Mercedes Fits New C-Class with AMG Kit

It’s only been a week and a half since Mercedes-Benz revealed the new C-Class, and it’ll likely be a while yet before the replacement for the C63 AMG comes along. But if you want to see a preview of what it’ll look like, look no further than the AMG aero kit that has just surfaced.

Expected to debut on the new C-Class at the fast-approaching Detroit Auto Show, the AMG Line Exterior Pack adds a new bumpers front and rear, side skirts, dual exhaust tips, mesh grille, aluminum window frames and – most importantly – 18-inch alloys packing upgraded brakes and fitted to a lowered sport suspension. All of which will help any C-Class look the part, even if the engine remains stock.

Mercedes-Benz Magic Moments: Reliving Silver Arrows Glory Days

Mercedes-Benz has a long and storied history in the world of racing and many fans would relish any opportunity to explore that history. The following video, from MB’s series of Magic Moments that are put out by its Classis store, recaps some of the events from the glory days and features quotes from some of the Silver Arrows’ greatest drivers.

Watch for some behind-the-scenes footage with famous drivers and rediscover the magic of motorsport:

Mercedes-Benz Unveils SLS AMG GT Final Edition, S65 AMG, and AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept

As Mercedes-Benz begins the process of closing the doors on its SLS AMG supercar with the SLS AMG GT Final Edition, the company begins the process of opening the doors to a future gullwinged sports car in the form of the AMG Vision Gran Turismo.

Let’s start with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition. Like all good things, the SLS AMG must come to an end. After a decidedly brief lifespan, Mercedes-Benz will release 350 SLS AMG GT Final Edition’s to the public. As one of the last vessels of the acclaimed 6208 cubic centimeter V8, the Final Edition not only marks the end of a great sports car but a terrific engine as well.

If you’re so lucky to claim one of the SLS AMG GT Final Edition’s, you’ll be treated to a carbon fiber rear wing reminiscent of the one fitted to the SLS AMG Black Series, and an unpainted carbon fiber hood among other goodies. It will be available as both a coupe and roadster.

With the demise of the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz has room in its model lineup for another sports car to serve as a halo model for the brand. Rumors are this new sports car will be called SLC and be priced to compete with the Porsche 911. And if it looks anything like the AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept set to be unveiled at the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development Center on November 19, then Porsche better be prepared to roll up its sleeves for battle.

Earning its name from its inclusion in the forthcoming video game Gran Turismo 6, the AMG Vision Gran Turismo is a gullwinged sports car that employs cab rearward proportions like the SLS AMG. With a 577-horsepower twin-turbo V8 pushing 3,053 lbs of car, the AMG Vision Gran Turismo showcases a future of weight-saving technology at Mercedes-Benz.

Of course, the AMG Vision Gran Turismo is still a concept car and if it’s ridiculous proportions fail to remind you of this fact, the AMG Vision Gran Turismo’s grille with integrated LED lights and massive wheels certainly will.

While we have our doubts that the AMG Vision Gran Turismo will ever be produced for consumer purchase, we do hope its sleek lines make its way to future Mercedes-Benz models.

Not content with merely making supercars, Mercedes-Benz is also showing off the most powerful version of its large S-Class sedan: the S65 AMG. Armed with a massive 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine, the S65 pushes 621-horsepower through a new seven-speed automatic gearbox.

Unlike the V8 S63 AMG, which relegates its power through a standard all-wheel-drive system, the S65 AMG must tame its torque – all 738 lb-ft of it – through just its rear wheels. Like all S-Class models, the S65 AMG will continue to treat passengers to an unprecedented amount of luxury and technology.

To keep up with the latest Mercedes-Benz news continue to follow the Mercedes-Benz of Plano.

Image credit: Mercedes-Benz

A Closer Look at the All-New 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Nicole Weiss and Head of Product Management Mercedes-Benz USA, Bart Herring, give us a closer look at the all-new redesigned 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The S-Class full-size luxury sedan has long been the face of class, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology for Mercedes-Benz. Completely redesigned for the new model year, the latest S-Class continues the tradition with perhaps the most pampering cabin on the market and enough gadgetry to put technophiles into a state of utter bliss.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class awarded “Top Safety Pick+” by IIHS

When you think of vehicle safety, two brands should come to mind: our boxy brethren from Sweden, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz. 

As the first manufacturer to put both an airbag and seat belt tensioner in a production car, Mercedes-Benz is as committed to safety as it is to performance, style, and luxury. Recent testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class only serves to further this point, where the mid-size SUV received the Institute’s highest honor of “Top Safety Pick+.”

The “Top Safety Pick+” award means that the new M-Class managed to perform to the Institute’s top safety standard of “Good” in front impact, side impact, passenger whiplash, and roof crush tests, and at a level of “Acceptable” or better in the Institute’s new small-overlap test. The small-overlap test is meant to simulate an event where a front impact occurs to 25-percent of the vehicle’s front-end due to a driver attempting to swerve out of the way of an oncoming object. 

During development Mercedes-Benz put the M-Class through 36 different test cases to develop the SUV’s safety features. The IIHS’ results, as well as five star ratings by the U.S. and Euro NCAP tests, reveal that the hard work that went into engineering the M-Class’ safety features was a worthwhile endeavor for both Mercedes-Benz and M-Class owners, who can feel confident in their vehicle’s ability to keep them safe in the event of a collision.

To learn more about the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and it’s many safety features, stop by Mercedes-Benz of Plano.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 achieves 38 mpg on the highway

We already know a lot about the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA. We know it will spawn an SUV variant called the GLA, as well as a massively powerful AMG model. We also know that despite it’s more affordable price point, the CLA will offer the style, safety and technology expected of a vehicle wearing the three-pointed star. What we didn’t know was how the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder in the CLA250 sipped fuel.

Thanks to the Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov website, we now know the CLA250’s impressive 0.23 coefficient of drag will help the baby-Benz achieve fuel economy figures of 26 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg combined from its 208 horsepower turbocharged four cylinder engine. For comparison, the similarly sized, though less powerful, Acura ILX manages only 24 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway, with a combined rating of 28 mpg.  Step up to the more powerful six-speed manual ILX and your combined fuel economy will drop to 25 mpg.

Unfortunately we still don’t know fuel economy ratings for the CLA45 AMG, but given its sporting pretensions and 355 horsepower engine, expect fuel economy to be less of a priority for this model.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is all-new for the 2014 model year, and Mercedes-Benz of Plano invites you to come to our store to learn more about the latest model from Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz Radio to Launch at 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz will not only be presenting new models to the public, but will also launch Mercedes-Benz Radio making MB the first car manufacturer with its own digital radio program. Mercedes-Benz Radio can be accessed via an app for tablets and mobile devices, through a web player, or with the latest generation of the COMAND Online multimedia system in MB vehicles.

“We have long been serving the many digital channels and platforms with exciting international contents. So it is only logical for us to extend our offer with a digital audio format of our own. We are taking this new approach especially with modern target groups in mind, to whom we increasingly appeal with our compact models. The always-on generation uses Mercedes-Benz Radio as an additional channel to get information about our brand and brand world,” says Lüder Fromm, Head of Global Marketing Communications Mercedes Benz Cars.

Mercedes-Benz Radio will present 24-hour English-language programming along with a varied mix of high-quality editorial content, sophisticated music and content derived from select partners. Emphasis will be placed on stories from the product and brand universe of Mercedes-Benz. For example, new vehicles and studies pertaining to all models series will be presented. Other features include topics on travel, culture, sports, fashion, and lifestyle. The music program will be far from mainstream with a mix of songs from burgeoning independent artists.

Listen here http://www.mercedes-benz-radio.com/

or download the app https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/id691836854

Mercedes-Benz Reveals 2015 GLA Ahead of Official Debut

Mercedes has opted to reveal its new-for-2015 GLA before its official debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Sharing a platform with the new A-Class and CLA-Class, the GLA will be the fifth SUV/crossover in the Mercedes lineup when it arrives in showrooms this fall.

Set to do battle with the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Range Rover Evoque, the new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA is sharp and muscular, stretching 173.9 inches in length and 58.8 inches high. It will be the first Mercedes SUV available with the optional new-generation permanent all-wheel drive system (4MATIC) with fully variable torque distribution.

“With its striking features, the GLA embodies our progressive thinking and enthralls with its off-road proportions,” says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design at Daimler AG. “The clearly defined surfaces convey power and serenity, and we have managed to combine as much emotional appeal as possible with as much clarity as necessary.”

Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder developing 208 hp and 258 lb ft of torque, good enough for a 6.4-second sprint to 60 mph before topping out at a lofty 145 mph. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Stop-start is standard. Suspension is McPherson struts in front and multilink rear. 18-inch wheels are standard, 19 inchers are optional.

“With the compact GLA we add a fifth attractive SUV variant to the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio in this constantly growing segment. The GLA impresses mainly with its progressive character and agile handling,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “So I am very confident that the GLA with its fascinating design and high everyday practicality will fill many new customers with enthusiasm for the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

A host of the latest telematics and assistance systems are also available. Mercedes-Benz’s new-gen telematics platform, mbrace2, offers connectivity and the infotainment features fans have come to expect in a free-standing display that sits atop the dash. Collision Prevention Assist provides autonomous braking from speeds of up to 124 mph is the system detects an imminent collision. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles up to 18 mph, and can prevent rear-end collisions at speeds up to 12 mph. In addition, blind-spot detection, lane-keeping, park assist and adaptive cruise control are standard. Infotainment features include full smart phone integration, internet connectivity, applications such as Facebook and Twitter, and street-view on the navigation system.

The GLA250 4MATIC will appear at dealerships in the fall of 2014, and the front-drive GLA250 will follow in early 2015. Pricing has yet to be revealed so stay tuned.

Mercedes-Benz Attention Assist for Long Monotonous Drives

Taking a road trip this summer? Will you be facing a long monotonous journey with night driving involved? Attention Assist, available on Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models, can help by monitoring your attentiveness.

If the driver shows signs of fatigue or increasing inattentiveness, the assistant system will suggest taking a break. Watch the following video to find out more about the system and the technology behind how it works.

Mercedes-Benz Launches 9-Speed Automatic Transmission

Mercedes has launched a new 9-speed automatic transmission and it makes its official production debut on the European market in the E350 BlueTEC. Named the 9G-Tronic, the new nine-speed is expected to improve fuel efficiency on the six-cylinder diesel to 44.38 mpg, making it the most efficient vehicle in its class.

Mercedes-Benz says the higher number of gears and the broader gear ratio spread help increase the drive comfort and “enable a significant enhancement to be achieved in terms of converting engine power into traction.” For example, the E 350 BlueTEC is able to drive at 75 mph in 9th gear with an engine speed of around only 1,350 rpm.

More gears also equal less noise as the engine revs lower, reducing external sounds by up to 4 dB(A). Mercedes says the new gearbox is lighter than its predecessor (the 7G-Tronic), despite having two additional gears and a maximum transferable torque of up to 737.5 lb-ft. The 9G-Tronic is also capable of skipping several gears when accelerating or decelerating, according to driving conditions.

The new 9G-Tronic will be suitable for both rear-wheel and front-wheel drives, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid drive systems. It is expected to be used in almost all model series and engines in the coming years.

European deliveries for the E 350 BlueTEC will begin in September 2013, with prices in Germany starting from €54,710 ($72,415) for the Saloon and €57,923 ($76,670) for the Estate. The new gearbox is expected to appear on North American shores in the 2015 CLS-Class next fall.