Mercedes SLS tuning begins

It’s not even on sale yet, but that hasn’t stopped the tuning fraternity. Say hello to the first batch of tweaked Mercedes SLS AMG supercars.

First up (and in the main pic) is MEC Design’s go at modifying the modern-day Gullwing. These ideas are just renderings for now (perhaps a good thing), but give an idea of what to expect when the company finally gets its hands on the SLS.

MEC’s front styling is certainly striking, with an F1-style nose – particularly fitting with the launch of the Mercedes Motorsport team – and an all new bumper with a brace of revised air intakes. Of most questionable taste, though, are those wheels. There’s a couple of designs available but both are deeply dished, 22in items that rather change the proportions of the usually sleek SLS. The rear gets a new, smoothed-off appearance and gains a dramatic new diffuser.

There’s also the Kicherer SLS 63 CP (car in silver, last three pics on right). Like the MEC SLS, it too is going for a bold and slightly garish front end. It boasts a particularly striking grille – which forgoes any Mercedes-Benz badging – although there’s still a three-pointed star on the rear and unlike it’s rival tuner, Kircherer has kept the SLS AMG’s styling pretty much intact.

Short of that grille, the addition of a roof scoop and some black dished 20in alloys, it’s a subtle makeover, which is likely to major more on performance tweaks. There is no word on how the 6.2-litre V8 engine will benefit yet, though. It’s equally unclear whether the MEC SLS will boost the standard supercar’s 563bhp and 197mph maximums to take on Kircherer’s effort.

Avoid early Mercedes A-class cars

Avoid the first-generation A-class – they are deeper money pits than any other small car and were built when Mercedes quality was at an all-time low.

They are needlessly complicated and ridiculously expensive to fix.

For example, a replacement automatic transmission can be £5,000 in the UK, which is three times what a nine-year-old A-class is worth.

The current model, introduced in 2005, is absolutely fine – just as a small Mercedes should be.

Mercedes-Benz sets 4,000-unit target

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd expects the improving market landscape and launch of new car models to drive sales of its passenger cars to over 4,000 units next year.

President and chief executive officer Peter Honegg said next year’s passenger car market was projected by the Malaysian Automotive Association to be better than this year.

“We were very fearful at the beginning of the year and would have been happy to do what we did in 2007, which was selling 3,600 passenger cars,” he said during the media launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class yesterday.

Florian Mueller (left) and Peter Honegg with a Mercedes-Benz EClass.

He said the company sold 4,200 passenger cars last year and planned to sell between 200 and 300 units more than its initial target of 3,600 units this year.

Honegg said Mercedes-Benz currently held about 43% in the luxury car segment and it aimed to improve its position “a little” next year.

“There are more competitors coming in but we try to maintain the leading position in this segment,” he said.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class to officially launched today would be available in three variants, with the starting retail price of RM455,888 (on-the-road without insurance).

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president of sales and marketing for passenger cars Florian Mueller said the company aimed to sell more than 1,500 units of the newly-launched E-Class sedan cars next year.

The company has received over 600 bookings for the new cars.

Mercedes-Benz India achieves 132 per cent growth in sales in October'09 Read more: Mercedes-Benz India achieves 132 per cent growth in sales in Octob

Mercedes-Benz India announced a sale of 325 units of passenger vehicles in October 2009. This is an increase of 132 per cent as compared to their October 2008 performance (140 units in Oct 2008) and takes their cumulative numbers to 2,640 units of passenger cars for the period January – October 2009.

“In tune with the rest of the market, 2009 was a slow start for us. However we have witnessed increased demand since the second half of this year and October 2009 is the continuation of this growth story.The new E-Class which made its debut end of September 2009 and has won hearts of customers with its bold looks and aggressive stance and has sold 127 units in October 2009,” commented Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.

The S-Class, the leading luxury vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz stable also registered very strong sales performance with 30 units sold in October 2009 (as compared to 6 units in October 2008). The C-Class has also added to the volumes netting 153 units in October 2009 (100 units in Oct 2008).

Debashis Mitra, director- Sales and Marketing, “Mercedes-Benz India offers the widest and deepest portfolio for customers; our network penetration is the deepest across the Indian luxury car segment. We have worked very closely with our customers to ensure that our products, service and the value proposition match their needs. October sales numbers are encouraging for us.”

Read more: Mercedes-Benz India achieves 132 per cent growth in sales in October'09 - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
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2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe First Drive

The Mercedes E350

Normally inured to the flowery marketing bumph that comes with the presentation of any new vehicle, I was nonetheless intrigued by Mercedes-Benz's description of its E-Class Coupe as "a very special combination of emotion and performance."

Strangely, only a few minutes after taking the keys and hopping behind the wheel of an extremely clean and shiny E350 Coupe, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of serenity the likes of which I haven't experienced in any new vehicle in a long time. Anticipation and desire, yes, or even the occasional antipathy. Serenity, no. Even more uncharacteristically, said serenity didn't disappear as I became more familiar with the car. After a while, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride, chalking up the Coupe as one of those extremely rare cars that can trigger such positive vibes.

There's nothing inherently magical about the E350. It is composed of metal, plastic, glass and rubber, the same as every other passenger vehicle on the face of the planet. But the sum of its parts somehow adds up to a greater whole.

The coupe's exterior design is quite striking whether head on or in profile. There's a hint of aggression in its sharp-edged creases, notably the sweeping lines that flow from the front bumper over the radiator grille to the hood. Plunking down an extra $800 for the AMG Sport Package further hones the look with 18-inch rubber surrounding chic twin-spoke alloy rims, plus a styling package consisting of a front apron, side skirts and rear apron. (Interior elements include multi-contour front seats, sport steering wheel and appearance upgrades.)

Yet, if from the distinctive styling one anticipates some sort of super-coupe able to terrorize Porsches and Corvettes in the downtown Stoplight Grand Prix, the result will be deflating. The E350 is quick rather than fast, composed as it accelerates unless you switch the seven-speed manumatic to manual mode (Touch Shift in Mercedesspeak) and get busy with the paddle shifters. Then, the 3.5-litre V6's 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque make their presence known. When put to the test, the E350 takes 6.4 seconds to pick off 100 kilometres an hour -- respectable but not world-class. Those hungering for more can always pop for the E550 and its 382-hp 5.5L V8.

But the V6 proved perfectly acceptable for my needs, with enough urge to get the job done. Besides, it is creamy smooth in operation, and the 7G-Tronic autobox knocks off the shifts with flawless precision. Also up for praise is the steering, which has a muscular heft to it without being artificially heavy. One can thank Mercedes engineers for creating the standard Dynamic Handling package. This allows the coupe's dynamic characteristics to be altered between comfort and sporty settings at the touch of button. Vehicle damping, speed-sensitive power steering with variable centering, traction control, accelerator response and speed of gear changes can all be modified.

Mercedes-Benz isn't known for taking a back seat in the safety department, and the new E Coupe reflects the company's attention. Along with an alphabet soup of the usual safety nannies is something particularly intriguing called Attention Assist. When driving, Attention Assist supposedly monitors and evaluates more than 70 different parameters in order to recognize driver drowsiness and "provide warning in advance of critical moments of micro-sleep." Apparently, research by Mercedes shows that drowsy drivers make tiny steering errors that they frequently correct very quickly and in a characteristic manner. This steering behaviour is recognized by a special steering wheel angle sensor that will send an audible and visual display (a pictogram of a hot cup of coffee) to the driver.

While the first-rate vehicle dynamics put a smile on my face and the plethora of safety backups reassured me, it was the E350's interior environment that sealed the deal. First, the interior colours and materials are beyond pleasing. I'm generally less than enthused about the traditional overabundance of black interiors that seem to be the norm with upscale German cars. Thus, the Flamenco Red -- a brownish-red hue -- that brightened the seats and door panels was a breath of fresh air, offsetting the dark panel pieces. Second, the multi-contour seat seemed to be moulded to my body shape, providing unparalleled support and comfort. Third, the cabin's sound deadening was effective in keeping the outside out and the inside in, allowing just enough of the world to intrude so as not to seal the occupants in tomb-like silence. Fourth, the instruments are sharp and well lit, and the controls are large, properly marke

Kicherer SLS 63 CP Unveiled

Kicherer have become the second tuner to release their plans for the plans for a special Pan-Am version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Gullwing America was the first company to show their kit.

The ‘more sporty version’ got a new front lip spoiler, larger front intake, a roof-mounted air intake and rear diffuser. Of course, each piece is made from carbon fiber.

In the gallery you will spot a stainless steel grille – also available in gold – and a stainless steel quad-pipe exhaust. The Benz was outfitted with lightweight, three-part 20-inch wheels.

Performance upgrades for the 6.3-liter V8-engined will be available in the future. No details are available at this stage.

History behind Mercedes' new supercar

The 2011 SLS AMG

When legend and romance are commingled with the latest in automotive technology, the result can be sensational, and that pretty much describes the latest addition to the short but spectacular roster of Mercedes-Benz models that have merited “ubercar” status in the past six decades.

In fact, the just-launched SLS AMG is one of only three modern, post-Second World War, supercars that could be called series production cars.

The 2011 SLS AMG may have a retro look that pays homage to the fabulous 300SL “Gullwing” of the fifties and drives onto the scene through the fading cloud of tire smoke left by that cars spiritual successor the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, but is, as they were, a ground breaker and ground shaker in its own right.

It's the first complete model created by M-B's AMG performance division, which for the past four decades has been basically turning staid M-B production machinery into the Germanic equivalent of the North American hot-rod – but with more emphasis on overall performance than flame-painted style, of course.

AMG was founded in the late 1960s by a pair of racing enthusiasts who in 1971 created a racer out of the big 300SEL sedan, which won its class and went on to finish second in the 24-hour race at Spa-Franchorchamps in Belgium. It marked the beginning of a series of competition successes that saw AMG become the pre-eminent tuner of M-B products. After a lengthy association, M-B officially made it part of the company in 1999 and it now sells 20,000 AMG-badged units in a good year.

That number will augmented by the much higher volume (no official estimates available) of SLS sales M-B anticipates compared to the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR. The 617 hp, half-million-dollar SLR was introduced in 2003 and production ended last year with less than 2,000 built.

