car auto blaas

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a sports car and supercar automobile co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars. It is assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. Most people presume “SLR” to stand for “Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport” (German for “Sport; Light; Racing”). The car’s base price is £300,000 or $455,500. The SLR has a supercharged 5.5 (5439cc) litre dry sumped 90 degree V8. It produces 466.8 kW at 6500rpm (626 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lbf)

Exterior and Interior



The Ciento Once will come with a body made out of high-grade aluminum and an electrically operated rear adjustable wing. Other elements that will be added to this one-off vehicle include a swooping front hood, front spoiler with large air intake, a rear diffusor, and of course, those gull wing doors.



Comparing it to the 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 from which it was based on, the Ciento Once will come with a slightly shorter wheelbase at 103 inches while maintaining the same weight – around 1,400 kg – as its inspiration. The one-off car also runs on GWA Type A wheels, 19X9 front and 20X11 rears, with 265/35/19 and 295/30/20 rubber.



As for the interior, GWA Tuning gave the Ciento Once a modern take while also taking into account a vintage retro feel. Modern items include carbon fiber seats covered in plaid, an instrument panel that’s been modeled after a W120R MB, modern dashboard accents, illuminated door sills, and brushed AMG aluminum pedals.



Performance



GWA Tuning certainly made sure to give the Ciento Once an engine worthy of its one-off status. Housed in a tubular space frame chassis, the car’s power plant is derived from a M120 Mercedes V12 engine that produces a robust 408 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed Cima H-type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust. Even better, the car’s powerful engine can be seen through a glass on the rear deck, making for some nice ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’ from passersby.



Pricing



No word yet on how much it’s going to cost, but considering it’s most likely going to be a one-off vehicle, there’s a very big chance that it’s going to come with a steep price tag. How steep? Well, we wouldn’t be surprised if it punches a number north of six digits.



Competition



Scoff if you want, but if you’re in the market for a one-of-a-kind Mercedes with gullwing doors to rival your neighbor’s SLS AMG, then GWA Tuning’s Ciento Once is the perfect candidate for that. Just make sure you call ‘dibs’ on the car before everybody else.

We usually see women behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. Who can blame them? It’s a cute little car. The original SLK debuted in 1996 with a four-cylinder powerplant and all of 136 ponies. What it lacked in the motivation department it made up for with its Vario-roof retractable hardtop. Not since the 1957 Ford Skyliner could a car stop so much traffic while parked.

The SLK gained some testosterone with its first facelift in 2000. While the exterior was still rather tame, the chick car jokes ceased in 2001 with the introduction of the 354-horsepower SLK 32 AMG.

Things continued to get better with the all-new 2004 edition and its sleeker styling that paid homage to Mercedes’ Formula One designs and the beastly McMerc SLR. The reality that AMG could stuff its hand-built 5.4-liter V8 under the hood made the second-generation SLK a serious performance car.

For 2012, the SLK officially begins its third generation, and you can see the difference from 100 yards. Especially from the front view, the roadster looks more mature and substantial. The split-grill design reconstitutes the 190 SL’s design from the late 1950s in a handsome, modern manner. The bolder aesthetics continue in the rear, which features large arches over the rear wheels and LED taillamps. And it keeps getting better on the inside…

Inside, the modernized retro theme continues, with our SLK350 tester’s circular vent outlets ported through the handsomely contoured dash covered in hand-stitched Nappa leather (like the SLS AMG). Round analog gauges flank a center digital display in the main binnacle, while a bright, seven-inch LCD handles navigation as well as manipulating the climate control and infotainment systems.

While the interior and exterior are mostly new, from an engineering standpoint, the third generation seems more like a Gen 2.5.5; a facelift of the 2008 facelift. The 2012 SLK rides on the same 95.7-inch wheelbase. It’s about an inch longer and an inch wider (overall width and track), and the tidy dimensions help this car stay true to what SLK stands for: Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light) and Kompakt (compact).

Engines are familiar to fans of the Three-Pointed Star. In the States, we will eventually get two of three available engines for the new SLK: the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6. Four-cylinder models will be called the SLK250, while V6 models gets the SLK350 badge. For 2012, both engines gain direct fuel injection in a nod to efficiency. Horsepower, torque and preliminary estimated miles per gallon figures are 201, 229 pound-feet, and 23/31 for the 1.8-liter engine and 302, 273 lb-ft., and 20/29 for the uprated V6. On this trip, only the six-cylinder SLK350 was available for us to drive, as it will be the only model offered when the SLK goes on sale in June. The SLK250 is scheduled for availability in the U.S. later in the model year.

Both engines run their torque through an updated seven-speed automatic modified to accommodate a new fuel-saving start/stop functionality. Unfortunately, cars coming to the USA won’t be getting the latter feature – at least for the moment. That’s too bad, given where fuel prices are trending and the system’s relative smoothness. Mercedes-Benz engineers use the crankshaft position sensor to know which cylinder has stopped closest to the optimum position for re-starting the engine. The engine control module then re-fires that cylinder first, an action that helps smooth out and quicken the re-start event.

To prepare for our drive, we needed to store two large duffle bags and wondered how much room our SLK350’s trunk provided. Mercedes-Benz literature claims 6.4 cubic feet with the roof lowered and 10.1 cubes with the roof raised. Since we would soon be driving from sea level through the clouds to the observatory at Teide National Park, some 7,800 feet above the Atlantic in Spain’s canary Islands, the top would be down and up depending on the precipitation (or a lack thereof). The trunk easily swallowed two large backpacks and a camera case with the roof stowed. Nifty.

The SLK’s hallmark retractable hardtop comes in three varieties: solid steel panels, a tinted roof section or with Benz’s trick new Magic Sky Control electrochromatic roof section. The later roof’s trick is that the transparent panel can shift its tint from almost clear to heavily darkened.

The glass section is a glass-matrix polymer-glass sandwich in which nearly microscopic rectangular particles are suspended in carrier-type fluid. When a small electrical charge is put through the polymer layer, the particles obediently arrange themselves in a vertical orientation, letting light pass through mostly unencumbered. When the juice is cut via a switch on the windshield header, the particles rotate 45-degrees, blocking most of the light (and heat) attempting to pass through. The shift requires nary a second. (Geek Note: Magic Sky Control uses a similar principle to Delphi’s Magnetic Ride Control dampers that control the flow path of damper fluid.)

When it came time to press the starter button and head for the observatory, temperatures were mild, and low clouds hung over our oceanfront starting point. With rain threatening, it neither felt nor looked like top-down driving weather, so the top stayed in place.

The imperfect roads on Tenerife presented a less-than-ideal surface that worked to shake and rattle the SLK. It accomplished neither. The roadster easily absorbed the punishment with the aplomb of a true fixed-roof coupe. Interior noise levels (engine, road and wind) were well subdued, and the exhaust note of the V6 sounded sportier than the same mill in the C-Class sedan. No surprise there, but still a welcome discovery.

Short-wheelbase cars can feel skittish, but the SLK simply doesn’t. Even at full throttle with every foot-pound of torque twisting the rear half shafts, the SLK350 felt unshakable and secure.

As we left the island’s primary roads for the twisties ascending the extinct volcano’s walls to the observatory, the SLK’s locked-down feeling continued. Our route took us into the clouds that were heavy with moisture and the narrow roads turned slick. It seemed that the entire ride up the mountain was a Falling Rock Zone, and plenty of rocks littered the asphalt – like we needed more excitement.

Even running uphill, the 302-hp six-cylinder had plenty of power in reserve. Thinking that leaving the electronic stability control in the ‘On’ position was a good idea, we’d often feel it working to keep the SLK in line. As expected, it immediately curbed any oversteer, but did so in a way that wasn’t retaliatory – it simply chided for being overexuberant.

What was unexpected was the so-called torque-vectoring function of the Electronic Stability Control. When diving into a corner under braking, we’re trained to expect a certain amount understeer – particular from Mercedes. The SLK senses the understeer and helps to mitigate it by adding a measured amount of braking to the inside rear wheel, helping to increase the car’s yaw rate and make it rotate more easily.

We’ll have to wait for the AMG-tuned version of the SLK to arrive before this chassis can be completely exploited, but indications are good thus far. Unfortunately, the ESC on the SLK350 cannot be completely disabled. When the dash switch is toggled off, the tires will spin to aid acceleration on snow or through mud, but any yaw immediately triggers a throttle intervention. When the AMG version arrives, expect an option to completely shut down the ESC.

Even with ESC on, the SLK remained a remarkably fun steer. The traditional hydraulic rack-and-pinion box had a natural on-center feel. Rolling off of center, starting at about 5 degrees, the box cranks the wheels with a constant ratio. At 100 degrees of steering angle – just beyond a quarter turn and just before your arms get crossed up – the ratio increases and the wheels turn more quickly. This is a huge help on roads that twist enough that you spend as much time looking out the side glass as the windshield. On the roads of Tenerife, we rarely had to shuffle the wheel or get our arms completely crossed-up.

Somewhere north of 6,000 feet we broke through the clouds and the top went down. It was chilly enough for us to turn on the Airscarf, a feature that blows warm air on your neck. We also put up the Airguide windstop. With the heater cranked up, we remained warm in the cabin, and buffeting was kept to a minimum.

After shooting some photos, we headed back down the mountain. This strained the brakes, as evidenced by the soft pedal and burning odor. However, the Continental SportContact5 tires (225/40R18 front and 245/35/R18 rear) – known for their ability to shed speed with authority – never faltered. The average SLK driver probably isn’t going to give their drop-top the same workout, so for daily duty, the standard stoppers should do nicely.

In all, the 2012 SLK’s driving experience was a good one. It did, however, leave us wondering about a few things. First, we’re looking forward to some time behind the wheel of the lighter SLK250. The tonnage is down by more than 100 pounds and weight distribution should be closer to 50/50. The SLK350’s smaller-engined sibling could end up being the better of the two offerings – that is, until the V8 AMG model enters the mix. We’ll let you know as soon as we get the chance to try them out.

[Source: autoblog]

Founded way back in 1886, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. And with a portfolio full of enticing products, the German automaker has plenty to choose from to turn into a commemorative special edition – the SLS AMG, C63 AMG or even the formidable G-Wagen, for example. So which did Mercedes go with? The Viano.

The special Avantgarde edition of the Silver Star van sold overseas gets a load of chrome trim to compliment the black or silver paint, plus 19-inch wheels and an interior decked out with six individual bucket seats (upholstered in either Lugano leather or Twin Dinamica microfiber).

Two V6 engines are available in the two-ton special edition Benz van: a 3.5-liter unit burning gasoline and churning out 258 horsepower, or a 3.0-liter diesel with 224-hp that will sprint to 60 miles per hour in 9.1 seconds.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

PRESS RELEASE:

Big on Class in Every Respect: The New Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125

With its extrovert appearance the avant-garde vehicle in its class

Selected equipment and appointments, sporty ambience
Dynamic V6 engines, specially tuned sports suspension

Dynamism, comfort and sportiness – the new Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125 embodies these three terms like no other large-capacity vehicle. It combines an unmistakeable exterior look with selected equipment and appointments and a dynamic drive system, making it the top model in its class. The Edition 125 of the Viano Avantgarde represents the perfect blend of MPV, saloon and sports car.

With its extrovert appearance the avant-garde vehicle in its class
The look of the Viano Avantgarde’s Edition 125 is certainly nothing for wallflowers; it symbolises the avant-garde in its class. It is shod in exquisite 16-spoke high-sheen 8J x 19 light-alloy wheels, whilst the high-gloss chromed exterior mirror housings plus side skirts and chrome trim on the front bumper and chromed rear trim on the tailgate highlight the special styling. The model is available in the metallic paintwork variants obsidian black or brilliant silver.

Selected equipment and appointments, sporty ambience
The stylish look continues in the interior: the driver and front passenger will feel at home on seats that are as comfortable as they are sporty, featuring the finest leather cover with a piping design, plus increased lateral support. Customers can choose from “Lugano” leather or the new exclusive “Twin DINAMICA” microfibre surface. The cockpit is equally impressive, with its white scale illumination for the instruments, and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs. The decorative strips have a black or brown burr-walnut look.

There are four individual seats for the passengers in the rear and these also feature leather covers with a piping design, and are both stylish and comfortable. These seats, too, boast special padding with increased lateral support. The inserts in the side trim panels are also in leather, whilst the decorative strips sport a burr-walnut look. The individual seats mounted on rails can be moved in 25-mm steps and include integral three-point seat belts, height-adjustable head restraints and adjustable armrests.

Dynamic V6 engines, specially tuned sports suspension
The dynamic drive system featuring V6 engines from Mercedes-Benz is the perfect match for the Viano Avantgarde Edition 125’s sporty appearance. The units are unique in this vehicle class: the V6 CDI 3.0 with an output of 165 kW (224 hp) and its extraordinary traction of 440 Nm combines power with consideration for the environment. BlueEFFICIENCY technology reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to a surprisingly low level, with fuel consumption in accordance with the NEDC amounting to a mere 8.5-8.6 l/100 km or 224-226 CO2 (g/km) – a very respectable figure in view of the vehicle size and performance. The V6 petrol engine which is available as an alternative has a displacement of 3.5 l and achieves 190 kW (258 hp), blending its torquey temperament with extremely smooth running characteristics.

Performance reaches a unique level in both variants. The V6 CDI 3.0 accelerates to 100 km/h in only 9.1 s and achieves a top speed of 201 km/h. For the V6 3.5 the figures are 10.4 s and 217 km/h.

Power transmission to the rear axle is via an automatic transmission. The Viano was already characterised by its high degree of handling safety and comfortable suspension, and it has now been particularly sportily tuned especially for the Edition 125 of its Avantgarde model, meeting the most discerning of standards when it comes to driving dynamics.

The Edition 125 of the Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde is available from the spring in two different lengths: “compact” and “long”.

Following in the footsteps of the 700HP Brabus G V12 S, Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has unleashed the 800 Widestar, an extreme version of the G-Class off-roader.



The 800 Widestar is equipped with an V12 engine sourced from the Mercedes-Benz S600, but with extensive upgrades such as the increase in displacement from 5.4 to 6.3-liters, the addition of a new intake system, new engine mapping and the complex Brabus bi-turbo system featuring four water-to-air intercoolers. Additionally, the V12 is fitted with a custom stainless-steel exhaust-system.



All these put together lead to a maximum output of 800 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a truck-like torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft), available from 2,100 rpm. However, peak torque is electronically limited to 1,100 Nm, in order to protect the transmission.



The reinforced five-speed automatic gearbox sends the enormous torque to all four wheels via a permanent 4WD system, with the results being mind-blowing for an off-roader. 0 to 100 km/h takes just a mere 4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 240 km/h (149 mph). Without the limiter, Brabus reckons the 800 Widestar could reach 270 km/h (168 mph).



As the name suggests, the car has received a wide-body treatment, with the fender flares adding 12 cm (4.7 in) to the body width leaving enough space for wheels sized between 20 and 23 inches. Overall, the car looks quite aggressive and intimidating.



It also features Brabus' Ride Control suspension with automatic damper adjustment. Inside, the 800 Widestar gets an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel, a speedometer with 280 km/h (182 mph) dial and stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo.

The second Mercedes-Benz CLS generation has arrived and in a world debut Brabus presents an exclusive tuning program for the new four-door coupe at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.



Sporty-elegant design paired with aerodynamic efficiency is the trademark of Brabus. For the new CLS body components were developed in the wind tunnel. They are manufactured in OEM quality from flexible high-quality Pur-R-Rim.



The Brabus front spoiler is mounted to the production bumper and noticeably reduces lift on the front axle at high speeds. The front can be further upgraded with the Brabus front apron caps. They feature strikingly styled air inlets and LED daytime running lights, available with either dark or chrome surrounds.

The CLS gets a distinctly dynamic appearance with the Brabus sport fenders. In addition to gills each side also features a horizontal brace with illuminated Brabus lettering.



The Brabus sill skirts give the four-door an even lower, sleeker stance. A useful and appealing added feature is the set of integrated entrance lights that are activated via keyless fob or door handles.

LED lights for safely accessing the trunk in the dark are integrated into the Brabus rear apron. Custom-tailored cutouts in the new rear apron provide the perfect backdrop for the four tailpipes of the Brabus sport exhaust system. The rear appearance is rounded out with a centrally mounted reflector.

Mercedes-Benz Roadster Specifications and Features

Mercedes-Benz Roadster pictures,Photos and images

Features

• Finest nap pa leather seats
• COMAND APS control and display system
• High-resolution 6.5-inch color display
• MUSIC REGISTER with 4 GB storage space
• Surround sound system with Dolby Digital system
  
• Blue tooth hands-free system
• Multifunction steering

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster