Author Archives: Adam Denault

New ML and C Coupe receive 5 stars on latest Euro NCAP safety tests

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Five stars for new B-Class, new M-Class and C-Class Coupé: Euro NCAP: three more Mercedes-Benz model series with best grades for safety

Three new model series from Mercedes-Benz have passed crash tests based on the European NCAP procedure (New Car Assessment Programme) with flying colours. The B-Class, M-Class as the best in each of their vehicle classes, and the C-Class Coupé consequently get the top rating of five stars for outstanding occupant protection. In addition, Mercedes-Benz receives several Euro NCAP Advanced prizes for safety innovations including PRE-SAFE® and the radar-based collision warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST in the B-Class.

“The Euro NCAP awards are a striking recognition of the safety level of our vehicles, and we’re very happy about them,” stated Ulrich Mellinghoff, Head of Mercedes Safety Development. “But the standardised crash tests cover only a small part of the real course of events leading up to and during road accidents. For this reason Mercedes-Benz designs all model series employing some 40 different accident constellations, most of which we define based on the experience of our in-house accident research. Additionally, focusing on anticipatory systems and accident avoidance we equip our vehicles with systems which are not even taken into account in the rating.” Continue reading →

The new Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG: Efficiency and superlative performance

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Affalterbach – The new Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG stands for efficiency and performance, exclusivity and a superlative driving experience. Running on 11.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined, 276 g CO2/km), the high-performance SUV undercuts its predecessor by 4.7 litres, or 28 percent. The basis for low fuel consumption and top-class performance is provided by the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine with a maximum power output of 386 kW (525 hp) and maximum torque of 700 Newton metres, representing an increase of 11 kW (15 hp) and 70 Newton metres. The optionally available AMG Performance package boosts the V8 engine’s power output to 410 kW (557 hp) and its maximum torque to 760 Newton metres. The newly developed ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM for active roll stabilisation, the AMG-specific design and the broad scope of standard equipment and appointments provide for a highly attractive overall package. Continue reading →

The new SL: Less weight, more vision, more sound

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Stuttgart – Before the year is out, Mercedes-Benz will present a completely redeveloped SL Roadster made for the first time almost entirely from aluminium. The full aluminium bodyshell of this newly developed vehicle weighs around 110 kilograms less than a comparable bodyshell constructed with the technology used for its predecessor. It thus reduces the overall weight of the new SL by 140 kilograms compared to its predecessor. At the same time, the new generation of this luxury sport car can be converted into an open or a closed concert hall. This is thanks to the new bodyshell structure which makes possible the FrontBass system, unique in the world and also celebrating its debut. As a further world first, Mercedes-Benz is also presenting the highly effective MAGIC VISION CONTROL adaptive windscreen wipe/wash system. It delivers water requirement-based and depending on the direction of wipe, directly to the wiper blade; neither a water jet nor a film of water can be seen, and yet the windscreen stays perfectly clean for the driver and passenger.

The new-generation Mercedes-Benz SL takes the meaning of the letters “SL” – sporty, lightweight – very seriously. Consistent weight reduction is one of the most outstanding design results in the new SL as was the case in its namesake, the original SL of 1954. For the first time Mercedes-Benz implements a full aluminium bodyshell in large series production. Only very few components are made from other materials. The designers use the even lighter magnesium for the rear panel. High-strength steel tubing is integrated in the A-pillars.

The newly developed car weighs around 110 kilograms less than a comparable bodyshell constructed in analogous manner to the previous technology. “The effect is rather as if a heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car and taken his heavy flight luggage, too” says Dr Thomas Rudlaff, responsible for the aluminium bodyshell at Mercedes-Benz. “The result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words: the motoring enjoyment increases and the environmental burden sinks.”

In terms of rigidity, safety and comfort, the aluminium structure proves superior to the predecessor’s steel construction. This is achieved thanks, among other things, to its intelligent lightweight construction with components optimised for their specific task. Thus, diverse processes are used to make different kinds of aluminium depending on the use the component is to be given: the parts are made by chill casting or vacuum die casting, worked into extruded aluminium sections or into aluminium plates of different thicknesses. The result: high rigidity, high safety levels and low resonance and vibrations.

The parts are assembled using diverse load-adequate joining methods, some of which are innovative processes. Secure joints are ensured for example, by MIG welding, hemming, bonding, flow hole bolting, self-piercing rivets or friction stir welding.

With two further innovations, the new SL remains true to its tradition as technological trend setter:

  • MAGIC VISION CONTROL is a new intelligent, high-efficiency windscreen wiper/washer system. Its system of channels supplies water to the windscreen just in front of the wiper blade lip in the direction the wiper is moving. As a result, when spraying one no longer sees a water splash on the windscreen to disrupt one’s visibility, and yet the windscreen is kept perfectly clean.
  • The likewise unique FrontBass system uses the free spaces in the
    aluminium structures in front of the footwell as resonance spaces for the bass loudspeakers. As a result the new SL features clear, crisp bass sounds that make possible a concert hall ambience even with the top down.

Both innovations are part of the extensive standard equipment of the new SL.

Magic Vision Control – 2013 SL

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MAGIC VISION CONTROL adaptive windscreen washing system

An astonishing experience: the wiper blade glides over the badly soiled windscreen of the future new SL, without a sign of a cleaning water jet, the occupants cannot see anything yet the windscreen is still cleaned! The new SL is the first vehicle to be equipped with the high-efficiency adaptive MAGIC VISION CONTROL wiper/washer system developed by Mercedes-Benz. It cleans the windscreen without the familiar splash of water that usually briefly disrupts the driver’s field of view – something that is especially unpleasant at night or when the sun is low in the sky.

In fact, the windscreen cleaning operation in the new SL will be performed with washing water in the conventional manner. The innovation lies in the way the fluid is conducted to the windscreen in order to clean it. This is done by means of a sophisticated system of ducts that go to the wiper blade, which is flanked by two precisely formed water channels at left and right, with minute laser-cut discharge openings. Via these channels, the innovative Mercedes-Benz washer/wiper system always supplies washing water to the windscreen efficiently and discreetly precisely where it is needed: just in front of the wiper blade lip, according to the direction of movement of the wiper. The discharge openings are distributed along the entire length of the wiper blade, being more closely spaced towards the outside of the blade, where it sweeps a greater area, than closer in, where the area swept is smaller.

Programmes for summer, winter and cabriolet operation

Mercedes-Benz controls the MAGIC VISION CONTROL system, the first integrated windscreen wipe/wash system in the world, intelligently via three partly autonomous wash programmes – for summer, for winter and for cabriolet driving. In summer, small quantities of water are sufficient to remove a light powdering of dust. In winter the dirt mixed with de-icing salt requires a greater amount of water. The MAGIC VISION CONTROL system not only works in accordance with the season, it also automatically adapts the wiper water quantity to the surrounding conditions, such as e.g. the ambient temperature, road speed, and the current driving situation. If, for example, the windscreen should happen to be heavily soiled in summer, the system will automatically deliver a greater amount of water to the windscreen.

A particularly interesting feature of the SL Roadster in the Cabriolet function: when the hard top is down, the electronic control system reduces the amount of water, apart from which it demands the required water mainly on the downward stroke of the wiper arm. This way the windscreen can be conveniently cleaned at all speeds and with open roof without any of the water spraying into the vehicle interior. Another pleasant side effect: since the wipe water is directed specifically and well-metered to the area to be cleaned, one doesn’t douse anyone else in the surroundings with water, either. At the end of the day, an equally good or even better cleaning effect is attained with only around half the otherwise needed amount of wipe water. Because of this, a smaller water reservoir suffices perfectly so that it has been possible to reduce its volume by 1.7 litres compared with the preceding model. This in turn means less weight and consequently greater efficiency.

A heating system makes winter-proof

The new SL’s MAGIC VISION CONTROL wiper blades can be optionally fully heated. With this, Mercedes-Benz offers for the first time in the world and as the only automaker, a fully heated wiper/washer system. It consists of a washer fluid container heated through coolant residual heat, electric heating for the entire hose system and as a newly-developed highlight, a fully heated wiper blade. This effectively prevents the formation of snow on the wiper blades, so typical in winter. To do this each of the spring rails of the blade is equipped with a heater foil with an output of 35 Watts per blade. It heats the spoiler and the wipe lip. Snow and ice cannot freeze onto the blade; it remains supple in winter, too, and cleans just as well but with reduced wiping noise.

The heating is also controlled requirement-oriented according to duration of operation and outside temperature. It is only below a temperature of minus 20 degrees Centigrade that the system makes use of the entire system’s maximum output, 270 Watts. Between 5 degrees above and 20 degrees below zero the heating operates in an energy-saving mode and only requires the output needed to thaw out the wiper/washer system and keep it snow and ice free.