1949 Mercedes-Benz 170S Cabriolet A

Born out of still-warm ashes
The small Cabriolet A series of the 170S line-up was presented for the first time in May 1949 at the Hanover Technical Export Fair. Largely based on the W136 series, its development was rather quick and successful. The facilities and equipment weren’t damaged by Allied bombing on German soil during the war, which made its development easier. Because of this, Mercedes-Benz was able to quickly launch production of its mid-size cars after the war.


Rebuilding a name
Sadly, after years of prosperity where the German aristocracy proudly travelled around in luxurious 770Ks and other prestigious convertibles, Mercedes was forced to temporarily abandon its ultra-elitist cars and content itself with building more popular, but always comfortable, vehicles.

Taking up where they left off
Despite the failure of the 1938 230 Series, the production of which never exceeded 4,210 units, the W136 platform was nonetheless used for the post-war revival of the brand with the 170.

While the 230 Series used a 2.3-litre inline six delivering 55 hp, the post-war economic conditions in Germany forced Stuttgart to cut down to four cylinders. The 1.8-litre S-4 would only produce 52 hp and 83 ft-lb of torque.

However, the frames would from then on feature double crossbeams with coils springs and a sway bar. This innovation was the invention of Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who would later become much more famous with his interpretation of a certain 300SLR in 1955.

Luxury confirmed
The creation of the 170S following the 170V (sedan) demonstrates a firm willingness to return to assertive luxury. Mercedes’ mythical letter S was always synonymous with prestige. The 170S’ sales price would almost double that of the sedan. It would be available with a choice of two or four seats, but would be out of the average German’s league. Only 830 units were built over the two-passenger Model A’s three-year life span and only 39 of those would be sold in 1949.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate breaks cover

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

The Estate takes many of the design cues that we first saw on Mercedes' ConceptFascination design study, such as the defined rear-fender bulge, but with a pair of extra doors and a much less severely sloped roof.

The photos also hint at power train configurations, with both gasoline and diesel power plants available with or without 4Matic all-wheel drive, and tech options, such as rear-seat entertainment.

The E-Class Estate joins the sedan and coupe as the third model in the E-Class lineup and should debut in the sheet metal at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate spy shots

The next-generation Mercedes Benz E-Class Estate has again been spotted in testing but this time the prototype is for the high-performance AMG version of the executive wagon. The images were taken as the test vehicle was testing near Germany’s Nurburgring circuit and reveal the final shape of the car, with only the finer details being masked by the black camouflage material.

A giveaway that this is the AMG version is the exposed rear bumper with quad tailpipes. Other details include perforated brake discs with oversized calipers.

Mercedes-Benz and its AMG engineers have been testing prototypes for the E-Class extensively--even recruiting former McLaren F1 ace Mika Hakkinen and race driver Klaus Ludwig to fine tune the upcoming car.

Despite current concerns about global warming and a possible end to the horsepower war between Germany’s in-house tuners, the new E63 Estate will continue with the potent hand-built 6.2-liter V-8, as well as the same mechanical upgrades offered in the E63 Sedan. This means an output of 518 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with all that thrust funneled through a 7-speed MCT dual-clutch transmission.

This should ensure a 0-60 mph time of around 4.4 seconds but top speed will still be limited to 155mph.

Highlights of the exterior include 17mm wider fenders, unique LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon headlights, and 19 inch alloy wheels shod with 285 mm rubber in the rear (18 inch wheels come standard).

So far Mercedes-Benz has only confirmed the E350 Estate model for the U.S., however, if demand is strong enough hopefully the high-performance E63 family hauler will come too. Expect to see the vehicle make its debut in the first half of next year.

Spyshots: Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

With the 2010 Frankfurt Auto Show fastly approaching German manufacturers (more than others) will take the opportunity to be in the spotlight with their newest creations. Mercedes Benz is no exception and their new SLS may be the star of their presentation.

To keep your interest high about the car, we bring you yet another set of spyshots showing the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG. Although many of the details regarding the car are already known, the fact that it still wears camo hints to some pretty interesting developments regarding the body of the SLS.

It will be powered by an AMG tweaked 6.2-liter V8 powerplant that generates 571 horsepower (420 kW) at 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 650 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The unit allows the SLS to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and tops at 315 km/h (195 mph).

The power unit will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and will offer sports suspensions with aluminum double wishbones as standard.

If you have been watching, you know Mercedes Benz has up its sleeve two additional SLS goodies: the roadster and the electric drive SLS. Whereas it is only understandable the roadster version will boast the same amount of power from the same engine, the electric sports car promises the same performances coming from four electric motors positioned near the wheels: a combined peak output of 392 kW (525 hp) and a maximum torque of 880 Nm.

The SLK roadster has served Mercedes-Benz well over its life since introduction in 2004, and like all cars its once-cutting-edge design has become somewhat tired, despite a mid-cycle facelift. An all-new SLK is in the works, however, spotted on numerous occasions testing in Germany and previewed in our renderings below. A new report today tips the roadster for introduction in early 2011, after going on a strict diet and gaining some cargo space - and possibly gaining a sporty new engine.

According to a new report from Automobile, the next-gen SLK will drop 200 pounds in weight while adding a bit of space to the smallish trunk, increasing capacity to 11.2 cubic feet. That will definitely make the vehicle more useful, both for trips to the golf course and weekend getaways.

A new engine may also be in the mix, with a 300-350 horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 tipped for release some time after the car's official debut. The launch engines will stick with the current tried-and-true lineup of gasoline engines, with evolutionary developments expected. There is also talk of a possible twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-8 generating over 470 horsepower for the AMG version once the standard 6.2-liter V-8 is replaced, though neither of the twin-turbo reports has yet been confirmed by any Mercedes or AMG officials.

There is also the possibility that the 2011 SLK will get the 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel found in the current C250 CDI. Rated at 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in its C-Class application, the engine would be sporty, but whether Americans would find it palatable is an open question. Mercedes has discussed bringing diesels to the U.S., but in the GLK and C-Class, not a sporty model like the SLK.

Aside from the next-gen car's general proportions not much is clear due to generous slabs of camouflage cladding in the spy photos captured so far. Nevertheless, the car's LED daytime running lights, common to all of Mercedes' most recent models, are obvious. The door-mounted side mirrors stand out further on thinner stalks than the outgoing model, while the general proportions of the car with the top up seem to reflect a longer hood and more rearward seating position.

2011 mercedes benz slk

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Spy Photos Emerge

It's been extremely slow the past week for any new Mercedes news, but today we've finally managed to find a story worth posting thanks to our friends at Autoblog.nl. They managed to grab some spy photos of the forthcoming 2010 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, and as you can see, the model is nearly unmasked.

From a technical standpoint, there really isn't anything worth mentioning that isn't already known. Power and technical features should be directly in line with the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe, while the main difference (i.e., the cloth top) is clearly visible in the photos.

To see more of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, keep scrolling for a few additional pics (click any to enlarge), then head over to Autoblog.nl for the full story.

Brabus Mercedes-Benz 700 Modified G-Class

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Expert Reviews

The Mercedes-Benz CL is the eighth generation of a long line of range-topping coupes that dates back to the early 1950s.Expensive and exclusive, these cars have been rare and seldom seen, even compared to the big Mercedes sedans on which most of them have been based.Like the sedans themselves, the coupes have evolved significantly with the times, but their fundamental mission remains the same: high-performance and maximum luxury in a gloriously stylish package.These are cars in which esthetics purposely trump practicality. Pounding the point home is the CL's hardtop design: As with all of its predecessors since 1958, there is no central B-pillar aft of the doors to break the sleek lines of the body.With the windows down, the look is sexy and the view out is panoramic, recalling cars of the Fifties and Sixties when hardtops were in vogue. Where the current CL breaks most from tradition is in its sheer excess.Pricey and pretty as they were, the big Mercedes coupes of the Fifties, Sixties, and even Seventies were compact compared to contemporary U.S.cars, and were powered by relatively small-displacement engines.The current line qualifies as truly massive, in size, weight, and horsepower. The current generation CL was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year.The CL 550 comes with a powerful 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8.The CL600 packs an insanely powerful 510-hp twin turbocharged 5.5-liter V12. For 2008, Mercedes added two more choices from its AMG performance division: the ridiculously powerful 518-horspower 6.2-liter V8, and the preposterously powerful 604-horsepower 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12.We're running out of adjectives to describe the performance of these engines. Also new for 2008 are upgrades to the CL's incredible electronic systems. Like its predecessors, the current CL manages to be sporty without being a true sports car.Securing the right exterior proportions meant making the CL significantly shorter than the S-Class, upon which it is based.This results in a close-coupled, intimate interior, the kind historically associated with coupes from time immemorial.We'd call the rear passenger area cramped, though similar models from BMW and Bentley actually have even less rear legroom.The CL is for being seen in.If you want practicality in a big Mercedes, buy an S-Class sedan. In the front seats, the CL is a car that is as wonderful to be in as to be seen in.Its interior is sumptuous and inviting, dressed in the finest materials and tailored to perfection.Burled walnut, supple leather, brushed aluminum and designer-quality knobs and switches are everywhere you look and touch.The standard equipment list bulges with luxury items no one actually needs but almost anyone would love to have, from a Harman/Kardon 600-watt, 11-speaker audio system to soft ambient mood lighting.Through the Mercedes COMAND central computer interface, many dozens of settings for seats, climate, sound, lighting, GPS and much more can be customized to your personal preferences. Finally, the CL offers a breathtaking array of safety technology as standard: nine airbags; dynamic stability control; traction control ABS anti-lock brakes; automatic brake drying; seatbelt pre-tensioners, and automatic window closers, to name a few items. In short, the CL is ultra-luxurious, sexy, technologically advanced and very stylish with excellent all-around driving capabilities.With its occasional rear seating for two, it's roomier than a sports car but tighter than a sedan.We think the CL will be extremely appealing to a relative few drivers who fall in love with it and can afford the luxury of choosing stylish lines over day-to-day practicality.

Lineup

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class consists of four models: The CL 550 ($103,100) is powered by a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8.The CL600 ($146,900) packs a 510-horsepower twin turbocharged 5.5-liter V12.New for 2008 are the CL63 AMG ($137,000), whose 6.2-liter V8 develops 518 horsepower; and the CL65 AMG ($197,000), with 604 horsepower and a stupendous 738 pound-feet of torque from a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12.All are subject to the federally imposed Gas Guzzler Tax, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Standard CL equipment is comprehensive.The seats, doors and instrument panel are all leather covered; burled walnut wood trim is used liberally.The front seats are 14-way adjustable and heated, and have a three-setting memory capability that also sets the electrically telescoping-and-tilting steering wheel and side mirrors. The standard audio system is a Harman/Kardon Logic7 5.1 Digital unit with 11 speakers and a 6-CD in-dash changer (with memory card slot).Sirius satellite radio is standard.There's a power sunroof overhead and a power rear-window sunblind in the rear parcel shelf.Doors have power assist closing mechanisms, and the trunk is electrically powered. The Mercedes COMAND system, a centralized computer interface with a dash-mounted flat panel screen, is also standard.It enables access to many of the car's accessories including GPS navigation, phone, climate controls and other customizable features (exterior courtesy lights, seat settings and voice command setup).Bi-Xenon headlights are standard, too, as is Parktronic, a distance sensing parking aid.All CLs are equipped with ABC active suspension; it utilizes electro-hydraulic cylinders to control body roll and some damping functions. Options: The Premium I package ($1950) for the CL 550 includes heated and ventilated front seats and a keyless entry system.Premium II ($5290) includes Premium I equipment and adds multi-adjustable front seats fitted with pneumatic chambers that adjust cushion firmness and lumbar support.Also part of the Premium II package are a night vision system with an in-dash screen, and a rear backup camera.A heated steering wheel ($460) is also available.An AMG body kit ($5630) adds special aerodynamic pieces and larger, 19-inch wheels (18-inch wheels are standard).Or choose 19-inch wheels by themselves ($1210), or chromed 18-inch wheels ($1010). The CL63 comes with the contents of Premium I, the heated steering wheel, and the body kit; and makes 20-inch wheels standard.Premium II equipment is optional ($2950).Optional for both V8 models are Distronic Plus distance monitoring cruise control with Parking Guidance and Blind Spot Assist ($2010); and an iPod integration kit ($425).Buyers seeking even more exclusivity can choose among three Designo Edition combinations of exterior color and interior leather and trim (Mystic White, Espresso, or Graphite). Most of the above are standard on the CL600.The only options it offers are the iPod kit, the two optional wheel choices, and the designo editions.Ditto the CL65, except that it, like the CL63, already comes with 20-inch wheels. Safety features on all CLs include a pair of two-stage front air bags, a driver's side knee air bag; two front side airbags; two rear side airbags; and side head-curtain airbags for front and rear passengers.There are seatbelt pre-tensioners for the front passengers' belts.Windows close automatically in a crash, and a sunroof closing feature activates in rollovers.Also standard: ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and automatic wet-weather drying, dynamic stability control, traction control, and Distronic cruise control.Optional safety equipment includes Distronic Plus distance sensing cruise control with Parking Guidance and Blind Spot Assist.

Walkaround

There are high expectations for cars in the CL's rarefied league, which consists of a very few automobiles and includes the BMW 6 Series and Bentley Continental GT.Ultra-luxury coupes are a statement of style and panache, capability and quality, and they ought to look as expensive as they are.Mercedes has been making range-topping coupes for many years, and it knows the game.The CL's styling does not disappoint. From nose to tail, the CL is something out of the ordinary.Seen from the front, it's instantly identifiable as a Mercedes-Benz from its three-slat grille, long a staple of Benz sport models and SUVs.The famous three pointed star emblem is front and center and as large as a dinner plate, just to be sure you don't mistake the CL for any other brand.As if you could. At 199.4 inches long, this is a large car, and its size gives it presence. The front end stretches wide and sweeps back into a pair of prominent flared front wheel openings, a design element derived from the S-Class sedans with which the CL shares its underpinnings.Its 73.7-inch width makes it look solidly planted and substantial.There's surprisingly little chrome up front and it could use a bit more twinkle to announce its arrival.But it's still a knockout first impression.Projector beam headlights add the final bit of modernity to the nose. It's the sweep of the roof that makes the CL's compelling style statement.The top arcs dramatically over the side glass and down into the C-pillar without the interruption of a B-pillar, the central support post most cars have between front and rear side windows.The roofline is sleek.And this is a true hardtop; you can drop the large side windows down for a panoramic view and an open-air feeling.Handsomely wrought chrome trim framing the large side-window opening emphasizes both its shape and the absence of the second pillar.In profile, the CL is gorgeous and sporty. Even as it drives away, the CL keeps your attention.The rear window's horseshoe-like shape is especially intriguing, and not seen anywhere else in the automotive kingdom.Below the backlight (rear windscreen) the tail tapers gracefully into a pair of large taillights and a taut trunk lid wearing a subtle built-in rear spoiler at its top edge.Sedans don't look like this, and that's just the point. Outside of the model nomenclature on the deck lid, the CL550 and CL600 models are essentially identical from the outside. The new AMG models can be identified by distinctive grilles, wherein the Mercedes star is supported by four chrome bars over black mesh, and by their more muscular-looking front bumper with large air intakes housing round, chrome-ringed fog lights.Contoured side skirts carry the aggressive lines of the front bumper to the rear, where four oval exhaust outlets punctuate the black air diffuser set into the unique rear apron.Front fender badges read '6.3 AMG' on the CL63 and 'V12 Biturbo' on the CL65.Both roll on 20-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels, but with a slimmer-looking twin-spoke design on the CL65.

Interior

And the sheer number of luxury features is almost overwhelming, another sign that the big sticker price delivers something extraordinary. Ensconced in the driver's seat, you immediately register the raked back windshield and low roofline pressing down from above, creating a narrow viewing port ahead.The CL is just 2.2 inches lower than an S-Class sedan, but it feels much lower than that. The surroundings are a sybarite's delight.There's almost nowhere your hand falls that you're not touching either glove-soft leather, burled walnut, brushed aluminum or chrome.The instrument panel cover is stitched in leather, as are the door panels and seats, buckets front and rear.The steering wheel is wood with leather grips at the nine and three o'clock positions.It houses buttons in front for the phone and COMAND system, and switches behind the top spokes for manually shifting the seven-speed automatic transmission. The exterior's curvilinear theme is repeated in the interior.The center console curves gently into the center stack, and the interior front door panels arc outward subtly at the elbow area, the shape accented by delicate chrome accent strips.The door armrests are an artful combination of burled walnut stacked with leather covered padding.At night, soft ambient light glows from tiny hidden light strips in the doors' upper sections and across the middle of the dash.The only plastic pieces of note are the speaker covers in the lower front corner of the doors, where you hardly notice them. The walnut trimmed center stack contains a thin row of easy-to-operate brushed aluminum climate control switches, a hidden compartment for the CD changer and a pair of vents flanking a square analog clock that looks like it could double as Patek Phillipe wristwatch. Living in this car is every bit as satisfying as looking at it.The center console is home to a push and turn mouse-type knob that is the main interface to the COMAND system and it's thin film transistor (TFT) display.The screen is housed in a hooded binnacle to the right of the driver's gauges, which too are TFT technology. For cars equipped with the optional night vision system, the large speedometer in front of the driver transitions to a second viewing screen whenever the system is activated.Several other buttons arrayed around the mouse control the suspension's sport and comfort modes (linked to the transmission shift program), the sound system and the multi-function seats' firmness and adjustment. Between the steering wheel buttons and mouse, you're afforded several paths of access to the multiple layers of the CL's navigation, seating, climate control and sound systems.You can set your preferences for everything from radio stations to auxiliary lighting.You can program the voice control to recognize your particular intonations.You can input GPS travel information and requests.And you can access, activate or cancel dozens of other systems, including radar distance sensing, daytime running lamps, tire pressure monitoring, and much, much more. At times we wished it were easier to access some of the systems through COMAND; it took several steps where one touch of a conventional button would have worked more directly.But owners of similar systems in Mercedes-Benz and other luxury cars say that after an initial acclimation period, using the system becomes less cumbersome.And realistically, for a vehicle with this many features a centralized computer interface is the only way to accommodate them. At least you'll.Pulling open the door is the moment of truth in an ultra-luxury coupe.Buyers in this class are expecting sumptuousness, high-end materials and sophisticated design that convey the promise of being coddled.Everyone who looked inside our CL550 test car uttered an involuntary 'wow.' It's beautifully designed, richly appointed and finished with a fanatical attention to detail.

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL Class

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL Class

Mercedes-Benz, BMW fight it out for top slot

After a gap of five months, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd overtook BMW India Pvt. Ltd in July, selling 297 units against BMW’s 261, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam).

Although a month’s numbers are not quite indicative of a trend reversal, it’s a breather for the Indian arm of German car maker Daimler AG, which had been losing ground to its younger rival BMW India in the Indian market.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW are the market leaders in the foreign luxury car segment. Although the segment is small and accounts for just 2.5% of total cars sold every year in India, it has not deterred new firms from entering the market at regular intervals.

Fast lane: BMW India president Peter Kronschnabl says he expects the luxury car segment to register a 20% growth in the Indian market and that new model launches will help expand sales to 8,500-9,000 units. Ramesh Pathania / Mint

Mercedes-Benz India, which in 1994 became the first foreign car maker to enter the Indian luxury car market when it set up a plant in Chikhali-Pimpri near Pune in Maharashtra, had a headstart over Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Audi AG, which entered in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The latest entrants are Jaguar and Land Rover, now part of Tata Motors Ltd.

However, both BMW and Audi, as well as others such as Volvo, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Bentley, have been present in the Indian market through direct imports.

Despite the fewer number of cars sold in July, BMW continues to lead with overall numbers. In the seven months to July, it sold 2,008 cars against Mercedes’ 1,712. In 2008, Mercedes sold 3,625 units, while BMW sold 2,908.

In 2008, its first full year of operations, Audi, the third German car maker after Mercedes and BMW to enter India, sold 1,050 cars. Sales numbers for Jaguar and Land Rover are unavailable since they were launched in India on 28 July.

Wilfred Aulbur, managing director and chief executive officer at Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The sales are in line with our expectations. I would not like to comment on a single month’s performance.”

In 2008, despite the global economic slowdown, sales of luxury cars — defined as cars with a minimum ticket price of Rs25 lakh — continued to grow in India with an estimated 7,000-7,500 units sold, or 70% more than 2007 sales.

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate Facelift

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift
The latest generation W204 Mercedes Benz C-Class has been on sale since 2007 and will be due for its mid-cycle facelift in the second half of next year. As this computer generated rendering suggests, the car’s designers won’t be mucking around with the stylish look of the current model, instead choosing to focus on only minor changes such as new bumper, headlight and wheel designs.

Besides the styling changes to the exterior, there will almost certainly be some updates to the interior and a number of mechanical changes. The latter will likely include modifications intended to improve the efficiency of the C-Class and boost Mercedes’ fleet wide fuel economy and emissions averages.

Some of the changes will likely include the addition of new BluTec diesel powertrains and engine stop-start systems, as well as more direct-injected models.

Like previous updates, the new changes will be incorporated across the C-Class range but there may also be a major shift in the lineup – the addition of a new C-Class Cabrio and Coupe.

As for the Estate wagon, Mercedes-Benz spokespeople have confirmed to TheCarConnection that there are no plans to bring this particular model to the U.S. although we will still get the bigger 2011 E-Class Estate. Mercedes-Benz brought the C-Class wagon to the U.S. from 2002 through 2005, but it was a slow-seller and the current version never made it.

Mercedes-Benz F 700

If you didn't have an environmentally friendly car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, you just weren't trying. Mercedes-Benz developed a 'green' car especially for the IAA in Germany, called the F 700 research car.

Don't expect the Mercedes F-Class any time soon, as this is primarily a prototype vehicle, but it does showcase a number of innovative features, least of which is the'DIESOTTO' 1.8-litre turbo engine.

But first the design: it is oddly attractive. It shows off a curious style that blends both wagon and sedan with sporty design cues, such as the flared wheel arches. Mercedes has already termed this new design idiom as"Aqua Dynamic". It talks of translating the "flow dynamics of a fish into the design of an exceptional automobile".

However, more important than the way it looks is the way the Mercedes-Benz F 700 uses energy.

Powered by a special 'DIESOTTO' 1.8-litre petrol engine, the hybrid car is backed up by an electric motor that reduces fuel economy to an average of 5.3L/100km. That's exceptional when you consider that is very heavy, weighing 1700kg.

The 'DIESOTTO' engine type is similar to systems being trialled by GM that remove the need for spark plugs in a conventional petrol engine, relying instead on intense pressure (like a diesel engine) to provoke combustion.

Using a new design ethos labelled Aqua Dynamic,
the new car aims to create a flowing fish-like design

The F 700 is powered by 175kW 'DIESOTTO' 1.8-
litre engine, which will reach production very soon

Mercedes Benz to invest Rs4,770 crore in India despite low sales news

Mercedes-Benz India Ltd will invest 700 million euros (Rs4,770 crore) to set up a truck manufacturing plant at its Chennai facility, despite an expected dip in sales this year.

Besides, the company would invest Rs450 crore this year to expand its retail network and increase its research and development workforce in Bangalore to 500 by end of 2010.

The infrastructure is expected to address future expansion plans of the company. "We will go ahead with our plans to set up a truck manufacturing facility in Chennai," Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and chief executive of Mercedes India told journalists in Hyderabad on Monday.

Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG Powered comes from a 450kW biturbo V12 engine, and drinks 14.8L/100km Measuring 5084mm long, it's one of the biggest coupes in the world

New Mercedes E-Class for the Indian Market

Indian luxury car customers are in for delight. The company is planning to launch a new E-class model in India by end of September this year. It will be the ninth generation E-class model W1212 based on the popular twin-eyes theme. The car is expected to be powered by 3.5 liter 24valve V6 direct injection gas engine delivering 292 bhp power. The diesel model will be available only by the end of the year or later and it will have a 320CDi engine.

The car will sport a mini S class look with striking square head-lamps that are characteristic of its earlier W1210 model. It also comes with 7-Gtronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Mercedes had already launched a new M-class earlier this year in March. The new M-class is available with two engine choices - the ML 320 CDI (diesel engine) and the ML 350 (petrol engine) and priced at Rs. 52.77 lakh or higher. The price and more technical specifications of the upcoming E-class model still remain unclear and will be available only upon the launch.

Mercedes is actively working on regaining its numero uno position in the market as the highest number of luxury car seller in the Indian market. Current sales figures of BMW cars had made Mercedes to slip to the second position. The new E-class is expected to boost the sales figures which have been experiencing flat sales growth since past few months.

Luxury and diesel go together in the Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI

Mercedes has decades of diesel experience, and the ML320 CDI is wort

The last time fuel prices took a giant leap upwards in the 1970s, many consumers turned to diesel cars. The big three got into the act, but it was the Germans who sold a lot of rattle-cans. Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz ripped the market in half and high school English teachers bought diesel Rabbits, while businessmen bought Mercedes 300D sedans.

And with the exception of some enthusiasts, everyone switched back to gas as soon as possible.

Fast forward to today’s fuel crisis and the situation is more than a little bit different. Today’s diesels are all about power, and all about clean. We all remember looking at the sooty backside of more than a few German diesels back in the day, but with the advent of modern computer-controlled engines and clean-burning diesel, it’s time to forget the past.

Leading the charge to clean diesel is the Mercedes ML320 CDI. This SUV offers Mercedes’ Bluetec clean diesel engine, and it’s truly a remarkable piece of technology. The Bluetec is a 3-liter 4-valve V-6 engine, making 210 horsepower and a whopping 398 pound-feet of torque. The EPA says it gets 18/24 MPG on the new low-sulfur diesel or biodiesel blends, but I’ve had no problem getting combination highway/city average mileage above 25 and trending towards 27 on the highway. And that’s using my normal driving style. I’ll bet my wife would see 30 MPG.

Inside, the ML320 is all about Mercedes luxury. All modern conveniences are available for you, including hands-free cell phone service, built-in iPod and MP3 support, 6-disc changer, backup camera, GPS navigation, leather, zone climate control, and the all-important heated seats. Oh yeah, it’s got a sunroof, cargo rails, and all that, too. It’s fully equipped.

The ML320 CDI is a real pleasure to drive. It’s so quiet inside you find yourself wondering if they really did give you the diesel version. There’s a little switch to take the suspension from normal to comfort to sport mode. I punched it up into sport mode and I’ve left it there all week. The transmission is a 7-speed automatic, and to tell the truth, I never noticed it. It’s that smooth. You can also order hill descent control and other good AWD features. The ML is a very capable 4WD SUV as well as a luxury vehicle. Steering is tight and responsive, and the brakes work like you expect from Mercedes-Benz.

U.S. to get Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon next year

With the launch of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans and coupes underway, the prestigious German auto manufacturer will officially unveil the E-Class estate wagon at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate wagon should be available in the United States early next year.

The company confirmed the debut after official photographs of the new wagon were leaked by the German publication, AutoBild. The vehicle will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year and in the United States in 2010.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

A little more than a month from now, we will be seeing the unveiling of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It’s just very unfortunate for Mercedes-Benz that someone has leaked an entire set of pictures, providing us fans with a very good glimpse of the E-Class Estate version ahead of the show.

In case you have forgotten, most if not all current E-Class engine will be available in the Estate version. Which means, the entire set of 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines. A 204-hp, turbocharged 1.8-liter and a 388-hp 5.5-liter V8 will be available among others.

Mercedes E-Class Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon will be a 2011 model.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that it will be sending a station wagon version of its recently redesigned E-Class model line to the United States in June 2010.

When it arrives, the E350 4MATIC wagon will be designated as a 2011 model. It will also be the only Mercedes wagon planned for sale in the United States.

It will come equipped with a 3.5-liter 268 horsepower V6, a 7-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, which is an option on the E-Class sedan, which made its United States debut in June.

No word on pricing, but it should be slightly north of the E350 4Matic sedan’s base price, which is about $52,000. The same baseline calculation applies to the upcoming wagon’s fuel economy, which should be close to the sedan’s 16 city, 24 highway.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which debuted in 2003 and is wrapping up production this year, has been a car as convoluted as its name. The unhappy child of bickering parents, the SLR came out too heavy, too big, and too unprofitable. Now that the Mercedes-Benz/McLaren marriage has dissolved, both sides are coming to their senses. For McLaren, that means developing a lightweight, mid-engine supercar codenamed P11, a car you'll be reading about here soon. For Mercedes-Benz, it means going back to its sports car roots with another Gullwing, the SLS AMG.

Inspired by the 300SL coupe of the 1950s, this new SLS also has the bobbed tail, the football-shaped grille, and the bottom-mounted door handles of the original.

Where it differs is, well, pretty much everywhere else. Indeed, AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg says the SLS is no simple homage. “We did not build a retro car at all,” he says. “It is the most advanced supercar you can find today.” The SLS is 182.7 inches long and rides on a 105.5-inch wheelbase, figures roughly equivalent to those of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. The entire SLS is constructed of aluminum; the space frame weighs just 530 pounds.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Review

Engine: 3.5-liter DOHC V6

Wheelbase: 108.5 inches

Length: 178.3 inches

Weight: 4,034 pounds

Cargo space: 23.3-54.7 cubic feet

Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds

EPA rating (city/highway): 16/21 mpg

Fuel economy: 17 mpg

Fuel type: Premium unleaded

Base price: $35,900

As tested: $44,965