Mercedes Planning Electric A-Class with Lithium-Ion Batteries for 2010

Citing inside company sources, German newspaper “Automobilewoche” is reporting that Mercedes-Benz will market an electric version of the current A-Class in 2010. According to an unnamed senior manager in the automotive industry, the current generation A-Class’ sandwich construction with its double floor is ideal to fit the batteries without performing any serious modifications to the vehicle.

The newspaper also supports that Mercedes-Benz is currently in talks with Tesla for the supply of the lithium-ion batteries. Compared to nickel hydride units, lithium-ion batteries are not only more powerful but they also weigh less.

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Will be Available with a Hybrid Powertrain

Development of the second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is well underway as the production model is set be unveiled during a major car show in late 2010 with sales following in early 2011. According to our sources, a hybrid version of the new CLS will definitely be offered. It will get the same powertrain as the forthcoming S400 Hybrid that will be launched at the end of 2009, which means that the CLS Hybrid will make use of lithium-ion batteries that not only weigh less but also offer more power than the nickel hydride units used in today’s hybrids.

In terms of styling, as the rendering that we found on French car magazine Autoplus reveals, Mercedes-Benz’ 4door-coupe model will retain the basic shape of the current generation model adorned with styling elements from the German automaker’s newest cars. -One more pic after the jump

Pics via: Autoplus

Renntech Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 PKG2 with 740Hp

Renntech is updating its offerings with the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 PKG2. Compared to last year’s PKG1 that boosted the standard SLR 722’s output from 650Hp to 722Hp, the PKG2 adds a less restrictive, motorsports-style exhaust system and re-mapped ECU software resulting to over 740Hp at 6400 rpm. Moreover, Renntech now offers its Signature 10 spoke wheels in SLR offsets and 3 finishes (chrome, satin-ceramic, and sniper gray). -Continued

Pricing for Renntech’s SLR performance upgrades are set at $12,990 for the base PKG1 and $26,990 for the PKG2 while the 20-inch alloy rims will cost you an extra $7,800.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Advert For The Insecure

This catchy print ad for the recently facelifted Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster was created by the Brazilian advertising agency, Ponto de Criacao. The caption reads: “Men talk about women, sports and cars. Women talk about men inside sports cars”. Playful and witty it may be, but on the other hand, isn’t it like saying that the SL is the ultimate driving machine for an incapable and totally insecure male?

Mercedes to Build Four Distinct Compact Cars at New Hungarian Plant

Mercedes-Benz has revealed plans to create a new range of compact cars that will consist of four distinct models including perhaps an SUV model aimed towards BMW’s planned X1 crossover along with a sporty roadster/coupe, instead of today’s two vehicle line-up, the A- and B-Class.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the new-generation compact cars will include “product characteristics that are already popular with customers today like generous interior space and an elevated seating position”. The compact models will also benefit from new 4-cylinder diesel engines which are having their market premiere latter this year. -Continued

"Mercedes-Benz is going to offer an even wider range of exciting premium cars – with the high levels of comfort, safety and overall quality that are characteristic for the brand – in the particularly fuel-efficient compact-car segment. Moreover, our expanded product range will allow us to tap into new customer groups and open up new market regions," commented Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The compact size models will be produced at two plants, one in Rastatt, Germany that will receive a €600 Million makeover and an all-new factory that is being built in Kecskemét approximately 80 km from the outskirts of Budapest in Hungary. Mercedes-Benz is planning to invest some €800 million locally in Kecskemét and to create up to 2,500 new jobs for people in the region.

Mercedes-Benz to Launch London Black Cab Based on the Viano

One of London’s most illustrious symbols, the iconic black cab will soon look a bit different as it was announced today that Mercedes-Benz teamed up with EcoCity Vehicles to market a low-emission black cab based on the Vito Traveliner Van. The six-seater taxi version of the Viano that will make its debut on June 26 and go on sale shortly afterwards, will compete against Manganese Bronze’s dominate classic black cab which holds about 93% of London’s taxi market (aprox 22,000 vehicles).

Commenting on EcoCity’s decision to join forces with Mercedes-Benz, the company’s CEO Peter Da Costa said: "Cab drivers and passengers in London will now have a choice of vehicle, and we as a company will continue to look after the driver's needs."

2009 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Facelift with 507Hp

Quite possibly the most controversial 4x4 vehicle in the market has received a few subtle changes for the MY2009. Thanks to the integration of a new engine control unit, output of the G55 AMG’s supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine has been nudged up from 500hp 507hp, with maximum torque remaining at 700 Nm. Performance remains unchanged however with the G55 AMG accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.5 sec and peaking at an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h (131mph). -Continued

Other mechanical changes include the new and more powerful control unit of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which now incorporates a transverse acceleration control. In addition, the new G55 AMG now comes with a hill-start assist.

The 2009 G55 AMG’s appearance has been freshened up wit a reworked radiator grille and new 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels painted in titanium grey and equipped with 275/55 R 19 tires.

Finally, Mercedes-Benz has added a new silver-coloured designo emblem on the front backrests of the seats that are now climatised for the first time in the model’s history. Drivers of the 2009 G55 AMG also benefit from a new telematics system developed by Mercedes.

Available exclusively in five-door form, the 2009 G55 AMG will go on sale this September at a price of €121,618 -$190,000. Just like a bottle of wine, the older the G-Class gets, the pricier it becomes...

Mercedes-Benz Sells 300,000th New C-Class Model in a Year

In the year since Mercedes-Benz launched the new C-Class into the market on March 31, 2007, more than 300,000 customers have purchased either a sedan or station wagon variant of the new model. “The sedan got off to an excellent start, and since its premiere at dealerships at the end of last year, the new C-Class station wagon has also been enjoying high popularity,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz.

As expected, the C-Class’ largest market is Germany which accounts for 25 percent of total sales, followed by the U.S., UK, Italy, and South Africa. A total of 290,000 C-Class sedans from the 204 Series have been sold worldwide since market launch in the spring of 2007, and 25,000 customers have taken delivery of a new C-Class station wagon since that model variant was introduced in December. -Continued

In terms of powertrains, about one-third of the sedan model’s customers worldwide have opted for the C 220 CDI (diesel), while 20 percent have purchased a C 200 Kompressor (petrol). The C 220 CDI is also the vehicle of choice for around half of the station wagon model’s customers. 75 percent of all C-Class station wagons sold around the world are diesel engine versions.

Blast from the Past: BMW E30 M3 EVO vs Mercedes 190E 2.5 16v

We discovered this scanned article from the 1988 September issue of Car Magazine comparing the BMW M3 2.5 Evolution I with the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 16v over at our friends at VW Vortex. The eloquently written comparison test by George Kacher is not only eye-catching but it also brought back many pre-internet era memories when as kids, we just couldn’t wait to get our hands on the latest car magazines and feed our four-wheeled obsession.

Check out the scanned article (click the pics to enlarge) after the jump along with a set of high-res pictures of the BMW M3 E30s and the Mercedes 190E 2.3/2.5/EVO that we managed to dig out of our archive. -Continued

Scans Via: VW Vortex