Mercedes Benz

Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell

Mercedes Benz is among the German luxe cars that loves clean diesel, but it is also getting serious about electric sports cars as well.

At this week's North American International Auto show, the Stuttgart-based Mercedes showed the SLS AMG E-Cell, which is powered by four synchronous electric motors at each wheel. Those motors produce 525 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque.

Though Mercedes is mum about some of the performance numbers, we hear that the SLS AMG E-Cell can do 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. The energy comes from Lithium-ion batteries, and regenerative braking helps keep the cells from draining too fast. There is a the temperature management system to make sure that charging and discharging occurs in the best environment possible.

Expected range was not part of the announcement, nor would the good folks at Mercedes commit to putting the car into production. But there is desire by Mercedes to offer it next year.

Mercedes is a share holder in Tesla Motors, the California company known for its electric roadster. Tesla has been sorting out the electrification of smart cars (Mercedes owns smart) but we venture a guess that the intellectual property sharing goes to sports cars, and specifically this baby, as well.

Tags: Electric car, Mercedes benz, North American International Auto Show, Tesla, tesla motors

Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz 2012 S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Coming

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz 2012 S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Coming

For those who know the pleasures and fuel economy advantages of driving clean-diesel powered cars, Mercedes-Benz is showing a version of its flagship S-Class that will go on sale later this year.

The S350 Bluetec Class is powered by the same 3.5 liter Bluetec V6 engine that is found in the diesel versions of the E Class, ML and GL vehicles.

Merceds has not yet released the specifications, pricing and fuel economy ratings of this new addition to its diesel lineup, but expect it to get around 20 mpg city/30 mpg hwy.

Diesel offerings have the advantage of offering drivers lots of power at low rpms, compared with gas engines, as well as fuel economy that generally runs 20% to 35% better than gas versions. Some people are not keen on diesels, thinking that it is hard to find. But diesel pumps are commonly found at gas stations these days alongside regular gas pus these days.

There are Smartphone apps that make it easy to find the best diesel pumps wherever you are.

Tags: BlueTec, detroit auto show 2011, diesel, Mercedes Benz, North American International Auto Show

Mercedes-Benz Launches 4-Cylinder S Class

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Are you ready for a four-cylinder Mercedes Benz S Class?

It seems unthinkable. The same number of cylinders in the big Mercedes that is in a Volkswagen Golf?

The German automaker is rolling out an S-class sedan called the S250 CDI, which has a four-cylinder diesel engine. Mercedes developed the car for Europe, which counts diesels about 40%-50% of new car sales, but so far does not plan to sell it in the U.S.

But that could change in future. Mercedes, BMW and Audi, as well as Volkswagen, have all brought diesels to the U.S.

The German car companies have long been champions of diesel for the U.S. But American consumers have stubbornly long memories of terrible defect-ridden diesels from General Motors in the late 1970s and 80s. The legacy of those cars is that politicians and regulators remain hostile or indifferent to diesel cars in terms of lowering taxes on diesel fuel at the pumps, as Europe did, and ease CO2 standards for diesels.

Tags: Audi Diesel, BMW Diesel, Diesel, Jetta TDI, Mercedes Benz, Mercedes Benz S Class, Mercedes S250 CDI

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Upgrade your High-Performance Driving Skills at the AMG Driving Academy

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

AMG Driving Academy – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you are going to spend some serious dollars on a high-performance car from Mercedes-Benz AMG, then you should probably spend a few more bucks to really learn how to get the most out of that new ride. Thankfully, AMG has you covered with its Driving Academy. The AMG Driving Academy offers classes at a variety of skill levels and at race tracks including the Nurburgring Nordschliefe, Spa-Francorchamps, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca.

Instructors for the programs include the likes of racing champions Bernd Schneider and Bernd Maylander. The class cars are fully instrumented with race car styling data logging so the instructors can review student's performance in detail. Students can bring their own cars, use the standard school cars or upgrade all the way up to the gull-wing SLS coupe.

The basic two-day training class starts at €990 and prices go up to and beyond €2,690 for the three-day advanced course. For those that want to hone their all-weather driving skills, AMG also offers a winter academy in Arjeplog, Sweden, home of Mercedes-Benz' winter test center. The four day package includes three days of training plus a fourth day for an optional snowmobile tour in the region for €3,590. The full brochure and registration forms are available at http://www.mercedes-amg.com/driving-academy/.

