehicle floor and improving both deceleration and compatibility with the other vehicle involved in the accident.

Energy is not only reducible by braking the road wheels: jet fighters and dragsters use braking parachutes, for example. And as early as 1952, Mercedes-Benz was already experimenting with an air-brake at the Le Mans race: when decelerating, the driver was able to move a metal panel on the roof of his racing SL to a vertical position. Even earlier, coachmen used special wheel chocks. These were placed in front of one of both rear wheels on long downhill gradients, and their iron-clad base helped to brake the vehicle during the descent.

This is an old idea that Mercedes safety researchers have revitalised on a similar prin-ciple with the Braking Bag, an airbag installed between the front axle carrier and the underbody panelling. If the sensor system concludes that an impact is inevitable, the PRE-SAFE® system not only initiates automatic emergency braking. At the same time the Braking Bag is deployed just before the crash, supporting the car against the road surface by means of a friction coating. The vehicle's vertical acceleration increases the friction and has an additional braking effect before the impact. The Braking Bag uses the PRE-CRASH sensors in Mercedes-Benz cars, which are already able to initiate pre-ventive occupant protection measures in critical driving situations.

There are several advantages to this unusual auxiliary brake:
• The rate of deceleration is briefly increased to over 20 m/sec/sec. This scrubs additional energy beyond the potentials of a wheel brake, thereby reducing ac-cident severity.
• Because the car is raised upwards by up to eight centimetres within a short time, the dive effect that occurs with conventional brakes is substantially com-pensated. This improves geometrical compatibility with
the other party in an accident.
• This vertical movement also improves the effects of the restraint systems: the seats move towards the occupants by around three centimetres, which enables the belt tensioners to take up more slack. The high deceleration rate before the impact has a "pretensioning" effect on the occupants, so to speak.
• Downward support for the vehicle during the crash reduces the typical diving motion during a collision.

All in all, the braking airbag has the effect of an additional crumple zone.

Mercedes engineers have calculated that even at a low 50 km/h, the additional decel-eration has the same effect as lengthening the front end by 180 mm. Initial driving tests in a C-Class have already shown the effectiveness of this new auxiliary brake – though it will still be some time before the Braking Bag becomes another component of the PRE-SAFE® system.

Interactive Vehicle Communication: cars report what their sen-sors have detected

Cars sometimes know more about their surroundings than their drivers. With the help of intelligent communication systems, vehicles themselves are able to con-tribute to improved road safety and mobility.

A patch of black ice on the next bend? A bank of fog three kilometres down the road? A new traffic tailback where roadworks are being carried out? What used to come as an unpleasant surprise is far less frightening if the approaching driver receives an up-to-date is warning beforehand. This is a task that will in future be carried out by the other vehicles on the roads at the time – automatically, by radio. This is the basic idea behind Interactive Vehicle Communication.

Cars are nowadays able to collect a great deal of information about the current driving situation, as the numerous sensors, cameras and control units for the dynamic and assistance systems can register e.g. poor weather conditions just as well as sudden braking and avoiding manoeuvres, or broken-down vehicles on the road. There are also other sources of information, for example local police reports. This information can be passed on via additional relay stations ("car-to-x") such as radio masts at the roadside, stationary nodal points (e.g. traffic centres and overhead gantries) or via the internet. The onboard computer classifies all the reports according to plausibility and relevance. Tailback reports on the radio which are out-of-date or irrelevant to the individual driver will then be a thing of the past.

Mercedes engineers have been working on "Interactive Vehicle Communication" as a technology of the future for more than seven years.

The ESF 2009 safety concept vehi-cle demonstrates the current status of this research: this Mercedes can automatically recognise an approaching police car, for example, and warn its driver by showing a symbol in the display. It is also possible to send and receive warnings of bad weather or obstacles in the road.

The exchange of data between vehicles is via so-called "ad hoc" networks, connections that are spontaneously formed between the vehicles over short
distances. These wireless local area networks (WLANs) are self-organising, and require no external infrastructure. Transmission and reception is at a frequency of 5.9 giga-hertz, over a distance of up to 500 metres. In fact the achievable communication range is much greater, as oncoming vehicles pass the messages on.

Cars that communicate with each other can do more than just pass on information: linked to modern proximity control systems such as DISTRONIC Plus from Mercedes-Benz, they can help to harmonise the traffic flow and avoid tailbacks by automatically selecting the most suitable vehicle speed when joining a motorway. And collisions can be avoided if onboard sensors recognise an impending accident and automatically regulate the distance.

This technology is currently demonstrating its practicality in the "Safe Intelligent Mo-bility – Test area Germany" project (simTD), in which Mercedes-Benz and other German manufacturers and suppliers are taking part. Up to 400 vehicles communicate with each other in these, the world's largest field trials for Interactive Vehicle Communication. simTD is being conducted in the densely populated Frank-furt/Rhine-Main area from autumn 2008 to 2012. Experts expect usable mobile infor-mation networks with full coverage to become a possibility when around ten percent of all vehicles have this communications capability.

PRE-SAFE Pulse: an automatic nudge in the ribs

With the multiple award-winning PRE-SAFE® system, Mercedes-Benz has once again been underlining its role as a pioneer in the safety field since 2002: once the system recognises certain critical driving situations, PRE-SAFE® activates occupant protection measures as a precaution. As a further development, PRE-SAFE Pulse is able to reduce the loads acting on the torsos of the occupants by around one third during a side impact by preventively moving them towards the centre of the vehicle.

Out of harm's way – every millimetre counts during an accident. When an impending lateral collision is recognised, PRE-SAFE Pulse as an active restraint system moves the driver and front passenger towards the centre of the vehicle, using air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests. If the onboard sensors report that a side impact is inevitable, these are inflated within fractions of a second and give the seat occupants a slight nudge in the ribs. This impulse is enough to move them out of the danger zone by up to 50 millimetres. Even before the accident, it also accelerates the seat occupant in the direction he/she will later take during the accident. This reduces the loads acting on the occupant during the impact. The seat does not need to be replaced or repaired when this preven-tive safety system has been activated, as PRE-SAFE Pulse is reversible.

PRE-SAFE Pulse is being developed on the basis of the dynamic multicontour seat in the new Mercedes E-Class. Depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and speed, the inflation pressure and volume of the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests are already varied to give the driver and front passenger even better lateral support.

Partial main beam: full beam ahead at all times Whether as brake lights and indicators in many Mercedes models, or as daytime driving lights in the new E and S-Class, LED lighting technology is see-ing increasing use at Mercedes-Benz. And things will be brightening up at night as well in future: Mercedes lighting specialists are working on an adaptive LED main beam system that automatically excludes oncoming traffic from the cone of light. A special spotlight function also allows potential hazards to receive additional illumination.

Main beam, low beam, main beam... anybody travelling on country roads in western Europe at night is seldom able to drive with the main beams on for very long. The frequency of oncoming traffic dictates that the driver is soon obliged to switch to low beam, either manually or more conveniently using the Main Beam Assist in the new Mercedes E-Class. This is not enough to satisfy the researchers at Mercedes-Benz, however. Because during the phases when the driver switches to low beam - with its shorter range - to avoid dazzling others, it is possible to overlook other road users or potential hazards.

The lighting specialists at Mercedes-Benz are therefore working on an LED-based adap-tive main beam system. This enables the driver to leave the main beams switched on constantly. As soon as the system detects oncoming traffic with the help of a camera, it automatically adjusts the light distribution accordingly. The Mercedes ESF 2009 ex-perimental safety vehicle shows precisely how this works. A headlamp is made up of 100 LEDs. These semiconductor elements can be individually activated, so that when there is oncoming traffic, the precise beam area in which other road users are located can be darkened down. The system recognises these using an infrared camera. The purely electronic module is also able to respond much faster than present electro-mechanical shutter/roller assemblies.

The light distribution can also be refined in the opposite direction: a special spotlight function in the LED array of the research vehicle also enables potential haz-ards to be highlighted. If the infrared camera detects pedestrians in the road ahead, for example, they can be briefly lit up beyond the normal main beam illumination, as if by an aimed spotlight. The driver is thus alerted to the potential danger.

Side Reflect: not all Mercedes are grey at night

Reflective material on the body and tyres could further improve the lateral visibility of vehicles, and help to avoid accidents at road junctions.

Reflective materials have long been commonplace in children's clothing, and in the case of bicycles it is even mandatory to have reflectors in the wheel spokes. So the engineers at Mercedes-Benz asked themselves why the perceptual safety of cars could not be improved in the same way. Accordingly the ESF 2009 research car features appropriate reflective elements when viewed from the side. These modifications are not visible during the daytime, but the additional benefit shows up when dusk and darkness fall.

Together with the manufacturer Continental, Mercedes specialists have developed a reflective strip on the tyres which visually enlarges the wheels in daylight and creates an easily visible band of light when illuminated at night. As a further safety feature there are reflective seals between the doors and the roof, a joint development with the adhesive foil specialist 3M. The aim is to make the vehicle's silhouette more easily visible in the dark. This enables potential accident situations on junctions or in the form of unlit, parked vehicles to be defused.

Reflective foils consist if a reflective base layer with tiny balls of glass. When a ray of light hits the foil, it is refracted by the glass balls, reflected by the base layer and refracted again on exiting. As a result, most of the light is reflected back in its original direction.

Belt Bag: a clever combination of a seat belt and airbag

The seat belt is regarded as one of the most important inventions of the 20th Century, and has saved countless lives. It has been further improved with belt tensioners and belt force limiters, but that is not the end of its development: an innovative extension to the width of the belt, known as a Belt Bag, is able to reduce the risk of injury even further in an accident.

When a seat belt limits the movement of its wearer's torso as intended during a collision, it subjects the body to considerable forces. The Belt Bag, on whose development Mercedes-Benz is working intensively with the seat belt specialist Auto-liv, practically doubles its width within fractions of a second during an accident. This increase in the width of the belt spreads the pressure over a wider area, thereby reducing the risk of injury. This is particularly beneficial for older passengers, whose ribcage is no longer so flexible.

As the name suggests, the Belt Bag is a combination of a seat belt and airbag. When the crash sensors detect a serious impact, the airbag control unit activates the Belt Bag. A generator at the belt armature inflates the double-layered belt, which has Velcro seams. The volume of the Belt Bag is around four litres. The developers consider the Belt Bag to deliver the greatest benefits in the rear of the car, where conventional airbags cannot be installed. It is therefore conceivable that the Belt Bag could be used here by Mercedes-Benz in the foreseeable future.

Child Protect: safety and comfort for very small passengers

Mercedes engineers have thought about how children might travel even more safely in a car. The two major advantages of the Mercedes concept study "Child Protect" over conventional child safety seats are an improved protective effect and greater comfort for the child. This is accompanied by a high level of quality and attractive visual integration of the seat into the interior of Mercedes models. This system jointly designed with the restraint system specialist Takata is suitable for children aged between three and 12 years (weight categories II and III). One special feature is its modu-lar construction, as the height and width can be individually adapted to the child's physical proportions.

"Child Protect" has a tubular frame construction. This design offers better support and greater rigidity than versions of moulded plastic during a side impact. The prominent side bolsters in the shoulder and head area keep the child in place and minimise body movement during an accident. At the same time they prevent the child from coming into contact with vehicle components penetrating into the interior, or with the passenger in the adjacent seat. This seat study, which is approved according to the ECE R44.04 standard, is also equipped with automatic, sen-sor-controlled airbag deactivation on the front passenger seat.

As an additional benefit, Mercedes engineers are considering the addition of a buggy subframe to the child seat. This would also ensure that children travel in comfort, style and safety outside the car.

PRE-SAFE 360°: full emergency braking before an impact

With the multiple award-winning PRE-SAFE® system, Mercedes-Benz has once again been underlining its role as a pioneer in the safety field since 2002: once the system recognises certain critical driving situations, PRE-SAFE® activates occupant protection measures as a precaution. As a further development, PRE-SAFE 360° monitors not only the areas to the side, but also to the rear of the vehicle.

PRE-SAFE 360° uses short-range or multi-mode sensors to monitor the area behind the vehicle to a range of up to 60 metres. If the accident early-warning system registers that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are applied around 600 milliseconds before the impact. If the already stationary car is braked during a rear-end collision, this not only prevents secondary accidents where the car is e.g. uncontrollably shunted into a road junction or onto a pedestrian crossing. The severity of possible whiplash injuries to the occupants can also be reduced by application of the brakes, as the vehicle and therefore its occupants have less forward acceleration. The driver always has the final decision with PRE-SAFE 360°, however: if he accelerates because he is able to prevent the rear-end collision by moving forward, for example, the brakes are instantly released.

Contrary to the widely held opinion among drivers, it does not make sense to take one's foot off the brake pedal before an impending rear-end collision. The correct action would be to apply the brakes as hard as possible, however accident research findings show that the driver of a stationary vehicle impacted from the rear is moved backwards by up to 20 centimetres. This inevitably causes his feet to slip from the pedals.

The protective effect of PRE-SAFE 360° supports that of the NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints, which are already standard equipment in many Mercedes model series. If the sensor system detects a rear-end collision with a defined impact severity, it releases pre-tensioned springs inside the head restraints, causing the head restraints to move forward by about 40 millimetres and upwards by 30 millimetres within a matter of milliseconds. This means that the heads of the driver and front passenger are supported at an early stage than with conventional head restraints.

Size Adaptive Airbags: tailor-made airbags

The 1980 Mercedes S-Class (W 126) was the first series production car equipped with an airbag. In the meantime airbags have firmly established them-selves across all vehicle segments. Airbags have saved many human lives and reduced the severity of injuries. Mercedes safety specialists are now working on a further improvement to their protective effect by developing airbags with a variable volume.

There are already adaptive airbags at Mercedes-Benz today, for in many model series the airbags are activated in two stages depending on the assessed severity of the impact. Future generations of this restraint system will not only take accident severity into account, but adapt themselves to the individual vehicle occupants: "Size Adaptive Airbags" automatically adjust their volume to the seating position and stature of the front passenger as recognised by the sensors. For whether a small front passenger is hunched up close to the dashboard or a tall front passenger has his seat moved well back is certainly a factor in the protective effect of the airbag. The weight of the front passenger, and therefore the forces acting on the airbag during an accident, are also important.

"Size Adaptive Airbags" enable occupant contact with the airbag to be optimally timed, whatever his weight and seating position. The restraint system can therefore dampen the impact to optimum effect. This Mercedes development varies the volume on the front passenger side between 90 and 150 litres. For purposes of comparison, conven-tional front passenger airbags have a volume of around 120 litres.

The system uses three retaining bands with which the airbag contours are adjusted to limit the volume. The retaining bands are fitted on electrically driven spools. When the airbag is activated, only as much band length is released as the control unit has calculated on the basis of sensor data for the seating position and weight of the occupant.

Child Cam: keeping an eye on the kids

With the help of a small camera, drivers will in future be able to keep children travelling in the rear under control without taking their eyes off the road.

"Mum, Vanessa keeps pulling my hair!" "John's seat belt isn't properly fastened." - Par-ents know that when the kids are on board, there is usually no shortage of action on the rear seats. But if the driver looks back to see what is going on, there is a risk of an accident. Accordingly Mercedes safety experts have developed "Child Cam", a simple camera system that enables the kids to be observed without taking one's eyes off the road.

A small camera is mounted on the roof lining behind the front seats. If required its im-ages can be transferred to the dashboard display – not in video form, but as sequences of stills to avoid distraction. The camera position provides a slight bird's-eye view, which allows children in rear-facing child seats to be observed more easily.

"Child Cam" also shows rear areas that are not easy for the driver to observe, e.g. the seat directly behind. And in the case of an estate car, SUV or van, it is also possible to monitor the luggage compartment. This is very useful if domestic pets are on board, for example.

Interseat Protection: don't get too close to me

Danger not only comes from outside during an accident. In unfortunate cases even passengers wearing their seat belts can come into contact and injure each other. Interseat Protection in both seat rows helps to prevent this.

Mercedes safety specialists are presenting two proposed solutions in one with Interseat Protection: a protective system for the driver/front passenger and one for the rear-seat passengers. As a common feature of both, the occupants are physically separated from each other if the PRE-SAFE® system registers an accident. Within fractions of a second, a lattice-like airbag support structure extends from between the front seats to keep the driver and front passenger apart. A seat-mounted solution like this has the advantage that the protective barrier adapts itself to the position of the front seats.

The seat position does not need to be taken into account in the rear, therefore a protective pad located above the centre armrest is used when an accident is detected. This pad helps to prevent the two passengers in the rear from impacting each other. When the pad is at rest it can be activated as part of PRE-SAFE®. Within fractions of a second, the seat divider emerges and the two head supports are deployed.

Mercedes accident research has shown that during a side impact, and also during a rollover, the heads of the passengers move along different paths: around 50 milliseconds after the accident, the head of the person facing the impact changes the direction of its evasive movement towards the centre of the vehicle – impelled by the sidebag and head airbag. A second important finding from these analyses is that a collision between the passengers can only be avoided if the torso is supported. The protective pad of the Interseat Protection system is dimensioned accordingly.

In normal cases the protective pad in the rear is more of an innovative comfort feature: the pad is designed to be extended by the passengers at the touch of a button, when it can be used as a head and shoulder support for a comfortable sleeping position. It would also be conceivable to use the space for stowage or a cooler box, or an entertainment console.

2009 Mercedes ESF Photos and Wallpaper

Spy photos Mercedes Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ up close

2009-07-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

In the lead up to its final unveiling, planned for later this year, Mercedes has released a ton of info on the car, including several images of actual prototypes and technical drawings. As the successor to the legendary SL Gullwing from the 1950s, the new SLS AMG will also feature gullwing doors but picks up a new aluminum spaceframe to provide an almost perfect front-to-rear weight distribution of 48-to-52%.

Powering the SLS will be a revised version of AMG’s now-familiar 6.2L V8 mated to an all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted on the rear axle. Peak output will stand at 571hp (420kW) and 479lb-ft (650Nm) of torque. Changes to the engine include a new magnesium intake with eight separate velocity stacks, two electronically controlled throttle plates, a high-flow exhaust and a new dry-sump lubrication system.

The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. The SLS’s final kerb weight will be around 1,620kg, and with the V8 engine it should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 315km/h.

As for the new dual-clutch gearbox, the unit was developed by AMG and boasts fast gear changes with no loss of tractive force. The driver has a choice of four different driving modes, ranging from comfortable to extremely sporty, as well as a ‘RACESTART’ function. The suspension set-up is equally advanced, with double wishbones and hub carriers made of lightweight forged aluminum. Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic discs, and these are mounted within 19in light-alloy wheels.

The car’s dimensions have also been revealed, measuring in at 4.65m in length, 1.95m across and just 1.25m in height. The wheelbase stretches just 2.7m. Previous renderings give us a clue as to what the new car could look like, showing a vented bonnet and a new headlight design not seen on any previous Mercedes models.

Designers have gone with a distinctively retro look for the interior of the new SLS AMG
Furthermore, new shots of the interior show a familiar Mercedes steering wheel and a unique dash fitted with silver accented controls similar to that used in the current SLR supercar. Another interesting feature is the retro styled air-vents, which look similar to the units used by Mercedes Benz during the 1970s. The COMAND system knob located on the center console is also identical to the units used by other Mercedes models.

Premium materials abound on every surface, with materials such as nappa leather, solid metal and (optional) carbon-fiber facings emphasizing the ‘custom-built’ nature of the car. Seating will be strictly limited to two.

The price of the SLS is expected to be roughly $300,000 with production numbers likely to fall between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year. This should see it compete nicely with cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes Benz SLS ‘Gullwing’ revealing spy shots

Spy Photos - Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabrio with top down

2009-06-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

The current Mercedes Benz CLK is something of an enigma - built around the C-Class platform, styled like the E-Class, and priced in between the two, the car sits in its own unique segment and has no direct competition from its rivals. Its sales history has been a strong success, especially in the U.S., but the car is set to meet its demise with the arrival of the new E-Class Coupe in a couple of months and the Cabrio in the middle of next year.

Latest spy shots show a prototype for the Cabrio model testing in Germany with the roof down, and as expected it draws heavily from the recent ConceptFASCINATION. The car will be about 10cm longer than the CLK Cabrio that it replaces and it sticks with a traditional folding soft top.

The engine lineup should mirror the Coupe, which means four, six and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 150kW/200hp to 285kW/382hp - the top end model being the E500/550.

The decision to move the CLK to the E-Class platform will allow Mercedes to introduce a new entry-level coupe and convertible based on the C-Class, finally providing the carmaker with a direct competitor to BMW’s popular 3-series two-door models. You can see a preview of such a car in our previous story by clicking here.

The story doesn’t end there, however, as Mercedes is also expected to launch a new ‘shooting brake’ model based on the ConceptFASCINATION, although no official details about its release have been mentioned.

Spy Photos Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible

2009-06-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The engineers at Mercedes-Benz are working tirelessly to get the all-new E-Class cabrio ready for its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. So much so that they appear to be bringing dates along for a ride in the chop-topped mules.

These newest shots of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible are the first we've seen with the cloth top stowed away, and they reveal an interesting detail: a retractable wind deflector mounted on the top of the windshield.

Like Audi, Mercedes has opted to forgo the folding hard-top treatment for the new E, allowing the automaker to retain the coupe's hard-edged style and keep the curb weight in check. When the E-Class Convertible arrives in dealerships early next year, expect a range of six- and eight-cylinder powerplants, including the range-topping E500.

Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster

2009-06-22T11:53:00.002-07:00

In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession, the trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster.

This project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments. The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience.

“This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training,” said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. “I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.”

Tradition meets the future
The Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction. As an allusion to the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle is fitted with large spoked wheels. Moreover, the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section, based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.

The Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

New Car - BMW M3 Edition

2009-06-22T11:53:00.001-07:00

Powerful, aesthetic design, supreme performance and exclusive style – the unique characteristics of the BMW M3 are now available in highly attractive Edition Models focusing on the most outstanding highlights of these outstanding cars.

Based on the BMW M3 Coupé, the M3 Edition Models offer a choice of no less than four highly individual cars boasting perfectly harmonised modifications in body design and interior features as well as special light-alloy wheels and an even lower chassis.

The BMW M3 Edition Models will be entering the market worldwide in July 2009 in Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow, and Monte Carlo Blue. In the interest of supreme exclusivity their production period is limited to just six months.

Individual highlights both outside and inside.

On the BMW M3 Edition Models the exterior paintwork and interior design are individually matched to one another. Depending on the respective Edition model, the body comes either in Alpine White Non-Metallic, Black Non-Metallic, Dakar Yellow Non-Metallic or Monte Carlo Blue Metallic. The combination with BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome accentuates the truly sophisticated character of the Edition Models.

The openings on the engine compartment lid on all models are finished in black, the BMW kidney grille, the side gills and the dual tailpipes on the exhaust system come in dark eloxy-plated chrome. The caps on the special BMW M exterior mirrors are likewise finished in black and are connected to the A-pillars by dual arms extending out of the mirror base finished in body colour.

Special colour highlights add an individual touch also to the interior of the BMW M3 Edition Models. The surfaces on the centre armrest, the centre console and the armrests on the door panels are finished in White on the Alpine White and Black models. At the same time these Edition Models come with interior trim in Carbon Structure Leather with white contrasting seams. The seats in Black Novillo Leather feature bespoke contrasting seams as well as vertical trim stripes on the upper section of the backrest and at the front of the legrest. On the Alpine White and Black models, these features come in white, on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models they are in the appropriate exterior colour.

As a further feature the armrests and door closing handles at the inside on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models come with yellow and, respectively, blue contrasting seams. And last but certainly not least, entry trim bars in Checkered Flag Design bearing the “M3“ model designation give all Edition Models yet another highlight.

Special rim design and lowered suspension.
To optimise the looks of the car, all four Edition Models come with specially designed light-alloy rims and a unique suspension: On all models the 19-inch forged M light-alloy rims in double-spoke design are available either in black or in the classic rim colour. And on the Alpine White, Black and Monte Carlo Blue models, the same rims are also available in a special white contrasting colour with polished spokes.

Wallpaper : BMW M3

Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009

2009-06-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

2009 is a year in which Mercedes-Benz celebrates several anniversaries in the safety field: in August 1939 the safety pioneer Béla Barényi started his work in Sindelfingen. He invented for example the principle of the crumple zone, a trailblazing innovation which entered series production at Mercedes-Benz in 1959.

With the help of its in-house accident research function, which was founded in 1969, Mercedes engineers in the following years have developed several groundbreaking innovations in passenger car safety. Now it is time for a look behind the scenes, and in this anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz is using the ESF 2009 research vehicle to reveal what its safety spe-cialists are currently working on – with a time horizon that often extends well into the future. The ESF 2009 is the first Experimental Safety Vehicle to be built by Mercedes-Benz since 1974. Like its historic predecessors, it illustrates trail-blazing innovations in the field of safety and makes the progress achieved clearly visible.

These amazing but by no means crazy ideas include inflatable me-tallic sections which give more stability to structural components within frac-tions of a second, as well as the so-called “Braking Bag”. This airbag housed within the vehicle floor is deployed when a crash is deemed to be unavoidable, and uses a friction coating to support the vehicle against the road surface. The ESF 2009 will be premiered on 15 June 2009, at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference in Stuttgart.

“Safety is a central element of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In this respect we have been setting the pace in the market for almost 70 years. For the benefit of our customers and for road users in general. The ESF 2009 shows that we still have plenty of ideas and the absolute will, to lead the automobile in-dustry in this field even in future”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The ESF 2009 was developed and built completely in the test vehicle work-shops in Sindelfingen. This safety research vehicle based on the Mercedes S 400 HYBRID features more than a dozen safety innovations, most of which are fully functioning in demonstration mode. “With the ESF 2009, we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler. Anybody examining the ESF 2009 in detail will recog-nise that more safety and improved energy efficiency are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas “, says Dr. Tho-mas Weber, the member of the Daimler Executive Board responsible for corpo-rate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The following five innovations on the basis of the S 400 Hybrid are among the highlights of the ESF 2009:

PRE-SAFE Structure: The inflatable metal structures save weight or increase the stability of structural components. When at rest, the metal section is in a folded state to save space. If its protective effect is re-quired, a gas generator builds up an internal pressure of 10 to 20 bar within fractions of a second, causing the section to unfold for signifi-cantly more stability.

Braking Bag: This auxiliary brake accommodated in the vehicle floor is a new type of PRE-SAFE® component. If the sensor system con-cludes that an impact is unavoidable, the Braking Bag is deployed shortly before the crash and stabilises the car on the road surface by means of a friction coating. The vehicle’s vertical acceleration in-creases the friction, and helps to decelerate the vehicle before the im-pact occurs.

Interactive Vehicle Communication: The ESF 2009 is able to com-municate directly with other vehicles, or via relay stations. Using “ad hoc” networks and WLAN radio technology, it is e.g. able to receive and transmit warnings of bad weather or obstacles in the road.

PRE-SAFE Pulse: This further development of PRE-SAFE® is able to reduce the forces acting on the torsos of the occupants during a lateral collision by around one third. It does this by moving them towards the centre of the vehicle by up to 50 millimetres as a precautionary measure. As an ac-tive restraint system, it uses the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests.

Spotlight lighting function: This partial LED main beam specifically illuminates potential hazards. If the infrared camera of Night View As-sist PLUS e.g. detects deer at the roadside or pedestrians on the road, these can be briefly illuminated beyond the normal area covered by the main beams, as if by a spotlight.

Mercedes-Benz is also presenting an innovative PRE-SAFE Demonstrator at the 21st ESV Conference. For the first time this simulator uses a linear motor for this purpose, in order to accelerate the vehicle cabin to up to 16 km/h within a distance of four metres before the impact occurs. The linear drive system, which is similar to that used by the Transrapid train, is freely programmable and also works in the opposite direction. This enables various acceleration profiles and also a rear-end collision to be demonstrated.

The special feature of this sys-tem is that the ‘vehicle occupants’ experience the effect of the PRE-SAFE® functions live, e.g. belt pretensioning, NECK-PRO and the inflatable side bolsters of the seats. Mercedes-Benz is continuing a longstanding tradition with the ESF 2009: for the ESV Safety Conferences held in 1971 to 1975, the safety experts in Stuttgart built more than 30 experimental vehicles and subjected them to crash tests to satisfy the visionary safety requirements of that time. Four of these ESFs (Experimental Safety Vehicles) were presented to the public, and many of the revolutionary ideas such as ABS or the airbag first entered series production at Mercedes-Benz.

Wallpaper : Mercedes-Benz

Source : babez.de

Mercedes Benz CLK Cabrio rolls off the line

2009-06-19T11:49:00.002-07:00

While production of the CLK Coupe ceased back in January, the CLK Cabrio has been rolling off the Karmann factory floor in Osnabrück, Germany, right up until today. Karmann is an independent vehicle manufacturer specializing in convertible models and has built a number of cars for major automakers like Mercedes Benz and Audi.

Unfortunately for Karmann, the global economic crisis has hit it hard, causing a number of manufacturing contracts to dry up. This has led to the company filing for bankruptcy and as of Monday next week no more production will be taking place at Karmann until it can emerge from the bankruptcy process, reports Automotive News Europe.

As for the CLK Cabrio, the car will remain on sale until the arrival of the new E-Class Cabrio in the first half of next year. According to Mercedes, there is sufficient stock to last until that time.

Karmann, on the other hand, may have a bright future in the form of a new partnership with German electrical utility Energy Group (EWE). The two companies have stated that their goal is to "explore the integration of electric vehicles into the EWE electricity and telecommunications network", and already a concept vehicle has been produced. Given Karmann’s prickly financial state, however, it may be some time until we see the company back to full scale production.

Mercedes updates the G-Class for 30th birthday

2009-06-19T11:49:00.001-07:00

Adding value to a successful design that's been essentially unchanged for 30 years might seem like an unecessary fix, but Mercedes has seen fit to add a few interior updates to its G-Class for its 30th year on the road.

The updates include a new set of 'ergonomically optimized' front seats which ostensibly improve comfort while adding better lateral bolstering for off-road support. Also on the list is a new rear bench seat with more modern appointments, including styling intended to echo that of the front bucket seats.

The new interior is available in either black or gray cloth and black, gray or chestnut leather. High-spec designo leather in black or classic red is also available for order, as is piano lacquer black wood trim. Early in 2010, a Labrador blue designo stone trim will also be available.

A few tech updates made the grade as well, including a now-standard auxiliary jack for music input, and ambient lighting is now available for the interior as well. A media interface for iPod or other USB devices can also be purchased.

Finally, the outside gets a choice of 'palladium silver metallic' or 'designo platinum magno' finishes in addition to the standard colors previously on offer.

The remainder of the range, from trim to powertrain, remains the same as the previous versions, including the G350 CDI, G500 and the 507hp (378kW) G55 AMG. For more on the G-Class and its 30th Anniversary celebrations, check out our story on the Mercedes G-Class EDITION30 models.

Benz News - Mercedes Benz may offer CLS Grand Edition in U.S.

2009-06-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

The four-door coupe segment is rapidly growing, but the modern progenitor of the niche, the Mercedes Benz CLS, is still powering along. A brand new special edition dubbed the Grand Edition has just been launched in the UK but the car may eventually be sold in the U.S., according to Mercedes Benz.

The Grand Edition cars are packed with extra equipment as standard and are offered with several unique color options, but essentially they are just a new range-topping trim level for the CLS range. While the latest version is a UK-only package, Mercedes Benz spokesman Rob Moran has revealed to Edmunds that the Grand Edition is being considered for the U.S. and if it does arrive it “won’t be offered until next year's model changeover, MY 2011."

Some of the special features that may be offered on a U.S. version of the Grand Edition include AMG-spec light alloy wheels, unique bumpers and badging, and slight power hikes over the standard models. The current CLS Grand Edition based on the 272hp CLS 350 CDI V6 turbodiesel, for example, features an additional 48hp (36kW) and 37lb-ft (50Nm) of torque.

In keeping with its positioning as the range-topping model in the CLS range (ignoring the AMG model), pricing for the Grand Edition will be set higher than the standard model.

Picture Gallery: 2010 Mercedes Benz CLS Grand Edition

Benz News - Three-cylinder engine planned for next Mercedes C-Class

2009-06-18T11:16:00.001-07:00

Expect to see smaller engines and more hybrid options for future Mercedes Benz models, as high fuel prices and greater environmental concerns push buyers – even luxury oriented ones - towards more efficient vehicles. The solution for most automakers, including arch rival BMW, is to downsize engines and increase the use of forced induction, and this is exactly what Mercedes plans to do for its next-generation of cars.

Mercedes has already shown off its DiesOtto engine, which in prototype form has already achieved 39mpg fuel-economy in the large S-Class saloon, and it’s just months away from launching the new S400 and ML450 hybrid vehicles. A new report from AutoWeek.nl, however, suggests that the automaker has much more drastic plans in store.

Mercedes R&D chief Thomas Weber has revealed that by 2012 almost the full lineup will be available with a hybrid option, and that customers will also be able to opt for three-cylinder engines in certain models. The three-cylinder engines will be much lighter than current four-cylinder designs, not to mention a whole lot more fuel efficient.

Weber went on to reveal that Mercedes is currently looking for a partner to help develop the new three-cylinder engine and that some of the models it will appear in include the Smart ForTwo, A and B-Class and even the next-generation C-Class.

The U.S. market won’t likely see a three-cylinder C-Class for some time to come, however, there’s a strong chance that we will get a four-cylinder model in the not too distant future.

Mustang '5.0' fender badge to return with new 5.0L V8 for 2011?

2009-06-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Mustang is not just an iconic pony car or a retro-modern throw-back to simpler times. It's a fan-favorite performance vehicle that has a rabid and enthusiastic base of drivers, tuners and manufacturers behind it. So news of the return of the '5.0' badge to the front fender of the 2011 Mustang GT is likely to be met with a roar of approval.

Ford last stuck the 5.0 badge on the Mustang when it was last powered by a 5.0L V8. So now that the 5.0L Coyote V8 is expected to replace the current 4.6L V8, it makes sense that the 5.0 badge would return.

That logic is backed up by reports from a post at MustangSource who claims a Ford parts list contains an entry for the 2011 Mustang with the 5.0 fender badge.

Expect a badge familiar to fans and highly reminiscent of the badge used from 1979-1993 - chrome numbers with a red 'dot' between the 5 and the 0. But also expect it to get a modernized tweak, much like the running horse badge did for the 2010 Mustang.

Check out our article on the upcoming 3.7L V6 and 5.0L - possibly 400hp - V8 Coyote engine for the 2011 Mustang for more info.
Via: MustangBlog

Mercedes-Benz Promo

2009-06-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

This Mercedes-Benz promo video shows why an infrared night vision system on high-speed motorcycles may be a good idea

2009 MotoGP wallpaper

2009-05-31T06:35:00.000-07:00

As we wait for the Italian MotoGP to kick off at Mugello tomorrow, here are some pics - wallpaper for your PC's desktop - from the 2009 MotoGP season...

MEC Design adds sporty touch to the Mercedes Benz S-Class

2009-05-24T01:57:00.000-07:00

There's something about a lowered Mercedes Benz S-Class with a bodykit that just looks sinister, and while there are some examples out there that can seem downright cruel others, such as this example from MEC Design, are much more pleasing to the eye.

With one of the most comprehensive customization jobs we've seen in a while, the staff at MEC Design have not left one aspect of the S-Class’ exterior untouched, right down to their custom designed wheel spacers. The customization list begins with unique wheels that range from 18 to 22in and alone cost up to $13,000.

Other modifications include a custom front apron, a redesigned rear bumper, a new rear spoiler and side-skirts fitted with LED lights, which altogether will set you back $9,700. With the new bodykit in place the car already sits much lower to the ground than the stock version, but an electronic lowering module gets it another 70mm closer.

To match the new aggressive look, MEC Design also offers upgraded front and rear mufflers with a special 'Loud' option for the S63 AMG model. Customers can also opt to have the 155mph speed limiter removed, as well as uprated brakes and performance tires.

Finally, a smorgasbord of interior adjustments is available, including a rear desk and curtains. Other goodies include custom steering wheels and unique trim elements across the dash.

MEC Design Shows Off S-Class Bodykit

2009-04-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

The wicked chaps from MEC Design got their hands on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and created an amazing bodykit that adds style and makes it look much more aggressive. A 2face system allows you to choose between a front bumper with driving lights and fog lights or with just mesh, features a sporty (or elegant) diffuser, side skirts for flowing lines, LED lighting and a sport exhaust system made from mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing. With a charming interior that features some ergonomically designed handles and some precious wood inlays and leather, we’re definitely sold on this new S-Class bodykit. [Thanks Daren for sending this in]

2009-04-24T11:32:00.001-07:00

We’ve always been impressed with what tuners from Carlsson come up with, but the latest W212 E-Class Tuning Program definitely proves as a disappointment for us. Maybe it’s the 20-inch wheels or the side lines that got our negative vote, but bottom line we’re not going to buy it (as if we’d afford it - haha).

Expected to be showed off at the 2009 Bodensee Tuning World Auto Show in Germany, the “upgraded” W212 is going to feature a vertically-running LED daytime lights, a stainless steel mesh grille, a redesigned front apron, while the rear got an integrated diffuser, a spoiler and some interesting steel tailpipes. However, there is something we like about it. The interior. It features a set of brushed aluminum pedals, Alcantara leather, a white illuminated Carlsson logo and aluminum door locking pins that charm you at a first glance.

FAB Design Mercedes-Benz SLR

2009-04-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

With the SLR "Desire", FAB Design has once more demonstrated its competence in the field of high-end luxury car customization.

From the FAB Design high-performance engine which generates an unbelievable performance of 750hp and a maximum torque of 1,080Nm to the perfectly designed FAB Design interior - nearly any relevant part of the Mercedes super sports car has been customized and brought to perfection with the highest level of technical expertise by the FAB Design specialists.

Exterior

The FAB Design body which has been redesigned by the Swiss specialist for this very exquisite masterpiece is made of ultra sturdy but extremely light and precious carbon which is produced in an autoclave - as is the case in aerospace industry and in Formula 1 - and in accordance with highest quality standards. At several exposed spots, the material is even visible since it has been clear-varnished in order to set spectacular accents.

Apart from the front and rear fenders, it also comprises new and exclusive FAB Design side skirts with special recesses for the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system whose pipes come out on the vehicle’s sides as is the case with the standard SLR.

The completely redesigned motor sports front apron as well as the reshaped bonnet which is adapted to the style of the new front side and to the wider fenders are further exclusive FAB Design highlights.

Even though, compared to the standard SLR, the vehicle has gained considerably in width, once again, the FAB Design specialists have succeeded in creating an absolutely harmonious silhouette.

This is the reason why the FAB Design specialists had the idea of creating something very special for the vehicle’s rear end.

The rear panel, completely redesigned by FAB Design, frames a huge diffuser which reduces the lift force. At the same time, the optionally available FAB Design rear wing spoiler increases the down force at the rear axle without affecting the functionality of the brake assist inside the rear lid.

The result is a considerable improvement of driving dynamics and, thus, also of the driving safety at high and peak speeds which the FAB-Design "Desire" will reach in the twinkling of an eye thanks to its enormous engine performance.

The FAB Design specialists have achieved a further significant improvement of driving characteristics by installing their special sports suspension and by equipping the vehicle with huge forged FAB Design 20" wheels which are provided with special high-performance 265/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 tires by technology partner Michelin.

Interior

In the fist place, the interior equipment impresses with the way it harmonizes with the vehicle’s color. The interior is completely composed of black FAB DESIGN leather. The specially developed red FAB Design croco-style leather sets additional stylish accents. The FAB Design interior emphasizes the appearance of the "Desire" with race character and elegance.

Performance

In order to make sure that the FAB Design "Desire" will not be taken for a toothless tiger, the FAB Design specialists have focused all their expertise and experience on the super sports car’s power train.

Thanks to extensive modifications of the engine periphery and of the hard and software, the FAB Design high-performance power train now generates 750hp instead of the standard SLR’s 626hp. The maximum torque has been increased from 780Nm to 1,080Nm.

The result of all those efforts: The FAB Design "Desire" reaches a regulated top speed of 310 km/h and passes the 100 km/h mark in 3.6 seconds. This breathtaking demonstration of engine force is, of course, rounded off by the infernal sound of the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system’s total number of six tailpipes.

With the SLR "Desire", FAB Design has made another impressive statement of its special class in the field of high-end luxury car customization.

Unfortunately, FAB Design has limited the number of vehicles strictly to 15, and, although it was shown in Geneva only, the whole production is already sold out.

AMG Sports package for the 2009 S-Class and the CL-Class

2009-04-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

Now that Mercedes has unveiled the updated 2010 S-Class sedan, it may need a new promotion to close out the 2009 models. So now Mercedes is offering a AMG Sports appearance package for this year’s remaining flagships.

Just like our S550 tester, the package has the 19 inch AMG light-alloy wheels and a little extra flair in the bodywork. The AMG package also includes a new front apron, rear apron, rectangular tailpipe trim in polished stainless steel, , perforated brake discs and silver-painted brake callipers featuring Mercedes-Benz lettering.

Since the pricing has only been given so far in Euros (between €5,831 and €7973 — about $7750 to $10500), there has not been confirmation of the AMG package in the U.S. yet. But interested European customers can start looking like a full-size AMG Mercedes in June.

Facelifted Mercedes Benz S-Class brochure leaks

2009-04-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

The current generation Mercedes Benz S-Class and its associated AMG performance models have been on the market since the middle of the decade and are due to receive a minor update later this year to keep them fresh for their rivalry with the recently revealed BMW 7-series and next-generation Audi A8 arriving in 2010. Recent prototypes seen testing in Germany and the U.S. reveal that the only major exterior updates for the car are a set of new bumpers, new side mirrors, and revised headlights.

Scans of a brochure for the new car have surfaced on the Internet, revealing every detail and technological update, albeit in German. New LED headlights, shown clearly in the scans, will be among the updates. The thin strip of LEDs serves to give the front end of the car a more modern look without spoiling the car's reserved lines with a garish grille or extra-large intakes.

Some of the other new features were previewed recently at an event in Leipzig, including driver assistance systems, advanced radar and camera based sensing technology, intelligent situational awareness software, and electronic crumple zones.

As for the new car’s powertrain lineup, most engine options will likely remain the same, but there will be a few new models, including the S400 Bluehybrid.

Image Gallery: 2010 Mercedes Benz S-Class facelift

A FAB Design SLR supercar named Desire

2009-04-15T12:59:00.001-07:00

Specialist Mercedes Benz tuner FAB Design has already taken on the controversial Maybach 57S limousine this year, but now the company has revealed its most astonishing work to date - this time on the Mercedes McLaren SLR supercar.

The most striking aspect of the FAB Design SLR 'Desire' at first would have to be its wild Batmobile-esque appearance at the front, as well as the extensive aerodynamic modifications at the rear and side. The redesigned body has been manufactured out of carbon-fiber, and certain parts of it remain unpainted to give onlookers a taste of what lies beneath the usual paint.

Apart from the front and rear fenders, it also comprises new side skirts with special recesses for the custom high-performance sports exhaust system whose six - yes, six - exhaust pipes come out on the vehicle's sides as is the case with the standard SLR. The completely redesigned front apron as well as the reshaped bonnet, which is adapted to the style of the new front and to the wider fenders, also helps complete the look.

At the rear, a completely redesigned rear panel houses a huge diffuser that helps improve underbody downforce in conjunction with a giant rear wing spoiler. According to FAB Design, this results in significantly improved driving dynamics, and when coupled with other upgrades such as an improved suspension system and sports tires the SLR Desire should prove to be more agile than its standard counterpart.

Finally, the 'piece de resistance' of the entire vehicle would have to lay under the hood. Thanks to extensive modifications of the engine, the FAB Design powertrain now generates 750hp instead of the standard SLR's 626hp. The maximum torque has been increased from 780Nm to 1,080Nm. The result is that the new SLR "Desire" reaches a regulated top speed of 19 2mph (310 km/h) and passes the 62mph (100km/h) mark in just 3.6 seconds.

The production run for the car has been limited to 15 units, and despite only being shown at last month's Geneva Motor Show the entire run has already been sold out.

Image Gallery: FAB Design Mercedes-McLaren SLR 'Desire'

Mercedes Benz releases AMG sports pack for new S-Class and CL Coupe

2009-04-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Having already unveiled its facelifted S-Class Sedan at last week’s New York Auto Show, Mercedes Benz released today new images of the svelte saloon wrapped in the carmaker’s latest AMG styling package. The package includes a number features not available individually and provides a stepping stone for customers between the standard models and the full-blown S63 and S65 AMG models.

Joining the S-Class AMG kit is a similar package for the CL Coupe, both of which marks the first time that there is an AMG sports pack for these respective models. The packs are available for all S-Class models with a short or long wheelbase, as well as for the CL550 and CL550 4MATIC.

They consist of an AMG front apron with large cooling air intakes, new side skirts and a custom rear bumper. The exhaust tailpipes are also unique, feature a twin, rectangular design and finished in polished stainless steel.

Image Gallery: AMG sports pack for the Mercedes Benz S-Class and CL Coupe

Other details include the completely newly designed 19in AMG light-alloy wheels (optional 20in units are available), which are painted in sterling silver with a high-sheen finish and are shod with 255mm tires. Wider 275mm tires are available for the rear wheels. Perforated brake discs and silver-painted calipers bearing the Mercedes Benz logo are also fitted, as well as a suspension lowering kit that drops the car 15mm.

Inside, the AMG package includes new trim, as well as a wood and leather lined steering wheel in black ash. The AMG Sports package also includes velour floor mats with AMG lettering and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs.

Mercedes Benz previews SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ with new sketches & interior shots

2009-04-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

The successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing (and replacement for the SLR) has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany’s Nurburgring test circuit for several months now, but what only a select few knew is that the car is being developed completely in-house by Mercedes’ official tuner, AMG. Thus, the brand new model will be called the SLS AMG when it hits showrooms in the first half of next year.

In the lead up to its final unveiling, planned for later this year, Mercedes has released a ton of info on the car, including several images of actual prototypes and technical drawings. As the successor to the legendary SL Gullwing from the 1950s, the new SLS AMG will also feature gullwing doors but picks up a new aluminum spaceframe to provide an almost perfect front-to-rear weight distribution of 48-to-52%.

Powering the SLS will be a revised version of AMG’s now-familiar 6.2L V8 mated to an all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted on the rear axle. Peak output will stand at 571hp (420kW) and 479lb-ft (650Nm) of torque. Changes to the engine include a new magnesium intake with eight separate velocity stacks, two electronically controlled throttle plates, a high-flow exhaust and a new dry-sump lubrication system.

The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. The SLS’s final kerb weight will be around 1,620kg, and with the V8 engine it should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 315km/h.

As for the new dual-clutch gearbox, the unit was developed by AMG and boasts fast gear changes with no loss of tractive force. The driver has a choice of four different driving modes, ranging from comfortable to extremely sporty, as well as a ‘RACESTART’ function. The suspension set-up is equally advanced, with double wishbones and hub carriers made of lightweight forged aluminum. Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic discs, and these are mounted within 19in light-alloy wheels.

The car’s dimensions have also been revealed, measuring in at 4.65m in length, 1.95m across and just 1.25m in height. The wheelbase stretches just 2.7m. Previous renderings give us a clue as to what the new car could look like, showing a vented bonnet and a new headlight design not seen on any previous Mercedes models.

Furthermore, new shots of the interior show a familiar Mercedes steering wheel and a unique dash fitted with silver accented controls similar to that used in the current SLR supercar. Another interesting feature is the retro styled air-vents, which look similar to the units used by Mercedes Benz during the 1970s. The COMAND system knob located on the center console is also identical to the units used by other Mercedes models.

