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Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011 – a great display

May 9, 2011 at 7:51 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

The event was the largest gathering of Mercedes-Benz classic cars in the Asean region – on show at the Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011 – held yesterday at the Palace of the Golden Horses – were 125 three-pointed star vehicles, worth an estimated value of more than RM80 million.

The Concours, organised by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia in conjunction with Historic Motoring Ventures, was to commemorate the brand’s 125th anniversary of the invention of the automobile, and there was certainly no shortage of history, heritage and pride on display at the one-day event.

On show were a wide range of cars from different eras, from a 1936 500K Roadster estimated to be worth RM24 million and a 1938 320B that made the trip from Singapore right up to that available in the current Benz lineup, in this case the SLS AMG. Also on display were vehicles from MBM’s model range.

The Concours was divided into three categories – Vintage (pre-1960), Classic (1951-1975) and Modern Classic (1976-1989), and the top prize winner in each category bagged an all-expense paid vacation for two to the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Classic Car Centre in Stuttgart.

At the end of the day, taking the Best In Class award in the Vintage category was the 1957 300 SL Gullwing owned by Onn Chung, while the Best In Class for Classic honours went to Datuk K. Kumaraendran’s 1967 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL W113. In the Modern Classic category, Ong Kheng Liat’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon W460 took the top spot gong.

Gallery after the jump.
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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster to debut in September

May 6, 2011 at 11:48 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

It was just a matter of time before AMG came up with an open top version of its SLS, and they’ve now announced that such a car will debut at the Frankfurt show in September. For now, the 571 hp roadster is undergoing endurance and quality tests – the car you see here is only lightly disguised with taped up badges and lights.

The AMG team have already completed most of the design work, as the Coupé and Roadster were created in parallel. So the focus of the specialists in Affalterbach was particularly on bodyshell rigidity, handling dynamics, the soft top and NVH.

There are no trademark Gullwing doors here, because it’s just not possible. But an open top car also compromises rigidity, so to ramp up the rigidity of the bodyshell, the cross-member carrying the dashboard has additional supporting struts at the windscreen frame and at the centre tunnel.

A strut mounting stay between the soft top and the fuel tank makes the rear axle more rigid. There’s also a reinforcing cross-member behind the seats which supports the fixed rollover protection system. It also accommodates the subwoofer of the Bang&Olufsen system as there’s no parcel shelf here as in the Coupe.

It was also necessary to have more robust side sills, but not to meet crash requirements, as in principle the Roadster would also pass tests with the side sills of the Coupe. AMG says it’s for driving dynamics, so the Roadster gets side sills with greater wall thickness and chambers. All in, the bodyshell of the Roadster tips the scales at 243 kg compared to the 241 kg weight of the Coupe.

The three-layered fabric soft top can be opened and closed in just 11 seconds at the touch of a button, at speeds up to 50 km/h. When opened, it tucks behind the seats in a Z-formation to save space. The magnesium/steel/ aluminium construction is lightweight and designed for speeds up to 317 km/h, verified at Papenburg, Nardo (Italy) and Idiada (Spain) high speed tracks.

It’s also subject to the standardised Mercedes soft top endurance test, which includes 20,000 closing cycles on a stationary test rig and 2,500 closing cycles while on the move, in all weather conditions. There’s also the “Sindelfingen rain test” which includes the hose test, the continuous overnight rain test, fording test, the icing, swirl and high-pressure tests, or the final automatic car wash test.

They should’ve added a “Malaysian thunderstorm test”. Hi res pics after the jump.
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SWB Mercedes G-Wagen bids farewell: BA3 Final Edition

May 5, 2011 at 11:53 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz


Click to enlarge

The classic short wheelbase G-Wagen is in the final phase of its long race, and Mercedes-Benz is releasing a final edition to send the long serving tough guy off. Called the “BA3 Final Edition”, two variants will be available: the G350 BlueTEC and the G500.

