Mercedes Benz

The future E-Klasse Cabrio has been spotted by spy photographers during the testing programme.

Source of the photos:Autoblog,Spyshots.nl,AutoSpotter


The new open-top model from Stuttgart will continue to use a soft-top roof instead of a hard-top one. Moreover, it appears that Mercedes-Benz marketing staff has changed its mind:the E-Klasse Cabrio won't be revealed at this year's IAA Frankfurt, but at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. The reason is very simple:given the fact that we are talking about a cabrio version, this is far more suitable for the summer than for the autumn or even winter. So not wishing to affect the car's sales from the start of its career(also, given the current economical crisis), MB decided that March 2010 is indeed closer to summer than September 2009, so the new model could then attract more customers.

So, prepare yourself because you will have to endure a long period of unending bunches of spy pics featuring FEP* E-Klasse Cabrio test models!

*for those who do not know, FEP stands for Final Experimental Phase

















Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Woking, United Kingdom, Jul 03, 2009

Lewis Hamilton
“The last time we raced at the Nürburgring was in 2007, and I remember I had a tough afternoon battling through from the back of the field to finish just outside the points. It’s a fantastic circuit, a little older than a lot of the current tracks we currently visit and with quite a different feel to what we’re used to: it’s fast and flowing with some good spots for overtaking. And it’s in a fantastic part of the world too; deep in the forests of western Germany, where the fans seem to live and breathe Formula 1. It’s always an amazing party atmosphere whenever we race in Germany.”

“While we aren’t expecting any major upgrades for this weekend, I’m still looking forward to the race. It’s an honour to be part of the Silver Arrows and, while our results haven’t recently shown it, we’re still pushing incredibly hard and are all hopeful of moving closer to the front before the end of this difficult season.”


Heikki Kovalainen
“The Nürburgring is a great circuit. It’s got a variety of different corners – some quite tricky, technical sections that need a good flowing rhythm and some faster bends, where the car needs to be well set up. Cresting the rise through the uphill esses after the hairpin just feels fantastic in a Formula 1 car. Coming to Germany is the perfect time to pay tribute to the efforts of everyone at Mercedes-Benz. Their engines are probably the most powerful and most reliable in the sport and their KERS is also fantastic. Mercedes-Benz has played such a big role in the success of our team, so I’m really hoping to have a strong race in front of all our supportive fans at our second home race of the season. Myself, Lewis and the rest of the team are working hard to develop this car – it’s a long process, but we are all pulling together and we’re hopeful of making some further steps soon.”

Martin Whitmarsh - Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“The Santander German Grand Prix is our team’s second home race of the year. Having had such a fantastic and close relationship with Mercedes-Benz for 15 years means we meet many old friends in Germany and we really enjoy the fantastic support we receive – not only from the many thousands of Mercedes-Benz employees who attend the race, but also from the hugely vocal crowd that always plays such a large part in making the atmosphere at a German racetrack so unique.”

“While we can’t expect to match our previous record in Germany, where we’ve won the race for the past two seasons, we’re still pushing hard to develop MP4-24 into a more competitive proposition. Make no mistake, we’re hugely proud of having the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star on the front of our cars – and nothing would make us prouder than getting back to the front again as soon as we possibly can.”

Norbert Haug - Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“We finished the previous grand prix at the Nürburgring in 2007 as winners, as well as last year’s Santander German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. This year, we will start without a chance of winning, because our work of improving the car did not bring the desired success. Therefore, we have to continue working extremely hard.”

“At the Nürburgring, the Silver Arrows were born and we will commemorate their 75th anniversary with a parade on the racetrack and an exhibition at the paddock entrance to present their unique history to every Nürburgring visitor as well as to the world’s TV viewers.”

McLaren at the German Grand Prix…

10 years ago (August 1 1999)

Mika Hakkinen took pole position and looked set for victory at Hockenheim before a dramatic puncture pitched him into the barriers at 190mph. David Coulthard finished fifth in a race that was also notable for Ferrari debutant Mika Salo’s impressive pace – the Finn looked set for victory until ceding the lead to team-mate Eddie Irvine.

20 years ago (July 30 1989)

Pole position, fastest lap and victory for the almost indomitable Ayrton Senna in the McLaren Honda MP4/5. Team-mate Alain Prost locked out the front row for McLaren and went on to finish runner-up. Nigel Mansell finished third for Ferrari – over a minute adrift.

30 years ago (July 29 1979)

Another disappointing race during a season of low fortune for McLaren’s ground-effect M29 car. John Watson brought some cheer to the team by finishing fifth after qualifying 12th. Team-mate Patrick Tambay started 15th but retired on lap 30 with suspension problems.

40 years ago (August 3 1969)

Denny Hulme (M7A) and Bruce McLaren (M7C) headed up the two-car works entry while Vic Elford ran a privately entered M7B. Despite qualifying the slowest of the three in eighth, Bruce came home third at the flag. Neither Denny nor Vic made the finish.

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Roosendaal, Netherlands/Wörth, Germany, Jul 03, 2009 - Penske Logistics has added four new Mercedes-Benz Actros 1841 LS semitrailer tractors to its fleet.The European headquarters of Penske Logistics in Roosendaal, Netherlands, will employ the new vehicles exclusively for transporting goods of its customer Truck-Lite.Based in Harlow, UK, Truck-Lite is a supplier of mirrors and lighting for commercial vehicles.Among other things, it supplies the Mercedes-Benz truck plant in Wörth with the mirrors and the lighting of the Mercedes star for the front of the new Actros, as well as the lighting systems used in the Mercedes-Benz Axor and Atego truck series.


In the future, the four new Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks with megaspace cabs will be used on regular runs from Englandto the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, Germany, via the temporary storage center in Venlo, Netherlands.The word “Truck-Lite” extends in huge letters across the entire truck body, making the vehicles immediately recognizable.

The Actros trucks will add four impressive semitrailer tractor models to Europe’s highways. The chromed mirrors and driving lights at the top and bottom of the megaspace cab give the Actros a robust appearance. The Actros also demonstrates its worth underneath the hood, where a 410 hp engine and a fully automated Mercedes-Benz PowerShift transmission provide the truck with outstanding performance and comfort. The megaspace cab offers drivers plenty of comfort, thanks to its spacious interior, flat floor, and large number of storage compartments.

Penske Logistics was established in 1969, and is closely networked with its parent company Penske Logistics in the U.S. The European head office in Roosendaal coordinates the company’s branches throughout Europe. Besides fast-moving consumer goods, the logistics provider transports various products from sectors such as the automotive, chemicals, and electronics industries. Penske established an Automotive Group in 2007, which has been very successful in managing sales of the smart in the U.S. The company has a fleet of 120 vehicles, of which more than 20 are from Mercedes-Benz.

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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With 386 kW/525 hp and AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission: The E 63 AMG – the new generation of dynamic sports saloons with day-to-day suitability

Affalterbach, Germany, Jul 03, 2009 - AMG, the high-performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, is presenting the new E 63 AMG. This dynamic sports saloon with day-to-day suitability is the top-of-the-line E-Class model, offering an impressive combination of outstanding performance, exhilarating driving dynamics and a technology transfer from the SL 63 AMG high-performance Roadster.

Download the Complete Press Kit


The new E 63 AMG distinguishes itself from the regular Mercedes-Benz E-Class models with a completely newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled damping and a new front axle, and with its autonomous exterior and interior design. At the same time Mercedes-AMG has achieved a reduction in fuel consumption by almost twelve percent for the new E 63 AMG, thanks to the concerted use of fuel efficiency measures. With its unique combination of pioneering driver assistance systems, the E 63 AMG further consolidates the brand's leading position in the field of automotive safety.

The AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine in the new E 63 AMG develops an output of 386 kW/525 hp and a torque of 630 Newton metres, matching the outstanding fugures for the SL 63 AMG. The high-performance Roadster has also donated its AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission to the new model. This transmission dispenses with a conventional torque converter and uses a compact, wet start-up clutch. In conjunction with the four individual driving modes, the throttle-blipping and RACESTART functions, the resulting, direct connection to the powertrain allows an extremely emotional and highly dynamic driving experience.

The drive unit is unique in this segment, and ensures decidedly sporty per-formance figures: the E 63 AMGaccelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). The fast-revving, naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 6208 cc impresses with its agile responsiveness, muscular power delivery and great flexibility. The newly composed AMGV8 sound is a thrilling accompaniment for mile after mile, while the smooth-running engine guarantees typical Mercedes long-distance comfort. A newly designed water cooling system ensures maximum endurance even under the enormous dynamic stresses of the racetrack.

Fuel consumption cut by almost twelve per cent

Despite 8 kW/11 hp of additional output versus the preceding model, the fuel consumption of the new E 63 AMG has been significantly reduced: at 12.6 litres of super-premium grade petrol per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption,provisional figure), the fuel consumption of the E 63 AMG is almost twelve percent lower than before, and leads the field among sports saloons developing more than 377 kW/500 hp. This progress has been made possible by a package of efficiency-enhancing measures. These include on-demand delivery of fuel and generator management with recuperation of braking energy on the overrun, both of which are standard in the new E 63 AMG. In-engine friction is also reduced by the AMG-exclusive twin-wire arc spray coating process used on the cylinder walls.

The AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission also makes a decisive contribution to fuel economy: a wet start-up clutch running in an oil bath replaces the previous torque converter. This unit responds extremely rapidly, dynamically and without the losses typical of a torque converter transmission thanks to its low rotational inertia. The transmission is equipped with four driving modes: "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual), which can be selected using a rotary electronic switch in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. Partial suppression of individual cylinders by interrupting ignition and injection during gearshifts under full load leads to considerably faster shift times. In M mode the AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission allows gearshifts to be performed in 100 milliseconds.

In the even more fuel-efficient driving mode Controlled Efficiency, the transmission shifts the gears decidedly smoothly, and the transmission control unit is programmed to perform early upshifts to keep engine speeds as low as possible. At the same time the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission met the most demanding requirements where driving dynamics are concerned: fast and precise multiple downshifts ensure first-class agility in conjunction with the automatic throttle-blipping and RACE START function: this enables the E 63 AMG driver to call on the maximum acceleration potential automatically.

Electronically controlled damping system and a new front axle

Sporty or more comfort-oriented? The driver of the new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG is not obliged to accept any compromises in this respect. The AMGRIDE CONTROL sports suspension copes equally well with the agile manoeuvres of the racetrack and more comfortable, sedate driving. High performance and typical Mercedes long-distance comfort go together as an extraordinary synthesis in the E 63 AMG. This is made possible by the newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension. While new steel spring struts are used on the front axle, the rear suspension features AMG-specific air springs. The advantage of this solution, which is exclusive to AMG, is that the front spring struts ensure more sensitive responses while the rear air struts with their automatic level control system keep the vehicle at a constant height irrespective of the load.

A new, electronically controlled damping system automatically varies the damping characteristics according to the driving situation, reducing the roll angle of the body. The result is instant adjustment to provide the best possible ride comfort together with the greatest possible agility. In addition the driver is able to choose between the three suspension modes of Comfort, Sport and Sport plus at the touch of a button. The E 63 AMG is also equipped with a newly developed, dedicated front axle with a 56-millimetre wider track, a tubular stabiliser, new control arms, new wheel bearings, new elastokinematics and new wheel location for more negative camber – thereby providing more grip when taking bends at speed. The AMG-specific kinematics also ensures significantly more precision. This is a highly sophisticated axle design whose principle has already proved its worth in the C 63 AMG. The rear axle likewise has more negative camber, optimised elastokinematics and a new subframe mounting for greater stability at the physical limits.

Newly developed power steering and individual 3-stage ESP®

For more direct responsiveness, the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering is also a new development. The steering ratio of 14 : 1 is 22 percent more direct than in the standard production models, while a more rigid steering column plus the reconfigured characteristic mapping of the speed-sensitive servo assistance ensure better steering precision and improved road contact.

The 3-stage ESP® familiar from the SL 63 AMG and C 63 AMG enables individual settings to be selected – with clear benefits in terms of driving pleasure combined with the same, high level of handling safety. The ESP® key in the AMG DRIVE UNIT allows the driver to choose between "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT" and "ESP OFF" – with the currently active mode shown in the central display of the AMGinstrument cluster. Perfect deceleration even when driving extremely briskly is ensured by the AMGhigh-performance braking system with 360-millimetre, internally ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round. Particularly resistant, motorsports-tested composite technology is used at the front axle. Outstanding grip is ensured by the 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with a width of nine and 9.5 inches and mixed tyre sizes of 255/40 R 18 at the front and 285/35 R 18 at the rear.

Decidedly dynamic interior and exterior

The decidedly dynamic design of the E 63 AMG is fully in keeping with the uncompromisingly sporty technology. The front aspect is characterised by 17‑millimetre wider wings bearing "6.3 AMG" lettering, the new AMG front apron with large intake air apertures and the AMG-specific daytime driving lights in LED technology. In conjunction with the optional Intelligent Light System, the E 63 AMG is equipped with tinted main headlamps. The striking visual presence is further enhanced by the AMG side skirts and AMGrear apron with a black diffuser insert. As a hallmark of the brand, the AMG sports exhaust system has two newly designed, chrome-plated twin tailpipes.

The newly designed interior of the E 63 AMGis an exciting blend of high-grade materials and functional sportiness. Exclusive features include the dedicated,
electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with improved lateral support and the AMG sports steering wheel in a four-spoke design with AMG shift paddles. As a completely new feature exclusive to the E 63 AMG, the AMG selector lever has one-touch logic. Directly adjacent to it in the centre console is the AMG DRIVE UNIT, which provides adjustments for the MCT sports transmission, the ESP functions, the suspension setup and the AMG driving modes. Standard equipment also includes high-grade leather upholstery in three different colours, the AMG instrument cluster with an AMG main menu, door entry sills with AMG lettering and a sports pedal cluster – both in brushed stainless steel.

Even more individuality with tailor-made AMG extras

Customer requiring even more sporty individuality are catered for by the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO: the E 63 AMG can e.g. be dynamically enhanced even further ex factory, with the Performance Package. This includes the following:

* Lightweight, forged 19-inch AMGlight-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear
* AMG Performance suspension with a stiffer setup
* AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
* AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid
* AMG Performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design

Optional extras from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are also individually available ex factory:

* Lightweight, forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19
tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear
* AMGr ear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
* AMG Exterior Carbon package
* AMG Performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design
* AMG carbon-fibre trim in the interior
* Illuminated AMG door entry sills
* AMG floor mats

Active and passive safety at a new level

The top AMGmodel in the E-Class traditionally meets the very highest expectations with respect to active and passive safety. Naturally this also applies to the new E 63 AMG: standard features include the new drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, the unique preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, Brake Assist PLUS, seven airbags and crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints. On request the safety features can be brought to a level unprecedented in this vehicle class with the Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist systems, the PRE-SAFE® Brake with an automatic braking function wich can bring the vehicle to a complete stop, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Night View Assist and Speed Limit Assist.

The market launch of the new E 63 AMG will commence in August 2009.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Readers of “Polski Traker” and “Radio Truck” listeners crowned the Actros the best truck on the Polish market

- The Mercedes-Benz Actros receives more than a third of all votes in the 16th readers’ poll

Stuttgart/Wörth, Germany, Jul 02, 2009 – Readers of the Polish specialist truck magazine “Polski Traker” and listeners of the Polish truckers’ radio station “Radio Truck” have named the Mercedes-Benz Actros the best truck on the Polish market, awarding it the title “Truck of the Year 2009” in Poland. More than a third of the experts taking part in the vote – covering more than two dozen truck model series from different manufacturers – decided in favour of the Mercedes-Benz Actros.


The award ceremony took place at the Mercedes-Benz truck plant in Wörth, Germany, where the trophies and certificates were handed over by the editor-in-chief of “Polski Traker”, Aleksander Glus, and Boguslawa Zimmer, the head of ”Polski Traker’s”, publishing house, to Hubertus Troska, Director of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Europe/Latin America.

“It was no surprise that the new Actros won the vote”, commented Aleksander Glus during the ceremony, “as the Actros is an excellent, well-proven product and the readers had really got to know the vehicle well”. Hubertus Troska emphasised the fact that the title is of great significance for Daimler AG, as it was bestowed by experienced truck users and drivers. And there is certainly no doubt that the Actros is a true winner when you consider the very sound, strong position that this flagship Mercedes-Benz truck has established in Poland and, indeed, all over the world. Troska added that the Polish market is becoming an increasingly important one for Daimler AG.

Last year a new version of the Mercedes-Benz Actros was unveiled, and by awarding their votes to the new Actros the readers have confirmed that they are impressed by the new features that have been added to enhance comfort, economy and safety, among them the inclusion as standard of the Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission.

The new Actros has already won a number of commercial vehicle awards, including the international “Truck of the Year 2009” prize, and it recently took both titles in the heavy-duty-truck categories of the ETM publishing house’s poll, “The best commercial vehicles of 2009”.

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Jul 01, 2009

The Daimler HighTechReport represents the technological competence on the basis of current examples from the Daimler research and development area of Mercedes Benz Cars. It provides an insight into the various activities of the research labs, presents trend-setting mobility concepts and shows by means of concrete technologies perspectives and trends for the future of the automobile.

Daimler HighTechReport: The Fascination of Technology - Issue 01/2009


In the current issue of the Daimler HighTechReport you will find the following topics:

Electric Drives
Electric drives are the key to sustainable individual mobility. Daimler is pursuing various concepts here - for example, the BlueZERO concept car, which is close to series production. The vehicle’s three different electric drives utilize the sandwich floor concept.

Assistance Systems
Daimler researchers are using radar and video sensors in conjunction with laser scanners to detect dangers even sooner, more precisely, and more reliably. The software that depicts the vehicle’s surroundings in real time is also becoming more sophisticated.

Crash Simulation
In this hotspot of the IT sector in India, Daimler engineers create mathematical models that help them to analyze in detail the strains to which the human body is subjected by a simulated crash. The virtual crash dummies they use are known as human body models.

Engine Development
In the new E-Class, night driving will become even safer. The Adaptive High Beam Assistant automatically sets the optimal illumination distance for the headlights while the Night Vision Assistant PLUS actively points out pedestrians it has detected in the dark.

Safety
In the new E-Class, night driving will become even safer. The Adaptive High Beam Assistant automatically sets the optimal illumination distance for the headlights while the Night Vision Assistant PLUS actively points out pedestrians it has detected in the dark.

Further topics:

Interior
Fuel Cells for the B-Class

Showroom
Insights and news in ten different areas and technologies...

We’re Staying on Course!
Innovations in a time of new beginnings: An interview with Thomas Weber, Daimler AG Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

New E-Class with active hood
Pedestrians are the most defenseless road users, and they frequently suffer serious injuries when struck by a car or motorcycle. To address this problem, Mercedes-Benz engineers have installed an innovative protective system in the new E-Class: Known as the “active hood,” it can reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians during accidents.

Smooth Running …
Four years later, a worldwide major project is initiated in Hamburg and eleven further cities, in which a total of 36 Citaro fuel cell buses are on the roads. Today, Hamburger Hochbahn operates six Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, each with more than 5,000 hours of operation...

Mobility Concepts
Daimler is presenting a new mobility concept. Here’s how it works...

Reflector: 5 Questions for Vinton G. Cerf
The mathematician Vinton (“Vint”) G. Cerf, who was born in 1943, is one of the architects of the World Wide Web. In the late 1970s he worked with Robert Kahn to develop the fundamental protocols (TCP/IP) for transmitting arbitrary data packets through a distributed network of computers. In the course of the ARPANET project he created the basis of the Internet.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Delivery of Mercedes-Benz Conecto to the public transit authority of Tashkent
- First Mercedes-Benz bus in the region with Euro 4-compliant engine

Stuttgart, Germany, Jul 01, 2009 – Daimler Buses has won the follow-up contract from Uzbekistan for the delivery of an additional batch of 200 Mercedes-Benz Conecto buses to Tashkent’s state-run public transit authority. The batch includes the first Mercedes-Benz bus in the region equipped with a Euro 4-compliant engine. The follow-up contract is the third order for EvoBus GmbH in Tashkent, following previous deliveries in 2003 and 2008. EvoBus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Buses, already delivered a batch of 200 Mercedes-Benz Conectos to Uzbekistan last year.


Says Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses: “We’re delighted that we won the major contract from Uzbekistan and therefore keep growing in this region. This demonstrates once again that our reliable, high-quality urban buses can’t be beaten.”

The Mercedes-Benz Conecto to be delivered to Tashkent will be 12 meters long, have three doors, and provide seating for a total of 33 passengers. The low-floor urban bus is manufactured at the Turkish plant in Hoşdere, near Istanbul. Hoşdere is one of the world’s most modern production plants for buses. The 200 buses will be driven about 4,800 kilometers in a convoy from Turkey to Uzbekistan. The delivery of the busses starts in July.

The Tashkent public transit authority has a fleet of 1,400 buses, including 800 Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles, and operates bus lines within the city as well as across country. Last year, buses accounted for 75 percent of passenger transportation in the city of 2.1 million inhabitants.

Buses from Mercedes-Benz can look back on a long tradition in Tashkent. In 1993, Daimler Buses delivered 280 T ype 0 405 urban buses to Tashkent. These buses have now been in operation for the past 12 years, during which some of them have clocked up more than 1.5 million kilometers. After the arrival of the 200 new Mercedes-Benz Conecto, the old buses will begin a new life as intercity buses servicing Uzbekistan’s rural areas.

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.