Mercedes steers Maybach into luxury car segment

The luxury car segment is all set to get a boost with the re-launch of the Maybach by German auto giant Mercedes-Benz, says The Wall Street Journal. The car maker has priced the premium sedan at Rs 5.10 crore (ex-showroom Delhi).


The Maybach, which was earlier introduced in India to cater to the super rich in 2004 at a price tag of about Rs 5 crore, failed to attract wealthy Indian customers. WSJ also reported that the Maybach would now come in two variants - 57S and 62, both of which will be gasoline-powered engines.

The newly-appointed managing director and chief executive of Mercedes Benz India Peter Honegg was quoted in the WSJ as saying, "These, along with Mercedes-Benz models, made some of the finest examples of automotive excellence, worldwide."

2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4Matic Wagon

The Mercedes Benz E-Class wagon might well be the classiest station wagon on the road. The final member of the German brand’s new E-Class lineup, it’s joined existing coupe, sedan and convertible models with an eye for premium family-ready flexibility, cargo space and comfort.
On board, the E350 Wagon’s cabin backs up the tasteful sophistication implied by its body. The steering wheel and seats are heated and leather trimmed, wood and chrome accent the dash and doors in ‘just right’ amounts, and controls and switches are largely more classic than overstyled and high-tech. Everything on board feels solid, substantial and robust-- right down to the air vents.

It’s a simple and understated atmosphere with a whiff of technology and dynamism—but relaxing first and foremost. In typical Mercedes Benz fashion, it all combines for a character that’s very upscale and posh without making a big scene about it.

Mercedes Benz E-Class wagon

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS by Carlsson

2011 Geneva Motor show, as German tuner Carlsson has also taken a turn performing their magic on the 2012 Mercedes CLS.


Rolf Schlepp, Chief Designer of Carlsson, worked on accentuating the four-door CLS Coupe’s already sexy styling, adding an aerodynamic kit that includes a new front spoiler, RS front spoiler lip, stainless-steel grille inserts, rear spoiler and rear apron with integrated diffuser.


Under the hood, Carlsson is offering power boosting kits for the many engine variants of the CLS-Class. For example, the CLS 350 CDI achieves a power output that is 20 percent greater than the standard engine thanks to the Carlsson C-Tronic DIESEL POWER additional control unit. Instead of 265 hp (195kW), the self-igniting engine now manages 320 hp (235 kW), while maximum torque has increased from 650 to 780 Nm. This allows the CLS 350 CDI to go from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, up from the standard 6.2 seconds.

Another highlight of the Carlsson CLS are the model’s light alloy wheels in 1/10 design, available up to 20 inches, and the perfect compliment to the sporty and stylish contours of the new aerodynamics package. For the exhaust, Carlsson offers double-over tailpipes and stainless-steel rear silencer with the option of stainless-steel tailpipes.

Helping lower the CLS’s stance, Carlsson’s C-Tronic Suspension kit that is adaptable to standard airmatic suspensions offers the ability to lower ride height up to 30mm.

Brabus 2011 Mercedes CLS Tuning Package

Like any respectable tuning package, Brabus’ CLS offering begins with a wind tunnel tested body kit, featuring a front spoiler with optional front apron caps, accented with air inlets and LED daytime running lights with either a dark or chrome surround. The stock fenders are then swapped out for sportier renditions, fully equipped with illuminated Brabus monikers. The kit is then joined from bumper to bumper with a set of side skirts featuring integrated entrance lights that can be activated through a keyless fob or door handles.


Going to the rear of the CLS, Brabus’ rear apron also features LED lights to safely access the trunk while custom-tailored cutouts give the perfect room for Brabus’ quad-tipped exhaust system. Finishing off the aesthetic body modifications is a clean and subtle trunk spoiler.


While Brabus offers several different wheel packages for various Mercedes-Benz vehicles, from 17-inch to 20-inch sizes, they chose to outfit this demo CLS with a set of 20×8.5 and 20×9.5 Brabus Monoblock F in a Liquid Titanium shade.

Brabus 2011 Mercedes CLS

Mercedes-Benz Delivers First F-CELL EV

F-CELL EV

 It has been one heavy week, with the Nissan LEAF and the Chevrolet Volt finding their way to the first owners. And another eco-friendly car has followed swiftly on their tracks: the B-Class F-CELL hydrogen-powered EV from Mercedes-Benz.
The automaker handed over the first F-CELL vehicles to California residents and Newport Beach resident Vance Van Petten was the one to get the keys to the first one. As he puts it, Mr. Petten, Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America, is a long-time environmental enthusiast and an advocate for sustainable production and environment-friendly transport. Taking over the first F-CELL at the recently renovated dealership of Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz in his hometown, Mr. Petten is part of a select group of people who have been selected to participate in a Mercedes-Benz lease program for the B-Class F-CELL.

McLaren Confirms 12C GT3 for Race Tracks

McLaren confirmed plans to bring back the McLaren 12C GT3 sports car to the racetrack. The company said that from 2012, McLaren and CRS Racing will supply and support a limited number of GT3 racing cars based on the McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car for European-based privateers.

McLaren and CRS Racing had began developing the 12C road car into a race-winning GT3 sports car, since the McLaren F1 GTR won the world-famous 24 Heures du Mans or Le Mans on its debut 15 years ago. As part of the development program, McLaren and CRS Racing will compete at a limited number of European GT races in 2011.
The company noted that with its revolutionary lightweight one-piece moulded carbon chassis, high levels of downforce and aerodynamic performance, and focus on form and function, the 12C will prove to be a great platform to develop a racing car.

McLaren Confirms 12C GT3

2011 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 Price

2011 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

2011 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

2011 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

Interested teams can now order the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The Gullwing model for the racetrack is being delivered on time for the coming motorsport season, starting in February 2011. The sales price is €334,000(net) / €397,460 (incl. 19% VAT). Developed in accordance with the GT3 regulations of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 is designed as a customer sports car for sprint and endurance races. These races for GT cars which are similar to their roadgoing counter-parts have diversified starting fields and are always filled with excitement. They are becoming increasingly important on the world stage, not least thanks to their relatively inexpensive cost structure. The development and testing programme for the SLS AMG GT3 is proceeding as planned. Bernd Schneider, who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and has won more DTM championship titles than any other driver, is at the wheel for the bulk of the test drives, which started in June. The first competitive action for the car, as part of the testing programme, will be in the VLN race at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) at the end of September.