You are currently viewing eMercedesBenz' past articles published in August, 2006.  Our latest stories can be found here.

I ran across this story a few days ago but it completely slipped my mind until now.  It turns out, Mercedes' upcoming E320 BLUETEC diesel, marketed as the cleanest diesel in the world, failed to meet emission requirements in all fifty states.  Five states - Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and California - failed to grant Mercedes' newest diesel a passing score, meaning the Bluetec will be sold only in the remaining 45 states.

The announcement came after the results of tests conducted by the EPA in 2004 show an E320 prototype coming in at just beneath 0.06 g/mi of NOx, as opposed to the necessary Tier 2 Bin 5 target of 0.05 NOx g/mi.  DaimlerChrysler remains confident, however, that future BLUETEC models, which will use a urea-based injection system for NOx reduction as opposed to the test vehicle's NOx adsorber (a catalytic device that converts NOx to nitrogen), will be compliant with the regulations of all fifty states...

Keep Reading "Mercedes' Bluetec Diesel Fails To Meet Emission Requirements In All 50 States"

If you're the proud owner of a Mercedes powered by the M272 V6 powerplant (i.e., 230, 280 and 350 models), Kleemann today has introduced a new set of high flow exhaust headers perfect for squeezing a little extra juice out of your fine, fine powerplant.

Built with performance as well as their trademark reliability in mind, the high flow exhaust headers manage to add an extra 20-30 horsepower and 25-35 Nm of torque, and when combined with Kleeman's ECU upgrade, output rises even higher - up to 40 extra horsepower and 40 Nm of torque...

Keep Reading "Kleemann Updates High Flow Exhaust Headers For Newest Generation Of V6 Engines"

In a follow up to yesterday's Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Edition article, DaimlerChrysler has published a press release detailing a number of the new model's technical specifications.

Power outputs, dimensions, weights, fuel consumption figures... all are available for your viewing pleasure.  In addition, for all of us history buffs, Daimler has also included a number of the original Mercedes 300 SLR's specs to give us a small reminder where the new SLR draws its inspiration from.

The full list of technical specs follow after the jump...

Keep Reading "Technical Data For The Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Edition"

In rumor news, the German publication Auto Motor und Sport is adding further fuel to the new Mercedes supercar fire, releasing a rendering of what they think a possible Audi R8 killer will look like.

The article speculates, as others have already suggested, Mercedes' will likely unveil the new mid-engined model sometime around 2010, with production stemming entirely from its AMG plant in Affalterbach...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Plans Audi Super Car Competitor"

Before I begin, let me first apologize for not getting this story out sooner; our internet connection has been a bit sporadic today due to inclement weather, and as a result, I haven't been able to publish any articles since this morning.  It appears my connection is back, at least for the time being, so I'll do my best to quickly cover the articles I've missed.

First up is an in-depth look at a vehicle we first introduced you to almost two months ago - the Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Edition.  Named to honor British racing legend Stirling Moss' and co-driver Denis Jenkinson's victory at the Mille Miglia in 1955, a race won by a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with starting number 722, the SLR 722 Edition features a supercharged 5.5-Liter V8 producing 478kW/650 horsepower, as opposed to the standard SLR's 460kW/626 horsepower...

Keep Reading "Another Look At The Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Edition"

In an effort to further add to the "dynamics" and "racetrack appeal" of select AMG models, Mercedes has announced today the addition of new performance packages, available for the CLS 63 AMG, the SL 55 AMG, and the SLK 55 AMG. 

The packages, comprised of various factory-fitted components, focus particularly on chassis and brake system modifications and incorporate elements with an even higher performance rating and longer service life.  The result (according to Mercedes AMG), is "a breathtaking driving experience for ambitious sports car enthusiasts who want to have the option of using their AMG model on closed-circuit racetracks..."

Keep Reading "Performance Packages Offered For Select High Powered Mercedes AMG Models"

In keeping with our previous story's review theme, the gentlemen over at Inside Line recently offered up their own review, this time of the "monstrously-horsepowered yet still a minivan" Mercedes R63 AMG.

As with all cars proudly bearing the AMG badge, few criticisms were found of the R63, with the reviewers praising its performance, handling and styling characteristics...

Keep Reading "Inside Line's First Drive: 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG"

To the select few of you in the market for Mercedes' new SLK 55 AMG Black Series, AutoWeek has published their first impressions of the latest SLK model, offering a brief look as to what sets the Black Series apart from it's non-colored brother.

As expected, main differences stem from the SLK 55 Black Series' extensive weight saving properties, including the omission of the standard SLK's Vario-roof system.  The result is an increase in handling properties, slightly better performance figures, all wrapped in a package costing EUR 107,300 (about $137,000)...

Keep Reading "AutoWeek Drives The Mercedes SLK 55 AMG Black Series"

If the name Volker Mornhinweg isn't familiar to you, let me introduce him by saying simply this:  he's the man with the job we all want - chairman of Mercedes AMG.

Inside Line recently spoke with Volker, and in the interview, the man behind Mercedes' most exclusive models divulged a number of details of what to expect from AMG in the coming months, including the company's decision to switch from supercharged to direct-injection turbo engines as well as their decision to not produce a GL63 AMG...

Keep Reading "Inside Line's Q&A Session With Mercedes-AMG Chairman Volker Mornhinweg"

Every once in a while, a tuner comes along that completely changes the perception of the vehicle they're tuning. ASMA Design is one of those tuners. First there was the ASMA CLS Shark II. Then came the ASMA ML Gladiator II.   Now, to further add to their distinctive lineup of tuning products, ASMA has introduced a new tuning package for the 2007 Mercedes S-Class, aptly titled the Eagle I.

Like the previously-mentioned ASMA models, the Eagle I's styling elements are unique, to say the least. A new front bumper featuring additional venting and the now infamous "Darth Vader-esque" grill; new front fenders featuring additional vents; added side skirts; new rear door panels with additional emphasis placed on the flared wheel arches; a new rear bumper featuring, you guessed it, additional venting... these are some of the elements ASMA's Eagle I is proud to boast of...

Keep Reading "2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Eagle I By ASMA Design"

If you're the type that finds the process of parallel parking tedious, several automakers, including both BMW and Lexus, have developed systems to make the task easier, even to the point that some vehicles now park themselves.

Today, Mercedes has released details of their foray into the world of parking assistance - a new parking guidance system, set to make its debut as an option on the new CL-Class.   Here's a quick summary of how it works...

Keep Reading "A Look At The New Mercedes CL-Class' Parking Guidance System"

For those of you who missed it, this weekend kicked off the fourteenth race of the season for the Team McLaren Mercedes F1 team in Instanbul, Turkey.  As usual, if you missed the race but plan on catching it later thanks to the magic of TIVO, read no further; otherwise, keep reading for the full race recap...

Keep Reading "Team McLaren Mercedes F1 Race Recap:  Istanbul"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.  To kick things off this blustery August morning, our good friend Marvin tipped us to some additional photos of a car we broke word of a few weeks ago - the Mercedes CL63 AMG.

In these newest photos, taken from JESMB.de, further angles of the CL63 are revealed, including a direct side view as well as a view of the new CL's rear; and as you'll see, the additional styling elements make the CL63 drastically more appealing than its non-AMG brother...

Keep Reading "Additional Photos Of The Mercedes CL63 AMG"

Although the new CL-Class hasn't hit dealerships yet, Wald International has already released the first glimpse into what their Executive tuning package for the W216 Mercedes CL will look like.

Highlights include a new front bumper spoiler, vented front fenders, side skirts and rear bumper spoiler, while Wald's exclusive lineup of custom wheels add the finishing touches to your soon-to-be-beloved Mercedes coupe...

Keep Reading "2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class By WALD International"

As you may remember, last month we brought you word of an exceptionally rare 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 Type S Torpedo Roadster hitting Christie's auction block, a vehicle expected to bring between $3 million and $4 million when sold.

On August 17th, Christie's held their "Exceptional Motor Cars" sale, and the Mercedes lived up to its billing, bringing in the appreciable sum of $3.645 million. The winning bidder of the Type S Torpedo, one which up until the auction had been owned by a single family, was a philanthropist by the name of J. Peter Ministrelli, now owner of one the most superlative Mercedes in existence...

Keep Reading "1928 Mercedes-Benz Torpedo Roadster Sells At Christie's Auction"