Monthly Archives: October 2008

Mercedes S400 Hybrid Update

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S400 Hybrid Update:

The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid will launch in the United States one year from now, marking the German automaker’s first production foray into hybrid technology.

Mercedes started with the S350’s 3.5-liter V-6 and added an electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries – the first in a production vehicle. The battery pack is small enough to fit in the engine compartment (the conventional battery was moved the trunk), while the 20 hp motor sits between the V-6 and the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. The entire package adds only 165 lbs. Engineers also squeezed more power and efficiency out of the gasoline engine by modifying the valve and camshaft timing while adding new cylinder heads and pistons. The changes net 7 hp, combining with the electric motor to make 299 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque.

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In both form and function, the S400 skews toward the mild end of the hybrid spectrum. The electric motor never powers the car by itself, and is tuned to provide more power in addition to economy. Mercedes said the motor adds a “boost” effect during hard acceleration, projecting a 0-62 time of 7.2 seconds and a governed top-speed of 155 mph. Inside, the S400 eschews a prominent hybrid status screen and instead displays the information in the instrument cluster. A stop/start function shuts off the gasoline motor when the vehicle slows to less than 9 mph, and uses the electric motor to ignite the engine again as soon as the driver lets off the brakes. Like most hybrids, the batteries recharge during braking.

The result is a combined fuel economy of roughly 30 mpg, an improvement of about 4 mpg over the S350, with little to no sacrifice in performance and luxury. Carbon emissions are also down by 21 percent. Mercedes said the gains are enough to make the S400 the most efficient car in its class. It should hit U.S. streets in September 2009.

AMG Going Green

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The boss of Aufrecht Melcher Grobaspach, Mercedes-Benz’s high performance wing, Volker Mornhinweg, recently said in an interview with Car Magazine that that the division would be going green.

Saying the new measures would enhance AMG’s performance rather than stifle it, Mornhinweg said that hybrids and diesel would soon become standard for the company and technology like stop-start engines would become common. He also said that the new SL65 Black Series will be the last model it builds with such massive emissions.

“Power is not a problem for us, so we’ll be focusing heavily on materials technology to lower weight and boost the power-to-weight ratios of our cars. And because they’ll be lighter, they’ll be more agile and engaging to drive,” said Mornhinweg. Sounds like a good deal to us.

Source: Car Magazine

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Another Top honor for Mercedes-Benz

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The new-generation Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster has won the Internet Auto Award 2008. Voted top in the Convertibles & Roadsters category, it received the prestigious CAROLINA award. Over 300,000 people cast their votes in Europe’s largest Internet public award. 154 vehicles in nine categories were judged by Internet users of AutoScout24 throughout Europe. From a line-up totalling 18 high-quality convertibles and roadsters competing for the award, they voted the Mercedes-Benz SL as their favorite.

This is no surprise. The newly face lifted SL is absolutely amazing. A great mix of early SL styling cue’s combined with today’s technology.

S400 Hybrid

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Mercedes-Benz has announced its first hybrid passenger car, the S400 BlueHYBRID. Based on the S350 platform, this mild hybrid pairs an electric motor/generator and the first lithium-ion battery in a production car with a specially tuned version of the company’s 3.5L V6 driving the wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission. The V6 produces 279 horsepower and can be aided by the electric motor during acceleration with an additional 20 horsepower and 88 lb-ft of torque, giving the drivetrain a combined torque output of 285 lb-ft and what MB calls an electric “boost” effect. Like most hybrids, the S400 features a start-stop function and regenerative braking, but since Mercedes didn’t want any interior or trunk space sacrificed for batteries, the S400’s special li-ion battery was made small enough to be placed under the hood with the engine. The net result of all this technology is a very large car that would get around 29 mpg in the U.S. The M-B S400 BlueHYBRID will be next summer.

Just Arrived 2009 C63 and E63

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Here are the window stickers for both the C63 and the E63. Let me know how I can assist you.
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C63 $55,100
040 Black
218 Grey/Black AMG Premium Leather
P02 P02 Premium Package: Bi-Xenon Headlamps $1,100
030 030 AMG Performance Package: AMG Limited $3,990
057 iPod Integration Kit $375
318 318 AMG Leather Package: AMG Premium Lea $2,980
320 320 Multimedia Package: 7-inch Power Ret $2,980
359 TeleAid $650
732 Black Maple Wood Trim

SUBTOTAL $67,175
DESTINATION & DELIVERY $875
GAS GUZZLER $2,100
TOTAL $70,150

E63 $86,000
775 Iridium Silver
851 Black AMG Premium Leather
P02 P02 Premium II Package: COMAND with 40GB $4,030
Y83 Alcantara Headliner Charcoal
220 PARKTRONIC $1,140
297 Rear Side-Window Blinds $360
413 Panorama Sunroof $1,050
732 Black Birdseye Maple Wood Trim
881 Electronic Trunk Closer $540

SUBTOTAL $93,120
DESTINATION & DELIVERY $875
GAS GUZZLER $1,700
TOTAL $95,695

Contact me at www.mybenzguy.com

Happy 1st Anniversary RBM North

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RBM of Atlanta-North has just turned 1 this month. It has been a great year for us. We are a bit of a destination dealership (not a lot around us), but have managed to grab a great share of the Atlanta/Alpharetta market.

We will be having a celebration on Saturday October 18th with lunch provided by Shane’s Rib Shack. Please stop by to check out our great anniversary pricing. We will have face painting, pedal car races and much more for the kids.

Also available is a FREE service clinic on all Mercedes-Benz. Includes-36 point inspection, fluid check and top off, and wash and vacuum.

T2 Tennis will have a mini tennis court set up and will be handing out t-shirts and hats.

Lastly, we will show our continued support for our local school systems by providing a check to Forsyth County Schools Partners in Education.

For more information please contact me at www.mybenzguy.com

Mercedes and Premium Fuel

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I have received many requests asking if it is safe to use regular unleaded fuel in a Mercedes-Benz. The basic answer is “Yes, but…” Before I explain, please read what Mercedes-Benz publishes in the most recent Owner’s Manual:

To maintain the engine’s durability and performance, premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium unleaded gasoline is not available and low octane fuel is used, follow these precautions.

• Have the fuel tank only partially filled with unleaded regular gasoline and fill up with premium unleaded gasoline as soon as possible.

• Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration.

• Do not exceed an engine speed of 3,000 RPM if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two persons and no luggage.

• Do not exceed 2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in mountainous terrain.

Most Mercedes-Benz gasoline engines are designed to run on premium unleaded (91 min or higher). Premium fuel generally burns at a slower, more controllable rate which allows for higher compression and, ultimately, more efficiency. However, since fuel quality varies, the smart engineers at Mercedes-Benz started using some clever technology (knock sensors) to “listen” for pre-ignition and other signs of inefficient combustion. The fuel management system then adjusts the spark and fuel to compensate – up to a point. There is a limit to how much the system can adapt, hence the above recommendations from Mercedes-Benz.

If your Mercedes-Benz is a 1994 or newer model, you have this technology.

Please switch back to premium unleaded gasoline as soon as it becomes available. Your engine appreciates the good fuel – and it does know the difference.

Hope this answers all the questions.

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