New Car Reviews: Mercedes-Benz

Showing posts with label Mercedes-Benz. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2011

World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.

There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.

The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:

2011 World Car of the Year

· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.

2011 World Performance Car

· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.

2011 World Car Design of the Year

· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?

2011 World Green Car

· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.

Related post:

World Car Awards finalists

Monday, February 28, 2011

Mansory Cormeum

German tuner Mansory has comprehensively reworked the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The result is the Cormeum, named after an opera aria.

Changes to the bodywork go well beyond just sticking a body kit on. The front end, which has been totally redesigned to reduce lift, now sports aggressive air intakes and new headlights. Lighter roof and door panels are fitted, while replacement wings widen the car by 66 mm at the front and 84 mm at the rear. Around the back, a race-spec diffuser is there purely for more down force, as is the boot lid spoiler.

Combined with the forged alloy wheels - 20” diameter at the front and 21” for the rears - the alterations knock 90 kg off the weight of the donor SLS AMG.

To go with the reduced bulk is more power. The V8 engine in the Cormeum boasts 650 bhp (485 kW / 660 PS), compared to the standard car’s 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS). However, if that’s still not enough, Mansory is saying that outputs of up to 790 bhp (588 kW / 800 PS) are in development.

Any carbon fibre enthusiasts thinking of buying a Mansory Cormeum had better be quick, as production will be limited to just fifteen examples.

Related posts:

SLS AMG E-CELL is go

Brabus Widestar SLS AMG

Friday, February 4, 2011

Brabus S 350 BlueTEC

German tuner Brabus has released its Eco PowerXtra DS6 Performance Kit for the Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC.

Basically an auxiliary control unit that plugs into the engine’s ECU, the DS6’s forte is that after installation the car remains Euro 6 compliant.

Euro 6 is the tougher standard covering carbon monoxide, particulates, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide emissions which comes into force in September 2014. However, it doesn’t encompass CO2, and Brabus isn’t saying whether levels of that particular pollutant are affected or not.

Keeping things clean is not all it does, though. Output from the 2,987 cc turbo-diesel V6 is lifted by over 20% to 308 bhp (230 kW / 313 PS), which just eclipses what a standard petrol-powered S 350 BlueEFFICIENCY can muster. Torque is increased too, rising from 620 Nm (457 lb/ft) to 690 Nm (509 lb/ft).

Cleverly, Brabus has configured the DS6 Performance Kit to work with the different modes of the S-Class’s seven-speed automatic gearbox. In ‘Eco’ only the extra torque is applied, but switch into ‘Manual’ or ‘Sport’ and the additional horsepower is also unleashed.

With full power, the S 350 BlueTEC’s 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time is cut from 7.1 to 6.5 seconds, although top speed remains limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). What’s more, it’s claimed that fuel consumption might actually reduce compared to the stock car. But that will depend on driving style, and presumably sticking firmly to ‘Eco’ mode.

The Brabus Eco PowerXtra D6S Performance Kit is backed by a warranty that lasts three years, up to a maximum of 62,000 miles or 100,000 kilometres. It’s also available for the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and all E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY models.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

World Car Awards finalists

Sixty-six jurors from across the world have completed a first round of voting to determine the 2011 World Car Awards finalists.

With four different awards up for grabs, the shortlist models - in alphabetical order - are:

2011 World Car of the Year

Audi A1

Audi A8

BMW 5 Series

BMW X3

Jaguar XJ

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Nissan Leaf

Porsche Cayenne

Volvo S60 / V60

Obviously, this is the big prize. Each of the finalists will be judged on ‘overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance’, a combination that has lead to some previous winners being very worthy but also just a bit dull.

What’s striking is that 2011’s entire crop is from premium or, in the case of the Volvo and Jeep, semi-premium manufacturers. Even the Nissan isn’t exactly mainstream, given its relatively high price.

The Leaf could well repeat its 2011 European Car of the Year victory, but it does tend to divide opinion. There are those who believe it almost makes petrol or diesel cars obsolete, while others won’t back an all-electric car until both battery range and the recharging infrastructure improve.

