Let’s have a first look at the facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan.
Chief on the improvements list–a list 2,000 parts long despite the similar look and feel–is the new powertrain range, which returns a four-cylinder engine to U.S. models for the first time in years. Using direct injection and a turbocharger to generate as-yet unstated power, the new four-cylinder C-Class, dubbed the C250 Sport, is rated at a combined 24 mpg.
The C350′s V-6 is the latest from Mercedes, also found in the new E-Class, turning out 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, an upgrade of 34 horsepower and 15 pound-feet over the previous V-6. Despite the power increase, fuel economy is up by about five percent.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with a not so obvious gem: Terminal Mode for in-car smartphone integration. Nice!
Merc has made some minor exterior updates to the car (not necessarily for the better, in our opinion), but on the inside comes an updated Mercedes COMAND infotainment system that, for the first time, offers full internet access. Using Terminal Mode the car interacts with a smartphone to provide the data, allowing dashboard surfing (while stationary) and the transmission of Google Maps points and directions right to the vehicle. There’s also Bluetooth for streaming your tunes through the car’s sound system and a USB port in the armrest to keep things charged while you decimate that slab.
Nice driving report here of the Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG. Enjoy!
Large turbo engines aren’t meant to sound like this. Nor are they meant to respond to the throttle like the CL63, either. The secret would seem to be not more turbo pressure, but less. Because the engine is still large, Mercedes can afford to blow only moderate amounts of boost through it, which means the engine can run a compression ratio of 10.0:1, a number you’d normally associate with a normally aspirated car. So there’s no off-boost lethargy at all, nor any sudden uncontrollable bang in the back when it kicks in. Any revs in any gear and the thing just flies.
In fact, its character and sound is more akin to the old 5.5-litre supercharged motor AMG used before the 6.2, only with much more shove. We loved that old engine, and anyone who buys this new one in any of the AMG products it will filter into are going to love it too.
Street word has it that the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe will receive a twin-turbo 5.5 Liter V8. Awesome!
In a conversation last night with Inside Line, Mercedes-Benz announced that when the new C-Class AMG Black Series Coupe (we’re assuming it’ll keep the C63 naming convention) hits sometime next year, it will carry a version of the company’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. In the S63 AMG and with the performance pack, this motor makes 571 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque between 2,250 and 5,500 rpm.
Mercedes-Benz’ Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg shows off the new Magic Sky Control roof of the Mercedes-Benz SLK on video. Enjoy!
Vehicle engineer Michael Scheer shot some footage riding shotgun in the new roadster around Monte Carlo as Rosberg gave us a glimpse of what to expect from the new SLK, demonstrating as well that trick Magic Sky Control tinting roof.
Nice video test drive report here from German “Auto Motor und Sport”. Enjoy!
Alexander Bloch puts the Volkswagen Golf R through its paces for Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine. At 199 kW / 270 PS it is the most powerful version of the model series ever built and, with DSG transmission, can hit the 100-km/h mark in just 5.5 seconds.
Lamborghini has revealed an all-new 6.5L V12 engine and ISR gearbox for the successor of the Lamborghini Murcielago, possibly being called Lamborghini Aventador.
Destined for duty in the upcoming Murcielago successor, this 6.5-liter V12 is an all-new engine – designed, developed and produced entirely in-house at the company’s Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. It features four-valve cylinder heads made from an aluminum-silicon alloy, short stroke and lightweight construction to deliver an output of 700 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque.
Along with the new engine, Lamborghini introduces a new type of gearbox called the Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission. Employing dual shifting rods, the ISR is said to be able to shift nearly 50 percent faster than a comparable dual-clutch gearbox, while weighing considerably less.
Cool video comparison by Fifth Gear here of Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Package Plus against the BMW M3 Competition Package. Enjoy the show!
The M3 is powered by the S65B40 engine, a naturally aspirated, high revving 4-liter V8 (based on the S85B50 5-liter V10 that powers the E60/E61 M5 and the E63/E64 M6 to date) delivering 414 horsepower (309 kW; 420 PS) at 8,300 rpm and peak torque of 400 Nm (300 lb-ft) at 3,900 rpm, which represents a power increase of 22% over the previous generation E46 M3.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG with Performance Package Plus increases output by 30 hp to 487 hp. The package also includes AMG high-performance braking system featuring composite technology on the front axle and an AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/Alcantara.
With the Performance Package Plus, the C 63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 13.9 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).
Here’s the first spy shot of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Convertible with its roof down. A must see!
Instead of using a heavy and complex folding metal arrangement, as seen on the SL, Mercedes has elected to fit a revised version of the canvas top which used on the previous SLR roadster.
The electrically-operated roof is made from a lightweight aluminium roof frame clad in canvas, which buyers can elect to have in a colour matching the exterior paint finish, or in a contrasting hue as seen on this development car. By keeping the weight of the top down, this still allows the SLS roadster to have a top speed north of 200mph.
We found a brand new spy video of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. Enjoy!
Caught testing on the Nurburgring test track recently, this prototype of the C-Class coupe reveals some pretty conservative styling. Compared to the larger E-Class coupe, this two-door has a softer design up front and a less aggressive roofline. In terms of size, we expect this coupe will match the dimensions of its primary competitor, the BMW 3 Series coupe. For power, the C-Class coupe is expected to use a 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection that develops just over 300 horsepower. Combined with Mercedes 7-speed Sportshift automatic, this C-Class should be a pretty quick coupe.
Interesting road test report here with the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC. Have a read!
Seven seats of Mercedes-Benz, American-style. Although the GL-class is sold worldwide, it’s clearly made to target our country’s love of extra-large and extra-in-charge trucks. Plus, the GL is manufactured in the good-old U-S-of-A, down in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
Since we said goodbye to our long-term 2008 GL320 CDI 4MATIC, the GL has undergone a number of running changes. In 2009, Mercedes added BlueTec, a urea-injection exhaust after-treatment that made the diesel 50-state emissions legal; and 2010 brought a mid-cycle refresh to the front and rear styling. The badge change from GL320 to GL350 is purely semantic—the oil-burning powertrain remains unchanged—and the drop in the highway fuel-economy rating from 23 mpg to 21 is merely a result of new EPA test procedures required for all 2011 models.
