World of Automobile: Mercedes

Showing posts with label Mercedes. Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2012

New Mercedes Popemobile based on an M-Class

The Pope has got a new car and, choosing not to break from tradition, he's opted for a Mercedes-Benz once again. Having received his new car from Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, we check out some of the key features of the Pope's latest ride.

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Mercedes E-Class 2013 in pictures

This is the “new-generation” Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which goes on sale in 2013. Don’t go thinking that means it’s an all-new E-Class, though, as it’s really a comprehensive makeover of the current version, which has been around since 2009. No prices yet, but we do know it features technology “from the future”.

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New Mercedes Popemobile based on an M-Class

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Mercedes E-Class 2013 in pictures

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Mercedes Benz plans steep hike in vehicles prices

Mumbai/New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS)

Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India Tuesday announced it would 'substantially' hike the prices of all its models next month to offset rising input costs, unfavourable exchange rates and inflation, all of which have hit profit margins.

"Significant levels of cost escalations have been absorbed by us till now. But beyond a point we cannot continue to sustain such levels," said managing director Eberhard Kern.

However, the levels of the price hike for its various models has not yet been disclosed.

Kern pointed out that the company has made substantial investments to the tune of Rs.8.50 billion in the production facility at Chakan, near Pune, besides another Rs.4.80 billion by its dealer partners network in the country.

"We are responsible for the growth of our employees and dealer partners. We aim for a suitable profitable growth maintaining our premium appeal and are going to substantially to increase the prices of all Mercedes-Benz cars from next month," Kern said.

The company currently has the densest network amongst any luxury car maker in India with 72 touchpoints in 31 cities across India.

At its Pune manufacturing facility, it operates in two shifts capable of producing 10,000 units annually.

The company produces the C, E, S and M Class sedans locally and two months ago (Oct 2012) it kicked off its technologically advanced paint shop with a capacity of 20,000 units per annum.

--IANS

View the original article here

Mercedes Benz plans steep hike in vehicles prices

Mumbai/New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS)

"Significant levels of cost escalations have been absorbed by us till now. But beyond a point we cannot continue to sustain such levels," said managing director Eberhard Kern.

However, the levels of the price hike for its various models has not yet been disclosed.

The company currently has the densest network amongst any luxury car maker in India with 72 touchpoints in 31 cities across India.

At its Pune manufacturing facility, it operates in two shifts capable of producing 10,000 units annually.

The company produces the C, E, S and M Class sedans locally and two months ago (Oct 2012) it kicked off its technologically advanced paint shop with a capacity of 20,000 units per annum.

--IANS

View the original article here

Friday, June 17, 2011

We Drive Mercedes’ Burly C63 AMG Coupe, Start Planning Next M3 Comparo

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe – Review – Car and Driver #pallet {margin:0;}#echoice li.category {margin:0;}Car and DriverIntelligence. Independence. Irreverence. VehiclesReviewsNewsFeaturesBuyer's GuideFollow UsSubscribeSearch Car and DriverHome › Reviews › 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe - First Drive Review

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe - First Drive ReviewIf you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.BY K.C. COLWELL, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREAS LINDLAHR AND THE MANUFACTURER
May 2011

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

Photos (48)Visit Our Buyer's Guide »Mercedes-Benz C-class› Overview› Specifications› Price with Options› Photos & 360° View› Get a Free QuoteNews & Reviews2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Debuts @ 2011 New York Auto Show - Video2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class / C250 / C350 - First Drive Review2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 - Short Take Road Test2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe AMG Spy Photos - Future Cars2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Spy Photos - Future CarsTop CompetitorsAudi S5 coupeBMW M3 coupeCadillac CTS-V coupeJaguar XK coupePorsche 911 Carrera

Since the 2008 C63 AMG went on sale, Mercedes has sold nearly 20,000 examples worldwide of the sedan and its not-for-the-U.S. wagon counterpart. Not bad for a hard-core enthusiast machine, but Mercedes still thinks it’s leaving something on the table. Enter the latest addition to the C-class AMG lineup, this C63 coupe. It just so happens that the C63’s biggest competition, the BMW M3, comes in coupe and sedan shells, too.

According to Tobias Moers, AMG’s “Dr. Frankenstein” and director of vehicle development, the C63 coupe was engineered according to a strict “no compromises” brief. When pressed, Moers admits that the Benz marketers added a two-pane glass roof as standard equipment. According to him, the added bulk barely affects the curb weight or center-of-gravity height. But the 17-year AMG veteran still claims he can feel it.

Most drivers won’t. They will be too busy basking in the glory that is 451 horses underhood bucking upwards of 7200 times a minute. Tack on another 30 with the AMG Development package (DP). Normally, when an option pack uncorks a few ponies, it does so with virtual octane, i.e., by remapping the engine computer. While the AMG DP does indeed include a reflash, it also throws in SLS-borrowed engine internals (forged pistons and a lightweight crank and connecting rods) for the 6.2-liter V-8. The new parts reduce reciprocating and rotating mass by seven pounds. Peak torque remains more than satisfactory, at 443 pound-feet, while the top-speed governor jumps from 155 mph to 174.

Pricing is still in limbo, but expect the AMG DP to add no less than $6000 to the estimated base price of $63,500 when the coupe hits showrooms in September. Those fluent in the styling language of AMG will recognize the AMG connection by the red brake calipers and the small carbon-fiber lip spoiler on the trunk. The really nosy ones will see synthetic-suede trim on an ovoid steering wheel.

Compared with the C63 sedan, the coupe is, well, short two doors and one seating position. As in the four-door, aggressive AMG styling cues start at the large, lower-grille opening and finish in back with a diffuser. The new coupe reaps the benefits of the sedan’s 2012 chassis tweaks, too. The wheels are aligned with increased negative camber, and every bushing has been retuned, as have the springs and shocks. The wet-clutch-pack engine-to-transmission coupler got the nod, thanks to its improved efficiency (fewer losses than a torque converter) and quicker shifts (as little as 0.1 second).

At 3900 pounds, the coupe is some 100 pounds lighter than the sedan. But as before, off-the-line traction is the limiting factor in initial acceleration. Thankfully, the updated transmission includes launch control, slingshotting the C63 with DP to 60 mph in no more than 3.8 seconds, with the quarter-mile mark passing in 12.1. Non-DP C63s will lag slightly behind in the quarter.

Speaking of traction, the old C63 was notoriously adolescent—it just loved ass-happy antics. Chassis updates quell this a bit, inching the balance closer to neutral. The back still comes around in lift-throttle situations and with salubrious applications of throttle. Catching the tail is child’s play despite light steering and the extra corrections needed to hold a cornering line. Plus, there is more wiggle room on center than we prefer.

If the firm ride doesn’t remind passengers that they are in a special Benz, the high-side seats and wicked exhaust wail will. A comparison with the M3 is imminent. Until then, let’s just call this another in a line of monster AMGs.