The former gets a 6-cylinder diesel engine with BlueTEC emissions control, 211 hp and 540 Nm. In the G500, a 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine with 388 hp and 530 Nm takes its place. Alongside the permanent AWD with off-road ratio and 7G-Tronic seven-speed auto, the standard spec includes the electronically controlled traction system 4ETS, ESP and three differential locks with 100% locking effect selectable at the push of a button.


Click to enlarge

Externally, the Final gets AMG flared wheel arches in body colour, twin-spoke light alloys with 265/60 R18 rubber, running boards and a spare wheel cover with a 3D Mercedes-Benz star in stainless steel, as well as an AMG radiator grille in a tri-louvre design with chrome highlights.

Features to make the soldiers jealous include an electric slide/tilt sunroof, rear mudflaps, CF look inserts in the protective strips, ultrasonic reversing aid and a tyre pressure monitoring system. There more flash in the cabin too, thanks to ambient lighting, chrome highlights and burr walnut wood trim. There’s also a telephony system in the armrest with a universal interface, charging function and an external aerial for optimum reception.

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Petronas extends Mercedes partnership to DTM series

April 29, 2011 at 6:37 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Local News, Mercedes Benz

National oil and gas company Petronas is already the proud partner of the Silver Arrows, and now both companies are taking their relationship into the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) series, which begins this Sunday in Hockenheim.

The Petronas logo will be displayed on the overalls and helmets of all nine Mercedes-Benz DTM drivers, as well as on their AMG Mercedes C-Class cars. Mercedes-Benz’s Formula 3 partner teams Mücke Motorsport and Prema Powerteam will also feature Petronas branding on their Dallara Mercedes F3 racing cars.

It’s more than just stickers, though. As with the Formula 1 team, Petronas motor oils have been specially formulated to meet the unique demands of DTM racing. With piston velocities of over 35 m/s and valve pressures of over 9,000 kg/cm², the 4.0-litre V8 (with 500 Nm and “around 493 hp”) powering the wicked looking C-Class is an extreme environment to work in, and the special Syntium engine oil with integrated additives plays a big role in keeping things running.

“The fact that Petronas has extended its involvement from Formula 1, with our Silver Arrows team, to the DTM emphasises the growing importance of this series. Just as in Formula 1, the research and development work done by our partners at Petronas makes an invaluable contribution to the competitiveness of our cars,” said Norbert Haug, VP of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

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Mercedes-Benz to hold its first-ever Concours in Malaysia

April 21, 2011 at 7:43 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

It promises to be the largest ever convergence of vintage Mercs in the country – next month’s Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011 will see 125 three-pointed star vehicles on display at the first such M-B Concours to be held here and indeed, South-East Asia.

The event, which will be held at the Palace of Golden Horses, Mines Resort City on May 8 from 10am to 5pm, is Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s initiative to celebrate Mercedes-Benz’s 125th Anniversary, which is being commemorated worldwide to mark the company’s 125 years of innovation and also the registration of Carl Benz’s “vehicle with gas-engine drive” with the Berlin Patent Office on January 29, 1886.

The Concours will showcase cars covering the vintage (pre-1960), Classics (1961-1975) and Modern Classics (1976-1989) period, and will be judged based on preparation, condition, correctness, cleanliness and originality.

An independent panel of judges, including a classic car expert from Mercedes-Benz’s Classic Car Centre in Germany, will evaluate the entries in the following categories: Engine & Engine Compartment, Exterior, Interior & Trunk/Boot and Undercarriage/Suspension/Wheels.

The owners of the top car in each of the three categories will win an all-expense paid vacation for two to the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Classic Car Centre in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Roland S. Folger said at the announcement of the event today that the Concours was the company’s initiative to thank the tens of thousands of loyal Mercedes-Benz supporters in Malaysia and provide them with a platform to showcase their timeless and priceless classics.

“The cars participating in the Concours proudly reflect the history, longevity, build quality, leading edge technology and design and the painstaking efforts by the owners to maintain these rare collectibles in classic condition,” he said.

One of the participating cars will be a 1957 300 SL Gullwing Rudge Wheel, a former category prize winner at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance while another, a 1936 500K Roadster, was also displayed at the same show.

