Archive for Mercedes Benz

More updates on the potential break-up of American-German automotive giant DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler recently announced it might sell off the Chrysler group, viewed by some as going back on it’s word for commitment in making the partnership work. DaimlerChrysler issued a statement to the media today saying it’s future strategy for Chrysler’s could only be decided in weeks or months.

Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda has decided to shed some light on the matter, whatever light he is able to shed without implicating himself legally of course. The full unedited email is available after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda’s email to employees

One disturbing trend for those concerned with both performance and fuel economy is that cars have gotten more and more heavier over the years. Compare the original Mk1 Golf GTI to the latest Mk5 version, the original was only 810kg in stock form, while the latest TFSI Mk5 weighs in at 1,340kg - thats more than 500kg heavier!

Rather than see 2,000kg hot hatches sometime in the future, someone has decided to do something about this and hopefully force everyone to follow suit - Thomas Weber, board member in charge of R&D over at DaimlerChrysler.

Weber admits that the weight of cars have been growing alarmingly over the past few years. DaimlerChrysler has moved weight reduction into the middle term concerns, together with improving drivetrain efficiency and energy management. Special project teams devoted to lightweight construction were formed in late 2006. DaimlerChrysler is now using ultra high performance steels in highly stressed structural parts and aluminum at chassis locations that are under less strain. Every parts designer is given goals for weight reduction in his area.

According to surveys, vehicle weight increases every year from about 1% to 1.5%, plus vehicle length grows about 5 to 10cm from one model generation to another. Weight increases because of increase in vehicle size as well as increase safety, amongst many reasons. In this age of fuel efficiency concerns, will we see this trend reversed?

DaimlerChrysler today announced that it is open to the possibility of dropping the loss-making Chrysler group from it’s organization structure, or finding new partners for the American automotive group. Previously, DCX stood by Chrysler with a long-term commitment since it’s merger in 1998, but perhaps a predicted operating loss of more than US$1.31 billion foreseen by analysts - the third full-year loss since the merger is just too much for DCX to take. This loss will be offsetted by an earnings rebound at premium passenger car division Mercedes Benz and solid results from its market-leading truck manufacturing division.

The announcement pushed Chrysler stock up by more than 5%, up to it’s highest level since June 2002 - peaking at US$67.43 per share. DCX CEO Dieter Zetsche is expected to announce that an investment bank has been hired to review strategic options for the group. However, divesting the two groups is easier said than done, as cutting apart the two companies would cost an estimated US$34 billion, eclipsing DaimlerChrysler earnings, which is expected to be US$1.92 billion for the Q4 of 2006.

I find it funny that such an announcement should be made, announcing the possible separation of two lovers that were never meant to be on Valentine’s day.

Source: AutoNews

DaimlerChrysler Malaysia has updated the prices of it’s Mercedes Benz passenger cars, in both CKD and CBU form.

This follows the recent reduction in excise duty for vehicles above 3,000cc, so expect only the high displacement cars to enjoy significant savings on price.

Price list table with comparison available after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of New Mercedes Benz Pricelist (19 January 2007)

UPDATE: Facelifted W211 Mercedes-Benz E230 Test Drive Review

Earlier this month, DCM launched the latest facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class which boasts about 2,000 design and engineering changes. In Malaysia, the new E is available in E200 Kompressor in Elegance trim as well as the E280 in Avantgarde trim.

The front end of the facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class now comes with an updated grille, bumper and headlamp design. The headlamps now have transparent louvres to the top section, producing a striking light effect when the turn indicator lamps are switched on. The E280 Avantgarde now uses white LED lights as parking lights. The E200 also now gets the Avantgarde model’s side skirts and sportier rear bumper, previously the two models had design designs. On the interior, you get a new four-spoke steering wheel and a new control unit for the THERMOTRONIC 4-zone automatic climate control.

The new locally assembled Mercedes-Benz E 200 Kompressor is priced at RM353,842.80 (on-the-road without insurance) while the locally assembled Mercedes-Benz E 280 Avantgarde is priced at RM423,888.00 (on-the-road without insurance).

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Mercedes Benz E-Class Facelift in Malaysia

The current W203 C-Class has been on the road since the year 2000, and has already been facelifted. Despite being so old, the post-facelift model still manages not to look dated on Malaysian and international roads, however that is not a reason for Mercedes Benz to sit on their asses all day and not come up with a successor. This is the new W204 Mercedes Benz C-Class, which had it’s world premiere this month.

More details after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of New 2007 Mercedes Benz C-Class (W204) Unveiled

DaimlerChrysler filed for the CLC-class trademark in the USA back in May 2006 and recently this month it has been published for opposition. The CLC-class trademark was registered for both class 012 - Automobiles and their structural parts and class 028 - Toy model vehicles. It’s not really known what the CLC-class will be, but some have said it might be a convertible version of the Mercedes Benz CL-class shown above. Check the links below for more details on the Mercedes Benz CL-class.

Related Posts:
2007 Mercedes Benz CL-class, CL500 and CL600
2007 Mercedes Benz CL-class AMG, CL55 and CL65

Source: Trademark Electronic Search System

DaimlerChrysler AG has released photos of the new 4-door cabriolet concept based on the Mercedes Benz S-class. Called the Concept Ocean Drive, DaimlerChrysler says it is an open invitation to go on a “topless” cruise along the world’s finest ocean promenades. I can really see where they’re coming from here, cruising by the seaside in a topless car would be truly a nice experience, but what makes the Concept Ocean Drive extra ocean friendly? Not sure really.

While based on an S-class, the car’s side profile has no B-pillar or window frames, ensuring seamless continuity between the exterior and the interior even when the top is up. The design study is based on the V12 Mercedes-Benz S600 with a long wheelbase chassis. The car also incorporates something Mercedes Benz calls AIRSCARF, a neck-level heating system, which is featured on all four seats, allowing occupants to enjoy top-down motoring even in the colder months of the year.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Mercedes Benz Concept Ocean Drive design study

Let’s take a blast to the past for once. The wedge-like car above with an orange colour scheme is the Mercedes Benz C111 Concept car, shown to the public ages ago at the 1969 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Having a futuristic shape at that time was one thing, but what’s unique about this concept car is what has hidden under it’s hood - a result of Mercedes Benz’s experimentation with the Wankel rotary engine design.

The fiberglass body Mercedes Benz C111 Concept was powered by a fuel injected normally aspirated 3-rotor Wankel engine. With 600cc per rotor, the engine made 280hp at 7,000rpm, giving the car a 0-100km/h time of 5 seconds and a top speed of 260km/h. A later version featured a 4-rotor rotary engine with 350hp at 7,000rpm and a top speed of 290km/h. Only 12 units of the engine, codenamed M950F, were ever built.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Rotary-powered Mercedes Benz C111 Concept

We can say goodbye to the W203 Mercedes Benz C-Class now, as the last of it’s production rolled off Mercedes Benz’s plant in Sindelfingen, 15km south west of Stuttgart, Germany. This particular generation of the C-class was introduced in 2000, replacing the previous W202 C-class introduced in 1993. Following the 7-8 year model cycle that the C-class has always had, this phasing out was expected, and the new W204 Mercedes Benz C-class is expected to have a public debut either at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2007 or the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007.

Above is an undisguised spyshot of the third generation Mercedes Benz C-class, and one again following the tradition of C-classes, it looks like a downsized S-class. The size of the boot looks abit small from the looks of the rear overhang, but then again it might be an optical illusion of sorts to make the car more sporty.