Mercedes-Benz plans 58 BlueEfficiency models by end of 2009

We have reported Mercedes-Benz was expanding the 2010 E-Class range with two economical four-cylinder models: the E200 CDI turbodiesel and E200 CGI petrol model. However, this is just part of plan. Mercedes-Benz has now announced that there will be 58 BlueEfficiency models on the market by the end of the year (there are 49 vehicles in the image above), including the already reported two models.

What’s BlueEfficiency car? In general, it depicts cars that combine a range of efficiency-enhancing design features and materials that cause a car to be 23% more efficient than a regular vehicle. Just like the new E-Class, combines the latest in engine technology and the world’s best cd value in its class with targeted vehicle optimization measures, including lightweight design and intelligent energy management.

Spy shots: Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabrio with top down

After unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has drawn fans’ attention to news of the upcoming E-Class Cabriolet and Estate models.

The former spy shots of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Cabrio showed the car with a soft top, now spy photographers have caught the car testing in Germany with its top down.

About 100mm longer than the CLK Cabrio preceding it, the E-Class Cabrio also bears the same raked A pillar and steep belt-line of the ConceptFASCINATION study revealed back in September last year.

With the top down, we can see the test car's unique air deflector. Taking the shape of a mini-spoiler over the windscreen, the item is sure to cause a stir amongst Mercedes fans. Should the piece stay on the final version of the car, it will likely polarize those interested in the E-class into two groups: one that likes the function, and one that hates the look.

Power is expected to come from the same engine line-up as that featured in the E-Class Coupe, which means four, six and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 150kW/200hp to 285kW/382hp - the top end model being the E500/550.

Details of 2010 Mercedes S63&S65 AMG Facelift

Since its market launch some three years ago, the Mercedes S-Class AMG has been bought by more than 8,000 customers around the world, making it to the undisputed market leader in the small yet highly exclusive high-performance luxury saloon segment.

Now new details have been released for both the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and S65 AMG sedans facelifts, both of which are now even more appealing thanks to a series of subtle fine-tuning measures. Both the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG go on sale at the end of the month.

The 2010 Mercedes S63 AMG price for the short wheelbase version starts at €115,700 in Europe without tax, bringing a 525 horsepower, 6.3-liter V8 engine producing up to 630 Nm of torque. The long wheelbase models starts at €121,700.

Meanwhile, the 2010 S65 AMG is hardly cheap, starts at €185,900. But the 612 horsepower delivered by the 6.0-liter biturbo V12 may be enough to convince new customers. The V12 delivers a massive 1000 Nm of torque, guaranteeing a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the S63.

Both cars are electronically limited to 250 km/h. On the S63 the driver controls the AMGSPEEDSHIFT 7G-Tronic transmission, while the S65 utilizes a five-speed automatic.

Impressively, Mercedes did not have to degrade the performance of these two vehicles to improve fuel economy. Both "consumption and CO2 emissions" were reduced "by up to 3 percent."

From the looks of these two cars, it seems many of the 8,000 current S-Class AMG customers may get a little jealous. A new arrow-shaped radiator grille - with twin chrome louvres on the S65 - is an effective status symbol on a car that commands respect. LED accents abound, with the high-tech illumination powering daytime running lights, fog lights and tail lights. Inside it's the usual array of fine wood, leather, high-grade plastics and reserved color combinations.

Mercedes launch a New Special Edition trim for C-Class range

A new Special Edition Mercedes-Benz C-Class range has been announced in Germany. This is a new range-topping model with exclusive styling and a host of standard equipment, successfully drawing admiring glances.

Available in both the Sedan and Estate bodystyles, as well as the complete C-Class engine range, the new Special Edition is only being offered in Europe for now.

Standard equipment includes Mercedes’ Agility Control active suspension dampening, adaptive brakes, auto adjusting bi-xenon headlights, Parktronic parking sensors, BlueEFFICIENCY and the Intelligent Light System, ensuring that even the most discerning requirements are met for those looking for refinement, motoring pleasure and a car with a distinctive character.

Some subtle exterior changes have been implemented to improve the looks. These include darkened headlamps with a dark cover frame, new paintwork and five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels. Tyres that go with these wheels are 235/60 R 17 at the front and 255/55 R 17 at the rear.

Other alterations are shoulder line trim strips, front fog lights and a new front grille in silver matt and chrome. Adaptive headlights with bi-xenon lamps and PARKTRONIC with acoustic warning are also standard. More chrome is pasted on the rear bumper and boot lid and the B-pillar has been painted glossy black.

Like the exterior, the interior is based on the sporty Avantgarde line of time. Its styling has been altered with the addition of new sports seats trimmed in Artico man-made leather and Liverpool fabric in como beige. The same como beige trim is used for the stitching in seats, centre armrest, door centre panel and floor mats. The floor mats have "Special Edition" lettering attached to them. Other details include brushed aluminum elements, a multifunction leather steering wheel, and a 4.5in display in the instrument cluster.

The new Special Edition range is positioned above the Avantgarde trim and depending on which engine option is chosen, prices increase by about €2,689 to a maximum €3,879. No word yet whether Mercedes will offer the range in North America.

Hamann Typhoon based on Mercedes G55 AMG

The German tuning specialist Hamann, has taken several cars, including many German makes, and turned them into likable monsters. Now it removed the wraps off of its latest creation, the new Typhoon which was based on the Mercedes G55 AMG.

