Tag: benz

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Reviews, Diesel

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC – Click above for high-res image gallery

Drop the term “Big Benz” in conversation and most people assume you’re talking about the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. While the full-size flagship sedan has – deservedly – earned that moniker over the years, when it comes to sheer size and volume, the GL-Class is truly Benz’ behemoth. But don’t take that as a negative. The GL350 Bluetec, the automaker’s diesel-powered variant of its seven-passenger full-size sport utility vehicle, has plenty going for it. Under the hood is a torque-laden, fuel-efficient diesel, and after a week pulling family duty, we emerged impressed. Find out why after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC

Photos copyright (C)2010 Michael Harley / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery

Engine downsizing has now come to the almost top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with the adoption of AMG’s new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. The new direct-injected V8 bumps output up from a mere 518 horsepower to 571 horsepower along with generating 663 pound-feet of torque between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm. That’s sufficient to propel this behemoth to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds in normal trim or 4.4 seconds if you opt for the AMG sports package.

The 2011 S63 also swaps out its previous torque converter automatic transmission for the multi-clutch unit from the SL63, a move which should lend it a more sporting feel. Just as other automakers get both performance and efficiency benefits from boosted direct-injected engines, the S63’s combine fuel economy numbers have jumped from 16.3 miles per gallon (U.S.) to 22.4 mpg on the EU test cycle. The EPA numbers aren’t yet available, but we would expect a similar real-world increase from the 2010 model’s 14 mpg, though perhaps a bit smaller since the EPA’s testing methodology won’t show any benefits from the S63’s new automatic start-stop feature. Official press release and driving footage video after the jump, spanking new high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery

How does one make the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class more exclusive than it already is? If you’re Mercedes, you unveil the gonzo AMG variants. Appearance-wise, changes are minimal for the 2011 CL63 and CL65 AMG, save for the addition of Mercedes’ new corporate face, which includes the standard LED running-light strip and some small tweaks to the rear fascia. The big news, however, centers on the changes underhood.

Gone is the naturally aspirated 6.3 6.2-liter AMG V8 in favor of a smaller and more powerful 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged mill. In base form, this V8 cranks out 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque (increases of 18 and 125, respectively), and with the optional AMG Performance Package, these numbers increase to an even more robust 563 hp and 664 lb-ft. Sweet stuff, and when matched with Mercedes’ AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic, 0-60 runs will take just 4.4 seconds (4.3 if you opt for the more powerful setup). What’s most impressive, though, is that even with this added power boost, fuel consumption has been reduced by 27 percent. The range-topping CL65 AMG will carry over its 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, though Mercedes has managed to coax an additional 17 horsepower from it for 2011. Output for the CL65 is now rated at 621 horses and 738 lb-ft of torque.

Both AMG CLs get a host new standard equipment as well. Mercedes-Benz’s Direct-Steer system is on hand, as is a new crosswind stabilization feature that alters wheel-load distribution to keep things in line during heavy breezes. From there, a new torque-vectoring brake system applies one-sided braking during instances of understeer. The full suite of Mercedes-Benz driver aids is thrown in as well, including drowsiness detection, night-view assist, active lane-keeping assist and blind-spot assist. After all, with so much power on tap, you’ll need a nanny (or several) to help keep things in line. Interior upgrades are similar to what we’ve already seen in the 2010 S-Class.

Official pricing hasn’t been released yet, but expect MSRPs to increase slightly over the 2010 models ($145,200 for the CL63 and $207,170 for the CL65). Shoppers in that tax bracket shouldn’t have any trouble shelling out a few grand extra for the latest in CL-Class exclusivity.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG

Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG to bring 270 hp to the party

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

A few months back, word began to spread that AMG is working on a performance version of one of Mercedes’ smallest cars. If true, it would not only mean giving the hi-po treatment to a segment hitherto untouched by the gents at Affalterbach, it could entail swapping a front-wheel drive hatch for a RWD platform. A month later, this small car’s benchmarks were found out: the Golf R, Audi S3 and BMW 1 Series. And a month after that the rumors began to coalesce around the B-Class as AMG’s subject of choice.

It turns out that the A-Class will be the first in line for an AMG makeover and the Ford Focus RS is also one of its targets. The diminutive Benz will get a four-cylinder, direct-injection engine with a pressure-wave supercharger that’s looking at an output of somewhere around 270 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. That gumption will reportedly get to the wheels through a dual-clutch gearbox and then navigate yet more clutches in the rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

A two-car line-up is planned: a five-door hatch and a CLS-like sedan. But we won’t see any of this until 2012 or so, when the next-generation A-Class arrives. And the U.S. is only expected to get the sedan version, which will wear the name CLC, salvaged from the C-Class sport coupe that ended production not a moment too soon.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG to bring 270 hp to the party originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering E63 AMG gets power bump, interior upgrades

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has released the skinny on the upgrades the company has planned for next year’s E63 AMG, at least for European buyers. According to the German automaker, the four-door will come from the factory with an extra 11 horsepower, thanks largely to new tuning. That bumps the final figure to 525 ponies, though the Silver Arrow claims that it has managed to increase the mill’s efficiency as well – cutting consumption by a full 12 percent. Of course, that’s assuming that you can keep from bumping the redline on that big 6.3-liter V8 every time you leave a stoplight, something you’re sure to want to do.

We’re not sure whether buyers will actually be able to feel that 11 horsepower bump, either, but odds are that they will notice some key changes to the interior. Mercedes-Benz is offering the 2011 E63 AMG with a slew of interior niceties as standard equipment. The company has skinned the dash and door panels in Artico leather, and the center console will henceforth be dipped in a piano black lacquer finish for good measure – both of which used to be optional. We can’t speak for the power and efficiency updates, but we have confirmed with Benz reps in the States that the interior upgrades are headed to U.S. showrooms, so chances are this is a good look at what we can expect when the 2011 E63 AMG hits our shores. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering E63 AMG gets power bump, interior upgrades

Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering E63 AMG gets power bump, interior upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fifth Gear joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz’s SLS AMG

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, UK, Luxury

Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell tries to outdo David Coulthard in the SLS AMG – Click above to watch video after the jump

David Coulthard was called to the Isle of Man to pilot an SLS AMG for a scene in a 3-D film. To ensure that DC could strut the coupe’s stuff, some of the island’s roads were closed to the public. That meant a place with no speed limits also had no traffic. And that meant Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell felt the need to join DC and take the wheel himself. His goal: beat David’s top speed of 160 miles per hour. The sound of him making the effort alone is worth following the jump for the video.

Gallery: Alubeam 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in Mexico

[Source: Fifth Gear]

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz’s SLS AMG

Video: Fifth Gear joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz’s SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It Will Never End: Mercedes-Benz reportedly working on nine-speed automatic

Filed under: Technology, Mercedes-Benz

According to Autocar, an admission by a Mercedes-Benz engineer proves that the company is working on a nine-speed automatic transmission. That isn’t exactly new, since talk of such a beast has been broached before. The difference this time is that Autocar’s sources says the gearbox will be “introduced on large-capacity engines.”

With no numbers for context we can’t be sure what’s meant by “large-capacity.” However, Motor Trend reported that the baby SLS would get a nine-speed double-clutch transmission for it’s twin-turbo-V6-hybrid engine, and Automobile said that all of the next generation S-Classes, arriving in 2012, would “have hybrid powertrains and a new nine-speed automatic transmission.”

We don’t expect any of those engines to be of particularly large displacement, especially now that the SSK AMG appears to have gone from a twin-turbo V8 to a V6 twin turbo with electric assistance. Still, we have no doubt we’ll see a nine-speed transmission somewhere. And when the Mercedes engineers opine that “nine ratios is the maximum that is technically possible, as well as being the most that customers will be able to cope with,” we believe they’re wrong. A company is really going to leave double-digit transmission bragging rights on the table? Uh, no. Can I get a ten-speed… anyone…?

[Source: Autocar]

It Will Never End: Mercedes-Benz reportedly working on nine-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class tries to overcome inattentive drivers

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class active steering correction – Click above for high-res image gallery

The refreshed 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coupe is a prime example of how engineers are starting to take some of the disparate hardware technology that has been introduced over the last decade and integrate it to provide new functionality. The CL employs the various optical camera and radar sensors used for features like adaptive cruise control to help prevent accidents by first warning the driver and then intervening if the driver doesn’t respond.

We’ve had various lane departure and blind spot warning systems for several years now and like those, the Mercedes system starts by alerting the driver. At first, the blind spot system illuminates a yellow lamp in the relevant mirror, which changes to red and adds an audible warning if the driver doesn’t react. If the driver keeps moving into the path of another vehicle, a motor sends a rumble through the steering wheel and the brakes on the car’s opposite side are applied to pull it back in line.

Inifiniti has had similar lane-keep functionality for several years, but the CL is first car we’re aware of that integrates it with a blind-spot warning system.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL steering correction

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class tries to overcome inattentive drivers

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class tries to overcome inattentive drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renntech and Domani Motors team up for meaner Benz SL65 AMG Black Series [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty, Luxury

Renntech SL65 AMG Black Series – Click above for high-res image gallery

Allow us to provide you with your daily dose of lunacy. Not too long ago, the head honchos over at Domani Motors happened to find themselves with a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series in their showroom. Unsatisfied with the car’s already otherworldly performance, they called up the twisted minds at Renntech to have them install the tuner’s Perfomance Package 1. Think of it as PCP for Silver Arrows. The work included remapping the car’s ECU, installing an easy-breathing exhaust and a few other tricks. The result? A mind-bending 805 streetable horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque.

The team had to install a unique, 100 percent locking rear differential just to handle the dizzying power from the engine. Likewise, the gearbox had to be upgraded as well. Even so, we’re guessing this particular SL65 AMG Black Series would have no problem turning its tires aerosol should the driver demand it. So far, neither Renntech nor Domani Motors have released any times on the car, but we’re guessing the numbers are nothing to scoff at. Hit the jump for a video of the car on the dyno, as well as the press release.

Gallery: Renntech SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: Renntech]

Continue reading Renntech and Domani Motors team up for meaner Benz SL65 AMG Black Series [w/video]

Renntech and Domani Motors team up for meaner Benz SL65 AMG Black Series [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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