Archive for May 2012

Illustration: Autobild's Larson digitally imagines the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W 205)

Larson, the famous designer collaborating with Germany's Autobild magazine, is known worldwide for providing the most accurate computer rendering for future cars, at least in what Mercedes-Benz' forthcoming models are concerned. The latest CGI offers an insight into the exterior design of the next generation C-Class (205 series), bound to arrive during spring 2014.

The current styling language of the Stuttgart house will evolve in a remarkable way with the advent of the new C-Class lineup of mid-size premium vehicles. The inspirational image from above shows the W 205 will boast spectacular proportions and a confident stance, moving away from the current, toned-down wedge shape. Instead, the new Star in the Mercedes-Benz garage will feature a dynamic design, described by an imposing front end sporting an upright grille and a set of angry-looking headlights with LED technology creating intricate inner graphics.

The attributes defining the sides of the 2014 C-Class are "muscular, yet impressively clean and elegant". Gone are the fussy creases - we should now get a proper Benz with an evident, strong shoulder line making the most of the profile. The car will also receive new door handles and a pair of new, aerodynamically-adapted, blinker-equipped exterior mirrors, that reduce the drag coefficient (Cd) and improve the rear view thanks to the greater reflective surface.

In the absence of a rendition showcasing the back end of the C-Class, we can only speculate the final result will indeed help finish the entire design in a round and cohesive way. Expect some astonishing lamps with a cool effect courtesy of LEDs.

Now, please take your time to surf through the newest spy shots of the C-Class captured in Germany. Enjoy!





Image Credits: Autobild,Autowereld

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Monaco F1 Grand Prix 2012: Race Report - Nico Rosberg comes 2nd as Michael Schumacher retires

Nico Rosberg converted second place on the grid into a second-place finish this afternoon at the 70th Monaco Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher retired from seventh position following a fuel pressure problem.

• Nico ran a one-stop strategy from P2 on the grid, starting on super-soft tyres and changing to softs on lap 27
• Michael was forced to retire on lap 64, owing to a fuel pressure problem that began to slow him on lap 58
• Nico has scored 59 points in the last four races, the most of any driver in the field


Nico Rosberg

“It’s a fantastic feeling to be on the podium at my home race in Monaco today in front of all my family and friends. The team have done a really good job this weekend to get the car working so well. Although we thought this track would suit our car, it’s been better than we expected. I had a clean start but Mark drove a very controlled race today. I could keep in touch with him but we all know how difficult it is to overtake around the streets here and there just wasn’t a way past. Still I’m more than happy with second place, and it’s great to get another podium for the boys here, and everyone back at Brackley and Brixworth. I can’t wait to get to Canada now and keep the momentum going.”

Michael Schumacher
“What can I say? It was simply a pity to end the race in this way. In any case, the fuel pressure problem had nothing to do with the incident at the start. But it made it doubly disappointing because I had secretly been hoping for a podium finish today. I will take the boost from the high points of this weekend with me to Canada. The track should suit us and I’m hoping to have a normal, clean race.”

Ross Brawn
“Nico ran a very good race today and did all he needed to do. I think we made the right calls but nothing opened up for us. It was a race that was about managing gaps and finding the right windows in the traffic; the team did a great job on that. Nico was the first of the front-runners to stop, but the harder tyre took a lap or two to come in and it wasn’t enough to jump Mark. As for Michael, he was hit on the run to the opening corner which cost him positions, but was very quick when a fuel pressure problem started to slow him later in the race. We tried to continue but it was costing him too much time, dropped him out of the points and forced us to retire the car. It was very disappointing because he put in a great performance this weekend and he was still on course to score useful points. We need to make sure we eliminate the problems for him, starting in Canada.”

Norbert Haug
“It was a strong race for Nico and our team, and we were in with a chance of winning until the chequered flag, but Mark did not put a foot wrong all afternoon ahead of Nico. Looking at the results today, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton - who lead Nico in the championship- all finished behind him, and this helped him close the gap at the top of the standings to 17 points. That translates to an average of fewer than three points a race separating Nico from the championship lead after six rounds of the championship. It was a pity for Michael: he clearly demonstrated this weekend that he has the speed to win races but his time will come again, like yesterday when he posted the pole position time.”



































~ Official photos and report courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (C 117) makes new appearance on German and Italian roads

The future Mercedes-Benz CLA is quite a frequent presence on streets these days. The latest bunch of spy shots were captured in Stuttgart and in an unknown Italian town. As the model is taking the final of its on-road development phase, more and more styling details come to light to our desire. The front-driven 4-door coupé is following the CLS design theme seeing the heavily rear-dropping roofline, but it looks clear some of the elements premiered on the Concept Style Coupé will eventually make it onto the series production car.

The visual attribute of the so-entitled executive coupé is the powerful front end, which is sure to turn heads. The main centrepoint is the iconic SLS-esque radiator grille with the Star shining in the middle, which could not be complete without the streamlined headlights, an evolution of the design exercise seen on the Concept A-Class.

It seems the new-generation GLK 2013 will create a trend at Mercedes-Benz concerning the inner graphics of the tail lamps. It is visible from these scoops the CLA gets a similar light arrangement, divided into two areas: above, a bigger area comprising the brake/daytime/fog lights, and below, a thin strip for the LED indicator and the reverse-gear signal.

There is indication Mercedes-Benz is preparing an exquisite array of appointments for the new CLA. There will be new colour combos, attractive wheel designs and new premium materials, which together with the designo customization programme and the original accessories range of the constructor, will certainly suit even the most pretentious personalities.

The 2013 CLA-Class is packed full of the ultimate technology, once destined exclusively for the high-end Mercedes-Benz models. The safety equipment includes a full set of airbags (front, side, window, knee), the PRE-SAFE crash anticipatory system, Brake Assist Plus, ATTENTION ASSIST and the revolutionary Collision Prevention Assist. Connectivity aboard the C 117 is enhanced with the help of the COMAND Online infotainment system which incorporates Apple Siri-compatible technology and a complete media and social profile integration.

Engines come from the new A-Class and start from the entry-level CLA 180 CDI equipped with the 109 hp 4-cylinder Renault diesel engine and climb up to the high-end CLA 250 sporting the Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre 4I gasoline unit delivering 211 hp. We are also expecting new additions to the existing lineup in the coming years, meaning more powerful IC versions could be planned - a 265 hp CLA 350 CDI sounds sweet. But as efficiency is the key term nowadays, the CLA will also be available with alternative power after 2015: take into consideration BlueTEC hybrid, F-CELL and E-CELL with range extender as main possibilities.

Engineers from Affalterbach are also busy at readying the range-topping CLA 25 AMG. When this rocket is unveiled next year, it will boast a new supercharged engine capable of releasing a peak output of 350 hp. All that impressive power will be channeled through a 7-speed automatic transmission to the four wheels, as the CLA 25 AMG sits on a specially-developed all-wheel-drive powertrain. 0 to 100 km/h should take less than 6 seconds, whereas the top speed is, how else, electronically-limited at 250 km/h.








Image Credits: WorldCarFans,Autoblog.it

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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