It’s hard to see either the SLS AMG or Cayenne winning, given their comparative lack of environmental responsibility. The BMW 5 Series has to be a contender given its all-round ability, but it would be good to see the Jaguar XJ clinch it, simply because it represents such a brave departure from previous generation XJ models.

Audi’s A1 probably ticks all the boxes. However, it’d be a shame for it to win because it’s essentially a tarted-up version of last year’s World Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.

2011 World Performance Car

Aston Martin Rapide

Audi RS 5 Coupe

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Ferrari 458 Italia

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CL 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Porsche 911 Turbo

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250

This category is wide open, as it includes everything from a compact hot hatch to numerous supercars for the jurors to choose from. Audi has won the performance car award three times in the past five years, but it’ll be a surprise if the feat is repeated with the RS 5.

2011 World Car Design of the Year

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Aston Martin Rapide

Audi A7

Citroën DS3

Ferrari 458

Honda CR-Z

Kia Sportage

Nissan Juke

There were originally fifty-one candidates in this category, which is expected to ‘highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries’ - a demanding set of criteria.

On that basis, the Aston Martin would seem to be a strong challenger, but arguably it’s the Nissan Juke that truly stands out as a unique design.

The shortlist was decided by a panel of five design experts but, as with all of the other awards, it’s now solely up to the jurors to arrive at a winner.

2011 World Green Car

BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

Chevrolet Volt

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell

Nissan Leaf

Smart electric drive

Three environmental experts were asked to draw up the finalists for this award based on emissions, fuel consumption and the power plant technology employed.

Perhaps the Leaf stands a stronger chance of winning this category, but it may be the case that more jurors consider the Volt’s range extender concept as being more practical for everyday use.

But with its 109 g/km and combined cycle 68.9 mpg (4.0 l/100km), the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition proves that cars with a traditional internal combustion engine can still be impressively green.

The next stage is that during February the jurors will vote again, but this time just on the finalists.

Following that ballot, the top three cars in each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March.

Then, bringing the process to a close, the 2011 World Car Awards winners will be declared during the New York International Auto Show in April.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

C 63 AMG facelift

Almost four years after they were first launched, Mercedes-Benz has revealed facelifted versions of its C 63 AMG saloon and estate.

The tweaks aren’t just cosmetic, although the usual mid-life refresh items have received attention. They include different headlights, new 18” five-spoke alloy wheels, restyled bumper aprons and a revised radiator grille. The bonnet, which is now made from aluminium, sports more aggressive power domes.

But it’s under the skin that the biggest change has taken place. Gone is the previously-used automatic gearbox, replaced by an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed multi-clutch transmission. It features four modes - Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport+ and Manual - as well as a Race Start function.

The V8 engine (still 6.2 litres, despite the C 63 tag) is unchanged. Combined with that new gearbox, its 450 bhp (336 kW / 457 PS) is enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds in the saloon, which is exactly the same as its predecessor. Similarly, top speed remains limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

Fuel consumption does improve, though. The C 63 AMG saloon will now manage 23.5 mpg (12.0 l/100km) on the combined cycle, whereas before the figure was 21.1 mpg (13.4 l/100km).

Likewise CO2 emissions are better, dropping by over 10% to 280 g/km (288 g/km for the estate). Unfortunately that reduction won’t make much difference to UK buyers, as a C 63 AMG will still fall into the highest road tax band. That means an annual bill of £435 just to keep the thing on the road.

According to Mercedes-Benz, 30 per cent of all C 63 AMG buyers to date have specified AMG’s Performance Package Plus, so it’s no surprise that this option continues with the facelifted cars. As before, it raises power to 480 bhp (358 kW / 487 PS), reduces the 0-62 mph time by 0.1 of a second but leaves the top speed unchanged.

The revised C63 AMG models will make their public debut, together with the rest of the facelifted C-Class range, at March’s Geneva International Motor Show. Deliveries are expected to start in July 2011.

Related post:

C-Class DR 520 launched

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy

Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy

New concept cars from Mercedes Benz, Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy, created for the 2010 Australian International Motor show. At least, that's the abstraction abaft Peter Vardai's new Mercedes aggressive Blackbird abstraction car.

Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy

The Mercedes Benz takes elements from airplanes, absorption on acceleration and movement with capacity aggressive by the TRON legacy. Maybe in the abutting cine the TRON aggregation can advancement the lightcycle and barter it in for a badass Benz.

Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy

New concept of Tron Lagacy in the shape of “Blackbird” a stylish Car. Paying tribute to the Mercedes-Benz, the Hungarian designer Peter Vardai invented a concept car called the “Blackbird”, which is built on the idea of speed and freedom of feelings towards the strengthening of the brand.

Drawing its name from the fastest manned aircraft, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the new car is equipped with a bow and lights to emphasize the sporty Mercedes.

Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy

Made in 2010, the Australian International Motor Show, Mercedes Blackbird inspired by the latest Hollywood blockbuster, Tron Legacy, just like Audi’s E-Tron concept. Moreover, the Mercedes Tron vehicle makes use of novel colors to suit the movie.

Mercedes Benz Sports Cars Concept Blackbird Tron Legacy

Thursday, January 20, 2011

2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan

2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 comes with the latest technology while providing a comfortable ride, but the car needs a better approach to driving at low speeds. The 2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan CL-Class has been unveiled and Stuttgart’s large coupe gets some nice exterior and interior upgrades. However the most significant changes come under the hood with the new 2011 CL550 getting a new 4.6L V8 twin-turbo making 429-hp and a maximum torque of 516 lb-ft. The out going model made 382-hp and a peak torque of 391 lb-ft. Even with that increase in power, fuel-economy has been improved by 10-15 percent. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC goes from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds (previous model did it in 5.4 seconds) with a top speed of 155 mph (electronically governed).

2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan

These new engines make their U.S. debut in the restyled 2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan CL-Class set to arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships in November. The flagship coupe of the Mercedes-Benz model range, the CL-Class features a new hood, fenders, grille, bi-xenon headlights with LED turn signals and daytime running lights. The rear of the vehicle incorporates new LED taillights, bumper-integrated exhaust pipes and reverse lights now located in the trunk lid. Inside, the interior includes new steering wheel design and interior colors.

2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan

New V8 bi-turbo engine with innovative technology. The new-generation CL-Class also assumes a pioneering role with its drivetrain. Under the hood of the CL550 4MATIC a new V8 biturbo engine with BlueDIRECT technology delivers impressive power. With its 4663 cc displacement, the eight-cylinder engine produces 429 hp so that despite 0.8 liters less displacement, it is still around 12 percent more powerful than its predecessor, which had an output of 382 hp. At the same time, torque was raised from 391 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft ““ an increase of 32 percent.

2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan

The new engine achieves a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy and 23% improvement in CO2 emissions. The CL550 4MATIC requires a mere 4.9 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph (previous model: 5.4 seconds). Summing up: the CL550 4MATIC is significantly more agile, torquey and thriftier than its predecessor.

The air suspension and standard all-wheel drive with 2011 Mercedes Benz CL550 4Matic Coupe Luxury Sport Sedan complex while the seats massage care occupants. The 3D navigation system provides the detail, and Harman Kardon stereo sounds excellent. night vision and adaptive cruise control add security and comfort. Mercedes-Benz fits the cabin of the CL550 with superb standard technology and then makes more items available that push the tech envelope even further. Think blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and even a night-vision system. Imagine a main video screen that lets the driver look at navigation while the front passenger watches a movie.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

2011 What Car? Awards

UK publication What Car? has announced its 2011 Car of the Year winners.

During a ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, prizes were awarded across seventeen vehicle categories, with one model going on to be declared overall champion.

Supermini

Shortlist

Best buy less than £9,000: Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort

Best buy £9,000 - £13,000: Ford Fiesta 1.25 82 Zetec 5dr

Best buy more than £13,000: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Small family car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Best buy more than £20,000: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i T3

Winner

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Family car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £18,000: Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI S

Best buy £18,000 - £21,000: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £21,000: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE

Winner

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Estate car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,500: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI SE

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £22,000: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d SE

Winner

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

MPV

Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,000: Citroën C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi VTR+

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 112 Sport

Best buy more than £22,000: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S

Winner

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S

Hot hatch

Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup

Best buy more than £20,000: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup

Winner

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup

Coupé

Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160

Best buy £25,000 - £40,000: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Best buy more than £40,000: Jaguar XKR

Winner

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Open-top

Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Mazda MX-5 1.8i SE AC

Best buy £25,000 - £35,000: BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Best buy more than £35,000: Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Cab Blue Efficiency SE

Winner

BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Performance car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £60,000: Lotus Evora 3.5 V6

Best buy £60,000 - £120,000: Audi R8 Spyder V10

Best buy more than £120,000: Ferrari 458 Italia

Winner

Ferrari 458 Italia

Crossover

Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Nissan Juke 1.6 Visia

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

Best buy more than £20,000: Volvo XC60 2.0 D3 DRIVe SE

Winner

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

4x4

Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Style 7 seats

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

Best buy more than £40,000: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS

Winner

Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS

Compact executive

Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: BMW 3 Series 316d ES

Best buy £25,000 - £30,000: BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Best buy more than £30,000: BMW 3 Series 330d SE

Winner

BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Executive car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: BMW 5 Series 520d SE

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Best buy more than £40,000: Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 245 quattro SE

Winner

Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Luxury car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £65,000: Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Best buy £65,000 - £100,000: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Vogue

Best buy more than £100,000: Rolls-Royce Phantom

Winner

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Ultra-low carbon car

Winner

Nissan Leaf

Safety Award

Winner

Volvo for Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake

Security Award

Winner

Volkswagen

What Car? Car of the Year 2011

Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

SLS AMG E-CELL is go

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its SLS AMG E-CELL is to enter series production, with customers able to place orders from 2013. The announcement was made by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Proving that not all electric cars will have to be dull, the SLS AMG E-CELL is powered by four electric motors that combined produce 525 bhp (392 kW / 532 PS) and 880 Nm (649 lb/ft) of torque. Each of those motors is placed close to its own wheel, creating an intelligent all-wheel drive system.

At the moment, a liquid-cooled, high-voltage lithium-ion modular battery is being used for the prototypes. Its energy content is 48 kWh, with a rated capacity of 40 Ah at 400 volts. The SLS AMG E-CELL will also benefit from regenerative braking, which will top-up the battery’s charge during normal driving.

The only performance figure released so far is the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time, which is said to be around 4 seconds. By comparison the petrol-powered SLS AMG, with its 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) and maximum torque of 650 Nm (479 lb/ft), does the same sprint in just 3.8 seconds. So, despite some extra torque, the electric version is marginally slower off the line. That probably indicates it’s hauling around a little added weight?

Two vital stats that have yet to be revealed are battery recharge time and the car’s range. These will be critical in establishing whether the SLS AMG E-CELL can tempt customers away from the existing V8-powered version.

Related post:

Brabus Widestar SLS AMG

Sunday, December 5, 2010

A.R.T. G streetline Sterling

Tasteless, nasty, tacky: all words that could be used to describe the horror that is the A.R.T. G streetline Sterling.

The vehicle that this conversion is based on, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (or G-Class, as it’s now known) was never going to win any beauty contests, but at least its utilitarian looks have a certain rugged elegance. And in standard form it can boast excellent off-road ability, something that is largely lost when you fit 22” alloy wheels, low-profile road tyres and a daft body kit.

A.R.T. has used the G 400 CDI as a starting point for the Sterling, which is odd because that particular model seems to have disappeared from the Mercedes-Benz price list, replaced in most markets by the G 350 BlueTEC.

Anyway, power output of the G 400’s V8 diesel has been lifted from 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) to 288 bhp (214 kW / 292 PS). That increase is thanks to a reprogrammed engine ECU and the fitment of a comedy exhaust system which features six (yes, six) side-exiting stainless steel tail pipes. Very Max Power.

The interior doesn’t escape unscathed, either. Just about every surface is covered in either green or grey nappa leather or carbon fibre trim, all of which is supposed to ‘bewitch the senses’. An altered rear seat arrangement means the Sterling is strictly a four-seater, but at least those sitting in the back get their own DVD player and a centre console that holds a couple of glasses. No fridge to chill the drinks, though.