The year was 1955. It would turn out to be the best of times and the worst of times for Mercedes-Benz. In April came one of the epic motor racing drives of all time. In winning Italy’s famed Mille Miglia, Stirling Moss drove his Mercedes-Benz 300SLR two-seater along 1,000 miles of spectator-jammed public roads at an average speed of fractionally under 100mph. Beside him sat the imperturbable British journalist Denis Jenkinson, calling out the bends from a roll of paper. It was a spectacular victory, and one that Moss, who turned 80 this year, regards as one of his own and Mercedes’ best.
Two months later, Pierre Levegh was behind the wheel of another 300SLR, this time at Le Mans. A car ahead dived into the pits, causing a slower car to veer into Levegh’s path. He hit it hard, the Mercedes launched skywards, hitting a trackside bank at great speed. The car disintegrated, its engine and component parts scything into the grandstand followed by the flaming car body itself. Levegh and 83 spectators died and 100 more were injured in motor racing’s worst accident. As a mark of respect, Mercedes withdrew Juan Manuel Fangio’s 300SLR, but the race went on.
Mercedes’ racing machines were close relatives of a road version, the 300SL, a car whose “gull-wing” doors gave it the look of a giant bird of prey. These days, 300SLs fetch up to £300,000 at auction.
Four seasons, four personalities – Comfortable: AIRCAP® automatic draft-stop plus AIRSCARF® - Quiet: sound-dampening soft top as standard - Safe: robust roll-over protection and new headbags
The all new E-Class Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which goes on sale in May 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 in the Fall, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/width/height: 185.0/70.3/55.2in.) provides driving pleasure and comfort whether the roof is open or closed.
New features include: – The AIRCAP® automatic draft-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 sound-dampening 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 25mph. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the trunk 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 trunk capacity is increased by 3.17 cu. ft. to 13.8 cu. ft. 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 power plants for the new E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the engines combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption has been achieved because of a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tires 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:
E350 Cabriolet: 268 hp / 258 lb-ft. E550 Cabriolet: 382 hp/ 391 lb-ft. 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 draft-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 draft-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 2.4 inches with a net in the windscreen frame and a draft-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 - Draft-stop at the rear reduces the backflow
As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draft when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be activated at speeds of up to 100 mph 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.
When the standard AIRCAP® is combined with the optional AIRSCARF®, the system functions like an invisible scarf warming 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.
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: sound-dampening soft top fitted as standard
Thanks to its sound-dampening 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 50 mph, 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 more than 125 mph.
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 .9 inches, 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-Benz 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 1.4 inches, 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 2.3 × 1.6 feet with a volume of 17 liters 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, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.
You'd think at up to $147,450 a copy, the Mercedes-Benz S class would find most favor in the U.S. and Europe. But at least we were surprised to find out that China is now the most popular market for it.
American seems to be obsessed with small cars these days. Not American consumers, mind you, but policy makers and executives at the companies who must bend to their will. First, we had General Motors and Fiat-Chrysler rushing small cars to market as part of their argument for federal assistance earlier this year. Ford has a few of them coming in response both to high fuel prices and new fuel economy rules. Not to be outdone, Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche says Mercedes may export some small cars to the U.S. Luxury buyers still want luxury, he told the Wall Street Journal, but some may want to make a less ostentatious, low-carbon dioxide statement.
This is wrong on so many levels. The article says that the Mercedes compacts will take on the Audi A3, BMW 1-series and BMW’s Mini Cooper brand. As for the A3 and 1-series, yes the Baby Benz will take them on, battling for all 12,000 cars worth of sales that the two models have sold this year. That’s right. Audi has sold about 2,900 copies of the A3, one-tenth the sales of its A4 sedan. The 1-series has done a bit better, selling almost 9,500 cars. That pales next to 3-series sales of 75,500 cars. Even if Mercedes gets a piece of that compact luxury biz, it will be small potatoes. As if Mercedes needs another model that sells fewer than 10,000 cars a year. The company has about half a dozen or so right now. By the way, Mercedes once shelved plans to bring its small B-class (pictured above) to the U.S. because of currency problems. Well, the dollar is still pretty weak. That will make the car either expensive to buy for consumers or profit-challenged.
And what about taking on Mini? The brand has sold almost 40,000 cars through October and just keeps growing. But it has everyone fooled. First of all, the brand has an incredibly unique image that blends modern technology of BMW’s vaunted engineering with the British styling and heritage of its past. And it is quirky. Mini stands alone unlike any brand in the car market as accessible exclusivity, though not traditional luxury. Will its buyers look at a Baby Benz? I doubt it. One BMW marketer once told me that in their research, they found that Mini owners view BMW owners the way most people view Ferrari owners. Loosely translated from the original profane description, Mini owners seem them as men with more money than confidence. I doubt Mini owners will see the Mercedes brand any differently.
I’ll give you one more practical reason why small cars won’t sell as fuel savers or as a green statement. Take a four-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu. It gets 26 miles per gallon combined and costs $1,526 a year to fuel up. A compact Chevy Cobalt gets 27 mpg and costs $1,482 a year at the pump. Who will sacrifice the passenger space of a Malibu to save $44 a year in gas? Answer: The buyer who can’t afford the Malibu.
Following yesterday's photo leakage of the 2010 E-Class Estate, Mercedes has officially unveiled more images and info about the E-Class wagon, which officially joins the sedan and coupe variants.
The 2010 E-Class Estate gets a plethora of diesel and gas powered engines for Europe, while the US reportedly must make due only with the the E350 4matic variant. An E63 Estate is reportedly in the works, but who knows if it will come to the US. Especially since most car buyers in the US aren't fond of wagons...
The interior is largely carried over from the sedan, but there is a very retro-feeling rear-facing third seat that brings up not so fond memories of 70s and 80s station wagons.
The first photos of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG have begun to leak out thanks to Australian site CarPoint.
The SLS AMG is expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, so it's no surprise that photos are already leaking. It is powered by a 563-hp 6.3-liter V8 with 480 lb-ft. of torque that is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The SLS AMG can reach 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.
Earlier this week it was revealed that the new Mercedes SLS AMG would be one of the cars in the new Gran Turismo 5 and now Mercedes has released images of the car in the game.
The Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC demonstrates quite clearly that hybrid powertrains are not the only way to reach environmental excellence. The advanced BlueTEC system is a technological marvel that brings out the best of diesel technology while virtually eliminating the shortcomings.
The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC concept utilizes state-of-the-art diesel engine technology and exhaust technology to achieve superior fuel economy with the smallest possible environmental footprint. Fuel consumption in this luxury sedan is improved by up to 37 percent when compared to its gasoline counterpart: and torque – the key indicator of engine power – is 55 percent higher. The result is a six-cylinder engine with the power of an 8-cylinder and the fuel consumption of a 4-cylinder.
The 2009 CLK-550 Cabriolet is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports coupe, or luxury convertible. The CLK550 Cabriolet is equipped with a standard 5.5-liter, V8, 382-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. A 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
The CLK550 features standard sport suspension and 18-inch five-twin-spoke AMG wheels. The interior of vehicles equipped with the Sport package features black ash wood trim, a black headliner, black carpets and a special instrument cluster complete with white gauges. The 2009 CLK-550 features standard Mercedes active safety innovations such as ESP stability control, ABS anti-lock brakes, straight-line ASR traction control, and Brake Assist.
Mercedes-Benz is unveiling the coupe version of the new E-Class at the Geneva Motor Show. The new E-Class Coupe brings together emotion and performance in a very special way. With a Cd of 0.24, the model is the world’s most aerodynamically efficient series production vehicle. The model line up the V6-powered E350 (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) and the V8-powered E550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft).
The new coupe offers the full spectrum of technical innovations that might be expected from a sporty, luxury class coupe. These include Agility Control suspension with adaptive shock absorbers, ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, the preventative passenger protection system PRE-SAFE. Other luxurious standard equipment includes leather interior with sport seats and integrated headrests, a Panorama Sunroof, COMAND system with console-mounted controller, 6-disc CD/DVD changer and fully automatic dual-zone digital climate control.
First Look. With a new Mercedes-Benz E-class already out in Europe and destined for U.S. dealerships this July, a new 2010 E63 AMG is also due.
In its battle with the BMW M5 and the Cadillac CTS-V the new AMG sedan again arms itself with a 6.2-liter V-8, revised to produce 525 hp (up from 507 hp) while torque output remains 465 lb-ft. A factory-estimated 0-to-62-mph time of 4.5 seconds is equal to today’s model, although the top speed once again will be electronically capped at 155 mph (a higher limit available as an option). The E63 borrows the SL63 AMG’s seven-speed automatic, with a new race start function and four different programming modes. The mellowest mode is called “Controlled Efficiency,” and its early upshifts help the E63 eke out slightly better gas mileage.
Official information regarding the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan has been released along with the first batch of official photos. The E63 AMG now makes 518bhp (386kW) and 465lb ft (630Nm) of maximum torque compared to the current car’s 507bhp (378kW) and the same amount of torque. Mercedes-Benz is sticking AMG’s 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 on this one. Performance should be similar to that of the outgoing E63 with figures of 4.5 seconds for the 0 - 62mph sprint and a top speed of 155mph (249km/h).
Despite the minimal increase in power the car is said to quaff 12 percent less fuel resulting in an average consumption of 22.4mpg. One of the components credited for this is the Speedshift MCT 7-speed gearbox found in the SL63 AMG. It has four driving modes namely Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual.
[Editor’s Note] Press release first mentions 6.3-liter V8 engine and then later states 6208 cc. To comply with German law, Mercedes-Benz is required to round up the displacement figure to 6.3 when used for marketing purposes.
After seeing the two GLK Concepts at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes will finally reveal the production version of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class at Auto China in Beijing this Sunday. Power for the 2010 GLK350 comes from a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 268-hp, giving it the ability to do 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. The compact-SUV returns a fuel-economy of 23mpg on the highway.The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK will arrive in U.S. showrooms in January 2009 as a 2010 model. Production will take place at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, Germany.
It might not be a rampant sales success, but Mercedes-Benz is updating the R-Class for 2011 nonetheless. The most obvious changes are visual, though we hear powertrain updates are in the works to meet new fuel efficiency standards. While the R-Class is already available with the automaker's 3.0-liter BlueTec diesel, the vehicle could also be a candidate for Benz's hybrid system in the coming S400 Hybrid.
Our spy photographers recently caught a mostly uncovered look at the facelift results in Europe. The 2011 R-Class dons a sharper, more angular front end, with a larger and more prominent grille. A new set of headlights look more ML-Class than the oblong ovals of the current R-Class. Also new are the hood, front bumper with LED running lights, and side mirrors. Out back, the changes are less radical, with a revised bumper, exhaust pipes, and new LED lights.
The newest version of the E-Class by Mercedes-Benz. Provided by the company
Like a dessert cart wheeling past diners at a restaurant, the latest Mercedes-Benz turns plenty of heads when it cruises by on the road.
With its slick appearance and hard-to-miss emblem, the German automaker’s new E-Class sedan stands out even among the numerous high-end imported vehicles that crowd the streets of Seoul today.
The latest version of the long-dormant E-Class, released last month, undoubtedly continues the Mercedes-Benz tradition of sophistication and top-notch quality.
The vehicle has been given a complete facelift from its previous model, which hit the market seven years ago.
The vehicle’s high-quality, luxurious interior
The front part of the new E-Class, including the headlights, sports an aggressive look.
While the previous model opted for a softer appearance defined by curves, the new E-Class is more direct and square-like.
The front of the new model also is lower than the back, which gives it the appearance of a sports car. Having said that, the latest E-Class mixes simplicity with sophistication - the style the automaker built its brand on.
Now on to the interior, which is spacious and luxurious.
The seats are undoubtedly comfortable. Even when taking the vehicle out in the countryside, my back wasn’t strained at all, which usually happens in other cars. The dashboard was designed to mix the latest designs with an analog appearance. Most noticeable is the round analog clock next to the speedometer.
Even though the vehicle is a high-end luxury machine, it is surprisingly practical. One of its best features is the fact that the back seats can fold flat, giving you a lot more storage space (though the trunk is already plenty large as is).
There’s also additional storage space worth noting. In addition to the standard glove compartment, there is a secondary storage area underneath the passenger seat. Easy to overlook, this secondary compartment comes in very handy.
In terms of performance, the C 220 CDI BlueEfficiency Avantgarde - the model I drove - cannot be matched. It has the right amount of heaviness and steadiness, giving it perfect balance. When speeding around corners, the vehicle never loses its equilibrium.
The E-Class surely raises the excitement of driving. Even through it is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, the gear is shaped like a manual stick. That can be a bit confusing when you first buckle in behind the wheel. But once you get adjusted, it heightens the pleasure of cruising around, as you feel like you’re driving a car with manual transmission.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a serious super sports car,” says AMG chief of development Tobias Moers before taking a shot at the SLR, a carbon-fiber-bodied car that still managed to weigh in at 3858 pounds. “Our SLS weighs only 3572 pounds,” he says, nearly 300 pounds lighter than the McMerc. Keeping the 182.6-inch-long, two-seat SLS’s mass in check is its entirely aluminum construction (save for that driveshaft and steel A-pillars), a first for Mercedes-Benz. The aluminum structure weighs just 531 pounds, Mercedes says.
The most distinctive aspect of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG appearance is, of course, its roof-hinged gullwing doors, an homage to the iconic 300SL Gullwing. But AMG personnel took pains to point out that the doors are the only thing the SLS has in common with the 300SL. “We do not build a retro car at all!” AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg explains sharply. “In fact, we think it is the most advanced super sports car you can buy today.”
Mercedes-Benz will give the car a major styling overhaul with a new front-end planned as well as a slightly revised rear and interior. Expected to be launched in the second half of next year, the new R-Class appears to receive the same squared-off treatment as seen on the A- and B-Class models, including angular headlights and a larger more prominent grille.
At the rear there appear to be only minor changes, with a redesigned bumper, exhaust tips and LED tail-lamps.
Expect to see the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class facelift make its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January.
Back in the late 1980s, before performance tuner AMG became an official branch of Mercedes-Benz, the Affalterbach-based personal trainer of three-pointed stars took an off-the-showroom 300E sedan, stuffed it full of massaged V-8 (first a 5.6 liter, later a 6.0) and a catalog's worth of track-tuned chassis bits, and dubbed the hugely fast and expensive result "The Hammer."
The Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic offers Mercedes luxury and AWD for about $40,000
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing a 1959 Mercedes 220SE for a magazine. Because this was a detailed assignment, I spent several hours shooting the interior, engine bay, and the exterior of the car from every possible angle. I really got to know the car. And of course, I got to ride in it to several shooting locations. What I learned is that while Mercedes has progressed as much as any automaker in the intervening decades, the distinctive Mercedes experience has retained its flavor.
That experience boils down to comfort and the confidence that comes from driving a well-built automobile. The ’59 Mercedes looked great from every angle and felt as solid and stable on the road as the 2009 C300, at least as long as you didn’t try to drive it like a sports car. The C300 has more power, great sporty handling, and of course the new ride offers you a lot more in the way of features. And it still looks great from every angle.
The C300 4Matic is the latest edition of Mercedes’ C-class. These are the least expensive cars from Mercedes, but you don’t give up a single feature that really matters. The C300 offers you the same Bluetooth hands-free cell phone support, a great 6-disc and iPod-ready stereo, leather heated seats, navigation, power everything, dashboard data system, zone climate control, HID headlights, and every other feature you can name in a modern luxury car.
You also get a 3-liter DOHC V6 engine, making 228 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The C300 comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission. 7 smooth-shifting gears make the best use of every last one of the horsepower, so it drives like a more powerful car. And of course, you also get All Wheel Drive – a huge benefit in the middle of the worst Northwest winter in 40 years!
Mercedes says that the C300 gets 17 MPG in city driving and 25 on the highway. For the last 1,000 miles, no one has reset the average fuel economy meter in the onboard data system, so I can tell you that this particular C300 has maintained a solid 21 MPG in real world combination driving. Not bad for a larger displacement V6 with an automatic and AWD.
The interior of the C-class is nice. Where a more expensive line of cars would have a leather-covered dash, the C300 uses a rubberized plastic molding, but it’s well-made and the selection of piano black or optional walnut burl won’t shame anyone. There’s no cheap bling here – everything is elegant and dignified. My only gripe is that Mercedes seems to have adopted the twirl-and-click knob of BMW’s verdammt iDrive system. The Benz interface is easier and thus better than the BMW system, but I still prefer touch screens.
The base price of the C300 4Matic is an amazing $35,400. That’s a smokin’ deal on a great AWD sedan. It compares favorably to the Audi A4 and the BMW 3-series. But that’s before you’ve added a lot of the extras I’ve described above. Looking down the option list, the test car added $2,200 for fancy paint and the leather seats, $1,050 for a sunroof, $375 for iPod integration, $310 for the walnut trim, and $650 for TeleAid, which is an in-car service for M-B owners.
Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA, said: "In a tough market, the strength of the Mercedes-Benz brand - rooted in timeless design, craftsmanship and innovation - has enabled us to outperform both the market and the luxury segment."
"We're excited for a big launch of the ninth generation E-Class - the heart and soul of our brand," he added.
The new ninth generation E-Class would set the standard in terms of safety, comfort and advanced technology in the luxury market segment, the company said. The E-Class line-up would go on sale in the US, featuring the E350 and E550 coupes and sedans, from June 22.
