According to the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Germany VOSS Study, Mercedes-Benz ranks best among the premium brands in the "Service Satisfaction" category.  In total, 16,283 drivers in Germany were polled, during which they were asked to evaluate service consultant friendliness, service facility conditions, and the thoroughness of work performed. After tallying the results, Mercedes ranked first among premium brands, and fourth overall...

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If you're looking for a way to enhance your Mercedes GL, tuning firm Carlsson today has unveiled the Design RS-Kit for the model, aimed at giving the SUV a sporty, more powerful appearance.  Up front, a front spoiler lip brings the model closer to the ground; a large radiator grille and two bonnet attachments add an air of authority to the GL; and modified headlights and LED fog lamps complete the changes up front...

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Mercedes has announced today that sales of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are off to a successful start, with 40,000 units of the new model being delivered to customers since its launch in spring of this year.  This success should continue to build momentum going into the latter half of the year, as the 2010 E-Class is entering a number of key markets (such as the U.S. earlier this month) as well as expanding to include a station wagon (celebrating its world premier at this year's IAA in September)...

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More information pertaining to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has made its way on the Internet, courtesy of a leaked dealer ordering guide.  In it, a wide variety of standard and optional (preliminary) equipment is revealed, allowing you to start planning in advance how best to customize your new-generation Gullwing.

Select standard equipment includes the AMG 6.3L V8 (563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque), a 7-Speed AMG dual Clutch transmission, rearview camera, bi-xenon headlamps, PARKTRONIC and KEYLESS-GO, dual climate control, COMAND APS with 6-disc CD/DVD changer, 40GB hard-drive navigation and a iPod/MP3 media interface...

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Mercedes has announced today that they're adding two new four-cylinder models to the 2010 E-Class lineup:  the E200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the E200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY.  Key highlights of the E200 CDI include a displacement of 2143 cc, output of 100 kW/136 hp and fuel consumption of 5.2-5.5 liters per 100 kilometers (about 44 mpg). As for performance, the E200 CDI can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph...

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A couple days ago we told you about Mercedes' potential plans to bring an electric-drive variant of the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and today, the company has confirmed exactly that.  According to Mercedes, they are "developing an exciting super sports car with zero-emission high-tech drive," one that "sees Mercedes-Benz and AMG displaying their expertise in the development of alternative drive solutions for high-performance super sports cars."

If you viewed our prior story on the SLS eDrive, you already know most of the details:  four electric motors (one positioned near each wheel) provide a combined peak output of 392kW and a maximum torque of 880 Nm, with one transmission per axle transmitting power.  According to Mercedes, "this intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows dynamically optimized power transmission without any losses by means of Torque Vectoring – in other words, the specifically targeted acceleration of individual wheels..."

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New spy shots have emerged today depicting the next-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class running test laps on the Nürburgring.  Clad in heavy camouflage and temporary body panels, little of the model's styling is visible, leaving us to wonder what exactly lies in store for the next roadster.

As far an engines are concerned, rumors indicate that the next-generation SLK will receive at least one diesel power plant in addition to its petrol counterparts – whether or not it will make it to the U.S. is an entirely different story.  An SLK55 AMG is expected to top off the range, while a hybrid version has also been mentioned as a possibility...

Keep Reading "Next-Generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Spied Testing On The Nürburgring"

Following in the tradition of its non-hybrid S-Class brethren, the new Mercedes S400 HYBRID has been awarded an environmental certificate by the technical inspection authority TÜV Süd.  Other Mercedes models that have received the award include the A-, B-, C-, E- and GLK-Class models.  

To arrive at their final decision, technical inspection authority TÜV examined more than 40,000 individual processes, all of which helped went towards the construction of an eco-profile for the model.  In addition, TÜV examiners then assessed both the production and eventual recycling/disposal of the model, with this analysis factoring into the final verdict as to whether or not the environmental certificate would be awarded...

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New details have emerged today of the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing:  according to AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg, the company is currently developing a plug-in electric version of the model.  The Mercedes SLS eDrive, as its being called, is expected to be offered with the same lightweight aluminum body as the standard SLS (a model that will see it debut in Frankfurt this September), along with an interior that again remains largely unchanged from the non-electric Gullwing...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Developing Electric 'eDrive' Version Of The Mercedes SLS Gullwing"

Daimler AG is reporting that in the month of June 2009, sales at their Mercedes-Benz Cars division dropped to 111,300 new units, a decrease of 6.7 percent when compared to last year's June figure of 119,300 new units.  As a result, worldwide sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands now total 544,400 new units through the first six months of the year, a decrease over last year's six-month YTD total of 18.5 percent.

