2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Will Use More Carbon Fiber

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Will Use More Carbon Fiber
The SL moniker once stood for sport leicht, but at 4220 pounds, the current 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is anything but light. That said, the next-generation SL -- due in 2012 -- will be the first of several Mercedes-Benz models to use a substantial amount of lightweight carbon fiber composite materials.


Daimler AG has partnered with Toray Industries, a Japanese textile maker, to develop and produce car parts made from carbon fiber composite materials. The move mirrors BMW’s partnership with U.S.-based carbon fiber supplier SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, which is designed in part to supply components for the 2013 Megacity electric vehicle. Toray is the world’s largest carbon fiber supplier, and has even supplied Ferrari with carbon fiber for its cars.

Together, Toray and Daimler will work on lightening some of Mercedes’ vehicles through the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics. Although Mercedes has not disclosed what parts will be made from the material, they’re likely currently made from metal. Carbon fiber parts will therefore significantly reduce the car’s weight, but may carry a substantial cost premium.

Carbon fiber could replace a number of metallic parts, but some suggest the SL’s folding roof may be be fabricated from the material. The current steel roof is rather heavy, and also requires a large hydraulic mechanism to stow and deploy the structure. Using a carbon fiber roof could potentially allow the SL to shed some pounds and utilize a smaller folding mechanism, which could subsequently improve cargo space.

We’ve yet to see finite details on the new SL, but based upon spy photos of the car, it appears the next-gen roadster will bear resemblance to the SLS AMG. In fact, many upcoming Mercedes-Benz models will ape the SLS. According Hans-Dieter Futshik, director of Mercedes’ passenger car design, the SLS will influence the shape of the company’s sports cars, including the SL and SLK.

Source: Autocar, Kilometer Magazine

Fit for a King: Omar Bongo’s Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet Up for Auction

Fit for a King: Omar Bongo’s Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet Up for Auction

There are a lot of rare automobiles going up for auction at RM’s Sports and Classics of Monaco event, but we’re betting one example -- a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet -- will be the star of the show.

Why? Rarity, for one. Between 1960 and 1982, Mercedes-Benz built nearly 2677 600s, the vast majority (roughly 2190) being short wheelbase sedans. 428 Pullmans -- the long-wheelbase, six-door limousines -- were built, but were nowhere as rare as the 59 Landaulets, which sported a convertible top over the rear seats.


For the most part, Landaulets were sold to heads of state, and this particular example is no exception. This Grosser Benz was sold new to Omar Bongo, president of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2008.  It may be good to be king, but it’s even better when you have a near-endless supply of oil revenue at your disposal, coupled with the perpetual support and approval of the French government. Gabon was well known for splurging on luxuries, including cars. He bought this 600 a year into his reign, and also purchased one of two Stutz Royale limousines ever built.

Even if this car hadn’t belonged to a dignitary, it would still be worth a considerable amount of money. Last year, RM auctioned off a 600 Landaulet at its Battersea Park auction in London. Despite the fact that the car was admittedly a basket case, it managed to fetch $523,446 -- amazing, considering a proper restoration of the 600’s complex electrical and hydraulic systems (used on everything from the door locks to power windows) was estimated to run an additional $500,000.

Sure enough, RM expects Bongo’s car to fetch between $739,000 and a cool $1.1 million at auction. In contrast, a “pedestrian” 1970 600 Pullman is also consigned to the same auction but is expected to bring somewhere between $83,000 and $107,000. Irrespective of both vehicles’ immaculate condition, their new owners should expect to shell out a considerable amount of cash to keep the tech-laden luxobarges in tip-top shape.

That may be a huge chunk of money for a 40-year old Mercedes-Benz. Then again, if you want to join one of the most exclusive clubs without the typical human rights abuses or the political infamy that often accompany a Landaulet’s owner, this may be your ticket.

Source: RM Auctions

Mercedes-Benz Electric Vito Endures Cold Weather Testing

Mercedes-Benz Electric Vito Endures Cold Weather Testing
Batteries typically don't perform very well in colder climates, but Mercedes-Benz says its electric Vito van functions as well in the cold as it does in warm weather.

The EV Vito, which will ultimately be offered on the European market by the end of the year, is currently undergoing a barrage of tests to ready it for the real world. First on the list was cold weather testing. The van was whisked to Sweden, where it encountered consistent negative 22-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.

According to Daimler, the van succeeded in its trials. Surprisingly, the 81-mile range offered by the lithium-ion battery packs wasn't impeded by the colder weather. Engineers will continue to test the van in the climate, subjecting it to handling courses and extreme brake tests before moving on to other climatic testing.


The electric Vito will initially be produced in a limited quantity of just 100 units, most of which are destined for fleet duty. A second series of 2000 vans will be produced shortly after the first wave. The commercial van is powered by a 90-kW electric motor, and can reach a top speed of 50 mph. Mercedes says the EV version of its Vito experiences no decrease in payload or cargo room.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

New York 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, R-Class and S63 AMG Bow

New York 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, R-Class and S63 AMG Bow
Three updated 2011 model Mercedes-Benz vehicles rolled across the stage today in New York: the E-Class Wagon, R-Class, and S63 AMG. Mercedes-Benz also released pricing for the 2010 model year E-Class line.


First to roll out was the latest E-Class Wagon, the E350. Essentially an updated E-Class with a wagon body, the E350 comes in gasoline and diesel flavors. Sharing an engine with the rest of the E-Class line, the 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 is expected to produce 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The E350 BlueTEC with its 3.0-liter turbo diesel should produce 211 horsepower. 4MATIC AWD is standard across the range.

Thanks to its large rear end, the E350 Wagon offers up to 70 cubic feet of storage space with the second and third rows folded, though the second row doesn't fold entirely flat. With all the seats up, the Wagon can hold seven passengers, although, as usual, the third row is best left to children. Mercedes hasn't released pricing on the Wagon yet, but expect it to start a bit north of the sedan's $48,600 starting price.

Though the Wagon's pricing is still under wraps, Mercedes did drop some other E-Class pricing during the reveal, at least for the 2010 model year. The E350 Coupe starts at $48,050 while the V-8-powered E550 Coupe starts at $54,650. The E350 Sedan starts at $48,600 as mentioned above while the E550 Sedan starts at $56,300 and the ultimate E63 AMG sport sedan starts at $85,800.

Joining the E-Class Wagon on stage was the new R-Class, Mercedes' controversial wagon/crossover tweener. For the 2011 model year, the R-Class gets all new body work ahead of the A-pillars to bring its styling in line with the new corporate face of Mercedes. Beyond the LED-emblazoned nose and new 17-inch wheels, the R-Class is mostly the same, offering only a new color scheme on the interior and an optional second-row bench to add one extra seat for a total of seven. The R-Class continues to use either a gasoline 3.5-liter V-6 good for 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque or a 3.0-liter BlueTEC turbo diesel good for 211 horsepower.

Also appearing on the Mercedes-Benz stand, but with no fanfare whatsoever, was the 2011 S63 AMG. Starting at $133,550, the new S63 offers a hand-built 518-horsepower 6.3-liter V-8 with 465 pound-feet, which it sends to the pavement via a seven-speed automatic transmission. 60 mph is met in just 4.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 186 mph. In addition to the blistering performance, the AMG package also adds 20-inch five-spoke wheels, carbon-fiber and piano-black interior trim, a special steering wheel, top-tier seating, a special instrument cluster, high-performance brakes, a sport exhaust system and subtle aerodynamic trim.

Stay tuned for more of our live coverage of the 2010 New York Auto Show straight from the Big Apple show floor.

New York 2010: Mercedes SLS GT3 Race Car Debuts, Street Car to Start at $183,000

Like the legendary 300SL Gullwing before it, the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is going racing. Dubbed the SLS GT3, the new race car roared onto the stage today in New York a fully FIA-compliant track car. The street-legal SLS AMG, meanwhile, will go on sale in the U.S. in May starting at $183,000 to help meet homologation requirements.

The SLS GT3 will leave showrooms ready to race with a stripped interior and modified body work. Despite the gigantic wing hanging off the trunk, the SLS GT3 is lighter than the street car and will rip to 60 mph in no more than 3.5 seconds thanks to a monster 6.3-liter V-8 expected to make over 600 horsepower. One thing we know for certain is that it sounds absolutely wicked.


Mercedes isn't talking pricing for the racecar yet, but we expect it to be well north of the production car's sticker. Deliveries will begin in the Fall of 2010, well ahead of the start of the 2011 GT3 Series race season but with enough time to sell enough production cars to meet homologation requirements. On the track, it's expected to go up against top offerings from rival automakers including the Audi R8 LMS, BMW Z4 GT3 and Aston Martin DBRS9.

Stay tuned for more of our complete coverage of the 2010 New York Auto Show, live from New York.

Mercedes-Benz Crafts GT3 Racing Car Out of SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz Crafts GT3 Racing Car Out of SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz’s legendary 300 SLR was explicitly built for racing, not the street.  So perhaps it’s fitting that its spiritual successor -- the new 2011 SLS AMG -- will also be offered in a track-ready version.

The car, likely dubbed the SLS AMG GT3, is designed to compete in the FIA’s GT3 racing class alongside competitors like the Audi R8 LMS, BMW Z4 GT3, and the Aston Martin DBRS9. Overall, the car looks largely stock, although it is treated to taller side sills and bumper fascias for aerodynamics, a gigantic rear spoiler, and sliding Plexiglas window inserts.

We’ve yet to see an official release on the racer, but expect it to be much lighter and somewhat more powerful (i.e. 600 horsepower from the 6.2-liter V-8) than the roadgoing model.

AMG says it should have cars delivered to customers before the start of the 2011 GT3 season.

Mercedes-Benz Anticipates No U.S. CAFE Penalty in 2010

Mercedes-Benz Anticipates No U.S. CAFE Penalty in 2010
In previous years, Mercedes-Benz occasionally has had to pay penalties because its corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) figure fell beneath standards set by the U.S. government. That will soon change, as the automaker expects to meet the 2010 CAFE standards.

Starting this summer, all of Mercedes-Benz’s six- and eight-cylinder engines will use direct injection, which covers every car the automaker sells in the U.S. According to Dr. Thomas Weber, Mercedes-Benz’s head of research and development, this development played a large part in helping the automaker meet the U.S. standard.

 “Even for 2009, we aren’t likely to pay much in the way of penalties,” Weber told Automobilwoche. “From 2010 on, we won’t pay anything. That is clearly our goal.”

Vehicles like the new S400 and ML450 Hybrids will certainly help, but Mercedes-Benz is moving towards using forced-induction engines with smaller displacement. For instance, the new twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter destined for its AMG line is reportedly 25-percent more fuel-efficient than the 6.2-liter V-8 it replaces.

We’re not surprised this is a major focus for Mercedes-Benz. In 2006, the company faced a record $30.3 million fine, and a similar $28.9 million fine in 2007. If Weber’s estimations prove correct, Mercedes-Benz has come a long way to reduce fuel consumption while offering customers the power they’ve come to expect.

Source: Automotive News

Next-Gen Mercedes-Benz B-class Could Spawn SUV, Sedan Variants for U.S. Market

Next-Gen Mercedes-Benz B-class Could Spawn SUV, Sedan Variants for U.S. Market
Mercedes-Benz has previously toyed with the notion of bringing its compact B-class range to the United States, but new reports suggest at least two different models could ultimately arrive in our market.

According to Automotive News, M-B marketing chief Joachim Schmidt says the new B-class range will have no less than four variants, and two -- an SUV and hatchback -- are likely to make the trip across the pond. A sedan model is also in the works, and it too could ultimately wind up in America.

Although Mercedes-Benz plans on launching the new B-class range in Europe by the end of next year, the timing of a U.S. launch is uncertain. Schmidt cited the fluxing exchange rate as one hurdle, but also noted that -- as is often the case with small cars -- the business case rests with fuel costs in the U.S.

“The behavior of Americans depends on fuel prices,” Schmidt said, noting his group has seen U.S. consumers move backed towards light trucks. “Nevertheless, we also see a trend towards fuel-efficient cars.”

Even if Mercedes decides to withhold the B-class from our market, it may still come to North America for the Canadian market. The compact five-door hatchback has been offered in Canada since 2005.

Source: Automotive News (subscription required)

Audi's Stronghold in China Threatened by BMW, Mercedes-Benz

For the last 20 years, Audi has been top dog in the Chinese luxury auto market. Now its reign could be threatened as BMW and Mercedes-Benz begin to gain traction in the emerging market. 

"Mercedes and BMW have more up side than Audi in emerging markets, so it will be difficult for Audi to achieve its target," London-based automotive analyst Arndt Ellinghorst told Automotive News.

As the world's single largest automotive market, Chinese customers are increasingly important to BMW and Mercedes. As a result, both have crafted vehicles specifically aimed at the Chinese market. Tomorrow at the Beijing auto show, BMW will unveil an extended 5 Series, while Mercedes is set to debut its new longer E Class. The reasoning for extended wheelbases is that the wealthier Chinese population is typically chauffeured. 

Earlier this month, Audi posted its first quarter sales figures. With a strong start to 2010, Audi was able to secure the second place spot in global luxury sales, bumping Mercedes down to third. The Ingolstadt based automaker hasn't fared so well in China lately. Over that last 6 years, Audi's market share has slipped from 66 percent down to 46 percent. BMW has climbed from 16 to 23 percent, while Mercedes more than doubled its share, from 7 to 16 percent.

Audi had 159,000 deliveries in 2009, but has a goal to sell 200,000 this year. On track for that target, it sold 51,449 in the first quarter this year. Last year BMW sold 90,500 vehicles, but is on track to surpass that mark, with 34,179 sold through March. Mercedes sold 24,100 vehicles in the first quarter of 2010, and should meet its 100,000 sales goal. BMW is investing $749 million in a new Chinese factory to double capacity to 100,000 units annually. Mercedes already has a 100,000 unit production capacity in China.  

"The potential of the Chinese market remains enormous, and our targets are correspondingly ambitious," Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said last week.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

Audi and Xbox to Host Forza 3 Tournament in New York City

Audi and Xbox to Host Forza 3 Tournament in New York City

Want to watch the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, but can't make your way to France? Perhaps the AXF 24 Challenge -- a party co-hosted by Audi and Microsoft's Xbox team -- is the second-best way to view the classic enduro.

The event celebrates the Le Mans race and serves as a venue for a digital race challenge. Audi's currently asking gamers to fire up Forza Motorsports 3, pilot a digital 2009 Audi R15 TDI race car around the Circuit de la Sarthe, and submit their best lap times. Those with three best times will be invited to the Audi Forum in New York City on June 12, where they'll compete head-to-head in a four-hour Forza-based endurance race. The winner will receive a one-day program with the R8 at Audi's Driving Experience school in Sonoma, California.

Want to watch the cyber-race in person? Audi's opened the event -- which includes a live feed of the Le Mans race, food, door prizes, and Forza 3 game kiosks-- to those over the age of 21. The festivities will be held from 1-5 p.m., and Audi suggests you preregister.

Source: Audi, Forza