MERCEDES COOL SITE

Thursday, November 17, 2011

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz -- it created the first AMG-powered M-Class in 2000 with the ML55 AMG. That car was powered by a 342-hp 5.5-liter V-8 and ran from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. Now, with the third-generation ML63 AMG, Mercedes has pushed the performance credentials even further: 0 to 60 a scant 4.6 seconds and a maximum of 550 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8.

For 2012, Mercedes has dropped the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 in favor of a smaller, forced-induction engine that is quickly finding its way under all "63"-badged AMG vehicles. While it may not sound quite as ferocious and guttural as the outgoing engine, the twin-turbo 5.5-liter has momentous power on tap from as low as 1750 rpm.

The ML63 routes power to all four wheels using a tweaked version of Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system that has a 40/60-percent front/rear torque spilt and now uses AMG's seven-speed automatic transmission. Standard power is more than adequate at 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, but the optional AMG Performance Package increases that to a massive 550 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque thanks to a maximum boost jumping from 14.0 to 18.8 psi.

The result of this serious power in Benz's midsize SUV is a 155 mph electronically-limited top speed and a 4.7-second time to 60 mph in basic ML63 guise; with the AMG Performance Package the 0 to 60 mph time drops by a tenth of a second and top speed rises by a healthy 19 mph. The pack also adds red brake calipers and a carbon fiber engine cover.

Bringing the AMG ML to a stop are ventilated and perforated disc brakes that are 15.4 inches up front and 13.6 inches out back. Those brakes sit behind five-spoke, 20-inch, high-gloss titanium grey wheels wrapped in 265/45R20 high-performance tires. AMG also offers 21-inch alloy wheels with 295/35R21 rubber as an option.

Mercedes hopes to up the ML63's green credentials as well, with it claiming that the 2012 model is 33-percent more efficient than the outgoing model. The automaker claims that the new ML63 will achieve a combined fuel economy of 16 mpg, a solid gain over the 12mpg of the old car. Part of that is thanks to a new Controlled Efficiency mode in the seven-speed transmission, which includes a start/stop function that shuts down the V-8 when the car comes to a stop. It also includes earlier shifts and often starts in second gear to lower fuel consumption. The SUV is also 99 pounds lighter than the old ML63.

Friday, June 17, 2011

2011 Mercedes Benz S550 designo

A quick search on the Mercedes-Benz dealer network shows me that this is the most expensive S550 4matic sedan in the country at $134,785! This car is so loaded with options I’m not sure where to start, and some new options that have just been introduced. You’d think the big money cars would be in Manhattan or Southern California, nope… it’s right here in Minneapolis.

The ‘Split View’ option allows a passenger to watch a movie in the front seat on the main navigation screen while the driver can still see the navigation screen, as not to be distracted by a movie. It’s got the Parking Package as well which essentially lets the car park itself. Its even got the $6,400 Bang & Olufsen sound system and rear entertainment. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone just goes out to the garage to watch movies, this is like a home theater that will also do 140mph +. It’s also a designo edition with the special designo Mocha Black exterior with Exclusive cashemere leather interior. The MSRP and option list is included below for your reference.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

CLS is considerably more styled than its rather understated predecessor as Mercedes-Benz continues to hone the modern four-door coupe segment it essentially invented.From the rear, we can easily see the automaker’s Bentley-esque rear "hips" that take the E-Class sedan’s look to a whole new level. A much flashier pair of tailights adorn the rear as well.

Up front, Mercedes-Benz opted for full LED headlamps, the world’s first to offer the full range of turn signals, running lamps, low- and high-beam functions purely from LEDs. The advantage of LEDs comes in the form of reduced energy consumption and longer bulb life.Inside, the all-new CLS gains a more wrap-around-style dashboard with more innovative and upscale materials before. Matte galvanized trim surrounds the air vents, while hand-sewn leather wraps the dashboard.

Style aside, substance comes in the form of a lengthy list of standard features, such as COMAND with 40GB hard-drive GPS navigation, Bluetooth, voice control, 14-Speaker Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound system, HD radio, in-dash DVD/CD changer, in-dash SD card reader, power sunroof, Burl Walnut trim, multifunction leather sport steering wheel, 14-way power adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and more.

Motivation for this new CLS comes from a new twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8, good for 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque. This is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, like the AMG CLS63 AMG variant, which swaps the automatic for an AMG Speedshift transmission with paddle shifters.

Friday, June 3, 2011

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The current model year of the new C-Class reflects Mercedes' updated design language, with design cues from the new S-Class sedan and R-Class crossover.The front-end structure of the new C-Class has four independently acting impact levels, which enable forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell.

The C300 sedan -- offered in Sport and Luxury guise -- offers 228 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 211 pound-feet of torque from 2700 to 5000 rpm. The more powerful C350 comes as a Sport model only. It delivers 268 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque between 2400 and 5000 rpm.

The so-called Sport models are distinguished by a grille-mounted star badge and AMG body styling, with deeper front and rear aprons, under-door rocker panels, and twin-spoke 17-inch wheels of staggered width or optional 18-inch wheels.

Sport models also feature firmer suspension, a three-spoke steering wheel, a titanium-colored instrument cluster, and a different choice of interior materials.

2011 Mercedes-Benz BLK

Daimler plans to debut a new compact SUV they're dubbing the Mercedes Benz BLK. With new trucklet slotting underneath the already small-sized Mercedes GLK, things may be getting into pointless utility vehicle territory here.

The BLK would be based on the next generation of the A/B class chassis and get a selection of four-cylinder direct-injection engines in the 1.6- to 2.2-liter range. We're kind of wondering if the high-performance model will follow Benz's recent naming trend and be called the BLK Black.

2011 Mercedes-Benz S350 4MATIC BlueTec

The U.S.-market S350 will wear BlueTec badges and therefore use AdBlue urea injection to clean up the exhaust. It will be available exclusively with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The 2011 ML350, R350, GL350, and E350 diesels use a similar turbo-diesel V-6 rated at 210 hp and 400 lb-ft. EPA ratings for the S350 BlueTec aren’t available yet, but the optimistic Europeans rate the S350 at a combined 37 mpg, so high 20s on the highway is a reasonable expectation for EPA tests. It’s sure to be more efficient than the gutsy S550 and S600 and perhaps even better than the S400 hybrid’s 19 city/26 highway mpg ratings.

Power-wise, the S350 will slot in at the bottom of the S-class range, with slightly less horsepower than the hybrid, but with the added bonus of heaps more torque. Expect it to be the slowest S-class, too; Mercedes says the European rear-drive S350 takes 7.8 seconds to reach 62 mph—for reference, we got the S400 hybrid to the 60-mph mark in 7.1 seconds. But Americans picking a diesel likely value other qualities higher than all-out speed.

Pricing is a little harder to pin down. Mercedes says it won’t release official numbers until closer to the model’s launch in the first quarter of 2011. We do know the S350 won’t be a stripper (a relative term with an S-class) and will be available with most of the same packages and equipment as other trim levels.

2011 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz B-Class, launched in 2005, is soon to be replaced by an all-new model. While our spy photos show that development is nearing completion, there are few confirmed details available on the small car's architecture.The new B-Class is expected to be the first Mercedes to benefit from the technology partnership between the German carmaker's parent Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance.

Powertrains for the new model are expected to come from Renault, including turbocharged 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol engines. A Renault-sourced 1.6 litre and a Mercedes 2.2 litre engine are expected to hold up the diesel end. Speaking with press at the Paris Auto Show last month, Mercedes' boss of development for the A and B-Class cars, Jorg Prigl said that the new cars will be built on a new advanced Mercedes-Benz Front-drive Architecture (MFA).

Speculation of a sedan version of the B-Class is not new, however a report this week by British magazine Auto Express suggests a launch for the 'BLS' sometime in 2014.As for the styling of the regular B-Class hatch, our rendering (bottom of article) draws from earlier spy photos, along with styling elements from the German carmaker's newest models.