Premium materials abound on every surface, with materials such as nappa leather, solid metal and (optional) carbon-fiber facings emphasizing the ‘custom-built’ nature of the car. Seating will be strictly limited to two.

The price of the SLS is expected to be roughly $300,000 with production numbers likely to fall between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year. This should see it compete nicely with cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430.

Image Gallery: 2011 Mercedes Benz SLS official spy photos

Images of Mercedes' facelifted S63 and S65 AMG sedans

2009-04-15T12:28:00.004-07:00

Executive limo accommodations, supercar power and sleeper-no-more looks are the key ingredients to Mercedes Benz's newly facelifted pair of S-Class AMG sedans. Photos leaked today reveal both the S63 and S65 AMG sedans in full - if somewhat low-resolution - detail.

Little information has been released, though much can be gleaned from the photos, accidentally unleashed by Mercedes' own German-language site. LED accents abound, with the high-tech illumination powering daytime running lights, fog lights and tail lights. Inside it's the usual array of fine wood, leather, high-grade plastics and reserved color combinations.

Expect the same engine underhood as the current cars, since this is just a mid-cycle freshening. That means the S63 will be cranking 518hp (386kW) from its 6.2L V8 mill, while the S65's 6.0L V12 will spin up to 604hp (450kW) and 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) of torque. All that twist necessitates use of a 5-speed automatic transmission instead of the 7-speed unit found in the S63.

Image Gallery: 2010 Mercedes Benz S63 and S65 AMG sedans

More info and full high-res photos will come upon the cars' full reveal at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, which kicks off later this month, but pricing, features, and other elements are expected to remain the same as the currently offered model.

RS5 and M3 rejoice – Mercedes Benz has "no immediate plans" for AMG E-Class Coupe

2009-04-15T12:28:00.003-07:00

We've already seen the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG Sedan make its debut at the recent New York Auto Show, as well as the new E-Class Coupe at last month’s Geneva event, but it appears that unfortunately these two desirable models will not be converging into an E63 AMG Coupe - for now anyway.

The news comes from a Mercedes spokesman, who confirmed to Edmunds that the luxury carmaker has "no immediate plans to offer an AMG version" of the new E-Class Coupe. This means that Mercedes will sell the 2010 E550 (E500) Coupe as the flagship E-Class model, rather than an AMG variation.

The E550 will be using a 5.5L petrol V8 churning out 382hp (285kW) and 390lb-ft (530Nm) of torque - not unimpressive, but still a far cry from the hand-built 6.2L AMG V8 engine used in the E63 AMG Sedan. In the Sedan, the AMG V8 makes up to 518hp (386kW) and 465lb-ft (630Nm), and all that thrust is funneled through a newly developed seven-speed MCT dual-clutch transmission. This is sees the E63 Sedan accelerate from a standstill to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds - a figure that could likely be improved upon if ever seen in coupe form.

While the news doesn't fare well for those looking for a Mercedes-branded alternative to the BMW M3 and upcoming Audi RS5, anonymous sources are claiming that the decision not to sell a AMG E-Class Coupe is not fixed, and that if demand exists for the car then it will come eventually.

Whether or not there is any substance in these claims remains to be seen, but for the time being potential Mercedes customers will have to be content with the E550 kitted out with an optional AMG Sports package (which consists of an aero body kit, AMG alloy wheels, upgrade tires, sports suspension and improved brakes) as the closest they will get to outdoing the M3 in the carpark of the golf club.

Image Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-class Coupe Official

New York Auto Show Mercedes Benz will showcase production ML450 Hybrid

2009-04-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

Next week’s New York Auto Show will see the debut of three brand new Mercedes Benz models, as well as the U.S. debuts of the 2010 model year E-Class Sedan and Coupe. The trio of world firsts includes the recently revealed E63 AMG performance saloon, a facelifted GL-Class, and the production version of the ML450 Hybrid SUV.

Set to join the S400 BlueHybrid sedan in showrooms later this year, the new ML450 Hybrid will arrive as a 2010 model and is claimed to offer similar performance to the V8-powered ML550. The ML450 Hybrid will be based on the concept version unveiled at 2007’s Frankfurt Motor Show and will come with a 3.5L petrol V6 mated to an electric motor.

The system is the same one found in the S400 BlueHybrid, which means power comes from a 279hp (205kW) 3.5L V6 engine and a 20hp (15kW) electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries. Fuel efficiency gains are made through a combination of technologies, including stop-start functionality, which helps to cut fuel use while standing still at traffic lights or jams. Around town the ML450 Hybrid will also be able to cruise on electric power alone for short distances and low speeds.

But improved efficiency isn't the only effect the hybrid system has - it can also boost performance for brief periods. By kicking in the electric motor's full 118lb-ft (160Nm) of torque as the fuel-intensive acceleration phase kicks in, it speeds take-off while minimizing fuel use. Regenerative braking helps to maximize efficiency and recapture energy that would otherwise be lost. All of the operation of the hybrid system is displayed for the driver's convenience in a single display in the instrument cluster.

More details, including actual fuel-economy estimates, should be released at the car’s unveiling at next week’s show.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID

2010 Ford Mustang GT to the Streets of Houston

2009-03-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

Vehicle: 2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium

Price-as-tested: $35,470

Major equipment: 4.6L 3V OHC V8 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, Premium trim package ($395 option), 19″ wheels ($1,095 option), Safety Package ($395 option), Comfort group ($595 option), Glass roof ($1,995 option)

In the fleet: 1/29/2009 - 2/5/2009

Approximate mileage driven: 430

Birthdays. I celebrated my twenty-first by drinking until I fell over, and my insurance company celebrated my twenty-fifth by cutting my rate a few bucks — but I haven’t felt much like celebrating my thirtieth, which happened this past month. Still, the past twenty-nine years haven’t been short of good (or bad) times, particularly with regards to cars. On nearly any given day of the week during my high school years, I spent at least a couple of hours a day wrenching on cars with my friends. One friend had a beautiful red ‘68 Mustang with a 351 Windsor engine and the transmission out of a ‘91 Mustang LX 5.0 in it. Another had a ‘69 Mach One, complete with shaker hood and the original 3-speed manual transmission. Somewhere between the time spent under those hoods and the nights running down the Houston freeways, I became a real Mustang fan.

When I left high school, I put away my wrenches, went to work, and started appreciating other aspects of performance automobiles: finely finished interiors, refined styling, handling. The Mustangs of the time never embodied any of these qualities, so I could never convince myself to buy one. Though Ford made great strides in performance and quality with the 2005-2009 S197 Mustangs, I still felt there was room for improvement. The dashboards were still made of plastics that resembled my kitchen cutting boards, and the handling remained sloppy at best when corners were thrown into the mix. Even with those flaws, however, the S197 gave me some hope that there might someday be another Mustang to capture my heart the way the old cars did. Perhaps it was divine intervention that a 2010 Mustang GT was to be delivered to me for evaluation the week of my 30^th birthday, because if there was ever a pony car to rekindle an old flame, this is the one.

At first glance, the 2010 Mustang GT might appear to be nothing more than a slight design refresh of the S197, but a closer examination tells the truth: these are big changes. On the outside, the styling of the 2010 Mustang GT has been substantially updated, sharing only the roof panel with the 2009 model. The new headlamps, which feature integrated turn indicators, hearken back to the Mustang of the early 70’s, while a redrawn rear quarter-panel and fender line pays tribute to the 1969 Mustang Fastback that I so loved. All this is topped off by a new “Power Dome” hood that gives the 2010 Mustang a much more muscular look than its predecessor. This new beauty isn’t just skin deep, with Ford citing a seven percent reduction in drag, and a 23 percent reduction of front end lift from the updated sheetmetal.

On the inside, nearly every bit of the Mustang’s interior has been reworked, with the only carry-over being the door cards and other very minor pieces of trim. The rental grade two-piece dashboard and center stack is gone, replaced with a very clean looking one-piece dashboard and instrument panel complete with new HVAC vents and an updated gauge cluster. All the hard plastics of the dashboard and center console have been replaced with high grade soft touch materials. Center stack controls feature the high quality HVAC and radio controls that have made their appearance on other recently updated Ford products, and are very easy to use.

NVH is way down from the S197, thanks to strategic additions of sound padding and revised window seals. It’s so quiet that ford actually pumps engine sounds into the cabin by way of a “loud-tube”, similar to the arrangement in the BMW Z4. This loud-tube connects the intake to the firewall and delivers the smooth sounds of the Mustang’s V8 to the occupants while keeping annoying road noise out.

Though I didn’t care for the bright red leather seats or steering wheel of our test car, I really did enjoy the glass roof option. The glass roof covers nearly the entire passenger seating area, and really adds a nice touch to the already high class interior. Ford says this glass roof panel only adds 24 pounds to the weight of the Mustang, but at $1,995 it becomes an expensive alternative to a traditional sunroof. If you aren’t a convertible kind of person but love natural light, this is a great compromise.

Once out on the road, I immediately noticed significant improvements to the Mustang’s ride and handling. For 2010, Ford has updated the suspension on the Mustang with firmer springs, larger stabilizer bars, and recalibrated shock absorbers. Ford has also added a strut tower bar for models equipped with the optional 19″ wheel and tire package to increase chassis stiffness.

These improvements result in a far more neutral handling car than the old model, and significantly less body roll. Even though our test car was equipped with all-season Pirelli performance tires, the car seemed to have much more pavement bite than the old car with ultra high performance summer tires.

Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control is now standard, and offers a sport mode that allows you a bit more freedom to kick the tail out. Because our tester was not equipped with the optional TrackPack, there was no way to defeat the electronic nanny completely.

About the only area where Ford really hasn’t done much to improve the 2010 Mustang is under the hood. The 4.6L V8 is pretty much a direct carryover from the previous car, with the exception of a cold-air intake setup and a heaver crank damper that increases the redline by 250 RPM; both of which were borrowed from the 2009 Bullitt Mustang. The result is a very mild power increase of 15 horsepower to 315. Peak torque has been increased by 5 lb-ft to 325, but isn’t found until a rather lofty 4,250 RPM.

As with the old car, the 2010 Mustang certainly has enough power to get the job done, but rather ironically, the chassis is ahead of the engine. The competition is ahead (the Challenger R/T has 375-plus horsepower, and the Camaro 2SS is expected to clear 400), so I have to wonder what Ford has up their sleeves. Another 50 or so horsepower would make the Mustang damn near perfect. There might be hope just over the horizon though, as rumors of the return of a 5.0 liter V8 in the Mustang are spreading through the enthusiast community like wildfire. Ford has denied all rumors of the new engine, but common sense says that Ford isn’t going to let their iconic car get overshadowed by the upcoming Camaro.

By spending money where it counts, Ford has massaged an aging platform into a true performer. Ford has also given interior-quality fetishists that much less to complain about by updating the Mustang’s interior to be a contender for best in class. All things considered, the 2010 Mustang GT is a vast improvement over the outgoing model, and really needs more than a casual glance to appreciate all the changes.

I absolutely loved everything about the Mustang, and driving it reminded me what it was like to feel young and invincible again. This is THE Mustang that has made me fall in love with the brand all over again. Sure cars like the R8 and Viper are a blast to drive, but they are fantasy cars to me. The new Mustang is a dream car that is easily within reach to me and most Americans. That said, a new Mustang is certainly in my future when it comes time to add a garage mate to my Audi TT sometime in 2010. Not only can I not wait to drive one again, I can’t wait to finally own one.

A3W Motiv: Julien Rondino’s three-wheeled concept bike

2009-03-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Pics: Julien Rondino, via Ottonero

We had earlier written about Nick Dagostino’s three-wheeled Hayabusa (which is not a regular trike…) here, and now here’s French designer Julien Rondino’s three-wheeled motorcycle concept – the A3W Motiv.

We’ve written to Julien, asking him for more details on the bike. But for now, what we know is that the bike has been designed around KTM’s 999cc LC8 v-twin. The chassis seems to be a mix of cast aluminium and steel tube sections and the bike is packed with interesting bits – hub-centre steering, adjustable ergonomics and Buell-style perimeter brakes.

Why three wheels instead of two? Umm… we’ll have to wait for Julien to get back to us on that one…

New Benz Car - 2010 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG spied again

2009-03-19T18:58:00.002-07:00

The new 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class has again been spotted in testing but this time the prototype is for the high-performance AMG version. The images were taken near the carmaker’s headquarters in Germany and reveal the final details of the car, with only the front-end being masked by black camouflage material.

A giveaway that this is the AMG version is the exposed rear bumper with quad tailpipes. Other details include perforated brake discs with oversized calipers.

Mercedes and its AMG engineers have been testing prototypes for the E-Class extensively – even recruiting former McLaren F1 ace Mika Häkkinen and race driver Klaus Ludwig to fine tune the upcoming car.

Just as the company did with the recently revealed SL facelift range, the new AMG version of the E-Class should be launched within a few months of the regular sedan. However, the Estate wagon variant isn’t likely to be unveiled for at least another year after that.

Despite current concerns about global warming and a possible end to the horsepower war between Germany’s in-house tuners, the new E63 Estate will continue with the potent hand-built 6.2L V8, although the rest of the car’s mechanical package is expected to have been given a major makeover. Power has been bumped up to 525hp (392kW). Engineers will be focusing more on improve handling and chassis strength, borrowing a number of features from the new C63 AMG.

The sporty AMG wagon is also tipped to receive a widened front track and unique steering ratio compared to the regular E-Class as well as a MacPherson strut and multi-link active suspension.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG revealing spy shots

New Car 2009 - Kicherer Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2009-03-19T18:58:00.001-07:00

Kicherer Mercedes E-Class: E-Plus

The Mercedes tuners are impatiently kicking their heels and wanting to get their hands on the new E-Class. A first draft has now come from the Kicherer company.

The tuning company from the Bodensee has increased the performance of the current top E500 model from 388 to 430 PS. With the increased performance of the V-max down control which is included in the price the vehicle should be able to race well over 250 km per hour. Those who value optimum dynamics can not only obtain an electronic lowering of the vehicle but also a mechanical limited slip differential complete with a variable barrier effect of between 20 and 80 procent from Kicherer.

Moreover with these alterations Kicherer has reduced the gear transmission ratio. The maximum speed does suffer from this a little. The acceleration capacity, however, is improved. Only 4.8 seconds (standard: 5.2 seconds) are supposedly needed to go from 0 to 100 Km per hour. Kicherer has, of course, also improved the optics of the vehicle: with extra parts made of carbon fibre, 20 inch forged wheels and many other possibilities for upgrading the interior.

High resolution Kicherer Mercedes-Benz E-Class images

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2009-03-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic. Back to the 1970s again...

Pics: Motoblog

Moto Guzzi have released more pics of the 2009-spec V7 Café Classic, Griso 8V and Nevada 750. They don’t look much different from the 2008 models, but, then… these bikes could just as well be from the 1960s, 70s or 80s…

We won’t get into the poetic PR-speak issued by Moto Guzzi, but here’s a quick look at the tech specs of each bike. The V7 Café Classic is fitted with Guzzi’s 744cc transverse v-twin that makes 49 horsepower and 55Nm of torque. The gearbox is a five-speed unit, the chassis is double-cradle tubular steel, the bike rides on 18-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) wheels and dry weight is 182 kilos. Brakes are Brembo items – single 320mm disc at front, with four-piston callipers, and 260mm disc at the back, with single-piston calliper.

Of all the bikes Guzzi make today, this - the Griso 8V - is the one to have!

Next up is the Moto Guzzi Griso 8V Special Edition, which is powered by an air-cooled 8-valve 1,150cc transverse v-twin that makes 110bhp at 7,500rpm and 108Nm of torque at 6,400rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and top speed is around 230km/h. The front fork is a 43mm USD number, while the adjustable rear shock is from Boge. Brakes are Bembo – twin 320mm discs at front, with radial-mount four-piston callipers. The bike rides on 17-inch wheels, shod with Pirelli Scorpion tyres, and dry weight is 222kg. With its blend of café-racer styling, powerful engine and high-spec suspension, this, in our opinion, is definitely the pick of the current Guzzi crop…

The 2009 Moto Guzzi Nevada 750. Yucky...!

And finally, the worst motorcycle that Guzzi make – the Nevada 750. It looks like a Japanese-made Harley-clone from the 1980s and we can’t imagine who would want such a machine. The bike is powered by the same 744cc engine that does duty on the V7, but rides on 18-inch (front) and 16-inch (rear) wheels. The gearbox is a five-speed unit, the bike weighs 182kg dry and as for the rest, really, who cares!

The coolest Guzzi ever? For us, it has to be this 850 Le Mans III from the 1980s. How can a company that made something that looks like this, also make the crappy looking Nevada 750...?!?

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Facelift.

2009-03-18T19:14:00.002-07:00

Along with the rest of the M-Class range, Mercedes-Benz also revamped the top-of-the-class, ML 63 AMG.

Along with the new headlamps, the 2009 ML 63 AMG features a new front apron, a redesigned AMG-specific radiator grille painted in high-gloss black, LED tail-lights with clear-glass look if the optional bi-xenon headlamps are specified, new 20-inch 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels and a new rear apron with integrated reflectors. The larger exterior mirrors as well as the standard-fit aluminium-look roof rails add the finishing touches to the styling modifications.

The new AMG ergonomic steering wheel with the aluminum shift paddles stands out in the interior of the 2009 ML 63 AMG. Like the rest of the range, the ML 63 AMG also benefits from higher quality materials and a new telematics generation in the cabin.There are no mechanical changes as the 209 ML 63 AMG continued to be equipped with a 510 Hp 6.3-liter V8 engine matted to a SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with three drive modes. The ML 63 AMG accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.0 sec while its top speed is electronically limited at 250 km/h (155 mph).

Geneva Auto Show 2009: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

2009-03-18T19:14:00.001-07:00

The Geneva Motor Show will see the comeback of an intriguing product idea when Mercedes-Benz presents the Coupé range in the new E-Class. Just three months after the presentation of the Saloon, the brand is therefore launching a new highlight in the new model series while continuing a tradition that has repeatedly met with great enthusiasm throughout the history of the E-Class.

The new E-Class Coupé offers a very special combination of two attributes for which the Mercedes brand is known: fascination and efficiency. With its classic coupé side aspect – no B-pillars and fully retractable side windows – the new two-door car is a particularly sporty interpretation of the E-Class's dynamic design. At the same time the most aerodynamic variant of the Coupés achieves a new world best in terms of drag coefficient: with a Cd-figure of just 0.24, this model is the world's most aerodynamically efficient series-production car. The model programme includes two new 4-cylinder engines, which consume up to 17% less fuel whilst offering a significant increase in performance and torque. The new E-Class Coupé's standard-fit AGILITY CONTROL suspension adjusts automatically to the current driving situation. It combines driving enjoyment and excellent handling with the maximum comfort. The new E-Class Coupé will be in the showrooms of the European Mercedes-Benz dealerships and company-owned sales outlets at the beginning of May 2009.

The new Coupé offers all the technical innovations of the new E-Class series that one might expect to find in a sports-oriented luxury coupé. These include selective damper control, drowsiness detection, preventive occupant protection and the Active Bonnet. As a feature specific to the Coupé, the Dynamic Driving package allows different suspension setups at the touch of a button. Adaptive Main Beam Assist, road sign recognition and an automatic emergency braking system are other features with which the new series sets standards in this vehicle category.

The E-Class also takes on a pioneering role in the drive sector. The new diesels and direct-injection petrol engines combine efficiency with an effortless power delivery. The engine line-up includes two new four-cylinder models which deliver significantly more power and torque while consuming up to 17 percent less fuel. The best example is the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé, which consumes 5.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and emits 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre, making it one of the most economical vehicles in its class.

The exemplary, low fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements, plus the very decisive factor of outstanding aerodynamics .

Design which expresses passion and effortless superiority

The design of the new two-door model includes traditional styling elements which give Mercedes-Benz Coupés their unmistakable identity: for example the side windows, which are not interrupted by a B-pillar and are fully retractable. Another hallmark of Mercedes Coupé design is the sports radiator grille with the large central star. At the same time, however, the new model points the way to the future with an exciting, contemporary design idiom.

At the same time the Coupé shows its close family resemblance to the E-Class
Saloon. This is shown by the 'twin-headlamp face', with rhomboid contours but somewhat sportier, sharper treatment for a more dynamic and incisive look. Another design feature which the Coupé shares with the Saloon is the powerful contour of the rear wing - a styling cue which also gave the S 220 "Ponton" Coupé of 1955 its athletic appearance.

Although it shares family traits with the Saloon, the Coupé has its own, distinct identity characterised by effortless superiority and a greater sense of passion. The arrow shape of the entire front section from front bumper to radiator to bonnet, the more extreme interpretation of the twin headlamp face and its more sinewy build give it a racier and more dynamic presence.

Newly developed seats with a sporty design

The seats of the E-Class Coupé are new developments whose design and techno-logy reflect the sporty nature of this two-door Mercedes. They are electrically adjustable for seat height and backrest angle as standard. The high, sports car-like seat backrests have a practical Easy-Entry function to make access and egress easier for rear-seat passengers. In conjunction with electric seat adjustment with memory (an optional extra), the front seats are equipped with electropneumatically adjustable four-way lumbar supports; these are able to provide anatomically favourable support for the lower spine, which further improves seating comfort.

Luxury seats with leather upholstery and active ventilation are available as optional extras, as are newly developed multicontour seats with inflatable air chambers in the front seat cushions as well as in the centre and side bolsters of the backrests. Two comfortable individual seats are available for the rear passengers. These feature backrests which can be folded down individually or together to increase the capacity of the luggage compartment.

Engines: fuel consumption down by 17 percent

The diesel in the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé is the top-of-the-range unit in the new generation of Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder engines, which are notable for features such as two-stage turbocharging, precise piezo injectors and the latest common-rail technology. The engine has an output of 150 kW/204 hp and develops a maximum torque of 500 newtonmetres which is available from just 1600 rpm. This means that it is some 36 percent more powerful than the four-cylinder diesel in the preceding model yet consumes 17 percent less fuel: 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption, provisional figure). This corresponds to a carbon dioxide emission level of 138 grams per kilometre.

The turbocharged V6 diesel engine with common-rail direct injection remains in the line-up. Fitted in the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé, it develops 170 kW/231 hp (previously: 165 kW/224 hp) and consumes 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) in the NEDC cycle. Its carbon-dioxide emissions are 179 grams per kilometre.

Two new petrol engines with direct injection

Mercedes-Benz has also chosen to move over to direct-injection technology for its petrol engines. Once again, the E-Class Coupé points the way: the powerplant at work under the bonnet of the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé is a newly developed four-cylinder direct-injection unit with 150 kW/204 hp and a five-speed automatic transmission as standard. This engine makes do with 7.0 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption, provisional figure). CO2 emissions are 164 grams per kilometre. This is some 13 percent less than the figure for the previous four-cylinder engine (135 kW/184 hp) with conventional fuel injection.

Mercedes-Benz has replaced the previous V6 petrol engine with the world's first six-cylinder unit featuring spray-guided direct petrol injection in the new E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé. This engine develops 215 kW/292 hp – an extra 15 kW/20 hp – and consumes about 14 percent less fuel than the previous V6 engine: its combined NEDC consumption per 100 kilometres is just 8.5 litres. This corresponds to 199 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

In the top-of-the-range model, the E 500 Coupé, the muscular V8 engine with 285 kW/388 hp and 530 newtonmetres of torque offers the performance characteristics of a sports car. Mercedes engineers have enhanced details of the eight-cylinder unit, reducing the fuel consumption (compared to the preceding model) by 0.5 litres to 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption). All the engines in the new E-Class Coupés meet the EU5 exhaust emission standard.

Safety: sensors, radar and cameras for safe driving

The safety systems newly developed for the E-Class are based on accident research findings; they can make a valuable contribution to enabling safe, accident-free driving, improving vehicle occupant protection and, moreover, helping to increase the safety of other road users. These trend-setting developments are also available for the new E-Class Coupé, or are included in its standard equipment. Based on highly sensitive sensors, cameras and radar systems, they turn this two-door model into an "intelligent partner" able to see, feel and react reflexively in critical situations and, if necessary, act independently if the danger of an accident is acute.

