autos sport

Here are the first pictures and details of VAETH's Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI-based V35 sports saloon. The German tuning house starts by tweaking the engine management software and as a result, power is lifted to 267HP and torque is boosted to an impressive 595 Nm (438 lb. ft.). Optioning the aluminum intercooler pushes those figures up to 285HP and a whopping 650 Nm (479 lb. ft.).

Buyers can further adorn their V35 with quad stainless steel tailpipes and an aerodynamics package consisting of a carbon fibre front apron, rear diffuser, badge-less radiator grille and bootlid spoiler.

The V35 rides on 9 x 20 inch front and 10.5 x 20 inch rear light alloy rims, wrapped in 245/30 ZR20 and 285/25 ZR20 Hancock rubber respectively. Coilover suspension that is adjustable for both height and ride quality is also available.

The entire pack will set you back €18,306 (US$25,222), on top of the cost for the E350 CDI base car. The German tuning firm did not say if the V35 package will be available outside of Europe.

By Tristan Hankins

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The almighty Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is entering the 2011 model year with some interior revisions in the form of "ARTICO" leather appointments on the upper section of the dashboard and door beltlines and new black piano lacquer finish trim on the upper section of the center console.

In addition to these standard upgrades, Mercedes-Benz is also offering new optional appointments with the introduction of the "Designo Leather II" in which the lower section of the dashboard, the glove compartment lid, the door linings including map pockets and the side upholstery of the centre console are covered in exclusive nappa leather.

This option will cost buyers in Europe €4700.50 (about US$6,050) and is only available in conjunction with the "Designo Leather I" package, which is priced at €2,856 (around US$3,670) adding special black leather on the upper section of the dashboard and the upper door linings.

There are no mechanical changes as the 2011 E63 AMG continues to use the same 525HP 6.2-liter V8 linked to AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, propelling the car from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph).

In Germany, the E 63 AMG saloon is available for €105,791 while its Estate sibling is priced at €108,409. Mercedes did not say if these changes will pass on to the North American model.

The engineers of tuning firm BRABUS have developed a new special auxiliary module for the electronic engine management system for the new Mercedes E 300 BLUETEC called the “BRABUS PowerXtra D6 BLUE”. While the kit boosts power output by 47 HP at the same time exhaust emissions stay below the permissible limits of EURO V by up to 65 percent.

After the conversion operation, which can be performed at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel produces 258 HP at 3,700 rpm and a max torque figure of 610 Nm (450 lb-ft), up from standard 540 Nm (398 lb-ft). The BRABUS-tuned E 300 BLUETEC sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 sec (vs 7.2 sec of the standard model) and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). -Continued

The BRABUS power kit is available for €1,790 or $2,650 and it’s backed by the BRABUS Tuning Warranty of three years, up to 100,000 km or 62,000 miles.

If anything else, leaving a prototype test vehicle in the parking lot of an airport isn’t the smartest thing one can do. According to our fellow Swedish bloggers at “Bilfeber”, the heavily camouflaged Mercedes-Benz E-Class test car was left unguarded outside the international airport of Arlanda that’s located about 25 miles or 42 km north of Stockholm.

There’s not much we can tell about the mid-size sedan’s appearance from these pictures, but it does seem like Merc’s designers have followed in the footsteps of the new C-Class, meaning that the new E-Class will feature a more “boxy” shaped exterior. The next-gen E-Class is expected to be introduced at the 2009 Frankfurt Show with sales following shortly after. -More images after the jump

Via: Bilfeber , Photos:: Staffan Ring

Mercedes-Benz USA organized a long distance test with two Smart Fortwo cdis (45 HP) and a Mercedes E 320 BLUETEC (US version) from Los Angeles to the Detroit Auto Show in order to demonstrate the fuel-saving qualities of diesel-powered models in everyday real-world conditions.

Media representatives from Germany, Italy and the US took turns at the wheel of the three cars during the 2,740 mile (4,400 km) long route managing to record an average consumption of 60.3 mpg (3.9 lt/100km) with the two Smart Fortwo cdis and 40.6 mpg (5.8 l/100 km) with the E 320 BLUETEC sedan that’s equipped with a 224 HP strong 3.0l V6 diesel unit. -Image gallery after the jump

Mercedes is reintroducing diesel cars in California with the market launch of the E320 BLUETEC, the first diesel-powered vehicle to be available in the sunshine state for nearly a decade -no thanks to California's stringent emissions requirements. Beginning from today, Californian customers will be able to obtain a E320 BLUETEC under a two-year/24,000 mile lease program through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. According to the German carmaker, the E320 BLUETEC is lease-priced on a par with its petrol sibling, the E350. -Press release after the jump

Mercedes is First to Bring Diesel Back to California

E320 BLUETEC Makes Market Debut in Los Angeles at Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek at Smashbox Studios

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 -- On the runway at this week's Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek at Smashbox Studios, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) unveiled a version of its E320 BLUETEC, a diesel sedan that will immediately be available in limited numbers to California customers through a special two- year/24,000-mile lease.

California's stringent emissions requirements have kept new diesel automobiles models off the California market for the better part of a decade. The new E320 BLUETEC - distinguished as "2007 World Green Car" by an international panel of journalists earlier this year - changes all that.

BLUETEC denotes state-of-the-art engine and exhaust technology which produces the cleanest diesels available on the market today. Utilizing this technology, the V6-powered E320 BLUETEC diesel is able to provide the powerful torque of a large V8 engine with the low fuel consumption of a four-cylinder compact.

"In order to be able to provide the power and economy of diesel technology throughout the world, we had to make the diesel version as clean as the gasoline model. With BLUETEC, nitrogen oxides can be reduced to such an extent that our diesel vehicles will satisfy the strictest emission regulations in the world -- even in the future. This makes Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer in the world to fully bring all exhaust gas components under control," said Dr. Leopold Mikulic, head of powertrain development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Beginning October 15, MBUSA will offer its E320 BLUETEC to customers under a two-year/24,000 mile lease program through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The E320 BLUETEC is lease-priced on a par with its gasoline sibling, the E350.

The special limited-mileage lease program is the first step in the company's plans to offer consumers diesel alternatives in all 50 states. MBUSA will offer 50-state diesels across its SUV model lines (M, GL and R- Class) late next year and will continue to add to its alternative powertrain offerings.

According to Tom Cackette, executive director for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), "The E320 is testimony to demanding nothing but the cleanest vehicles for California. Mercedes-Benz has developed a diesel emission control system that results in a car as clean as comparable gasoline vehicles being sold here. This vehicle has shed the reputation of diesel as a dirty technology. And we hope California has shed its anti-diesel reputation by certifying this vehicle as the first diesel passenger car to meet the most stringent smog emission standards in the world."

MBUSA, which has sold diesels here in the United States for 40 years, believes diesels are an ideal solution for today's luxury car buyers because they yield a significant increase in fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance or interior room. The E320 BLUETEC can go nearly 700 highway miles on a single tank of fuel.

"We're breaking new ground here as we pave the way for the return of the diesel to California," said Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of MBUSA. "BLUETEC is the most promising technology for customers who want to get up to 20-40 percent higher fuel efficiency without sacrificing the performance and the driving characteristics they're used to." According to Lieb, the California market plays a critical role in the comeback of the diesel: "In addition to being one of the top automotive markets in the world, California has tremendous influence. We know we have quite a few loyal diesel buyers there who have been waiting for the opportunity to get back into a diesel, but we also want to tap into a new group of buyers who are interested in making their dollar go farther without compromising performance or their personal style."

Beyond their fuel efficiency, from an environmental standpoint, BLUETEC vehicles are the cleanest diesels available in the world today. Since diesels inherently burn less fuel than gasoline vehicles, they also produce significantly lower emissions of carbon dioxide (C02). Also, in BLUETEC vehicles particulate levels are reduced to levels comparable -- or better than -- that of gasoline-powered vehicles. Similarly, NOX emissions are reduced to meet the most stringent exhaust limits in the world.

The California lease program will function as a bridge as MBUSA prepares to begin phasing in 50-state BLUETEC vehicles nationwide starting in 2008. The first step will be the extension of the special lease program to other states which do not currently allow sales of new diesel automobiles in January 2008. Later in 2008, Mercedes will introduce another BLUETEC system on its M-, R- and GL-Class vehicles. This system utilizes AdBlue injection, a process that adds precisely measured quantities of a urea-based solution into the exhaust stream which enhances long-term emissions performance sufficient to meet the stringent BIN 5 standards.

Due to be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the next-gen Mercedes-Benz E-Class will follow under the steps of its smaller sibling the new C-Class, giving particular attention to quality and design. Car Magazine managed to obtain several spy pics offering us a first view of the new E-Class which goes under the code name, W212. From what we can make, Mercedes designers have used styling elements from the new C-Class and the S-Class. Overall the camouflaged prototype with its "lifted" rear-end seems sleeker than the current model. As for the estate version, expect it to be unveiled the following year (2010). No word on the engine range, but we suspect that along with the current motors (which may be tweaked till then), Mercedes will present a light-turbocharged version of one of its V6 or V8 petrol-engines to compete with BMW's twin-turbo six-cylinder engine . Via: Autoblog.it Source: Car

Technorati: Mercedes-Benz+E-Class, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

If you believe that you’ll do away with all the “extra-equipment” hustles if you buy a top spec version like Mercedes-Benz’s E63 AMG better think again. These guys make a living from offering extras to their top models. Like the “Limited Sport Edition” of the BMW 1-Series that we previously posted, the Performance-Pack for the E63 AMG is all about appearance, a stiffer suspension and of course, a hefty price tag which in this case is 7.140 EUROS or 9.300 USD. –Continued: Click “Read more…” below Via: Autoblog.com & Mercedes

PRESS RELEASE: A special AMG performance package will shortly be available ex factory for the sporty 378 kW/514 hp E 63 AMG Saloon. It comprises various technical components which significantly enhance the handling dynamics, the motorsport potential and the individuality of this model. The performance package was developed at the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO in Affalterbach and the vehicles are built at the DaimlerChrysler production plant in Sindelfingen.

The performance package will be available for the E 63 AMG Saloon from March 2007. The performance package at a glance:

• 18-inch 5-spoke multipiece AMG alloy wheels, painted sterling silver, front wheels size 8.5 x 18 with 245/40 R 18 tyres, rear wheels size 9.5 x 18 with 265/35 R 18 tyres
• AMG performance suspension with firmer tuning, based on AIRMATIC DC
• Multi-disc rear locking differential with 40% locking effect, providing more traction when accelerating out of corners
• AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in leather/black Alcantara with silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles

Using various higher-performance components, the AMG performance package for the E 63 AMG puts the accent on dynamic handling and performance. The result is a breathtaking driving experience for ambitious sports car enthusiasts who want to have the option of using their AMG performance model on closed-circuit racetracks. Customers benefit from the extensive motorsport know-how gained by Mercedes-AMG GmbH over the course of four decades. The E 63 performance package is priced at 7,140 euros (incl. 19% VAT).

The AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO in Affalterbach can take the customisation even further, building distinctive – or even unique – vehicles on the basis of individual customer specifications.

Technorati: Mercedes-Benz+E63+AMG, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

AMG optional extras available ex factory

For the SLK 55 AMG, SL 55 AMG, E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG and CLK 63 AMG models, exclusive individual optional extras from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are now for the first time also available ex factory.

SLK 55 AMG

• 18-inch twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, multipiece
• AMG performance suspension
• AMG carbon trim parts
• Velour floor mats with AMG lettering

SL 55 AMG

• 19-inch twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, multipiece
• Velour floor mats with AMG lettering

E 63 AMG Saloon and Estate

• 18-inch five-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, multipiece
• AMG performance suspension, based on AIRMATIC DC (only for saloon)
• AMG rear locking differential
• Velour floor mats with AMG lettering

CLS 63 AMG

• 19-inch five-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, multipiece
• AMG performance suspension, based on AIRMATIC DC
• AMG rear locking differential
• Velour floor mats with AMG lettering

CLK 63 AMG

• Velour floor mats with AMG lettering