Mercedes-Benz is all about efficiency these days – and capital letters, apparently.  Just like the S400 BlueHYBRID, the new S320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY gets the CAPITAL treatment.  Rather than some tricked-out lithium ion powered hybrid system though, the S320 CDI gets a 3.0 liter diesel six.  Added for efficiency are a seven speed automatic and low rolling resistance tires.  All this adds up to a hybrid-besting 31 MPG average – 2 MPG more than the S400 BlueHYBRID.  Not bad for an oil burner.

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This one brings back memories.  I first posted spy shots of this car way back in January of 2008 – 8 long months ago.  Some of the details have changed since then, but it looks like the change is for the better.  However, Europe is going to get the S400 BlueHYBRID before us – June of 2009, to be exact.  The US won’t see it until September 2009.  That’s a full year away – though we do get to check out the juicy details in the meantime.  Without further adieu, here we go:

2009 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID Specs

• 299 HP Combined ( engine & motor )
• 279 HP 3.5 liter V6 engine
• 20 HP electric motor
• Lithium-ion battery pack
• 32.6 MPG ( based on Europe – US conversion ) rough estimate

You read that right – the S400 BlueHYBRID is the first production hybrid to use lithium-ion batteries.  As a result, the hybrid system, batteries included, only weighs 165 lbs.  That’s a huge bonus – and helps contribute to the S400 BlueHYBRID’s excellent fuel economy.  Remember, this is a full size luxury sedan we’re talking about.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet- but you can expect it will be serious.  The S class starts in the $86k range, so I think it’s safe to say we’ll see this S400 BlueHYBRID right around the $100k mark.  Not exactly chump change, but one hell of a ride anyway.

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Spy photographers managed to snag the first shots of the upcoming 2009 Mercedes E63 AMG.  The platform is all new, complete with CLS-style headlights.  The powertrain isn’t set in stone yet, but it looks like the trusty 6.2 liter AMG V8 will get the nod.  No word on horsepower yet, but I think “more than adequate” should cover it.

Source.

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Not content to leave Lexus alone in the luxury hybrid segment, Mercedes-Benz is readying it’s own entry.  Called the S400, this car will mate an electric motor with a V6 for a total of 275 HP.  Nothing exciting yet, right?  The cool part is that reportedly, Mercedes is going to use lithium-ion batteries, rather than the current favorite NIMH batteries. 

Estimated fuel economy is an average of 30 MPG.  That would be a pretty darn impressive number for a full-size luxury sedan like the S400.  And I’m surprised to see MB differ from Lexus’s path of going for more power rather than more MPG from the hybrid powertrain.  Pricing isn’t known at this point, but it’s a Benz hybrid – it’s not going to come cheap.

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Mercedes-Benz tends to stick to relatively conservative styling as a rule – as a good luxury-car maker should. That makes the F700 concept all the more interesting – it’s the most boldly styled Mercedes concept I can recall seeing. The whole idea behind this car is fantastic – Big, Luxurious, and exceptional fuel economy. Preliminary gas mileage tests yielded an amazing 44.3 MPG, as well as a very low 127 grams / kilometer CO2 rating. This is one clean, miserly luxury car.

The amazing mileage is made possible by an all-new DIESOTTO powertrain, with a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder gas engine at the core. You’d think this car would be powered by diesel, but regular old gas is used. This is a car to look out for – stay tuned for more details.

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Mercedes is joining the hybrid game, and it’s about time. The 2009 ML 450 Hybrid will be making it’s official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show – and it’s a pretty slick machine. If you like Mercedes SUV’s ( I don’t, but many folks do ), then you’ll know that they are excellent vehicles in just about every way except fuel economy. The ML 450 Hybrid aims to fix that, with expected MPG ratings of 30 MPG or slightly higher. That does sound like a lofty goal, especially with the expected 340 HP engine under the hood. Perhaps Mercedes is better at this hybrid game than we thought. We’ll have to stick it out a little longer as more details begin to emerge.

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Check this out – Mercedes has an upcoming “Super coupe” called the SLC series.  This spy shot is not confirmed to be the SLC, but everything points in that direction.  The hood is impossibly long ( perhaps even longer than a Viper ), so this one will definitely have the engine mounted up front.  RWD is almost a sure bet too, as it’s an AMG product. 

Not much is known about the SLC at this time, other than it’s going to ride on an all aluminum frame, and it will be ridiculously fast.  AMG has a number of insanely powerful engines to choose from, so I’m sure the final specs will be impressive.

Source.

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The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is due to hit the US in April of 2008 – later than I hoped. See, the C63 AMG is a muscle car in the classic sense – a compact ( well compact-ish ) car stuffed with a massive 6.2 liter V8. This little car will put out an outstanding 451 horsepower – and an equally impressive 443 lb-ft of torque.

The C63 AMG is aimed squarely at the BMW M3, and surpasses it slightly in horsepower, while crushing it’s torque output. It may not look as stunning as the M3, but it’s no slouch either. Thee hood and front end are much more aggressive than the standard C class baby Benz, to make sure everyone knows it means business. Is it worth $63 grand? Who knows. But I wouldn’t kick it out of bed.

2007 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Specs

• 451 HP / 443 lb-ft 6.2 liter DOHC V8
• 7 speed automatic transmission
• RWD
• Curb weight: 3800 lbs
• Starts at $63,000

2007 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Reviews

Kicking Tires reviews the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and writes – ‘Of course, the C63 also has a beefed-up look to match its enhanced performance. The hood is larger, with two “power domes,” and both the front and rear bumpers are more aggressive than the standard C-Class. There are also available 19-inch wheels and standard 18-inchers. Inside, the seats are of the sport variety, and there’s even a different steering wheel aimed at enthusiast drivers. All this work should make the C63 formidable competition for the Audi RS4 and upcoming BMW M3. We won’t know for sure until early 2008, when the C63 will go on sale. For now, check out the photo gallery.’

Motor Trend reviews the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and writes – ‘The C63′s big-motor-in-small-car formula approximates rocket-propelled acceleration, but the throttle is never jumpy, making it easy to exit corners smoothly. The stability-control system’s “sport” mode allows reasonable drift angles (it was programmed so as to allow the car to circulate the Nurburgring Nordschleife just as fast in the ESP-Sport mode as with the system switched off). With ESP switched off, the rear-axle brakes still work to keep the wheels spinning at the same speed, and full ESP functionality returns if the driver brakes hard in the middle of a corner. Where this engine will trump the forthcoming M3′s V-8 is not with its 30-plus extra horsepower, but with its titanic 148-pound-foot torque advantage.’

Digiads reviews the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and writes – ‘Eye-catching features when viewed from the side include the 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, the harmoniously integrated “6.3 AMG” lettering on the front wing and the AMG side skirts. At the rear the standard LED rear lights, the AMG rear apron with its black diffuser insert and three pronounced diffuser fins, as well as the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome twin tailpipes, provide further visual highlights that are hallmarks of the brand. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces lift and ensures greater handling stability at high speeds.’

Autocar reviews the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and writes – ‘For all its inherent tautness, the ride is perfectly acceptable even on heavily pockmarked sections of bitumen, with excellent rebound control helping to quickly quell any nasty vertical movement. The front end is superbly damped, too, allowing the C63 to track faithfully without too much unsettling movement over bumps. Before long you find yourself making big demands on the chassis, marvelling at the directness and body control.’

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