Mercedes

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster

By Noel McKeegan

18:17 December 30, 2007 PST

December 31, 2008 Mercedes-Benz has released details of its new SLK roadster models ahead of an April 2008 release. With around 650 newly developed parts in all, the latest line-up is marked by new-look front and rear sections - the redesigned front bumper with a modified air-dam arrangement enhances the two-seater's distinctive arrow shape while at the rear, a diffuser-style lower section, trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes and the AMG-inspired darkened tail lights have been added. Interior modifications include a new instrument cluster, three-spoke sports steering wheel and improved audio and telematics systems while under the hood the supercharged four-cylinder and V6 engine options have been boosted in terms of output and fuel economy with the 265 kW/360 hp, 5.5-litre V8 powerplant retained for the SLK 55 AMG . Read More

New Mercedes-Benz system warns sleepy drivers

By Noel McKeegan

16:55 December 11, 2007 PST

Alcohol and speed are rightfully targeted as major causes of road accidents, but another deadly factor - falling asleep at the wheel - is not always given the profile it deserves in developing strategies to combat the road toll. In an effort to make driving safer for both the occupants of the vehicle and their fellow road users, Mercedes-Benz is working on a system that recognizes tiredness-related changes in personal driving style and warns the driver when it's time to take a break. Now entering the final stages of development and expected to go into series production in 2009, the Attention Assist system constantly monitors typical driving patterns to establish an individual profile and makes a decision on whether the driver is becoming tired when there is deviation from this saved data. Read More

Shape-changing vision of the future: Mercedes-Benz Silverflow

By Noel McKeegan

17:09 November 19, 2007 PST

November 20, 2007 More from Mercedes-Benz on the Silverflow - one of the standout designs we recently encountered as part of our coverage of the Los Angeles Design Challenge, a conceptual showcase of “blue-sky” designs from eight studios entitled "Robocar 2057" that's currently being held as part of the 2007 L.A. Auto Show. With a brief to explore the possibilities of transport in 50 years time, Mercedes-Benz has presented a vision of a sleek, shape-changing vehicle that could adapt to the users needs in various scenarios, transforming from highway cruiser to compact city car or economical two-seater at the push of a button. Read More

Major companies reveal their visions for the cars of 2057

By Loz Blain

00:53 October 12, 2007 PDT

As part of the LA Auto Show Design Challenge, several major manufacturers have submitted blue-sky design concepts showing where they feel automotive design will go in the next 50 years. From Nissan's friendly family assistant to Mercedes’ liquid-metal convertible and Toyota's pollution-chewing roller/strider, the submissions are an exciting and thought-provoking look at where the next half a century will take us in personal and family mobility. Read More

Mercedes Benz researchers investigate driving moods

By Noel McKeegan

01:12 September 13, 2007 PDT

September 13, 2007 The next time a TV commercial tells you that a car enhances your driving pleasure it may not just be a matter of purely subjective opinion. Mercedes Benz are working on a system that measures emotion while driving in an endeavor to bring some scientific analysis to the issue. In an attempt to understand what makes for an enjoyable driving experience experts from the Fraunhofer Institute in Rostock, Munich Technical University and Mercedes Customer Research have collaborated in a unique pilot study which involved testing various methods for measuring drivers' emotions. Read More

F 700 with DIESOTTO leads Mercedes-Benz clean fuel showcase

By Noel McKeegan

07:45 September 7, 2007 PDT

September 7, 2007 Spearheaded by the F 700 research car – a vehicle that achieves low-emission economy at 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres via its hybrid drive and innovative DIESOTTO engine - and joined by a range of hybrid and clean diesel BLUETEC models, Mercedes-Benz has placed the emphasis firmly on economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles in its line-up for the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Read More

The Project Kahn SLR

By Mike Hanlon

11:37 September 6, 2007 PDT

September 6, 2007 We’ve written about Project Kahn’s creations previously and the new Mercedes SLR makeover is spectacular enough to warrant more coverage. The Kahn SLR includes a sports exhaust system, lowered sports suspension, the soon to be released Kahn SLR body styling package, Kahn 9” x 20” front and 10.5” x 21” rear RS-X alloy wheels and a 60 bhp engine upgrade all built on a very impressive standard SLR specification. Then there’s the option of custom paintwork and custom leather interior, and … Read More

The new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate

By Mike Hanlon

10:24 September 5, 2007 PDT

September 5, 2007 If you wish to see the rare sight of a Mercedes executive fighting for control, just refer to the brand's Estate versions as "station wagons" and watch those pupils dilate and the veins pop out on the forehead. Station wagons derived their name from the forerunners to the modern taxi that plied their trade outside rail stations a century ago and are perceived as somewhat down-at-heel terminology for such fine machinery and quite right too. Mercedes much prefers the term "Estate", though in the case of the new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate , perhaps the term "Shooting Brake" would be more appropriate. Under the distinctive power domed bonnet lies an AMG 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine delivering 336 kW/457 hp and 600 Nm of eyeball-compressing torque through a 7G-TRONIC transmission with F1-style steering wheel paddle controls. The unique high-performance estate will rocket you to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and were it not electronically limited to 250 km/h, it'd do well over 300 km/h. Not bad for a station wagon, heh what? ; ) Read More

Mercedes-Benz unveils DiesOtto - the “future of the gasoline engine”

By Mike Hanlon

July 25, 2007 Don’t count out the petrol engine just yet according to motoring giant Mercedes-Benz, which has unveiled a new gasoline engine offering the high torque and fuel economy of a diesel together with extremely clean emissions. The company is highly optimistic, calling it “the future of the gasoline engine.” The Mercedes-Benz DiesOtto powertrain is a further development of the spark-ignition engine and includes features such as direct gasoline injection, turbocharging, variable valve timing and variable compression and it will be used in conjunction with a hybrid integrated starter/generator module. At its core lies the controlled auto ignition, a highly efficient combustion process similar to that of a diesel. The result is an 1800cc four-cylinder motor producing 238 bhp (175 kW) with torque of 400 nm while delivering 6 l/100 km (47 UK mpg, 40 US mpg) in an S-class. Read More

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

By Mike Hanlon

July 18, 2007 With McLaren now hot favourites to win both the driver and constructor World F1 title in 2007, the announcement of the new model Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster takes on new dimensions. The exquisite roadster is built in the same factory as the cars driven by Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, and combines all the F1 high-tech you can imagine, a 626 bhp AMG kompressor V8 producing an almost obscene 780 newton metres of torque and the long-distance attributes and sophisticated atmosphere of a classic Gran Tourismo car. The most telling F1 gift in constructing the open-top 332 km/h masterpiece is the systematic and intelligent use of high-tech materials for the body and safety technology. As in the Coupé, the bodyshell of the high-performance Roadster is primarily carbon fibre, as are the front-end and rear-end structure, the passenger cell, the swing-wing doors and the bonnet. Compared to steel, the high-tech material represents a weight saving of around 50 per cent, which is why the Electrohydraulic braking system employs massive brake discs made from carbon-fibre reinforced ceramics. There’s even an airbrake in the boot lid that extends automatically when you hit the anchors at high speed. Read More

smart set to roll out a full complement of Alternative Drive Systems

By Noel McKeegan

July 10, 2007 Mercedes-owned smart is set to become the first mainstream production vehicle with a full complement of alternative drive systems. It has begun touting four new versions of the smart fortwo, all of which can be expected in production form before the year is out. We’re not sure which is the most exciting as they all offer different solutions depending on your needs. The cleanest of the new smarts is the 30 kW plug-in electric version with a range of 115 kilometres (EUDC), but there’s also a 100 mpg 53 kW diesel hybrid drive, a slightly less economical petrol hybrid for those who don’t want diesel, a 52 kW micro hybrid petrol variant and a diesel-engined fortwo which will become the world’s most economical combustion-engined production car with 85 mpg (3.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres - NEDC) and the ability to travel 1000 kilometres without refuelling. The smart fortwo diesel is the world champion in low CO2 emissions at just 88 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This is huge news. Read More

