Crossroads Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz History: the Mercedes 35 HP Super Sports Car

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Fri, 14 May 2010 14:45:00 +0000

THE MERCEDES 35 HP MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A CREATIVE PROCESS THAT LED TO THE PRODUCTION OF NUMEROUS POWERFUL AND EXCLUSIVE CARS

The first modern car was designed by Wilhelm Maybach, chief designer of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, in 1900. The state-of-the-art 1000-kilogram car with a characteristic low centre of gravity was made for Emil Jellinek, as the first vehicle to bear the “Mercedes” name. Standout features of the new car included the visionary contours, marking the final break from coach construction, and the powerful drivetrain. The Mercedes was propelled by a completely new 27-kW light-alloy engine, cooled by Maybach’s new honeycomb radiator. These ingredients combined to make the 35 hp the first super-sports car in the history of our brand, at least when fitted out as such, since the car was supplied in a range of body styles according to customer preference, as was normal practice at the time.

The car’s top speed was 75 km/h, or just under 90 km/h with the light sports body. These figures were superior to any other vehicle of the day – and the DMG 35 hp Mercedes proceeded to dominate the Racing Week event in Nice, winning the hill climb, street race and one-mile sprint titles.

Wilhelm Maybach’s design also created the culture of Mercedes-Benz super-sports cars, since as well as being a highly successful racing car, the vehicle was also sold as an exclusive car for customers looking for a superior sports car. Emil Jellinek clearly had such ambitions when he commissioned this outstanding car from DMG. He had been operating in Nice on the Côte d’Azur as an independent car dealer since 1897, selling Daimler automobiles to the rich and famous. His customers included members of the Rothschild family and other VIPs of the day. By the time of Gottlieb Daimler’s death in 1900, Jellinek had sold 34 cars in this way – a respectable figure in an age of very low production runs.

Jellinek finally convinced Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach to build him a powerful car. The new DMG vehicle was to enter the Nice races under the name of “Mercedes”. Jellinek and his team had entered races under this pseudonym since 1899. Even then, he realised that, as well as being powerful advertising tools for their manufacturer, high-performance sports cars also provided a foretaste of series-production cars of the future: “I want the car of tomorrow!”, he told the DMG engineers. He placed a bulk order for 36 cars for a total price of 550,000 Mark.

The first new 35-hp car was delivered to Jellinek on 22 December 1900, and already on 4 January 1901 there was a report in the Côte d’Azur car magazine “L’Automobile-Revue du Littoral” reading as follows: “The place to see the latest trends at the moment is not Paris, but Nice. The first Mercedes car built in the workshops at Cannstadt has just arrived in Nice, and thanks to the kindness of its owner, Mr Jellinek, all our motorists have been able to try it out. We make no bones about it: the Mercedes appears to be a very, very good car. This remarkable vehicle will be a fearsome competitor in the 1901 racing season.”

These words were borne out in no uncertain terms during the Nice Racing Week in March 1901. The new Mercedes returned home with four first places and five second places to their credit, in such diverse events as the endurance race, the hill climb and the one-mile race. After watching these successes, Paul Meyan, General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France, coined the phrase “Nous sommes entrés dans l’ère Mercédès” (“We have just entered the Mercedes era”).

Maybach’s conviction that there would soon be customers for the exclusive high-performance sports car was proved right, with a list of buyers for the DMG Mercedes during 1901 including a string of American billionaires: Rockefeller, Astor, Morgan and Taylor.

The Mercedes 35 hp marks the beginning of a creative process that led to the production of numerous powerful and exclusive cars over the next few years, particularly the the models in the Simplex family. These were the fruit of Wilhelm Maybach’s tireless efforts to produce an even better successor for the first generation of Mercedes models. This project started in autumn 1901 and resulted in the top model of the 1902 year: the Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp. This car dominated the Nice Racing Week in April 1902 just as the first Mercedes had done one year before.

The next development stage of the race-winning super-sports car was the Mercedes-Simplex 60 hp of 1903. This vehicle enjoyed its hour of stardom as a racing car, but only as the result of a disastrous accident. In 1903, the Daimler factory in Cannstatt was largely destroyed in a fire. The casualties included the three Mercedes 90 hp cars to be raced in the Gordon Bennett race. So DMG decided to replace its factory racing vehicles with Mercedes-Simplex 60 hp cars, which the manufacturer borrowed back for the race from customers who had already received cars. One of these cars was driven to victory against very strong international competition by the Belgian racing driver Camille Jenatzy. So it was that the Mercedes-Simplex 60 hp came to stand for one of the most legendary motorsport successes of the Mercedes brand.

Other outstanding DMG models that can be regarded as forerunners preparing the way for contemporary super-sports cars include the six-cylinder Mercedes 75 hp (1906), the Mercedes 37/90 hp featuring three-valve technology, double ignition and encapsulated drive chains (1911), and the Mercedes 28/95 hp, powered by a six-cylinder engine inspired by aircraft technology, with overhead camshaft, V-shaped overhead valves and steel turned cylinders (1914).

Benz & Cie., a competitor of DMG up until the merger of the two companies in 1926, also made a little piece of super-sports car history in 1909 with a very famous car: the Benz 200 hp, which as the “Blitzen-Benz“ (or “Lightning Benz”) set numerous records and entered the technology history books as the fastest car of its time. It had a 21.5-litre engine developing an output of 147 kW, and definitely belongs in the ranks of the super-sports cars. In contrast with the experimental cars and “record-breaking cars” of later years, the Benz 200 hp was both sold to customers and entered in motorsport events.

Mercedes 35 hp

In production: from 1900 to 1902

Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line

Displacement: 5913 cc

Output: 26 kW at 1000 rpm

Top speed: 75 km/h

Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp

In production: from 1902 to 1903

Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line

Displacement: 6785 cc

Output: 29 kW at 1100 rpm

Top speed: 80 km/h

Mercedes 75 hp

In production: from 1906 to 1911 (including successor models)

Engine: 6-cylinder, in-line

Displacement: 10,180 cc

Output: 55 kW at 1300 rpm

Top speed: 95 km/h

Mercedes 37/90 hp

In production: from1911 to 1915 (including successor types)

Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line

Displacement: 9,530 cc

Output: 66 kW at 1300 rpm

Top speed: 115 km/h

Mercedes 28/95 hp

In production: 1914 to 1924 (all models)

Engine: 6-cylinder, in-line

Displacement: 7280 cc

Output: 69 kW at 1800 rpm

Top speed: 130 km/h

Source: eMercedesBenz

Mercedes-Benz.tv: Fashion Week Highlights from Berlin

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Mercedes-Benz.tv: Protection by run-flat tires

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:07:00 +0000

2010 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Receives New-And-Improved Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:58:00 +0000

To coincide with its 30th birthday, the legendary G-Class benefits from new additional features that primarily enhance comfort and exclusivity in the interior.

Mercedes-Benz is once again going its separate way with the G-Class. Instead of modernising the visual appeal of the striking design icon and relaunching it with a new design, those in charge have left its indestructible, hallmark traits untouched since 1979. At the same time, the consistent effort which Mercedes-Benz has put into the evolution of the "G" has helped safeguard its leading position.

In the most recent case, the "G" specialists have focused their attention on the interior and developed new seats. The ergonomically optimised front seats improve both comfort and lateral support, helping further bolster driver-fitness safety. The new design has also modernised the rear seat bench, with modifications that echo the styling of the driver's and front passenger's seat. "G" customers can choose between black or grey fabric upholstery and leather appointments either in black, grey or chestnut. Further added comfort comes courtesy of the new optional climatised multicontour seats. The line-up now also includes the exquisite designo leather upholstery in classic red or black as well as designo wood trim in black piano lacquer. Another highlight that will be available in early 2010 comes in the shape of the designo stone trim in Labrador blue pearl.

The standard specification now includes an Aux-in socket in the glove compartment and the familiar designer ignition key. As an option, indirect ambient interior lighting, a leather-trimmed dashboard, an extensive Chrome package as well as a media interface to connect an iPod, USBor Aux devices add to the feel-good factor on board.

New paintwork options are also available: "palladium silver metallic" or the "designo platinum magno" matt finish, which show off the striking body design of the "G" to particularly good effect, supplement the line-up for 2009. At the rear, the new models make a distinctive statement with a modified spare wheel cover with a three-dimensional Mercedes star.

Current model range: three body variants, three engines

The model family currently includes three body variants (short Station Wagon, long Station Wagon and Cabriolet), which can be combined either as the G 350 CDI (replaces the previous G 320 CDI with a new nomenclature) with the frugal V6 diesel engine or as the G 500 with a powerful 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine. The top-of-the-line G 55 AMG – available solely as a four-door long Station Wagon – offers muscular performance, which, together with the incomparable vocals, underpins the character of this decidedly sporty version. The G-Guard based on the G 500 long Station Wagon remains an important component in the model range. The fully armoured G-Class certified to bullet resistance level FB6 or FB7 provides protection against pistols/revolvers and long-barrelled weapons as well as against explosive charges of a defined size.

The evergreen Mercedes-Benz off-roader provides a superior synthesis of high-performance drive and dynamic handling control systems. The standard specification includes the electronic traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio.

Key technical data* and prices at a glance:

Model	G 350 CDI**	G 500**	G 55 AMG***
Rated output (kW [hp] at rpm)	165 [224]/3800	285 [388]/6000	373 [507]/6100
Rated torque (Nm at rpm)	540/1600–2400	530/2800–4800	700/2750–4000
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s)	8.8	5.9	5.5
Maximum speed (km/h)	177	210	210****
Tank capacity/incl. reserve	96/20
Fuel consumption combined (l/100 km)	11.0	14.7	15.9
CO2 emissions (g/km) combined	291	351	378
Emissions class	EU4
Tyres/wheels front/rear	265/70 R 16	265/60 R 18	275/55 R 19
Kerb weight	2275	2245	2550
Payload (kg)	575	605	650
Permissible gross vehicle weight (kg)	2850	2850	3200
Perm. trailer load (kg) unbraked/braked	750/2850		750/3500
Prices EUR*****
Short Station Wagon	59,590-	75,250-	-
Long Station Wagon	64,450-	79,750-	107,650-
Cabriolet	65,250-	80,550-	-

* Figures may vary depending on the equipment line, ** Figures apply to short Station Wagon, *** Figures apply to long Station Wagon, **** electronically limited, ***** excludes statutory VAT

On its 30th birthday: readers' poll awards mount up

Readers of the "4Wheel Fun" off-road magazine named the "G" "2009 superstar" in its readers' poll. The indefatigable off-roader came out on top in the same poll in 2007. Following on from the success in 2003 and 2007, readers of "Motor Klassik" once again chose the Mercedes-Benz G-Class as "classic of the future" in 2009. For an incredible sixth time – after 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 – readers of “Off Road” have bestowed the title “off-roader of the year 2009” on this automotive icon. The G-Class boasts a long tradition of awards and accolades, reflected in the packed trophy cabinet. Readers of specialist magazine "auto motor und sport" have voted the G-Class the world's best off-roader no less than

14 times. In 1983, the Australian automotive magazine "bushdriver" named the "G" the best 4x4 off-roader of the year, undoubtedly rekindling memories of the Paris-Dakar victory that very same year. In 1993, readers of the French "Magazine 4x4" voted the G 350 TURBODIESEL the off-roader of the year. And in 1995, the readers of the specialist water-sports magazine "Boote" came to the conclusion that the G-Class is the best towing vehicle.

Source: eMercedesBenz

2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG And S65 AMG: AMG Sports Suspension And High Performance Braking System

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:56:00 +0000

The AMG sports suspension and ADAPTIVE BRAKE high-performance braking system are every bit a match for the effortlessly superior drive units: the two top-of-the-line models, the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG, raise the bar in terms of driving dynamics thanks to new high-tech systems.

Less steering effort, more agile handling with the same outstanding straight-line stability – the new Direct-Steer system in a nutshell, which is now fitted as standard on the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG. A key feature of the Direct-Steer system is the variable-ratio steering rack that operates using purely mechanical means. While the power steering around the central position utilises an indirect ratio to promote excellent straight-line stability, this alters from a steering angle of around five degrees: really small steering angles are all it takes to perform precise cornering, noticeably improving handling on winding country roads. The steering angle requirements have also been modified, enabling the driver to steer the AMGsaloons far more easily, particularly on urban roads. Compared with a steering system with a constant ratio, the number of revolutions from lock to lock is reduced by around 25 percent with the Direct-Steer system.

Purely mechanical Direct-Steer system with a host of benefits

Another advantage of the purely mechanical Direct-Steer system is the absence of any elaborate actuators and complex sensors – with associated benefits in terms of weight, installation space and susceptibility to faults. The constant steering response is also advantageous compared with other variable steering systems that sometimes require the driver to adapt quickly to what are fast changing situations on the road.

The Direct-Steer system is based on the familiar speed-sensitive power steering system which reduces the power assistance as the road speed increases. Easy manoeuvrability on urban roads where large steering angles and thus a great deal of power assistance is required, is coupled with reduced support at high speeds, say on the motorway – all of which improves straight-line stability and handling safety.

Torque Vectoring Brake optimises driving dynamics and handling safety

A further improvement in driving dynamics as well as active handling safety comes courtesy of the new Torque Vectoring Brake. If the Electronic Stability Program ESP®detects the onset of understeer, short one-sided braking intervention on the vehicle's inside rear wheel generates a specific yawing moment around the vehicle's vertical axis within a fraction of a second. Consequently, the AMG S-Class handles precisely and remains under control at all times as well as also bolstering active handling safety by reducing the tendency to understeer. The Torque Vectoring Brake is standard on the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG.

Crosswind stabilisation as new Active Body Control function

The AMGsports suspension now comes as standard with automatic crosswind stabilisation based on Active Body Control (ABC). The ABC control electronics vary the wheel load distribution so that the effect of crosswinds is virtually compensated or reduced to a minimum. If the S-Class is affected by a crosswind, the ABC control unit utilises the yaw-rate, lateral acceleration, steering angle and speed sensors of the Electronic Stability Program ESP® to trigger diagonal wheel load distribution instantly – for instance on the left front and right rear wheel. The associated steering effect reduces the effect of the crosswind. Crosswind stabilisation is activated at speeds above 80 km/h while travelling in a straight line or on slight bends. The function is deactivated if the driver himself makes heavy, brusque steering corrections.

The active suspension on the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMGall but entirely eliminates the body movements that occur when moving off, cornering and braking. Bends are negotiated with far less roll; the body roll caused by fast evasive manoeuvring is effectively suppressed. Other notable features of Active Body Control are the variable roll moment distribution between the front and rear axles, which the system carries out automatically according to the speed. The computer uses various acceleration sensors to obtain information on the current driving situation and compares this data with those from the pressure sensors in the spring struts and the level sensors on the control arms. The system then computes the control signals that the servo-hydraulic valves at the front and rear axle transform into precisely metered flows of oil.

The load adjustment system enables the current vehicle weight to be factored into the calculation processes for the active suspension. As such the S 63 AMGand S 65 AMG handle just as dynamically even when the car is fully laden. Briefly pressing the Sport button next to the AMG instrument cluster changes the characteristics of the AMGsports suspension: the roll angle through fast corners is reduced further, the shock absorbers and springs also respond firmer to promote agility. At speeds of between 65 and 100 km/h, ABC automatically lowers the body by as much as 15 millimetres to reduce wind resistance. If more ground clearance is needed when driving on poor road surfaces, the driver can raise the level of the vehicle by 40 millimetres at a speed up to 30 km/h by simply pressing a button.

AMG high-performance braking system based on ADAPTIVE BRAKE

Based on the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system, the AMGhigh-performance braking system continues to set the benchmark for stopping power, sensitivity and fade resistance. The front axle features a double floating brake calliper; this technology combines the advantages of a sliding-calliper disc brake – reduced heat transfer to the brake fluid and clear advantages in terms of comfort thanks to the brake lining guide mechanism – with the efficiency of an extra large fixed calliper brake. At the rear, braking is handled by a large sliding frame-type calliper. Internally ventilated, perforated composite brake discs at the front and rear with a diameter of 390 and 365 millimetres respectively ensure the shortest stopping distances, remarkable resistance to fading and outstanding sensitivity.

The hydraulic dual-circuit braking system is controlled electronically, permitting the inclusion of numerous driver assistance functions that improve safety and comfort – such as "priming" the braking system in critical situations: if the driver suddenly switches from the accelerator to the brake pedal before emergency braking, ADAPTIVE BRAKE increases the pressure in the brake lines and applies the pads to the brake discs, so that they can grip instantly with full force when the brake pedal is pressed. In wet weather, the system injects regular, short brake impulses to ensure that the film of water on the brake discs is wiped off and the brakes can work as effectively as possible. This automatic brake-drying function is always activated when the windscreen wipers on the S-Class have been in operation for a certain time; the driver does not notice the finely metered braking impulses.

After the S-Class has been braked to a standstill, briefly pressing the brake pedal a little further is all that is required to activate the HOLD function. The car is then held by the brakes, even if the driver's foot comes off the brake pedal. In this way ADAPTIVE BRAKE prevents the car from rolling forward inadvertently when stopped at traffic lights or stuck in stop-and-go traffic, and from rolling back when facing a slope. The HOLD function is deactivated automatically when the car moves off.

Eye-catching light-alloy wheels in 19 and 20-inch format

High-sheen 19-inch AMGfour-spoke light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey provide the contact between the road and the S 63 AMG. 255/40 R 19 tyres are fitted on 8.5-inch-wide wheels at the front, while 275/40 R 19 tyres combine with 9.5-inch-wide wheels at the rear. The S 65 AMG comes with 20-inch AMG twin-spoke forged wheels, painted in titanium grey with a mirror finish, measuring 8.5 and 9.5 inches wide. 255/35 R 20 tyres are fitted at the front, while 275/35 R 20 tyres feature at the rear.

Source: eMercedesBenz

BlueTEC models and new GL-Class pave the way for a successful future: Mercedes-Benz 2009 SUV campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Stuttgart - BlueEFFICIENCY and BlueTEC technologies, efficient engines, even more attractive appointments, all-new body elements and an upgraded interior will make the Mercedes-Benz GL even more appealing. In its new model year, the world’s top-class luxury SUV will consume up to 8 percent less fuel (preliminary value) and be even more environmentally compatible.

Other outstanding features of the GL-Class will include excellent handling both on road and off road, exceptional roominess and the comfort of a luxury saloon. Beginning in autumn 2009, Mercedes-Benz will also offer the world’s most extensive range of SUV models equipped with especially efficient SCR exhaust gas treatment technology. Besides the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, customers will also have the ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC models to choose from. The fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly trio of models already created a stir during their first sales year in the USA and they are sure to also boost the appeal of this vehicle class in Europe.

The GL-Class is becoming even more appealing

The GL-Class from Mercedes-Benz continues to hold the top position in the market segment of luxurious sports utility vehicles, but that's not all: the latest model updates have made the premium off-roader even more attractive. In addition to introducing various technical modifications and innovations that particularly boost the fuel efficiency and environmental compatibility of the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and the GL 350 CDI 4MATIC featuring the BlueEFFICIENCY technology, the designers have made the vehicle’s striking body even more appealing. The GL-Class’ expressive presence is further accentuated by modernised bumpers, redesigned chrome underbody protection at the front and the rear, a new radiator grille and fog lights/daytime driving lamps connected by a chrome bar. Other new features include light-alloy wheels measuring between 18 and 21 inches and reworked chrome tailpipes. The range of colours is supplemented by two new metallic paintjobs: “Tenorite Grey” and “Palladium Silver”. The tow bar is now hidden behind the rear apron and is swung out when needed.

The premium off-roader also offers the very best in safety. The safety features encompass a variety of assistance systems, including the innovative safety concept PRE-SAFE®, which automatically prepares the vehicle and its occupants for an impending collision by optimally activating the protective functions. The SUV’s Intelligent Light System (ILS) optimally distributes the light across the road in line with the respective driving situation and weather conditions. Standard features also include LED daytime driving lamps and taillights.

Luxurious interior with outstanding feel-good factor

The up to seven occupants of the GL-Class will enjoy an incredibly spacious interior that provides passengers with the pleasant ambience that is typical of Mercedes-Benz and comparable to that of the S-Class. The redesigned leather/ARTICO seats with contrasting trimming will be a real eye-catcher in the new model year, while the top-of-the-line GL 500 model will be available with exclusive nappa leather appointments. All vehicles will have a new range of instruments, a multifunction nappa leather steering wheel and crash-responsive NECK PRO comfort headrests for the driver and the front-seat passenger. The interior’s attractiveness is further enhanced by optional equipment such as two-tone leather appointments in black/cashmere beige or black/alpaca grey and the indirect ambient lighting employed in the S-Class. The range of interior trim options is augmented by the variant “anthracite-coloured poplar”.

GL 350 CDI 4MATIC with BlueEFFICIENCY technology provides lots of driving pleasure while reducing fuel consumption

In addition to the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC featuring SCR technology, the GL‑Class is now available with BlueEFFICIENCY technology in the GL 350 CDI 4MATIC. This model consumes around 5 per cent less fuel than its predecessor without any change in performance. The vehicle’s V6 engine continues to generate 165 kW/224 hp and already provides its maximum torque of 510 Nm at 1,600 rpm. On average, the diesel engine consumes only 9.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

Like all other BlueEFFICIENCY models from Mercedes-Benz, the GL also features an extensive package of measures that help reduce fuel consumption. Besides the direct-injection diesel engine, these include the efficient 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission that switches to neutral when the vehicle is waiting at a traffic light or in a traffic jam in order to reduce engine load and fuel consumption. Fuel consumption is further reduced through the use of lower rolling resistance tyres. Aerodynamics have been improved by redesigning the radiator grille and adding more spoilers to the areas surrounding the front wheels. The GL’s fuel consumption is further reduced by the energy-saving electro-hydraulic power steering system. And thanks to a fuel consumption computer and a display showing current fuel consumption, GL drivers can always regulate their fuel consumption and, if necessary, adjust their driving behaviour.

Superlative drive comfort: GL 450 4MATIC, GL 500 4MATIC and GL 450 CDI 4MATIC equipped with V8 engines

Superlative power delivery and maximum drive comfort are among the special attributes of the two V8 petrol models, which also fulfil the EU5 standard. The GL 500’s 5.5-litre V8 engine delivers 285 kW/388 hp and a torque of 530 Nm. Within 6.5 seconds the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h almost as quickly as a sports car, and the top speed of 240 km/h is also comparable. In the GL 450, the V8 petrol engine has a displacement of 4.6 litres, an output of 250 kW/340 hp and a maximum torque of 460 Nm. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h. The V8 diesel engine in the GL 450 CDI 4MATIC delivers 225 kW/306 hp, and its 700 Nm of torque create ideal conditions for achieving superior drive comfort.

Safe and agile both on and off the road

Besides featuring the innovative 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, the standard-fitted AIRMATIC air suspension, the high-precision direct steering system and the standard-fitted Adaptive Damping System (ADS), the imposing GL surprises customers with its impressive handling properties and ensures outstanding drive comfort and active safety. As a fully fledged off-roader, the GL performs well not only on the road but also when driving cross-country. The modified AIRMATIC system allows the vehicle to achieve a ground clearance of up to 307 millimetres. The Offroad-Pro technology package that is available as standard greatly improves manoeuvring in difficult terrain, thanks to the use of gear ratio reduction and multiple disc locks at the rear axle and the centre differential. The driver’s task is further simplified by additional electronic handling systems, such as Offroad ABS, Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) and anti-stall assist.

Technical data of the GL model range at a glance:

Model*	Cyl.	cc	kW/hp at rpm	Nm at rpm	0-100 km/h (s)	Top km/h	EU stan-dard	l/100 km NEDC comb.**
GL 350 CDI 4MATIC Blue- EFFICIENCY	V6	2,987	165/224 3,800	510 1,600-2,800	9.5	210	EU 4	9.3-9.6
GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC	V6	2,987	155/211 3,400	540 1,600-2,400	9.6	210	EU 6	9.0***
GL 450 CDI 4MATIC	V8	3,996	225/306 3,600	700 2,000-2,600	7.6	230	EU 4	11.6-11.8
GL 450 4MATIC	V8	4,663	250/340 6,000	460 2,700-5,000	7.2	235	EU 5	13.4-13.6
GL 500 4MATIC	V8	5,461	285/388 6,000	530 2,800-4,800	6.5	240	EU 5	13.6-13.8

*All models feature the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission; **depending on equipment package; ***preliminary values

BlueTEC campaign: R, ML and GL-Class now available in Europe with the world’s cleanest diesel technology

The GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC boast impressive performance, high torque, great fuel efficiency and low emissions, which make them some of the world’s cleanest premium SUVs. The latter two models can now also be ordered in Europe, where they will become available this autumn. The vehicles’ environmental friendliness was confirmed by the readers of Bild am Sonntag and a panel of experts who together awarded BlueTEC the “Green Steering Wheel”. The commission already certified last year that this technology has the greatest ecological potential of all of the currently available environmentally friendly automotive innovations.

BlueTEC — the synonym for environmentally friendly vehicles in the USA and now also in Europe

The history of BlueTEC in Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle models began in the USA in October 2006, when Mercedes-Benz launched a BlueTEC version of the E-Class saloon on the market to coincide with the introduction of low-sulphur diesel fuel. The vehicle immediately received great praise from customers and trade journalists alike and was voted the 2007 World Green Car. In the autumn of 2008, Mercedes-Benz added three new models to its range of BlueTEC vehicles: the R, ML and GL BlueTEC 4MATIC. These were the first diesel SUVs to meet the stringent emissions standards of all 50 US states. Besides the low emissions of the BlueTEC technology, US customers were impressed by the vehicles’ high fuel efficiency. The GL 320 BlueTEC 4MATIC, for example, consumes about 20 to 40 per cent less fuel than comparable petrol models, making it by far the most economical full-size luxury SUV in the USA.

Mercedes-Benz developed BlueTEC in order to effectively reduce the emissions of diesel vehicles. The technology focuses particularly on nitrogen oxides, as they are the only emission constituent in diesels that inherently exceeds the equivalent figure for a petrol engine. It involves injecting a non-toxic aqueous carbamide solution known as AdBlueÓ into the exhaust gas flow. This releases ammonia. In the downstream SCRcatalyst system the ammonia then converts up to 80 per cent of the nitrogen oxides into the harmless products nitrogen and water. In addition, the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC already fulfil the emissions limits of the EU 6 standard, which won’t go into effect until 2014.

The powerful V6 diesel engine of the new BlueTEC SUVs demonstrates that full-size SUVs can also achieve high fuel efficiency along with low emissions. This engine delivers 155 kW/211 hp and provides a torque of 540 Nm. As a result, it not only guarantees low emissions and high fuel efficiency but also superlative driving performance.

At a glance: Technical data, driving performance, fuel consumption

	ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC	GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC	R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
No. of cylinders/arrangement	V6
Bore x stroke (mm)	83 x 92
Compression ratio	1 : 16.5
Valves per cylinder	4
Displacement (cc)	2,987
kW/hp at rpm	155/211 at 3,400
Nm at rpm	540 at 1,600-2,400
*Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s)**	8.7	9.6	8.9
Maximum speed (km/h)*	210	210	216
Fuel consumption (l/100 km) NEDC comb.*	8.7	9.0	8.7
CO2 emissions (g/km)*	231	239	231
Fuel tank capacity (l)	95	100	80
Theoretical range (km)*	1,091	1,111	920
AdBlue© tank capacity (l)	26.6	31.7	28.2
AdBlue© range	Maintenance interval
Emission standard	EU 6

*preliminary values

The prices at a glance:

ML 350 BlueTEC: €48,400 (excl. VAT)
GL 350 BlueTEC: €60,850 (excl. VAT)
R 350 BlueTEC: €50,100 (excl. VAT)

Exclusive and extravagant: the R-Class “Grand Edition”

All engine and wheelbase versions of the R-Class (including the BlueTEC version) are also available in the especially extravagant “Grand Edition” equipment variant. This model, which also will become available in autumn 2009, will feature, among other things, exclusive 20-inch AMG bicolour light-alloy wheels as well as thermally insulated blue windows all-round. The vehicle’s special outfit is supplemented by bi-xenon headlamps with dynamic active light and cornering light functions, chrome-framed LED daytime driving lamps integrated into the front bumper and taillights in a dark sporty design. The interior features decorative wood trim made of anthracite-coloured poplar with chrome applications as well as the “Grand Edition” nameplate, the AMG ergonomic steering wheel with gearshift paddles, and sports pedals made of brushed stainless steel with rubber nobs. This equipment package can be ordered immediately for €3,300 plus VAT.

Mercedes AMG Sports Package Debuts For The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class And CL-Class

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:17:00 +0000

For the first time, there is an AMG Sports package for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the CL-Class. With revamped AMG bodystyling, attractive 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels and special interior details, both top Mercedes-Benz models can now be made more striking than ever in terms of sportiness. The appealing combination of exclusive equipment features, many of which are not available separately, is proving increasingly popular with customers. The AMG Sports package is now available for five Mercedes model types.

New AMG bodystyling, including a front apron with large air intakes, enhances the visual impact of the S-Class and the CL-Class. The rear apron with a striking black insert and integrated, rectangular tailpipe trim in polished stainless steel is also eye-catching. AMG side sill panels round off the AMG bodystyling. 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with a five-spoke design and wide-base 255/40 (front) and 275/40 (rear) tyres fill the wheel arches perfectly and provide optimum contact with the road. 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels are available as an option in a twin-spoke design with 255/35 and 275/35 tyres. Mounted on the front axle there are perforated brake discs and silver-painted brake callipers featuring Mercedes-Benz lettering; the V6 models have a more generously proportioned braking system.

Wood trim and the wood/leather steering wheel in black ash give the high-quality vehicle interior a dynamic feel. The AMG Sports package also includes velour floor mats with AMG lettering and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs.

AMG once again provides the Official F1™ Safety Car and Official F1™ Medical Car: SL 63 AMG and C 63 AMG Estate to continue to help ensure maximum saf

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The SL 63 AMG, as the Official F1™ Safety Car, and the C 63 AMG Estate, as the Official F1™ Medical Car, are to continue to help ensure maximum safety, this time for the 2009 Formula 1 season. AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, will be on duty with the two specially prepared high-performance vehicles at all 17 of the new season's Formula 1 races, starting with a first appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (27 to 29 March 2009). The specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are responsible for the development, production and servicing of the vehicles.

The Official F1™ Safety Car is always deployed whenever the safety of a race is threatened by accidents, adverse weather conditions or other hazardous situations. Sitting behind the wheel of the exceptional SL 63 AMG will be Bernd Mayländer (Germany, 37 years of age). After receiving instructions from the race management, the former DTM driver must go to the head of the Formula 1 field and safely guide the world's fastest racing drivers around the circuit. Fast lap times are a must for the Safety Car, because otherwise the Formula 1 engines would overheat - and their tyres and brakes would also cool down excessively.

As in 2008, the role of the Official F1™ Safety Car is also being fulfilled during this year's new season by the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. Its distinctive driving dynamics are a basic requirement for its challenging Formula 1 assignment: the AMG6.3-litre V8 engine has a power output of 386 kW/525 hp, providing acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. A newly developed AMG sport exhaust system with larger pipe diameter and special rear silencers allows the high-revving AMG naturally aspirated engine to breathe even more freely - and gives it an even sportier sound. Outstanding driving dynamics are guaranteed by the newly developed AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with column shift, which makes it possible to change gear in just 100 milliseconds.

Special coil-over suspension and cooling measures

Optimum racetrack performance is guaranteed thanks to the specially developed coil-over suspension, which can be customised to a specific racetrack by means of individual suspension setup configurations. The combination of 3-stage ESP® and rear-axle differential lock with 30 percent locking effect provides optimum traction in all weather conditions. In the interests of reliability even at tropical ambient temperatures, the vehicle incorporates large-size, additional coolers for engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering.

Special cooling measures and heavy-duty composite braking system

The front and rear axles feature 19-inch extra-light AMGforged light-alloy wheels. The 8.5-inch (front) and 9.5-inch (rear) rims are fitted with tyres of size 255/35 and 285/30, respectively. The design of the rims, with their intricately styled double spokes, optimizes both the cooling of the highly stressed braking system and the specially engineered cooling-air flow. Optimum fatigue resistance and best-possible deceleration values are among the self-evident characteristics of the AMGhigh-performance braking system, which is equipped all round with internally ventilated composite brake discs. The front axle is fitted with six-piston fixed callipers and discs of size 390 x 36 millimetres, while the rear axle features four-piston fixed callipers with brake discs of size 360 x 26 millimetres.

220 kilograms lighter than the series-production vehicle thanks to targeted lightweight design measures

Thanks to targeted lightweight design measures, the SL 63 AMG Safety Car weighs in lighter than its series-production counterpart - and this is despite additional cooling measures, lighting system and communications equipment. The engine bonnet, front and rear aprons, front wings and luggage compartment lid are produced from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, a material that has been tried and tested in motorsports. Since the Safety Car is always driven with its top up, the vario roof has also been dispensed with. The result is a weight reduction of 220 kilograms, with the Safety Car weighing in at just 1750 kilograms (with a full tank and without occupants).

Apart from its special roof attachments and F1 logos, the SL 63 AMG Official F1™ Safety Car is distinguished from the standard-production AMG high-performance roadster by a front apron with larger cooling-air openings. A prominent feature at the rear of the vehicle is the modified diffuser insert in the rear apron, which incorporates the active rear-axle cooling, this compensating for temperature peaks in the highly stressed differential housing. The white LED flashlights in the headlamps and tail lamps are always in operation whenever the vehicle is in use and have a neutral signalling function. The number plate with Safety Car lettering on the rear is illuminated by means of almost 700 LEDs and guarantees even greater safety, particularly in rain or darkness.

Interior with undiluted motorsport flair

The inside of the Safety Car is dominated by an atmosphere of undiluted motorsport flair. The workplaces of Bernd Mayländer and his co-driver feature two AMGsports bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, trim parts in real carbon fibre, black leather appointments and the AMG performance steering wheel with its 365-millimetre steering wheel rim, flat underside and AMGaluminium shift paddles. The centre console is equipped with two monitors to enable the crew of the Safety Car to supervise the action on the racetrack, while the two-way radio system allows them to remain in contact with the race management.

C 63 AMG Estate: the Official F1™ Medical Car

In addition to the Safety Car, another permanent feature of each Formula 1 race is the C 63 AMG Estate Official F1™ Medical Car. At the start of every Grand Prix, the high-speed AMGestate car follows the Formula 1 field on the first lap. This is because the first lap represents a critical phase of the race in which the Formula 1 vehicles are especially tightly bunched. In the event of an accident during the race, the Medical Car is the first vehicle on the scene and is able to guarantee the fastest possible emergency treatment.

This C 63 AMG Estate has excellent credentials for such a challenging task, where literally every second counts: the high-performance estate vehicle is powered by the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, which delivers 336 kW/457 hp and 600 Newtonmetres of torque. The AMG sport exhaust system boasts larger pipe diameters and new rear silencers, this resulting in a considerably more distinctive sound that comes out of the two chrome-plated dual tailpipes. In order to guarantee greater reliability, the cooling of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil and power steering has been optimized, this being visible also from the new AMG front apron with its considerably larger cooling-air openings. The power from the engine is transmitted via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC PLUS, which blips the throttle when changing down for even greater smoothness. Perfect traction is guaranteed by the combination of 3-stage ESP® and differential lock with 35 percent locking effect.

Coil-over suspension and AMG high-performance braking system

An adjustable coil-over suspension and 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, measuring 8 and 9 inches wide and fitted with tyres of sizes 235/35 (front) and 255/30 (rear), respectively, help to ensure perfect contact with the road. The powerful AMGhigh-performance braking system, with its internally ventilated and perforated composite brake discs on the front axle, guarantees extremely short stopping distances. The Official F1™ Medical Car differs from the standard-production C 63 AMG Estate with its new AMGfront apron with larger cooling-air openings as well as special brake cooling. The active cooling of the rear-axle differential is integrated into the diffuser insert at the rear. Like the Safety Car, the Medical Car, too, draws attention to its special role on the track through its F1 logos, roof bar and strobe-like LED flashlights at front and rear. Enhanced visibility in darkness or bad weather is ensured by the LED-illuminated number plate with Medical Car lettering on the boot lid tailgate.

The Official F1™ Medical Car is driven by racing driver Alan van de Merwe (South Africa). His co-driver is Dr. Gary Hartstein (Belgium), who is the official FIA Grand Prix Chief Medical Officer. Both of them are accommodated in AMGsports bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, as are the two medical assistants in the rear. Two monitors in the centre console help the crew to supervise the action on the racetrack, while an on-board two-way radio system is responsible for communication with the race management. The functional feel of the interior is marked by black leather appointments and aluminium trim parts. The 365-millimetre AMG performance steering wheel with its flat underside on the steering wheel rim and AMGaluminium shift paddles guarantees perfect control over the vehicle. With its unrivalled volume of 485 litres, the luggage compartment offers ample space for the full complement of emergency equipment, including defibrillator and respirator.

Transfer from motorsport to series production

Both the SL 63 AMG Official F1™ Safety Car and the C 63 AMG Estate Official F1™ Medical Car impressively document the transfer from motorsport to series production. With reference to the example of the SL 63 AMG, numerous components in the Safety Car are available straight from the factory. The AMGPerformance Package includes, for instance, the 360-millimetre composite disc brakes on the front axle; the rear-axle differential lock; the 19-inch AMG light-alloy forged wheels and the AMG performance steering wheel. The same is true of the Medical Car: the AMG Performance Package for the C 63 AMG (saloon and estate models) includes, for example, the composite disc brakes on the front axle, the rear-axle differential lock, the AMG performance suspension and the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/alcantara. The 19-inch AMGlight-alloy wheels are optionally available.

AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO responsible for development

The development, track-testing and production of the two Safety Cars and the two Medical Cars - in both cases, there is one emergency vehicle and one replacement vehicle available - is carried out by the specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO in close collaboration with the test team for AMGoverall vehicle development. This involves drawing on over 40 years of know-how from the field of motorsport as well as the wealth of experience in the design of high-performance sports automobiles. Numerous test drives were carried out on various Formula 1 racetracks in order to tune the suspension and verify all the systems and components. Two highly-qualified AMG technicians are also on hand to take responsibility for the deployment of the Safety Car and Medical Car at all 17 Formula 1 races.

Since 1996: eight generations of safety cars from AMG

For 12 years AMGhas continuously provided the Official F1™ Safety Car and the Official F1™ Medical Car in the top flight of international motorsport.

All AMG Safety Cars at a glance

1996: C 36 AMG (W 202)
from 1997: CLK 55 AMG (C 208)
2000: CL 55 AMG (C 215)
from 2001: SL 55 AMG (R 230)
2003: CLK 55 AMG (C 209)
from 2004: SLK 55 AMG (R 171)
from 2006: CLK 63 AMG (C 209)
from 2008: SL 63 AMG (R 230)

All AMG Medical Cars at a glance

1996: C 36 AMG (W 202)
1997: C 36 AMG (W 202); E 60 AMG (W 210)
from 1998: C 55 AMG Estate (S 202)
from 2001: C 32 AMG Estate (S 203)
from 2004: C 55 AMG Estate (S 203)
from 2008: C 63 AMG Estate (S 204)

As early as 1984, an AMG E-Class Coupé with V8 engine was used occasionally as the Medical Car. Consequently, the activities of the Affalterbach-based company are also evidence of Mercedes-Benz's long-standing commitment to Formula 1.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster Concept Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:51:00 +0000

In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession, the trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the F-CELL Roadster. This project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments. The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience.

"This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training," said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. "I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project."

Tradition meets the future

The F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction. As an allusion to the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle is fitted with large spoked wheels. Moreover, the F-CELL Roadster incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section, based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.

The F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

Source: MBUSA

2010 Mercedes E63 AMG Sedan Teased

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Here's a teaser for the upcoming E63 AMG sedan, which will be unveiled next month at the New York auto show.

That's an un-identified man, likely a Mercedes-Benz executive, getting cute with the camera and showing us the face of the car. Luckily, we have spy photographers that can get us a better look, and we've already seen several sets of shots of this E63 AMG sedan.

Mercedes has been rather patient-less recently with the launch of AMG models, with AMG variants coming on the heels of new launches without the marketing folks taking too much time in-between to build anticipation. Perhaps they have their reasons for the strategy. But it's, no doubt, good news for those waiting on an AMG E-Class like this one.

Details on the new E63 are still few. There's a 6.3 liter V8 under the hood, with 525 hp and 630 Nm of twisting power churning at the 7-speed automatic transmission, already seen in the SL 63 AMG. Those power ratings are evidence that AMG does, indeed, believe that the horsepower wars are over, as it declared a few months ago, since competitors like the RS6 (579 hp) feature more thunderous numbers.

But it may be just that, a horsepower number that AMG can match with weight reduction and better aerodynamics, which it has promised to do. We'll have to see the E63 take a few laps around the track to see how much progress AMG has made with the model, but the performance division has already shown it has the technology to make up for less power upratings.

Price tag is expected to be somewhere over 80,000 euros in Germany, likely closer to 90,000.

Source: World Car Fans

Mercedes E 63 AMG Spy Video

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:39:00 +0000

Mercedes is making something of a tradition out of introducing the AMG versions of its latest vehicles at the New York Auto Show. It's easy to see why; spend just a few minutes on the streets of Manhattan and it's clear that New Yorkers love Mercedes products. It's only fitting that the most entertaining versions debut here, within blocks of Broadway. This year is expected to be no different, with the 2010 E 63 AMG looking ready to make its debut at the oldest auto show in North America. The recent increase in disguise-free spy photos also points to an official unveiling in the next few weeks.

As is its modus operandi, the upcoming AMG version of the new Mercedes E-Class "goes to eleven," to paraphrase the movie "This Is Spinal Tap." Actually, it's an apt quip, because the 2010 E 63 AMG goes up by eleven--horsepower, that is. Mercedes has announced that the updated sports sedan will make its official debut at the New York Auto Show next month, with a 6.3 liter V8 whose output has been increased by eleven horsepower, to 525. The seven-speed automatic transmission from the SL 63 AMG is also installed, to handle the 630 Nm of torque on tap.

The increase in power is accompanied by suspension improvements as well. According to preliminary information, the track has been widened, with complementary body modifications, and the E 63 AMG features a rear air suspension.

Eighteen-inch wheels and improved brakes are likely also on the menu. For more details, we'll have to wait until New York.
Pricing for the E 63 AMG is expected to be around 90,000 euros when it goes on sale later this year in Germany. An estate/wagon version is also expected to make its debut in the fall at Frankfurt.

Mercedes S-Class Coupe Spy Video

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:05:00 +0000

The new E-Class Coupe

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:01:00 +0000

AMG Driving Academy 2009/2010 Invites Registrations

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:06:00 +0000

Driving at high speeds, improving active handling safety and enjoying unforgettable events with like-minded people - all this is what the AMG Driving Academy stands for. The new programme for the 2009/2010 season offers an even wider choice of events during which sports car enthusiasts with racing ambitions can improve their driving skills under the guidance of professional instructors. A new member of this team of experienced AMG instructors is the former DTM, ITC and FIA-GT Champion Bernd Schneider, one of Germany 's most successful racing drivers.

The programme of events of the AMG Driving Academyfounded in 2007 is divided into five different skill levels: EMOTION, BASIC, ADVANCED, PRO and MASTERS. The choice extends from lifestyle-oriented events and race training events where the participants take their first steps towards the physical limits, right up to intensive racetrack training of a competitive nature - with varying levels of difficulty, and tailor-made to the individual needs of the participants. One new highlight in the EMOTION Tour calendar is a drive to Lake Constance and through the landscapes of Vorarlberg to Bregenz/Austria. This is followed by a performance of "Aida", the world-famous opera by Giuseppi Verdi, on the lakeside stage in Bregenz.

During the performance-oriented events in the AMG Driving Academy programme, drivers gradually learn to assess and master critical situations in complete safety - on legendary racetracks such as the North Loop of the Nürburgring or the Grand Prix circuit in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. In this way the participants automatically sharpen their reflexes and improve their active handling safety. Licensed instructors with great motorsports experience impart their extensive knowledge in a professional manner. The learning effect is therefore directly combined with driving pleasure and passion.

One special event is the AMG Winter Sporting in Arjeplog (Sweden) close to the Arctic Circle: the AMG high-performance vehicles provided are driven exclusively on expanses of ice. All the vehicles are equipped with special, spiked tyres that ensure a precisely defined level of grip. The brand-new, exclusive AMGLodge situated amidst the breathtaking scenery of Swedish Lapland is a real highlight: opened in 2009, this AMG-owned hotel on Galtis Hill near Arjeplog offers a wonderful view across the forests and lakes of the region. The luxurious rooms, first-class restaurant and large spa facility with a pool and fitness studio guarantee a very pleasant stay.

AMG MASTERS Sports Trophy with a unique first prize

Sheer excitement and vehicle control at the highest level are the order of the day for the AMGMASTERS Sports Trophy. As part of this particularly exclusive, high-class AMG competition series, the participants have the benefit of intensive, individual racetrack training combined with medical care by trained sports therapists. Together with the contestants, AMG specialists with enormous know-how configure the most suitable, personal suspension setup for each vehicle. In 2009 the three to four-day events will take place at the Sachsenring (Germany), in Zandvoort (Netherlands), in Brno (Czechia) and at the Ascari Race Resort (Spain). The 25 drivers taking part in each event will collect points for the overall ranking, with a unique first prize awaiting the eventual winner: he will have the opportunity to drive the current AMGMercedes C-Class used in the DTM series. The dates of all driver training events, plus brochures and registration forms, can be downloaded from the updated homepage: ww.mercedes-amg.com/driving-academy.

Source: MBUSA

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Chassis And Suspension

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:04:00 +0000

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.

Mercedes-Benz has modified several aspects of the three-link front suspension with McPherson struts and, as a result, has achieved excellent results in terms of ride comfort. In the interests of optimal axle kinematics, more favourable vibration characteristics and enhanced safety, the lower link level consists of two individual elements that serve as torque and cross struts. As well as offering more precise wheel location, the main benefit of these struts is that they allow better compensation for vibrations caused by tyre imbalance and fluctuations in braking forces than rigid wishbones. In addition, more crumple space is available in the event of a frontal crash. The third front-axle link is the track rod which connects the transversely installed steering gear to the wheels.

The spring struts consist of cylindrical, transverse force-compensating coil springs, double-tube shock absorbers and newly developed three-phase head bearings. In order to further optimise ride comfort, the Mercedes experts have chosen a starkly upright position for the spring strut so as to reduce the forces acting on the torque strut bearing. As a consequence, it was possible to reduce the bearing rigidity, which has a positive effect on the chassis' tyre/road contact characteristics and rolling characteristics – for example when driving over expansion joints running across the road. The front anti-roll bar is connected to the spring strut, which is likewise actively involved in locating the front wheels.

Intelligent use of aluminium and steel reduces the weight of the front axle by twelve percent compared to the outgoing model. The forwards-slanting torque struts and the cross struts are made of aluminium.

High-strength subframes for axle, steering, engine and transmission

The front-axle components, steering gear, engine and transmission are pre-mounted on a high-strength-steel subframe which is bolted securely to the body's side members, making it a key component in the front crash structure of the new E-Class: in the event of a frontal impact, the subframe forms a separate load-bearing path along which the impact energy is absorbed at specific points (see page 56). The stiffness at the connecting points between the subframe and the body where load is transferred as a result of the forces and vibrations produced by the chassis and suspension has been increased substantially, all of which translates into more agile and more precise handling.

Steering: variable ratio for exceptional safety and agile handling

As well as modifying the chassis and suspension, the Mercedes experts have newly developed the steering for the new E-Class, thus further enhancing steering precision, response and steering comfort. Standard equipment for the new E‑Class includes rack-and-pinion power steering with a variable ratio, which is more indirect in the central position compared to the outgoing model and, therefore, helps to improve directional stability and road adhesion at high speed. When the steering wheel angle exceeds around 100 degrees, the ratio becomes more direct to reduce the number of steering wheel turns required to park or manoeuvre.

Mercedes-Benz offers the Direct-Steer system that has proven such a resounding success in the SL-Class as an optional extra (standard for the V6 and V8 models). It fully lives up to its name by providing the driver with more direct response when cornering and, therefore, even more agile handling. In short, it delivers even more driving enjoyment. Hence the Direct-Steer system offers all the benefits of the previously installed speed-sensitive power steering system – less steering effort is required at low speed, when manoeuvring or parking, for example – whilst also enhancing handling dynamics.

The variable rack ratio, which adjusts in line with the steering angle, increases sharply as soon as the angle reaches five degrees, meaning that the driver does not have to move the steering wheel a great deal when cornering. The E-Class responds more spontaneously, and the driver has even more control over the car when greater manoeuvrability and agility are required, such as when driving on twisting country roads, i.e. at medium speed and with medium steering angles.

In other driving situations, meanwhile, the system offers the same advantages as the proven speed-sensitive power steering system and even goes one step further in some cases. For instance, the new Mercedes steering can be even more indirectly configured in the central position than previous steering systems, giving the driver an exceptionally assured steering feel when driving at high speed as well as improving straight-ahead driving and directional stability. When driving slowly or parking, the new technology combines with the speed-sensitive power steering to provide even more comfort than before because the direct ratio further reduces the steering effort required.

A further highlight is the power steering pump featuring an electrically controlled solenoid valve which controls a bypass opening and, as a result, allows metering of the oil quantity in line with requirements. This setup reduces the pressure and oil quantity when driving straight ahead – the power steering pump operates with a substantially reduced output and, consequently, helps to save fuel.

As previously, the E-Class is equipped with an individually adjustable steering column with a height adjustment range of +/- 25 millimetres and a reach adjustment range of 25 millimetres – meaning that, in this regard, the new E‑Class offers far more adjustability than other saloons in this market segment. A fully electrically adjustable steering wheel is included if the optional Memory package is ordered. To greatly enhance occupant safety, the steering column has been designed to collapse telescopically when hit by the driver with a certain degree of force in the event of a frontal collision. The extended deformation path, which is up to 100 millimetres longer, reduces the forces exerted on the driver's upper body if a collision occurs.

Rear axle: multi-link independent suspension modified in several key areas

Mercedes' multi-link independent suspension, which has proven itself time and again over a period spanning more than 25 years, has been further modified for use in the new E-Class in order to meet more stringent requirements in terms of comfort and agility. Modifications include the axle carrier's front cross-bar, which now has a larger support base at the connecting points with the car's body. As a consequence, the forces that can be transferred into the passenger cell are reduced: a comfort benefit that is particularly noticeable when driving over expansion joints running across the road, for example.

In keeping with the lightweight-design concept at the heart of the new E-Class, wheel location components such as struts, hub carriers and the metal sections of the elastomer bearings are largely made of aluminium. The rear-axle subframe is made of high-strength steel.

AVANTGARDE chassis with lowered body

As well as the standard-fit DIRECT CONTROL suspension with steel springs and amplitude-dependent damping system, Mercedes-Benz offers sports-tuned suspension with reinforced anti-roll bars and 17-inch light-alloy wheels for the AVANTGARDE line. If this suspension system, also available as an optional extra for the other model variants, is specified, the body is lowered by 15 millimetres.

If the AMG Sports package is ordered, the AVANTGARDE chassis is also equipped with 18-inch wheels, larger brakes and perforated front brake discs.

Air suspension: available in combination with continuously adaptive damping system for the first time

The new E-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature a combination of AIRMATIC air suspension and an electronically controlled damping system that adapts the damper characteristics with continuously variable control – individually for each wheel. This air suspension setup is available as an option for the V6‑powered E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY models and for the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 4MATIC and E 350 4MATIC models; it is fitted as standard for the E 500/E 500 4MATIC models.

A total of seven sensors monitor the driving situation and the position of the body, sending their information to an electronic control unit, which also processes information concerning road speed, steering wheel angle, braking torque and engine torque, using this data to calculate the optimum shock-absorber characteristics. The system adjusts the damping force for each wheel individually, depending on the current road conditions and driving situation. When driving normally, soft damping settings are also selected if the road surface is poor. This mode offers the E-Class occupants maximum comfort without impairing the outstanding directional stability, road adhesion or handling safety. As the driving style becomes more dynamic, the shock-absorber settings are adapted continuously and therefore meet the driver's need for enhanced agility.

The driver can pre-program the principal vehicle characteristics at the push of a button on the dashboard. There are two modes to choose from: "Comfort" or "Sport". In Sport mode, the hydraulic forces of the shock absorbers are increased so as to allow even better directional stability and road adhesion at high speeds as well as reduce understeer at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Newly developed McPherson struts

The Mercedes engineers have newly developed or modified many key aspects of the air suspension system. One particular highlight is the wheel-locating McPherson air suspension strut on the front axle, which combines the shock absorber, air bellows and air reservoir. The air bellows is much larger than on the outgoing model and has been further optimised using a new material. The special shape of the air bellows made it possible to use a McPherson air suspension strut in a luxury saloon for the first time.

Likewise, the experts paid special attention to the head bearings for the new air suspension struts, which have to transfer all the forces and, therefore, need to be capable of withstanding extremely high loads in both the compression and rebound stages. These requirements are fulfilled by an extremely rigid, diecast-aluminium flange that supports the bearing. It is the result of painstaking computer simulations and calculations of the complex interplay between the spring strut and the body. Its special design ensures ten times greater stiffness at the point where forces are applied in the air suspension strut area compared to the outgoing model. As a consequence, the newly developed spring strut bearings are one of the main reasons behind the exemplary vibration characteristics at the front of the car. Incidentally, the same benefits are achieved even if steel suspension is fitted.

Brakes: with Hill-Start assist and brake drying function

With the ADAPTIVE BRAKE, the new E-Class offers an innovative braking system incorporating additional assistance functions for even greater comfort and safety. One example of this is the practical HOLD function: after the E-Class has been braked to a standstill, briefly pressing the brake pedal a little further is all that is required to activate this function. The car is then held by the brakes, even if the driver's foot comes off the brake pedal. In this way, the ADAPTIVE BRAKE prevents the car from rolling forwards when stopped at traffic lights or stuck in stop‑and-go traffic and from rolling backwards when facing up a slope. The HOLD function is deactivated automatically when the car moves off.

If the driver's foot moves abruptly from the accelerator to the brake pedal before an emergency stop, the brake system increases the pressure in the brake lines and brings the pads into contact with the brake discs so that maximum braking power is available as soon as the driver hits the brake pedal. This priming of the brakes allows the system to assist the standard-fit Brake Assist system.

The ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances safety in the wet by sending brief braking pulses at regular intervals to remove the film of moisture from the brake discs, allowing the brakes to work to full effect. This automatic brake drying function is always activated when the windscreen wipers on the E-Class have been operating for a certain time; the driver never even notices these precisely metered brake pulses.

Finally, the ADAPTIVE BRAKE assists the driver with hill starts. If the sensors detect that the Saloon is stopped on an uphill slope, a hill-start-assist function is activated automatically, maintaining a constant brake pressure for a brief period to prevent the E-Class from rolling backwards. The driver therefore has enough time to move their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator without having to use the foot-operated parking brake.

Even more effective brake discs and brake booster

Large front and rear brake discsprovide an ideal technical basis for ensuring safe and reliable deceleration in any driving situation. The front and rear discs measure up to 344 millimetres and 320 millimetres in diameter respectively, depending on the engine version.

Brake data and dimensions at a glance:

Front axle	E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY	E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 BlueTEC, E 250 CGI BlueFFICIENCY, E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY	E 500
Brake calliper Brake disc Diameter Thickness	Single-piston sliding Internally ventilated 295 mm 28 mm	Single-piston sliding Internally ventilated 322 mm 32 mm	Four-piston sliding* Internally ventilated 344 mm 32 mm
Rear axle
Brake calliper Brake disc Diameter Thickness	Single-piston sliding Solid 300 mm 10 mm	Single-piston sliding Internally ventilated 300 mm 22 mm (10 mm for E 250 CDI/E 250 CGI)	Single-piston sliding Internally ventilated 320 mm 24 mm

*composite aluminium and nodular-cast-iron design

For brake cooling, the Mercedes engineers have developed two-section aluminium cover plates which have been tested in the wind tunnel and ensure that, whilst driving, the cool air flows from the underbody into the wheel arches and, ultimately, to the brake discs.

Further technical highlights in the new E-Class include the pedals. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz has used a steel and plastic hybrid design for the pedal support, which reduces weight and takes up less space than the previously used technology. The brake pedal, made from two shells that are welded together, is attached in this support. The shell design likewise helps to reduce weight and also ensures high torsional stiffness and bending strength.

Control systems: electronics for safe motorin

When it comes to active safety systems too, the E-Class features an array of state-of-the-art technology as standard, including anti-lock brakes, acceleration skid control, Brake Assist and the Electronic Stability Program. For ESP®, Mercedes‑Benz has developed control logicthat offers the driver even more effective assistance in critical cornering situations: precisely measured brake pulses sent to up to three wheels cause a moderate reduction in the car's speed and help it to turn into the bend.

ESP® vehicle/trailer stabilisation, which is activated if the E-Class is equipped with a trailer coupling, detects dangerous oscillating movements of the trailer and restabilises it automatically by sending precisely measured brake pulses to the front wheels of the towing vehicle. If the danger is even more acute, the system applies the brakes to reduce the car's speed automatically as well as reducing the engine torque before the precisely measured brake pulses are sent to the wheels to stabilise the trailer.

As an option, Mercedes-Benz can equip the new E-Class with a swivelling trailer coupling featuring a ball head that does not need to be fitted and removed every time it is used. Together with the socket, it swivels forwards underneath the body and cannot be seen when not in use. The E-Class has a maximum towing capacity of up to 2100 kilograms (braked) – a new record in this vehicle category.

The Electronic Stability Program also monitors the tyre inflation pressure and, if one of the tyres loses pressure suddenly, warns the driver. To do this, the system continuously compares the wheel speeds, which are dependent on the road speed, the vehicle load and the tyre inflation pressure. In addition, the control unit also analyses other dynamic handling-related ESP®sensor signals such as lateral acceleration, yaw rate and wheel torques in order to diagnose pressure loss in a tyre. Hence the system can detect discrepancies and indicate the information on a central display for the driver.

In order to ensure continued mobility in the event of a flat tyre, Mercedes-Benz offers the option of run-flat tyres. These are available in 245/45 R 17 format and feature self-supporting sidewalls, enabling Mercedes customers to continue driving for up to 50 kilometres at 80 km/h, depending on the vehicle load.

Wheels and tyres: 16-inch light-alloy wheels as standard

The range of wheels and tyres for the new E-Class offers a wealth of personalisation options for the Saloon. Mercedes customers have a choice of twelve wheel and tyre combinations in 16-, 17- or 18-inch format. The four-cylinder E 200 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY, E 220 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY and E 200 CGIBlueEFFICIENCY models are equipped with 16-inch nine-spoke light-alloy wheels and low-rolling-resistance 205/60 R 16 tyres as standard. Thanks to a special forging technique, the weight of the wheels has been reduced by a total of 9.6 kilograms.

For the E 250 CDI, E 350 CDI, E 350 BlueTEC, E 250 CGIand E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY models, Mercedes fits 225/55 R 16 tyres and 7.5 J x 16 light-alloy wheels as standard. The top-of-the-range E 500 model is shod with 18-inch light-alloy wheels and 245/45 R 17 tyres ex factory.

For the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines, and for the AMGSports package, the Mercedes designers have selected special wheels and tyre sizes as standard equipment:

ELEGANCE:
ten-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in
7.5 J x 16 format, tyre size 225/55 R 16

AVANTGARDE
five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in
8 J x 17 format, tyre size 245/45 R 17

AMG Sports package:
five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
front: 8.5 J x 18 format with 245/40 R 18 tyres
rear: 9 J x 18 format with 265/35 R 18 tyres

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Drive System

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:03:00 +0000

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.

In the case of the petrol models too, "more power and more driving pleasure with even lower fuel consumption" proves to be the perfect formula: the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCYmodel with direct petrol injection has a displacement of 1.8 litres and an output of 135 kW/184 hp yet consumes a mere 6.8 litres of premium unleaded petrol per 100 kilometres (provisional NEDC combined figure). Plus the CO2 emissions figures for the four-cylinder petrol models are more than a fifth lower than those for the outgoing models.

As with carbon dioxide emissions, the engines for the new E-Class have also taken a further major step towards the future when it comes to exhaust gas emissions: all of the powerplants meet the requirements of the EU 5 standard, whose limits are up to 80 percent more stringent than those in previous standards. And with the new E 350 BlueTEC, Mercedes-Benz offers the world's cleanest diesel, undercutting the limits of the EU 6 standard, which is not even due to come into force until 2014.

