Category Archives: News and Notes

GLK Hands On 2.0

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In “GLK Hands On 1.0” I gave an overall of my experience in the GLK vs the RDX and X3.  A couple of things I will touch on is under the hood, driver and passenger layout, cup holders, and the trunk.

Lets start under the hood…

X3 under hoodRDX under hood

GLK under hoodGLK hood latches

 

A few things to point out to you.  First off on the GLK and X3 no battery to be seen.  The RDX has it upfront on the drivers side…anyone want to guess where the #1 spot that is impacted when a front impact occurs?  Well if you guessed front left you guessed correctly.  With the battery placed there you could potentially have some problems if the front is compromised.  First battery acid leaking out?  Second there could be a potential for a spark?  Lastly what happens if your vehicle looses power from the battery…cant unlock power door locks, hazard lights don’t operate, can’t roll down power windows, I can go on and on.  I am sure you get the idea.

Next thing we are looking at is the hood pins or latches.  The RDX has one (that’s required by law).  The X3 has 3 like us, the difference is ours are spaced a little further out to the edges of the hood.  It gives us a little better hold when the hood is closed.

Thirdly I will point out our use of dual bulkheads.  The X3 and RDX have a single bulkhead.  To simplify it even more, if you look around our engines you see weather stripping to help with aerodynamics (less air under the hood) and it seals off the engine from dirt and debris.  Also, it reduces engine noise and any potential odor from under the hood.

The last item I will mention here that you can’t see here is the finish of the under belly of the vehicle.  The only reason I am mentioning it here is if you were to look down through the engine bay on the RDX you will see the asphalt the X3 for the most part is finished from front to rear of the vehicle, just not to the extent of the GLK.

Moving on…

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SL63 “Best of what’s new award”

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Popular Science has given the award to the newly developed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. During the “Best of what’s new Awards”, the innovative power transfer of the SL 63 AMG high-performance Roadster achieved first place in the “Automotive” category.

The AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission is a newly developed and unique power transfer unit that is used exclusively in the new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. It combines the best of both worlds: the sporty, direct and agile responsiveness of a manual transmission and the maximum comfort of an automatic transmission. Equipped with seven gears, four driving modes, a double-declutch function and a RACE START function, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission excels with previously unattained flexibility. MCT stands for Multi-Clutch Technology, and indicates that gearchanges are executed solely by the clutch components.

If you haven’t driven the vehicle let me tell you it is truly amazing to drive.  Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Adam

www.mybenzguy.com

GLK Hands On 1.0

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Wow, where do I start? Well I guess if you want the short story so you can go about your business then think new C350 (204 chassis) in SUV format.  For details continue reading.

The event started with a very in depth walk around of the GLK, starting at the front and working our way around and into the GLK.  I have to say this lines, wheels, and styling ques were amazing.  You see the press photos and it doesn’t do it any justice.  We had 3 different colors today; white, steel gray, and capri blue.  All optioned out differently.  Appearance package, Muti-Media package, Lighting package, Rear Seat Entertainment, and Premium 1 package.  I was able to see the upgraded wheels and the upgraded body kit(front/rear bumper and rear spoiler).

After the walk around was complete we went on to the competitive comparison.  On hand we had the Acura RDX and the BMW X3.  Looking at both of them side by side and comparing them we had a lot of laughs.  The Acura RDX is considered in the same class, I guess because it is considered a luxury car (see my post luxury vs premium luxury).  I think of it as more of a CRV in a dress suit.  The BMW…well it’s out dated.  I have had experience with the X3 in the past and just don’t remember it being so dated? 

The last part of the event was the ride and drive, as if the GLK wasn’t already shining brightly this was the icing on the cake.  The first vehicle I drove was the GLK, followed by the RDX and lastly the X3.  I really thought the X3 would give a similar or better ride due to BMW’s sporty design philosophy, it did, but the GLK out shined it.  The RDX, well it’s Japanese.  Not a bad thing just not in the same ball park as a Mercedes-Benz (German engineering).  Think of it as driving a in can vs driving a tank.

Here is the best part…what we have all been awaiting for.  Is that a drum roll I hear?  PRICING: Base MSRP $35900 for the GLK350w4.  That means you can have a very nicely equipped GLK for right at $40k or just a bit more depending on options.  Late spring/early summer 2009 we will see a GLK350w2 for about $2k less.

Summary of the 3 vehicles today.

GLK- 3.5L V6 engine, 268hp, 7 speed transmission, estimated fuel should be around 17/22.  Base MSRP $35900

X3- 3.0L I6 engine, 260hp, 6 speed transmission, est. fuel 17/24.  Base MSRP $39400

RDX- Turbocharged 2.3L I4, 240hp, 5 speed transmission, fuel 17/33.  Base MSRP $33695.

Without getting into more details tonight (I am exhausted), If you are looking at a base MSRP vehicle doesn’t it make since to get the GLK?  $2k more than the RDX and $4k less than the X3.  Please check back for GLK Hands On 2.0 for a little bit more in depth review.

Did I mention we are now taking orders? Please contact me at here for availability

www.mybenzguy.com

2009 G-Class Update

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Just got wind today that the 2009 G Wagon will start shipping this week.  The facelifted G-Class includes several significant enhancements, starting with the engine.  The MY09 G550 boasts the 5.5-litre V8 engine, with a 30% increase in horsepower, more torque, and significantly better acceleration than last year’s model.  Both models benefit from a new front grille and grille guard, active ventilated front seats, new multicontour passenger seat control, new telematics headunit (including 6.5” display, Bluetooth interface, and all other enhanced media functions – like our other MY09 SUVs), new ESP generation, new interior lighting, and new rim designs. The G55AMG also gets a +1” wheel upgrade and Alcantara roof liner.

Pricing:

G550: $100,250

G55AMG: $119,450

 www.mybenzguy.com

GLK-hands on announcement

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This Wednesday will be a great day for me…First off it is my birthday, and secondly I will be experiencing the new GLK hands on.  As I understand it, we will have a ride and drive, competitive comparison, and be able to see from the service side as well.  Please check back next week as I should have photos and first impressions of it.  I cant wait!

www.mybenzguy.com

50 Years of Diesel in America

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I just read a great article on Motor Trend website in regards to our diesel technology.  Back in 1959 Motor Trend wrote about our new diesel that was comming to America as the first diesel-powered mainstream automobile. They took a 5122 mile road trip across America in a 1960 190D “Ponton”.  

50 years later they made the same trip.  This time the 1960 190D was accompanied by our new 2009 ML320 BlueTEC.  The trip was broken down into 4 legs.  Irvine to Seattle,  Seattle to Denver, Denver to St. Louis, and lastly St. Louis to New York.  

Here is the numbers break down:

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Mercedes Benz and Consumer Reports

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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked about Consumer Reports reliability ratings for Mercedes Benz, and had to explain away what they said and how they look at things.  Well great news!!!  In this month’s Consumer Reports, Mercedes Benz had 5 vehicles listed in the Newly Recommended Column.  The E350, ML350, S550, SL and SLK.  In previous years we got a black eye for putting out a product that wasn’t what it should be, and that is why we were rated so low.  As I have continually told all my clients we, as a brand, have come full circle.  So way to go Mercedes…keep up the great work.

www.mybenzguy.com

Mercedes Hybrid’s

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Looks like late next year (fall) we will see the S400 Hybrid according to Mercedes-Benz 2010 timeline.  Following shortly after that we will see the ML350 Hybrid.  Both vehicles will be using the latest li-on battery technology unlike current hybrids.  The S400 has an expected 29mpg and the ML350 has an expected 30mpg.  We are very excited about the new models to our line up. 

www.mybenzguy.com