Mercedes-Benz S and CL-Class models now have a new system option available, the Blind Spot Assist. This system provides drivers with assistance when changing lanes.

Mercedes-Benz uses six short-range radar sensors for its newly-developed Blind Spot Assist system. These radar sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers of the vehicles. These sensors will monitor the side and rear zones of the car on both the right and left sides of the vehicle, which are the drivers’ “blind spots.” By doing that, drivers are given assistance in looking at the areas that the exterior mirrors are unable to cover. If the radar sensors detect the presence of another vehicle in the danger zone, there will be red warning symbol appearing in the exterior mirror glass. This symbol signals the driver that it might be a dangerous time to change lanes for a collision may occur. However, drivers may ignore this signal and still opt to switch on the turn signals indicators. In that case, the signal will start blinking and also an audible sound will be heard.

As mentioned earlier, this newly-developed system by Mercedes-Benz is available as an optional system to the S and CL-Class models together with the other radar-based assistance systems. These other radar-based systems include the DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, PRE-SAFE brake and Parking Guidance, and the Brake Assist Plus. The cost for this package ranges between €2594.20 and €3391.50 (ex factory, incl. VAT in Germany.

This Blind Spot Assist system will really be helpful to drivers, and in the prevention of possible road collisions that are brought by the ‘blind spot’ zones. This may just be initially offered in the S and CL-Class models but if this system really proves itself helpful, Mercedes-Benz perhaps might think of extending this option to its other models as well.

Mercedes-Benz decided to launch hybrid vehicles by 2010 and aside from the launch of the ML 450 Hybrid and the S400 hybrid, the German automaker will also introduce its S300 BLUETEC Hybrid during that time.

Mercedes-Benz said that the tremendous savings potential of the modular technology concept being applied by Mercedes-Benz is underlined by the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, due to arrive on the market in 2010, too. The configuration and performance data of this engine are identical to those in the E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID. In the S-Class too, the BLUETEC/Hybrid combination develops a maximum torque of 560 Newton metres, comparable with that of a large-volume V8 petrol engine. When combined with the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds, and it can reach a top speed of 240 km/h. Even with this superior performance, fuel consumption stands at just 5.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to a mere 142 grams of CO2 per kilometre _ 57 grams, or some 30 per cent, less than the current best saloon in the S-Class segment anywhere in the world.

The S-Class uses the version of BLUETEC with AdBlue injection system. Thanks to the combination of BLUETEC and hybrid technology - the only combination of this nature in the world, delivering the most economical and environmentally compatible premium cars in the world - the S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID has the potential to meet the most stringent emissions standards applicable anywhere in the world – for example, the European EU6 standard or the US 50-state BIN5 standard.

Source: Mercede-Benz Press Release via www.autoblog.com

Mercedes-Benz reports that the compact hybrid module installed in all the S-Class hybrids comprises a disk-shaped electric engine, which also functions as a starter motor and dynamo. This system offers a double benefit, working on the one hand in various ways to save fuel, and making driving so much more fun.

The main reason for the increased driving enjoyment is what is known as the boost effect, whereby the electric engine supports the combustion engine during the high-consumption acceleration phase with a maximum extra torque of 160 Newton metres. With this high torque the electric engine assists the combustion engine heartily when accelerating from very low engine speeds. As a result, the combustion engine itself needs less time and energy to build up its maximum torque. The only thing the driver notices from this synergy of the two power units is a supremely effortless power output whenever he starts off.

The hybrid module also features a comfortable start-stop function which switches the engine off whenever the vehicle stops, for example at traffic lights. Once the vehicle is ready to move off again, the electric engine starts the main engine again so gently, that it remains virtually unnoticed. This of course also contributes to fuel savings and is kind to the environment: since the engine starts virtually immediately, virtually no unburned fuel is discharged when starting off. When decelerating, on the other hand, the electric engine functions as a generator, and can recover braking energy in what is known as the recuperation process. This energy is stored in a powerful but compact lithium-ion battery pack in the engine compartment, ready for use when required. The engine management of this complex system is governed by a powerful control unit, which is also installed close to the engine.

Source: Mercedes-Benz Press Release via www.autoblog.com

Two automaker giants, Mercedes Benz and BMW decided on a product collaboration to develop a less complex mild hybrid which they could both put into their vehicles. By 2010, the two giant automakers should have come up with the very first model under that program as they have promised. They will be merging the 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel V6 to the new hybrid setup. It will have a fuel economy of 43.6 miles per gallon in U.S.

A press release from Mercedes-Benz via Autoblog states that the Mercedes S-Class that has the petrol hybrid will be introduced during the same time that the Mercedes ML450 Hybrid will be introduced. The S 400 Hybrid will also be available in Europe in mid-2009. it sports a 205 kW/279 hp V6 petrol engine that is combined with a hybrid module which could deliver from the outset 160 Nm and 15 kW/ 20 hp. The maximum power output when these two are combined is 220 kW/299 hp and their torque is to 375 Newton meters.

The S 400 Hybrid can achieve 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and its electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h. nut even though its sports such great performance, its combustion engine needs 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers in the NEFZ cycle. This combustion cycle results in  carbon dioxide emissions of just 190 grams per kilometer. The S 400 Hybrid will then soon be considered the most fuel efficient luxury petrol engine saloon in the world. The F 700, the S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid, and the S 400 BLUETEC Hybrid are the only ones that can considerably improve on the world record that has been set by the S 400 Hybrid in the case of low fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers passengers comfort during long journeys as it sports newly-developed seats and air conditioning system. When one takes a peek at the C-Class’ interior, one would see that it has appealing color schemes, a dashboard styled in a very appealing way, and the materials were made from only high-grade quality. All in all, it gives the interior of the C-Class a somewhat homely atmosphere. The load compartment has also been included in the color scheme as it too sports the color concept of the model. Also, the selected color scheme of the customers is reflected on both the carpeting and the side trims of the CLASSIC and the ELEGANCE models. The back compartment on the AVANTGARDE model is also provided with a black carpet. Wanting to add comfort in long journeys, the C-Class Estate has put a powerful air conditioning system, and its newly-developed seats have a multi-contour function as its option.

The Estate model is also proud to announce that among its class, it is the first to offer potential customers with the option of individually adjustable three-zone climate control. Another optional feature include a panoramic sliding sunroof. The dashboard has a color display that’s connected to the controller on the tunnel console, where the driver can access the audio and navigation system controls or the telephone. The Estate also has a clear menu structure, making accessing these functions easy. There are also direct selection keys in the center console and these are keys for the car radio, navigation system, CD/DVD player, plus the telephone can be switched on and off with just a push of a button.

Source: Mercedes-Benz Press Release via Autoblog

The C-Class Estate of Mercedes-Benz has come through an exhaustive program of testing, during which it demonstrated its typical Mercedes-like levels of safety in over 100 crash tests in all. The occupant protection concept is underpinned by an intelligently designed bodyshell, 70 percent of which consists of high-strength and ultra-high-strength grades of steel. The front-end structure comprises four impact levels which act independently of one another and enable forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell. The occupants are protected by a total of seven airbags as standard. The driver, front passenger and the passengers on the outer rear seats also benefit from belt tensioners and belt force limiters. The NECK-PRO head restraints in the front have a crash-responsive design, meaning that they move to cushion the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage in a rear-end collision to guard against the risk of whiplash.

The integrated child seats, which fold out of the rear bench seat have undergone further development and are now also fitted with a wraparound head restraint. Standard features such as the flashing brake lights, Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program make vital contributions to accident prevention. The ESP system now incorporates additional functions: not only does it monitor the tire pressure it also helps to enhance safety when towing a trailer with an automatic trailer stabilization function.

The anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE gives the new Estate the edge over other models in this segment. This optional system makes use of the time before an imminent accident to prepare the vehicle and its occupants for a collision. The result is a considerable reduction in the loads exerted on the passengers upon impact. The Intelligent Light System is another technical innovation borrowed from the luxury models in the Mercedes range and is the only system of its kind in this market segment at the current time. The system’s five different lighting functions are each suited to various typical driving and weather conditions.

Source: Mercedes Benz

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a sporty agility with its shock absorbers that change with the driving situation.

The unique blend of agility and comfort that forms one of the exceptional strengths of the new C-Class is basically down to the standard-fit AGILITY CONTROL package. This features shock absorbers which automatically adapt to the current driving situation for a noticeable improvement in ride comfort when driving normally. As soon as a more dynamic driving style is adopted, on the other hand, the maximum damping forces are set to stabilize the Estate effectively. A steering system that is six per cent more direct and a short-throw six-speed manual transmission also form part of the AGILITY CONTROL package.

The dynamic handling package that is available as an option bestows the new
C-Class Estate with a degree of agility worthy of out-and-out sports cars. The driver is able to choose from two drive modes which determine the fundamental suspension characteristic: Comfort and Sport. Within these modes, the shock absorbers at each wheel are regulated by means of an infinitely variable electronic control. What’s more, the body is lowered by 15 millimeters and the suspension equipped with shorter springs and thicker torsion bars. The dynamic handling package also encompasses the new speed-sensitive power steering with a more direct ratio and variable centring.

The body index devised by engineers at Mercedes clearly illustrates just how agilely the new C-Class Estate performs out on the road. This index is calculated from the readings for various driving maneuvers, thereby forming a new composite formula for a vehicle’s dynamic handling abilities. The larger the body index, the better the suspension is linked to the body and the firmer the suspension’s tuning. The standard AGILITY CONTROL suspension gives the C-Class a body index of 1.91 to 2.01 hertz, while the new model attains sports-car-like values of up to 2.46 hertz with the dynamic handling package fitted.

Kitting out the new Estate with the AMG sports package adds a sports suspension with shorter springs and firmer shock absorbers to the specification, along with 17-inch light-alloy wheels. The body is also dropped by 15 millimeters.

Source: Mercedes Benz

During the concept phase for the new Estate, the designers and engineers at Mercedes-Benz took the expectations of the brand’s customers as their yardstick. Consequently, spaciousness, versatility and functionality were given top priority. Compared to its predecessor, the rear of the new Estate is slanted far more steeply, a crucial factor for enlarging the vehicle’s load volume. This now varies between 485 and 1500 litres (VDA measuring method), depending on the position of the 1/3 : 2/3 split-folding rear seat — more than any of the model’s rivals in this class of premium estate car are able to offer. Measured against the outgoing C-Class Estate, load capacity has been increased by as much as 146 liters.

This makes the Estate a thoroughly practical vehicle in every respect. It is able to accommodate, for example, four golf bags including trolleys, nine large packing cases or a total of 44 drinks crates each containing six 1-litre juice bottles. The largest possible cuboid that fits into the load compartment now has a volume of 827 litres - that is an increase of 66 liters compared to the previous model and between 50 and 100 litres more than other premium estate models in this class are able to handle. The maximum utilizable interior length is a whole 2.82 meters, as measured between the tailgate and the front passenger footwell — 17 centimeters more than previously.

It even has a new benchmark figure for its maximum load capacity of 1500 liters.

Convenient loading: EASY-PACK tailgate and load-securing kit

Thanks to a host of practical details, the new Mercedes Estate can be loaded more easily, more conveniently and more safely. For instance, two bag hooks and four rings for anchoring loads are included in the load compartment as standard. Stowage compartments with net covers and a collapsible shopping crate can likewise be found in all models, as can the combined luggage cover and retaining net. The new EASY-PACK tailgate opens and closes as the push of a button, representing a first in this segment. Finally, the optional EASY-PACK load-securing kit presents drivers with even more possibilities for both partitioning the load compartment — that measures around 1.80 meters long and up to 1.20 meters wide — and for securing the load being carried. The new C-Class Estate also makes a perfectly good towing vehicle and, indeed, offers a class-beating towing capacity of as much as 1800 kilograms. The self-leveling suspension that is optionally available keeps the vehicle at a constant ride height regardless of the load it is carrying. Convenient loading: EASY-PACK tailgate and load-securing kit

Source: Mercedes Benz

It could be remembered that Mercedes-Benz has recently revealed its vision for the future touring sedan and that it will be powered by the engine developed by the German automaker, the DIESOTTO four-cylinder engine with a displacement of just 1.8 liters. Although that is the case, Mercedes-Benz said that it will have the performance level to that of a current S-Class vehicle with a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 gasoline engine.

Mercedes-Benz lets us in on the power and process behind its developed DIESOTTO engine.

Dr. Thomas Weber, Board member of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for Group Research & Mercedes Car Group Development, said, “Our strategic objective is to make the gasoline-powered car as economical as the diesel, and the diesel as clean as the gasoline engine.”

A part of the German automaker strategy has already been implemented through its BLUETEC technology. This technology decreases the nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust gases, and thus giving the diesel engine the chance to comply even with the world’s harshest emission standards. The BLUETEC technology is already out in the US market and this will soon be available in Europe starting the end of 2007.

The DIESOTTO drive technology of Mercedes-Benz in its new research car is a one-of-a-kind, integrated system specifically made for the reduction of consumption.

The DIESOTTO drive technology involves downsizing by decreasing the cylinder size and smaller displacement, turbocharging, direct injection of the gasoline, variable valve control, controlled auto ignition, and hybrid module with integral starter-generator.

The DIESOTTO technology is providing the gasoline engine with the benefits of the diesel technology. The air and fuel mixture in the CAI model ignites itself the same as in a diesel engine. But the good thing about it is that the DIESOTTO does not have any requirements regarding the quality of the fuel as the engine could still run even on a normal gasoline.

Furthermore, the controlled auto ignition is not only economical than the traditional combustion that’s started through a spark plug as it is also cleaner when it comes to exhaust emissions. As the auto engineers from Mercedes-Benz put it, in the controlled auto ignition, there are hardly any nitrogen oxides being produced. The DIESOTTO drive technology is then pointing towards a brighter future for the gasoline engine as it is a future that has been thoroughly researched and developed by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz.

Info from AutoSpeed Australia

The market debut of the Saloon had been made just a few months earlier and now Mercedes-Benz is revealing its Estate version for its C-Class line. The Estate sports the Saloon’s trademark strong points like its safety, comfort and agility. These are then combined with a considerable increase in versatility and space. It is now able to hold a maximum load capacity of 1500 liters, making it the premium-class estate segment in this market segment to have the largest load capacity. Because of that, it also offers a lot of features that are specifically for the comfort of loading and safe transportation such as a tailgate that’s automatically closing and opening with just a push of a button. Its official NEDC consumption is 6.0 liters/100 kilometers, thus, the new C 200 CDI can make its single tank of fuel (66 liters) cover 1000 kilometers. The Estate version is just like the Saloon as it has also been awarded an Environmental Certificate. It attests to the environmentally oriented development process as it corresponds with the international ISO standard. When it comes to safety, the new Estate has PRE-SAFE and the Intelligent Light System, thus it prides itself as the safest car in its vehicle class. The standard specifications of the new Estate in its safety system include seven airbags, belt force limiters, belt tensioners, and crash-responsive NECK PRO head restraints.

For the design and equipment lines, the new Estate has taken the customer-focused concept of the C-Class Saloon. Three models highlight the comfort and agility of the vehicle and these are the Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde. The Elegance model features a three-dimensional louvred radiator grill and its exterior is emphasized by its high-gloss paint finish. In the radiator grill of the Avantgarde model, the large Mercedes star logo is situated in the center to highlight the model’s sporty and agile nature. On the other hand, the Classic model is made to have more traditional look and be more restrained.

The development of the Mercedes-Ben C-Class has been made to focus on environmental considerations as it has a 12 percent cut in its fuel consumption. Its efforts and development have been confirmed as it was awarded the Environmental Certificate by the TÜV Technical Inspection Authority in Germany. The German automaker is proud to eb the only automotive brand in the world to be recognized by the said certificate as it was able to comply with the terms set forth by the ISO standard 14062 for environmentally acceptable product development.

The C-Class Estate sports either a redeveloped engine or a brand new one under its hood. Thus, it is able to have 12 percent less fuel consumption than its previous generation.

Source: Mercedes-Benz press Release via Autoblog