Mercedes-Benz Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is Mercedes-Benz's "second home," according to Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler and head of Mercedes Cars.

The super-rich oil state on the Persian Gulf is now the second-largest shareholder in the company Zetsche leads.

Abu Dhabi sits on about 8 per cent of the world's oil. It pumps nearly three million barrels a day while collecting an estimated $65-billion (U.S.) in revenue a year. As a result, Abu Dhabi has the world's largest state-owned investment fund with assets estimated as high as $875-billion.

Aabar Investments, the Abu Dhabi state-controlled fund, paid $2.7-billion for a 9.1-per-cent stake in Daimler in March, 2009, and aims to increase the holding to 15 per cent.

As the biggest shareholder in Daimler, it will take a seat on the company's supervisory board in 2010. The second-largest Daimler shareholder, by the way, is the Kuwait Investment Authority, which holds a 6.9-per-cent stake.

Abu Dhabi is investing its oil money in interesting and controversial ways. In 2007, it paid $5-billon (Canadian) to take over Calgary-based PrimeWest Energy Trust. This month, it put up $280-million (U.S.) for 32 per cent of Richard Branson's commercial space project Virgin Galactic. Aabar Investments says this will eventually enable flying from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles in two hours.

Back on the ground, Daimler went back to profitability in the third quarter and Zetsche says each quarter in the coming year will be better than the one before.

That gives him a little breathing room, which he will use as he manages major new shareholders and tries to find new partners to reduce expenses. He spoke about the twin challenges in a year-end, one-on-one interview.

2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

2010 E-Class Coupe, which has replaced the CLK, and soon we will see the CL name phased out with the introduction of a facelifted model next year. The updated car will come in for the 2011 model year and go by the new name of S-Class Coupe.

The current C216 CL was first introduced at the end of 2006 but prototypes for the facelifted version had been spotted testing in Germany as early as August last year. Using information from the spy shots, this computer-generated rendering gives us a preview of what the final version will likely look like.

New details include a more upright grille highlighted with a single chrome bar, as well the new headlight design and LED accents.

Mercedes-Benz engineers are expected to make a major change to the CL’s powertrain lineup for the new S-Class Coupe, with a new family of ‘MoVe’ modular V-6 and V-8 engines with direct-injection and turbocharging technology set to replace the current V-8 and V-12 units.

There could also be a number of modifications to the exhaust filtering systems to help improve emissions, as well as the introduction of engine stop-start and direct-injection technologies.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible

This is not a drive feature exclusive, no, but we were going 87 miles per hour while at the wheel of the new “A207” Mercedes E-Class convertible that lands in North America in June 2010 after a January 11 European launch. Driving “no hands”, too. Beside us, riding shotgun, was a beautifully stoic and bald woman named Tanja. We exchanged no words, enjoying the ride of the open-top Merc at the dawn of a new winter.

We were actually in the old and venerated Großer Windkanal in the Untertürkheim section of Stuttgart where most Mercedes-Benz cars are still built. Thick cloth roof open, the wind tunnel experience was a unique ride as we experienced the E-Class convertible with and without the new AirCap technology, deployed at both 65 and 87 mph. In short, this is remarkable technology that builders of open-tops have been striving for for a very long time.

It’s simple enough to work it, too. Flip open the leather-covered flap that rests in the driver’s right hand and press the AirCap button which raises the mechanism on the header and also lifts the discreet draught guard and rear headrests into place. The 211-piece, 4-hinge moving cross-member assembly for AirCap adds only 3.3 pounds of weight over a standard member.

Whether at 65 or 87 mph, the new system is a revelation, especially for the rear seat folks, and especially especially for anyone back there with hair on their head. A normal draught guard up until now on this full four-seat body meant losing the two rear seats to the clumsy folding guard that detached when not in use, and hogged too much luggage room in back anyway. It also didn’t work so well for all its size, we must add.

We could sit there and not wince through tiny eye openings and screaming whatever it is we had to say. The wind goes right over the heads of all four passengers and the noise from the AirCap front show piece is impressively low. The coefficient of drag for this body style, compared to the industry-best 0.24 of the coupe, is still just 0.29, growing naturally to 0.33 with the roof open.

Best news of all? AirCap is included as standard in North America on the E-Class convertible, while it’s an option in Europe. So much for the home field advantage.

Pricing for the convertible fourth member of the E-Class family should be $4,000 to $5,000 more than the corresponding coupe model, meaning starting MSRPs of around $42K.

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

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Interior

Surprisingly, the coupe has more head- and legroom in its front seat than the E-Class sedan. However, the coupe's rear seat will only accommodate two passengers (vs. three in the sedan) and legroom is very tight. The dash in both models is angular and traditional-looking. Upscale leather and wood trim abound.

A major reason for the E's success is obvious: It's reasonably priced, at least by German standards. The new E-Class sedan is actually cheaper than the outgoing model, and the coupe is cheaper than the CLK coupe it's replacing. The E350 coupe starts at $48,925 and the E350 sedan at $49,475. The higher-end E550 coupe starts at $55,525, the E550 sedan at $57,175. Add an extra $2,500 for all-wheel drive in either sedan. (AWD isn't offered in the coupe.)

In redesigning the E-Class, Daimler (DAI) did what it does best. The V6-powered E350 and V8 powered E550 sedans are classic luxury cars that fall in the middle of the product range in terms of price and size but have traditional styling, solidity, and high-tech options reminiscent of the top-of-the-line Mercedes S Class. The sedan gives Mercedes a clearer alternative to the BMW (BMWG:IX) 5 Series and Volkswagen's (VOWG:IX) Audi A6, one that's more comfort-oriented without making big compromises on performance.

The new E-Class coupe (the version of the car I test drove) is smaller and sportier than the sedan—nearly seven inches shorter, six inches narrower, three inches lower, and 200 lbs. lighter. About the size of the Mercedes C-Class, the E coupe competes more directly with the BMW 3 Series than with the 5 Series. It's a marvelous vehicle if you can get past the fact that it isn't available with a stick shift. A seven-speed automatic with manual shifting function is the only transmission in both the E sedan and coupe.

As with other German cars, one appeal of the E-Class is the wide variety of niche models it comes in. For speed-lovers, there's the E63 AMG (powered by a 518-hp V8) that competes with BMW's M5, VW's Audi S6, and General Motors' Cadillac CTS-V. A four-seater E350 Cabriolet with a new sound-dampening soft top is due out next May. The following month, a diesel-powered E350 Bluetec is due out. A new E-Class station wagon, designed to compete with models such as the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, will also hit showrooms next June.

The available engines provide plenty of power. The E350 coupe has a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 under its hood while the E550 is powered by a 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V8. The E350 Bluetec sedan comes with a 3.0-liter, 210-horsepower diesel V6 that generates an incredible 400 lb.-ft of torque.

As with other sport luxury models, fuel economy isn't great. The E350 coupe is rated to get 17 miles-per-gallon in the city and 26 on the highway for an average of 20; the E350 sedan does slightly better, at 18 mpg city and 26 highway, for an average of 21. The E550 Coupe and Sedan are both rated at 16 city and 24 highway, for an average of 18. (The Bluetec isn't yet rated.)

2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Released In Australia

MERCEDES-BENZ has launched the new E63 AMG performance sedan into its Australian showrooms this week, priced $4056 less than the model it replaces and boasting more power, improved efficiency and an increased level of standard equipment.

Sitting at the top of the E-Class range and the fifth generation of AMG-enhanced E-Class, the W212 E63 AMG combines the fresh new bodywork of the new E-Class sedan with the sophisticated powertrain and drivetrain of the SL 63 AMG.

The suspension has also been heavily revised, and the E63 puts out more power and more torque than that other German super-sedan, the BMW M5.

The result is a performance sedan that sprints like a supercar, yet still provides enough room for five people to travel in luxury. Mercedes-Benz describes it as the ultimate “day-to-day dynamic sports saloon”.

Mercedes-Benz to Introduce E-Class Cabriolet in Detroit

Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet.

What sort of convertible would you drive in January, in Detroit?

Mercedes-Benz is unveiling its 2011 E-Class Cabriolet there, at the Detroit auto show to show the four-season capability of top-down motoring.

The Cabriolet, previewed online this week by Mercedes-Benz, is equipped with technologies designed to keep its occupants comfortable, dry and wind-protected regardless of what Mother Nature may throw down upon them.

AirCap, an E-Class exclusive, is a windshield-mounted diffuser that can be raised up to six inches, to rechannel the flow of air out of the cockpit. Together with a wind deflector between the rear seats, the system can keep even back seat passengers draft-free. The diffuser can be deployed at any speed up to 100 miles per hour and will stay in place up to the vehicle’s top speed (over 140 m.p.h.).

Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet.

Airscarf, already available on SL and SLK roadsters, allows the car’s ventilation system to direct its output toward occupants’ necks and shoulders.

The styling is closely based on the previously revealed Coupe. Though Mercedes-Benz pioneered styling of retracting hardtops, this model features a more traditional folding soft top. Mercedes claims the top is nearly an inch thick and keeps the cabin tightly insulated and quiet.

Like the Coupe, the Cabriolet will be available in E350 and E550 models. Engines include a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 or a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V-8.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Released In Australia

MERCEDES-BENZ has launched the new E63 AMG performance sedan into its Australian showrooms this week, priced $4056 less than the model it replaces and boasting more power, improved efficiency and an increased level of standard equipment.

Sitting at the top of the E-Class range and the fifth generation of AMG-enhanced E-Class, the W212 E63 AMG combines the fresh new bodywork of the new E-Class sedan with the sophisticated powertrain and drivetrain of the SL 63 AMG.

The suspension has also been heavily revised, and the E63 puts out more power and more torque than that other German super-sedan, the BMW M5.

The result is a performance sedan that sprints like a supercar, yet still provides enough room for five people to travel in luxury. Mercedes-Benz describes it as the ultimate “day-to-day dynamic sports saloon”.

Styling

Like its predecessor, the 2010 E63 AMG takes the basic sedan bodyshell and adds a heap of muscle and testosterone.

Aside from the 17mm wider front quarter panels, sheetmetal is shared with garden-variety E-Class sedans. However, aggressive bumpers, sideskirts and a bootlip spoiler transform the E-Class from mild to menacing.

The LED running lamps have been straightened out, and the front bumper’s cooling apertures are now larger. Like the old E63, shark-like ‘gills’ evacuate air from behind each cheek vent and “6.3 AMG” badges sit within their own recesses just behind the front wheels.

The headlamp clusters feature tinted lenses, however the grille is the same as that used by the E500 sedan.

The side skirts are deeper and feature different contouring to the more prosaic E-Class models, and a set of attractive 19-inch AMG alloys fill out each wheelwell.

The rear bumper is lower than the E500 and houses four rhomboid chrome exhaust tips, while a black insert fills the gap between them.

The chrome rubbing strips that wrap around the regular E-Class’s flanks and rump are deleted, and the E63 presents a cleaner, smoother look.

It’s still businesslike, but there’s no mistaking the E63’s more athletic intent. Want yours to look even more purposeful? An optional carbon fibre trim package is available, as are red-painted brake calipers.

Interior

While the E63’s cabin shares its basic layout with other E-Class sedans, there’s one major difference: instead of the column-mounted shift lever used by the E500 sedan, the E63 features a floor-mounted shifter similar in function to that used by the SLS AMG.

Short and stubby, the E63’s gearlever is surrounded by controls for the adjustable dampers, stability control and seven-speed transmission. Because of the addition of a centre console-mounted shifter, the cupholders and COMAND controller have been relocated further rearward.

The rest of the cabin is familiar E-Class fare, except with a few E63-specific flourishes. Mercedes-Benz Australia offers the E63 at a higher standard specification level, and one of the extra goodies applied to the E-Class flagship is the luxurious Exclusive Package interior.

The Exclusive Package brings an Alcantara headliner, AMG floormats and Nappa leather trim on the upper dashboard, door cards and centre console, and the E63 also enjoys stainless steel pedals, AMG sill plates and an AMG instrument cluster as standard.

The front seats are all-electric and offer more lateral support than the standard E-Class pews. Trimmed in Nappa leather, the seat upholstery is available in three different colours. Those wanting a sportier look for their cabin can also opt for an interior carbonfibre trim package.

Equipment and Features

As befits a Mercedes flagship, the E63 is packed with technology.

Aside from the COMAND APS navigation and entertainment system, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on headlamps, reversing camera and parking sensors, the E63 also ships with heated and ventilated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, retractable sunblinds for the rear occupants, Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Assist.

A premium surround-sound system features a CD stacker and iPod connectivity, and a built-in TV tuner receives analogue and digital broadcasts and displays them on the dash-mounted LCD display. Compared to the outgoing E63, the new model packs an extra $28,100 worth of equipment for $4056 less.

