Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.  If you're a race fan, you're likely well aware of the fact that yesterday kicked off the 2009 Formula One race season in Australia. If you have the race TIVO'd and plan on catching it later, then read no further.  But for those of you wishing to know how the reigning F1 champion fared in his first race of the season, read on for the full details...

Keep Reading "Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Race Recap:  The Australian GP"

BRABUS has announced today that just in time for the market launch of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class, they have created a range of enhancements aimed at making the model a bit more appealing to those of you who have a flair for the sporty.  Outside, highlights include a new front apron with LED running lights, side skirts, aluminum front sport quarter panels, a new rear apron and spoiler, and of course, a range of Monoblock light-alloy wheels ranging in designs and sized from 17 to 20 inches...

Keep Reading "BRABUS Unveils Tuning Program For The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class"

Reprising their roles from the 2008 Formula One season, the Mercedes SL63 AMG and C63 AMG Estate will again be a presence on the F1 tracks in 2009, as the two have been named the Official F1 Safety Car and the Official F1 Medical Car.  To handle their track duties, both feature a wealth of performance and practical enhancements, ranging from various cooling improvements to extensive weight saving measures.

On the Mercedes SL63 AMG F1 Safety Car, alterations include a newly developed AMG sport exhaust system; a specially developed coil-over suspension setup; additional coolers for the engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering; and a reduction in weight by some 220 kilograms thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.  As for the C63 Estate AMG Medical Car, it too features a new exhaust system; coil-over suspension and additional coolers for the engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering; while monitors and an on-board radio system help the C63 AMG Estate's drivers stay up-to-date with the action on the track.

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG And C63 AMG Estate To Serve As Official F1 Safety Car And Medical Car For 2009 Formula One Season"

Daimler has announced today that they have successfully completed the first internal phase of their smart car2go program in Ulm, Germany.  For those of you unfamiliar with car2go, it's a sort of communal car-sharing program.  After a one-time free registration, those participating in car2go have access to a fleet of smart fortwos parked across the city.  Drivers simply use a card reader to gain access to the smart, and upon operation, pay 19 euro cents per minute of use (which includes tax, mileage, fuel and insurance).  There's also rates by the hour or day:  9.9 euros per hour, and 49 euros per day.  When the user is finished operating the smart, it can be returned to any parking spot inside the car2go coverage area...

Keep Reading "Daimler Details Plans To Bring Smart Car2Go To Residents Of Ulm And Austin"

Daimler today has unveiled the F-CELL Roadster, the latest in their line of "F-Series" concept vehicles (past Mercedes research models can be seen here), and as you'll see, it draws its inspiration from a diverse variety of automotive eras.  From a functional standpoint, it's a roadster fitted with a 1.2 kW hybrid drive – one that allows the F-CELL to reach a top speed of 15 mph and achieve an operating range of  217 miles.  From a design standpoint, however, is where the F-CELL Roadster truly shines, as it manages to blend the overall aura of the original Benz patent motor car with seating and a fiberglass front section both drawn from elements of Formula One racing...

Keep Reading "Daimler Unveils Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster With Hybrid Drive"

Daimler has announced today that they have received a contract from the emirate of Dubai to purchase 260 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses.  These buses will join 80 other Mercedes Citaros currently operated by Dubai's Road & Transport Authority, with production for the ordered buses set to commence this quarter. 

According to Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses:  "The major order from Dubai fills us with pride, and it shows that our vehicles can thrill and win over customers even in economically difficult times.  We will further expand our involvement in the Middle East growth market..."

Keep Reading "Dubai Places Order For 260 Mercedes-Benz Citaro Buses"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic March weekend.  As you may remember, last week we told you about a batch of new spy photos that had emerged recently highlighting the forthcoming 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG, and today, we can do you one better.  The German publication sport auto has published a sneak peak at the Affalterbach-bred model – one that shows half of the model's front apron and headlights along with its front wheel.  Pair it with the previous spy photos depicting the E63 AMG's unmasked rear along with a little imagination, and you've got a pretty clear idea of what to expect from the 2010 E63...

Keep Reading "2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG First Glimpse"

Here, ladies and gentlemen, for you reading entertainment, is our third and final 2010 Mercedes E-Class Review Roundup installment (for the time being, at least).  In this episode, three of the new 2010 E-Class models are tested, with reviewers weighing in on the 2010 Mercedes E350 CGI, the 2010 E250 CDI and the 2010 E220 CDI.  As is the case with all our Mercedes Review Roundups, you can find an excerpt from the first article below as well as the full collection of reviews immediately after the jump.


2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 CGI (via Car)
Reviewer's rating:  

"What’s this CGI nonsense on the new Mercedes E-class all about?  Not computer generated imagery, that’s for sure. CGI is Merc-speak for the direct-injection system on its petrol engines. And alongside the CGI technology, all E-classes are BlueEfficiency-equipped, the Swabians' term for its eco-friendly tweaks that include low rolling resistance tyres, active aerodynamics and energy-saving control of the fuel-pump, alternator and air conditioning system.

It’s just a pity that on the road the 3.5-litre V6 doesn’t feel as punchy as the figures of 288bhp and 269lb ft would suggest. Why? Because you really need to rev this six-cylinder above 4500rpm to get the best out of it, but in doing so you enter a realm of noise that you wouldn’t normally associate with a Mercedes.  But this engine’s saviour is the standard (of course) seven-speed automatic. It doesn’t slur or jolt at low speeds and full-bore upshifts are almost imperceptible – it’s a brilliant gearbox. And it helps the E350 CGI turn in 33.2mpg and 199g/km..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup:  The 2010 Mercedes E350 CGI, E250 CDI And E220 CDI"

Part two of today's 2010 Mercedes E-Class Review Roundup installment looks at the V8-powered version of the model, with a total of four publications weighing in on the 2010 Mercedes E550 and E500 (the naming, of course, varies between the U.S. and world markets).  As is the case with all our Mercedes Review Roundups, you can find an excerpt from the first 2010 Mercedes E-Class review below as well as the full collection of articles immediately after the jump.


2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 (via Automobile)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"Design-wise, the E-class follows a bit in the footsteps of last year's new C-class, with more straight lines and creases than we've seen on a Benz in a long time. The 2010 model is the third generation of the E-class to use a four-headlight front end, and it, too, has been squared off considerably. Despite the increased squareness, the car achieves a very impressive drag coefficient of .25 Cd. Inside, there's a mix of elements from both the S-class (the row of climate control buttons, the horizontal trim strip and dash vents) and the C-class (the Comand controller, the center console). While the Sport trim level has a horizontal stitching pattern on the seats, the Luxury version uses vertical pleats that are supposed to recall Mercedes interiors from the 1960s and '70s; they do, particularly in the tan-and-black interior, but an even bigger flashback to the Me Decade is the brown exterior color that Mercedes is highlighting - the weird part is that it actually looks good. Maybe it's because we haven't seen brown cars in so long, or maybe it just suits recessionary times..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup:  The 2010 Mercedes E550 And E500"

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I already know what you're thinking – the fact that as of late, there's been a notable absence of Mercedes reviews here at eMercedesBenz.  Indeed, we have fallen a bit behind in our Mercedes review coverage, but not to worry my dear readers, because even as you read this, we're diligently catching up on the various Mercedes reviews that we've missed.  In fact, we have not one... not two... not even five... but a grand total of eleven articles we're bringing you, all of which analyze the brand-new 2010 Mercedes E-Class.

To make viewing easier, I'm going to split up the articles into three Mercedes Review Roundups, starting with this one that analyzes the 2010 Mercedes E-Class range as a whole.  Subsequently, i'll then publish the individual E-Class model reviews for your viewing entertainment.  So without further ado, the first of three 2010 Mercedes E-Class Review Roundups.


2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (via WhatCar?)
Reviewer's rating:  

"Performance:  three new diesel engines and a couple of direct-injection petrol turbos provide the bread and butter, while V6 and V8 petrols and a V6 diesel are the jam. Despite the emissions clean-up campaign they are more than adequately powerful, with the mid-range 170bhp diesel in the E220 CDI – the big seller – particularly impressive.

Ride & handling:  you'll need to pick your car carefully, because there are three different suspension systems (one for the SE, a lowered version for Avantgarde and Sport models, and air-sprung on the V8-engined E500) plus a variety of wheel-and-tyre combinations. Based on the Avantgarde with 17-inch wheels we've driven, the ride is pliant and supple, high-speed stability is rock-solid and clever shock absorbing contributes towards tidy if unexciting handling..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup:  The 2010 Mercedes E-Class Range"

New spy photos have emerged today depicting a scantily clad Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, which should be celebrating its unveiling in the not too distant future.  Not surprisingly, it doesn't look much different than the 2010 Mercedes E-Class fitted with the AMG sport package that we detailed back in January, but of course, the true fun of the E63 lies not in its design, but rather in what's  under the hood.  Power from the model's hand-built AMG 6.2-Liter V8 is expected to come in around 525 hp, while the rest of the E63's mechanics are expected to receive a major overhaul...

Keep Reading "2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Spied With Minimal Camoflauge"

Mercedes has unveiled today a new navigation system for their Atego, Axor and Actros model series commercial vehicles.  In total, map material is provided for 26 European countries, with a total of 15 European languages available for the voice instructions.  But what makes the new navigation so unique isn't its ability to provide directions, as any navigation can perform this task, but rather its ability to take into account the specific requirements of commercial vehicles (weight restrictions, limited height and width clearances, etc.) and subsequently provide the best route taking into account these factors.  To make the system work, the vehicle's operator simply enters into the navigation system a number of key details about the vehicle and load, and the navigation system handles the rest...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Launches New Navigation System For Their Atego, Axor And Actros Commercial Vehicles"

After taking an extended weekend we're back this beautiful March morning, kicking things off with details of the Mercedes AMG Driving Academy 2009/2010.  Geared for those of you wishing to brush up on your driving skills under the guidance of professional instructors, the events of the new AMG Driving Academy have been expanded over years prior, with instruction given in a total of five skill levels:  EMOTION, BASIC, ADVANCED, PRO and MASTERS.

The activities range from lifestyle-oriented events and race-training events all the way up to competitive racetrack training, each of which offers varying degrees of difficulty tailor-made to the individual needs of participants.  Highlights include a drive to Lake Constance and through the landscapes of Vorarlberg to Bregenz/Austria; practicing on legendary racetracks such as the North Loop of the Nürburgring or the Grand Prix circuit in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium; and winter driving in in Arjeplog (Sweden) close to the Arctic Circle.  There's also an AMG MASTERS Sports Trophy, which will allow 25 drivers to take part in various competitive events, with points awarded in each.  At the end of the competition, the driver with the most points will be offered a unique opportunity:  the ability to pilot the AMG Mercedes C-Class currently used in the DTM series...

Keep Reading "A Look At The Mercedes AMG Driving Academy 2009/2010"

After releasing details of their new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing to select publications about a week-and-a-half ago, Mercedes AMG today has released a lengthy press release highlighting again the forthcoming model.  Because we've already detailed the model once I'll abstain from doing so again; however, I will let Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche talk briefly about the new Gullwing.  According to Dieter, "Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the guise of the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster. The SLS AMG is emotion pure and simple for the Mercedes-Benz brand and is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era..."

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Again Detailed By Mercedes AMG"

The newly developed DIRECT CONTROL suspension with standard-fit amplitude-dependent damping system is one of the major factors behind the high degree of long-distance comfort provided by the E-Class. The shock absorbers adapt to the current driving situation, reducing the damping forces automatically when driving normally with low shock-absorber impulses and increasing the forces up to the maximum as required when cornering at speed or performing evasive manoeuvres. In this way, the chassis and suspension meet driver requirements in terms of road roar, tyre vibration and agility – without ever compromising on active safety.

The shock absorber system works by purely hydromechanical means without the need for sensors or electronics. Its core components are a bypass duct in the shock absorber's piston pin and a control piston which moves in a separate oil chamber. When the shock-absorber bounce is low, the control piston moves oil through the bypass duct so that a lower damping force is produced at the actual shock-absorber valve. The result is "softer" shock-absorber characteristics and, consequently, a high level of ride comfort. If the excitation of the shock absorber is greater, the control piston moves to its limit position so that oil ceases flowing through the bypass duct, meaning that the full damping force is available...

Keep Reading "The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:  Chassis And Suspension"

"Less is more". This slogan certainly proves true when looking under the bonnet of the E‑Class. That's because the newly developed and modified four-cylinder powerplants have a higher output than the previous six-cylinder units, despite the reduction in displacement. Plus they return impressive fuel-consumption figures that were previously only achievable in the compact-car class. The Mercedes strategy is to use turbocharged engines with lower displacement in place of high-displacement, non-turbocharged engines. Key benefits of the concept include lighter weight, reduced internal friction and a more economical fuel-consumption map.

The new four-cylinder diesel engine in the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model, for example, is proof that the plans have worked out successfully: with an output of 150 kW/204 hp, a peak torque of 500 Nm and a displacement of 2.1 litres, it develops around seven percent more power and delivers 25 percent more torque than the previous V6 diesel engine with a displacement of three litres whilst consuming around 23 percent less fuel: just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined figure), making it far more fuel-efficient than comparable saloons in this performance class. The CO2 emissions figure for the new four-cylinder diesel models is 139 grams per kilometre – up to 24 percent lower than the figures achieved by the previous CDI models...

Keep Reading "The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:  Drive System"

BlueEFFICIENCY – the trademark for exceptionally economical and ecofriendly Mercedes passenger cars – is a package of measures compiled by development engineers across all disciplines, the main aims being to reduce weight, aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance, to further optimise the engine technology, and to make energy management even more efficient.

The Mercedes commitment to reducing fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions targets actual driver usage profiles. As part of a large-scale field trial, the typical driving profiles of Mercedes customers were ascertained and combined in an in-house fuel-consumption test covering a total of almost two million kilometres. Hence the positive effects of the BlueEFFICIENCY concept are most noticeable during everyday use of the cars...

Keep Reading "The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:  BlueEFFICIENCY Technology"

Welcome home. The slogan for the new E-Class can be taken literally. Just by getting in and closing the door, you find yourself in a totally different world. Noise, stress and the rush of everyday life remain locked outside, replaced by an overriding feeling of comfort and relaxation. Elegant forms, fine materials, attractive colours, comfortable seats and exquisitely designed details create an atmosphere in which you immediately feel at home.

One of the key aspects the Mercedes engineers focussed on to create this exceptional level of comfort was the new dimensional concept for the body and the interior, which differs from that of the outgoing model in many respects and thus allowed a new form of "spatial planning". More space equals more comfort was the principle the product planners applied to design a body that is 16 millimetres longer, 10 millimetres lower and 32 millimetres wider than previously. Measured against the outgoing E-Class model, the wheelbase length has been increased by 20 millimetres to 2874 millimetres, which is a major factor behind the enhanced ride comfort and interior spaciousness. This is highlighted for example by the seat reference point, effectively the distance between the front and rear seats, which is crucial in determining the space in which the occupants are able to move: it measures 848 millimetres (outgoing model: 838 millimetres) and is therefore on a par with the level which, not so many years ago, was the standard for top-end luxury cars...

Keep Reading "The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:  Interior Highlights"