A fourth, but little known, modern-era M-B supercar was the $1.5-million CLK GTR of 1998, of which only 25 were built by specialty firm HWA in Germany to homologate the M-B GT1 racing car.

The comparatively more affordable SLS will arrive here next year and while Canadian pricing has yet to be announced, M-B is taking European orders for about €150,000, the equivalent of $238,000 Canadian.

The SLS coupe (a convertible and possibly an electric version will follow) may not be quite as exotic as the SLR - the body and structure are aluminum rather than a carbon-fibre – but it's a potent piece, powered by AMG's 6.3 litre V-8 engine, tuned to produced 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, delivered to the wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Brabus tweaks the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

2010 Brabus B63 S -

Don't have enough money for Brabus to swap out the V8 in your E63 AMG for a V12? Not to worry. Today at the Essen Motor Show, the German tuner officially launched its B63 S performance package for 6.2-liter V8 in the four-door Benz. The upgrade consists of dual "sport" air filters, high-flow catalytic converters, and revised program for the engine and results in a 30 horsepower increase.

Brabus is also offering other modifications for the E63 AMG as well, including a carbon fiber aero kit, wheels in 18 to 20-inch sizes, and various interior trim pieces like stainless-steel scuff plates, a new 225 mph speedometer, and wood or carbon fiber inlays. For the most part ,we'd skip the visual bits and stick with the engine upgrades. Hit the jump for full details in press release, or check out the high-res gallery below courtesy of Brabus.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

The one absolutely unassailable benefit about the hybrid revolution is that it has upset the homogeneity that has been pervading the automotive industry as of late. Take the ber-luxury sedan segment. In recent years, almost every manufacturer - BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz - followed the same strict formula: A mid-displacement V8 powered the entry-level model - if an $85, 000-plus sedan can ever be called entry-level - upstaged by a seriously expensive 12-cylinder land yacht. It was a protocol that the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Jaguar XJ and Audi A8 followed without variation.

That's until the green revolution and the Lexus LS 600hL threw a monkey wrench into the entire regimen.

Suddenly, the strict eight- and 12-cylinder protocol was no longer universal since the LS hybrid stood atop the Lexus lineup where a V12 normally stood.

It's been a couple of years since the LS 600 made its debut and we finally have Europe's answer with both Mercedes and BMW offering hybrid versions of their iconic S-Class and 7 Series luxo-barges.

But this is where that divergence I mentioned comes in. Where the LS 600hL stresses fuel economy with adequate performance and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 - in keeping with corporate philosophy - is all about performance with its hybrid electric motor hooked up to a twin-turbo V8, Mercedes takes the opposite tack, marrying its small 3.5-litre V6 with a ``mild'' hybrid powertrain to emphasize economy, both in sticker price and fuel consumption.

The S400 is really the economy-minded - again, if anything that retails for $105,900 can be called economical - luxury hybrid, the technology a far cry from the complicated arrangement the LS 600 and even Toyota's much lower-cost Prius boast. Instead, the Mercedes uses a very Honda Insight-like arrangement with its 20-horsepower electric motor sandwiched between the V6 engine and the transmission. Besides, though the Mercedes is the first production automobile to use the much-touted lithium ion battery for hybrid use, it's a tiny affair, not much bigger than a standard automotive battery and much smaller than those powering full hybrids.

All this means that the electric motor cannot power the big Merc all by itself. It does allow the engine to shut off at stoplights, however, and acts in concert with the V6 when serious acceleration is called for. It is, in these two ways, that the hybrid conserves gas compared with the V8s and V12s otherwise employed in Mercedes' top-of-the-line vehicles. Rated at 11 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.7 L/100 km on the highway by Transport Canada, the S400 is, on paper at least, more frugal than Mercedes' smallest V8, the S450.

And it delivers on that promise of superior fuel economy, though it depends on the type and style of driving you do. Driven Prius-like frugally on the highway, for instance, can see the S400 sip as little as 8.7L per 100 klicks, superior mileage for a monster as large as the S-Class. Driven in a more Boothian manner around town, the average was in the 12.5-L/100-km range, still better than what I usually achieve in most large luxury sedans but certainly not otherworldly.

But even if the S400 doesn't always deliver astounding economy, neither does it sacrifice significant performance for the frugality it does deliver.

Rated together, the 3.5L/electric motor combination boasts 295 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of peak torque (118 lb-ft alone from the electric motor at truly low rpm). Pushed hard, of course, you'll notice a difference between the S400's thrust and the S550, but on no occasion did the hybrid Mercedes feel anything less than stellar.

My only powertrain complaint is that when goosed hard, the gasoline engine is not the most sophisticated-sounding engine on the planet. It's an unusual 90- degree V6 and, though Mercedes has quelled all the vibration endemic to this odd layout, the engine's exhaust note is not as melodious as one expects from a top-of-the-line Mercedes. The good news is that, with all the low-end torque afforded by the supplementary electric motor, you don't call on maximum warp all that often.

Mercedes' big S-Class has been moderately updated this year with minor exterior and interior upgrades. Nonetheless, it still remains the luxury segment's stalwart, possessed of great luxury along with a plethora of class- leading creature comforts and electronic features. The optional (as part of the Premium package) multi-contour seats are a prime example.

Adjusted through the Comand onboard computer, there's a truly dizzying array of padding alterations available not to mention the multi-faceted massage machine (I preferred the fast and vigorous setting; most, however, chose the slow and gentle position. And, yes, slow and vigorous and fast and gentle are options).

Another useful part of the S400's $6,100 Premium package was the rear-view camera, which, combined with Mercedes tilt-down-when-in-reverse side mirrors, is the best combination for easy parking. Lexus may boast automatic parking, but give me the pairing of easily accessible information as to how far my bumper is from creaming the Toyota behind me and exactly how far those expensive alloy wheels are from the curb and I'm a happy camper.

In the end, Mercedes' choice of emphasizing economy over performance in its top-of-the-range sedan is fitting. Unlike those shopping BMW's 7 Series who may be looking for ultimate performance in a large luxury sedan, few buy an S-Class to tear up the road. Besides, there's all manner of options for that kind of behaviour - the S550, S63 and S65. With the S400, driving like a banker doesn't necessarily mean consuming like one.

National Post

dbooth@nationalpost.com

SPECS

Type of vehicle: Rear-wheel-drive, luxury sedan

Engine: Electric motor/3.5L DOHC V6

Power: 295 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 284 lb-ft of torque @ 2,400 rpm

Transmission Seven-speed manumatic

Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Tires: P235/60R17

Price: base/as tested: $105,900/$114,500

Destination charge: $1,995

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 11 city, 7.7 hwy.

Standard features: Power door locks, windows and mirrors, front and rear air conditioning with micron air filter, harman/kardon AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, navigation system, cruise control, power glass sunroof, information display, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, leather seats, 12-way power adjustable front seats, heated front seats, auto headlights, power rear sunshade, dual front air bags, side curtain air bags, Attention Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, TeleAid emergency calling system, Advanced Parking Guidance.

China to be No. 3 market of Mercedes-Benz in 2010

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz expects China to surpass the UK as its third-biggest market next year with its sales growth in China outpacing the overall auto market, Bloomberg reported today.

China's auto sales will likely rise by as much as 15% next year, Mercedes-Benz China head Klaus Maier said today at the opening Guangzhou auto show. The automaker's China sales this year will probably rise 65% to 65,000 cars, he said.

Mercedes expects its sales in China to only lag behind those Germany and the U.S. next year, surpassing the UK sales. China is the world's biggest market for Mercedes-Benz's S-Class model.

Sales of Mercedes cars rose 55% in China in the first 10 months to 50,700 units, with October sales up 83% to 6,400 units, making it the fastest-growing luxury-car brand in the Chinese market. Mercedes may overtake BMW in China "soon."

Mercedes-Benz expects its cars sold in China to be evenly split between imports and locally made models by the end of next year. Currently, 70% are imported. Daimler has a Chinese venture with Beijing Auto for making Mercedes cars.

"We are always confident that this market will continue to grow, especially in the luxury-car segment, as we believe the Chinese economy will continue to grow," said a sales and marketing executive at Mercedes-Benz China.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Elegance

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Elegance Sedan Road Test Review

Earlier this year Mercedes-Benz launched the latest additions to its passenger car range: the W212 E-Class sedan and the C207 E-Class Coupe.

Both bodystyles arrived on our shores with the choice of a 3.5 litre V6 or 5.5 litre V8 petrol engine, while a range of thrifty diesels and a direct-injected petrol four have since been added to the mix.

We decided to test the model that sits in the middle of the petrol engined offerings: the E350 sedan.

The 2010 E-Class sedan is all-new, and the ninth generation model in the E-Class’s 60-year history.

The bodywork is fresh, the interior is completely different and the underpinnings promise a better ride and improved performance. It’s easy to quantify the changes on a spec sheet, but what we wanted to know was, “does it still feel like an E-Class”?

Styling

According to Mercedes, the 2010 E350 wears its heritage on its sleeve.

Trainspotters will notice the pontoon-like shaping of the rear fenders (a homage to 1940s-era Benzes) and the 2010 E-Class is the third generation to wear the quad-headlamped face.

The shape of the bonnet is also designed to evoke memories of early Mercedes sedans, but to the average observer the new E-Class is simply “Classic Benz”.

The rounded corners and soft edges of the W211 are gone, replaced by sharp creases and ruler-straight cutlines. The front end sees the round lenses of the last E-Class being dropped in favour of more rectangular units and the front bumper sporting a much squarer, more athletic jaw.

Two L-shaped LED daytime running lamps occupy each corner of the lower bumper, and are perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the new E’s design.

The flanks appear bigger and bulkier, the beltline has been moved up and a prominent longitudinal crease now ties the front fenders to the rear.

The LED taillights, like the headlights, are more rectangular in shape and are joined by a chrome strip that spans the bootlid. The V6 has a pair of chrome oval exhaust tips protruding from underneath its bumper, while the V8 gets rectangular-shaped outlets.

Being an Elegance-spec E350, our tester sported a set of 17-inch alloys, while the Avantgarde E350s wear 18-inch alloys.

The Elegance trim also adds more chrome on the bumpers and rubbing strips, along with a four-slat (rather than three-slat) chrome grille.

The new E-Class is longer, wider, lower and has a longer wheelbase than the W211. The bold n’ bulky design adds to the effect, endowing the 2010 E-class sedan with a lot more visual presence than the outgoing model.

In fact, it’s vaguely reminiscent of the W124 E-Class of the late 1980s/early 1990s. The styling is undeniably modern and fresh, but there’s more than a hint of the W124’s Mafia-style appeal in the new E-Class’s form.

So it certainly looks like an E-Class should.

Interior

The cabin of the new E-Class is entirely new, and improved.

Mercedes-Benz now offers all new E-Class models (aside from the base E220 CDI) in Avantgarde trim by default, with the comfort-oriented Elegance specification a no-cost option.

The difference? The Elegance is designed to appeal to a more mature audience, a group that Mercedes calls its “traditional buyers”.

It’s easy to see why. While the Avantgarde gets black-on-black cabin plastics, dark wood trim, darker leather and a black headliner, the Elegance is a tribute to polished walnut trim, beige and grey.

An optional Exclusive package adds more wood, an Alcantara headliner and a leather-trimmed dash.

Ergonomically, the new E-Class is fantastic. Both front seats move electrically in virtually every conceivable direction, and the side bolsters, lumbar cushion and seat squab are pneumatically adjustable to improve support.

All of the controls fall readily to hand, and functions that can’t be activated by the steering wheel buttons can be accessed via the console-mounted controller for the COMAND system.

The multi-function LCD display has been moved to its own binnacle next to the instrument cluster, where it is more easily seen by the driver. The gear shift now resides on the steering column (like the S-Class), freeing up valuable real estate on the centre console.

The steering column is electrically powered, and both rake and reach can be tailored to each driver. A memory function also allows three different seat/wheel positions to be saved.

The shortcut buttons for the stereo, sat-nav and telephone are a little distant from the driver, but a few clicks of the COMAND controller will bring those up on the screen in a second or two.

The instrument cluster houses a large, central speedometer that rings an LCD multifunction display. A tachometer and clock flank the speedo, while a fuel and temperature gauge sit further outboard.

The multifunction display can show trip computer read-outs, vehicle status messages and navigation instructions, and is clear and legible under all lighting conditions.

For rear seat passengers, both space and comfort are plentiful. The seat cushions are supportive, there are three height-adjustable headrests and legroom for the two outer passengers is more than adequate. The tall centre tunnel does limit the middle passenger’s legroom, however.

Should you request it, the Rear Comfort Package deletes the rear bench and replaces it with two individual heated seats separated by a raised centre console.

Diesel Version of E-Class Introduced by Mercedes to the Indian Market

Mercedes Mercedes Benz, world's top ranked luxury cars manufacturer, has introduced the diesel version of its popular E-Class sedan in all major Indian markets. The new model is powered by a 2,987 cc 6-cylinder engine and equipped the BlueEFFICIENCY technology which is aimed at reducing fuel consumption, as has been confirmed by the company.

Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said “With BlueEFFICIENCY, the brand offers a complete package of fuel efficient qualities combined with the characteristic brand features - safety, comfort and refined driving pleasure. The result is the New E-Class with all round safety, outstanding comfort and fuel savings of up-to 13 per cent".

Earlier this year, the Germany based maker of high-end cars had said that it is expecting lower sales figures for 2009 as compared to 2008. But with the new introduction, the company has been quick to roll that back and say that it is now optimistic about recording good sales starting next year.

With an ex-showroom price tag of Rs. 48.08 Lakh, the luxury sedan is expected to perform even better than the units which were launched earlier. Last year, Mercedes recorded sale of 3,625 of its models across India.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class awarded “best power-to-economy ratio” by Diners Club Magazine

The readers of the Diners Club Magazine have elected the Mercedes E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY as the “Car of the year with the best power-to-economy ratio”. Thanks to its state-of-the-art diesel technology, the 150-kW/204-hp engine burns just 5.3 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers on the combined NEDC cycle. This equates to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gullwing supercar review

The corkscrew at Laguna Seca raceway in California is a short but terrifying section of the circuit that drops sharply away from sight and tumbles to the left then right. It will be familiar to MotoGP fans: watching bikes dive and tip into it before catapulting their riders upright and down the other way takes spectators' breath away.

A great way, then, to test the handling of the new supercar from Mercedes AMG: the gullwing SLS AMG.

Three laps spent trying to keep up with former DTM touring car champion Bernd Schneider were hardly a necessary part of the car's launch, however: the first supercar to be designed and built from scratch by master German tuner AMG was never going to be a donkey on the track.

Plus, you can probably count on one hand the number of SLS customers who are going to spread their gullwings on a circuit. Serious racers will wait for the mooted Black Series track version (to be confirmed), or at least pay extra for a different suspension set-up and ceramic composite brakes.

No, SLS AMG buyers are the same people who buy every other supercar these days: collectors, boulevard cruisers, Merrill Lynch bankers and fun seekers, and for them, hundreds of test miles on the pitching, twisting, redwood-lined Pacific roads of Big Sur provided an ample litmus test.

Mercedes AMG is marketing the SLS as a "super sports car", ie with emphasis on sports, not the super part, although a price of £150,000 spells supercar territory to most mortals. The SLS is, the company claims, with characteristic Teutonic understatement, "nothing short of a masterpiece by Mercedes-AMG Gmbh". Not quite, but it's a charming car. It tugs on the nostalgia heartstrings with its cleverly modern interpretation of the classic 300SL gullwing of the 1950s. Grace Kelly, here we all come.

That memorable profile, with the two doors arched up above the roofline, doesn't stop surprising and delighting passers-by. The wide radiator grille, with its huge Mercedes star and the fins on the bonnet, are strongly reminiscent of the original. The overall design is slightly Marmite-ish, though: I tried to love the combination of long bonnet, small headlights, high cabin and fat rear, and just couldn't.

The interior design also left me cold, with its very simple leather-clad dash and familiar black plastic Mercedes switchgear; I longed for a bit of Aston elegance or Maserati finesse but although the leather is beautifully turned and stitched, it's, well, dull.

Silly as it sounds, however, the doors provide nearly all the drama you need. The handle is situated low down – pull it and the door rises easily and lightly above your head, although you still have to duck under it. Step into the car, however, and unless you're taller than 5ft 10in, you'll have to pull the door down with you as you sit in, because the handle sits too high to reach once inside.

Mercedes swears that with the doors open, the car fits inside most normal garages, and they only add 39cm to the width when open. Detractors are always quick to point out the downside of gullwings or scissor doors: how do you get out if the car flips onto its roof in an accident? Well, in the SLS AMG, after 10 seconds of being upside down pyrotechnics automatically explode the hinges so you can push the doors away... cue Michael Caine jokes about blowing the bloody doors off.

This being an AMG baby, the real explosion happens when you press the starter button. What an awesome sound that front-mounted V8 engine makes; distinct from anything Italian by virtue of a deep, metallic rumble that drums up into a thousand jackhammers thumping the ground as the revs rise. It sounds very mechanical, very precise and very expensive, and there are a thousand variations on the sound when you get going and play around with the throttle and gears.

This is a serious car, however, with serious performance: 563bhp, 479lb ft of torque, 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 197mph. The acceleration is effortless: in any of the seven gears, at any speed, you get bucketloads of oomph. It's almost too seamless – you reach illegal speeds with no sense of occasion: you just arrive there.

In "controlled efficiency" mode, it's an easy cruise everywhere, with even some lag between gearchanges from the dual-clutch transmission to make drivers feel they're in a "normal car".

Switch to the "sport" or "sport plus" setting, however, and the gearchange times shorten, the engine growls and it's no longer a pretty gullwing but a serious sports car with its DTM-inspired carbon-fibre driveshaft, and lightweight all-aluminium chassis and body; with AMG keen to show off its serious pedigree, the SLS has been confirmed as the safety car for Formula One next season.

There's a convertible version coming in 2011 (obviously not with gullwing doors...) or, if you want to have serious fun and save the environment, Mercedes AMG has set itself the ambitious date of 2013 for a fully electric version with, they assure me, no loss of performance. In fact, you'll get a staggering 649lb ft of torque from standstill. Expect to see electric SLS AMGs disappearing through the ground with wheelspin.

It might not be a masterpiece, but the SLS AMG offers a staggering number of incarnations to choose from: boulevard cruiser, Fifties recreation, sports car or supercar, with soft-top poser and environmental saviour on the way. The choice is yours.

THE FACTS

Price/availability: from £150,000/next June

Tested: SLS AMG with 7-spd dual-clutch auto

Power/torque: 563bhp@6,800rpm, 479lb ft@4,750rpm

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.8sec

Top speed: 197mph (limited)

Fuel economy (Combined): 18.8mpg

CO2 emissions: 308g/km

VED Band: M (£405)

On the stereo: Hotel California, by The Eagles

Alternatives: an original Mercedes 300 SL, from £350,000

Verdict: a supercar for all seasons

Telegraph rating: four out of five

First Drive: Mercedes SLS AMG

With the new SLS AMG, Mercedes has built exactly the sort of sports cars you might expect from BMW. Never has a Mercedes felt better to drive; never has it been sportier. Rejoicing in Stuttgart means tears in Munich.

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The yellow sun shines from the southwest, lighting up the shallow rock formations of the Santa Lucia mountain range in California. The curving road seems to have no end, as we sit behind the wheel of the glorious silver SLS. The car feels light as we fly along the coastal road, past the Henry Miller Library where a wooden sign proclaims that the writer spent time here in the 1950s. It can’t be much further to Big Sur. It would easy to switch the multi-function screen into navigation mode but we prefer to simply absorb the car and landscape, travelling the legendary coastal road from Los Angeles to San Francisco.



At one of the viewing points, an old Mercedes W126 is parked next to four hippie types sitting on a wall with bottles in their hands. When the eight-cylinder engine of our SLS AMG roars through the exit of the corner, they turn their heads and give us the thumbs-up. On the approach to Big Sur we come across a small gas station and a waiting hitchhiker... but he is out of luck. Mercedes claims fuel economy of 13.2 litres per 100km for its sportscar and, on these long coastal roads, we can indeed achieve something like that figure.



There hasn’t been a Mercedes like this supersports car for a long time. It has some minor faults – such as the overly short seat squabs, some blemishes in the interior detailing and the disappointing fact that the doors have to be pushed up manually, rather than being electrically powered – but the handling is simply magnificent. The radiator grille marks it as a natural descendant of the Gullwings of old. While Bavarian engineers dream about such offspring for the BMW M1, the Mercedes SLS AMG is a reality. In April, it will be available from dealers for around 180,000 euros. No elitist small series, this, but a vehicle of which some 15,000 per year will be made. By 2012 we will see a Roadster version and it can only be a matter of time before a Black Series edition is born.



After years of abstention, the house of Mercedes has created a genuine supersports car once more. Gullwing doors, aluminium spaceframe body, front-mid-mounted engine and mindblowing performance on the road. Not since the 1950s has Mercedes produced such a spectacular child. At that time, the 300SL Gullwings were a sensation, and this new one is hardly less so.



The powerful V8 engine weighs 204kg, the body 241kg and each door 18kg – and the SLS comes to a total weight of more than 1.7 tons. The torquey 6.3 litres of the eight-cylinder unit offers 650Nm – and a magnificent sound. Frequent downshifting is an aural pleasure. The 563bhp power figure is a threatening gesture towards Audi and BMW, as is the 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 317km/h. Why that speed, exactly? Because the car’s main rival, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10, posts a top speed of 316km/h. Simple.

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wins the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2009' award

According to more than a quarter of a million readers, “Bild am Sonntag”, “Auto Bild” and 25 associated European publications awarded the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz SMS AMG Gullwing is the world’s best super sports and received the “Golden Steering Wheel” – one of the most important automotive awards in Europe.

Eleven sports cars competed for this award, but it appears that almost one third of all votes were cast in favour of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The new German sports car evokes memories of the the legendary 300 SL “Gullwing” sports car of the 1950s but excels when it comes to lightweight construction, superior driving dynamics and exemplary safety.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing In-Depth: Chassis And Braking System

The motor sports derived technology to be found everywhere in the powertrain of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is also evident in the suspension and braking system. The aluminium suspension with double-wishbone axles is designed for uncompromising lightweight construction and outstanding handling dynamics. On request the AMG high-performance braking system is also available in a newly developed, highly stress-resistant ceramic version, with composite brake discs all-round. The commitment of Mercedes-Benz and AMGto building a highly desirable super sports car that combines consummate racetrack performance with hallmark Mercedes long-distance comfort has given rise to an ingenious suspension layout. All four wheels are located on double wishbones with a track rod, a technology that has proven itself in motor racing right through to Formula 1. With a double-wishbone axle, the wheel location and suspension functions remain separate; the spring/damper struts are supported on the lower wishbone. The double-wishbone concept with its high camber and track rigidity positively locates the wheel with minimal elastic movements, providing the driver with an optimum sense of road contact when driving at the limits. The suspension setup of the SLS AMG ensures optimum, low body roll and a stiff basic configuration with good suspension comfort. A Performance suspension is also available on request: compared to the standard suspension, the spring rate and damping are respectively around 10 percent and 30 percent stiffer. The Performance suspension is conducive to even more agility and lateral dynamics, as well as a further reduction in body roll when driving at high speeds – for example on the racetrack. Long wheelbase and wide track The long wheelbase of 2680 millimetres not only results in outstanding straight-line stability but also low wheel load shifts, significantly reducing the vehicle's tendency to dive and squat when braking and accelerating. The broad track width – front 1682, rear 1653 millimetres – ensures lower shifts in the wheel loads from the inner to the outer wheel when cornering, enabling the tyres to retain more grip. The large caster angle of 11.6 degrees significantly increases negative wheel camber on the outer wheel when cornering, and also improves tyre grip – this also ensures outstanding stability when braking heavily while cornering. Weight-optimised "Flow Forming" AMG light-alloy wheels The weight-optimised axle design is complemented with AMG light-alloy wheels produced by the new "flow forming" process. During this production process, hot forming in the area of the rim base makes for a denser material structure, thereby improving long-term durability. This also means that lower wall thicknesses can be used. The weight saving of around 1.1 kilograms per wheel compared to conventional light-alloy wheels reduces the unsprung masses, further improving the handling dynamics and suspension comfort. The AMG light-alloy wheels in size 9.5 x 19 inches at the front and 11.0 x 20 inches at the rear are shod with 265/35 R 19 size tyres at the front and 295/30 R 20 at the rear. Three variants are available: AMGlight-alloy wheels in a 7-spoke design or a 5-twin-spoke design, or alternatively low-weight forged wheels in a 10-spoke design. With an approx. 14-percent lower weight than the "Flow Forming" wheels, these reduce the unsprung masses even further. The weight saving per wheel is 1.8 kilograms. Tyres developed exclusively for the SLS AMG ensure top performance and excellent grip. A tyre pressure control system which continuously monitors the pressure in all four tyres is standard equipment, with the data for each wheel shown in the display. During a journey, four wheel sensors on the insides of the light-alloy wheels send out continuous radio signals with information about the air pressure, tyre temperature and direction of rotation. A control unit evaluates the data and informs the driver in the event of a deviation from the nominal values. In this case the display shows the message "Check tyres!", or in case of a sudden pressure loss "Attention. Tyredefect!". A yellow warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for direct feedback With a constant mechanical steering ratio of 13.6:1, the rack-and-pinion steering of the SLS AMGprovides direct feedback and meets the high expectations for a super sports car. The servo assistance is speed-sensitive, improving the feedback to the driver as the speed increases – an indispensable factor when driving straight ahead at high speed. Perfect linear transfer of the steering angles is made possible by the constant velocity joint integrated into the steering system. The chosen geometry also provides plenty of scope for the performance-enhancing headers in the sports exhaust system. Installing the steering gear on the subframe in front of the engine allows a particularly low engine position. The subframe is of high-strength steel, and is rigidly bolted to the side members. It not only optimises steering precision, but is also a key component in the front-end crash structure.