Mercedes-Benz unveils new C-Class flagship

By Noel McKeegan

July 5, 2007 Mercedes-Benz has released details of the new C 63 AMG. Due to hit the market in early 2008, the high-performance C-Class derivative promises stunning looks to coincide with its impressive performance specs. Powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine with a peak output of 336 kW/457 hp and maximum torque of 600 newton metres that’s capable of achieving zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, the V8 flagship model also boasts exemplary handling via a wider track, an all-new front axle, speed-sensitive AMG sports steering and suspension plus a new 3-stage Electronic Stability Program. Read More

Harley-Davidson to build carving trikes

By Mike Hanlon

June 16, 2007 We've always been excited about the prospects for three wheeled conveyances. Way back in September 2006, (which seems like ancient history in internet years), Lehman Trikes and Harley-Davidson announced that they had entered into an agreement for the development of three-wheeled machines based on Harley “motorcycle product” and sold as Harley-Davidson branded vehicles through authorized Harley-Davidson dealers. Given that Lehman has been making a range of turnkey Harley trikes, conversion kits and accessories for 20 years, with two wheels at the back and a motorcycle front-end, the announcement didn’t get a lot of attention. A recent patent filing by Harley makes the whole story suddenly much more exciting. It appears that Harley isn’t far from releasing a stunning new “carving” model . Read More

Rare Mercedes-Benz Prototype Brings US$275,000

By Mike Hanlon

March 13, 2007 The 1948 Mercedes-Benz A320 two-door cabriolet we wrote up in detail back in January has fetched AUD$350,000 (US$275,000) at auction. The imposing two-tone blue totally-restored vehicle, which was discovered in derelict state in Indonesia in the 1980s, was designed to revive Mercedes-Benz’s image as a luxury carmaker following the devastation of its German factories in World War II. Read More

Mercedes-Benz builds new armoured Pullman State Limousine

By Mike Hanlon

February 27, 2007 Mercedes-Benz is developing a new, armoured luxury limousine designed to carry business tycoons, government ministers, monarchs and heads of state. The new Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman Limousine will be based on the extended wheelbase S 600 to provide a level of roominess worthy of its high-ranking occupants. Originally, the term “Pullman” derived from the luxuriously appointed rail cars produced by the American Pullman Palace Car Company before it was borrowed to describe Mercedes-Benz cars with an extra-long wheelbase and an extremely large passenger compartment in the rear. The first Mercedes-Benz to be factory-fitted with armoured protection was the 1928 W 08/460 Nurburg model which was modified to create the first Popemobile for Pope Pius XI in 1930. Similarly, heads of state such as Emperor Wilhelm II and Emperor Hirohito became customers during the thirties with the creation of the 770K, beginning a long lineage of Pullmans which were used to safely transport heads of State. Power is provided by a 5513cc twelve-cylinder biturbo engine with an output of 380kW/517 hp and an impressive peak torque of 830 Nm. The first editions of the new Mercedes-Benz State Limousine are due to be delivered in late 2008 with a full range of options including a fully equipped mobile office, all the communications and entertainment equipment required plus secure, comfortable, individually-styled surroundings for discreet meetings. Read More

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Launch

By Mike Hanlon

January 16, 2007 The launch of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team was predictably huge – with Vodafone is joining as Title Sponsor and Official Mobile Partner, the event took on gargantuan proportions on a bespoke circuit around the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias in Spain, coincidentally the homeland of their stellar signing, newly crowned world champ Fernando Alonso. Alonso and new teammate Lewis Hamilton form one of the youngest driver line-ups in the history of the sport and Hamilton in particular must have wondered just how big F1 would be when the pair unveiled the new livery in two MP4-21 race cars in front of a crowd of more than 150,000. This was followed by the unveiling of the 2007 car, the MP4-22. Tomorrow, the 2007 challengers will conduct a shakedown test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. Vodaphone released three commemorative edition phones for the affair. Read More

Rare Mercedes-Benz 1948 Cabriolet Design Study

By Mike Hanlon

January 15, 2007 A rare and beautiful left hand drive Mercedes-Benz W142 A320 Cabriolet, believed to be the only example built, is certain to attract International interest from collectors at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show auction on March 12. The imposing 5.5 metre long car was originally built by the factory around 1948 as a design study for a future luxury cabriolet model. The evolution of a single overhead camshaft engine and other technical developments that materialised in the A300 (Adenauer) saloon of 1950 rendered the cabriolet design study redundant and the vehicle was found in Indonesia by a travelling businessman 20 years ago. The fully-restored vehicle is expected to fetch more than US$350,000 at auction. Read More

Mercedes-Benz Concept Ocean Drive design study

By Mike Hanlon

December 21, 2006 Mercedes-Benz will be showing its new Concept Ocean Drive four-door convertible design study at the NAIAS in January. The one-off creation is built in the tradition of large luxury convertibles, and is based on the twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz S 600. One of the technical highlights of the car is an AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats, allowing occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year. Few details have been released beyond the images, and the design brief that the car should be the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible. Read More

BRABUS works over the Mercedes Benz SL500 to create the world's most powerful roadster

By Mike Hanlon

August 4, 2006 With its convertiable hardtop and softtop, the Mercedes SL500 is one of the most civilised of all luxury sports cars but with only 517 horsies, it’s a tad anaemic compared to the Koenigseggs and Paganis so … German tuning company Brabus has worked over the latest top-of-the-line Mercedes Benz SL500 to create the world's most powerful roadster. The reworked twelve-cylinder three-valve engine is increased from 5.5 to 6.3 litres to become the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo and rated power output jumps from a standard 517 hp / 380 kW at 5,000 rpm to 730 hp / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 830 Nm to 1,320 Nm, though custom engine mapping ensures peak torque is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm, which is available from 2,100 rpm onwards. Not surprisingly, performance of the two-seater is outrageous with a sprint time of 4.0 seconds from rest to 100 km/h, 10.5 seconds to 200 km/h, 29.5 seconds to 300 km/h and an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). Read More

New Mercedes-Benz SLR "722 Edition"

By Mike Hanlon

July 11, 2006 Mercedes-Benz has released a new 337 km/h 650 hp "722 Edition" variant of its SLR super sports car paying homage to the famous 1955 Mille Miglia victory by Stirling Moss in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722. The new 722 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in just 10.2 seconds. Refined in numerous respects over the standard SLR, this super sports car has more output, a tailor-made suspension configuration and a decidedly sporty interior. A parallel announcement was the foundation of a worldwide "SLR. Club" which will be based at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France. As an ultra-exclusive community of which SLR customers automatically become members, the SLR Club will provide numerous benefits including an SLR Safety & Speed Academy driver training with instructors such as David Coulthard, Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig, Chris Goodwin and Christina Surer among the instructors. Read More

Mercedes E-Class now with E-Guard ballistic optional protection

By Mike Hanlon

July 5, 2006 Last November Jaguar announced itself as the first mass-produced vehicle manufacturer to offer an armoured passenger car when it put the Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase luxury saloon car on its brochure. Now Mercedes Benz has followed suit, and as of today, the new-generation E-Class can be ordered with a ballistic protection package (known as E-Guard) directly ex factory. Mercedes and Jaguar join a host of boutique manufacturers of armoured luxury vehicles such as Donald Rumsfeld’s preferred choice of the Rhino Runner, to the Russian Combat T-98 Armoured Luxury SUV. The world can be a hostile and dangerous place with hundreds of war zones around the world at any given time, plus many countries where assassination and kidnapping are routine. Despite wars and organized criminal activity, life has to go on, and there are some people who feel the need to be transported in the manner befitting their station in life. The prime advantage of the Mercedes E-Guard system is that the cars have no external markings indicating their capability – so your adversaries will only find out you’re protected after they’ve played their hand! Read More

The new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class luxury coupe

By Mike Hanlon

June 27, 2006 The launch of the new CL-Class in autumn 2006 will see the latest iteration of the Mercedes-Benz coupe lineage which now stretches back 50 years. The luxury two-door traditionally combines exclusivity, design and cutting-edge technology and this latest version raises the bar in vehicle safety with the PRE-SAFE brakes - a system that automatically brakes the Coupe before an imminent rear-end collision. Furthermore, Mercedes innovations such as the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, the Intelligent Light System with five lighting functions and PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection all come as standard. Buyers have the choice of 8 or 12 cylinder engines, both delivering a notable increase in output and torque. Read More

Mercedes-Benz Telephone Module with Bluetooth offers new telephoning freedom

By Mike Hanlon

June 23, 2006 Mercedes-Benz new telephone module with Bluetooth (SAP-Profile) software offers a new level of freedom for mobile phone users, as it enables a mobile telephone to remain in the user’s jacket pocket or handbag. Once registered, the Bluetooth (SAP-Profile)-compatible mobile telephone is recognized by the new system as soon as it comes within range of the vehicle. Due to the SAP-Profile software (SIM Access Profile), the module automatically accesses the SIM card. In addition, access is also possible to the internal memories of specific mobile phones. This means that the user is not only able to telephone, but can also search for a stored number or read an SMS. All these functions can be safely and user-friendly controlled by the driver via the multifunction steering wheel, the audio system and the central display in the instrument cluster. Read More

The new 400 bhp Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Special Series

By Mike Hanlon

June 10, 2006 As the only eight-cylinder roadster in its segment the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG provides a unique driving experience. Now the iconic two-seater has become even sportier, as Mercedes AMG has developed an exclusive and distinctly puristic special series which sets new standards in driving dynamics. With the AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine enhanced to 294 kW (400 bhp) and a whopping 520 Nm of torque, numerous lightweight construction components, carbon hardtop, 19-inch AMG forged wheels, AMG height-adjustable torsion sports suspension and AMG high-performance composite brake system the special SLK 55 AMG is VERY special. Read More

Mercedes-Benz Safety Truck with Active Protection

By Mike Hanlon

May 15, 2006 As ironic as it seems, Mercedes Benz trucks are actually more advanced in their active safety systems than the company’s most advanced passenger vehicles, and the advent of its latest Active Brake Assist (emergency brake assistant) technology will see that brought firmly into focus in coming weeks as the company steps up its road safety initiatives at a political level in Europe. Though it will be marketing all of its electronic driver support and safety system concepts in one “Mercedes-Benz Safety Truck” package, the bright yellow safety poster child is actually available as of this week as a fully-optioned Actros. The newly added Active Brake Assist is based on the existing radar system used by the Telligent proximity control system and initiates emergency braking when there is an acute risk of a collision with a car in front. It uses the three radar beams of the proximity control system, which detect obstacles moving in the lane ahead of the truck at a distance of up to150 metres, while constantly determining the difference in speeds between the two vehicles. If an accident is unavoidable in the prevailing circumstances, the driver is first given a visual and acoustic warning, followed by partial braking (30 percent braking performance), and if the risk of a collision increases even further, the system then initiates full emergency braking. Since rear-end collisions represent a sizable proportion of the accidents that occur in heavy-duty transport on European roads, the accident researchers expect the widespread use of Active Brake Assist to lead to a noticeable reduction in the number of accidents involving fatalities and serious injuries. Read More