Detroit 2008: Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec is only sort of 50-state legal
Back in October, Mercedes-Benz made something of a splash in California when they re-introduced the E320 to the California market. It was the first new diesel available in the state in over two years. However, it now appears that the E320 BlueTec is not actually technically legal in California or four other states that use the same emissions regulations. The current E320 BlueTec is not equipped with the urea injection system meaning it does not meet California regs. Mercedes received a waiver from CARB that would allow them to lease the cars in the state for two years. At the end of the lease, the cars cannot be re-sold in California or the other four states. When the ML, GL and R class BlueTec models go on sale late this year, they will have urea injection and be truly fifty-state legal and can be sold in California. The E-Class won't get urea injection until the next-generation model debuts in the next couple of years.
(Via AutoblogGreen.)
In designing the 2009 SL-Class, the Mercedes-Benz engineers set out with the aim of accentuating the Roadster’s sporty attributes. This aspiration is reflected in the new, more aggressive, front-end design featuring as its centerpiece a wide and, therefore, very dominant V-shaped radiator grille. This is flanked by the flattened and sinister looking headlights.
A horizontal louvre makes the radiator grille appear wider and, in doing so, emphasizes the powerful aspect of the SL’s front end, making it seem surprisingly new yet also very familiar. By using expressive stylistics in this way, the Mercedes designers were able to forge a link with the SL’s history and create a front-end design that is reminiscent of the earlier SL Roadster models, which also expressed their poise and assurance through wide, very distinctive radiator grilles. Hence the front-end design of the new-generation SL shows Mercedes-Benz taking the styling of the legendary sports car to the next level by looking to their past.
The designers also pay homage to the forefather of the SL model series: the two powerdomes on the bonnet and the gill-style air outlets in the front wings are unmistakable hallmarks of the 300 SL from 1954 and have been given a modern interpretation for the 2009 SL-Class.
The Mercedes SL-Class features safety and comfort equipment in the form of bi-xenon headlamps, and an Intelligent Light System whose light functions are designed specifically for typical driving situations. Other new features onboard the 2009 SL 600 include AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This system - invented by Mercedes-Benz and available as an optional extra - enhances comfort when driving with the roof down, extending the roadster season until well into the winter months. Passengers are kept informed and entertained by the standard-fit COMAND multimedia system, which has also been fully redeveloped for the 2009 model, and features additional functions.
As soon as the ignition is switched on, the cockpit instruments grab the driver’s attention: the red speedometer and rev counter needles are aroused from their ‘six o’ clock position’, rotate once around the dials to their maximum values and then revert to their zero positions.
The V12 powerplant in the SL 600, which develops 380 kW/517 hp thanks to its twin turbochargers has been reworked to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometers.While offering identical performance to the previous generation.
The SL 600 underlines its top billing in the SL line-up even more clearly than previous years. Inside the passengers are cosseted by extremely soft Exclusive nappa leather and trim elements in elegant poplar wood. V12 emblems on the seat backrests, on the centre steering wheel spoke and on the door sills, as well as the uniquely designed interior door panels round off the refined twelve-cylinder ambience perfectly. On the outside, the flagship SL model is distinguishable by its exclusive 18-inch ten-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels and discreet yet highly effective detailing such as the matt-silver-painted louvres of the side air outlets and the centre divider in the trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe trims. Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the already extensive standard-equipment package by adding the KEYLESS-GO system and a remote-locking boot lid.
(Via WWW.YOSAX.COM.)
Vantastic: Hartmann-tuned Mercedes-Benz Sprinter SP5
Click the image above to view a 15-image high-resolution gallery
The bulk of the Mercedes-Benz range gets alphanumeric designations. One of the few exceptions is the utility van which, versatile though it is, is not the first vehicle that would otherwise spring to mind in association with the name Sprinter. Duesseldorf-based tuning house Hartmann is doing its part to rectify that, however, with its new SP5 package.
The kit features an aero body kit with sportier front bumper, grille, side sills and rear apron, a new exhaust system with twin tailpipes, and though they don't look it in relation to the towering height of the vehicle itself, the wheels have been upgraded to 19' alloys with 255/55 R19 tires. Hartmann also does its magic in the cabin as well, with dash kits in wood or carbon fiber and chrome trim. Hartmann says its van conversion would make a good platform for a mobile office, promotional vehicle or delivery van for 'exclusive products', and offers an array of engine mods depending on the stock powertrain chosen to make it more, you know... sprinty. Don't expect to see a brown one delivering your UPS packages anytime soon, though.
[Source: Carscoop]
(Via Autoblog.)
Officially Official: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC
click above for 55 high-res images of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC
Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2008 CLC-Class, the Euro-market successor to the now-defunct C-Class Sports Coupe. Well, we should clarify that. It's not completely defunct in that its architecture has been carried over for the new car, meaning the CLC does not share underpinnings with the new-gen C-Class. Still, Mercedes boasts that the car features 1,100 'newly-developed or enhanced' components, including the direct steering system introduced on the freshened SLK. The changes are intended to give the car a different feel than its predecessor.
At first glance, it's clear that Mercedes is trying to leave the past behind, looks-wise. Sure, the coupe profile is carried over, but the sharp-looking face of the new C-Class finds its way onto the CLC's front end. Out back, fresh taillamps also keep up the family resemblance to the new C. An updated interior greets occupants, with available features like DVD or hard drive-based nav, iPod integration, and an in-dash SD card slot. The entertainment, communications and nav systems can all be operated by voice command, too.
Buyers can choose from four engines -- 2 gas and 2 diesel, all with improved fuel economy -- matched with six-speed manual gearboxes as standard equipment. Drivers who opt for automatics get a 5-speed unit for 4-cylinder engines or MB's 7-speed auto for the 6-cylinders. An available sports package dresses things up with enhancements like 18' wheels and also adds paddle shifters to the steering wheel for cars with automatic transmissions. The Brazilian-built CLC goes on sale in Europe this May. No plans have been mentioned regarding a possible US-market return, and given that the last-gen didn't sell particularly well here, that is completely unsurprising. The Mercedes press release is pasted after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC Class
Continue reading Officially Official: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC
(Via Autoblog.)
Detroit '08 Preview: Mercedes GLK Freeside concept image leaked
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is right around the corner, where Mercedes is anticipated to unveil the vehicle you see here: the Mercedes-Benz GLK Freeside concept. Official images and details are expected in a manner of days, but someone at Daimler headquarters has apparently let the proverbial cat out of the bag.
Like the 'Vision' concepts that Mercedes used to give us in the '90s, the GLK Freeside 'show-car' is more of a pre-production prototype than a design study, and is tipped to closely mirror what the production GLK will look like. We already got a preview of the production model when the GLK showed up undisguised on the set of Sex and the City, of all places. The 'Freeside' moniker, which seems dangerously close to the 'Freelander' named used by Land Rover, is not expected to carry over when the little truck goes into production.
This leaked photo comes at a busy time for Mercedes, which recently gave us the new SLK (and SLK 55 AMG), a teaser shot of the new SL roadster and leaked photos of the facelifted CLS-Class all in the past couple of weeks.
[Source: Carscoop]
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Mercedes CLS AMG 63 Images Leak on to Internet [New Cars]: "
Although we'd already heard the new Mercedes CLS AMG wouldn't be getting a power boost beyond 514 HP under the hood, now we're not only hearing what it'll officially look like, we're seeing it. Here's the first shots of the new four-door 'coupe' from Daimler -- helpfully making the rounds on the internet well before the official reveal date of sometime in the indeterminately near future. Noted differences between the old n' busted model and the new hotness pictured above and below the jump are the bigger 19' wheels, new front grille, rear LED lighting and an odd little carbon fiber mini-spoiler. One more pic below the jump.
(Via Jalopnik.)
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG unleashed
Roadsters indisputably offer the supreme sports car feel! If you are greedy for a taste of an open-top race car that allows sound, sun and wind into the cockpit and the song of tires feel music to your ears then you can avail all this and more with the latest 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. A fresh look and enhanced dynamics are the highlights of Mercedes’ latest update to its long-lived SLK roadster. Its 360hp V8 carries over, providing ample power to its AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic transmission, which has been tuned to shift even faster than before. Handling is improved by a new ‘direct steering’ system that Mercedes says improves feel and agility. However the mechanics remain largely unchanged while the new look is most obvious from the front of the car. The front fascia is now even more sloped and angular, with larger air dams and foglamps pushed further outboard. Slits in the side of the front apron vent hot air after it has passed through the intercooler. A new rear end and spoiler lip complete the meaner, more aggressive appearance of the new SLK 55 AMG. Other new tweaks include new 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels painted titanium grey shod that are capable of accelerating your car to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds."
(Via Luxurylaunches.com.)
