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After months of silence, the 2013 GL-Class has been finally spotted. It is obvious the pictured prototype lost some of its camouflage and it now reveals more details regarding the general design. As expected, the headlights will resemble those on the new M-Class and sport an elegant teardrop shape. Optionally, the car can be equipped with the LED Intelligent Lighting System, which further enhances the looks, but also improves visibility and safety. Nothing to worry about the side profile, as the current muscular, truck-like form will be retained with minor changes. The back end is on the trail of becoming one of the most elegant seen in the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, as those tail lamps will certainly catch many eyes due to the intriguing inner design made up of colourful light-emitting diods. Inside, the same story as for the front end, as the dashboard and the technology will come straight from the recently revealed ML. The latest assistance gimmicks as well as the revolutionary ON & OFF-ROAD Package will help ensure for better dynamics and handling and, above all, for the highest level of passenger security in the segment. When it's launched during the summer of 2012, the new GL-Class will boast an efficient and powerful range of petrol and diesel engine, such as the 3.5-litre DI V6 with 306 hp or the 4.7-litre TT V8 with 435 hp. The AMG variant is also taken into account, as several prototype have already been seen on streets; if the future GL 63 AMG comes to life sometime in 2013, then it could be powered by the 5.5-litre biturbo V8 engine with no less 571 hp of maximum output and 900 Nm of peak torque.
Check out more photos after the jump!
Photos: Carscoop
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The luxury flagship that thrilled the hearts of car afficionados beginning with early 1950s will be completely renewed in the end of the next year. The W 222 generation of the S-Class will debut at the Mondial de l'Automobile in October 2012 and will mark a major shift in the automotive culture. As always, the premium limousine from Stuttgart will set high standards in every aspect, whether you talk about state-of-the-art technology, quality, safety or performance. If the exterior is still much of a secret, spy photographers managed to capture the first image showcasing the dashboard of the upcoming S-Class. Theoretically, as we think this is only a primary form, used to gather essential data for the ongoing testing programme. The digital instrument cluster and the futuristic display of the forthcoming Human Machine Interface remind of the outrageous F 700 concept uncloaked 4 years ago, at the IAA Frankfurt 2007. This brute shape will however suffer further changes, so the finished product could look very different from the above example, as the interior of the new S-Class will blend together the lines and shapes figured on the F 700 and F 800 concept cars.
Related article:
- New details: Next S-Klasse (W 222) to premiere a revolutionary interior architecture
Photo: www.caranddriver.com
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Mercedes-Benz seems to be in a desperate rush to cover any automotive niche still left untouched. Following the reveal of the new A-Class and B-Class, the year 2013 will see the arrival of the baby CLS - the CLC-Class. Design-wise, the compact 4-door coupe will be inspired by both the F 800 Style Research Car and its bigger brother in the portfolio. The C 117, as it's internally dubbed, is planned to reach USA nearing 2014, whereas the other regions will get the new model earlier, shortly after the official premiere. Based on the spectacular Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture (MFA) powertrain, the new CLC will adopt the entire technologycal package from the A- and B- classes, which means a good dose of efficient power, resolute dynamics and a high-grade safety concept.
Related articles:
- Future Projects - 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLC 4-door coupe
- SPY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class - car paparazzies spot it for the first time
See more scoops after the jump!
Photos: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Mercedes-Benz launched the GLK range back in the spring of 2008 as a direct counterresponse to the BMW X3 compact SUV. Inspired by the boxy shape that instantly reminded them of the rugged, but elegant and solid lines of the G-Class, many people acquired a GLK as their personal, everyday-use car during the three years that passed since its premiere. In order to keep up with the overall trend, the German constructor will give its compact 4x4 model an essential makeover towards the end of 2012. General modifications will include some visual tweaks to the front fascia and the back end, as well as some important updates to the dashboard, such as a new, three-pointed steering wheel borrowed from the CLS, better quality materials and possibly a new arrangement for the HVAC and multimedia control panels on the center console. The new GLK Facelift will be standardly equipped with the BlueEFFICIENCY package, which together with the efficient gasoline and diesel engines, comprises a set of distinct measures to improve aerodynamic levels, fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The high-end variants will be the GLK 350 CDI BE with a 265 hp V6 diesel unit and the GLK 350 BE with a 306 hp direct-injection V6 petrol powerplant. Among other upgrades, the 2013 GLK-Class will be one of the safest places on Earth where you could find yourself thanks to the multitude of proven assistance systems, such as the ATTENTION ASSIST, the PRE-SAFE and the Blind Spot Assist - and the list goes on.
Check out more spy shots after the jump!
Photos: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
It was only a week or so ago that we saw the first spy photos showcasing a heavily-camouflaged 2012 A-Class prototype. Recently, spy photographers met the car in Stuttgart, near the Mercedes-Benz R&D Centre. The test car reveals mere clues on the looks of the hatchback, but that's hardly a surprise now after everybody saw a set of leaked patent sketches in May. Designers were in charge to create a crisp and youthful theme for the new model, as this is company's first 5-door vehicle attempt. The boring MPV shape is gone forever now that it was solely reserved for the new B-Class, which, as earlier stated, is indeed more elegant and stylish than in the past.
The new A-Class will closely follow the aesthetic footsteps of the concept car presented in April at Shanghai. That means we'll see the intricately-pampered LED headlights and the arched side windows panel make it onto the serial production model. The dashboard, although different from that of the B-Class, won't feature many of the futuristic materials found on the Concept A-Class, but will preserve some the airplane wing visual effect - mind those aircon vents that look like jet engines, because there's a chance they will be kept for the series car.
Other than that, the underpinnings and the entire technologycal package will be shared with the new B-Class, scheduled for the official reveal at the IAA Frankfurt. So, expect the same level of efficiency and almost the same equipments (depending on the variants). Rumors claim a hardcore, 350-hp version AMG version for the A-Class is also said to be under secret development by the Affalterbach-based tuner and it should hit streets in 2013 if the project gets fully greenlighted.
I expect the new A-Class to be slightly more expensive than its fellow brother - the base price should start at around 23,000-24,000 euros for the most countries in Europe. Mercedes-Benz announced that it will also start selling the car state-side, where it is prone to arrive by early 2013.
Photo source: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The new B-Class arrives this September and it will mark a definitive turnover in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. While the current model managed to attract a positive number of customers according to recent statistics, it was never perceived as a true Mercedes-Benz: the roomy interior and the elegant design didn't manage to counteract the obvious issues related to driving dynamics, overall efficiency and build quality. Having born in the cloudy Schrempp era, the first generation B-Class really had to resist some serious arguments against it to live up to these days and eventually surpass the little A-Class in what sales numbers are concerned. As for the forthcoming W 246, the minds that developed it had to deliver a tough work to fix the problems and create a whole new car both visually and technically.
I think they accomplished the task pretty well, if we have a look at the silhouette hidden under the minor FEP camouflage. The exterior styling has been clearly influenced by the nonconformist Concept BlueZERO if you look at the shape of the headlights, extensively fitted with colourful LEDs, and those weird seen on the side profile. To create a more aggressive stance, the roof line is lower compared to the outgoing model and slopes beautifully towards the back end of the car. Inside, the new B-Class will welcome the passengers with an attractive dashboard and quality materials, that are said to be even more premium than those found in the C-Class, according to Prof. Gorden Wagener, head of Mercedes-Benz design department. The spacious interior offers more storage places, more travelling comfort, more high-tech gimmicks such as the COMAND Online with multiple media and infotainment devices, as well as a revised luggage compartment boasting a greater capacity.
The MPV sits on a brand new modular platform called MFA - this will enable more powering solutions to be easily accommodated without changing the entire chassis or the basic architecture of the underpinnings. For the beginning, conventional internal combustion engines will be offered: Renault will supply the low displacement units up to 1.6 litres, whereas Mercedes-Benz will provide the high-end powerplants, such as the 2.1 litres 4-cylinder diesel engine with 204 hp and the 1.8 litres 4-cylinder petrol motor with the same peak output. To ensure a smooth and efficient run, each and every engine in the range will undergo the BlueEFFICIENCY treatment.
Some of the new assistance technologies which the Stuttgart-based constructor has premiered along with the latest models will make their way onto the upcoming B-Class. Moreover, an upgraded version of the Brake Assist system, which helps reduce the number of rear-end collisions, will also be available. The safety package will further include a high number of airbags for an ultimate passenger protection, pretensioned 3-point seat belts for all the five occupants, PRE-SAFE crash anticipation system, DISTRONIC PLUS, ABS, ESP and certainly many other.
When the new B-Class is launched for sale in Europe by the end of 2011, the standard price tag should reach around 22,000-23,000 euros. There are plans to market the MPV in the USA for the first time in history beginning with the second part of 2012.
Photo source: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
This day's been very rich in spy photos: after we saw the A-Class, it's time to draw our attention to a future niche model: the CLC-Class (neither BLS nor CLA). Don't be confused, as the new car won't have anything in common with the awkward hatchback, already discontinued. Internally dubbed C 117, the CLC will be part of the forthcoming compact family of Mercedes-Benz, will be launched in 2013 and it could be generally seen as the little brother of the CLS. Although it may look a bit bloated due to the extensive camouflage, the beautiful car hidden underneath the black tape is likely to have a balanced, well-proportioned shape. Inspiration for the exterior and interior designs will come from the current CLS-Class and is expected to set high benchmarks in its class in terms of build quality, elegance and efficiency. Engines and technology will be borrowed from the new A-Class and B-Class, but we feel there's more to come: a top version motorized by a petrol/diesel burner with up to 250-300 hp and probably an AMG variant also.
Find out more info about the future Mercedes-Benz CLC >> HERE
Check out more spy shots after the jump!
Source: WorldCarFans
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
This evening marks a premiere, as spy photographers were able to get the first shots of a massively-camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class prototype running on a private test track. Although they share the same platform, the two flagships of the upcoming compact range of the German constructor haven't begun the usual testing phase at the same time. Whereas the B-Class has already covered thousands and thousands of kilometers since 2009, engineers sent the new A-Class on streets just one year ahead of its scheduled unveiling. However, this doesn't automatically mean the car has not been developed behind closed doors, in the Merc's secret R&D labs. Seeing the Concept A-Class in April, the test model bears a lot of resemblance to the show vehicle revealed in Shanghai, at least in what the overall form is concerned. The first variant in the new lineup is a five-door hatchback, as the one in the scoop pics, but a more sports-oriented, three-door version similar to the concept is also in cards. Losing the bulky, rather unattractive MPV shape of the outgoing model means the new A-Class will gun for the BMW 1er and the Audi A3. The main artilery of the car for the fight is the spectacular MFA platform, which promises to be a trendsetter in the segment in areas such as modularity, efficiency and ride behaviour. Along with the A-Class, a new range of low-displacement Renault engines will debut, as part of the partnership signed last year. Mercedes-Benz will be in charge of supplying the high-end powerplants: the A 250 BlueEFFICIENCY and the A 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, both capable of delivering 204 hp of peak output. The official tuner of the Stuttgart-based carmaker, AMG, is reportedly working on a super A-Class: the A 25 AMG, packing a new supercharged, 4-cylinder engine boasting 350 hp and an all-wheel-drive platform.
Hit the break and see more spy photos!
Source: WorldCarFans
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
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