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New W164 Mercedes-Benz M-Class facelift now on sale in Malaysia!

April 23, 2009 at 11:32 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

ML350
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The new facelifted version of the W164 Mercedes-Benz ML is now here in Malaysia from RM548,888 for the ML 350. Other than the 272 horsepower V6 ML 350, the 388 horsepower V8-powered ML 500 and the 510 horsepower ML 63 AMG will also be available but these are only for special orders.

Changes on the outside include a new bumper and new headlamps with a step in the lower edge, which continues below and around the front grille. The ML also has a new look for the underguard which makes the ML look wider.

On the rear, there is a new rear bumper, and an optional stainless steel underguard which can conceal the exhaust system.

There are also changes on the interior including door center panels that are now trimmed with ARTICO man-made leather. The in-car entertainment/telematics system has been updated to the latest version with LINGUATRONIC and also includes a charging function for multimedia devices connected to the USB port.

Look after the jump for a full list of details.
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe “Beauty” TVC

April 19, 2009 at 11:29 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Videos

E-Class Coupe Ad

The first TV commercial for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe has been released and actually brings the concept of a car commercial all the way back to old times where horsepower actually meant horsepower, and in this case referring to a car as a sexy lady with a curvy body is more litreal than a figure of speech. Check out both the TV commercial and a “making of” video after the jump.
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Mercedes-Benz: no new CLK AMG car!

April 15, 2009 at 1:33 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Rumours

E-Class Coupe

According to the latest scoop from Autocar, there will be no new CLK63 AMG, or rather the E-Class Coupe AMG since the CLK has been replaced by the E-Class Coupe. You see, the CLK has always been somewhat an odd product, as it looks like an E-Class coupe (shown above) but was based on C-Class underpinings, until the latest version of course where not only it is based on the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz decided to rename it to an E-Class coupe to better reflect its new positioning.

“We had a good look where it would fit into the line-up and eventually came to the conclusion it would be too close to the CLS63 AMG, both in positioning and price,” said a Mercedes-Benz source. That is quite true actually, as the E-Class Coupe and CLS are both “coupe” versions of the E-Class, just that the CLS has its own unique styling and 4-doors. But still, it doesn’t really make sense.

At that sort of price levels, exclusivity and profit margins, who are they to deny a potential customer from his very own proper 2-door (instead of CLS 4-door) D-segment AMG car if he wanted it? I bet it will happen sooner or later. And isn’t the E-Class AMG so much closer to the upcoming new CLS AMG, hint hint: 4 doors?!
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Facelifted S 63 and S 65 AMG unveiled early!

April 14, 2009 at 4:36 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

S AMG
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Can you tell the difference between the three cars above? Let me help you with that. The top most is the S 63 AMG, and next up is the long wheelbase S 63 AMG, while lastly you have the long wheelbase V12-powered S 65 AMG, which seems to be available only in the long wheelbase form unlike the normally aspirated V8 S 63.

The new S-Class has not been unveiled yet, only due at the Shanghai show this year but these few photos you will find after the jump have already been revealed in Mercedes-Benz Germany’s online configuration tool.

The S 63 AMG uses a normally spirated 6.2 litre V8 putting out 525 PS and 630Nm of torque, mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission (no indication that it has the MCT system), and costs 144,823 Euros in long wheelbase form. Now this is actually cheaper than the V12 S 600.

Here comes the killer. The top of the range in terms of starting asping price is the monster S 65 AMG, with its turbocharged V12 putting out 612 PS and that magical number – a whole 1,000Nm of torque! This baby costs 221,221 Euros onwards. Because of that crazy torque you don’t get the SPEEDSHIFT 7G-Tronic though, as only their 5-speeder can cope with the twisting forces.

Look after the jump for some images extracted from the config tool. The full details with high res images will come along when Mercedes-Benz decides to release the official press release and photos.
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2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift: Official Details

April 14, 2009 at 3:23 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Videos

Mercedes-Benz W221 Facelift

Hot on the tail of the new F01 is an updated S-Class, it’s still the W221 but with a mid-life facelift that adds a few aesthetic changes including a more prominent grille up front, a revised bumper, the LED daytime driving lights that we also saw on the new E-Class, LED tail lights at the rear, and an integrated exhaust.

With the facelift also comes the new S 400 HYBRID, which unlike the hybrid-diesel version shown in 2007, is powered by a petrol engine, the 3.5 litre V6 to be exact from the S 350. The 279hp generated by the V6 is complemented by a 20 horsepower electric motor that has 160Nm of torque, integrated with the 7G-Tronic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz W221 Facelift

The motor acts as a dynamo during braking to recover kinetic energy, recharging the lithium ion batteries with them. The result is an economical 7.9 litres per 100km of combined consumption, impressive for such a large car. I wonder if Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will introduce this here. Companies might just go for it as a company car in their efforts to look green, perhaps as part of their social responsibility programs, plus there is that tax-free period for hybrids. In Germany, the S 400 is less than 10,000 Euros more expensive than the S 350.

Mercedes-Benz W221 Facelift

Something new is a feature called Active Body Control which is a crosswind stabilisation feature. This is standard on the S 600. The S-Class is expected to run cross-state journeys sometimes, since the bosses here may have to visit branches in other states once in a while. During highway journeys you do get hit by crosswinds which can upset the car’s balance, thus Active Body Control tries to make up for it.

It senses crosswinds via the yaw rate and acceleration sensors that are part of the ESP program, and this data is used to vary the spring load to compensate the effects of crosswinds.