Drowsinessis one of the most common causes of accidents on motorways. This is why Mercedes experts have developed the ATTENTION ASSIST system which forms part of the standard equipment of the new E-Class Coupé. As the vehicle is being driven, the system continuously evaluates more than 70 different parameters in order to identify driver drowsiness and provide a warning before the dangerous microsleep phase begins. Observing the driver’s steering behaviour has proved to be a particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research by Mercedes engineers have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors which they often correct very rapidly in a characteristic way. This steering behaviour is recognised by a special steering angle sensor.

Also fitted as standard is the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system - a Mercedes invention which has received a number of awards and which is not offered by any other vehicle in this class. If there is an immediate danger of an accident occurring, the system activates protective measures for the driver and front passenger as a precaution so that the seat belts and airbags can provide their full protective effect on impact. This warning of an impending accident is possible because PRE-SAFE® uses the sensors of the Brake Assist system and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) to identify potentially critical dynamic handling situations.

Adaptive Main Beam Assist for the best possible road illumination

Like the Saloon, the new E-Class Coupé also offers the latest lighting technology. The headlamps adjust continuously to the current driving situation and react automatically to offer the driver the best possible degree of road illumination at all times. This task is taken care of by the Adaptive Main Beam Assist function: a camera fitted on the inside of the windscreen allows the system to detect oncoming vehicles/vehicles in front and automatically controls the headlamps to prevent the other road users from being dazzled. As a result, the range of the dipped-beam headlamps can increase from the current norm of 65 metres to as much as 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gradual transition to high-beam mode.

Adaptive Main Beam Assist is based on the bi-xenon headlamps, which Mercedes-Benz offers in combination with LED daytime driving lights.

Automatic emergency braking when a collision is imminent

The well-proven assistance systems from the S-Class which help to prevent rear-end collisions are now available for the E-Class Coupé, too. They use long and short-range radar sensors to monitor the traffic situation ahead of the vehicle and warn the driver if there is a risk of an accident. Mercedes-Benz combines these technologies in the DISTRONIC PLUSsystem; along with the proximity control system - which automatically maintains the Coupé at a set distance from the vehicle in front and can brake it to a standstill if required by the traffic situation - this comprises Brake Assist PLUS and the PRE-SAFE® Brake.

Brake Assist PLUS intervenes if there is suddenly a very rapid reduction in the distance. In this situation, the system warns the driver and almost instantaneously calculates the degree of braking assistance necessary to prevent a collision. This brake force is available immediately the driver depresses the brake pedal. Depending on the speed and distance, it allows controlled braking to a defined point or - if necessary - emergency braking.

The PRE-SAFE® Brake goes a step further and automatically brakes the E-Class if there is imminent danger of a collision and the driver does not react to the warnings. This can reduce the severity of an impact considerably, as the system can be regarded as something like an "electronic crumple zone" which offers the occupants an even greater degree of safety.

Most comprehensive array of safety features in this vehicle category

With seven standard-fit airbags, belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all seats, as well as crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger, the new E-Class Coupé offers the most comprehensive array of safety features in this vehicle category. The range of airbags, which can deploy in thousandths of a second in an accident, comprises front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag for the driver and windowbags. Rear sidebags are available as an optional extra.

The front crumple zone has four independent impact planes which allow the forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell. Furthermore, increased use of extra-high-strength steel alloys helps the vehicle body to withstand high impact loads. In fact, particularly strong grades of steel like this account for about two thirds of all the sheet metal used in the bodyshell of the E-Class Coupé.

An Active Bonnet, which forms part of the standard equipment, is the latest development to result from Mercedes-Benz's long-standing and successful commitment to pedestrian protection. In the event of an impact, a system of springs raises the rear section of the bonnet by 50 millimetres within a fraction of a second, thereby increasing the available deformation space. A special feature of the Mercedes system is its reversible mechanism which allows the driver to reset the Active Bonnet without having to visit a workshop.

Comfort: advanced technology for a new driving experience

Along with safety, comfort has always been one of the outstanding qualities of the E-Class. Here, too, the Coupé lives up to the high standard set by the Saloon and demonstrates further noticeable progress, especially with regard to ride, seating and climate comfort. Another important comfort factor is the generous interior space, which Mercedes engineers created by increasing both the length and width of the vehicle body by 46 millimetres. This resulted in the distance between the front and rear seat reference points - an important dimension for the occupants' freedom of movement - increasing by ten millimetres to 789 mm while the elbow width improved by up to 49 millimetres, compared to the preceding model.

High standard of ride comfort through selective damper control

The new E-Class Coupé's standard-fit AGILITY CONTROL suspension adjusts automatically to the current driving situation. In order to provide the best possible ride comfort, this system reduces the damping during normal driving but immediately applies the maximum damping force during dynamic cornering or sudden evasive manoeuvres. This ensures optimum stabilisation of the Coupé.

As an alternative to the standard-fit AGILITY CONTROL suspension which is set up for comfort, a variant with a sportier damper response and more direct steering – the AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension – is available as an optional extra. To meet the requirements of even more demanding drivers, Mercedes-Benz has developed a dynamic handling package with an electronically controlled damping system. This processes sensor data about the current driving situation and adjusts the shock absorbers separately for each wheel. Furthermore, the driver can switch between two drive modes - Comfort and Sport - which make corresponding adjustments to the suspension set-up, accelerator response and the shift points of the automatic transmission. A newly developed speed-sensitive sports steering system with a more direct ratio and variable centring is also included in the dynamic handling package.

In order to allow a comparison of suspension characteristics, Mercedes engineers have developed the body index - a composite formula which is calculated from the readings for various typical driving manoeuvres. The body index is an indi-cation of how well the suspension is linked to the body, how closely the car hugs the road and how nimble the handling is through fast bends. The higher the figure, the sportier - i.e. the firmer - the suspension characteristics.

The body index shows how the dynamic handling package is able to meet customers' requirements for dynamism and comfort in equal measure: the index figure of 2.06 attained in Sport mode is reduced to 1.89 - a typical level for a saloon - when Comfort mode is selected.

Individual climatic comfort at the touch of button

The newly developed luxury automatic climate control system regulates the temperature, volume and distribution of the air in three zones to meet the requirements of the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. What's more, for the first time, this optional THERMOTRONIC system allows the selection of different climatisation modes: the occupants can choose "Diffuse", "Medium" or "Focus" modes at the touch of a button in order to adapt the air volume and distribution to their personal preferences while still benefiting from the convenience and comfort of automatically regulated climate control. Fitted as standard in the E-Class Coupé, the THERMATIC two-zone automatic climate control has been enhanced to offer five percent more heating and cooling power than the version fitted in the predecessor model.

Infotainment system with colour display in the dashboard

The well-proven operating concept from the S-Class, comprising the multifunction steering wheel, Controller on the centre tunnel, colour display in the dash-board and direct selection buttons also offers the occupants of the new E-Class Coupé a very high standard of operating comfort.

The Controller puts all the functions of the advanced infotainment system - such as the radio, CD/DVDplayer, telephone and navigation system - at the fingertips of the driver and front passenger. The Audio 20 CD radio with eight loudspeakers, a CD player and a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone is fitted as standard. Customers who specify the optional COMAND APS multimedia system benefit from additional functions: a Europe-wide hard-disc navigation system, a DVDchanger, the Music Register (storage for about 1000 music tracks) and voice control with whole-word recognition. Further options for even greater listening pleasure are available in the form of a 500-watt surround sound system, a media interface for connecting external MP3 players and a tuner for digital radio reception.

Model range: individuality through variety

With an initial line-up of five engines, three suspension variants, a wide choice of colours, six different wheel/tyre combinations and many optional extras, the new E-Class Coupé offers plenty of scope for customers to turn their individual automotive dreams into reality. The basis for configuring the look and feel of the Coupé is provided by the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE interior concepts.

These not only offer different upholsteries and items of trim, but are complete configuration packages designed to create a harmonious atmosphere. Depending on the choice, the interior differs in its colour scheme and mix of materials to emphasise the elegant or progressive character of the Coupé.

The AMG Sports package, on the other hand, clearly focusses on agility and performance potential. AMG bodystyling includes the unmistakable contours of the AMG front apron with large air intakes, AMG side skirts and the expressive AMG rear apron with a black insert. High-sheen 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 6 twin-spoke design with wide-base tyres in size 235/40 R 18 at the front and 255/35 R 18 at the rear provide further highlights. The AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension with a stiffer spring, shock absorber and stabiliser setup is combined with large, perforated brake discs at the front, plus brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering. Perfect road contact is ensured by the sports speed-sensitive steering with a more direct ratio.

Striking interior features include upholstery in black ARTICO man-made leather. Leather or the particularly exclusive nappa leather is also available in a wide range of colours. Multicontour seats for the driver and front passenger provide the best possible adjustment to personal comfort preferences, thereby ensuring outstanding long-distance comfort.

With production limited to the first few months, the E-Class Coupé is also available as a Prime Edition series which particularly emphasises the new model's character with selected, high-grade features. Among the most eye-catching are the palladium silver metallic paint finish, a panoramic glass sliding roof and 18-inch AMG high-sheen light-alloy wheels painted in titanium grey. Inside, a designo-interior with two-tone designo leather upholstery, matching designo floor mats and a sports pedal cluster of brushed stainless steel rounds off the exclusive overall impression.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé can be ordered from 19 February. Prices in Germany (including 19 percent VAT):

E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 44,684.50 Euro
E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 48,671.00 Euro
E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 44,684.50 Euro
E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 51,408.00 Euro
E 500 Coupé: 66,045.00 Euro

Carlsson Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse: Luxury in Unexpected Dimensions

2009-03-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

Specialist automobile manufacturer Carlsson and Lifestyle Leather Brand Etienne Aigner develop a third model.
Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse powered by a 456 hp V8.
Special edition limited to 20 cars.

Exclusive automobile manufacturer Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH, and the luxury leather brand Etienne Aigner AG are proud to present the third model to emerge from their co-operative venture.

The Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse, based on the Mercedes-Benz GL 500, makes its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Salon. The Rascasse will be an exclusive limited edition of 20 cars.

Distinguished Exterior Design

The star qualities of this car are obvious at a glance. The striking two-tone paintwork, a hallmark of the Carlsson Aigner® range, confirms that the Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse is no ordinary luxury car.

Several coats of perfectly smooth, hand-rubbed Bordeaux Rouge metallic paint have been applied to just below the window line. Above this, rich black paint takes over with a thin, black coachline softening the transition between two shades. The visual marraige of these two contrasting yet complementary colours imparts a regal air to the Rascasse.

Adding to that presence is the Carlsson Aigner body styling kit consisting of wider wheel arches visually linked by side skirts. The front wings carry white illuminated Aigner logos. The door rubbing strips are colour-coded in black, which visually lengthens the car.

The nose of the Rascasse has been made more imposing with a new bonnet carrying two larger power domes. Under this, a new larger front grill and sub-grilles feature chromed wire mesh.

Additional driving and fog lights are set into the bumpers, stainless steel grids and LED daytime running lights are integrated into lower edge of the deeper front apron extension. All these elements give the Rascasse a much stronger face, reinforcing its already commanding presence.

The rear valence incorporates cut-outs for the four chromed exit pipes of the freer-flowing sports exhaust system. This is optimised for both lower backpressure and a throaty V8 soundtrack.

Apart from enhancing the look of the car, the front spoiler, side skirts and rear valence extensions are designed to help reduce aerodynamic drag and lift. All these parts are made from PU-RIM, the flexible material used by OE manufactures like Mercedes-Benz for their production bumpers.

PU is much more expensive than glass-fibre in small runs, but is lighter and has good low speed bump resilience. It also requires a much larger tooling investment, demonstrating Carlsson’s commitment to OE quality levels.

The 5,461cc, 48-valve, DOHC V8 motor has 388hp (285 kW) and 530Nm of torque in standard form. Carlsson’s proven conversion for this engine uses a free-flow exhaust system with metal catalytic converters, gas-flowed cylinder-heads, high-lift camshafts and a remapped ECU to boost output to 456 hp (335 kW) with 640Nm of torque.

Thus endowed, the Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse is the most powerful normally-aspirated GL in the world, accelerating from 0 to a hundred km/h in just 5.9 seconds. This compares to 6.5 sec for the standard GL500.

To help transmit this extra power and torque to the road, Carlsson use their three-piece 3/11 UL forged alloy wheels with highly polished outer rims in 11J x 23-inch size with 305/30ZR23 tyres.

The forging process creates a very light but exceptionally strong alloy wheel that helps to counter the increased unsprung weight of the larger diameter wheels and tyres.

The Carlsson electronic lowering kit, C-Tronic® SUSPENSION AIR, drops the ride height of the Airmatic suspension by 30mm. In combination with the wider wheels and tyres, this delivers superior handling and roadholding characteristics.

An abundance of precious materials

Colour matching is one of the keystones of the fashion industry. Where Carlsson elevates the mechanicals to new heights, Aigner demonstrates the art of haute couture with the plush interior of the Rascasse.

Picking up the Bordeaux Rouge dark red shade from the bodywork, Aigner uses the finest hides and Alcantara in this colour to cover the seats, dashtop, door panels and centre console. All four seats are covered in perforated softwalk-nappa-leather with applications in alcantara, large, styliced Aigner logo discreetly stitched into the seating. The headlining is also softwalk-nappa leather, stitched in a bespoke pattern. The RS sport airbag steering wheel in a leather-alcantara combination, the floor mats and the fine wood equipment match the Carlsson Aigner leather interior. Aluminium pedal protectors, the aluminium foot rest and the entrance panels with the white illuminated Carlsson logo support the interior.

Total comfort for rear compartment passengers means sumptuous seats and plenty of space in all directions. For that reason, Carlsson and Aigner decided that the seven-seater configuration should be ditched in favour of just two individual rear seats.

Supporting this hedonistic concept is an integrated fridge in a compartment between the rear seats. Drinks can be served in bespoke hand-blown Carlsson-Aigner glasses also stored in this compartment.

The comprehensive Rear Entertainment System is centred around the eight-inch screens integrated into the headrests of the front seats. A surround sound audio system provides the soundtrack as well as just music if you just want to relax on a journey.

Rascasse – A Sting in the Tail

Carlsson, manufacturer of special cars based on Mercedes Benz models, and high fashion leather goods manufacturer, Aigner, are proud to present their third unique limited edition model in the short space of one and a half years.

In September 2007, this dynamic duo introduced the Carlsson Aigner® CK65 “Eau Rouge“, based on the CL-Coupe. This was followed in July 2008 by the Carlsson Aigner® CK65 RS “Blanchimont“, a car to fill the obvious void between the S-Class and the Maybach.

The Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS “Rascasse“ completes the family, and is offered at a basic price of 228,500 euros excluding VAT.

As with the first two automobiles designed by the Carlsson and Aigner team, the new model is also named after a legendary racetrack bend. But unlike the Eau Rouge and the Blanchimont, the Rascasse name does not origin from the racetrack Spa-Francorchamps. Rascasse is the second last bend of the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit as well as a famous street cafe located by the track.

In fact, the Rascasse name originally comes from the French red rascasse, a member of the Scorpion fish family that is an essential ingredient in Bouillabaisse, the most famous French gourmet soup. A perfect blend of performance, speed and breeding, the Carlsson Aigner Rascasse is also red, tasty, sporting, and carries a sting in its tail.

Eight Sleight: Standbike V8 concept

2009-03-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

A 690-kilo motorcycle, powered by V8 from GM. And yes, you can paint it green if want to...

For those who just won’t ride a twin, triple, inline-four/V4 or inline-six/V6, Standbike are working on a V8-powered motorcycle. And they have, apparently, already built a fully functional, ready-to-ride prototype that’s fitted with a 305 cubic-inch (5,000cc) V8 from General Motors.

According to the company’s website, the Standbike V8 concept bike took eight years to develop and uses various unique technical solutions that allow the V8’s power and torque to be suitably harnessed for extreme traction.

The bike’s steering, clutch and lean-control systems are managed by high-tech hydraulics and electronics – probably necessary with a bike that weighs 690 kilos and which has a 2615mm wheelbase, total lenth being 3210mm. The gearbox is a four-speed unit, with one extra gear for reversing the bike, and single-sided suspension is used at both ends.

The Standbike V8 concept actually rides on four 16-inch wheels – two each at the front and back – shod with 205/45 rubber. Cornering? Er…, no, we don’t think so, though straight line stability at 300km/h should be just brilliant

Husqvarna gets new manufacturing, R&D facility in Italy

2009-03-13T12:25:00.001-07:00

Under BMW ownership, Husqvarna can look forward to bigger, better things in the near future...

According to a report on Dealer News, Husqvarna (which BMW bought from Claudio Castiglioni, back in 2007) will be shifting to its new headquarters in Italy, by May this year. BMW, which wants to bring various Husqvarna units – including engine, testing, development, styling and racing divisions – under one roof, is adding to Husqvarna’s existing facility at Cassinetta di Biandronno, in the Varese district of Italy.

BMW hope to sort out Husqvarna’s problems with quality control and spare parts supplies in the near future. While Husqvarna only sold 12,000 bikes in 2007, BMW hopes to increase sales in a big way over the next 2-3 years. In fact, the new manufacturing facility will have the capacity to produce up to 40,000 Husqvarna motorcycles every year.

BMW intend to keep Husqvarna as an off-road specialist brand and use R&D inputs from the company to improve/develop its own dual-purpose and off-road machines.

Just how fast are those WSBK bikes?

2009-03-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

For now, at just 300km/h, the BMW S1000RR is the slowest of the lot...!

From left: Max Neukirchner (GSX-R1000), Max Biaggi (RSV4) and Noriyuki Haga (1098 F09)

From left: Tommy Hill (CBR1000RR), Makoto Tamada (ZX-10R) and Ben Spies (YZF-R1)

Ever wonder just how fast those World Superbikes machines really are? During practice yesterday, at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, Max Neukirchner’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 hit a top speed of 314km/h, Max Biaggi’s Aprilia RSV4 did 313km/h, Noriyuki Haga’s Ducati 1098R F09 did 311km/h, Tommy Hill’s Honda CBR1000RR did 310km/h, Makoto Tamada’s Kawasaki ZX-10R also did 310km/h and Ben Spies Yamaha YZF-R1 did 309km/h. Troy Corser’s BMW S1000RR was way down the charts, at just 300km/h. But then, of course, the season has just begun

Pininfarina updates B0 Concept as Bluecar EV, more production details

2009-03-05T17:58:00.002-08:00

Pininfarina gave up contract manufacturing last year to focus solely on building electric vehicles (EVs). At the Geneva Motor Show this week, the company has reworked their B0 Concept into a more palatably-named BLUECAR EV, with more details on its expected production plans.

The B0/Bluecar EV was already slated for production, with test vehicles to built throughout 2010. Now Pininfarina has committed to going into production with the car by 2011, ramping up to 60,000 annually by 2015. The car will have a six-year model cycle, ending in 2017.

Powered by a lithium metal polymer (LMP) battery, the Bluecar is capable of a claimed 155mi (250km) range and a life-span of 124,000mi (200,000km) - not far short of a standard combustion-engine car on either account.

The Bluecar is co-developed with Bollore, the company providing the propulsion technology for the drivetrain. Pininfarina says the performance is 'astonishing', though the 0-36mph (60km/h) time of 6.3 seconds and 80mph (130km/h) top speed tend to bring their definition of 'astonishing' into question.

Gallery: Pininfarina Bluecar Concept

Marchionne confident Fiat can help Chrysler

2009-03-05T17:58:00.001-08:00

The Fiat-Chrysler partnership has been brewing since well before the economic meltdown and federal loan bonanza of late 2008, but it's still taking shape as the carmakers find ways to work to their mutual benefit. Today Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne reaffirmed his confidence that Fiat will be able to help Chrysler out of its hole.

In fact, Marchionne thinks Fiat will not just help Chrysler out of the red, but add significant value to its operations. Technology, products and design are some of the ways Fiat will bolster Chrysler's business situation, he says.

Far from the picture of the out-of-touch and clueless management the mainstream media portrays of Detroit, Marchionne told White House officials he was impressed with Chrysler's recognition of their problems, reports The Detroit News. "The feeling that I got from them is that they recognize the magnitude of the problem and there's an absolute determination to finding a solution. At least, they're engaged."

Whether being 'engaged' is enough to save the day, however, is another matter. There are many in the industry that point to Chrysler's performance over the past decade as evidence that it is rotting from within. Even Daimler's infusion of technology and resources didn't improve Chrysler's position in the market.

So what makes Fiat's partnership different? It will essentially be giving its "technology, platforms, engines, know-how" and more to Chrysler for free, saving billions in R&D over the next 7 years. With the new products and technology, Fiat thinks Chrysler will be armed with the size and variety it needs to not just survive the coming decade, but reach profitability.

400hp for $35,000: Pontiac G8 GXP and Dodge Charger SRT8 after incentives

2009-03-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

Whoever said the muscle car era was dead and gone? Right now you can drive away with more than 400hp (298kW) under the hood for around $35,000. The poor state of the economy is taking its toll on vehicle sales (GM just posted its worst sales figures since 1967 in February) but this is also having a positive effect on the level of vehicle discounting that’s happening around the country.

Two specials this month are the 2009 model Pontiac G8 GXP and Dodge Charger SRT8. The G8 GXP is listed at $37,610 but depending on where you live the 415hp (309kW) muscle-bound sedan comes with up to $3,000 in cash-back offers or various 0% financing options. However, as KickingTires points out, you need to add to this a $1,700 gas-guzzler so at the end of the day you’re looking at around $36,310.

as Chrysler is offering a $2,000 cash-back bonus in most areas and an additional $1,000 if you finance through Chrysler Financial – the end result is a drive away price of $34,516.

Even in these dark times it’s always worth looking at the bright side. We just wonder how much longer GM and Chrysler will be able to offer such generous discounts on their vehicles. Last month saw Chrysler incentives total $5,566 for every car it sold, an unsustainable amount in anyone’s books.

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Audi R15 TDI to contend three ALMS events this year

2009-03-05T17:40:00.008-08:00

Diesel is fast - scary fast - as Audi's R10 TDI proved when it swept through the world of Le Mans and endurance racing by storm in previous years. Since then rule changes have dampened the flame somewhat, but it's still a competitive and formidable platform. This season, it's getting a full-scale upgrade with the launch of the R15 TDI Le Mans Prototype racer.

The first test-in-anger of the new car will be at the legendary 12-hour race at Sebring, Florida, on March 21, but according to a new report the car will contend two additional Le Mans races on American soil. The Bleacher Report claims Audi has reversed an earlier decision to avoid most of the 2009 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and will now compete in a total of three races.

The information comes from Audi boss Rupert Stadler, who revealed that the two new R15 TDI race cars will appear at the Petit Le Mans event at Road Atlanta on September 26 and the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 10.

In the cockpits of the first R15 for the first rate at Sebring will be Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen, while the second car will be manned by Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller, and Marco Werner. The two trios hope to pilot the new car to a ninth victory at the event.

Honda sells F1 Team to former team principal Ross Brawn

2009-03-05T17:40:00.007-08:00

Honda has announced today a new owner for its Brackley-based F1 outfit in the form of former team principal Ross Brawn. The entire shares of the team, previously owned by UK holding company Honda GP Holdings Ltd., were sold to Brawn for an undisclosed sum earlier this week. As a result of this sale, ownership of the entire operation has transferred to Brawn, who plans to have the new team compete for this year's F1 season.

The latest announcement follows news that team staff at Honda's Brackley were previously told to prepare for imminent winter tests in Spain and subsequently the beginning of the 2009 season in Melbourne, Australia.

It's understood the 2009 race car has been adapted to fit a Mercedes Benz V8 engine and will commence testing in Spain on March 9. It remains unclear, however, what name the team will now operate or in what livery the cars will race. One possibility gaining credence is 'Brawn GP'.

As for the drivers, an official statement has revealed that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will race for the new team.