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Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake set for 2012 market launch

November 9, 2010 at 11:53 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Merc Shooting Break 1

It’s a case of all that potential being impossible to ignore – Mercedes-Benz has made the decision to put into serial production its CLS Shooting Brake concept car unveiled earlier this year in April at Auto China 2010.

The car is slated to make its market debut in 2012, and will be built at the company’s plant in Sindelfingen, Germany. No further details have been suggested at this point, but it’s safe to assume that the powertrain as well as drivetrain combinations found on the new CLS will be available here as well. The concept came wearing a 306 hp and 370 Nm 3.5 litre V6, working with a 7G-tronic tranny.

Merc Shooting Break 2

Curiously, the naming convention used at the start with the concept, which was Break, might now be tilting towards the homonym Brake. Ah well, as long as everyone knows what it is, I suppose – the Shooting Brake term was once given to carriages used to “break” in wild horses and also to restrict (or “brake”) their urge to move, so that they could be put to use as work horses, for those still not already in the know.

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Mercedes-Benz M271 CGI Engine – Details & Specs

October 22, 2010 at 6:34 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

Much before the current trend of downsizing engines with forced induction, Mercedes-Benz was one of the first European automakers which managed to implement downsized engines in its cars. The word Kompressor is synonymous with the brand, and for some reason Mercedes-Benz has managed to convince its customers to accept downsizing without much fuss – there are not many E-Class owners that fuss about how their big executive sedan is powered by a relatively small 1.8 litre engine – the M271.

The latest variation of the M271 is the new M271-EVO, and the word Kompressor has been dropped in favor of the new CGI brand name. CGI is part of the company’s new BlueEFFICIENCY strategy. In the C 250 CGI, it enables the car to consume just 7.2 to 7.9 litres per 100km on a combined cycle and is Euro 5 compliant.

The M271 CGI engine is available in various tunes – in the C 250 CGI it makes 204 horsepower and 310Nm of torque from as low as 2,000rpm. Fuel is injected via homogeneous or stoichiometric direct injection – Mercedes-Benz has studied our local fuel conditions and have disabled the fuel injection system’s ultra lean burn mode for the Malaysian spec cars. The injector used in direct injection can be tuned to inject extremely precise amounts of fuel as compared to conventional port injection which has a limit as to how much you can fine-tune it.

There’s also a lower tune in the C 200 CGI – which makes 184 horsepower and 270Nm of torque from just 1,800rpm. Looking the power figures, the small 1.8 litre in the C 200 CGI has the torque output of a 2.8 litre engine while the engine in the C 250 CGI has the torque output of a 3.2 litre engine!

And then of course there’s the turbo, which replaces the previous crank-driven supercharger. Modern turbocharger technology and tuning has eliminated the turbo lag that we used to be so used to back in the 90s. A turbocharger runs on exhaust gas and does not rob power from the engine, so your overall power increase is higher and more efficient. The engine does not have to be very big in displacement since the turbocharger forces more air into the engine compared with what the engine can normally suck in via its own cylinder vacuum.

It doesn’t stop here – the next step is the new DiesOtto engine concept, which allows a petrol engine to mimic the efficiency of the diesel combustion cycle even more. Mercedes-Benz’s DiesOtto is an attempt to perfect a special controlled auto ignition mode during low to medium engine speeds on low loads which ignites the air-fuel mixture through compression alone without spark ignition.


DiesOtto was featured in the F700 Concept

The DiesOtto will not be available in the market anytime soon, instead Daimler’s intention is to slowly add features from the DiesOtto concept to it’s production inline-4 engine one by one until the full concept is realised. When DiesOtto was unveiled in 2007, it was turbocharged, but at the time the M271 was still supercharged. Now, the M271 is turbocharged.

Direct injection and turbocharging are good ways to extract the maximum efficiency from a combustion engine and they have been mainstream on diesel engines for a long time. In Malaysia, the CGI engine is available in the C 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, the C 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, and the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY.

Find out more about CGI.

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Mercedes-Benz presents two unique AMGs in Sydney – the Concept 358 and a special colour scheme SLS

October 15, 2010 at 10:08 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Benz C 63 AMG Concept 358

At the 2010 Australian International Motor Show, which begins today, Mercedes-Benz is showcasing two unique AMG vehicles, a C 63 AMG called Concept 358 and a special-finish SLS AMG, built exclusively for the show.

The Concept 358 is the only C 63 AMG in the world to be painted in designo Pearl Orange paint, and includes the AMG Performance Package Plus, which brings the power output up to a neat 480 hp (or 358 kw, which gives the car its moniker).

Magno Black SLS AMG

Besides Package Plus, which contains a new engine management and forged pistons adopted from the SLS AMG, as well as new connecting rods and a lightweight crankshaft, the C 63 AMG in Sydney features unique 19-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels in black, Keyless-Go and extended designo leather appointments in the cabin.

As for the SLS AMG, it’s the first and currently the only one to be painted in designo magno Night Black, with red highlights both externally and internally to lend it an even more distinct flavour. Specially commissioned for the show, both vehicles highlight Australia’s importance for the brand – no surprise at all, since the country is the fifth largest AMG market in the world.

More photos after the jump.
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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to carry out steering rectification work on E-Class Coupe following global recall

October 15, 2010 at 12:08 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

E-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will be undertaking rectification work on the steering system of 38 E-Class Coupes – which are CBU units brought in by the company from Germany – following the recent global recall issued by Daimler of over 100,000 of its Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models produced between June 2009 and late February this year over potential steering problems.

MBM added in a statement that that none of its vehicles assembled in its production plant in Pekan – namely the C-Class models – are affected by the recall.

The company said that it has contacted all 38 customers via its authorised dealerships to carry out the required rectification, which takes no more than 30 minutes to accomplish.

The global recall – which affects around 85,000 cars in the United States and more than 22,000 vehicles in the UK – was over the fears that the steering system in the cars “may fail due to the loss of power steering fluid,” though Daimler said that the vehicles would remain steerable.

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VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes CLS impresses the kids

September 23, 2010 at 12:05 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz, Videos

Mercedes has just released a new ad for the 2012 Mercedes CLS, which was just recently unveiled. In the video, three kids enjoy the look of the new CLS so much that they can’t help but stop the car at a set of traffic lights to get a better look.

Something that I’ve done on a number of occasions, but I must admit it was never for a CLS. A simple glance would do for me. Mercedes are obviously trying to bank on the new looks of the 2nd generation CLS. As mentioned before, the four door coupe is based on the designs of the Shooting Brake concept. This gives the whole package a more refreshed look, even if it still looks slightly bulky.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS – engine line-up revealed

September 21, 2010 at 12:39 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

We’ve just brought you official pictures of the new Mercedes CLS. Now we’ve got details to spare you, including the all important engines that are being offered with the 2nd generation CLS. First to be released is the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, which will house a 306hp 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol engine.

Next will be the CLS 250 CDI, made up of a 2.1 litre diesel engine producing 204hp. There is also a 265-hp six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesel in the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. The company also confirmed that the 500 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 408hp V8 will go on sale in December later this year. All engines are fitted with an ECO engine start/stop function as standard. They will be coupled with the 7–speed G-Tronic Plus transmission.

Most notable is the world’s first fully LED high performance headlamps that is available as an option. For the first time the lighting system features the company’s Intelligent Light System with bi-xenon headlamps integrated with LED technology.

Among others including those must-have safey features, there is also an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as well as an optional Active Parking Assist feature which pretty much allows the CLS to park on it’s own. On the inside, customers will have a choice of five trim variants and three types of leather options. European deliveries of the CLS will begin sometime in April.

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2012 Mercedes CLS: more official pictures released ahead of Paris 2010

September 18, 2010 at 10:41 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes has released more official pictures of the 2nd generation CLS, keeping the public well informed ahead of its Paris debut. Thanks to a leaked brochure pictures, we got a first glimpse of the new CLS, which has now been revealed in all its glory.

As you can see, the new Mercedes family face goes well with the CLS, no more looking like a bug of some kind. Though, it does look like the German’s have regressed in terms of individualist style, sticking with safer design lines.

The only thing Mercedes will be keeping away from the public till Paris is the specs of the car. Regardless, some are convinced that it will feature a 3.5 litre V6 engine generating 306hp, 4.7-litre 429hp turbo V8 and a range topping AMG 5.5 litre turbo v8 punching in at 536hp. You can expect all this and more at the Paris Motor Show 2010.

Look after the jump for a picture gallery.
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Mercedes Benz A-Class E-Cell: 500 units to be built

September 18, 2010 at 10:40 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mercedes Benz

In a bid to be compliant with Euro emission standards, Mercedes has announced that they will be putting the A-Class E-Cell electric car into production.

The car will be powered by a 95hp electric motor that produces a respectable 290Nm of torque, but on average the car gives you about 68hp, with a 0 to 100 figure in 14 seconds. The car has an electronically-limited top speed of 150km/h.

Thanks to two 36 kWh lithium-ion batteries, the car has a range of 200km. This can be recharged in eight hours with the use of a 230-volt home socket for a 120km journey. The figure reduces to 4 hours if using a 400V industrial power point.

As with all modern day electric cars, the A-class will have electric car related tech such as pre-start climate control, unique display unit, COMAND sat nav, infotainment system along with trimmings such as bixenon headlights. A cool feature on the car is the fact that you can check your car charging status over the internet and phone.

The A-Class will have an initial run of 500 units, no doubt to test the waters, which will be available on lease in Europe later this year. Look after the jump for a picture gallery.
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Jenson Button and his special edition Mercedes-Benz C-Class DR 520 Station Wagon

August 29, 2010 at 12:29 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

Normally people wouldn’t really bother what car you drive. Unless you’re one the Forbes list but drive a Proton Perdana, or you’ve replaced an entire state’s fleet with the W211. Or if in this case, you’re Jenson Button. Mercedes have announced in a press release that Button has just picked up his C-Class DR 520 Station Wagon car.

The announcement asks more question than it answers. First would be, what would Jenson need with an estate? And is this even newsworthy (er, but it got us covering it… so I suppose they have some kind of point)? The car is definitely news worthy as it is a UK-only limited edition that features a 6.3 V8 engine producing an incredible 513hp and 650Nm of torque.

Naturally an Audi RS4 competitor, the C-Class engine uses forged pistons, new connecting rods and a revised crankshaft compared to the standard C63 AMG. This allows the car to reach 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds, before creaming off at a top speed of 301km/h (electronically limited of course).

You’d expect a multi-millionaire to want the best and it seems to have it, with the interior spec’d out in titanium accents, leather/Alcantara sport seats and an AMG braking system. The exterior is finished of in a matt black paint job. The average Joe would usually have to fork out £63,680, but Jenson obviously got his for free. The DR 520 cars are limited to 50 units and were launched to celebrate the new Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands Specialist Products division.

Drool over pictures after the jump.
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Brabus SLS AMG – can you add to perfection?

August 28, 2010 at 11:38 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under brabus, Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

German tuners Brabus have worked on a number Mercedes-Benz models, and the new SLS AMG is the latest to join their portfolio.

A new body kit – using F1 quality carbon fibre – has been introduced, made out of a new front spoiler, two Brabus covers for the upper air inlets, new air outlets for the front fenders, Brabus rear spoilers, Brabus rear fascia element and a Brabus sports exhaust system.

At the moment, the company is still working on the tuning of the 6.3 litre V8, but the addition of the lightweight exhaust system shaves 12 kgs of the weight of the car. This also gives it an extra 10 horses from an engine that generates 571hp in stock form. Adding to that is a pneumatically controlled bypass gate, which changes the sound produced- be it rough and throaty with your foot down, or nice and quiet when sneaking home.

Other custom work include a height adjustable Brabus smooth ride suspension, which lowers the car by up to 40 mm. Brabus also say that they will be offering a front lift system which raises the front of the car by 50 mm. This works in tandem with the damper settings, which changes the sportiness of the ride.

Inside, the cockpit will feature a speedometer that goes up to 400km/h, an ergonomically shaped sports steering wheel, stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logo and matte anodized pedals. The insides can be upholstered in range of leather and Alcantara.

The whole package will sit on an ultra-light Brabus Monoblock F PLATINUM EDITION cross-spoke wheels that are 12 percent lighter than stock wheels. It wears a staggered wheel combination of 20-inch wheels in front and 21 inches on the rear axle. They are covered in high performance Pirelli and YOKOHAMA tires.

The changes done to the car doesn’t seem to have damaged the SLS’s standard styling and will still be seen on the road as “that gullwing sportscar from Mercedes”. Or has it?

Make up your mind with the picture gallery after the jump.
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