Tag: class

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz

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We’re back for Episode #201 of the Autoblog Podcast. Hosting this week are Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman. Topics include the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Hyundai’s claim to soon be building the most American cars on the U.S. market, Lincoln’s spat with its dealers, the new Mercedes B-Cass and the Green Car of the Year nominees. The Autoblog Garage at the beginning and feedback/questions at the end provide the full experience. It’s an hour and twenty minutes this week, thanks for listening and we’ll see you soon!

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

In the Autoblog Garage:

Ford Fiesta Hatch
Nissan Sentra

News Topics:
Lincoln fighting with its dealers

    Hyundai wants to be the most American automaker in the U.S.
    Green Car of the Year finalists announced
    Mercedes B-Class coming to the U.S.?


Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 1:17:46

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Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: New details on next Mercedes B-Class leak out… is it U.S. bound?

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz B-Class – Click above for high-res image gallery

A few details have surfaced surrounding the upcoming new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. According to Autocar, the Silver Arrow is cooking up something special for the hatchback’s platform. In addition to being able to build the tall-roof B-Class on the new bones, the MFA structure will also serve as host for a sleeker Audi A3-style creation. Sharing chassis points between models is nothing new, but Autocar sites Jorg Prigl, the head of development for the A-Class, B-Class and Smart, as saying that it’s the architecture’s versatility that makes it noteworthy. In addition to being built to house a number of internal-combustion powerplants, Prigl says that the MFA platform is also made to accommodate any number of alternative power solutions.

That includes space for a battery pack, a fuel cell, hydrogen or compressed natural gas tanks. From the sounds of things, Mercedes-Benz is planning to make the new B-Class as light on its feet as possible when it comes to alternative energy drivetrains.

Autocar says that the platform is so unique that Mercedes-Benz is seeking to patent the design. That patent may be unveiled as soon as late January of 2011. Sadly, there is no additional word on whether the B-Class will make it to U.S. dealers, but last we heard, the model will make it to our market along with a companion crossover.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: New details on next Mercedes B-Class leak out… is it U.S. bound? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Class action suit alleges BMW N54 turbo engine unsafe, causes Unintended Deceleration

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, BMW

2010 BMW 335i

2010 BMW 335i – Click above for high-res image gallery
The award-winning BMW N54 inline-six has been a hit around the world since it made its debut in the 2006 E90 335i. The twin-turbocharged engine produces around 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque and many have actually suggested that the Bavarian automaker’s power figures have been conservative. When it came out, BMW promised this engine would virtually eliminate turbo lag, increase performance and improve fuel economy at the same time. In fact, it was so confident in its new engine that it spread it around, adding it to its 1, 3 and 5 Series cars, along with its Z4 sports cars and X6 crossovers.

Unfortunately, the N54 has also seen its fair share of owner complaints. Most notably, unhappy BMW drivers allege having two very important issues with the wündermill; the high-pressure fuel pump has a very high failure rate and a defect in the design of the turbochargers requires they be tweaked so as not to run at full capacity. Many BMW owners have officially had it with the N54 engine and a class-action lawsuit has kicked into gear.

Read the rest after the jump…

Gallery: Review: 2010 BMW 335i Sedan

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

 [Sources: Kershaw, Cutter and Ratinoff, LLC, BimmerFest, Daily Finance]

Continue reading Class action suit alleges BMW N54 turbo engine unsafe, causes Unintended Deceleration

Class action suit alleges BMW N54 turbo engine unsafe, causes Unintended Deceleration originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has dropped the curtain on its latest electrical wonder, the A-Class E-Cell. The vehicle is scheduled for a limited production run of just 500 units, with lucky lessees in Germany, France and The Netherlands expected to receive the majority of them. Unfortunately, a company spokesman told Inside Line that the A-Class E-Cell will not show up on U.S. soil. This Europe-only offering showcases Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to electric drive technology and will be produced at the company’s Rastatt plant in Germany.

The four-door, five-passenger, minivanish-looking E-Cell is based on the company’s standard A-Class hatchback. The electric goodies include a 70kW (peak output, 95 horsepower) motor that churns out a rather remarkable 214 pound-feet of torque and twin lithium-ion batteries that supposedly provide up to 124 miles of range between charges. Top speed is a highway-capable 93 miles per hour. Speaking of that electric motor and powerful battery pack, Mercedes-Benz has the following to say:

This makes the A‑Class E‑Cell an outstandingly assured and dynamic performer on the road, taking just 5.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 km/h.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month, but you can hit the jump to discover a whole lot more about it right now.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle

Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe shows off its insides

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz C Class coupe interior spy shot

Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Click either image for high-res gallery

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe spy shotWe know that Mercedes-Benz is planning on rolling out both a coupe and convertible version of its popular C-Class sedan, and now we also have an idea of what the interior is going to look like. We’re still quite curious to see the upcoming luxury coupe parked next to its two-door E-Class brethren. The E-Class currently rides on the C-Class platform and it will be interesting to see how the two vehicles stack up in the size department.

We have some burning questions to ask the automaker and we hope to have answers courtesy of the upcoming Paris Motor Show. What are the price points for the 2011 C-Class coupe, cabrio, and redesigned sedan? Will the two-door C-Class ride on the same platform as the sedan? Most importantly, when can we get the keys to a C63 coupe?

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe shows off its insides originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Chrysler execs file class-action suit over pension losses

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz

More than 450 executives from Chrysler’s white collar force, going all the way back to Lee Iacocca, have sued Daimler and Cerberus for gutting the value of their collective supplemental pensions to the tune of $100 million. They class action suit took the noted step of not suing Fiat-owned Chrysler, with the lead attorney saying that “Everybody involved in this suit loves that company and like everybody else wants to see it succeed.”

Plaintiffs accuse Daimler and Cerberus of not adequately protecting the supplemental pensions from creditors as Chrysler’s health slid from trouble to terminal. Those pensions weren’t moved to the new Chrysler, and now the former execs are paying the price. Follow the jump for a press release from the lead firm handling the case.

[Source: AFP]

Continue reading Former Chrysler execs file class-action suit over pension losses

Former Chrysler execs file class-action suit over pension losses originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mercedes-Benz readying raft of new product, including B-Class coupe

Filed under: Mercedes-Benz

The product pipeline for Mercedes-Benz is a Horn of Plenty over the next three years, with at least seven new models landing on American shores on top of refreshed and new-generation offerings. We’ve seen the new CL, CLS, S-Class and R-Class, and spy shots of the coming SLK, SL, SLS Convertible, C-Class Coupe.

Beyond those, it’s the next B-Class that could be one of the most intriguing additions to the MBUSA playbook. The redesigned hatch will be made more compelling for American buyers, and will be the first Mercedes to arrive Stateside with front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines. Recent rumors also suggest it will get a rear-wheel-drive AMG version and be the basis for a CLC Shooting Brake, as well as getting its own coupe, crossover and sedan trims.

Other models in the queue will be brand new, not just new to us. These include a C-Class convertible and potential crossover would give M-B 3 Series convertible and X3 competitors. A 100-strong fleet of F-Cell vehicles will be tested in California, and the SLS E-Cell will come in 2013 with 526 horsepower and a 120-mile range. And just as all of those treats are arriving, the same year will see the arrival of the new S-Class Coupe (replacing the CL nameplate), S-Class, E-Class and GL.

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Mercedes-Benz readying raft of new product, including B-Class coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Well, you don’t see a classic diesel Mercedes E-Class wagon drift everyday

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel

mercedes-benz e-class wagon drifting

Vintage diesel Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon drifting – Click above to watch the video after the jump

This might be one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen… this year. There are hundreds of videos floating around the ‘net of people drifting their hotted-up Nissan Zs, Ford Mustangs or Big Wheels around race tracks, public roads and abandoned airports, but this driver earns some extra bonus points for pulling it off in a vintage Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Diesel. Wagon.

As if you needed more reason to click through the jump and watch the video in its nearly seven-minute entirety, know that this driver not only has good taste in drift cars, but he has some serious skills to boot. Now, if we could only see this video remade starring the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon… Hat tip to Anders!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Well, you don’t see a classic diesel Mercedes E-Class wagon drift everyday

Video: Well, you don’t see a classic diesel Mercedes E-Class wagon drift everyday originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes working on B-Class-based CLC Shooting Brake

Filed under: Wagon, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh, Mercedes. When will you learn that the CLC was just a bad idea? BMW did so with the chopped-trunk 318ti, but Mercedes seems determined to make its counterpart work. To that end, the Silver Star automaker is reportedly working on a new derivative.

Drawing its inspiration from the CLS Shooting Break concept (pictured above) and its underpinnings from the B-Class, the CLC Shooting Brake (hopefully they’ll get the spelling right this time) is expected to slot in below the C-Class Estate wagon, but presumably with a svelter roofline.

That doesn’t mean they’ll get the door count right though: the jury’s still out on whether it’ll be a proper shooting brake with three doors (like the existing CLC, but longer) or five doors like a conventional wagon. Engine options, meanwhile, are tipped to revolve around turbocharged fours, ranging from 108 horsepower and 1.2 liters to a 272-hp CLC22 AMG with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Sources expect the CLC Shooting Brake to arrive around September 2013.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

Gallery: Beijing 2010: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept

[Sources: Autobild]

Rumormill: Mercedes working on B-Class-based CLC Shooting Brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz recalls 3,500 G-Class SUVs over turn signals

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz G-Class – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2002 through 2010 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is equipped with covers for the front turn signals – added for style as much as protection. Undoubtedly, many owners of the blocky SUV have never given the covers a thought, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has and it’s been deemed unworthy of Federal Standard 108.

If you’re wondering, that’s the standard that covers “lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.” In this case, NHTSA claims that the cover could “impact over time the signal’s ability to meet the minimum requirements of FMVSS 108.” In other words, the cover could inhibit the visibility of the signal.

If you’re one of the 3,522 G-Class owners affected by this recall, you’ll be notified to bring your $100,000 off-roader to a Mercedes dealer, where they’ll install a new turn light unit that works better with the grill cover. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Mercedes-Benz G550

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz recalls 3,500 G-Class SUVs over turn signals

Mercedes-Benz recalls 3,500 G-Class SUVs over turn signals originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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