Gallery: AMG Driving Academy

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Tags: amg, amg driving academy, Mercedes Benz, mercedes benz amg, mercedes-benz

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Mercedes-Benz Launches mbrace Concierge iPhone App

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz has just launched a significantly enhanced version of its mbrace iPhone application. Mbrace is a package of services similar to General Motors' OnStar that provides automatic 911 calls in the event of an accident, remote unlocking and other services. When it was first introduced last year the mbrace application was the first to actually integrate with the vehicle telematics system to enable many of those same services such as the remote locking/unlocking, plus vehicle and dealer location.

The new version adds instant access to Mercedes-Benz Concierge services. A tap of the screen gives the Mercedes driver instant access to an advisor to help find restaurants or hotels and send directions straight to the phone and car. When calling roadside assistance through the application, the location information is automatically transmitted to the help center. Subscribers to the mbrace service can download the application from the iTunes app store.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Tags: concierge, iphone app, iPhone app store, iPhone Application, iPhone Applications, iPhone Apps, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes benz mbrace iphone app, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz mbrace, MercedesBenz

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Officially, Official: 2nd-Generation Mercedes-Benz CLS 4-door Coupe

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

style="text-align: center;"> 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS – Click above for high-res image gallery

In 2004, Mercedes-Benz kick-started a whole new automotive genre with the debut of the CLS. Now that the CLS has inspired a whole slew of competitors including the Audi A7 and the upcoming BMW Gran Coupe. Next month at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes will launch the second generation of the four-door coupe that retains the basic roof profile while changing everything else.

The look of the new CLS was previewed last April at the Beijing Motor Show in the form of the sporty-wagon Shooting Break concept. Up front, the CLS has a adopted the more upright grille design that we first saw last year on the gull-wing SLS AMG. Like most other recent premium cars, the CLS has strings of LEDs for running lamps and turn signals. However, even the headlamps are now comprised of the low-power, long-life lighting. The flanks of the CLS now have a much more sculpted and muscular look than before with arched rear fenders that are similar to the new E-Class.

Inside, the CLS features a further evolution of other recent Mercedes designs and like the E-Class features an LCD display in the center of the speedometer to provide a variety of information to the driver. So far Mercedes hasn't announced any powertrain information but we can expect to see the latest direct injected V6 and V8 engines in the U.S. with European models also getting a variety of diesels.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Tags: 2011 Mercedes-Benz, 2011 mercedes-benz cls, 2011FordMustang, CLS, cls class, ClsClass, Mercedes Benz, mercedes benz cls, mercedes-benz, MercedesBenz, paris mondial, paris motor show, paris motor show 2010, paris motorshow

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Daimler Teams Up With Toyota For Fuel Cell Development

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Daimler, the German parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has a long history of fuel cell development, as does Toyota. Both automakers have been busily developing their separate hydrogen fuel cell technology since the early 1990s, and it should come as no surprise that such projects don't come cheap.

As such, the two giant companies are reportedly pounding out a partnership that will see them jointly developing hydrogen fuel cell technology. According to the Financial Times Deutschland (via Reuters), Toyota and Daimler plan "extensive cooperation in the field of fuel cells for electric cars." At this point, neither automaker is willing to comment on the report.

General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Honda and Hyundai are also working to make hydrogen fueling a reality, but some significant hurdles still remain, including high cost and the lack of a suitable fueling infrastructure. Time will tell if high-profile partnerships, such as the one apparently being struck between Daimler and Toyota, will result in any zero-emission consumer vehicles.

[Source: Reuters]

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Tags: daimler, daimler-benz, Fuel Cell, fuel cell vehicles, fuel cells, hydrogen, hydrogen car, hydrogen fuel cell, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes-benz

Luxist Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic – Click above for high-res image gallery

For nearly six decades the mid-size sedan has been the mainstay of the Mercedes-Benz car lineup. Known as the E-Class since 1994, the ninth generation of that platform debuted a year ago at the Geneva Motor Show and is currently available in North America in four door sedan, two door coupe and convertible body styles.

On its home turf in Europe the E-Class, like other many other German cars that are exported to the U.S. is available with a wide range of four, six and eight cylinder engines. Over the course of its history the E-Class has built a reputation for ruggedness and reliability which has made it the the equivalent of the Ford Crown Victoria for German taxi drivers and police. Here in the U.S. tough emissions rules and even tougher currency exchange rates mean that we only get the more premium editions of Mercedes models with a more limited V6 and V8 engine lineup.

We had the chance to spend a week with a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic. Read on to see if this is just an expensive cab or something worthy of the three pointed star.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic

Tags: 2010 mercedes benz e-class, 2010 mercedes benz e350, 2010 mercedes-benz e class, 2010 mercedes-benz e-class, featured, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes benz E350, mercedes-benz, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, MercedesBenz, reivew

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept to Debut in Beijing

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz made a big splash back in 2005 with the introduction of the CLS sedan, which was based on the midsize E-Class but sported much more attractive bodywork. The automaker is set to continue pushing those boundaries with the new CLS Shooting Break Concept, which is just now debuting at the Beijing Motor Show.

First things first: While the moniker is more often spelled 'shooting brake,' Mercedes tells us that the correct spelling is actually 'break,' as in breaking a horse that draws a carriage. Whatever. It's clear that the CLS Shooting Break will be compared to the BMW 5 Series GT, and we think the Benz has a much more distinctive and attractive appearance.

The base engine for the next CLS will likely be a turbocharged and direct injected 3.5-liter V6 engine that will offer a little over 300 horsepower. Optional will be a turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 that puts out around 435 horsepower and over 400 pound-feet of torque. Power will be sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Naturally, we can also expect an AMG version of the next CLS that should get the automaker's turbocharged and direct injected 5.5-liter V8 with up to 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. A sedan is sure to join the Shooting Break when the car finally makes it into production. Check out the high-res image gallery below and see the full press release after the break.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Tags: 2011 Mercedes-Benz, 2011 mercedes-benz cls, 2011Mercedes-benz, 2011Mercedes-benzCls, Beijing, beijing 2010, beijing motor show, Beijing2010, BeijingMotorShow, CLS, cls class, cls shooting brake, cls shooting break, ClsClass, ClsShootingBrake, ClsShootingBreak, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes-benz, Mercedes-Benz CLS, mercedes-benz cls-class, Mercedes-benzCls, Mercedes-benzCls-class, MercedesBenz, shooting brake, shooting break, ShootingBrake, ShootingBreak

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AMG Reportedly Working on New Smaller Performance Model

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

style="text-align: center;">Mercedes-Benz F800 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors of a smaller, entry-level new saloon for Mercedes-Benz's in-house tuning division AMG just won't seem to go away. As before, these latest reports suggest that the next-generation of the B-Class would be the model to get the AMG fitment, but Autocar is now suggesting that an entirely new type of engine will power the car.

The new AMG engine would reportedly be based on a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that is currently slated for the CLS350. The mill would be downsized to 3.2 liters and upfitted with an electrically operated pressure wave supercharger. Not too familiar with the technology? Don't fret, neither were we. The all-knowing Wiki comes to the rescue.

Autocar further posits that the engine would make somewhere around 400 horsepower and could potentially send its prodigious power output to all four wheels with a rear-biased power split. If it ever comes to fruition, the new AMG model would go up against the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R, BMW 1 Series and any other entry-level hotted-up luxe models in the works. Styling would follow the example set by the F800 Style concept from the Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style

[Source: Autocar]

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Tags: 2011 Mercedes-Benz, 2011 mercedes-benz b-class amg, 2011Mercedes-benz, 2011Mercedes-benzB-classAmg, AMG, b-class, B-Class AMG, B-classAmg, entry-level amg, Entry-levelAmg, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz amg, mercedes-benz b-class, mercedes-benz b-class amg, Mercedes-benzAmg, Mercedes-benzB-class, Mercedes-benzB-classAmg, MercedesBenz

Wolfgang Bernhard Returns to Executive Ranks at Mercedes-Benz

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The prodigal son returns. As with the Biblical parable, a well-loved son (ably played in real life by Wolfgang Bernhard) leaves the comfort of home (Bernhard previously served as Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche's second in command) and embarks on a journey away from his family.

Unlike our age-old story, though, Bernhard didn't exactly fall on hard times away from the loving care of this father. In fact, Bernhard served as chairman at Volkswagen between 2005 and 2007 before returning to Daimler in February of 2009 to lead its van business. Not the hero's welcome our Biblical character got when he finally ventured back home – at least not right away.

According to an Automotive News report, Bernhard will now serve as the executive board member responsible for production and procurement for Mercedes-Benz, though the company is reportedly still figuring out what exact role and title Bernhard will command. Rainer Schmueckle, the man who currently holds the spot Bernhard will be inheriting, is in "negotiations" with the automaker.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req'd]

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Tags: Daimler, Daimler AG, DaimlerAg, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes-benz, MercedesBenz, Wolfgang Bernhard, WolfgangBernhard

Mercedes-Benz Releases SLS-Inspired C63 AMG

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Package Plus - Click above for high-res image gallery

Question: What's hotter than a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG? Well, that would be the new C63 AMG with Performance Package Plus, of course. The new super sedan from Daimler gets a 30-horsepower injection over the standard AMG model, pushing the pony count all the way to 487 – just a baker's dozen shy of the race-spec C-Class DTM model. Watch out, Caddy.

Modifications to the 6.3-liter V8 engine include new forged alloy pistons borrowed from the SLS AMG supercar and a new set of crank rods coupled with a lightweight crankshaft. A titanium-colored intake manifold and recalibrated computer module complete the package. Performance? How about zero to 62 in just 4.4 seconds and naught to 125 in under 14? Yeah, that'll do nicely.

An upgraded brake package with composite rotors is included to help the driver reign in all that speed, and Mercedes says the new PPP will be available on both the sedan and – get this – wagon bodystyles. Exterior modifications are limited to a carbon fiber spoiler for the sedan, and the interior is upgraded with an AMG steering wheel in nappa leather and seats swathed in Alcantara. No word yet on whether this beast is headed Stateside, but sales are scheduled to start in Europe before the end of the year. Hit the jump for the official press release and check out the two high-res images in our gallery below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Package Plus

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Tags: c63 amg, c63 amg performance package plus, C63Amg, C63AmgPerformancePackagePlus, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes-benz, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, mercedes-benz c63 amg performance package plus, Mercedes-benzC-class, Mercedes-benzC63Amg, Mercedes-benzC63AmgPerformancePackagePlus, MercedesBenz

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have a long-standing relationship. The two outfits have won Formula One championships together, and collaborated on the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But while the two continue their collaboration in F1, their road-car programs have gone separate ways. McLaren recently unveiled the new MP4-12C supercar online, and what you see above is Mercedes' answer.

Like arch-rival BMW's now-defunct Z8, the SLS AMG takes its retro cues from the company's history – in this case the iconic Gullwing 300 SL. The SLS has been developed entirely in-house by the German automaker's AMG performance division, and packs the company's ubiquitous 6.3-liter 563hp V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show for the first time, the SLS AMG sits atop the Mercedes range with a quarter-million-dollar price tag.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Who said driving a hybrid had to mean ugly Japanese hatchbacks built with the same quality as a lunch box? Certainly not Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker already offers a hybrid version of its top-of-the-line S-Class luxury sedan. But it's not about to stop there. Building upon the existing S400 Hybrid, Mercedes unveiled the S500 Vision Plug-In Hybrid concept at its home-ground Frankfurt Auto Show last week.

While the conventional S500 sedan uses a V8 engine, the S500 Vision hybrid concept uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as the existing S400 Hybrid, only paired to a larger battery that enables the big limousine to accelerate to 60 in only 5.5 seconds while offering nearly 20 miles of electric motoring before the gasoline engine needs to even kick in. At the moment it's just a concept car, but it's fully functional and hints at the next development from Mercedes. See for yourself in the high-resolution photo galleries below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S 500 Hybrid

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Mercedes' latest Flagship Supercar SLS AMG Appears Online Ahead of Frankfurt Debut

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's been a long time in the making, but the first details and images of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG have finally emerged in advance of its scheduled debut next week at the Frankfurt auto show.

Slotting in above the SL63 AMG Black Series and effectively replacing the SLR supercar which Daimler made in conjunction with its Formula One racing partner McLaren, the new SLS AMG sits at the pinnacle of the Silver Star's performance range. The gull-winged supercar packs the company's signature 6.3-liter V8 engine offering up 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving the 3500-lb supercar an anticipated 3.7-second sprint to 60 with a top speed just under 200 miles per hour. Available carbon-ceramic discs keep all that speed in check, packed into a retro design evocative of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

It's available in any color you want, as long as it's silver: the catalog includes two shades of grey, silver and red for the truly extroverted, with a price tag in the neighborhood of $250,000. Tune in next week to see what it looks like from the floor of the Frankfurt show.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG