Katharine McPhee Kisses The Mercedes S 400 Hybrid

Katharine McPhee checked in with her Twitter followers (@katharinemcphee) earlier today, talking about having a chance to drive the Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid. It’s unclear if the ‘American Idol’ runner-up owns the vehicle. She writes:

Loooove driving the S 400 hybrid! So much that I wanna kiss it! Gr8 gas mileage. Thanks @mbusa_news.

Mercedes Benz E Class Cabriolet

2011 Mercedes Benz E Class Cabriolet pictures

Mercedes GL350 BlueTec wins best SUV

Mercedes GL350 BlueTec wins best SUV

 

Mercedes GL350 BlueTec wins best SUV

Mercedes GL350 BlueTec wins best SUV, Full-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle, and best SUV of Texas at this year's annual Texas Truck Rodeo™, held by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), during a two-day event October 17-18, 2009 at the legendary Knibbe Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, outside of San Antonio.

Forty-one journalists put 16 SUVs to the test and the 2010 GL350 BlueTEC clean-diesel is now officially Best SUV of Texas. It is the first time a European luxury automaker claims this award, and it recognizes leading attributes of the redesigned 2010 GL350 BlueTEC from its off-road handling capabilities to its exceptional value, class-leading safety features, and great fuel economy. During the two day event, the Texas auto writers judge vehicles participating in the truck rodeo on many criteria with a keen focus on off-road capabilities over terrain that covers river crossings, rock climbs, and steep down-hill grades. The off-road systems of the GL350 BlueTEC manage this challenging terrain with a combination of features including, 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), Hill Start Assist, and AIRMATIC suspension that provides ground clearance of up to 12 inches. Unibody construction provides an integral body shell that provides ride comfort on-road and greater torsional stiffness for off-road stability. Produced in the Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, the GL350 BlueTEC, is one of the world's cleanest luxury SUVs with a V6 diesel engine that delivers 210 hp and 400 lb-ft. of torque, making it ideal for towing up to 7,500-lb with optional class IV trailer hitch. It provides a cruising range of up to 600 miles on one tank of fuel and qualifies for a $1,800 Alternative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit (30B). Newly restyled for model year 2010, the GL350 BlueTEC features a sporty front grille and bumpers with chrome-ringed fog lights, redesigned stainless steel skid plates with trapezoidal exhaust pipes, and 20-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires. The GL's second and third-row seats can be easily stowed to provide a flat cargo space that totals 83 cubic feet of cargo room. Safety features include standard ESP® stability control with Trailer Stability Assist, LED taillights; ABS anti-lock internally ventilated brakes; two-stage adaptive air bag for the driver and passenger, driver's knee air bag, seat-mounted side air bags in front and rear, and curtain side air bags protecting all three rows; NECK-PRO active front head restraints; and adaptive belt tensioners and force limiters. The GL is also equipped with PRE-SAFE®, a safety system that senses impending collisions and automatically positions passengers for better protection. The PRE-SAFE system will close windows and the sunroof if an impending crash is sensed while the POST-SAFE® system avoids consequential damage after an accident by turning-on hazard lights, unlocking doors, and cutting-off engine and fuel supply.

SLS AMG Black Series

Mercedes-Benz is developing a performance enhanced version of the SLS AMG – an SLS AMG Black Series to be exact. The car is expected to hit the market by 2013, and would be a totally different breed than the current SLS AMG.
Their plan is to increase the engine power and reduce the weight, which as you know is always a good way to increase performance of a vehicle. The current SLS AMG has 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, now compare that with the expected 600 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, which they’ll get by using a larger intake manifold, higher compression ration, high performance camshafts and others things.

The weight reduction will be about 50kg, so if we combine that with the increase in horsepower, we could expect a 0 to 62 mph in about 3.5 seconds, compared to the 3.8 seconds for the SLS AMG. The top speed would be raised from 208 mph, from the current 195mph. You can expect the price tag to be 40 to 50% more than the current SLS AMG, which if we take the announced $183,000 price tag for the SLS AMG, would mean that the Black Series would cost around $274,50
Source

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Limousine

These are the first official photos of the E-Class Limousine, a stretch limo built by Mercedes-Benz with partner Binz.

The E-Class Limousine will be offered with varying levels of armoring and equipment to meet safety and comfort standards. This included the dividing leather-covered wall between the driver and the passenger compartment. Buyers of this luxury limousine will have the choice from two gasoline engines and a diesel, namely: the 350 CGI BlueEfficiency, the E500 and the E250 BlueEfficiency.




Source

2010 Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E Class

2010 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing

2010 Mercedes-Benz Close-Up

2010 Mercedes-Benz E Class Interior

2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet

Specs & Performance

Vehicle
Model year: 2010
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: E-Class
Style: 2dr Cabriolet

Drivetrain
Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
Engine type: V8
Block/head material: Aluminum/aluminum
Valvetrain: Double overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 382 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 391 @ 2,800
Transmission type: Seven-speed automatic
Transmission and axle ratios (x:1): I: 4.337, II: 2.859, III: 1.921, IV: 1.368, V: 1.00, VI: 0.82, VII: 0.728, R:3.416; FD: 2.65:1

Chassis
Tire brand: Pirelli
Tire model: P Zero Nero All-Season
Tire type: All-season
Wheel size: 18-by-8 inches front -- 18-by-8.5 inches rear
Wheel material: Cast-aluminum

Fuel Consumption
Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.): 17.4

Dimensions & Capacities
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.): 4,057
Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) N/A
Length (in.):185.0
Width (in.): 70.3
Height (in.): 54.0
Wheelbase (in.): 108.7
Track, front (in.): 60.5
Track, rear (in.): 60.8
Turning circle (ft.): 35.3
Legroom, rear (in.): 32.9
Headroom, front (in.): 40.2
Headroom, rear (in.): 35.8
Shoulder room, front (in.): 54.1
Shoulder room, rear (in.): 48.9
Seating capacity: 4

Warranty
Bumper-to-bumper: 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain: 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion: 4 years/50,000 miles
Roadside assistance: Unlimited
Free scheduled maintenance: 3,000 miles

Safety
Front airbags: Standard
Side airbags: Standard dual front and dual rear
Head airbags: Standard front and rear
Knee airbags: Driver only
Antilock brakes Four-wheel ABS
Electronic brake enhancements Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution
Traction control: Standard
Stability control: Standard
Rollover protection: Standard
Tire-pressure monitoring system Tire-pressure monitoring
Emergency assistance system Blind spot and lane departure warnings, pre-collision safety system

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG F1 Safety Car

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Safety Car, the SLS AMG F1 Safety Car is, for the most part, mechanically unchanged from the street-ready version, save its slightly augmented tailpipe. From there, Mercedes-Benz has outfitted a new carbon fiber hood with front-mounted camera, an all-LED roof light bar, and a rear number plate with an integrated camera.

Mercedes Benz Launches the new 2010 M-Class in India

Mercedes Benz launched the new 2010 M-Class in India. The new M-Class will cater two variants that include a sport edition priced at Rs 55 lakhs and luxury edition priced at Rs 60.90 lakhs ex-showroom, Delhi.

2010 Mercedes Benz M-Class Standard Features:

* Seven airbags
* Belt tensioners
* Belt-force limiters
* Crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints

2010 Mercedes Benz M-Class Exciting Features:

* Permanent four-wheel drive
* 4ETS traction systems
* Downhill Speed Regulation
* Acceleration skid control (ASR)
* Off-road ABS system

2010 Mercedes Benz M-Class Sports Edition Exterior Features:

* 19 inch 5 twin spoke light alloy wheels
* Rectangular tailpipes with chrome trim
* Aluminum-look roof rails
* Chromed waistline trim strip
* Load sill guard on the rear bumper in chrome
* Simulated front underguard in stainless steel

2010 Mercedes Benz M-Class Sports Edition Interior Features:

* Interior lighting package
* Sports instrument cluster
* Sports pedal system made of brushed stainless steel with rubber studs
* Alcantra/ARTICO man made leather upholstery with contrasting topstitching
* Electrically adjustable front sports seats.

2010 Mercedes Benz M-Class Luxury Edition Features: (Addition To Sports Edition)

* Wood/Leather multifunction steering wheel
* Thermotronic 3-Zone Automatic climate control
* Harmankardon LOGIC 7® Surround Sound® system (12 high performance speakers with 610 watts output)
* Anti-Theft Protection package
* Leather seats
Source

2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Estate

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate is the high performance version of the E-Class Estate. Family is presented as the more sporty, stylish and discreet time, bringing some real benefits to its occupants infarction and interior functionality and capability similar to the base model. The sedan also has a version with the same engine and mechanical basis

The team of engineers at Mercedes AMG has implanted in the engine compartment of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate 2010 a mechanical range of eight cylinders in V architecture, with 6208 cubic centimeters and 525 horses to a maximum rate of spin at 6,800 revolutions per minute. The torque is 630 Newton meters at 5,200 revolutions per minute.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate Range 2010 the first option, you can mount standard parking assistant camera (PARKTRONIC), multimedia interface for connecting external audio sources, KEYLESS-GO, information and navigation system COMAND APS system Dolby Surround.

2011 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe

More spy pictures of 2011 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe here

Michael Schumacher Behind The Wheel Mercedes SLS AMG Extreme Looping!

Remember that video of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG doing a barrel roll inside a tunnel we showed you last week?

However, Mercedes-Benz now wants us to believe it was Michael Schumacher behind the wheel the whole time. Watch the latest version of the video and at the end, the door fly open and there he is.

Mercedes SLS AMG - Extreme Looping!

Driving upside down through a tunnel is only a matter of down force combined with g-forces created during the loop, verse gravity. The total pressure of down force when combined with the g-forces created by effectively circling the perimeter of the tunnel must exceed the total weight of the vehicle and driver. If this level of pressure can be reached, a vehicle can in theory drive upside down through a tunnel. The latest Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG video suggests that "practical testing" of their sports car allows it to drive upside down. Mercedes-Benz isn't the only one to claim this, the Gumpert Apollo previously stated that it's vehicle could also drive upside down through a tunnel. However, Gumpert failed to find a driver before Mercedes-Benz.




The question arises, is this real or fake?
Source

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Pictures

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class spied pictures







Source

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Hybrid Planned

According to 4Wheelsnews, The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is carmaker’s attempt to appeal to younger buyers and hopefully take out the BMW 1-Series. The discontinued but very popular CLK had a C-Class chassis for an E-Class price. But this time, Mercedes will do something very different.

It will have a dedicated E-Class Coupe (and E-Class convertible) and for the first time, it will have a dedicated C-Class Coupe, which is believed to be a 2011 model. The goal is to compete directly with the BMW 1-Series, which has been successful at attracting the younger buyers that have yet to make their first million. Of course, the high-volume and iconic 3-Series is being targeted but clearly, this car is a direct reaction to the 1-Series.

F1 Mercedes-Benz TV commercial

F1 Mercedes-Benz TV commercial - fernando Alonso, Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen




Take a look on http://www.mercedes-benz.tv for more Information about the film incl. Making of

The song calls "I can do anything you can do better", originally performed by ANNIE OAKLEY and FRANK BUTLER

2010 BRABUS Mercedes-Benz GLK V12

The exclusive special model BRABUS GLK V12 whicih is based on the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is powered by a twelve-cylinder twin turbo engine with 750 hp (740 bhp) / 552 kW.

The BRABUS Mercedes GLK V12 also comes with a new aerodynamics package, which was developed in the wind tunnel, and includes a new front apron and a carbon-fiber spoiler lip, side skirts, a rear spoiler and a apron. The BRABUS Monoblock wheels up to king-size wheels with a diameter of 22 inches. High-performance tires from BRABUS technology partners Pirelli and YOKOHAMA can be mounted up to size 285/25 ZR 22.

2010 BRABUS Mercedes-Benz GLK V12

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500 PRESS RELEASE:

Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID: The luxury class on the road to the three-litre car

Near series-production S‑Class technology vehicle with plug-in hybrid
10 September 2009

Shortly after the successful market launch of the S 400 HYBRID, currently the most fuel-efficient luxury-segment saloon with a petrol engine, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting the first "three-litre car" in the premium class - the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID - at the 63rd IAA in Frankfurt. The technology vehicle will display the future of Mercedes-Benz' modular set of hybrid systems. The Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID can drive for up to 30 kilometres solely on electricity and therefore without producing any local emissions. The efficient drive system combined with the CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode enables the vehicle to achieve a certified consumption of only 3.2 litres of petrol per 100 kilometers. With CO2 emissions of only 74 grams per kilometre in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), the experimental vehicle developed in Sindelfingen demonstrates the long-term viability of future S‑Class generations. The outstanding values are made possible by the combination of a plug-in hybrid with the efficiency-boosting BlueEFFICIENCY measures. At the same time, the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID has all of the strengths that are typical of the S‑Class: top comfort, outstanding safety and masterful performance. The drive system in the concept car consists of three main components: a powerful V6 petrol engine with a next-generation direct injection system, a 44 kW/60 hp hybrid module and a lithium-ion battery with more than 10 kWh of storage capacity that can be recharged at charging stations. The Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.

"The Vision 500 Plug-in HYBRID is a new milestone on our path toward zero-emission mobility," says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "It is a luxurious and safe S‑Class that offers superior driving performance while at the same time consuming less fuel than current compacts. All of this shows that our top models will also be able to combine automotive fascination with responsibility for the environment."

"Although it will take some time before this model can go into series production, our engineers will be working full steam to carry out the necessary integration measures and ensure that all components can meet the tough everyday demands required of a luxury long-distance saloon," says Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG with responsibility for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "We've already got all the key technology we need for such a dream car, which is why I see it being included in the next generation of the S‑Class. The important thing now is that our development work be accompanied by the establishment of a full-coverage infrastructure that will allow the potential of this innovative drive system to be fully exploited."

The electrical drive components of the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID demonstrate the versatility of Mercedes-Benz' intelligently organised set of hybrid systems, which has a widely scalable range of performance. The hybrid module's design does not differ much from the compact, disc-shaped 15-kW electric motor of the S 400 HYBRID, even though it is three times as powerful. As a result, the hybrid module can be elegantly incorporated into the housing of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, allowing this model variant as well as the S 400 HYBRID to retain the S‑Class' spacious interior. Future model generations will orient themselves on this system architecture.

Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID: Compact full hybrid system architecture


Whereas the extremely compact lithium-ion battery in the S 400 HYBRID (0.9 kWh) can be housed in the vehicle's engine compartment, the significantly higher-performing lithium-ion unit in the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID (over 10 kWh) requires more installation space. The battery is located behind the rear seats in the boot. The lithium-ion battery's location above the rear axle provides crucial benefits, since it ensures that the vehicle has a balanced weight distribution and that the petrol tank remains adequate for long-distance cruising. In addition, the protected position of the tank ensures it is as safe as possible during crashes.

Additional clutch decouples the hybrid module and combustion engine

In accordance with the modular concept, the powertrain design for the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID is basically the same as that for the S 400 HYBRID. One system-specific attribute is the presence of an additional clutch integrated between the combustion engine and the electric motor. This device decouples the two components in the pure electric drive mode, thereby ensuring the highest level of efficiency in the latter. Moreover, because it is fully integrated into the vehicle's converter housing, the clutch does not take up any additional space.

Electrical outlet as a filling station: Powerful plug-in battery

Another key difference between the S 500 Plug-in HYBRID and conventional hybrids involves the plug-in battery, which can be charged at charging stations, thereby enabling the S 500 Plug-in HYBRID to travel up to 30 kilometres on electric power. The rapid charge cycle takes less than 60 minutes with a charging capactiy of 20 kW. A standard charge cycle at a conventional household socket with 3,3 kW takes about four-and-a-half hours to recharge a completely discharged battery.

The model is also equipped with a compact onboard charger: Housed behind the side boot wall, this unit controls the recharging process and is protected against short circuits, voltage reversal, and voltage surges. The charging system also protects the battery by monitoring voltage, the charging level and charging time. The total weight of the electrical components in the current experimental vehicle is 215 kilograms, whereby the lithium-ion battery weighs approximately 130 kg. That's much less than a conventional NiMH battery with the same capacity, as the weight of such batteries ranges from 180 - 200 kg.

The vehicle's hybrid module also provides additional energy when the car is in motion through regenerative braking - the recovery of energy when braking. Here, the clutch enhances efficiency as well, as it enables complete energy regeneration without engine drag losses.

Range of up to 30 kilometres with all-electric driving

The high-performance battery and the 44 kW/60 hp hybrid module enable the vehicle to drive up to 30 kilometres purely on electricity. That is completely sufficient for many trips within cities, where the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID is quick and very comfortable without producing any local emissions. The petrol engine automatically adds its power to that of the electric motor when travelling at high speeds or driving up steep inclines. Before closing the clutch in such cases, the vehicle electronics synchronises the engine speed with the hybrid module's rotational speed so that the engine is activated extremely smoothly without the driver noticing.

What's more, the hybrid module's sophisticated interplay with the combustion engine enables numerous additional functions that positively impact fuel consumption, emissions and vehicle agility. Like the system employed in the S 400 HYBRID, the hybrid module in the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID also comes with the ECO start/stop function. This feature also enhances safety and driving pleasure because of its boost effect, which has the electric motor providing powerful support to the combustion engine during the high-consumption acceleration phase. This system has already proved its practical viability in a slightly different configuration in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Extensive electronic safety and control components

The lithium-ion battery not only serves as an energy storage device for the electric motor in the S 500 Plug-in HYBRID; it is also linked via a DC-DC converter to the 12-volt on-board network, which provides power to standard consumers such as the headlamps and various comfort devices. To ensure a consistently high level of electrical efficiency, the voltage transformers are water-cooled via an additional low-temperature circuit.

Special power electronics are required for operating the three-phase AC electric motor in the high-voltage direct current grid, and the inverter for this task is housed in the engine compartment. Because the power electronics system itself is heated by the electric current thus created, it too is integrated into the low-temperature cooling circuit. Mercedes-Benz employs standardised components for the power electronics system as well, enabling them to be efficiently combined with different electric motors and battery types across all model series.

On the road to plug-in hybrids: Diesel-hybrid concepts

An important milestone on the road to plug-in hybrids is the recently unveiled Vision E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID diesel hybrid. Like the S 400 HYBRID and the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID, it is based on the Mercedes-Benz modular hybrid concept. This near-series vehicle study combines a new 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine with the 15 kW/20 hp hybrid module that is also used in the S 400 HYBRID, but which here also enables pure electric driving. This drive system configuration enables the Vision E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID to travel 100 km on only 4.5 litres of fuel (preliminary value). This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 119 grams per kilometre with an output of 165 kW/224 hp and superior torque of 580 - 600 newtonmetres (combined in both cases), more or less the same performance as today's six-cylinder diesel engines. Exhaust gas treatment is handled by the combination of an oxidizing catalytic converter, a diesel particulate filter and BlueTEC mit AdBlue® injection. The Vision E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID thus also has the potential to meet the world's most stringent emission standards.

Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID - Technical data

Combustion engine (petrol)
No. of cylinders/arrangement: V6, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement: 3.5 l

Hybrid module
Type: Permanently excited synchronous machine
Rated output: approx. 44 kW/60 PS
Rated torque: 250 Nm

Performance and fuel consumption
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: 5.5 s*
Top speed: 250 km/h
Fuel consumption: 3.2 l/100 km (combined)*
CO2 emissions: 74 g/km (combined):

*preliminary values

2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon

The third body style in the all-new E-class lineup, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon, is scheduled to make its official debut at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, but Mercedes-Benz has released images of the car ahead of the show.

Mercedes Benz Forthree

Recent patent filings by Mercedes-Benz indicate that a three-seater Smart may be in the works.

According to Autocar:

"Nothing's official at this stage, but Mercedes-Benz insiders contacted by Autocar suggest the new car could take the name 'Forthree' into showrooms by 2014 as part of plans to extend the Smart lineup into a complete range of models by the middle of the next decade."

Smart Forthree?