Showing posts with label facelift. Show all posts

smart at the Geneva Motor Show 2012

By Adji | Published Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Two world premieres and a European premiere: New developments from smart at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

smart will be presenting numerous ideas for electric mobility in urban areas at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show – with two wheels and four, with the practical cargo area of a pick-up or the sportiness of a smart BRABUS. The facelifted smart fortwo with a clearly restyled exterior will be a further focus.

The smart for-us translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic for the first time. With its exterior dimensions it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it also anything but ordinary under the body. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a 55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us, which will be celebrating its European premiere in Geneva, is agile and lively to drive.

The spring of 2012 will see the smart fortwo making its mark in a striking new look with an upgraded exterior and a fresh leather/fabric mix in the interior. The substantially revamped smart fortwo sports a markedly more dynamic appearance, featuring a larger radiator grille with integrated logo, striking front aprons in a new design, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, muscular side skirts and modified rear aprons.

New limited series: the smart fortwo sharpred is a real eye-catcher as the intense red of the tridion safety cell and door mirror housing forms a striking contrast to the rest of the exterior in black. The smart fortwo sharpred is available as a coupé and as a cabrio with a 52 kW mhd petrol engine or a 62 kW petrol engine.

From June the further developed smart fortwo electric drive will start winning wide-ranging buyers in more than 30 countries for its innovative and forward-looking drive concept. Driven by a battery supplied by the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUmotive for the first time the 55 kW electric motor passes the 120 km/h mark. A new sales model makes the introduction to electric mobility particularly attractive: the sale&care model offers customers an opportunity to buy the vehicle at an attractive price and to lease the battery for a monthly fee.

smart will also be presenting the production version of the trendy and environmentally friendly smart ebike at the Geneva Motor Show. Just a few weeks later, from the end of April, it will be possible to order the electric two-wheeler from smart contractual partners in 16 European countries and in Canada. The first models will be delivered in May 2012. The smart ebike will initially be available in two colour variants at an attractive price.

The smart BRABUS electric drive, which will celebrate its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, offers a look ahead at the sporty BRABUS version of the smart fortwo electric drive. In addition to modifications to the exterior and interior styling, its drive has been designed for particularly dynamic and powerful acceleration. Aerodynamic body styling parts, BRABUS sports suspension and BRABUS Monoblock 16/17 inch alloy wheels add to the sporty appeal.

The near-series smart BRABUS ebike study, a further world premiere, can reach a speed of up to 45 km/h, thus offering a further enjoyable way of getting around the city and countryside. This sporty two-wheeler has the features typical of BRABUS - more style, more power and more exclusiveness.

Credits: Daimler AG

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

Posted in 2012, brabus, concept, drive, ebike, ed, electric, facelift, for-us, fortwo, geneva motor show, smart | Leave a comment

PREVIEW: The big secrets behind the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Facelift revealed

By Adji | Published Monday, 5 March 2012

The facelift of the current generation E-Class, planned for launch at Detroit Motor Show next year, will be anything but unnoticeable. We are talking about a substantial and extensive revamp of Mercedes-Benz' business class lineup, given the importance of this segment in the sustained growth of the company. The E-Class for 2013 will not only be more visually attractive, but it will also be fully technologically updated.

The W 212 series of the E-Class is a successful model for Mercedes-Benz, but sometimes a radical change is needed to light things up. Often criticized for having a too conservative look lacking passion and dynamism, the E-Class will undergo a restyling procedure which targets to deliver more attractive aesthetics for the executive limousine. The new design exercise will showcase fewer complicated lines, a clean, elegant and straight profile with no Ponton creases, single-unit headlights instead of the current quad configuration and upgraded tail lamps.

The E-Class Facelift comes soon after the unveiling of the new S-Class (W 222), so it will borrow the latest developments in safety assistance, ride control and telematics. First of all, engineers will introduce the third generation of the DISTRONIC PLUS which was enhanced to detect cross-traffic and act accordingly. Furthermore, the new E-Class will boast several other clever technologies, such as an improved night vision system, which is able to detect animals, an intelligent lighting device with moving LED pixels, a road congestion assistant, a more precise lane keeping system, anticipated damper-adjusting MAGIC RIDE CONTROL and the first-ever Head-Up Display system. The E-Class will also feature Car-to-X communication, an ingenious, integrated traffic management solution that enables autonomous driving and recognizes different road situations.

Major changes are set to encounter in the engine department as well, as the E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY will gain more power thanks to the 333 hp 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. Moreover, there's word Mercedes-Benz plans to discontinue the E 500 version in Europe (something smells rotten in this rumor) beginning with 2013 and offer it solely for Stateside clients. This manouevre could prove rather faulty, we say, because the peak output is to rise from the current 408 hp up to 435 hp courtesy of the BlueDIRECT twin-turbocharged V8 with a maximum displacement of 4.7 litres. The E 63 AMG is expected to showcase the same powerplant, only that the output will grow by 12 hp up to 537 hp. While the BlueTEC and BlueTEC HYBRID variants remain unchaged, the E 300 CDI version will bite the dust. Mercedes-Benz is said to have already started the development of a high-end diesel engine, which arrives on the future E-Class (W 213) in 2015. Till then, a plug-in hybrid E-Class could launch in 2014. It will follow the footsteps of the VISION S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID concept car, so this means a V6 unit with over 300 hp and an electric motor with up to 109 hp, which leads to a total output in excess of 400 hp.

Credits: CAR Magazine

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

Posted in 2013, e-class, facelift, mercedes-benz, new, preview, W 212 | Leave a comment

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Facelift (W 212) comes into focus

By Adji | Published Thursday, 1 March 2012

Mercedes-Benz is prepping its range of executive models for a radical rehaul in 2013. First prototypes were lately spotted in Sweden, a familiar sight during this period of the year. This facelift will mark the return of the single-unit headlights, as the German designers seem to have given up the quad lamp arrangement of the last generations beginning with W 210. The heavily camouflage front end is also hiding a new radiator grille, with a more pronounced styling, and a new set of air intakes to let the engine breath more fresh air. Changes at the back will be just minor and will consist of a new inner design for the tail lights following a repositioning of the LEDs inside them. However, expect to see some important changes inside as the dashboard must keep up the pace with the latest trends. COMAND Online and the complete array of safety assistants is on the list, as well as a consistent range of petrol and diesel engines with greater efficiency and more power.

Check out further spy shots after the jump!

Image Credits: Autoevolution

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

Posted in 2013, e-class, facelift, mercedes-benz, spy, spyshots, W 212 | Leave a comment

SPY: The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van receives a refreshed face for 2013

By Adji

Apart from the new Citan and future Viano arriving in 2014, the Sprinter is also due to undergo a facelift procedure destined to keep the vehicle attractive up to 2017, when a new generation is set to enter the stage. The front fascia is the part set to change the most after the restyling process, as it gets new headlights optionally available with LED daytime running lights and a beefier radiator grille with the big Star placed in the middle. For the rest of the body, just subtle or no visual improvements are expected. The engine lineup will likely stay the same, but further tweaks in the efficiency department are bound to happen, that will help reduce the CO2 emission and improve fuel economy. At the moment, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is getting the taste of Scandinavian snow and ice, as the winter development is fully underway. Check out further spy shots after the jump!

Image Credits: Autoevolution

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

Posted in 2013, facelift, mercedes-benz, northern, programme, scandinavia, spotted, sprinter, spy, spyshots, Sweden, testing, winter | Leave a comment

REPORT: New G-Class 2012 and GLK facelift models arrive this April

By Adji | Published Monday, 20 February 2012

Everyone was expecting Mercedes-Benz to launch the new GLK facelift at next month's Geneva Motor Show, but it was lately discovered that the German constructor opted for the New York Auto Salon (NYIAS) instead, probably for the public attention to focus solely on the new A-Class. And even though the restyled G-Class 2012, which you can partially see in the (leaked) detail shot on the left, was also on the verge of the official premiere, the moment is postponed till April for the Beijing Motor Show. We do not know anything certain regarding the reveal of the new generation GL-Class, but New York was intensively rumored lately. So, there are busy SUV times coming at Mercedes-Benz, which is highly pleasant news for us.

Image Credits: Spyspots

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

Posted in 2012, 2013, april, beijing, facelift, g-class, glk-class, mercedes-benz, motor show, new york, NYIAS 2012, premiere, report | Leave a comment

SPY: A pair of updated 2012 G-Class test prototyes snagged in Northern Scandinavia

By Adji | Published Thursday, 16 February 2012

If the G-Class will eventually exit the automotive stage, Mercedes-Benz thinks it needs to do in great style, so the Germans are already prepping an important update for the popular 4x4 vehicle. In order to keep the car contemporary up to 2015 when a phase-out is possible, the Gelandewagen is currently undergoing a styling and technical revamp treatment.

While changes on the design department are subtle and include minor visual tweaks to headlights, tail lamps, exterior mirrors, radiator grille and front end/rear end bumpers, the upgrades to the powertrain and equipment are set to maintain the G-Class as a powerful offroader on the market.

It goes without saying all G-Class models come with 4MATIC traction as standard device. New and efficient engines are expected to power the car: the G 350 BlueTEC is here to stay, but we guess that along the G 300 CDI with 184 hp, Mercedes-Benz could also offer a G 350 CDI version rated at 265 hp. Moreover, a G 350 BlueEFFICIENCY equipped with the 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 capable of 306 hp is also possible. The range-topping G 500 variant will receive company's 4.7-litre biturbo V8 unit reaching 435 hp of peak output and 700 Nm of maximum torque.

Moving on to the AMG models, the G 55 AMG (or G 63 AMG ??) will shift into a new generation with the addition of the new 5.5-litre twinturbocharged V8 that produces 544 hp - yet, rumors claim the 6.3-litre aspirated V8 engine with over 500 hp is also likely to power the monster. If this was not enough, then prepare yourselves for the introduction of the limited edition G 65 AMG boasting no less than 630 hp out of the furious 6.0-litre V12 unit.

The interior of the new G-Class is bound to get an improved look with new, more premium appointments. The restyled dashboard includes a new instrument cluster, a CLS-esque steering wheel, a revised center console and up-to-date climate control and COMAND infotainment system, probably available with internet capability as well. The entire lineup of security and assistance gimmicks Mercedes-Benz have premiered recently will also find their way onto the new G-Class. Looking at the latest spy shots, we think the Gelandewagen is ready for a Geneva debut, even though New York or Beijing motor shows sound more reasonable.

Image Credits: Motor Authority

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

Posted in 2012, facelift, g-class, generation, mercedes-benz, northern, scandinavia, spy, spyshots, update, W 463 | Leave a comment

PREVIEW: The E-Class (W 212) prepared for a profound facelift in 2013

By Adji | Published Sunday, 12 February 2012

Mercedes-Benz management continues the plans to attract new, younger clients towards the Three-Pointed Star with the unveiling of a massively rehauled E-Class beginning with 2013. The business limousine is scheduled to become more attractive through a new and far more dynamic design.

Although the overall dimensions will be kept untouched, the front and rear ends are bound to receive some major make-ups. The front fascia will get a pair of new headlights: no more quad architecture, but single-piece lights fitted with LED technology. The radiator grille will inspire a solid feel thanks to its impressive size and the "V" angulation, whereas the bumper is also destined to undergo a visual change. The 'Ponton' crease will fly away from the sides and the tail lamps will be refreshed as to meet the demands of the new design package. Not long ago, a W 212 prototype with minor upgrades was spotted, but most probably, more is to come this year. Test vehicles for the 2013 E-Class should hit streets very soon.

Image Credits: Autobild

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

Posted in 2013, e-class, facelift, mercedes-benz, preview, profound, radical, W 212 | Leave a comment

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Facelift (X 204) enduring the polar climate

By Adji | Published Saturday, 11 February 2012

The GLK-Class has been on market since 2008 and is now subject to a mid-lifecycle facelift intended to freshen up the image and the equipment of the medium class SUV. Judging by the minimal camouflage on the test prototypes, the new GLK for 2013 could be introduced in March at the Geneva Auto Show. The visual upgrades aim to create a rounder and softer appearance for the boxy SUV, which was frequently criticized for being a bit too sharp and uninspired. As usual, there will be a choice of two technical platforms: rear-wheel-drive and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive. The underpinnings will be shared with the C-Class, so expect newer and frugal engines to make their way onto the revised GLK as well. The SUV's equipment will also include the latest assistance systems and telematics. For the first time since it was launched, the GLK facelift will be available in right-hand-drive configuration as well.

Check out further spy pics after the jump!

Image Credits: WorldCarFans

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

Posted in 2013, climate, facelift, glk-class, mercedes-benz, polar, spy, spyshots, X 204 | Leave a comment

Facelift focusing on the exterior - smart fortwo 2012: the new look

By Adji | Published Wednesday, 1 February 2012

The spring of 2012 will see the smart fortwo making its mark in a striking new look, featuring an upgraded exterior and a fresh leather/fabric mix in the interior. The smart fortwo is available for ordering now. The first vehicles will reach dealers at the beginning of April.

The substantially revamped smart fortwo sports a markedly more dynamic appearance, featuring a larger radiator grille with integrated logo, striking front aprons in a new design, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, muscular side skirts and modified rear aprons. "The way in which the fortwo now displays the smart logo more prominently stands for the brand's new self-confidence," notes smart boss Dr Annette Winkler." The smart fortwo has long become an icon that is a defining feature of urban traffic throughout the world."

The chrome-coloured logo is now positioned directly in the black radiator grille. The air inlets under the number plate have been combined into a single unit, lending the smart fortwo a bolder appearance. The new, optionally available LED daytime driving lights are now arranged horizontally. There is also a choice of three new alloy wheels: the smart fortwo passion comes with a new 9-spoke alloy wheel; two additional alloy wheels fitted with wide tyres and featuring a 3-spoke and 3-twin-spoke design respectively round off the range. The choice of colours comprises seven options, including matt anthracite for the first time. The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive is now also optionally available in white. In addition to the three soft top colours for the smart cabrio which were previously available from the smart programme (black, red, blue), the smart BRABUS tailor made programme offers six other soft top colours.

While the main focus of this facelift is on the exterior, there are changes inside the car, too. These include a new, high-quality interior package in crystal grey, comprising a fresh leather/fabric combination for the seats, an imitation leather/fabric mix for the door trims and black imitation leather for the instrument panel in combination with a grey knee pad.

The pulse and passion equipment lines are generally more colourful options than the basic pure model. pulse and passion highlight the frame of the front grille and the rear trim strip in silver, for example, while the front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron are painted in the car's exterior colour. The door mirror caps are finished in the tridion colour. On the smart pure, these components are black.

The five lines – pure, pulse, passion, BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive – are to be retained. Similarly, the smart fortwo will continue to be available as a coupé and cabrio version and with six engine and motor variants. The spectrum ranges from the particularly environment-friendly electric power train in the fortwo electric drive and the efficient micro hybrid petrol engine through the powerful turbo petrol engine to the fuel-efficient cdi turbodiesel. Prices begin at € 10,275 for the smart fortwo 45 kW mhd pure.

Here is an overview of the engine range:

The new model generation for 2012 represents the continuation of a unique success story for smart: as a trendsetter the smart fortwo has been redefining individual urban mobility for more than ten years now. It combines responsibility to the environment and high ecological standards with joie de vivre and a high fun factor. With its compact dimensions the two-seater takes up less road and parking space than any other car around.

More than 1.3 million smart fortwos have been delivered to customers since the first model was launched in 1998. 101,996 smart fortwos were handed over to customers worldwide in 2011 – 4.6 percent more than in the previous year.

The car2go mobility service is also attracting growing numbers of fans. Over 2000 smart fortwos are currently in operation for 60,000 customers in seven cities around the globe. car2go is already successfully up and running in Ulm and Hamburg (Germany), Austin and San Diego (USA), Vancouver (Canada), Vienna (Austria) and Amsterdam (Netherlands). car2go will be launching in Lyon (France), Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Washington D.C. and other cities in 2012.

Posted in 2012, exterior, facelift, fortwo, look, new, smart | Leave a comment

SPY: Have a look inside the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Facelift

By Adji | Published Wednesday, 14 December 2011

It was about time Mercedes-Benz moved its fleet of test cars to Northern Scandinavia, where snow and low temperature dominate the landscape and make it ideal for the cold weather development programme. It's also good to see the upcoming 2013 GLK Facelift in action after almost three months of absence. Due for a mid-cycle revamp, the compact SUV from Stuttgart will boast a mildly revised front fascia, an improved dashboard and new tail lamps when revealed during the summer of next year. Apart from the exterior shots, photographers have managed to get a picture of the interior, which is enhanced with the latest styling influences of the Stuttgart design house. Controls on the center console will be rearranged or replaced with new ones, such as the HVAC panel, the multimedia interface and the elegant air vents mimicking the ones on the B-Class. The 4x4 will also feature a new steering wheel à la CLS and the most recent generation of the COMAND infotainment system emphasizing internet access and upgraded functions. The rehauled GLK will continue to be sold in LHD configuration, but according to a recent report, the second generation model tipped for 2015 is expected to debut a right-hand-drive version for the first time.

See more pictures after the break!

Posted in 2013, facelift, glk-class, interior, mercedes-benz, spy, spyshots | Leave a comment

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Facelift goes out for a test run on the Ring

By Adji | Published Sunday, 25 September 2011

Launched back in spring 2008, the GLK-Class is destined to undergo a substantial facelift that's intended to keep the car attractive until a replacement generation is premiered sometime after 2015. The latest spy photos showcasing a camouflaged prototype of the SUV come from the Nurburgring.

The GLK is being readied for a mid-cycle revamp. Scheduled for release in the second semester of 2012, the medium-sized SUV from Stuttgart will display a new front fascia featuring slightly revised LED headlamps, differently styled radiator grilles with either two or three chromed slates depending on the version and retouched intakes and bumper. While the side remains solid and boxy, with no visible changes at all, designers will operate several changes to the tail lights, which appear to feature LED technology and consequently a new arrangement for the braking lights, indicators and reverse lamps. The cockpit should not be given any major rehaul, but an increase in the quality of the assembly and materials used as well as new colour combos are expected. Engineers will fit the 2013 GLK with the latest assistance technologies developed by Mercedes-Benz, such as the ATTENTION ASSIST, Blind Spot Assist and PRE-SAFE. Also, the new GLK facelift will be optionally fitted with the COMAND Online infotainment system, which provides in-car internet access to the driver and occupants. Engines will become more powerful and efficient with the aid of the BlueEFFICIENCY package; the high-end variant, the GLK 350, will be powered by the new 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 gasoline unit with up to 306 hp. The basic price list could look the same as for the current model, but versions with richer specifications might increase pretty much the final tag.

Posted in 2013, benz, facelift, glk-class, latest, mercedes, mercedes-benz, Nurburgring, spy, spyshots | Leave a comment

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