Section: Mercedes-Benz
Written By: Winding Road Staff
May 16th, 2008 2:31 PM
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Just in time for warm weather to grace our Michigan office, a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 rolled into our test fleet for a fourteen-day stay. For 2009, Benz has removed the manual transmission from the 350, which was one of the best parts of the SLK we tested last year, but we weren’t completely turned off by the 7G-Tronic manu-matic setup which has been added in its place. The new SLK boasts more power and a revised appearance, and it quickly became a dear friend to all of us on staff.
Click through the jump to read our full impressions and click the images below to launch a gallery of our SLK350 test car.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 15th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Mercedes-Benz is apparently going crazy for aluminum in the next iteration of its E-class, planning to make “extensive use” of the material in the upcoming version of the car. Autocar is reporting in the print version of its April 30 issue that M-B will use the lightweight metal for “some key body panels “.
While the German automaker hopes to keep the size of the E-class about the same as the current model, it plans on bringing weight down while increasing interior space, fuel economy, and overall refinement in the new vehicle.
No word yet on how the added aluminum will weigh on the car’s price tag however.
+ Autocar
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 8th, 2008 12:30 PM
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Whether or not you’re stirred by Hyundai’s new Genesis sedan, or more probably the rear-drive Genesis Coupe, it hard to argue that the company hasn’t made massive strides in a relatively short period of time.
While holding court with a group of journalists at a lunch in Namyang, South Korea, Hyundai President of Research and Development, Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, reflected on the company’s origins and its future. Lee pointed out that when Hyundai was young it relied on Mitsubishi to supply it with basic four-cylinder powerplants for its vehicles. These days however, the Korean automaker actually supplies engine technology for the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter units of both Mitsubishi and Chrysler, building around 1.7 million such in 2007.
Interestingly Lee also told a story about a meeting with Dr. Dieter Zetsche of Mercedes-Benz, at this year’s Beijing Auto Show. Zetsche had announced that he would like the prestigious three-pointed star to partner with Hyundai for four-cylinder engines. Reflecting Lee said, “I am not sure we want to share our technology.” And the world turns.
+ Automobile: Hyundai: from borrowing engines from Mitsubishi to providing them for Mercedes-Benz
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 1st, 2008 2:45 PM
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Mercedes-AMG brings another 6.2-liter V-8 bomber for the ‘burbs. The thumping SL63 AMG makes us both dismiss and appreciate the outgoing SL55 AMG.
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Written By: Winding Road Staff
April 29th, 2008 1:30 PM
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We look at some of the similarities and differences between a frontline Chrysler product and the best-selling Mercedes-Benz on earth.
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Written By: David Yang
April 21st, 2008 10:00 AM
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The debut of the GLK, the first compact SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz, marks the automaker’s first world premiere in China.
“After last year’s success, which saw Mercedes-Benz China achieve a volume increase of 53 percent, the new GLK will inject additional momentum here and in other markets,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Famous the world over for her movie success, actress Zhang Ziyi is a superstar of the Chinese movie scene and guest of honor at the GLK world premiere. Her big international break came with her role in Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. “I love this powerful, great looking all-rounder,” said Zhang Ziyi about the new GLK in conversation with Dr. Dieter Zetsche.
(Click on the thumbnails below to enjoy a gallery of live GLK images or on the jump to read more.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 18th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Debuted as thinly veiled concepts called Townside and Freeside at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz has announced that its production GLK crossover will make a public debut at the Beijing Auto Show.
Mercedes will offer the rather ungainly CUV with only one engine when it goes on sale in the U.S., a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 268 horsepower. The GLK will come in both 4MATIC All-wheel-drive and two-wheel-drive, with a seven-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. Two-wheel-drive GLK350 won’t shirk from sprightly performance either, should its driver need it, sprinting form 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 6.5 seconds.
Have a peek at the GLK in our gallery below or click through the jump to read the official M-B press release.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 9th, 2008 2:00 PM
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Germany’s Daimler said today that it was holding to its 2008 and medium-term earnings forecasts, saying that its focus on the premium market would help it to stay ahead of an economic slowdown.
The automaker said last February that its pretax earnings for 2008 would clearly pass the level of 2007 when the company generated income of $13.74 billion. Daimler has also stayed true to its prediction that the margin on its overall business would rise to 9 percent beginning in 2010.
Company CEO Dieter Zetsche referenced fears of a slowing world economy by saying, “We are well equipped to handle the current macroeconomic challenges. Zetsche pointed out that the company wasn’t financially tied to the subprime lending business, and that Daimler possesses a “high level of gross liquidity,” that further strengthens its position.
+ Automotive News: Daimler sticks to 2008 forecast (subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 7th, 2008 2:00 PM
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The March 26 issue of Autocar’s print magazine has got an interesting tidbit regarding Mercedes-Benz tuning specialists AMG.
The magazine claims to have high-placed MB sources for a story about AMG adding twin turbos to upcoming versions of the 6.2-liter V-8. The new powerplants will also boast direct injection technology, though merely raising the engine’s horsepower isn’t said to be at the root of the changes.
AMG is said to be seeking improvements in efficiency and a lowering of fuel consumption, with the changes. Autocar’s source says “There will be a slight increase in power, but really it’s all about creating optimal conditions for the introduction of direct injection.” Increased AMG power with more economy thrown in? Consider us on the bandwagon.
+ Autocar
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 27th, 2008 10:00 AM
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Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will soon be making a change at the top end of its design team, replacing current head man Peter Pfeiffer (pictured) when he enters retirement sometime around the middle of this year.
Pfeiffer will be followed up by Gordon Wagener, who currently runs the Mercedes design studios in California and Japan. The 39-year-old Wagener is also presently responsible for Mercedes’ strategic advanced design program.
Set to turn 65 this year, Pfeiffer has worked at Mercedes-Benz since 1968, and has served as design chief for the company since 1999.
+ Automotive News: Mercedes gets new design chief (subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 25th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Roger Penske is sure that he can sell even more than the 25,000 Smart ForTwo’s he’s been promised for 2008, to an American public that’s becoming increasingly receptive to the diminutive two-seater. The CEO of Penske Automotive Group (which imports the Smart from Europe) believes that he could move as many as 15,000 more units if Mercedes-Benz were able to deliver them.
While the Smart factory is already said to be turning out the minicars as fast as it can, Penske is still hopeful that he may hear back from Mercedes regarding increased production for the U.S.
Meanwhile, the Smart sales machine in this country is steadily making progress, with 67 dealers of the 74 planned open and operating in the first quarter. The strong dealership presence, along with Smart’s policy of asking a mere $99 as a deposit on the ForTwo, has led to backlog of orders for the new car.
+ AutoWeek: Penske’s Smart start: He’d like 15,000 more
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 17th, 2008 2:00 PM
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Automaker Daimler is reportedly going to take a long and hard look at the case for shutting down ultra-premium marque Maybach. Daimler is said to be targeting a two-year plan to decide whether or not it’s worthwhile to invest more into the struggling Maybach, or if it’s time to call the game.
Daimler and Mercedes head Dr. Dieter Zetsche inherited the Maybach experiment from his predecessor Juergen Schrempp, which would seem to make it an easier for him to pull the plug. Though if the good doctor is looking for reasons, he need check no further than the brand’s poor sales figures; Maybach has only reached about ten percent of its original sales forecast.
Zetsche has said publicly that Maybach’s sales figures aren’t that important, and that the brand exists to show what the company is capable of at the highest level against rivals like BMW. But Zetsche has also confirmed that there are currently no plans in the works for more Maybach models. Let the two-year countdown begin.
(Click on the thumbnails below to take a look at Maybach’s Landaulete from the Detroit Auto Show.)
+ Autoblog: Daimler considers shutting down Maybach
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
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