Mercedes-Benz S-Class MEC Design

MEC Design is going for a more... subtle look, while still providing the owner with a few sporty bits such as the front lip spoiler, rear diffuser with AMG pipes, rear trunk lid spoiler and rear window spoiler. It's important to note that this bodykit is available only for S-Class models with the AMG Styling kit and not the S63 AMG.

Looking at the stock S63 AMG, you could argue that it only looks a bit less aggressive than this car, which is probably fine with everybody involved. Even though power cures everything, there's nothing wrong with buying your dream car but with a lesser engine so that you can afford to make it look as good as possible - be that with optional extras or an after-market bodykit.

PHOTOS GALLERY:

Read More

Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Mercedes-Benz VP Wolf-Dieter Kurz was quoted by Caradvice as saying that there is room for practicality-focused models. "The SUV segment will be also in future the one which sees most derivatives, let’s say, in the outskirts of the portfolio. Because it’s getting kind of fussy in it’s outskirts, let's say."

"There was already one that we had in the portfolio – maybe we were too early – which was the R-Class, which we are still selling in China. It's doing good, with 12,000 to 14,000 units per year," he added.

"So let's say these more, let’s say, on-road based but still very roomy, but not station wagon, is definitely an interesting segment also in the future."

Kurz also suggested that Mercedes wouldn't have a tough time offering all-wheel driven station wagons with higher ground clearance such as the Audi A4 and A6 Allroad.

"Possible is everything in that regard. Audi did it the same way: they just lifted up the all-wheel drive variants of the A4 or A6 station wagon," before saying "That's technically no big deal."

Naturally, it's normal for Mercedes to consider all of these options. That's what car manufacturers do, they consider everything - but with the R-Class, it really does sound like might be willing to give it another shot at being successful on a global market.

Now if they do bring it back, it will be interesting to see which design language they use for it. Would it have those C-Class, GLC curvy lines? Or look a bit more dynamic such as the A-Class, GLE or GLE Coupe?

Read More

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC

A rival to Audi's Q5, BMW's X3 and Volvo's XC60, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC was introduced today during a special event in Stuttgart, Germany, and will go on sale in Europe later this year, with North America to get the SUV in mid-November, at as of yet, undisclosed prices. And unlike the outgoing GLK, the new GLC will be made available to right-hand drive markets, including, of course, Britain.

Linked to Mercedes-Benz C-Class series – hence the change in the name from GLK to GLC, the SUV rides on a longer wheelbase version of the sedan's Modular Rear Architecture and will be offered in Europe with a starting lineup of three engines.

These include the diesel-powered GLC 220d 4Matic with 168hp (0-62mph or 100km/h in 8.3 sec and 56mpg UK), and GLC 250d 4Matic with 201hp (0-62mph or 100km/h in 7.6 sec and 56mpg UK), and the petrol GLC 250 4Matic with 208hp (0-62mph or 100km/h in 7.3 sec and 43mpg UK).

In North America, the GLC will launch this fall as the rear-wheel drive GLC 300 and all-wheel drive GLC 300 4Matic, which should have the same 241hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four as the C300 sedan – we're still waiting for Mercedes-Benz to release US specs.

Read More

Brabus Rocket 900 6.3 V12

Based on the Mercedes-Maybach S600, the Brabus Rocket 900 6.3 V12 features both performance and styling tweaks. Brabus engineers focused on the 530PS (523hp) twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine from the standard car and managed to almost double its peak output. What they did was to increase displacement to 6.3 liters by installing a custom Brabus billet crankshaft with longer stroke in concert with a larger cylinder bore, matching forged pistons and precision-balanced connecting rods.

Additionally, the two production turbos were replaced with turbochargers that have a larger compressor unit and a larger turbine, with Brabus also adding free-flow metal catalysts and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with actively controlled butterfly valve.

Thanks to these upgrades and many more, the engine was boosted to 900PS (888hp) at 5,500 rpm and 1,500Nm (1,106lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. Despite weighing more than 2.8 tons, the Brabus Rocket 900 6.3 V12 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds and can reach speeds in excess of 350 km/h (217 mph).

Brabus also offers the B50-540 power kit for the Mercedes-Maybach S500, which brings an additional 85PS (83hp) and 120Nm (88lb-ft) to the 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.

To help improve dynamics, Brabus developed a special module for the Magic Body Control suspension of the Mercedes-Maybach which lowers the ride by about 25 millimeters (1 inch) "without compromising the outstanding ride quality."

The added muscle is accompanied by styling tweaks such as the Brabus aerodynamic kit and Brabus Monoblock "Platinum Edition" 21-inch forged wheels. Brabus even made some changes inside, offering upholsteries made from leather and Alcantara, as weel as wood and carbon fiber trim in any desired color.

Read More