Mercedes Benz S class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is in town.

There's a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in town and the German company hopes more potential customers will see the light. Well, more specifically, the LED light.

The 2010 model-year update introduces a range of exterior styling tweaks, mainly to the front and rear of the cars, that includes the liberal use of LED light technology and a new "BlueEfficiency" model that blends a diesel engine with improved aerodynamics and smarter fuel-saving technology.

Unfortunately, prices for the new model have gone up. The company says the new range of S-Class cars have risen in price by about 7 per cent but claims the value of all the bits added as standard has increased by more than double that.

For the extra money, Benz argues you get a much safer range of cars. For starters, the clever adaptive cruise control is off the options list and now standard across the range, as is a Bluetooth phone connection.

A night vision camera is now standard on all but the base S350 CDI and even includes the ability to recognise pedestrians and warn the driver.

Externally, there's a distinctly restyled nose now featuring a row of daytime running lights underneath the headlamps to either side of a different-looking grille. A wider-looking stance is helped by wheels that grow to a standard 18 inches, stepping to 20-inch wheels for the high-powered AMG models.

Mercedes-Benz Announces C-Class Executive Special Edition

Mercedes-Benz is a company which puts out stylish, luxurious and stunning vehicles. Earlier we reported that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gullwing had been revealed. Now the company has announced the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Executive SE, a special edition car which gives the customer added value with an exterior styling pack and interior upgrades.

The Executive SE is powered by the manual C180 Kompressor BlueEfficiency engine, and is based on the SE model line. It is offered in the Saloon and Estate body style. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Executive SE will come with a Sport Grille with the integrated Mercedes-Benz star, a feature usually exclusive to the Sport model. It will also have 16 inch ‘Pristix’ alloy wheels, and chrome trim finishes on the boot lid and exhaust.

The interiors of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class have the COMAND fitted as standard. The multimedia system comes with hard disc drive navigation, a 6 GB music register, a PCMCIA slot and Linguatronic voice control, and all can be fully controlled via the Executive SE’s multi-function steering wheel.

The 156 hp engine gives 44.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle and carbon dioxide emissions of just 154 g/km put the Executive SE in the 18 percent tax bracket. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Executive SE comes with Hill Start Assist which eliminates the need to use the parking brake.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Executive SE comes with a host of safety features and a three year unlimited mileage warranty. The Executive SE will be available from November 2009 for 23,190 GBP (approx. Rs. 17,88,790). The Estate model will cost 24,390 GBP (approx. Rs. 18,81,355).

Mercedes introduces special edition C-Class

A new special edition model has just been added to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range. Available as a saloon and an estate with all the C-Class engines, the Special Edition models feature unique exterior and interior styling elements while Merc has also upped the car's standard equipment list. On the outside, key traits include the darkened headlights, shoulderline trim strips in polished aluminium and front grille finished in silver matt with chrome highlights.

The Special Edition C-Class models also get front fog lamps with a chrome ring and chromed twin louvres, chrome highlights in the bumper, rub strip and boot lid plus the B-pillar trim painted glossy black. The car's exterior looks are rounded off by a set of 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with mixed-size tires (235/60 R 17 at the front, 255/55 R 17 at the rear), though customers can opt for 16-inch 7-spoke alloys and 205/55 R17-size tires all round.

Color options for the Special Edition C-Class range are limited to a new indium grey paintwork along with 'obsidian black', 'palladium silver', 'iridium silver' and 'calcite white'.

Based on the AVANTGARDE design and equipment line, the interior of the Special Edition gets unique tow-tone seats made from black ARTICO leather and fabric in como beige, trim parts in brushed aluminium and specific floor mats. There's also contrasting stitching embellishing the seats, center armrest and door center panel.

Among other things, the Special Edition's standard equipment includes a multifunction leather steering wheel, Intelligent Light System featuring bi-xenon headlamps with variable light distribution and a Parktronic system.

Prices depend on which engine is ordered, but Mercedes said that the additional charge on the respective Avantgarde models is between €2,689.40 and €3,879.40 with the leather/fabric seats and €4,629.10 and €5819.10 with a full leather upholstery.