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Detroit 2010: Mercedes-Benz mysterious scuplture

January 12, 2010 at 11:31 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Concept Cars, Mercedes Benz

Alongside the E-Class Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz displayed an unnamed artistic sculpture in Detroit. It shows a vehicle body emerging from the ground, taking a soft, flowing form – as if a shimmering cloth was draped over a newly conceived design. We can see that it’s an coupe shape, with an arching roofline much like the CLS – could this preview Mercedes’ new four-door coupe?

This design teaser also shows Mercedes’ intention to use the wide SLS style grille beyond its original application (two bars here, one bar in the SLS). The wheelarches are emphasized on, but the rear haunches are very prominent in the style of the E-Class Coupe.

“The basic proportions challenge the onlooker to interpret the shape of the future, real product that may be nearing the end of its flowing design process,” teases Stuttgart.

UPDATE: Live photos added!

See the scuplture from different angles after the jump.
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Detroit 2010: Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet unveiled

January 12, 2010 at 10:47 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Cars, Mercedes Benz

We tend to forget some world debuts at motor shows because we’ve seen the cars before, in pictures that is. It’s because the trend these days is to release info and photos of a car ahead of its official unveiling – case in point being the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet which was shown off in the metal for the first time in Detroit.

The four-seater folding metal roofed (open/close in 20 sec, up to 40 km/h) cabriolet completes the E-Class family and presents a world first in the shape of the Aircap wind deflector, which Mercedes says considerably reduces air turbulence when the top is down. Aircap replaces conventional wind deflectors, which are quite unsightly. The topless E also comes with the latest gen Airscarf neck-level heating system integrated into the back rests of the front seats. It blows warm air from adjustable air vents in the head restraints to warm necks, hence the “scarf” in the name.

A big range of engines are available, from the E 220 CDI BlueEfficiency (170 bhp) to the E 500 with 388 bhp. Safety gadgets such as Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, Pre-Safe predictive occupant protection, intelligent light system and Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control are available.

Full hi-res gallery after the jump.
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Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team official renderings

December 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Mercedes Benz

We picked up these renderings of the Mercedes GP Formula 1 car complete with Petronas livery from the Brawn GP official website (Brawn GP is the 2009 Constructors Champion, bought by Daimler and renamed as Mercedes GP). We’ll have to wait for pre-season testing in February to see the car for real, but here’s a teaser of how it could look.

The based colour is silver (of course) but there are streaks of Petronas green to break the monotony – previously BMW Sauber didn’t allow any of it on its car. The Petronas name is prominently displayed on the rear wing, front wing and side pods; the latter location has ‘Malaysia’ below the brand, just like on the BMW. There’s also a Petronas Syntium logo on the engine cover. Other sponsors such as Henri Lloyd, MIG and Graham are carried over from Brawn GP.

Look out for one more picture and downloadable hi-res files after the jump.

UPDATE: It’s official! Mercedes GP has unveiled latest signing Michael Schumacher at its Brackley HQ. About the condition of his neck, the seven-time champ has this to say: “It wasn’t OK in the summer, but it’s had the time to heal completely, there is no further issue with the neck – 100%,” he told BBC.

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CONFIRMED: Michael Schumacher signs for Mercedes GP!

December 23, 2009 at 12:49 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Mercedes Benz

Word that seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher will make his Formula 1 comeback via Mercedes GP has been circulating for quite some time, but he has finally signed for the Silver Arrows, according to an AFP report which quotes Bild.de.

The report says that Schumacher, who will turn 41 in January, signed a one-year deal for the 2010 season worth seven million euros, adding that the contract was signed on Tuesday at Mercedes’ headquarters in Brackley, England.

Schumi, who retired in 2006, will join compatriot Nico Rosberg in an all-German line-up for Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team. He will also be reunited with Ross Brawn, the mastermind behind his seven titles at Ferrari and Benetton. Michael has competed in 250 Grand Prix races, winning 91 of them, and started in pole on 68 occasions.

UPDATE: It’s official! Mercedes GP has unveiled their star driver at its Brackley HQ. About the condition of his neck, Schumacher has this to say: “It wasn’t OK in the summer, but it’s had the time to heal completely, there is no further issue with the neck – 100%,” he told BBC.

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Alex Yoong “ashamed” with Petronas over Mercedes GP sponsorship deal

December 22, 2009 at 9:16 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Mercedes Benz

Following yesterday’s shock announcement that Petronas has signed up as the title sponsor of Mercedes GP, Malaysia’s ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong has showed disappointment at the snub towards Lotus F1. Yoong is now head of driver development for the Malaysian backed Lotus F1 team.

“Petronas signs with Mercedes GP,” he wrote. “Words fail me. Mercedes is a good team, no doubt, but what Lotus is doing is completely ground-breaking and brave and Petronas not seeing that fills me with shame,” he posted on his Twitter account.

Lotus F1 boss Tony Fernandes has been courting the national oil company as a sponsor after the latter ended its deal with BMW Sauber, and was quoted before as saying: “We would love Petronas to sponsor us”

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BREAKING: Petronas is now the title sponsor of Mercedes GP!

December 21, 2009 at 5:47 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Mercedes Benz

Petronas has just moments ago announced that it will be the title sponsor of Mercedes GP! This comes as a surprise after it was widely reported that the national oil company will be ending its involvement in F1 as a team sponsor. The choice of Mercedes GP is also unexpected – after all Malaysia has its “own” team in Lotus F1.

The five-year agreement with Mercedes comes after Petronas’ deal with BMW Sauber ended in the just concluded 2009 season. Under this new deal, Petronas will be the title partner to the Silver Arrows works team, which will be officially known as the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team.

