In the run up to the SLS AMG’s world premiere at the Frankfurt Show and following a series of internet leaks the past few days, Mercedes-Benz today unleashed a broad set of photos as well as more detailed information on its gullwinged-supercar. Before we get into any other details, let us tell you that the 571 horsepower SLS AMG is scheduled to be launched onto the market in Spring 2010 carrying a base price in Germany of €177,310, which comes to around $257,500 US with the current exchange rates.

The new ‘super sports car’, as Mercedes-Benz likes to describe the SLS AMG, is clearly inspired by the one of the most beautiful and iconic cars ever to hit the road, the 1950s 300 SL Gullwing. Evidently, Mercedes did not go for a full retro look but instead used the 300SL as an inspiration to design a supercar that embodies the firm’s classic styling traits without looking like a beefed-up SL for example – yes, we’re talking about the SLR McLaren.

The design highlight is without doubt the gullwing doors that swing up by 70 degrees while another styling cue that harks back to the 300SL is the wide radiator grille with the large Mercedes-Benz star and the wing-like fin.

The SLS AMG’s proportions are overly aggressive with the nearly two-meters or 79-inches long bonnet (!), the low and far back positioned cabin and the stubby tail along with the long wheelbase and wide tracks offering the car a menacing stance.

Read more »

Mercedes-Benz has officially pulled the wraps off its all-new 2010 E-Class Estate that will be joining the sedan and coupe variants of the executive model from this November. Measuring 4,895 mm in length, 1,854 mm in width and 1,471 mm in height is not only larger than the outgoing model, but also the largest estate car in the premium segment. It boasts a maximum load capacity of 1,950 liters along while other features include the ‘easy-pack’ tailgate that opens automatically and the ‘quickfold’ rear seats that can be folded down easily from the load compartment.

The E-Class Estate’s interior also benefits from the larger exterior dimensions as the elbow width in the rear has been increased by 50 mm to 1,505 mm while rear headroom with the large tilting/sliding sunroof installed has also improved by 50 mm to 1,010 mm (versions with no sunroof 1,012 mm).

Read more »

Do you hear that? That’s the jostling of a Prada bag and a soy latte inside the the last Mercedes CLK as it cruises into what is commonly referred to as “oblivion.” It’s being replaced by the brand new E-Class Coupe. Or rather, it’s not really a replacement; the new car is a reset of expectations from Mercedes’ middle coupe, distinguished from its CLK niece with more size, more features and more brawn, and distinct from its E-Class sedan big brother by unique architecture and body panels. Our question was: could it distinguish itself? Follow the jump to find out.

The E Coupe is roughly an inch-and-a-half longer, two inches wider and three inches lower than the CLK. Compared to the sedan, the Coupe is about seven inches shorter, four inches narrower and three-and-a-half inches lower. Notably, the E350 is close to 400 pounds lighter than its sedan stablemate, and the E550 is 340 pounds down on curb weight versus the V8 sedan. Its bespoke dimensions and body panels indicate that it should not be looked at as simply an E with two doors. When GM of product management Bernhard Glaser was asked if the E Coupe rode on the same platform as the sedan or used the same architecture, he responded twice, “I wouldn’t say that.” Asked to make some sort of comparison between the two cars, he informed us, “I would say it’s a member of the E Class family.” As such it gets all of the E-Class safety doodads we mentioned yesterday, along with the same language and general proportions, but wrapped in a stance and attitude all its own.

Read more »

With all eyes trained on the Big Apple for this week’s New York Auto Show, it struck us as odd that Mercedes-Benz would release two new models on the eve of the event, neither of which will make an appearance in NYC. But here they are: the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S600 and the S400 Hybrid, the first series production gas-electric model from the automaker.

Both models benefit from a subtle exterior makeover that includes redesigned front and rear fascias, a new grille, chrome below the air intakes and bi-xenon headlamps with LED indicators, while inside, the 2010 S-Class hosts a myriad of high-tech appointments, including a 6.5-inch color display, a revised COMAND system, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a Zagat-rating system for local restaurants. But the tech doesn’t stop at helping you eat better. Many of the safety systems that debuted on the E-Class have found their way into the S, including optional Adaptive Highbeam Assist that recognizes vehicles ahead and dims the headlamps, Lane Keeping Assist (self-explanatory) a new Active Body Control (ABC) system that compensates for crosswinds and a drowsiness detection monitor that will warn drivers if they’re getting too tired to pilot their two-plus-ton behemoth.

Read more »