Diesel engines: newly developed four-cylinder model with a choice of three power outputs

The newly developed diesel engine extends the range of four-cylinder CDI units for the E-Class to three. These engines span the power output range from 100 kW/136 hp to 150 kW/204 hp; fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in all the new four-cylinder diesel engines have been reduced to just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres and 139 grams per kilometre respectively (NEDC combined fuel consumption).

The technical advances made by the Mercedes-Benz engine designers responsible for this new four-cylinder diesel unit can also be seen in the performance figures: the most powerful variant, with an output of 150 kW/204 hp, outperforms its predecessor by 20 percent yet has the same displacement. Plus the peak torque has been increased by 25 percent from 400 to 500 N m. When it comes to speci fic output too, the powerplant posts a new record: 70 kW/95 hp and 233 Nm per litre of displacement.

The new engines are characterised by high output, agile response and exceptional pulling power. Plus they are exceptionally refined for four-cylinder units. Then there is the highly impressive agility, reflected in the performance figures, for example: the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds, while the sprint from 80 to 120 km/h takes the Saloon a mere 9.7 seconds. The E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY developing 125 kW/170 PS takes 9.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standing start and accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in 11.3 seconds, while the E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY completes the burst from zero to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and from 80 to 120 km/h in 13.2 seconds.

A wealth of innovative technologies has been implemented to enable the four-cylinder diesel engines to achieve their exceptional power and torque characteristics, economy, emissions performance and refinement, including new developments that do not currently feature in any other standard-production diesel engine for passenger cars.

Fourth-generation common-rail technology with piezo injectors

This series of four-cylinder engines sees Mercedes-Benz introducing fourth-generation common-rail direct injection into series production. One of its hallmarks is a 400-bar increase in the maximum rail pressure, which now stands at 2000 bar for the E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the E 250 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY models. This increased pressure potential was a key factor in raising the engine output to up to 150 kW/204 hp and the peak torque to 500 Nm whilst also achieving a significant cut in untreated emissions.

Newly developed piezo injectors are key components in the latest CDIgeneration. They use their piezoceramic properties to change their crystal structure – and therefore their thickness – in a matter of nanoseconds when electrical voltage is applied. The injectors are equipped with a stack of thin piezoceramic layers (called the "piezo stack") to enable them to achieve a sufficient overall lift from the very small lift per layer. In contrast to the systems commonly used to date, this lift activates the nozzle needle directly, so that the fuel injection can be adjusted more precisely in line with the current load and engine-speed situation – for example by means of precise multiple injections, which have a favourable effect on emissions, fuel consumption and combustion noise. What's more, the engine is far quieter when idling than its predecessor.

Another key factor behind the impressive output and fuel consumption at full load with respect to emissions is the maximum ignition pressure. And, with 200 bar, the new four-cylinder diesel unit from Mercedes-Benz is among the leading contenders in the field of passenger-car diesel engines.

Impressive torque yield thanks to two-stage turbocharging

The new diesel engine in the E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY models marks the debut of two-stage turbocharging in a standard-production diesel engine for passenger cars at Mercedes-Benz. The aim is to achieve further advantages compared to a single-stage turbocharger, for example a further improvement in start-up performance and peak output. A single-stage turbocharger with variable nozzle turbines is used in the E 200 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY model. The lower engine power allows a smaller turbocharger to be used and, therefore, ensures likewise excellent start-up performance.

The compact module for the new two-stage turbocharger consists of a small high-pressure (HP) turbocharger and a large low-pressure (LP) turbocharger. These are connected in series, and each has a turbine and a compressor driven by this turbine. The HP turbine is located directly at the exhaust manifold and initially allows exhaust gas to flow through it; it then rotates at up to 215,000 revolutions per minute. The HP turbine housing features an integral bypass duct, which can be opened or closed by means of a charge-pressure control flap triggered by a vacuum cell. If the flap is closed, the whole exhaust stream flows through the HP turbine, meaning that the exhaust-gas energy is available solely for the HP turbine drive. This means that the optimum charge pressure can be built up at low engine revs.

As the engine speed increases, the charge-pressure control flap opens, primarily to prevent the HP turbocharger from becoming overloaded. A portion of the exhaust stream then flows through the bypass duct to relieve the HP section. Downstream of the HP turbine, the two exhaust gas streams join up again, and any remaining exhaust gas energy drives the HP turbine at a maximum speed of up to 185,000 revolutions per minute.To protect against overloading, the LP turbine is also equipped with a bypass, which is opened or closed by means of a wastegate. Once the engine reaches medium revs, the HP turbine's charge-pressure control flap is opened so wide that the HP turbine ceases to perform any appreciable work. This allows the full exhaust gas energy to be directed with low losses into the LP turbine, which then does all of the turbine work.

The two compressors are likewise connected in series and are in addition connected to a bypass duct. The combustion air from the air cleaner first flows through the low-pressure compressor, where it is compressed as a function of the LP turbine's operating energy input. This pre-compressed air then passes into the high-pressure compressor, which is coupled to the HP turbine, where it undergoes further compression – the result is a genuine two-stage turbocharging process.

The key benefit of this sophisticated, on-demand control of the combustion air supply by means of two turbochargers is the improved cylinder charging and, consequently, a high torque even at low revs. What's more, fuel consumption is reduced. During normal operation, the advantages of this concept can be seen in the harmoni ous driving characteristics without turbo lag, a good torque curve across the entire engine speed range, spontaneous throttle response and noticeably improved performance.

As a logical addition to the turbocharger system, Mercedes-Benz installs a larger intercooler than the one seen in the previous models, which reduces the temperature of the compressed and heated air by around 140 degrees Celsius so that a larger volume of air can enter the combustion chambers.

Lower NOx emissions thanks to cooled exhaust gas recirculation

The newly developed EGRvalve works like a rotary disc valve and ensures precise control of the fresh air and recirculated exhaust gas. So as to optimise the quantity of exhaust gas recirculated and thereby achieve high recirculation rates, the exhaust gases are cooled down as required in a highly efficient heat exchanger with a large cross-sectional area. Together with the HFM (hot-film air-mass sensor) module integrated in the fresh-air ducting, which provides the engine control unit with precise information about the current fresh-air mass, this setup brings about a significant reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.

The combustion air subsequently flows into the charge-air distributor module, which supplies air to each cylinder in a uniform manner. Built into the distributor module is an electrically controlled intake port shutoff, which allows the cross-sectional area of each cylinder's intake port to be smoothly reduced in size. This alters the swirl of the combustion air in such a way as to ensure that the charge movement in the cylinders is set for optimum combustion and exhaust emissions across the full range of engine loads and speeds.

The advantages of a rear-mounted camshaft drive

Another of the highlights of the new four-cylinder diesel engine is the rear-mounted camshaft drive, which allows statutory pedestrian protection requirements to be met when the engine is installed longitudinally and the bonnet rises from front to rear. The valve timing mechanism is another new development and reduces friction at the 16 intake and exhaust valves, which are controlled by one overhead intake camshaft and one overhead exhaust camshaft acting via cam followers featuring hydraulic valve clearance compensation. The camshaft, Lanchester balancer and the ancillary assemblies are driven by a combination of gearwheels and just a short drive chain.

The switchable water pump, another highlight of the new Mercedes diesel engine, helps to quickly heat up the combustion chambers and the friction partners as well as reducing fuel consumption and untreated emissions. The pistons are cooled by an oil pump with a central control valve for all four piston-cooling sprayer units with large oil-spray nozzles. It creates identical, thermal boundary conditions for all cylinders. The generous dimensions ensure optimum piston cooling, even at full load, and make for a long service life. What's more, the controlled oil pump reduces the oil flow rate and, therefore, consumption.

Six-cylinder CDI engine: higher output and torque but lower fuel consumption

In a similar vein, the V6 diesel engine for the new E-Class is one of the most sophisticated compression-ignition units on the world market. It offers substantially greater output, comfort and driving enjoyment than other engines thanks to the immense torque of 540 Nm alone, which is available between 1600 and 2400 rpm, ensuring outstanding agility when accelerating from rest and exemplary flexibility when accelerating in any gear. To put this into figures, the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model (170 kW/231 hp) accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and from 80 to 120 km/h in 5.1 seconds.

Despite the higher output and torque, fuel consumption has been reduced by 0.5 litres to 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined figure), equivalent to 179 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission is specified as standard for the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model.

The Mercedes engineers have gone to great lengths to optimise the technology at the heart of the V6 diesel engine, reducing the compression from 17.7 to 15.5, enhancing the turbocharger with a more efficient EGR cooling zone, switchable bypass duct, ceramic glow system, modified injection nozzles and optimised air ducting.

E 350 BlueTEC meets the requirements of the EU6 emission standard

BlueTEC is a key concept for the future of the diesel engine. Thanks to the highly efficient emission control system developed by Mercedes-Benz, the compression-ignition models meet the strictest of emission requirements, making them the world's cleanest diesel cars. This technology will be available for the E-Class in the new E 350 BlueTEC model with V6 diesel engine from autumn 2009 onwards. In this model variant, the powerplant has an output of 155 kW/211 hp and provides its maximum torque of 540 Nm from 1600 rpm. Fuel consumption in the E 350 BlueTEC model with seven-speed automatic transmission is 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres (provisional NEDC combined figure), while the CO2 emissions figure is 183 grams per kilometre.

For its installation in the BlueTEC model, the V6 engine has been modified in detail, among other things to further reduce in-engine untreated emissions and to meet the statutory requirements with respect to on-board diagnostics (OBD). The emission control system features a close-coupled oxidation catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter which is located in the firewall area. Regeneration times are reduced as a result.

At the heart of the BlueTEC system are two SCR catalytic converters (SCR= Selective Catalytic Reduction) and an upstream "AdBlue®" injector. "AdBlue®" is an aqueous urea solution which converts the nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the SCRcatalytic converters into harmless nitrogen through a process of reduction. The complex exhaust gas aftertreatment process is monitored and diagnosed by several sensors, including a differential pressure sensor and an oxygen sensor as well as NOX and temperature sensors.

For the "AdBlue®" additive, the E 350 BlueTEC is installed with an additional 25‑litre tank equipped with a diaphragm pump, valve, pressure and temperature sensor, and an electric heater. The latter prevents the 33-percent urea solution from freezing at low temperatures. The tank is refilled as part of the scheduled maintenance programme.

Petrol engines: new four-cylinder units with direct injection

CGI appears at the end of the model designation of the four- and six-cylinder engines for the new E-Class, signifying that Mercedes-Benz uses direct petrol injection for these powerplants - a technology which allows further advances when it comes to reducing petrol consumption.

Compared to conventional port injection, direct fuel injection allows higher compression and, therefore, improved thermodynamic efficiency, saving motorists money at the pump: the new four-cylinder direct-injection powerplants for the E‑Class consume up to 21 percent less fuel than the comparable engines installed in the outgoing model. In the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY model (150 kW/ 204 hp), Mercedes-Benz has replaced the previous V6 2.5-litre engine with a four-cylinder 1.8-litre unit yet still manages to increase torque by over 26 percent. This result reveals a further Mercedes strategy for the future: the use of turbochargers in small-displacement engines.

The new four-cylinder petrol engines combine excellent economy with outstanding power delivery and agility, as highlighted by the performance figures for the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY models:

E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY:
0 to 100 km/h: 8.7 seconds
80 to 120 km/h: 13.9 seconds
E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY:
0 to 100 km/h: 7.7 seconds
80 to 120 km/h: 6.0 seconds (in 3rd gear)

Mercedes-Benz equips the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY model with a five-speed automatic transmission, while the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY model features a six-speed manual transmission and the ECO start/stop function (also see page 90), which shuts off the engine automatically when it is idling, thus making a significant contribution towards saving fuel.

Variable camshaft adjustment and intelligent thermal management

The four-cylinder engines are made almost entirely of aluminium: the crankcase is made of cast aluminium, while a special, high-strength aluminium alloy is used for the cylinder head. Two forged overhead camshafts with variable adjustment are used to control the 16 valves. A vane-type adjuster with integrated control valve allows fast and smooth adjustment of the timing, ensuring that it is always at the optimum setting. This setup has two advantages: firstly, the variable camshaft adjustment enables a high torque yield even at low revs; secondly, this technology allows high specific outputs. The valves are controlled by means of cam followers and feature maintenance-free, hydraulic valve clearance compensation.

The Mercedes engineers have paid special attention to the engine's warm-up governor because it affects fuel consumption. This is why the new direct-injection petrol model features an electronically controlled thermostat to ensure that circulation of the coolant is stopped when the engine is cold. This setup allows the engine oil to heat up quickly and, therefore, minimises in-engine friction. This intelligent thermal management system is logic-controlled. In other words, it is based on driving style, ambient temperatures and other parameters.

The turbocharger module is welded to the exhaust manifold on the engine's exhaust side and features a wastegate valve and a deceleration air function for controlling the pressure characteristics. There were very good reasons for using a turbocharger in place of the previously installed mechanical supercharger – not least the higher efficiency as the engine does not need to provide the extra drive power required for the mechanical supercharger. What's more, the turbocharger takes up far less space than the supercharger, weighs around four kilograms lighter and, in addition, also offers better noise and vibration characteristics. The Mercedes engineers brought about a noticeable improvement in the turbocharger's bottom-end response by incorporating newly developed turbine geometry and a cylinder-flushing process.

Injection pressure of up to 140 bar and new multi-hole injectors

Mercedes-Benz has a long tradition in the field of direct petrol injection. As early as the mid-1950s, the Stuttgartmanufacturer unveiled this technology in the 300 SL, the legendary "Gullwing" model. This classic sports car was the first series-produced automobile to feature a four-stroke engine with direct injection - a sensational development that boosted the six-cylinder powerpack's output significantly.

In the direct-injection system, the air and fuel are not mixed until they reach the combustion chambers. With the help of an injector, the fuel is injected into the cylinders at an angle of 30 degrees and, depending on the engine operating characteristics, at a pressure of up to 140 bar. Here the fuel droplets and the air particles form a mixture which is guided to the spark plugs via specially shaped recesses in the pistons. By way of comparison, the fuel pressure in a four-cylinder engine incorporating conventional injection technology is approximately 3.8 bar.

In order to ensure optimum swirl in the mixture, thus making combustion fast and as complete as possible, the CGI engines have intake ports with specially calculated flow characteristics. An adjustable swirl flap is also used so as to produce high turbulence in certain operating ranges and thus improve the combustion process. The high-pressure fuel pump is driven by the intake camshaft, while a quantity control valve integrated in the pump module ensures on-demand metering of the fuel supply. A pressure regulator with its own sensor, monitored by the engine control unit, controls the pressure in the fuel line (rail), which is directly connected to the multi-hole solenoid injectors. The four-cylinder direct-injection units operate in the homogeneous range, in other words with a stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio of 14.6 : 1 (Lambda = 1), which is important for emission control by means of three-way catalytic converter. The new four-cylinder direct-injection engines meet the requirements of the EU5 emission standard.

Balancer in the crankcase and controlled oil pump

In addition to exemplary power delivery, low fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions, the new Mercedes four-cylinder engines have a further advantage, namely outstanding refinement thanks in no small part to the newly developed Lanchester balancer: two forged shafts supported in three bearings, which are arranged below the crank mechanism and counter-rotate at twice the crankshaft speed. In so doing, they compensate for the inertia forces which are caused by the motion of the pistons, for example, and can lead to irritating vibrations. The aluminium housing that contains the bearing-mounted balancer shafts is located in the oil sump, where it is bolted to the crankcase from below. The crankcase also contains the controlled engine oil pump, which is driven by one of the two shafts by means of a gear pair.

CGI six-cylinder engine with spray-guided direct petrol injection

The E 350 CGIBlueEFFICIENCY model is equipped with the world's first petrol engine to feature spray-guided direct injection. The six-cylinder powerplant develops 215 kW/292 hp and provides a peak torque of 365 Nm from 3000 rpm. Thanks to the state-of-the-art engine technology, which Mercedes-Benz has modified right down to the last detail, fuel consumption is reduced to between 8.5 and 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined figure), which is 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres less than the figure achieved by the outgoing model. These exemplary performance and fuel-consumption figures are achieved using cost-efficient premium unleaded petrol (RON 95).

What's more, the highly economical and environmentally compatible CGIpowerplant provides a unique driving experience: it takes the E 350 CGIBlueEFFICIENCY model just 6.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and a mere 4.2 seconds to complete the sprint from 80 to 120 km/h (in third gear).

Stratified-charge mode, even at higher engine speeds, thanks to multiple injection

Mercedes-Benz was the first car manufacturer to introduce spray-guided direct petrol injection into series production in 2006. Thanks to higher thermodynamic efficiency, this technology allows better use of the fuel and, therefore, lower fuel consumption and lower exhaust gas emissions. The key benefit of the six-cylinder engine is delivered in stratified-charge mode, when the powerplant operates with a high degree of excess air and, therefore, extremely fuel-efficiently. This advantageous "lean-burn operation" is now also possible when the Mercedes direct-injection unit is running in higher engine speed and load ranges because the combustion chambers are supplied with fuel several times in succession within a fraction of a second in every combustion cycle, thus improving mixture formation, combustion and consumption.

Fast and precise piezo injectors are among the key components of the second-generation direct petrol injection system. They open their nozzle points outwards, forming an annular gap that is mere micrometres in size, shaping the jet of fuel and ensuring its even, hollow-cone-shaped dispersion. Thanks to their ability to switch within milliseconds, the piezo injectors also allow the multiple injection that is also of benefit for lean-burn operation, thus playing a crucial role in achieving the engine's exemplary consumption figures. A high-pressure pump with downstream distributor and pressure valve supplies the fuel and ensures on-demand flow control. With a level of up to 200 bar, the system's fuel pressure is several times higher than that in a conventional port injection system.

The combustion process with several injections in succession per combustion cycle developed by Mercedes engineers also enhances the refinement and emission characteristics of the V6 engine. Tests show that untreated emissions (hydrocarbons) are reduced by more than half in the warm-up phase. Plus the specifically targeted injection and combustion control allows higher temperatures in the exhaust manifold, ensuring faster heating of the catalytic converters.

Emissions are controlled by two close-coupled three-way catalytic converters with linear lambda control, which are activated immediately after a cold start. Mercedes-Benz reduces nitrogen-oxide emissions by means of two-pipe electrically controlled exhaust gas recirculation, which directs up to 40 percent of the exhaust gases back into the cylinders, depending on the engine's operation, and by means of two NOx storage catalytic converters on the underbody. During lean-burn operation, these catalytic converters absorb the nitrogen oxides and re-release them in short regeneration phases so that they react chemically to form harmless nitrogen.

Four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment, a two-stage intake manifold, a balancer shaft and intelligent thermal management are further highlights of the V6 engine with direct injection. The crankcase and cylinder head are made of aluminium; the cylinders are equipped with liners that have a low-friction aluminium-silicon coating.

Precision-modified eight-cylinder engine

The eight-cylinder unit in the E 500 model – the flagship powerplant in the new generation of Mercedes-Benz V engines – incorporates an extensive technology package to create a blend of high output and torque yield with exemplary refinement and effortlessly superior agility. The extent of the powerplant's capability is highlighted by the performance figures for the new top-of-the-range E-Class model, which is equipped with the 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission as standard:

0 to 100 km/h: 5.3 seconds
80 to 120 km/h: 3.6 seconds (in 3rd gear)

By incorporating an intelligent valve-timing concept, the Mercedes engineers achieve advances that are a major factor behind the excellent torque and output characteristics. An optimum supply of fresh gas for the cylinders is assured thanks to four-valve technology and, above all, continuously variable and continuous intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment. The valves always open at the just the right time, in line with the current driving situation, thus substantially improving the gas cycle in the combustion chambers and reducing the amount of lost energy.

The "quadruple" continuously variable camshaft adjustment process is further enhanced by shifting camshafts, which are used to enable opening of the exhaust valves and, therefore, further improve the engine's gas cycle. The exhaust cams are designed so that the valves open at different times during the exhaust process, depending on the firing order. As a consequence, the pressure fluctuations inherent in a V8 engine's exhaust train are reduced. Thanks to a more constant residual-gas content, a higher knock limit and improved bottom-end and mid-range cylinder charging, the shifting camshafts increase the V8 engine's torque and refinement. The effective mean pressure at 2000 rpm, for example, is around six percent (10.3 : 11.0 bar) higher than in a comparable engine not fitted with shifting camshafts.

Modified manual transmission and consumption-optimised automatic

The Mercedes engineers have adapted the tried-and-tested six-speed manual transmission to suit the high torques of the four-cylinder engines. For instance, they equip the new E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model with a modified transmission which, thanks to more effective gearing, a dual-mass flywheel and a larger clutch, is capable of transmitting the peak torque of 500 Nm. On account of the larger gears, the transmission is around 78 millimetres longer than its counterpart for the other four-cylinder models.

The five-speed automatic transmission, available as an option for the petrol models and four-cylinder diesel models (standard for the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY) has likewise been precision-modified and features a newly developed converter that reduces the hydraulic losses and, therefore, operates even more fuel-efficiently than previously.

Standard equipment for the new V6 and V8 E-Class models includes a seven-speed automatic transmission. In "C" mode, the 7G-TRONIC offers a consumption-optimised transmission mode that is always active after the engine is started. Earlier upshifts mean the powerplant operates at a lower engine speed level and, therefore, consumes less fuel. A further new development is the standstill decoupling function: if the car is stopped at traffic lights or stuck in traffic, for example, the transmission shifts to "N" position and thus reduces the engine load.

4MATIC: new all-wheel-drive technology saves up to 0.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres

For the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz offers a new generation of the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, which is even more efficient, even lighter and even more compact than the previously installed all-wheel-drive technology. These advantages over the outgoing model are evident in the improved traction and lower fuel consumption.

Three of the models are available with all-wheel drive: the E 350 4MATIC with a six-cylinder engine developing 200 kW/272 hp consumes 9.7 litres of premium unleaded petrol per 100 kilometres (provisional NEDC combined figure), making it 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres more economical than before.

In the case of the E 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY model (170 kW/231 hp), the fuel saving compared to the comparable predecessor model amounts to 0.6 litres per 100 kilometres. The V6 direct-injection diesel engine posts a fuel consumption figure of 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres (provisional NEDC combined figures). With the E 500 4MATIC model, meanwhile, the Mercedes engineers have succeeded in reducing the fuel consumption by 0.9 litres per 100 kilometres compared to the outgoing model.

The latest-generation 4MATIC is a Mercedes development that only adds 50 to 70 kilograms of extra weight (depending on model) and boasts a compact design that takes up very little space in the transfer case area. It can therefore be installed without any modifications to the body and without impeding the front-passenger footwell. What's more, the compact design makes for lower noise and vibration levels.

The permanent all-wheel-drive system, which works in tandem with the standard-fit Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), really comes into its own in poor weather conditions such as rain, snow or black ice as well as when starting off, accelerating, cornering at speed or driving on poor road surfaces. In these situations, the electronically controlled 4MATIC system greatly enhances traction, directional stability and road adhesion.

These exemplary handling qualities go hand in hand with hallmark Mercedes comfort thanks on the one hand to the selected damper control and on the other hand to the meticulous spring and damper tuning for the all-wheel-drive models, which largely replicates that for the rear-wheel-drive models. The modified AIRMATIC air suspension system is fitted as standard for the E 500 4MATIC model or as an optional extra for the two other all-wheel-drive Saloons. A further comfort-related aspect of the 4MATIC is the omission of conventional differential locks which, as other all-wheel-drive passenger cars show, affect steerability and handling.

Transfer case integrated in 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission

Unlike before, the transfer case is now integrated directly in the 7G-TRONIC transmission. The transfer case consists of a planetary centre differential and two bevel gears, which form the side output to the front axle. The centre differential produces the newly defined torque distribution between the front and rear axles – 45 to 55 percent (previously 40 to 60 percent) – which is noticeable above all in the improved directional stability, road adhesion and traction compared to the outgoing models.

A further highlight of the new powertrain concept is the compact side output to the front axle gear, which is based on a one-stage concept, meaning that a complete gear stage can be omitted compared to the previous 4MATIC drive system. Furthermore, the rear universal joint on the propshaft is integrated in the power take-off output gear. This space-saving design allows the propshaft to the front axle to be routed very close to the transmission without having to make modifications to the bodyshell.

The significantly higher efficiency of the 4MATIC drive system and the resulting lower fuel consumption compared to the predecessor models is largely down to the omission of the gear stage for the transfer case power take-off and an improved oil supply, since the integral design means that the transmission and the transfer case share the same oil circuit.

Multiple-disc clutch with lock between the front and rear axles

The new double-disc clutch located on the centre differential produces a basic locking torque of around 50 Nm between the front and rear axles. In this system, a cup spring preloads the clutch pack with a permanent force. If the wheels on one of the two axles start to spin, the relative movement of the discs causes a friction torque to be transmitted from the faster-turning axle to its slower-turning counterpart.

This principle of variable torque displacement between the front and rear axles improves the traction, directional stability and road adhesion of the 4MATIC models. The traction assistance provided by the double-disc clutch is especially noticeable when the friction ratio between the tyres and the road is low, since the clutch locks the powertrain mechanically during moderate starting if the friction coefficient between the tyres and the road is less than µ = 0.3 (more or less equivalent to snow). The wheels are prevented from spinning in such a way as to avoid what is known as the "polishing effect", which leads to a reduction in the friction coefficient. Another advantage of the double-disc clutch is the improved load-change characteristics of the 4MATIC models.

Electronic traction system in place of differential locks

4MATIC uses the Electronic Traction System (4ETS), an additional component of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), in place of conventional differential locks. It has been modified and now provides a even higher level of comfort and even better traction. 4ETS is activated automatically when one or more wheels lose grip on the road. In this event, 4ETS brakes these wheels automatically and individually, thus increasing the drive torque at the wheels offering sufficient traction at the same time. These millisecond-fast braking pulses achieve the same effect as three differential locks. In addition, the 4ETS automatic braking pulses are based on the speed of the car.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Active Safety Features

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Having achieved major advances in the field of occupant protection, Mercedes‑Benz is focussing more than ever on preventing traffic accidents and reducing accident severity as part of its commitment to road safety. To this end, the E-Class is equipped with tried-and-trusted technology in the shape of ABS, ESP® and Brake Assist as well as around a dozen new or modified driver assistance systems which are specially configured to help prevent frequent causes of accidents such as being too close to the vehicle in front, dangerous lane changes, excessive speed, drowsiness, darkness and lane departure.

This combination of safety technologies, which is unique in the world, make the E‑Class part of the "thinking" process – a car that is capable of seeing clearly, reacting instinctively and acting autonomously thanks to radar, cameras and sensors.

ATTENTION ASSIST, fitted as standard, even enables the new Mercedes Saloon to "feel": the system's highly sensitive sensors monitor the driver's behaviour and, based primarily on the steering wheel movements, detect when the driver is becoming drowsy. With this system, Mercedes-Benz is making a further contribution towards preventing accidents as, according to studies, around a quarter of all serious road accidents are caused by drowsy drivers – making drowsiness an even bigger cause of accidents than drink-driving.

The ATTENTION ASSIST system newly developed by Mercedes-Benz records over 70 parameters which are then assessed for the purpose of drowsiness detection. This continuous monitoring is crucial for detecting the floating transition from awakeness to drowsiness and for giving the driver plenty of warning.

Based on this wealth of data, ATTENTION ASSIST calculates an individual driver profile during the first few minutes of every trip. This profile is then compared with the current sensor data and the prevailing driving situation by the car's electronic control unit. In addition to the vehicle speed, lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration, the Mercedes system also detects use of the turn indicators and pedals as well as certain control inputs and external influences such as side winds or road unevenness, for example.

Steering behaviour a key indicator of drowsiness

Four years of development and testing work on the ATTENTION ASSIST system revealed steering behaviour to be an extremely meaningful indicator of drowsiness. In the tests involving over 670 drivers, the Mercedes scientists determined that drowsy drivers have trouble steering a precise course in their lane, making minor steering errors that are often corrected quickly and abruptly. This effect occurs at an early stage when drowsiness kicks in – often before the dangerous situation in which the driver falls asleep momentarily.

If the system detects drowsiness, it emits an audible warning signal and flashes up an unequivocal message on the display in the instrument cluster: "ATTENTION ASSIST. Break!"

ATTENTION ASSIST is fitted as standard in the new E-Class; it is active at speeds of between 80 and 180 km/h.

Light package: optimum light distribution in every driving situation

Driving a car at night will be even safer in future. Mercedes-Benz is unveiling an innovative system which adjusts the range of the headlamps automatically based on the distance to oncoming vehicles or moving vehicles in front of the car with their lights on. The system, called Adaptive Highbeam Assist, always selects the optimum headlamp range, allowing the driver to see the course of the road, pedestrians or danger spots at an earlier stage than would otherwise be possible.

Mercedes-Benz offers this new development as part of an optional package which also includes bi-xenon headlamps, the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights. In contrast to conventional systems, which merely switch between low beam and high beam, Adaptive Highbeam Assist controls the light distribution as the driving situation allows. The low-beam range can therefore be increased from around 65 to up to 300 metres – without dazzling other motorists. If the system detects oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front, it adapts the headlamp range continuously, based on the distance to these vehicles, so that the cone of light emitted by the headlamps ends before it reaches these vehicles. In addition, Adaptive Highbeam Assist takes into account the steering angle in order to dim the headlamps on tight bends. If the road ahead is clear, the system switches to high beam with a minimum of fuss.

Realistic tests confirm that motorists who use Adaptive Highbeam Assist are safer on the road in the dark: dummies placed at the side of the road to simulate pedestrians were detected from a distance of around 260 metres – around 150 metres earlier than is the case when conventional low beam is used – despite the presence of oncoming traffic. The new Mercedes assistance system therefore offers more than double the safety at night. What's more, it relieves driver stress as there is no longer any need to repeatedly flick the stalk on the steering wheel. So the driver can concentrate more on actually driving the car.

This innovative Mercedes technology is based on a camera, located on the inside of the windscreen, which monitors the traffic situation in front of the car. Thanks to an intelligent image-processing algorithm, the camera is able to detect other vehicles and the distance to them. The range of the variable-control bi-xenon headlamps is set based on these findings and adapted continuously depending on the distance to the vehicle in front or the oncoming traffic. The system operates at lightning speed, sending new data to the headlamps every 40 milliseconds.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist is ready to act at speeds above 55 km/h and operates autonomously once the driver has moved the rotary light switch to the "Auto" position and selected high beam using the multifunction stalk on the steering wheel.

Intelligent Light System with five light functions

As well as Adaptive Highbeam Assist, the Light package for the new E-Class includes the Intelligent Light System, whose five light functions are designed specifically for typical driving situations or weather conditions:

Country mode
Motorway mode
Enhanced fog lamps
Active light function
Cornering light function

Low beam is replaced by country mode, which illuminates the driver's-side edge of the road more brightly and widely than before. In the dark, this enables the driver to appraise the situation more effectively and respond more rapidly when other road users cross their path.

At speeds above 90 km/h, motorway mode is activated automatically, increasing the driver's range of vision by up to 60 percent. This lighting function is activated in two stages: the Intelligent Light System first increases the output of the bi‑xenon bulbs from 35 to 38 watts, thereby increasing the light intensity and providing noticeably better illumination of the road ahead and the side verges. The second stage is triggered at 110 km/h, when the beam of the bi-xenon module on the driver’s side is elevated slightly. Motorway mode has a range of around 120 metres, and the driver is able to see about 50 metres further at the centre of this cone of light than is the case with conventional low-beam headlamps.

With the enhanced fog lamps, Mercedes-Benz improves driver orientation when visibility is poor. The new lighting function is activated at speeds below 70 km/h, as soon as the rear fog lamp is switched on. The variable headlamp technology incorporated in the Intelligent Light System makes it possible to pivot the bi‑xenon headlamp on the driver’s side outwards by eight degrees, while lowering the beam of light at the same time. This adjustment illuminates the inner half of the road more brightly and reduces the degree of glare from light reflected back by the fog.

The Intelligent Light System, part of the Light package, also includes the active light and cornering light functions. These are switched on automatically: depending on the steering angle, yaw rate and vehicle speed, the active light function pivots the headlamps sideways by up to 15 degrees almost instantaneously, thereby greatly enhancing illumination of the road. On an extended bend with a radius of 190 metres, this system enables the driver to see 25 metres further than is possible with conventional low-beam headlamps. This function operates in both low-beam and high-beam mode.

The cornering light function improves safety at crossroads, at T-junctions and on tight bends. It is activated automatically when the driver turns the steering wheel at a speed below 70 km/h. The headlamps then illuminate the area diagonally in front of the vehicle for a distance of around 30 metres, with a coverage angle of up to 65 degrees.

Standard features on the distinctive twin-headlamp face of the new E-Class include halogen headlamps. For low beam, the Mercedes engineers have developed a sophisticated projection system, which is housed in the two larger lamps. The inner headlamps, based on reflection technology, provide the high beam and serve as sidelights. Headlamp Assist, which switches on the headlamps automatically when it is raining, at dusk/dawn, in the dark and when entering a tunnel, is likewise specified as standard for the new E-Class.

Daytime driving lights: with LEDs as standard for the AVANTGARDE model

When it comes to road safety, being seen is as just as important as seeing – and not just at night. This is why the standard equipment package for the new E-Class includes daytime driving lights which switch on automatically when the engine is started. They are deactivated when the driver switches on low beam. E-Class AVANTGARDE models and models equipped with the Light package or Night View Assist PLUS feature daytime driving lights based on a total of 14 elegantly arranged LEDs which boast a very high light output but have a very low energy consumption of just ten watts. These are dimmed when low beam is switched on.

Mercedes-Benz also specifies LEDs as standard for the tail, brake and rear fog lights. One of the advantages of LEDs is their quick response, meaning that

drivers behind can be warned earlier when the brakes are applied in the event of danger. Like many modern Mercedes passenger cars, the new E-Class is fitted with adaptive brake lights, which flash four times as fast as the hazard warning lights during an emergency stop and, therefore, provide an extremely effective warning for drivers behind if a head-to-tail collision is imminent.

The combination of directly and indirectly emitting LEDs used for the tail lights ensures that the red sections of the tail lights, which are drawn deeply into the car's flanks, are illuminated homogeneously, while the indirectly emitting LEDs serve as background lighting and lend this light design its characteristic appearance. LEDs are also used for the indicators on the AVANTGARDE model or on models featuring the optional Light package or the Night View Assist PLUSsystem. The new E-Class can feature a total of up to 354 LEDs, depending on the level of equipment specified.

Night View Assist PLUS with new function for highlighting pedestrians on the display

Mercedes-Benz has modified the familiar Night View Assist system from the S‑Class to include a special pedestrian-detection function. Hence the new name Night View Assist PLUS. As soon as the system detects pedestrians up to 90 metres ahead of the E-Class, they are highlighted by means of a frame with easily visible corners.

Night View Assist PLUSuses infrared technology to improve the driver's range of vision in the dark and when there is oncoming traffic: two separate headlamps illuminate the road with invisible and, therefore, non-reflective infrared light. A windscreen-mounted camera designed to pick up precisely this type of light records what happens in front of the car and sends the image to a display on the dashboard. The clear, needle-sharp greyscale image that appears here shows the scene in front of the car, allowing the driver to see pedestrians, cyclists or obstacles on the road at an early stage.

Lane Tracking package: a steering wheel that vibrates when the car leaves its lane unintentionally

The Lane Tracking package newly developed for the E-Class (available as an optional extra) incorporates two assistance systems which help the driver stay in lane and change lanes safely: Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.

The new Lane Keeping Assist system is based on a camera on the inside of the windscreen, which can detect road markings by evaluating the difference in contrast between the road surface and the markings. Based on this information, an electronic control unit determines the position of the E-Class and detects when the Saloon leaves its lane on the left or right.

Unlike conventional systems of this type, the Mercedes assistance system also assesses the driver's actions and, in so doing, can reliably ascertain whether the car has left its lane intentionally or unintentionally. There is therefore no warning if, for example, the driver accelerates before overtaking or joining a motorway, brakes heavily, or steers into a bend.

If Lane Keeping Assist detects that the E-Class is leaving its lane unintentionally, however, it activates an electric motor in the steering wheel, causing the steering wheel to vibrate briefly three times – a discreet yet highly effective way of prompting the driver to countersteer. The timing of the warning depends on the width of the road and the type of lane markings. If the car crosses over a continuous white line on the road, as opposed to a broken white line, the system emits its warning earlier. Lane Keeping Assist operates at speeds of between 60 and 250 km/h – as soon as the system has detected a lane marking.

Warning symbol in the exterior mirror if a dangerous lane change is attempted

The second Mercedes system in the Lane Tracking package, Blind Spot Assist, helps drivers to change lanes safely. It uses short-range radar sensors housed on both sides of the rear bumper to monitor the areas directly to the side of and behind the car. This process enables them to see if there is another vehicle in the adjacent lane – in the blind spot. In such situations at speeds above 30 km/h, the system informs the driver by illuminating a red warning triangle in the glass of the exterior mirror. If the driver fails to see this warning and indicates to change lanes, the warning triangle starts to flash and a warning signal sounds.

Speed Limit Assist: speed limit displayed in the instrument cluster

The newly developed Speed Limit Assist system (optional extra) reminds drivers of the speed limit currently in force by displaying it in the instrument cluster – a further contribution towards preventing accidents.

The image recorded by the windscreen-mounted camera, which monitors the area in front of the car on a permanent basis, is scanned for round surfaces only by an electronic control unit. These surfaces are then highlighted. In the next step, an algorithm filters out all objects that are round but do not resemble traffic signs. Finally, a comparison with stored patterns eliminates all but those objects which the system is programmed to detect: round traffic signs indicating the speed limit. The symbols are sent to the cockpit display, where they remain visible until the speed restriction is lifted or changed. The driver therefore remains fully aware of the current speed limit, enabling them to adjust the car's speed accordingly.

Thanks to the huge strides forward made in computer-based image-processing technology, Speed Limit Assist is able to work in real time, analysing the images within a fraction of a second so as to provide the driver with the required information practically instantaneously. Plus it makes no difference whether the speed-limit sign is at the side of the road or on a gantry above the road. The system is therefore able to react to variable speed limits (often indicated on gantries) as well as temporarily erected speed-limit signs, for example at road works.

Some of the speed-limit signs in Europe – for example those seen when entering or leaving towns in certain countries – are rectangular. In such cases, the assistance system also scans the data stored on the navigation system's digital map to check the plausibility of the camera image. The last speed limit detected disappears from the display in the instrument cluster when the car enters a built-up area, for example.

Driver Assistance package: radar systems to help prevent head-to-tail collisions

DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS (optional extras) – Mercedes assistance systems based on sophisticated radar technology – are highly effective at helping to prevent accidents. This is one of the findings of an analysis carried out by Mercedes-Benz based on representative accident-research data. This technology can prevent a fifth of all head-to-tail crashes in Germany alone. On motorways, the accident rate can be reduced by as much as around 36 percent.Mercedes-Benz has further enhanced the radar technology for the new E-Class. The systems are part of the optionally available Driver Assistance package, which also includes the Lane Tracking package.

DISTRONIC PLUSproximity control operates at speeds of between 0 and 200 km/h: it keeps the car a set distance behind the vehicle in front, applies the brakes as required and can even bring the car to a complete halt, depending on the traffic situation. If the gap to the vehicle in front narrows too quickly, the system gives the driver an audible warning and, as soon as this first warning signal sounds, automatically calculates the brake pressure required to prevent a collision in this situation. This technology helps the driver to gauge the level of risk and, in combination with Brake Assist PLUS, makes the calculated brake boosting force available instantly, even if the driver does not press the brake pedal forcefully enough. Brake Assist PLUSallows controlled, targeted braking and, if necessary, increases the braking force right up to the point at which an emergency stop is performed, depending on the road speed and the distance to the vehicle in front.

Long-range radar with increased range and medium-range detection capability

When a potential accident situation is recognised, assistance is provided courtesy of two short-range radar sensors behind the front bumper and a long-range radar in the radiator grille. Mercedes-Benz has further enhanced the performance capability of these sensors: the new E-Class features a new long-range radar sensor with a range of 200 metres instead of 150 metres as previously. In addition, the sensor now also boasts medium-range detection capability, allowing monitoring of the area up to around 60 metres ahead of the car with a 60-degree beam width. This new technology enables even more accurate monitoring of the traffic situation and even better detection of dynamic events such as a car in front swerving suddenly. The two wide-beam short-range radar sensors with an 80‑degree beam width and a range of around 30 metres are still employed.

Automatic emergency braking provides an "electronic crumple zone"

Accident research shows that drivers do not always react as quickly as is necessary at critical moments – for example because they are distracted and therefore do not recognise the immediate threat of a head-to-tail crash, or because they fail to heed the warning signals given by an assistance system. The PRE‑SAFE® Brake, available as part of the optional Driver Assistance package, intervenes in situations such as these by braking the car automatically.

It does so in two stages: around 1.6 seconds before the calculated impact point – after three audible warning signals – the system initiates partial braking autonomously and decelerates the car with around 40 percent of the maximum braking power (approx four m/s²) as well as activating the reversible PRE-SAFE® occupant protection systems as a precaution.

Designed to supplement the visual and audible warnings, autonomous partial braking gives the driver a further, perceptible signal to act. If the driver then brakes immediately, the maximum braking force is made available or, if the driver swerves, the accident can be avoided at the last moment, depending on the driving situation. If the driver fails to react, however, even after automatic partial braking, the PRE-SAFE® Brake activates the maximum braking power around 0.6 seconds before the now unavoidable collision. This emergency braking can reduce the severity of the impact by a substantial margin.

Impact speed reduced by an average of 16 km/h

Realistic tests carried out by the Mercedes engineers have revealed that autonomous PRE-SAFE® braking reduces the impact speed by 16 km/h on average. The system therefore acts like an "electronic crumple zone", offering the car occupants even greater protection. The PRE-SAFE® Brake is active at speeds of between 30 and 200 km/h when moving vehicles are detected in front of the car. The system also reacts if the car approaches a stationary queue of traffic, providing its speed is below 70 km/h.

Parking aid: ultrasonic measurement of parking spaces

A newly developed system that can help drivers to park safely works on the basis of ultrasonic technology: sideways inclined sensors on the front bumper record the length of a parking space as the car drives past it (at a speed of up to 35 km/h), and indicate on the display whether the space is large enough to park in. After reverse gear has been engaged, instructions for safe parking appear on the display in the instrument cluster.

The tried-and-trusted Mercedes PARKTRONIC system (optional extra), which uses LEDs and audible signals to indicate the distance between the E-Class and an obstacle or another vehicle when parking, is also activated during this parking guidance to assist the driver. Mercedes‑Benz offers a further parking and manoeuvring aid in the shape of a reversing camera which films the area behind the Saloon and sends the image to the display in the instrument cluster.

The driver assistance systems for the new E-Class at a glance:

ABS	Standard: ensures that the E-Class remains steerable, even when braking.
ESP®	Standard: reduces the risk of skidding and stabilises the car.
Brake Assist	Standard: provides full braking power almost instantaneously in the event of an emergency stop.
Adaptive brake lights	Standard: the brake lights flash to warn drivers behind if the brakes are applied in an emergency.
ATTENTION ASSIST	Standard: detects driver drowsiness by means of sensor signals and warns the driver.
Intelligent Light System	Optional: incorporates five light functions specially configured for typical driving situations and weather conditions.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist	Optional: detects vehicles in front or oncoming vehicles and, in each case, provides the optimum headlamp range.
Lane Keeping Assist	Optional: detects the lane markings and warns the driver if the car leaves its lane unintentionally.
Speed Limit Assist	Optional: uses a camera to detect speed-limit signs and indicates the current speed limit on the display.
Blind Spot Assist	Optional: uses radar to monitor the areas to the side of and behind the E-Class and warns the driver if there is a vehicle in the blind spot.
DISTRONIC PLUS	Optional: uses radar to automatically maintain a desired distance between the E-Class and the vehicle in front and warns the driver if the gap narrows rapidly.
Brake Assist PLUS (as part of DISTRONIC PLUS)	Optional: uses radar to detect an imminent head-to-tail collision and calculates the level of braking assistance required.
PRE-SAFE® Brake (as part of DISTRONIC PLUS)	Optional: initiates partial or emergency braking automatically if there is an acute risk of an accident and the driver fails to react.
Parking aid	Optional: ultrasonic sensors measure the length of parking spaces as the car drives past; instructions for safe parking appear on the display.

Aerodynamics: drag coefficient of 0.25 a new record in this vehicle category

Aerodynamics is becoming increasingly important as a development discipline as, in addition to being crucial with respect to safety, an ideal airflow around the vehicle has a major influence on fuel consumption (also see page 87) and noise levels. Mercedes-Benz therefore made aerodynamics a top priority when developing the new E-Class, employing state-of-the-art development and testing processes to further reduce aerodynamic drag, enhance active and perceptual safety, and improve aeroacoustics.

And the result is impressive to say the least: with a drag coefficient (cd figure) of 0.25, the new E-Class is the world's most aerodynamic standard-production saloon in this market segment, undercutting the already excellent figure achieved by the outgoing model (0.26) by four percent. The effect of the larger front end has been compensated for almost entirely, meaning that the cd x A figure for aerodynamic drag (drag coefficient multiplied by drag area) has only risen very slightly. The figures:

	New E-Class	Outgoing model
Drag coefficient (cd)	0.25	0.26
Drag area (A) m²	2.30	2.21
Aerodynamic drag cd x A m²	0.58	0.57

As in the case of safety developments, computer simulations are playing an increasingly key role when it comes to aerodynamics. Using a digital prototype, which provides a virtual simulation of the car right down to the last detail, the Mercedes engineers calculated the airflow around the Saloon very early on in the development phase – long before the first real prototypes of the new E-Class had been produced. This approach enabled them to use flow simulations to detect the potential for improvements at an early stage, meaning that the Saloon already displayed excellent aerodynamic characteristics when the subsequent "real" wind tunnel tests began.

Aerodynamic calculations of this kind require computers with exceptional processing power: in the case of the flow analyses performed on the digital prototype of the new E-Class, the computers had to crack differential equations comprising some 30 million fluid elements. Around 36 hours of calculation time on 64 processors are required until, finally, a realistic speed and pressure field appears on the computer monitor.

Hundreds of hours of wind tunnel work to optimise the details

Aerodynamic development involves a great deal of painstaking work and patience. The Mercedes engineers spent hundreds of hours in the wind tunnel, aerodynamically optimising detail after detail whilst at the same time striking an ideal compromise between form and function. Although each of the many individual measures often only resulted in an improvement of a few thousandths, their combined effects produced a highly impressive overall result, namely a drag coefficient of 0.25.

The rear of a car affects the drag coefficient even more than the front section, since the air swirl that can occur here acts like an invisible brake and increases fuel consumption unnecessarily. One of the ways in which the Mercedes experts prevent such air swirl is by incorporating a discreet, barely visible spoiler lip in the central area of the boot lid. In addition to this, they equip the tail-light lenses with special spoiler lips, which direct the airstream flowing along the car's flanks a long way rearwards; were these small spoiler lips not included, the air would flow inwards at the rear of the E-Class and create a vacuum, which would have a negative impact on both aerodynamic drag and lift.

Further aerodynamically effective details displayed by the new E-Class include:

Controllable fan shutter: allows the amount of cooling air to be limited as required, depending on the driving situation. Otherwise heavy pressure losses would occur as the air made its way into the engine compartment (also see page 87).
Aerodynamically optimised light-alloy wheels: reduce airflow separation and flow losses in the area of the wheels.
Sealed joints between the bonnet and headlamps: ensure an even better airflow around the front section.
Wheel spoilers on the front and rear wheels: improve the airflow around the tyres and reduce lift.
Cladding of the engine compartment and the underbody: optimises the flow of cooling air from the engine compartment and prevents flow losses caused by air blockage und swirl on the underbody.

Newly developed exterior mirror housing with triple benefits

The exterior mirrors on the new E-Class are yet another masterstroke on the part of the aerodynamics engineers. Right from the start, their aim was to develop a housing geometry that met specific requirements in three key areas: aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and safety. And they succeeded in this aim. Aerodynamically speaking, the shape of the mirror housings developed in the wind tunnel is so effective that the mirrors only account for around three percent of the body's total aerodynamic drag. This result can also be heard – or rather not heard – as the exterior mirrors have no effect on the body wind noise. During tests carried out in the aeroacoustics wind tunnel, the Mercedes engineers recorded the same levels on a test car without exterior mirrors as on the car fitted with the newly developed exterior mirrors.

Finally, the exterior mirrors also play a crucial role in terms of perceptual safety as they improve the driver's visibility when driving in the rain. The mirror housings are designed so that any rainwater hitting them flows outwards in a narrow groove running around the outside so that it can drip off at a precisely defined point. As a consequence, the side windows remain largely clean, affording the driver an unimpeded view of the exterior mirror and the outside. The A-pillars likewise help to keep dirt away from the side windows as they feature special water guides where the rainwater hitting the windscreen is collected before being blown downwards and across the roof by the airflow.

Copyright © 2009, Daimler AG

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Design

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:30:00 +0000

The new E-Class points the way ahead. An executive saloon whose design positively exudes status. New lines make the car appear even more effortlessly superior and imposing than before, lending it added masculinity. A strong yet familiar character that clearly originates from good stock. The identity features are unequivocal: the louvre structure of the radiator grille is classic Mercedes, while the twin-headlamp face has been a characteristic E-Class hallmark for 14 years now.

Nevertheless, even with these familiar styling elements, the design idiom remains vibrant and fits in perfectly with the Saloon's more striking appearance: housed in a three-dimensionally shaped chrome frame, the radiator grille radiates presence by virtue of its dynamic V-shape and is also far more steeply raked than previously, allowing the new E-Class to emphasise its status without being brash; understatement is and will remain the style of this model series.

Once again the E-Class is seen "with new eyes": the headlamps – previously always oval in shape - have been given a more progressive slant by the Mercedes designers, drawing inspiration from cubism and its beguiling geometric forms. As a consequence, they look like gemstones that have been cut from the car's wings with unerring precision. The result is an all-new look – surprising yet unmistakable. Classic E-Class.

Like the headlamps, the bumper blends perfectly into the car's body, completing the harmonious overall impression of the front section – as if the design were cast from a single mould. The dynamic lines that flow outwards, the distinctively shaped spoiler edges in the lower area and the bumper's broad air intake emphasise the Saloon's effortlessly superior aura, making it appear even wider and more athletic than before.

As always, these and other styling elements also enhance the profile of each of the individual lines, helping to accentuate their unique character. Hence the AVANTGARDE line features a front bumper with a sporty design, which looks wider and more athletic than that of the ELEGANCE line on account of the large lower air intake boasting a black painted grille with diamond-shaped perforations typical of a sports car. This impression is reinforced by the LED daytime driving lights, which are integrated in an attractively styled crossmember; these lights are standard equipment for the AVANTGARDE model, as is the Intelligent Light System with bi-xenon headlamps.

Another feature which makes for clear demarcation between each of the lines is the chromed radiator grille: the grille at the front of the AVANTGARDE model sports a unique look on account of its three high-gloss black louvres, while the design used for the ELEGANCE line stands out by virtue of its four louvres painted in metallic silver. The standard model as a radiator grille with three louvres in stone grey.

Design philosophy: effortless superiority, forwards thrust and sensuality

The slick interplay between lines and surfaces is a key trademark of contemporary Mercedes design. Large, concave or convex surfaces are given structure by taut, clearly defined lines. These lines emerge from the surfaces organically before flowing back into them equally seamlessly. They play with light and shade effectively, creating a range of contrasts whilst also making the body appear longer.

Perhaps the most alluring aspect of this design is its clarity and tranquillity. The focus is on the essentials: the pureness of the forms. There are no needless flourishes, no over-exaggerated trims, no formal over-indulgences. Instead, there is an overriding feeling of serenity, suggesting inner strength and effortless superiority.

The Mercedes designers have perfected this design concept right down to the last detail for the new E-Class. The lines of the side section become linking elements which influence the entire body design. In other words, the front and rear as well as the flanks. By way of example, the character line emerges from the muscular form of the front bumper and, from here, rises continuously rearwards to emphasise the dynamic wedge shape of the body. Above this on each side runs the shoulder line, formed by the bonnet's joint, which lends the headlamp structure and spans the entire flank, culminating at the luggage compartment, where it gives the appearance of supporting the C-pillar.

Sitting proudly atop the tranquil surfaces and dynamic lines of the side sections, the roof emerges from the A-pillars – which themselves sweep majestically into the wings – and rises smoothly rearwards to lend the Saloon an even greater sense of forwards thrust. The message is unambiguous: this Saloon was designed to forge ahead.

Rear wings: a long-standing tradition still very much alive

The captivating lines of the side section culminate in a new styling element at the rear end, symbolising a further attribute of Mercedes design: a blend of tradition and innovation, of continuity and progress.

The E-Class model tradition stretching back more than six decades is mirrored in the design of the rear wings: the powerful line which spans the rear wheel arch and gives the physical, muscular form of the rear wing a distinctive contour harks back to the famous "Ponton" (three-box-body) Mercedes. This precursor to the E‑Class from 1953 boasted a similarly expressive anatomy, lending it a robust character – a symbolic feature and hallmark of the E-Class. And living proof of how this model series draws together the past and the future in perfect harmony. Keeping a long-standing tradition very much alive.

Like the shoulder line and character line, the striking line contour of the rear wing performs an integrating function, bringing together the side section and the rear end, since the line running above the rear wheel arch abuts the tail light which, for its part, is drawn deeply into the car's flank and continues the flow of the line seamlessly at the rear end. The result is a harmonious overall picture – a composition of high aesthetic quality.

Rear end: power and passion

Like the front end, the rear section of the new E-Class emphasises the breadth of the body, thus lending it powerful shape. The taut, well-defined edge of the boot lid, the chromed handle and the bumper covering integrated perfectly into the body are the key elements that create this stylistic impression of width.

The tail lights with their classic Mercedes horizontal look really catch the eye –especially in the case of the light clusters specified as standard for the AVANTGARDE model, featuring LEDs for all the tail-light and indicator functions. A special technique is used make the LED units, which are activated in darkness, stand out from the hazily illuminated background so that they appear to be hovering in the reflector. The tail lights therefore produce a classic night design which makes the new E-Class unmistakable when viewed from the rear in darkness.

Interior: hallmark Mercedes luxury

Displaying the attention to detail for which Mercedes is renowned, the designers have made each individual element of the interior a beautiful piece in its own right. A piece whose form, colour and material arouse the senses and, moreover, a piece that does its job perfectly. This stylish symbiosis of technology and aesthetics never ceases to captivate, ensuring that the emotions experienced during the first encounter are just as vivid as those felt during the second, third, fourth…

The designers have gone to great lengths to mirror the design idiom of the exterior in the interior and, in so doing, create holistic harmony. By way of example, the wide look of the body design is reflected in the horizontally oriented lines of the dashboard, emphasising the pleasant feeling of spaciousness on board the E-Class.

This overriding impression of width is predominantly down to the distinctive fine-wood or refined aluminium trim and the precisely integrated ventilation outlets. Thanks to the seamless continuation of form and material between the dashboard and the door panels, the trim elements cocoon the driver and front passenger, giving them a feeling of reassurance. There is no doubt that that interior of the E‑Class is a space designed to promote wellbeing - an exclusively appointed home in which two aspects matter above all: comfort and relaxation.

As well as being based on an elaborate composition of beguiling forms, fine materials and attractive colours, the high-quality interior of the E-Class is characterised by a further key design element: light. The interior of the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models features discreet yet effective lighting: thin optical fibres located behind the trim elements on the dashboard and above the door centre panels create a harmonious band of light running around the inside of the car, ensuring that the feeling of high quality and interior space can be experienced at night as well as during the day.

In this sense, the new E-Class fulfils a desire expressed by many people – for security, enjoyment and aesthetics – that has lead to the development of a new lifestyle in recent years: a new living and motoring culture. The aim is to achieve tranquillity and wellbeing. And to delight in the finer things in life which offer both exceptional comfort and outstanding practicality.

Materials: nature in its purest form

This "welcome-home" feeling is achieved primarily thanks to the use of materials of natural origin - wood and leather. There are a total of four handcrafted wood trims to choose from for the new Mercedes Saloon:

Standard appointments High-sheen eucalyptus
ELEGANCE High-sheen burr walnut in brown or optional open-pore ash in brown
AVANTGARDE High-sheen ash in black

The new, open-pore finish makes the wood trim appear extremely authentic, bringing a piece of practically unaltered nature into the interior of the E-Class.

Those who attach greater importance to sportiness and modernity can opt for high-quality aluminium in place of fine wood. In the standard model, Mercedes‑Benz offers the metal with an embossed surface, while the AVANTGARDE line features the option of aluminium trim elements with a brushed surface.

The wood or aluminium appointments in the E-Class Saloon are made all the more lavish, since the large trim elements on the dashboard and the door linings are accompanied by a second trim level which further enhances the front section of the centre console and the armrests in the doors. In addition to this, the controls for the automatic climate control system fitted as standard in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models are embedded in fine wood.

Leather is the second natural material used to enhance the feeling of wellbeing on board. Even the standard version of the new E-Class features a multifunction steering wheel and a shift/selector lever trimmed in fine nappa leather. Leather seats are available as optional extras and, if the Exclusive package is ordered, the seats, armrests and door centre panels are trimmed in fine nappa leather.

Centre console: large stowage compartments and soft handrest

If the E-Class is ordered with the seven-speed automatic transmission and DIRECT SELECT gearshift on the steering column, the shift/selector lever usually found on the centre console is replaced by a closable stowage compartment with a wood-trimmed sliding cover or a double cup holder suitable for various cups, cans or bottles with a diameter of up to 82 millimetres. The control panel incur-porating the controller and further buttons is located behind this. The soft handrest, featuring indirect lighting in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models, makes the controller extremely easy to operate and also serves as an opener for the spacious stowage compartment between the front seats, which has a capacity of around five litres and, as an option, can house the mobile-phone cradle.

Models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic transmission feature an asymmetrically split armrest which protrudes further forwards on the driver's side, serving as a practical handrest for operating the controller. Behind this is the large stowage compartment, while a further compartment, which can optionally be used as a double cup holder, is concealed beneath the retractable cover on the right-hand side of the centre console.

Colour concept: feel-good factor as standard

Inside the new E-Class, the welcoming interior appointments are finished in pleasant colours. The Mercedes designers have compiled a wide range of colours and colour combinations for the various lines and materials:

Standard appointments black or black/alpaca grey
ELEGANCE black or reef grey/alpaca grey
AVANTGARDE black or black/alpaca grey
AMG Sports package black

If leather appointments are specified, the range of colours and colour combinations available for personalising the interior is even wider:

Standard appointments black or reef grey/alpaca grey
ELEGANCE mocha brown/almond beige or reef grey/alpaca grey or black
AVANTGARDE black/almond beige or black/chestnut brown or black/natural beige or black/alpaca grey or black

Mercedes-Benz offers a choice of twelve different paint colours for the body of the new E-Class.

Cockpit: sporty or elegant

Likewise, the instrument cluster reflects the different characters of the lines: the standard model and the ELEGANCE line have circular instruments with chrome surrounds, white illumination and a black background. In the AVANTGARDE cockpit, meanwhile, the instruments feature a matt-silver painted background and deep, slanting tubes, giving them a sporty, elegant aura. Fine chrome rings on the faces underline the high-quality impression of both cockpit variants.

Control concept: a perfect blend of form and function

Fewer switches but more functions. A simple way of expressing the basic principle behind the controls in modern-day cars. The controller on the centre tunnel in the new E-Class puts a whole range of functions at the driver's fingertips. It is linked to the large colour display on the dashboard and allows operation of the navigation system, car radio, telephone, DVD player and other components of the infotainment system. For other functions, Mercedes-Benz has developed hotkeys which are located alongside the controller, on the centre console and in the door panels. The twelve-button multifunction steering wheel is another main protagonist of the sophisticated control and display concept (also see page 79).

Controllers, buttons, dials and displays are key interfaces between the driver and the car. As well as being simple, precise and intuitive, they need to be a pleasure to use and stir the emotions. This is why both looks and feel were top priorities when the Mercedes designers came to design the controls for the new E-Class. The exquisite integration of the switches and buttons into the interior design concept was just as important as the pleasant feeling of touching the control surfaces or the soft "click" heard when pressing the buttons.

Source: eMercedesBenz.com

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Model Range

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:26:00 +0000

With the launch of the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is continuing a success story which is without parallel in the luxury-class car segment: Since 1947, when the Model 170 V was introduced as the direct forerunner of the E-Class, the Stuttgart-based automaker has produced more than ten million saloons in this vehicle category. In 2002 alone, some 1.3 million drivers chose the E-Class, whose market share of up to 40 percent makes it the top seller in this market segment in Germany and many other countries in Western Europe.

But as well as being by far the best-established and most successful business saloon, the E-Class is the "heart" of the Mercedes brand - it is the typical Mercedes-Benz. No other model reflects the core values of the brand as precisely as the E-Class: safety, comfort, environmental compatibility, design, quality and individuality.

The new E-Class represents another major advance by Mercedes-Benz in all these fields as the saloon marks the series-production debut of a series of innovative technical features which cannot be found in any other car in this vehicle category - from the drowsiness detection system to automatic emergency braking when an accident is imminent, from Adaptive Highbeam Assist to the Active Bonnet with its reversible actuation mechanism, from the air suspension with electronically controlled damping to the trend-setting BlueTEC exhaust aftertreatment system.

Mercedes-Benz is also offering the saloon as a specially protected E-Guard model. This is mainly distinguishable from the standard model by a network of intelligently conceived protective features of special steel, which are invisibly integrated beneath the otherwise identical body. This protective cocoon also includes all-round polycarbonate glazing. Accordingly the new E-Guard Saloon offers its occupants effective protection against the increasing worldwide risk of criminal attack in the street. With this new Guard model, Mercedes-Benz is continuing its eight decades of expertise in the design and production of special protection vehicles.

Along with innovation, individuality has always been one of the outstanding characteristics of the E-Class. And the new saloon is no exception: For example, the model range comprises ten engines, two drive concepts and three suspension variants. Further scope for individual configuration exists in the choice of two design and equipment lines, twelve wheel/tyre combinations in 16, 17, 18 or 19-inch size, twelve exterior paint finishes and six different seat upholstery materials in up to five colour combinations . The choice of interior trim has been doubled versus the preceding series, with the range now including high-gloss exotic wood, open-pored wood and aluminium.

The standard-equipment version is complemented by two design and equipment lines which form the basis for the individualisation of the E-Class. These lines emphasise the outstanding characteristics of the new Mercedes model and offer drivers scope for adjusting the car's appearance and equipment in line with their personal tastes and lifestyle.

Standard equipment: Safety and comfort features expanded significantly

As well as incorporating the perennial core values of the E-Class, such as comfort, safety and style, the standard-equipment version includes the following items as standard:

Adaptive airbags for driver and front passenger
Adaptive brake lights, flashing
Active Bonnet with reversible actuation mechanism
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Connector for external audio device
Electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors
Selector lever for automatic transmission on steering wheel (V6 and V8 models)
Audio 20 CD radio with twin tuner, CD player and eight loudspeakers
Controller
Brake Assist
ADAPTIVE BRAKE system with Hold function and Hill Start Assist
Direct-Steer system (V6 and V8 models)
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) with acceleration skid control (ASR)
DIRECT CONTROL suspension with adaptive damping control
Colour display in dashboard
Five-speed automatic transmission (E 250 CDIand E 250 CGI)
Belt tensioners and belt force limiters for outer rear seats
Belt tensioners and belt force limiters for driver and front passenger
Ventilated glove compartment
Remote boot lid unlocking
LED rear lights
ISOFIX child-seat attachment points
THERMATIC automatic climate control with combined activated charcoal filter
THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control (E 500 and E 500 4MATIC)
Kneebag for driver
NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints
Light-alloy wheels
AIRMATIC air suspension (E 500 and E 500 4MATIC)
ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system
Multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather with chrome inserts
PRE-SAFE®anticipatory occupant protection
Tyrepressure loss warning system
Shift/selector lever in nappa leather
Windscreen wipers with intermittent setting and rain sensor
Six-speed manual transmission
Sidebags for driver and front passenger
7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission (V6 and V8 models)
Daytime driving lights
Bluetooth hands free system for telephone
Cruise control
Front seats electrically adjustable for height, inclination and backrest angle
Green-tinted windows all round
Windowbags
Central locking with crash sensor
High-gloss eucalyptus wood trim elements

AVANTGARDE: A contemporary character with its own front design

In AVANTGARDE guise, the E-Class has a distinctly contemporary and innovative look as a result of additional appointments and equipment, such as...

17-inch five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
Ambient lighting
Bi-xenon headlamps with Intelligent Light System
Waistline trim strip in polished stainless steel
245/45 R 17 wide-base tyres
Chrome trim strips on sides and rear bumper
Sporty front bumper
Automatically dimming interior mirror
Special interior colours: chestnut brown and natural beige with black roof lining
Instrument cluster in bright silver with sporty tubular design
LED daytime driving lights
Combined fabric/ARTICO man-made leather upholstery
Headlamp cleaning system
Seats with padded horizontal piping
Sporty, lowered suspension set-up
Chromed radiator grille with three louvres painted in high-gloss black
All-LED tail lights
Trim elements in black high-gloss ash wood (optional: brushed aluminium)

ELEGANCE: A stylish presence with extensive use of chrome

The ELEGANCE line (standard for E 500 and E 500 4MATIC) lives up to its name by emphasising the elegant, classic character of the E-Class -- with the following additions to the standard equipment, for example:

16-inch ten-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
Ambient lighting
Wide-base tyres: 225/55 R 16 or 245/R 17 (for V8 models)
Chrome trim strips on front bumper, sides and rear bumper
Front bumper with black air intake and chrome trim strips
Automatically dimming interior mirror
Chromed radiator grille with four louvres painted in silver
Seats with longitudinal piping pattern
Trim elements in brown high-gloss burr walnut wood

AMG sports package: Exclusivity on 18-inch wheels

In addition to the design and equipment lines, the AMGsports package offers customers further scope for equipping the new E-Class in line with their personal tastes while adding emphasis to the dynamic character of the saloon. The package contains high-quality features, most of which are not available separately. For example:

18-inch five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
Wide-base tyres: 245/40 R 18 (front) and 265/35 R 18 (rear)
Larger brake discs
Nappa leather three-spoke sports steering wheel with shift paddles
Floor mats with AMGlettering
Perforated brake discs and brake callipers featuring the Mercedes logo
Shift paddles on steering wheel (if automatic transmission is fitted)
Black fabric roof lining
7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with M programme
(V6 and V8 models)
Lowered sports suspension
Brushed stainless steel sports pedals with black rubber studs
Front sports seats in DINAMICA microfibre and ARTICO man-made leather
AMG front and rear aprons and side skirts

Exclusive package: Sheer indulgence for drivers

For particularly discerning drivers, Mercedes-Benz has put together the Exclusive package which includes:

Velour floor mats in appointments colour with nubuck border
Wood steering wheel
Roof lining, sun visors and pillar trim in Alcantara
High-quality dashboard finish with decorative stitching
Seat upholstery, armrests and door panels in nappa leather

Equipment packages: Combinations of safety and comfort technology

No other car offers such a comprehensive and intelligently matched array of advanced driver assistance systems as the new E-Class. To allow drivers to enjoy the benefits of these technologies to the full, Mercedes-Benz offers certain inno-vative features as optional packages. This approach ensures that the systems operate perfectly together and complement each other's functionality:

The Lane Tracking package contains newly developed features which support the driver by helping to prevent accidental lane departure and aiding safe lane changing: Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.
The principal systems which Mercedes-Benz offers in the Driving Assistance package are designed to make an active contribution to avoiding head-to-tail collisions: the radar-based DISTRONIC PLUSproximity control system, Brake Assist PLUS and the PRE-SAFE® Brake automatic braking system. This package also includes Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.
Mercedes-Benz has put together the Light package for drivers who are often on the road at night. Along with bi-xenon headlamps, the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights this package includes the new Adaptive Highbeam Assist function.
The new E-Class offers comfort-conscious customers the Active Multicontour Seat package, containing the newly developed multicontour seats with massage and dynamic function. Mercedes-Benz offers the multicontour seats with adjustable seat cushion length and side bolster support in the Multicontour Seat package.
The Rear Comfort package includes leather-upholstered luxury individual rear seats for the rear passengers, luxury head restraints, roller sunblinds integrated in the rear doors and an electrically operated roller blind on the interior of the rear window.
The Memory package offers electrically adjustable seats with 4-way lumbar supports for the driver and front passenger as well as a memory function for the seats, exterior mirrors and steering column.
The Mirror package consists of automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors as well as electrically folding exterior mirrors.
The Sun Protection package contains an electrically operated roller sunblind for the rear window, manually operated roller sunblinds in the rear doors and luxury, two-part folding sun visors for the driver and front passenger.
The KEYLESS-GO package consists of the KEYLESS-GO automatic vehicle unlocking functionality and remote boot closing.
The Anti-Theft Protection package contains the anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring and tow-away protection.

Source: emercedesbenz.com

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Technical Highlights At A Glance

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Below you can find a selection of the various standard and optional equipment available for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Please note that this applies to the European market, and that U.S. standard and optional equipment will vary.

Cornering lights: This function of the bi-xenon headlamps and the Intelligent Light System provides more safety at junctions and when driving slowly on tight bends.	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
ADAPTIVE BRAKE: This Mercedes brake system offers assistance functions, such as a HOLD function and Hill Start Assist, for even greater safety and comfort.	Standard
Adaptive front airbags: The front airbags deploy in two stages, depending on accident severity.	Standard
Adaptive Highbeam Assist: This system adjusts the range of the headlamps in accordance with the distance to oncoming vehicles/vehicles travelling ahead.	Optional
Adaptive brake lights: Flashing brake lights warn vehicles behind in an emergency braking situation.	Standard
AIRMATIC: This air-suspension system works in conjunction with an electronically controlled damping system.	Optional for the V6 models; standard for the E 500
Active multicontour seats: Depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed, the pressure and volume of the air chambers in the side bolsters of the backrests are varied to give the driver and front passenger even better lateral support. In addition, the seats feature luxury head restraints and a massage function.	Optional
Active Light System: The Intelligent Light System's bi-xenon headlamps follow the driver's steering movements.	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
Active Bonnet: In the event of an accident, the rear of the bonnet is raised by 50 millimetres in order to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians.	Standard
Ambient lighting: Fibre-optics behind the trim elements on the dashboard and door panels as well as lights in the footwells create a pleasant interior lighting ambience at night.	Standard for the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE versions
ATTENTION ASSIST: This Mercedes system detects driver drowsiness and gives a warning.	Standard

Motorway mode: From 90 km/h the entire width of the carriageway is illuminated, improving the driver’s range of vision by around 50 metres.	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
Bi-xenon headlamps: Gas-discharge lamps for low and high beam improve safety at night.	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
BlueTEC: This highly effective exhaust-gas aftertreatment using an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter and AdBlue® injection allows the vehicle to comply with the rigorous EU6 emissions standard.	Standard for E 350 BlueTEC
Bluetooth interface: The mobile phone is wirelessly linked to the hands-free system.	Standard
Brake Assist PLUS: This system uses radar sensors to recognise an impending head-to-tail collision, calculates the necessary degree of braking assistance and makes it available immediately the driver presses the brake pedal.	Optional, as part of DISTRONIC PLUS
COMAND APS: The navigation data are stored on a hard disc. Further functions include the Music Register and voice control.	Optional
Controller: The principal control for the infotainment system is mounted on the transmission tunnel.	Standard
Digital radio: A DAB tuner (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and additional aerials make it possible to receive digital radio broadcasts.	Optional in combination with Audio 50 APS or COMAND APS
DIRECT CONTROL suspension: The shock absorbers adjust automatically to the current driving situation.	Standard
DIRECT SELECT: The seven-speed automatic transmission is operated electronically by means of a lever on the steering column.	Standard for the V6/V8 models
Direct-Steer system: The rack ratio varies in accordance with the steering angle in order to provide more agile handling and offer greater comfort when parking or manoeuvring.	Optional; standard for the V6/V8 models
DISTRONIC PLUS: This radar-based proximity control system automatically maintains the E-Class at a set distance from the vehicle in front, braking it to a standstill if necessary and accelerating when the gap ahead is sufficiently large. If the distance to the vehicle ahead decreases too quickly, the system gives the driver visual and audible warnings.	Optional

EASY-PACK boot box: Fitted in the boot under the parcel shelf, this box can be pulled out and loaded from above.	Optional
ECO start/stop function: In order to reduce fuel consumption, the engine switches off automatically when idling and restarts automatically when the driver operates the clutch.	Standard for E 200 CGI with manual transmission
Enhanced fog lamps: This function (part of the Intelligent Light System) works by pivoting the outer headlamp outwards to improve illumination of the edge of the road.	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
ESP®: This safety system is able to reduce the risk of skidding and warns of pressure loss in the tyres.	Standard
Headlamp Assist: A sensor on the windscreen automatically switches the headlamps on when darkness falls.	Standard
Rear Seat Entertainment System: The rear faces of the front head restraints are equipped with eight-inch displays linked to a DVD player.	Optional
Speed Limit Assist: A camera fitted behind the windscreen detects speed limit signs. The relevant limit is then displayed in the instrument cluster.	Optional
Belt force limiters: This technology reduces the force exerted by the belt strap on the seat occupant during a crash.	Standard for the front and outer rear seats
Belt tensioners: Any slack in the seat belt strap is instantly taken up during a crash to reduce the forward movement of the occupants caused by the impact.	Standard for the front and outer rear seats
Intelligent Light System: This innovative headlamp technology provides five lighting functions which are activated depending on the driving and weather conditions (also see Cornering lights, Country mode, Motorway mode, Active Light System and Enhanced fog lamps).	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
KEYLESS-GO: The doors and boot lid can be opened without a key. The engine is started at the touch of a button.	Optional

Child seat recognition: A transponder system automatically recognises whether a rear-facing child seat is installed, and deactivates the front passenger airbag if this is the case.	Optional
Kneebag: In the event of a crash, an additional airbag reduces the forward movement of the driver caused by the impact.	Standard
THERMATIC automatic climate control:This improved system controls two temperature zones and offers numerous adjustments for individual passenger comfort.	Standard
Luxury individual seats: This seating for the rear passengers comprises two luxury individual seats, a folding armrest, seat heating, luxury head restraints, a stowage box and cupholders.	Optional
THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control: This system provides three-zone climate control, and allows individual climatisation modes to be set.	Optional
Radiator louvres: This newly developed feature allows the supply of cooling air to be regulated in accordance with the driving situation and thus improves the vehicle's aerodynamics.	Standard for the four-cylinder models and E 350 CGI
Media Interface: This universal interface allows portable audio devices to be connected to and controlled by the infotainment system of the E-Class.	Optional
Multifunction steering wheel: The radio, telephone, navigation system, display and other devices can be controlled from the steering wheel.	Standard
Nightview Assist Plus: The dashboard display shows a realistic greyscale image from an infrared camera which monitors the situation ahead of the E-Class. The display has a highlight function to draw attention to pedestrians.	Optional
Country mode: This function of the Intelligent Light System replaces the previous low-beam headlamps and provides broader and brighter illumination of the opposite road verge.	Optional (standard for AVANTGARDE version)
LINGUATRONIC: The voice control system operates the radio, CD/DVD-player, CD/DVD-changer, navigation system and telephone.	Optional; standard in combination with Audio 50 APS with 6-disc DVD changer and with COMAND APS
Memory function: Three memory settings are stored for both the driver's and the front passenger seat. The settings for the steering wheel and exterior mirrors are also stored.	Optional
Multicontour seats: Inflatable air chambers enable the seat contours and seat cushion length to be adjusted to the individual occupant.	Optional
NECK-PRO head restraints: Crash-responsive head restraints support the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage during a rear-end collision, reducing the risk of a whiplash injury.	Standard
Panoramic sliding roof: A large glass surface extends from the windscreen to the rear window. The front section slides to the rear at the touch of a button. The roof closes automatically in the event of rain.	Optional
Parking guidance: Ultrasonic sensors measure the length of parking spaces as the car drives past; the cockpit display provides a schematic representation of the recommended parking manoeuvre.	Optional
PARKTRONIC: Ultrasonic sensors assist the driver when parking.	Optional
PRE-SAFE®: Anticipatory safety measures are taken to protect the occupants if an accident risk is detected.	Standard
PRE-SAFE® Brake: If there is imminent danger of a head-to-tail collision, this system brakes the E-Class automatically if the driver fails to react.	Optional, as part of DISTRONIC PLUS
Reversing camera: As soon as reverse gear is selected, the dashboard display shows the image from a camera covering the area immediately to the rear of the E-Class.	Optional
Sidebags: These airbags reduce the risk of injury in a collision from the side.	Standard for driver and front passenger; optional for rear-seat occupants
7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission: The world's only automatic car transmission with seven ratios is combined with the V6 engines and the V8.	Standard for the V6 and V8 models
Sound system: A multi-channel system with innovative digital technology, an output of 610 watts and 14 loudspeakers provides surround-sound for every seat.	Optional
Lane Keeping Assist: A windscreen camera detects the road markings and is able to recognise if the car is departing from its lane unintentionally.	Optional
Blind Spot Assist: This radar-based system warns the driver of the presence of a vehicle in the blind spot of the exterior mirror when changing lane.	Optional
Fuel consumption display: A display in the instrument cluster shows the current fuel consumption (extrapolated into litres per 100 km) and tells the driver when to shift to a higher gear.	Standard
Windowbags: This large airbag extends from the A- to the C‑pillar like a curtain in a crash from the side.	Standard

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: all-round safety, outstanding comfort and fuel savings of up to 23 percent

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:02:00 +0000

With the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the pacemaker when it comes to safety, comfort and environmental compatibility in this market segment. With more than 20 new or further technical developments, this saloon further consolidates the leading position of Mercedes-Benz in the luxury class. They include trailblazing innovations for safe driving that are available from no other manufacturer worldwide in this combination. Examples include the standard Attention Assist, Adaptive Main Beam Assist and automatic emergency braking, which is activated when there is acute danger of a collision.

Mercedes-Benz has improved the already exemplary long-distance comfort of the E-Class even further in the new saloon, including intelligent bodyshell technology with up to 30 percent greater rigidity, further improved seats and a newly developed suspension whose shock absorbers automatically adjust to the current driving situation. The optional air suspension now works together with an electronic damping system.

The outstanding safety and comfort of the E-Class are matched by its environmental compatibility and economy: the four- and six-cylinder engines are direct-injection units, and consume up to 23 percent less fuel than before. The combined NEDC consumption of the new four-cylinder diesel engines is just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres, which corresponds to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre. All the engines for the new E-Cass meet the EU5 emission standard, and in the case of the E 350 BlueTEC the emissions are already below the EU6 limits planned for 2014.

Apart from the engines, the BlueEFFICIENCY package for the E-Class is in large part responsible for a considerable fuel saving. Engineers from every development department have worked together to optimise assemblies and components, to save fuel by means of reduced weight, a new form, improved functioning or efficient energy management.

The work done in the wind tunnel was particularly successful, for with a drag coefficient of only 0.25, the new E-Class is the world’s most aerodynamically efficient luxury saloon. It betters the already good Cd figure of the preceding model by another four percent, which represents a fuel saving of around 0.25 litres per 100 kilometres when driving at a motorway speed of 130 km/h. The aerodynamics are for example improved by variable fan louvres, which control the airflow to the engine compartment in line with requirements.

Other BlueEFFICIENCY measures include newly developed tyres with up to 17 percent lower rolling resistance, energy-saving control of the generator, fuel pump, air conditioning compressor and power steering, and the ECO start/stop functionwhich switches the engine of the new E 200 CGIoff when idling. Displays in the speedometer inform the driver how much fuel is being consumed (per 100 kilometres), and when he should shift to the next higher gear in the interests of an economical and environmentally conscious style of driving.

The range of engines available for the new E-Class comprises four, six and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 100 kW/136 hp to 386 kW/525 hp. The four-cylinder engines are newly developed direct-injection units, which develop a higher output and torque than the comparable V6-engines of the preceding series despite a smaller displacement. The strategy is to replace to replace large, naturally aspirated engines with turbocharged units which excel with advantages such as lower weight, reduced internal friction and more economical operating characteristics.

Engines: new CDI-four-cylinder units with a fuel consumption of just 5.3 litres and 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre

With three completely newly developed four-cylinder engines, the E-Class also remains one generation ahead where diesel technology is concerned. These engines feature latest-generation common-rail direct injection, fast piezo-electric injectors, improved exhaust gas recirculation and an innovative twin turbocharger, making for fast responsiveness and good performance characteristics. To express this in figures, the E 250 CDI with 150 kW/204 hp and 500 newton metres develops a 25 percent higher torque than the previous V6 diesel engine, but uses around 23 percent less fuel at only 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption). This corresponds to 139 grams of CO2per kilometre.

The new four-cylinder diesel engine also powers the E 220 CDI with 125 kW/ 170 hp and the E 200 CDI with 100 kW/136 hp, also with a fuel consumption of only 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The top model in the new E-Class diesel range is the six-cylinder E 350 CDI with an output of 170 kW/231 hp, which uses 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres less fuel than the previous E 320 CDI. From autumn 2009 the V6 diesel will also be available as a BlueTEC model with the world’s best emission control technology. The E 350 BlueTEC develops 155 kW/211 hp and meets the EU6 exhaust emission standards planned for 2014. All the other engine variants in the new E-Class meet the EU5 limits.

Petrol engines: 20 percent fuel saving thanks to direct injection

The E 200 CGIand E 250 CGIare equipped with the newly developed four-cylinder direct-injection engine with a displacement of 1.8 litres, turbocharging and variable intake and exhaust camshafts. The E 200 CGI(135 kW/184 hp) is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the ECOstart/stop function as standard, and consumes only 6.8 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption, provisional figure). This equates to 159 grams of CO2per kilometre.

In the E 250 CGI(150 kW/204 hp), which has a five-speed automatic transmission as standard, maximum torque is now 310 newton metres, which represents an increase of more than 26 percent over the previous V6-engine. At the same time the NEDC fuel consumption is reduced by over 20 percent to 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres, equating to 175 grams of CO2per kilometre (provisional figures).

As before, the E 350 CGI with direct petrol injection (215 kW/292 hp) and the top-of-the-line E 500 (285 kW/388 hp) are included in the range of engine variants in the new E-Class. Detailed improvements have reduced the fuel consumption of these V6/V8 models by up to 0.6 litres per 100 kilometres. As a product from Mercedes-AMG, the new high-performance E 63 AMG develops 386 kW/525 hp.

The V6 and V8-models are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission and steering wheel selector lever as standard.

On request the V6 models E 350 CDIand E 350, as well as the eight-cylinder E 500, are available with latest-generation Mercedes all-wheel drive. This system distinguishes itself from previous all-wheel drive technology with greater efficiency, lower weight and more compact construction. These advantages produce noticeably better traction and fuel savings.

Safety: "Intelligent” partner thanks to unique combination of assistance and protection systems

For more than 50 years, the saloons in the E-Class and their predecessors have been acknowledged as trendsetters in the safety field. The new saloon continues this tradition with an unrivalled combination of the very latest assistance and protection system whose concept and development are based on what actually happens during accidents. These technologies make the E-Class an "intelligent partner"who can see, feel, react reflexively in critical situations and if necessary act independently to prevent accidents or mitigate their consequences. With this concept the new Mercedes model not only protects its own occupants, but also contributes decisively to the greater safety of other road users.

The new E-Class is the first automobile in the world whose headlamps adapt to the traffic situation and respond automatically to avoid dazzling other drivers. The optional Adaptive Main Beam Assist uses a camera on the windscreen to recognise oncoming traffic and vehicles moving ahead, and controls the headlamps so that their beams do not reach the other vehicle. This achieves the best possible road illumination in a given situation. The range of the dipped headlamp beams can be extended from 65 to up to 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam.

Mercedes-Benz offers this new system as a light & sight package that includes bi-xenon headlamps, the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights.

The Lane Safety package for the new E-Class includes Blind Spot Assist familiar from the S-Class, and as a new development, Lane Keeping Assist which seeks to prevent the vehicle from leaving the road unintentionally. When the system recognises that the car is drifting from its lane, the driver is prompted to take countersteering action by brief but unmistakable vibrations of the steering wheel. The images from the windscreen camera are also used by the new, optionally available Speed Limit Assist , which recognises speed limit signs as the car passes them, then displays the relevant speed limit in the speedometer.

Night View Assist from the S-Class is now also available as an optional extra for the new E-Class. Mercedes-Benz has improved this system with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as Night View Assist Plus recognises pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted in the onboard display to provide a greatly enhanced warning effect.

Detection of drowsiness based on 70 parameters as standard

Thanks to an innovative technology, the new E-Class has developed a highly sensitive means of monitoring its driver’s attention level, and warns him of drowsiness in good time. This new ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, which is standard equipment, is equipped with highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor more than 70 different parameters. Observing the driver’s steering behaviour has proved to be a particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research by Mercedes engineers have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors that can often be rapidly corrected in characteristic ways. These corrections are recognised by a highly sensitive steering angle sensor.

Automatic emergency braking when a collision is imminent

The well-proven, radar based assistance systems from the S-Class are now also optionally available to E-Class customers. A further development of the long-range radar sensor now has a range of 200 metres (previously 150 metres), and is able to monitor the mid-distance so that dynamic events such as a vehicle ahead suddenly pulling out to overtake can be detected even more effectively. The two wide-angle short-range radar sensors, which have a range of around 30 metres, continue to be included in the system.

The radar-supported systems are able to assist the driver with emergency braking. Their sensors are linked to the Brake Assist PLUS system, which automatically calculates the braking pressure to prevent a collision in critical situations. The driver is given an acoustic and visual warning at the same time. When the brake pedal is depressed, the system immediately activates the calculated level of braking assistance.

If the driver fails to respond to the warnings, the radar system first initiates partial braking action. As a second stage, if there is still no driver response and a collision is unavoidable, emergency braking is initiated. This can considerably lessen the severity of an accident, i.e. the system acts as something like an "electronic crumple zone".

Active bonnet, seven airbags and PRE-SAFE® as standard

During the course of its development, the new E-Class was subjected to more than 150 high-speed crash tests and a total of more than 17,000 realistic crash simulations. The crumple zone principle invented by the Mercedes safety pioneer Béla Barényi has been continuously improved by the engineers in Sindelfingen. The front-end deformation zone of the E-Class acts on four independent levels, and is even more effective than before. The increased use of highest-strength steel alloys also helps to ensure that the bodyshell is able to withstand high impact forces. Around 72 percent of all the body panels are made from these high-tech steels – yet another unrivalled figure in passenger car development.

With seven airbags as standard, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, crash-responsive head restraints and ISOFIX child seat attachments, the new E-Class has even more extensive safety features than the preceding model. Another new feature is the active bonnet, which is a continuation of many years of commitment to pedestrian protection on the part of Mercedes-Benz. It is standard equipment in the new E-Class. In the event of an impact, a system of springs raises the rear section of the bonnet by 50 millimetres within fractions of a second, thereby increasing the available deformation space. Thanks to the cleverly conceived mechanism, the driver is able to reset the active bonnet to its normal position himself, without visiting a workshop.

Another standard feature is the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®. In potentially hazardous situations this reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags are able to fulfil their protective function to the full during an impact.

Comfort: Further progresses with adaptive shock absorbers and improved air suspension

As in the safety field, the E-Class has been setting the standards for long-distance comfort in this vehicle class for several decades. Bettering the already high level of the preceding series, Mercedes engineers have achieved further advances with the new saloon – especially where ride, seating and climatic comfort are concerned.

Standard equipment includes a further improved suspension with adaptive shock absorbers. These automatically adapt to the current driving situation by reducing the damping forces when driving normally, thereby noticeably improving ride comfort. When taking bends at speed or during rapid evasive action, the system switches to the maximum damping effect so that the saloon is stabilised to best effect.

A version with dynamic damping characteristics and a lowered suspension is available as an optional alternative to the standard suspension (standard for the AVANTGARDE line).

The air suspension system optionally available for the V6 models (standard in the E 500/E 500 4MATIC) has for the first time been combined with an electronically controlled damping system, which processes various sensor signals and controls each wheel independently. In this way Mercedes specialists have achieved significantly better ride comfort while improving handling safety and agility at the same time. The driver is able to select either comfort or sport mode at the touch of a button.

Well-proven seat technology with a new design

Where seat development is concerned, Mercedes-Benz had added a new quality to a well established Mercedes concept, namely padded seat piping – a sophisticated and demanding upholstery technique that is only used by Mercedes-Benz. This involves the insertion of an additional foam filling under the fabric or leather cover, and gives an immediate feeling of comfort and wellbeing when sitting in the car. There are different versions of this padded seat piping: in the basic model and AVANTGARDE line the upholstery is transversely contoured, while the ELEGANCE line has longitudinal piping and is reminiscent of the well-known and highly effective Mercedes seat design from the 1960s and 70s.

Active multicontour seats with massage function from the S-Class

The active multicontour seat package (optional) includes newly developed multicontour seats with comfort head restraints and a two-stage massage function in the backrest that has proven highly successful in the S-Class. Depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed, fast-acting piezo-electric valves on the air chambers in the backrests vary their pressure and volume to give the driver and front passenger even better lateral support.

On request the E-Class is also available with a rear seat unit consisting of two comfortable, single seats. This rear-seat comfort package includes seat heating, leather upholstery, a centre console, comfort head restraints, roller blinds in the rear doors, an electrically operated roller blind for the rear window, comfort sun visors and a through-loading facility to the boot.

Individual climatisation modes at the touch of a button

Mercedes-Benz has developed a climate control system for the E-Class which not only allows individual temperatures to be set in three zones – for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers – but also offers different "climatisation modes". If this optional THERMOTRONIC system is specified, the occupants of the new E‑Class are able to select "Diffuse", "Medium"or "Focus"at the touch of a button, and adapt the air volume and distribution to their personal preferences without sacrificing the convenience of automatic mode. In standard trim the new E-Class is equipped with the two-zone THERMATIC automatic climate control system.

Design: Distinctive lines flow as an expression of effortless grace and status

In 1995 the E-Class was the first Mercedes model to appear with the highly acclaimed twin-headlamp face – a highly symbolic design feature that still characterises the identity of the E-Class. Nonetheless, the design idiom has remained fluent even for this characteristic styling feature, and has been adapted to suit the self-assured, masculine overall appearance of the saloon. The designers have now reinterpreted these four "eyes"as rectangles, with a direct reference to the interesting geometrical shapes found in cubism. They have the effect of precious gems that have been precisely set into the wings. In the same way, the radiator grille with its three-dimensional chromed surround, dynamic arrow-shape and more upright position underlines the status of the car as the epitome of a business saloon.

A sophisticated interplay between lines and surfaces is one of the hallmarks of today’s Mercedes design. Large concave or convex surface areas are structured by taut, clearly defined lines. This design concept has been perfected down to the last detail in the new E-Class. The flank contours become connecting features that influence the entire body design, i.e. not just the side aspects but also the front and rear-end styling.

At the rear this harmonious flow culminates in a new feature, namely a graceful line that follows the rear wheel arches and lends a clear shape to the imposing, muscular contours of the rear wings. Here Mercedes aficionados will recognise styling features reminiscent of the famous "Ponton Mercedes" introduced in 1953, which already emphasised its sovereign character with these striking contours at the time -- a symbolic feature, and at the same time a hallmark of the E-Class that well illustrates how tradition is made to harmonise with the future in this model series.

With typical Mercedes attention to detail, the designers have also given great attention to the interior of the new E-Class, ensuring that every feature appeals in both emotional and functional terms with its form, colour or material. The result is a harmonious whole – an atmosphere in which the car’s occupants immediately feel safe and protected, and long journeys can be taken without any feeling of effort or stress. In short: Typically E-Class, welcome home.

Model range: High level of standard appointments and individual variants

Individuality and variety have always been two of the outstanding attributes of the E-Class. The new saloon not only provides Mercedes customers with a choice of ten engines and three suspension variants, but also two design and equipment lines, 12 wheel/tyre combinations in 16, 17, 18 or 19-inch size, twelve exterior paint finishes and six different seat upholstery materials in up to five colour combinations to suit their individual preferences. The choice of interior trim has been doubled versus the preceding series, with the range now including high-gloss exotic wood, open-pored wood and aluminium trim.

Standard specifications already include 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a nine-spoke design, eucalyptus or embossed aluminium trim (optional) and a four-spoke multifunction steering wheel lined in fine nappa leather with chrome inserts. Also included in the standard equipment is the Audio 20 CD infotainment system with a twin receiver, CD-player, eight loudspeakers and a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone. The colour display in the centre of the dashboard can be operated by the driver or front passenger, using the Controller on the centre console.

The individualisation programme for the E-Class is based on two design and equipment lines. The ELEGANCE line lives up to its name with a decidedly elegant, classic appearance. This is in part due to additional features such as a chrome-plated radiator grille with four silver-painted louvres, 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a ten twin-spoke design, burr walnut trim and stylish ambient lighting with fibre optics that frame the dashboard and door panels.

In contrast the AVANTGARDE line shows the E-Class in a decidedly modern and innovative light. This is ensured by additional standard features such as bi-xenon headlamps with the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights, LED technology for all the rear lights, 17-inch light-alloy wheels in a five twin-spoke design, a special, lowered suspension setup, ambient lighting and the instrument cluster in a sporty tubular design. This model variant is also distinguishable by its different bumper design and a chrome-plated radiator grille with three glossy, black louvres.

Equipment packages: extras for the discerning customer

In addition to the design and equipment lines, the AMGsports package and the Exclusive package offer more scope for equipping the new E-Class to personal taste. These packages contain high-quality features that are mostly not available in isolation.

In the AMG sports packagethey include bumpers and side skirts in an AMGdesign, sport seats with enhanced lateral support, contrasting decorative seams in the seats and armrests, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with shift paddles, a black roof lining, a lowered sports suspension , perforated disc brakes with the Mercedes logo and 18-inch light-alloy wheels in an AMGdesign.

The Exclusive package includes a wood/leather steering wheel, the roof lining, pillar claddings and sun visors in Alcantara, the seat upholstery, armrest and door panels in nappa leather, an attractively lined dashboard with decorative seams and velours floor mats.

Market position: With ten million models since 60 years the world’s most successful business saloon

The new E-Class saloon is the successor to a Mercedes model that has been successful throughout the world, and of which more than 1.3 million examples have been sold since 2002. In Germany more than 40 percent of all saloons in this market segment have an "E"in their model plate, and in many western European countries this Mercedes model series is the number one in the luxury class.Since 1947, when the Model 170 V was introduced as the direct ancestor to the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz has produced more than ten million saloons belonging to this series. This makes the E-Class easily the world’s most successful business saloon.

The new E-Class will appear in the showrooms of the European Mercedes sales and service outlets and dealerships in March 2009.

Copyright © 2009, Daimler AG

Mercedes S-Class Coupe Facelift Spied

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:04:00 +0000

Here's a look at the upcoming standard S-Class Coupe.

"Standard" meaning as opposed to the AMG version we've previously had a sneak peek at.

New in the S-Class Coupe (besides the name, as it replaces the CL) will be the redesigned headlights, the addition of LED-day driving lights, a different grill that slants much less, full LED tail lights, new front and rear bumpers and a new set of pipes for the exhaust.

Engines expected are the same range as seen in the S-Class series, likely coming with improvements in fuel economy and upped performance output through engine management techniques that Mercedes-Benz is constantly developing.

An S-Class Coupe 400 BlueHybrid may also be in the works as the S-Class sedan version is already expected this May. The 400 BlueHybrid features a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 279 hp coupled with an electric motor of 20 hp and a combined torque reading of 385 Nm. With the addition of stop-start technology, the 400 BlueHybrid rates an impressive fuel economy of 7.9 liters per 100 km (30mpg US) for the full-sized S-Class.

Source: World Car Fans

Next Generation Mercedes SLK Prototype Spied wearing Heavy Camoflage

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:01:00 +0000

Spy photos of the car that will be the 2012 Mercedes SLK have surfaced.

Heavy camouflage obscures all but the new vehicle's basic shape, but we can glean a few details from what's visible. The overall size looks to be close to the current car, as does the retractable hardtop, but the body looks wider and more squared-off. The SLK is likely to adopt the wide and low styling that's become Mercedes' corporate look, similar to the new faces of the C-Class and E-class, and of course the upcoming SLC Gullwing. Quad-look headlamps peeking out from behind the cladding also suggest that the SLK has lost its Formula One-inspired nose for a more conventional look.

At the rear, dual exhausts and a typically Mercedes trunk line are visible. A lack of cohesion between the bumpers and fenders suggests that this prototype may be constructed from a mix of current and next-generation parts.

Enthusiasts are of course hoping that the SLK will go on a diet as well. A lighter curb weight would enable it to better compete with some of its sporty-roadster rivals.

Current speculation calls for a new range of engines that may include a diesel, which would be the first for the SLK. We'll have more information and photos for you as tidbits fall into our hands.

Source: World Car Fans

Mercedesmagazine with a new look: Mercedesmagazine – a 55-year success story

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:25:00 +0000

The new-look Mercedesmagazine will appear on 6 March 2009. Emotionally appealing photos, typography with a light touch and high-quality design provide the framework for contents that go well beyond the product world of Mercedes-Benz. As before, the editorial approach focuses on a wide range of topics and high-quality journalism.

The new concept of Mercedesmagazine remains true to the basic philosophy that has guided this customer magazine since its launch in 1954, namely a high level of journalistic quality in both language and photography. Like its mother magazine "Mercedes-Benz – All over the World", Mercedes Magazine communicates the fascination of the Stuttgart automobile brand.

The new front-page with its seven-framed graphic concept is particularly eye-catching. The flexible design scope for the national versions provided by the uniform layout is particularly suited to the global approach of the Magazine. Mercedesmagazine appears in 113 countries and 38 language versions, with a circulation of 3.1 million for each edition.

The online version at www.mercedes-magazine.com appearing in eight countries has also been brought into line with the new design layout. This is now more modern, with a clearer structure and more options to choose from. New features include the option to obtain more in-depth information on the articles from a download centre. Video portraits, slide shows and information links that can be activated directly from the text improve both the range of media and user-friendliness. The focus of the first edition is on the launch of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with a direct link to the E-Class Webspecial.

The relaunch also expands the interactive possibilities and dialogue tools. Readers are able to contribute to the Magazine in various ways with their assessments and comments.

The new Mercedesmagazine is celebrating its German premiere in both an online version at www.mercedes-magazine.com and as a printed edition on 6 March 2009.

Copyright © 2009, Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz At The Geneva Motor Show: The Mercedes SLK 2LOOK Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Nixon) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:09:00 +0000

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a new, eye-catching special model in the successful SLK series with the model suffix "2LOOK Edition". This new model variant, which is specifically aimed at a younger target group, is only available in glossy black or lustrous white. This styling touch is harmoniously complemented by a two-tone interior with high-grade materials in dramatic black-and-white contrasts.

The attraction of opposites – this is the concept with which the new Mercedes-Benz SLK "2LOOK Edition" special model will enter the new open-top season. The intentional limitation to a black-and-white colour scheme both inside and out lends this successful two-seater with a vario-roof an exclusive, dramatic appearance and ensures a decidedly eye-catching presence.

The SLK 2LOOKEdition is painted in a choice of either calcite white or black as standard. On request the SLK 2LOOKEdition is also available in exclusive

obsidian black metallic or the special finish designo mystic white, which is limited to 300 vehicles worldwide. Headlamps with black surrounds send an additional stylish message, ensuring that the SLK 2LOOKEdition is easily recognisable from a distance.

The sporty and striking appearance of the special model is emphasised by 18‑inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with mixed tyre sizes (front: 225/40 R18, rear: 245/35 R18). In line with the colour philosophy of the 2LOOKEdition, these are available in two surface variants: a lustrous high-sheen finish in titanium silver or dark, striking chrome shadow. Discreet emblems on the wings and a draught-stop of transparent acrylic glass from the range of high-quality Mercedes accessories bearing the 2LOOKEdition logo also distinguish the special model.

Attractive antithesis – interior in black and white

A contrasting black-and-white colour scheme also characterises the interior of the new SLK 2LOOK Edition. The sports seats are upholstered in nappa leather – with the seat centre panels in white and the contoured bolsters in black. The doors and centre armrest are also in a contrasting black-and-white scheme in high-grade leather. Eye-catching, carefully finished decorative seams on all leather surfaces accentuate the dramatic character of this special edition.

Black-and-white features throughout the vehicle underline its dynamic potential: the multifunction steering wheel in black nappa leather with a white decorative seam, the white-painted trim in the black dashboard and – when the roof is closed – the black roof lining. The white-edged floor mats have an embroidered Edition label.

The SLK 2LOOK Edition can be ordered with immediate effect in the engine variants SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR, SLK 300 and SLK 350 Sports Engine. The extra cost of this special model is 2100 euros. The special paint finishes cost an additional 580 euros for obsidian black metallic and 1990 euros for the limited edition in designo mystic white (German list prices incl. VAT).

Source: Copyright © 2009, Daimler AG

roanoke.mercedescenter.com