The official media statement explains that “this partnership allows related business arrangements with Mercedes that will support Petronas’ international business expansion efforts, particularly in its global lubricant business. The exclusive rights of a title partner and association with the premium, internationally-renowned Mercedes brand will further enhance Petronas and Malaysia’s ongoing global brand positioning efforts. Petronas will also be able to continue to leverage on the extensive international exposure offered by the sport to grow its existing business activities.”

This tie-up also presents Petronas with the opportunity to utilise and leverage on Mercedes’ long motor sport heritage to further supplement its talent development initiatives as part of its contribution towards the development of Malaysia’s motorsports industry, it said.

Petronas will continue to be the title sponsor of the Malaysian Grand Prix, as reported earlier.

Quotes from Norbert Haug, Vice-President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports and Ross Brawn, Team Principal are after the jump.

UPDATE: The Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team’s race car will make its track debut in its new livery at Valencia on 1 February to start pre-season testing ahead of the 2010 season.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Hi-Res Gallery

December 18, 2009 at 5:01 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

mercedes-benz-e-class-cabrio

Daimler has released a full hi-res photo gallery of the new E-Class Cabriolet, which replaces the CLK Cabriolet in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. There are currently four different E-Class bodies for sale – the sedan, touring, coupe and cabriolet. Right now only the sedan and the coupe are on sale in Malaysia. You’ll find a side view image of all four bodies in the gallery after the jump, together with loads of other photos in very high resolution suitable for wallpaper usage.
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Matte gold SLS AMG unveiled in Dubai

December 15, 2009 at 11:28 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG "Desert-Gold"

An SLS AMG with a striking gold paint in Dubai – please don’t tell me you were surprised! The next step is probably one with a fully chromed paint and then we’ll see diamond-crusted bodywork or perhaps a body made of pure gold but for now we’re still at the gold paintjob stage for this recently unveiled flagship car.

This new paintjob is called Desert Gold and it has a matte finish with gloss black accents and black AMG wheels measuring a massive 19 inches at the front and a larger 20 inches at the rear – most of us just settle for a staggered setup but this particular car gets a full inch size up!

g55-dubai

You can’t buy an SLS AMG with this paintjob from factory just yet but Mercedes-Benz says given enough demand, they could make this paintjob available. But it’s not like the owner cannot afford to pony up some cash and have this paint done aftermarket by themselves, so why the wait? Currently there are two matte paintjobs already available for the SLS AMG from the factory – AMG Monza grey magno and AMG alubeam silver.

According to AMG, the Middle East is the division’s 4th largest market after USA, Germany and Japan. The other car featured here is the Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR “Edition 79″ which is only available in the Middle East. Only 79 units are available and it is finished in only one colour – designo magno alanite grey.
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New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible: first looks

December 15, 2009 at 4:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz, Videos

E-Class Cabriolet

The E-Class Sedan and Coupe has been released for over half a year and have just made their way into Malaysia late last month. The E-Class Coupe is a name that we’ve not seen for some time now and it replaces the CLK in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. The CLK had a drop top version so it was only sooner or later that this new E-Class Cabriolet made its debut into the automotive world.

E-Class Cabriolet

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet keeps a soft top instead of moving to one of those new hard top roofs that most automakers are going for these days. There’s a system in place called the AirCap which is basically a spoiler at the windshield that helps direct air over the passenger cabin so you won’t mess up your hair. Mercedes-Benz claims that the AirCap protects the hairstyle of rear passengers as well as the front ones.

Whatever it is, this baby ain’t going to be cheap once it is launched here in Malaysia. The E 250 CGI coupe already goes for a scary RM 458,888 price tag here in Malaysia, and the more powerful E 350 coupe goes for RM 666,888. An entry level cabriolet could possibly breach the half a million ringgit mark!

Look after the jump for a gallery and 2 videos of the E-Class cabrio.
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New Mercedes-Benz ML 350 AMG Sports Edition

December 10, 2009 at 6:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

ml350-amg
Click for enlarged image

The ML 350 is now available with an AMG Sports Edition package here in Malaysia, which adds AMG front and rear aprons, AMG twin oval exhaust tailpipes, aluminum running boards, and 21 inch alloy wheels to enhance the exterior looks. The last AMG Sports Edition model that we got here was specified on the W211 E 280, and you can read a test drive review of that one in our reviews section.

As expected from the 350 in its model name (though this is not always true with both Mercedes-Benz and BMW these days), the ML 350 is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 engine, producing 272 horsepower and 350Nm of torque. Peak torque is achieved at just 2,400rpm and goes up to 5,000rpm, which is pretty impressive. But the ML is a heavy car after all so 0 to 100km/h takes 8.4 seconds, which is not super fast but qualified to be called zippy at the very least.

The V6 engine is mated to a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission which can drop multiple gears without having to go through gears sequentially, This means 7th gear straight to 4th gear is possible if required. You can swap cogs manually with steering wheel paddle shifters. The suspension system uses AIRMATIC, which means you can set your suspension variables and ride height to whatever you like or simply leave it in automatic mode.

On the interior, you get 8 airbags, a COMAND APS in-car entertainment and telematics system which includes GPS navigation data. All data including 4GB of music can be stored on a 40GB hard drive. The system also has a DVD changer, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and has a USB interface to connect to a USB thumb drive, USB portable media player or an iPod. You can “talk” to the COMAND APS system via LINGUATONIC, a speech recognition feature.

The ML 350 AMG Sports Package retails for RM555,888, which at that kind of price segment is a really small premium over the regular ML 350′s RM548,888 price tag.
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