Look after the jump for a full hi-res gallery detailing the changes in the design of the S-Class. It should be quite easy to spot.
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Mercedes-Benz “Angels” Safety Commercial

April 7, 2009 at 12:45 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Videos

Mercedes-Benz Angels

Check out this new commercial by Mercedes-Benz touting the safety features of its car. Whether you believe it or not, the creativity of whoever produced the video makes you smile… it shows two guardian angels having a chat, and it’s revealed that one of them has a “dream job”, the guardian angel of a Mercedes-Benz driver.
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V8 powered W212 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG!

April 2, 2009 at 9:52 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

The W212 finally gets its AMG model shortly after its launch, the new E63 AMG, powered by a 6.2 litre V8 (not a 6.3 litre that its name hints at) producing 518 horsepower and 630Nm of torque. As you can expect from the numbers, it’s normally aspirated!

The fact that this car only has 11 more horsepower than the W211 shows that AMG has really backed out of the horsepower game, preferring to let Audi have the last laugh with the RS6′s 571bhp. Average fuel consumption has been cut by 12%, something that the new gearbox likely contributed to.

The V8 is mated to AMG’s new SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed auto form the SL63 AMG which is essentially the original 7-speed 7G-TRONIC-based SPEEDSHIFT but with the torque converter replaced with a multi-disc oiled start-up clutch. The transmission has automatic rev-matching and 4 shift modes – C, S, S+ and M. C stands for Controlled Efficiency (not Comfort), where it will shift smoothly and upshift as fast as possible to keep engine speeds low.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

The W212 E63 AMG has what Mercedes-Benz calls AMG RIDE CONTROL, which uses electronically controolled dampers for the sports supesnsion. The front axle is new with a 56mm wider track, a tubular stabiliszer bar, new control arms, new wheel bearings and a new bushing geometry. It now uses steel springs while the rear uses AMG spec air springs.

AMG says steel springs are used at the front to ensure sensitive responses while the rear’s air springs with automatic levelling help keep the vehicle at a constant height, as with the E63 being a sedan it’s expected to be loaded up with a family and luggage too.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Brakes are AMG 14.2 inch ventilated and cross-drilled brakes for all four wheels, with the front axle having a two-piece construction. The AMG wheels are 18 inch in size wrapped with 255/40R18 tyres at front and 285/35R18 at the rear. Optional are 19 inchers with 255/35R19 in front and 285/30R19 at the rear.

The steering ratio has been made quicker at 14:1 – 22% quicker to be exact compared to standard W212 models, plus the steering column itsef is more digid. The speed-sensitive servo also has AMG calibration. The ESP system is 3-stage, allowing an ESP SPORT middle-ground for a little more fun before ESP kicks in to save you. ESP can be turned completely off.

Look after the jump for a full hi-res gallery!
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Brabus kits up the W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

March 28, 2009 at 9:30 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Brabus E-Class

Brabus has unveiled its tuning and bodykit package for the W212 E-Class. Bodykits are always subjective but I really don’t get the weird red dot deflector in the middle of the diffuser-like area between the quad tailpipes. But nevermind about that, let’s have a look at the rest of the package.

The Brabus W212 bodykit is manufactured from Pur-R-Rim plastics in OEM quality. There are front sport quarter panels which improve the venting of the wheel houses, thus helping some of that brake heat escape. The Brabus rocker panels also have aerodynamic benefits – they calm the airflow between the wheel houses, and of course also feature the LED entrace lights that has become a Brabus trademark.

Brabus E-Class

There are a few suspension mods to be picked from, ranging from as basic as a lowering kit up to a special control unit for the AIRMATIC air suspension, which were also all tuned to match the high-performance Pirelli and Yokohama tyres that Brabus recommends you wrap their Brabus Monoblock light alloy wheels with. There are also large 12-piston brakes that you can fit.

The E 500 (US market – E 550)’s engine can be equipped with the BRABUS 6.1 litre kit, which uses a special crankshaft and larger pistons to increase displacement to 6.1 litres. The result is 462 horsepower at 6,200rpm and 615Nm of torque from as low as 3,100rpm. You can also fit an anti-slip rear differential with a 40% locking rate.

For the oil burners, the company is still working at developing the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra kits, including a BRABUS ECO PowerXtra BLUE tuning kit for the Mercedes E 350 BlueTEC.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Brabus W212.
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Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster Concept

March 26, 2009 at 9:52 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster Concept

First of all, what’s with the bicycle wheels??? Actually this is more like an extreme example of retro-futurism as all the first few cars including Henry Ford’s had wheels that looked like this. In actual fact its a modern reenactment of the Benz Patent Motorwagen. This is Mercedes-Benz’s F-CELL Roadster Concept.

It’s powered by a fuel cell located at the rear producing just 1.2 kilowatts, or 1.6 horsepower. It has a range of 350km and a top speed of 25km/h. Perfect for navigating golf courses in style? Check out more hi-res shots after the jump.
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W212 E63 AMG set for New York debut

March 23, 2009 at 9:37 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

E63 AMG

There’s one very easy way to tell the real stuff from the aesthetic replicas when it comes to AMG and M cars. Just check out those huge brakes in the photo above! The W212′s E63 AMG is expected to have a 6.3 litre normally aspirated V8 under the hood, churning out 525 horsepower and 630Nm of torque. The basis of this “prediction” by many publications out there are because it is similiar figures to the SL 63 AMG. It may also get the AMG Speedshift MCT transmission, a planetary transmission automatic gearbox but with the torque converter replaced with a startup clutch. The latest AMG car from Stuttgart is expected to be unveiled at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.

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