Optional equipment includes radar-guided cruise control, a pedestrian-detecting night vision system, a rear seat DVD player and tyre pressure sensors.

Passive safety hardware comprises a comprehensive suite of 11 airbags (front airbags, side airbags for front and rear occupants, hip airbags for the front seats, curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag), along with pretensioning three-point seatbelts.

Active safety is handled by multi-stage stability control, traction control, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Mercedes-Benz’s Pre-Safe crash mitigation system is standard on the E63, as is its Attention Assist fatigue-detection system.

Opting for the Distronic radar-guided cruise control also brings Benz’s collision-detecting Pre-Safe Brake and Brake Assist Plus packages, which use the cruise control’s radar hardware to determine when the car is approach an object too quickly and a crash is imminent. If the driver doesn’t heed the warnings issued by the system, Pre-Safe Brake can slow the car autonomously - not enough to stop the crash, but with enough force to reduce the severity of it.

Mechanical Package

AMG’s venerable 6.2 litre naturally-aspirated V8 has been tuned to deliver 386kW and 630Nm - the same amount of torque, but 8kW more than the outgoing W211 E63’s engine. It’s essentially the same motor used by the SL63 AMG roadster, and it provides more than enough grunt to get the big E-Class moving smartly.

The race-derived quad-cam V8 utlises a super-strong aluminium bed plate block design and is also the first AMG engine to utilise an economy-improving alternator management system - which reduces drag on the engine by only engaging the alternator during over-run and braking.

Backing up the big V8 is the SL63’s 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT automatic gearbox, which differs from conventional autos in that it uses a wet clutch to control power delivery instead of a power-sapping torque converter.

The result is a more direct transfer of power from the engine’s crankshaft to the gearbox, and a sharper, more responsive transmission. The wet clutch also allows the gearbox to be more versatile; capable of delivering smooth, slurred shifts as well as brutally direct gearchanges.

Controlling the Speedshift MCT’s behaviour is a small rotary knob located to the right of the gear selector. Through it, the driver can dial up the economy-oriented Comfort mode, a slightly shaper Sport mode, an even sportier Sport Plus mode and a fully manual shift mode. Manual mode holds each gear until the driver taps one of the steering wheel-mounted paddles or nudges the tiptronic shifter, and perfect rev-matched downchanges are executed when in Sport or Manual mode.

In Sport Plus and Manual mode, the Speedshift MCT can swap ratios in just 100 milliseconds.

Launch control is a standard feature of the E63, and enables it to launch from zero to 100km/h in a catlike 4.5 seconds. Not quite as fast as the BMW M5’s 4.4 seconds, but then again the E63 has 1840kg to lug around - significantly more than the M5’s 1755kg kerb weight.

The E63 AMG features an entirely unique front suspension, with a 56mm wider track width, new control arms, unique hub knuckles, tubular stabiliser bar, stronger wheel bearings and stiffer dampers, springs and bushings. The E63’s front suspension still utilises MacPherson struts, but nearly every other aspect has been changed.

The multi-link rear suspension has also come in for some reinforcement and geometry revisions, while airbags are employed rather than conventional steel coils. Damper firmness is adjustable from within the cabin, allowing the driver to tailor the E63’s ride to their liking.

The steering rack ratio has been quickened to 14:1 (thus making it 22 percent more direct than the standard rack), and speed-sensitive power steering adds more weight to the wheel at speed.

The standard brake package consists of sizable 360mm ventilated and cross-drilled steel rotors, the front pair gripped by six-piston calipers and the rear by four-piston calipers.

An optional carbon-composite brake package will be offered in the future, although an availability date for the Australian market has yet to be finalised. The package replaces the steel rotors with carbon ceramic discs measuring an enormous 402mm at the front, while the rear carbon discs remain 360mm in diameter but are 6mm thicker.

Mounted on aluminium hats, each carbon ceramic rotor is around 40 percent lighter than the standard steel items, and help improve handling, acceleration, ride comfort and, of course, braking performance.

Pricing

The all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan is a significant improvement over the outgoing model, however its price point is lower and it offers a much higher level of standard equipment.

Priced from $234,900 before on-road costs, the new E63 AMG is not only $4056 cheaper than the just-superseded E63, but it’s nearly $7000 cheaper than the BMW M5. The 2010 E63 AMG is available now from Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide.