Had a great conversation with our market manager yesterday. He did in fact confirm that the new 2010 CLK will be re-branded to the E-Class coupe and cabriolet. He didn’t get into specifics on the vehicle, but did have a rough spy photo…it looks great! More to come later.
Category Archives: News and Notes
Lexus Safety Campaign…
I saw this commercial over the weekend for the first time. I don’t know what it was that struck a nerve, but I am going to vent now. First off this is not a knock at Lexus, they are simply letting the world know they make a safe automobile. I guess this is more about Mercedes-Benz than anything else. The whole idea of the commercial (if you haven’t seen it) talks about how the Lexus RX has 14 Active Safety Systems in place. Today I went through to find a list, so here they are:
- VSC- Vehicle Stability Control
- TRAC-Traction Control
- ABS-Anti lock Brakes
- EBD-Electronic Brake Distribution
- Brake Assist
- Disc Brakes
- Tire Pressure Monitor
- AWD-All Wheel Drive
- HID-High Intensity Discharge lights
- AFS-Adaptive Front Lighting System
- Outside Mirrors with defoggers
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Headlight Washers
- Water repellent coating on windshield
Here is the part that frustrates me… most of these are Mercedes-Benz innovations!!! Lets start from the top. I have included those I deem most important.
Mercedes-Benz Terms and introduction.
- ESP-Electronic Stability Program – 1995
- Traction Control – 1959 patent
- ABS- 1975- Not a MB first, but the modern ABS is built/designed off of MB’s original system
- BAS – 1992 patent, premiered in 1996, standard on all vehicles in 1998
- AWD- 1903 first drafted -1907 first AWD for everyday use, also was first for all wheel steering
- Tire Pressure Monitor – not one auto manufacturer developed this
- EBD – No solid answer found
- Disc brakes – No solid answer found
Most of this information came from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz#Innovations and http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/03/11/010089.html.
I hope someone from MB marketing department will read this and touch on our innovations and the history of the brand. I can’t think of any other automobile manufacturer that holds the original patent on the automobile. OK I am done! Or at least until next time…
SLR Roadster Auction
On November 20th Mercedes-Benz will be auctioning off the last SLR Roadster. This is specially built as a one off for the US market. Special interior, exterior and color coated brakes. The exclusive online only auction will start at $529,500. Any funds raised above that price will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information or to join the auction please visit http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/MBHome.html#/slrAuction/
CLK rebranded as E-Class Coupe
Hmmm, seems like there are lots of rumors flying around that MB may remove the CLK and CL and re-brand them as E coupe and cab and the CL as the S coupe. The move would make a lot of sense. In previous years MB made a E coupe and cab (124 chassis), and the CL was derived from the S Class coupe. IF Mercedes makes the move I think it would benefit them tremendously for a couple of reasons. Number one, it makes the line up a little less confusing. I cant tell you how many times I here I dont know which model it was, but it started with a “C”. Secondly, I think it will strengthen the CLK’s stance/marketability. Lastly it reunites the CL with its origins of the S-Class.
I guess we will know in a few months…
new E coupe or new CLK coupe?
Just In – Preowned 2008 C300 (8 available)
We just released 8 2008 Mercedes Benz C300’s into our preowned inventory. This is a great time to pick up the new body C-Class for a great price. Miles are between 10-12K and all of them have gone through the Mercedes-Benz CPO process. Let me know how I can assist you.
Mercedes S400 Hybrid Update
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.
www.mybenzguy.com
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
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
www.mybenzguy.com
2010 E63 Test
Here is a little sneak peek at the new E63. It is still hidden behind the camouflage, but you get an idea of what the 2010 E Class will look like.
www.mybenzguy.com