Individually, sales at Mercedes-Benz dropped 5.4 percent to 100,300 units in June – this compared to 106,000 units last year.  At smart, the brand noted a more substantial decline, with sales of the compact fortwo totaling 11,000 new units – down 17.1 percent when compared to the prior year...

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High speed in South Africa, high-temperature test in Arizona, cold shock in the Arctic Circle, chassis and suspension testing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) – the development phases for the new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG were as diversified as they were unforgiving. Over a period of 19 months and a distance of 1.25 million test kilometres, the new-generation dynamic sports saloon offering everyday practicality was made ready for series production – and ambitious targets were achieved in terms of efficiency...

Keep Reading "2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG In-Depth:  Development And Testing"

The new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG fulfils its role as the powerful, top-of-the-line E-Class model with effortless superiority. The exterior design conveys presence, precision and typical Mercedes dynamism. Functional sportiness, top quality and consummate business class comfort combine in the interior. In short: it comes across as sporty without being showy.

Dominant, masculine, dynamic – take a look at the new E 63 AMG and you instantly get a sense of these three attributes. The distinctive wings immediately catch the eye in the front section of the high-performance saloon. They are 17 millimetres wider on each side to accommodate the new front axle with its larger track width and the 255/40 front tyres...

Keep Reading "2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG In-Depth:  Design, Equipment And Safety"

High cornering speeds, exhilarating driving dynamics coupled with typical Mercedes long-distance comfort – when it comes to the chassis and braking system, AMG has developed innovative systems that ensure the new E 63 AMG consolidates its leading position in the high-performance saloon segment.

The sophisticated AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension on the E 63 AMG combines steel suspension at the front, while an all-air suspension system is used at the rear. This exclusive solution guarantees a sensitive response from the front springs while the vehicle is kept at a constant height thanks to the automatic level control system – irrespective of the load. The top-of-the-line AMG model differs from the other E-Class variants with its newly developed three-link front suspension with wider track – 56 mm wider than the E 500. In conjunction with new hub carriers for more negative camber at the front, this provides much more grip when taking bends at high speed...

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Powerful power delivery, impressive pulling power, exhilarating agility – coupled with frugal fuel consumption. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in the new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG combines these apparently contradictory qualities. All thanks to an entire package of efficiency-enhancing measures.

With peak output of 386 kW/525 hp from a displacement of 6208 cc the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine ranks among the world's most powerful standard-fit eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engines. The rated speed of 6800 rpm and the maximum engine speed of 7200 rpm are the hallmarks of this high-revving engine. But it also boasts enormous pulling power: developing 630 newton metres at 5200 rpm, the AMG V8 offers more torque than any other naturally aspirated engine in this displacement and performance class. High pulling power at low engine speeds, instant responsiveness and exhilarating high-revving flexibility are the strengths of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine unveiled in 2005...

Keep Reading "2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG In-Depth:  Engine And Power Transfer"

If you're in the market for the new 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG, then today, my friends, is your lucky day.  Mercedes-Benz has taken the liberty of publishing a number of comprehensive press releases detailing the model, with topics covered ranging from the E63's engine and chassis to the sedan's development and testing stages...

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Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting that for the month of June, sales dropped to 15,155 new units – a decrease of 22.6 percent when compared to June 2008.  As a result of this figure, MBUSA's sales total 85,088 new units through the first half of the year, down 28.7 percent when compared to 2008's six-month YTD total of 119,279 new units.

As for the models making headlines, a single Mercedes managed to achieve a sales gain for the month.  That model, surprisingly, is the R-Class, which noted a sales increase of 18.1 percent with 680 vehicles sold.  The volume leader for the month was the C-Class, which noted sales of 4,583 units (-23.3 percent compared to June 2008), while the E-Class noted the second highest sales volume with 2,781 new units sold (-36.2 percent compared to June 2008)...

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Daimler and Mercedes-Benz today have published a lengthy look at current and forthcoming technologies for their vehicles, with topics covered including a look at their electric drive systems, driver assistance systems, engine development and virtual crash simulations, just to name a few.  They've also been kind of enough to offer this information via a nicely formatted PDF file, saving you the pains of having to scroll through paragraphs and paragraphs of plain black-and-white text...

Keep Reading "Daimler And Mercedes-Benz July 2009 HighTech Report:  The Fascination Of Technology"