Set to compete with the 700 hp Brabus G V12 S Biturbo, the Hamann Typhoon features 600 hp (441 kW) and 782 Nm (576 lb-ft) of torque thanks to a high performance HM600 power kit that includes new engine electronics, a beefier belt pulley set, and a revised transmission with its own oil cooler. The net result of all these changes is a 0-100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 261 km/h (162 mph).

Hamann's engineers have also tweaked the legendary Geländewagen's styling by adding carbon fiber mirrors, door handles, fender vents, and a massive front grille. Other exterior design changes include a front spoiler with LED-daytime running lights, a revised rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, a six tailpipe exhaust system, 24-inch wheels, and a roof-mounted spoiler.

The unique sporting theme continues in the cabin as the Typhoon features a Hamann steering wheel, aluminum pedals, a 24-piece carbon fiber trim set, illuminated stainless steel door sill plates, and exclusive velour upholstery. The interior has been recovered in plush red fabric on the door panels, headliner, arm rests and seat inserts.

Mercedes-Benz reveals full details on ESF 2009 safety prototype vehicle

Mercedes-Benz is introducing its first Experimental model in 35 years, the ESF 2009 S400 Hybrid experimental Safety Vehicle. The last time Mercedes outfitted an ESF - the German acronym for Experimental Safety Vehicle - prototype was 1974. The new model will be revealed as part of the Mercedes-Benz Museum's Fascination of Technology exhibit.

The new ESF is based on the S 400 Hybrid. Fitted with 13 of Mercedes-Benz's most advanced technologies, from the S400 Hybrid powertrain to the Pre-Safe crash-detection system, center seat airbags and inflatable metal bracing structures, the ESF 2009 showcases almost everything Mercedes is capable of in the field of safety technology.

"Even in economically difficult times, we refuse to make any cuts where innovation is concerned, as shown by the highly complex ESF2009 project, where we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz. Anybody examining the ESF2009 in detail will recognize that more safety and less fuel consumption are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas," said Daimler Chairman and Mercedes-Benz CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche.

The most outlandish features - the under-car airbag brakes, dubbed Braking Bag, and inflatable metal structures, called Pre-Safe Structure - are actually more realistic than they seem at first blush. The inflatable crash structures allow for lighter-weight and more compact construction to be used, then inflated and stiffened in the moments before impact with high-pressure air. The airbag brakes use the same function to slam a braking system into the ground, hugely increasing the surface area of friction forces to slow the car.

For those worried about the Braking Bag's effect on steering, fear not: it will only deploy once the on-board Pre-Safe computers have determined a collision is inevitable. Of course, that still doesn't tell us how the system would affect the car's dynamics when the collision occurs in anything but a straight line, but that's the point of such an experimental vehicle, in the end.

Interactive Vehicle Communication is another innovation of the ESF 2009. The IVC system allows cars travelling in opposite directions to communicate with each other in order to warn of upcoming bad weather or road obstacles.

There's also PRE-SAFE Pulse which moves passengers towards the centre of the car by up to 50mm. It does this to reduce the forces acting on their torsos during a lateral collision. The other safety piece is the partial LED main beam which specifically illuminates potential hazards that are detected to be outside of the normal illuminated area.

According to Mercedes, 'most' of the technologies on the ESF 2009 demonstration prototype are fully functional. Full details and specifications for the super-safe exhibition car will be forthcoming later this month.

2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe by Brabus

Brabus is noted for its sleek, stylish and almost stealthy modifications of Mercedes Benz vehicles, which occupies a special place in the German tuner scene. After the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, Brabus revealed its new customization kit for the 2010 E-Class Coupe.

The primary upgrade to the standard E550 Coupe is the addition of a 6.1L V8 engine rated at 456hp (340kW) and 453lb-ft (615Nm) of torque, which comes on at just 3,100rpm. That's good for a 4.7-second 0-62mph (100km/h) run and a top speed of 196mph (315km/h).

Getting that big-bore V8 into the little Coupe will cost you though - €29,000 or about $39,701. That's fully 70% of the base E550 Coupe's retail price, but speed is frequently measured in cubic dollars. And with custom-machined heads, custom camshafts and a billet crankshaft, it's hard to argue you're not getting your money's worth.

Those with a taste for more sedate performance, an eye for efficiency and a home in Europe might prefer a four-pot diesel model based on the E250 CDI. Brabus tunes that little oil burner up from 201hp (150kW) to 232hp (173kW) with 413lb-ft (560Nm) of torque. A V6 E350 CDI kit adds some more bang to the diesel-drive offerings, with an upgrade kit pushing power to 268hp (200kW) and torque to 435lb-ft (590Nm).

Any of the E Coupes can be fitted with a Brabus body kit that includes new aluminum front quarter panels with clear-coated carbon fiber inserts. New rocker panels house LED entrance lights, while the rear apron features a custom layout with cutouts for the quad-pipe Brabus custom exhaust.

At each corner is a Brabus Monoblock alloy wheel, available in single-piece or multi-piece and in a range of sizes from 17in to 20in. Brabus also offers a new high-performance brake system which uses six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 360-mm (14.2 inches) vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle while the rear axle stops with four-piston aluminum fixed calipers. .

Inside, the car gets a fully custom treatment, with the customer free to spec it out as they please. Some of the options include: stainless-steel scuff plated with illuminated BRABUS logo, a BRABUS sport steering wheel and an entirely new interior crafted from especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara..