Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz teases the 2012 SLK roadster
Moving on to one of BMW’s strongest competitors, Mercedes-Benz. The German company has released another teaser that depicts the 2012 SLK which is due in January 2011. This time around, the teaser talks about the SLK’s safety technology. The new model will have things like Attention Assist and Adaptive Braking as standard.
The former is pretty much a drowsiness detector while the latter automatically applies the brakes to prevent the vehicle from rolling off on an incline or during a stop. It also brings the brake pads closer to the discs as soon as the driver releases the accelerator pedal.
Other safety features that will be offered with the new SLK, some standard and some optional include PARKTRONIC, Speed Limit Assist, PRE-SAFE, NECK-PRO and more. Pedestrian safety is still in mind thanks to a system that will raise the hood by 85mm when it comes in contact with a pedestrian.
Mercedes green-lights CLS Shooting Brake
Looks like the rumors turned out to be true after all. Mercedes-Benz has officially announced that it will put the CLS Shooting Brake into production with a market introduction sometime in 2012. The Shooting Brake concept was shown at the Beijing Auto Show and it inspired the all-new CLS.
The new variant will definitely carry over design cues from the new CLS but instead of four doors, the CLS Shooting Brake will feature five, with the must-have slopping roof line of course. Engine and transmission options are expected to be carried over from the new CLS. Mercedes also confirmed that the Shooting Brake will be manufactured at the Sindelfingen plant.
Photos of the facelifted Mercedes C-Class leaked?
What we have here is believed to be photos that depict the 2011 or facelifted C-Class by Mercedes-Benz. These photos were released by Autobild but we cannot confirm their authenticity. Judging from the images, we can see L-shaped headlights along with a new front bumper.
There is also a revised rear bumper as well as a modified dashboard. The updated C-Class along with a C-Class Coupe will be unveiled next year, probably around the first quarter. Continue reading to view more photos.
Source. Read the rest of this entry.
Mercedes teases new SLK with unique glass roof
What you see here is the roof of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK which will be unveiled soon. The German company released this image as a teaser and said that the glass roof is totally unique. Apparently it can become transparent or darker just with a touch of a button.
This is believed to be the first of its kind and Mercedes calls its a panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. The technology is based on the physics of a plate condenser which will allow particles in the structure to change their positions when electrical voltage is run through. This will allow the glass roof to become transparent.
The particles will be randomly positioned where there is no power and it will block light from getting through. The control unit and converter are integrated into the front section of the roof and the switch is located at the overhead control console. Basically it will help temperature on interior parts such as armrests cooler by up to 10 degrees Celsius compared to conventional green glass. The new SLK is scheduled to make its world premiere sometime next year, possibly earlier in the year. Read the rest of this entry.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS: official images revealed!
We finally have official, high-res images of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class! The new CLS, which has it’s looks inspired by the Shooting Brake concept is set to make it’s official debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show. Design wise the new CLS still maintains the “banana shape” featured on it’s predecessor with updates carried out on other areas. The front end for example is said to be remi-niscent of the SLS AMG. It also has Ponton-like design lines at the rear quarter, something evident on the current E-Class.
Other highlight features on the exterior are made up by full LED headlights with a total of 71 LEDs, flared wheel arches and wrap-around taillights with LED technology. As mentioned previously when a brochure of the new CLS was leaked, the exterior design is definitely better than the already out-of-production W219. The rear end looks a little weird but the final verdict can only be given once the car is seen in the flesh.
Judging from the images, the interior looks really good, but I just hope it will still look as good in real life unlike the current E-Class. The interior is heavily inspired if not directly taken from the Shooting Brake. Among others, the interior of the CLS has a mixture of satin and high-gloss finishes for the metal surfaces, matte galvanized air vents, high-gloss-trimmed analogue clock, handcrafted and stitched seat covers and dashboard with 1.6-millimeter thick semi-aniline premium leather and list goes on.
Various interior trim options are available including high-gloss brown burl walnut or high-gloss black ash. Also part of the list is carbon fiber trim as well as black piano lacquer. This piano lacquer trim is handcrafted with up to seven layers, polished for a high-gloss finish. Unfortunately no information has been revealed about the drivetrain.
However there is rumor that instead of using exiting engines available in the E-Class range, the new CLS is likely to use Mercedes’ new range of V6 and V8 engines called Move. These engines are likely to be paired with the company’s 7-speed automatic slush box. A wagon version, as previewed by the Shooting Brake concept may also join the CLS’ line-up.
While we wait for official details, check out a high-res image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
New Mercedes-Benz CLS prematurely revealed
This is the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLS that has been prematurely revealed thanks to a brochure leak. As always from a leaked brochure story, we don’t really have enough information to share with you apart from the obvious. As you can see the new CLS maintains the previous generation’s (now discontinued) “banana shape” and is now finished with design cues adopted from the Shooting Brake concept revealed in April.
In my honest opinion, I feel that the new CLS looks a lot better than the model it is going to replace, although I do feel that something is just not right about this new model. Perhaps its the front grille that points outward a little too much.
No complains about the interior though. The individual rear seating is still maintained while the dashboard design looks very much inspired by the CLS Shooting Brake. It looks very similar in fact, even the door cards look the same. The only major difference I can spot is a more angular centre console (the sides of it) and probably a different set on controls on the center dash.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLS is like to carry over it’s mechanical bits from the current E-Class and a high-performance AMG variant is expected too, featuring a force-inducted 5.5 liter V8 with about 540hp. More images of the leaked brochure can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3: on sale now for €397,460
Interested teams can now place orders for the track-ready Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 which carries a €397,460 price tag, including 19% VAT (€334,000 without VAT). Mercedes also announced that it will put in place a motorsport customer unit for SLS AMG GT3 customers with HWA AG. Mercedes worked closely with HWA during the development of the race car and HWA also runs the AMG-Mercedes DTM racing outfit.
Compared to the road-going SLS AMG, the GT3 variant sports a different front fascia, a ventilated hood and a carbon fiber front splitter, just to name a few. Also included is a rear diffuser as well as a large rear wing. It is powered by the same 6.2 liter V8 featured in the less potent model, with minor modifications. The engine is linked to a 6-speed sequential motorsport transmission with steering-mounted paddle shifters.
In stock the engine in the SLS AMG produces 571hp and 650Nm of torque. Mercedes did not reveal how much power the GT3 can produce, but it is likely to be slightly more. The SLS AMG GT3 does naught to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds while the standard SLS does the same 0.1 seconds slower. Delivery of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 will take place in February 2011. An image gallery can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