Mercedes-Benz US, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the US.
Although we still have a good amount of time to wait before the next generation Mercedes M-Class is unveiled, spy photos of the 2012 model have begun to surface. As you would expect from a model roughly two years away from its unveiling, the ML is heavily disguised, leaving us to speculate what exactly is in store for the next version of the SUV.
Early rumors indicate a diesel-electric hybrid M-Class is in the works, a strong possibility considering a gas-electric hybrid M-Class should be arriving later this year. Other rumors indicate the model could receive a plug-in variant – one that features an 80hp (60kW) electric motor paired with a twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 3.5L V6 while boasting the ability to travel up to 18 miles on electric power alone.
At this point it's far too early to state specifics of the 2012 Mercedes ML, but it's safe to say the number one task Mercedes engineers face in developing the next M-Class is deciding how best to implement alternative drive systems and subsequently better the SUV's fuel efficiency.
I have to admit, out of all the GL550's features, I found myself playing with the push-button ride-height control the most. After I pulled into my driveway, I summoned my neighbor from his house to show him how it raises and lowers the vehicle at a push of a button. For some reason, he didn't really care. I know this technology has been around for a while and is not necessarily groundbreaking, but it's still fun.
The GL550's gas mileage, on the other hand, is not so much fun. On my 63-mile commute, at times I could swear I could see the gas gauge needle slowly moving toward empty. Thankfully, the large 26.4-gallon fuel capacity allows a range of over 450 miles, which limits your trips to the gas station. The 21" five-spoke AMG wheels, which are standard on the GL550, really look sharp below the big GL body without hurting the ride quality much.
Mercedes Benz has some major changes in store for its product line over the coming years, with several key models receiving facelifts and complete name changes. We have already seen this with the upcoming E-Class Coupe, which has replaced the CLK, and soon we will see the CL name phased out with the introduction of a facelifted model next year. The updated car will come in for the 2011 model year and go by the new name of 'S-Class Coupe'.
The current C216 CL was first introduced at the end of 2006 but prototypes for the facelifted version have been spotted testing in Germany as early as August last year. Earlier this year we saw images of the high-performance AMG model but these latest shots depict the standard model. New details include a more upright grille highlighted with a single chrome bar, as well the new headlight design and LED accents.
In the rear we can clearly see full LED rear lights, a new bumper design and different shape exhaust tips. Other changes planned include new indicators in the side mirrors. This computer generated rendering gives us an accurate prediction of what the final version will most likely look like.
Mercedes is unlikely to change the CL’s powertrain lineup for the new S-Class Coupe, which means that the current assortment of V8 and V12 engines should remain. There could, however, be a number of modifications to the exhaust filtering systems to help improve emissions, as well as the introduction of engine stop-start and direct-injection technologies.
Normally, electric and fuel cell concept vehicles do little to excite many gear-heads; but, when Mercedes Benz has something new, it is worth taking notice. Let me put it another way, if we are about to embark on greener, less conventional thinking for our transportation needs – I would rather have Mercedes Benz at the forefront.
Here’s the press release:
Mercedes-Benz presents a modular drive concept for electric vehicles: Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO: three-fold proof of the everyday practicality of zero-emission vehicles
Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz is showing the way ahead in environmentally responsible electromobility by presenting its near-series Concept BlueZERO at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on a single vehicle architecture, this intelligent, modular concept allows three models with different drive configurations, all of which are able to meet customer requirements in terms of sustainable mobility:
• the BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive and a range of up to 200 kilometers using electric drive alone • the BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) with a range of well over 400 kilometers using electric drive • the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with electric drive and additional internal combustion engine as power generator (range extender). This version has an overall range of up to 600 kilometers and can cover a distance of up to 100 kilometers using electric drive alone.
The three BlueZERO variants are based on the unique sandwich-floor architecture which Mercedes-Benz introduced some ten years ago, initially for the A-Class and then for the B-Class, one of the aims being to integrate alternative drive systems. Advantages of the modified construction include the positive effect of the major drive components on the centre of gravity, their space-saving design, and the fact that they are extremely well protected within the vehicle underbody. The five-seater BlueZERO concept cars also set standards in terms of lightweight design, interior layout, and body form.
"The flexible BlueZERO concept allows electromobility for every requirement and highlights the fact that Mercedes-Benz is the world's only car manufacturer to already have in place all the key technologies for electric cars offering full everyday practicality", says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
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