Other entries will include a 1958 300 LS Gullwing, a 1963 220 SE Ponton Cabriolet and various versions of the famous Fintail. Aside from the vintage and classic Mercs, MBM will also have its current portfolio of passenger cars, vans, buses and trucks on show at the Concours.

Registration for the Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011 closes on May 4 and owners of classic Mercedes-Benz cars can register online or contact 1-800-88-1133 for more information.

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VIDEO: Mark Fetherston on the new Mercedes Concept A

April 21, 2011 at 12:42 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz designer Mark Fetherston (who one day wants to be a helicopter pilot it seems!) led the Mercedes-Benz’s concept car exterior design team that styled the new Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class, which previews Stuttgart’s next generation front wheel drive compact. The new A is no longer the tallish hatchback that it was – this one sits low to the ground, perhaps leaving the mini-MPV bodyshell segment to be served by the B-Class in the future. Enjoy the video.

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Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class to be unveiled in Shanghai!

April 7, 2011 at 6:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz will preview the next generation A-Class at Auto Shanghai 2011 later this month as the new Concept A-Class. Like the previous generation, the new A-Class is a front-wheel drive car with a transverse engine.

The engine installed in the Concept A-Class is a new M270 series transverse installation engine, with 2.0 litres of displacement, replacing the M266 installed in the last generation A-Class and B-Class. It is direct injected and turbocharged, making 210 horsepower in the concept car. Power is transmitted to the two front wheels via a new Mercedes-Benz dual clutch transmission.

The Concept A-Class also features a driver assistance system called Collision Prevention Assist, which gives visual and acoustic warnings to a possibly inattentive driver if the car’s collision radar detects that the car is about to hit the rear end of the car in front. It also primes the Brake Assist system for better brake response.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the concept.
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Mercedes GP Petronas F1 team all set for Sepang!

April 5, 2011 at 8:32 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Formula 1, Mercedes Benz, Motorsports

Members of the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 team are all geared up for the race weekend at Sepang that’s happening in just a few days. Here’s some comments from various members of the Petronas-backed team.

Michael Schumacher

What do you enjoy, and what are the unique challenges, of the Sepang International Circuit?

Let’s put it like this: we consider Malaysia as one of our home Grands Prix, so it obviously gives us a big boost to go there and have the support of PETRONAS and the Malaysian people. The track itself is great as it gives you a wide variety of possibilities during every lap. You can take multiple lines through some of the corners, which is something you can do hardly anywhere else. I have always liked driving there, and I look forward to doing it again.

The team had a difficult time in Australia. What do you expect from the second race?

There is absolutely no doubt we want to do better than in the opening race, which was a disappointment for all of us. We clearly see that as a challenge and it is much too early to write us off. Everybody in the team remains positive and is in a fighting mood. So I expect a better weekend for us to come; a weekend we can build on.

Nico Rosberg

How do you rate the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia?

To be honest, Sepang is my favorite circuit on the Formula One calendar. It’s fast and challenging with a nice layout and a real variation of corners which make it an exciting track to drive. Last year I qualified second and achieved the team’s first podium of the season. I have a good feeling coming back here this year and hope to achieve a good result at the home race of our title partner PETRONAS.

Are you expecting a better weekend in Malaysia?

“We had a tough weekend in Australia but the team has worked hard and we are confident that the car will be running reliably in Malaysia. Melbourne is a unique circuit and we know that we will have a much better understanding of our level of performance after the next races. I think we can surprise people next Sunday. We know that the car is fast from the last test in Barcelona, so now we have to work on proving that potential.”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal

As the home race of our title partner, PETRONAS, the Malaysian Grand Prix is a very important and prestigious race for our team. The whole team enjoys our annual visit to both Kuala Lumpur and the Sepang International Circuit, and the unparalleled hospitality of our friends from PETRONAS and the Malaysian fans.

We endured a difficult weekend at the first race of the season, despite having reasonable expectations after completing a successful testing programme in Barcelona. We suffered a number of problems which resulted in a far from optimum car for qualifying and the race, and then were unlucky to suffer a disappointing double retirement for Michael and Nico.

Our priority since Melbourne has been to regroup back at our factories in Brackley and Brixworth, to review the weekend in detail, and to establish the best way to achieve the full potential of the car from Malaysia onwards. How we respond to the disappointment of Melbourne, and the challenges we faced, will be a true measure of our team.

Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

The Sepang circuit presents many challenges. It has a wide variety of corners with varying radii which demand good aerodynamic stability and efficiency from a Formula 1 car. There are four major braking events during the lap, and extreme climatic conditions are the norm in Sepang, with high temperatures and humidity – which create a high likelihood of rain in the late afternoon during both qualifying and the race.

The Malaysian Grand Prix is one of our home races, with our title partner PETRONAS headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, and Nico scored the first podium for our team last year at this circuit with a third-place finish.

Since the first race in Australia, we have worked hard in Brackley and Brixworth to analyse the reasons behind, and to solve, the reliability and performance problems which hampered our first race weekend of the season. Our target is to be in better shape in Malaysia.

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VIDEO: Petronas Formula 1 teasers featuring the MGP W02

March 28, 2011 at 11:58 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Mercedes Benz, Motorsports, Videos

Mercedes GP Petronas had an Australian GP to forget, with both Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher scoring DNFs. Both drivers were involved in collisions that affected their race, leading VP of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Norbert Haug to call it the “toughest weekend of our 20 races”.

But that’s racing, and we hope to see the Petronas backed team bounce back in front of “home fans” at the Malaysian GP.

The national oil company has produced a series of teasers for its upcoming F1 ad, which is themed “Who says Formula 1 technology is only for Formula 1?”. The four teasers released so far shows the Mercedes MGP W02 appearing in daily life situations, which ties in with the tagline.

There’s one showing Harajuku girls using the F1 car and another where a European lady jogs past a parked Silver Arrow on the sidewalk. There’s even one featuring a Malaysian toll booth!

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Mercedes C-Class Coupe revealed ahead of Geneva debut

February 14, 2011 at 11:30 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

We’ve seen the leaked images before, and Mercedes-Benz has now fully revealed the C-Class Coupe ahead of its world debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. With this, Mercedes now has a spiritual successor to the CLK to compete with the Audi A5 and BMW 3-Series Coupe. This car will also replace the CLC-Class.

The C-Class Coupe shares a platform with the W204 C-Class saloon and is the same length at just under 4.6 metres despite having two doors less. The Coupe is of course much sleeker in profile thanks to a 41 mm lower roofline and cues such as a beltline that has a “strong upsweep into the C-pillar”. Mercedes prefers a “classic three-box design” for its junior coupe.

Like the facelifted saloon, the Coupe gets new L-shaped headlamps with ear shaped driving lamps underlined by LED signal lamps, in addition to the LED strip below. At the back, the Coupe is unmistakeably C-Class and it also has the facelifted range’s LED strip taillamps plus a diffuser style bumper housing twin pipes.

As expected, the Coupe gets the stepped top dashboard of the facelifted saloon – the 5.8-inch central display is joined to the instrument binnacle as opposed to the independent layout of before. The new three-spoke steering wheel features a flat bottom and comes standard with shift paddles.

Metallic trim accents the dial surrounds, air con vents and buttons. Aluminum trim is standard on the C250, while the C350 features Burl Walnut. Unique Ash Olive Matte Wood Trim is an option. The rear has two individual seats – the C-Class Coupe is a strict four seater.

Engines for the C-Class Coupe include a turbochaged 1.8-litre four-cylinder (C250) and a 302 hp V6 for the C350. Europe will get the usual 220CDi and 250CDi diesel engines. The petrols will come with 7-speed automatic transmissions. The 204 hp/310 Nm C250 is expected to do the 0-60 mph sprint (0-96 km/h) in 7.1 seconds, which isn’t to far from Golf GTI acceleration.

Quite a handsome coupe, isn’t it? Gallery after the jump.
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