Tag: benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

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

Leaving Little Cuba For A Date With Destiny

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG in Miami

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery

Miami’s a giant concrete brothel; a municipal madame hosting sweaty assignations that pair every income with its choice of cruise, cuisine, club, narcotic or panorama. We were there on a quest for a quest, anxious Lancelots after a late night run in a Series II E-Type over the A1A – yes, the Vanilla Ice road – had turned into a late, late evening with two Spaniards and three Ecuadorians discussing the merits of Top Gear and flying to Bogota to learn Spanish.

That’s when Destiny called. Not fate itself, but a ferociously alluring lass with a voice of such fine tenor we had to fight the urge to put the phone down and bow to it whenever she spoke. She requested our presence in Tampa, 271 miles away, and we could only credit fortune for the delivery of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG for the purpose. It’s the ultimate in modest-yet-graceful savagery (modest compared to the Bentley Continental GT), two tons of animatronic shark – a modern, mechanical Jaws – that would get us safely through the gators, hawks and sawgrass of the Everglades.

It turns out the predators were the least of it. First, we had to get out of the humid human swamp that is Miami. Continue reading…

Continue reading 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will offer E63 AMG wagon, AWD-only E550

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon

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

According to a leaked dealer order guide for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class range, we red-blooded Yankees might be able to once again sink our teeth into the super-hot E63 AMG Estate. As you’ll recall, Mercedes-Benz decided not to offer the new-for-2010 E63 wagon here in the States, but that is wrong is reportedly being righted for 2012. BenzBoost.com reports that the cargo-hauling AMG stunner will be available for U.S. customers later this year, powered by the same twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that debuted in the E63 sedan at last month’s New York Auto Show, complete with start/stop technology and mated to a seven-speed MCT dual-clutch transmission.

We can already picture the inevitable E63 AMG Wagon vs. Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon battle, and it looks awesome.

In other E-Class news, BenzBoost reports that the E550 sedan – which gets a new 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 – will only be available with 4Matic all-wheel drive. A similar move was made to the 2011 CL550 coupe, which uses the same engine and is no longer available in a two-wheel-drive configuration. Stay tuned for the official details later this year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will offer E63 AMG wagon, AWD-only E550 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz Drive & Seek action movie stars C-Class, scantily clad bank robbers

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

Mercedes-Benz Drive&Seek video

Mercedes-Benz Drive & Seek – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Part of what made the The Driver, the series of BMW films with Clive Owen, so compelling was that it was well written, it was underplayed, and as far as action films went it didn’t obliterate believability. The laconic Owen was able to sell hopped-up adventures with his relaxed delivery of cutting lines, and it was credulous that a driver-for-hire made his living in a 5 Series.

The Mercedes-Benz movie Drive & Seek, however, throws all of that away. A promotional piece for the C-Class Coupe, it’s slick, utterly good looking, outrageously over-the-top, and goofy in every way possible. The only reason we know it’s not a Michael Bay film is that nothing explodes, otherwise it prays at his altar: a hot woman in a bathing suit (Kate Nauta, from The Transporter 2), hot women in white skinsuits robbing a bank, gunfire in an expensive suit, an absurd car chase… and some other stuff. If that’s your bag, there’s 9:25 of it in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Drive & Seek action movie stars C-Class, scantily clad bank robbers

Mercedes-Benz Drive & Seek action movie stars C-Class, scantily clad bank robbers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting upgraded V6, twin-turbo V8

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The hardcore Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG isn’t the only E-Class model that gets a new heart for the 2012 model year. According to our sources within Mercedes-Benz, both the E350 and E550 models will receive new powerplants currently found elsewhere in the automaker’s lineup.

The base E350 will now be powered by the automaker’s new 3.5-liter V6 with direct-injection, an engine that we recently tested in the C350 sedan and SLK350 roadster. Rated at 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the new engine provides power increases of 14 hp and 15 lb-ft over the current V6, while the use of direct-injection and a seven-speed automatic transmission will no doubt return improved fuel economy.

Moving along, the eight-cylinder E550 will ditch its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 in favor of a twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter unit with direct-injection, currently found in the CL550 coupe. In the E-Class, this engine will be good for 402 hp and 443 lb-ft – improvements of 20 and 52, respectively.

Look for the refreshed E-Class range to debut this Fall.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting upgraded V6, twin-turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz gears up for the demise of the G-Class with BA3 Final Edition and Edition Select

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury, Off-Road

Mercedes-Benz G500 Edition Select

Mercedes-Benz G500 Edition Select – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Hummer is gone. The Land Rover Defender is to be replaced. The Toyota Land Cruiser has let itself go over the years into a bloated luxo-barge. One of the last remaining icons of hardcore off-road SUVs is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and it is soon to be replaced as well. But before it does, Mercedes-Benz has announced a pair of special editions.

The BA3 Final Edition marks the end of production for the short-wheelbase three-door G-Wagen. The farewell special is distinguished by body-colored fender flares, an AMG grille, 18-inch alloys and extra chrome inside and out, with black leather interior offset by walnut burr veneers and ambient lighting.

While the long-wheelbase five-door model will continue on for a while longer, it hasn’t been left out of the special treatment. The Edition Select gets contrasting black trim with blacked-out 18-inch alloys, AMG-spec sports exhaust and a two-tone leather cabin with piano lacquer trim.

The Edition Select comes exclusively in G500 spec with a 5.5-liter V8, while the BA3 Final Edition can also be had as a G350 with BlueTec diesel six. Both models pack all the off-road equipment you can shake a stick at, but appear to be available exclusively overseas for the time being. So we’ll just have to bide our time until the Gelandewagen’s eventual replacement rolls around, and content ourselves with the details in the press release after the jump and the high-res photos in the gallery below.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz gears up for the demise of the G-Class with BA3 Final Edition and Edition Select

Mercedes-Benz gears up for the demise of the G-Class with BA3 Final Edition and Edition Select originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz presents The History of AMG

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

AMG video

The History of AMG – Click above to watch the video after the jump

AMG started putting wrenches to Benzes back in 1967, and 44 years later we’re still fawning over its products. From the C to the E and all the way up to the SLS, Mercedes-Benz vehicles that wear those three letters on the back are sure to get our blood flowing. The two German companies have formed a valuable partnership, and we expect more amazing vehicles for years to come.

Before looking too deep into the future, however, it’s time to take a look at the past. Mercedes-Benz has prepared a video that provides a brief visual history lesson. The text in the video may have been ported over courtesy of Google Translate, but the meaning is clearly conveyed. Click past the jump to view a video timeline of AMG’s history.

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Mercedes-Benz presents The History of AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top

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

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off its latest supercar, the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Gone are the gullwing doors and fixed roof; in their place are traditional entry-ports and a folding cloth softtop. The car is still undergoing testing, but these shots reveal far more of the car than we’ve previously seen in various spy photos. A more polished version will be revealed to the world at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Before the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster hits the show circuit, it needs to spend some more time with Mercedes’ engineers. The MB team has put a lot of work into this drop-top SLS, and ditching the fixed roof has required more than simply taking a sawzall to the bodywork.

Though the aluminum spaceframe was originally developed with both a coupe and convertible in mind, Benz engineers added beefier side-skirts to the roadster. This allows for improvements in both crash performance and overall rigidity. Further aiding in the quest for increased strength, a cross-member that supports the dashboard was given additional bracing at both the window frame and transmission tunnel. Despite this increased rigidity, the bodyshell of the SLS AMG Roadster weighs just five pounds more than the bodyshell of the SLS AMG Coupe.

Like its hardtop sibling, the roadster is capable of hitting an electronically limited top speed of 197 miles per hour. The convertible top is constructed from three layers of fabric, magnesium, steel and aluminum. It’s lightweight, strong and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 miles per hour.

You can see the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster being put through the testing paces by clicking through the gallery below. Be sure to click past the jump to read more about the new SLS convertible in the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-electric Mercedes-Benz S-Class being considered

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Electric, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar built an electric XJ last year, Rolls-Royce showed off an electric Phantom this year, now Autocar reports that Mercedes is open to considering an electric offering. To be precise, Autocar said such an S-Class “is not being ruled out” and that Mercedes’ technical head Thomas Weber said, “We are looking at customer demand.” All that really means is that it’s on the table, probably alongside a whole lot of other things that might or might not ever happen.

However, Mercedes is part-way there with its S400 Hybrid, and the next S-Class due in 2013 will add a plug-in hybrid option. Until then it’ll be up to Fisker to – eventually – bring ionized motoring to the luxury sedan masses.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

All-electric Mercedes-Benz S-Class being considered originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kicherer blacks out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

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

Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 Supersport GT by Kicherer

Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 Supersport GT by Kicherer – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG isn’t exactly subtle to begin with, but Kicherer’s take on the theme is decidedly more… stealthy. For starters, the German tuner wrapped the car in matte black vinyl for a more subdued look. It then replaced the big Silver Star in the mouth with a blacked-out blank grille that looks like a baleen whale’s mouth. And while the rims on the 20-inch wheels (21 in the back) are polished for a little contrast, the spokes get a blackout treatment as well. Matte-finish carbon fiber trim and aero pieces complete the overall package.

Underhood, the engine has been tuned from the stock 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque up to 621 horsepower (equivalent to 630 on the metric scale, hence the 63 moniker) and 516 lb-ft. That’s good for a claimed 3.5-second sprint to 62 mph and a 199 mph top end. Have a closer look in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 Supersport GT by Kicherer

[Source: Kicherer]

Continue reading Kicherer blacks out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Kicherer blacks out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz hooks DTM up with a new C63 AMG safety car

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Safety, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

2011 DTM Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG safety car

2011 DTM Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG safety car – Click above for high-res image gallery

The DTM series and Mercedes-Benz have a long and beautiful history together. Particularly when it comes to the AMG-tuned C-Class. That’s the car that the German automaker currently runs in the touring car series, and stands as the most successful in the series’ history. Also, one of the most coveted models Mercedes AMG ever made was the CLK DTM. And now the latest C63 AMG will be setting the pace as the series’ new safety car.

The safety car is essentially the same as the model you can order from your local showroom, complete with the AMG Performance Package, but has been outfitted with such features as flashing LEDs front, rear and top, Safety Car decals on every exterior surface and an interior fitted with a communications radio, TV monitor for watching the live race feed, a pair of bucket seats with four-point harnesses and a steering wheel covered in Nappa leather and Alcantara.

While this latest iteration will debut at Hockenheim this weekend, this isn’t the first time that the C63 has been called into this particular line of duty. In fact Mercedes-AMG has provided pace cars to DTM every year since its relaunch in 2000, the C63 filling the role since 2008. But rather than replacing the R8 safety car, the Mercedes alternates with Audi from race to race. Which are the only two teams currently on the grid, leaving us to wonder what they’ll do when BMW joins in next year.

Gallery: 2011 DTM Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG safety car

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz hooks DTM up with a new C63 AMG safety car

Mercedes-Benz hooks DTM up with a new C63 AMG safety car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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