1997 was a good year for Mercedes-Benz as it was the year the automaker presented it’s a-Class model. Fast forward to ten years after that, the A-Class model now celebrates ten years of success in the automotive industry. The German automaker is now celebrating the A-Class 10^th year with an exclusive “Edition 10” special model. This exclusive and special model has a customer cost advantage for the equipment for up to 30 percent. Along with that, it also has sporty 16-inch alloy wheels, a perforated radiator grill and a louvred panoramic sunroof. The “Edition 10” also sports a very stylish interior as it is decorated with high-grade leather and brushed aluminium.

The color schemes available for the “Edition 10” include the elegant and exclusive mountain grey. This paint finish is “unmistakably the hallmark of this special edition.” There is also a discreet “EDITION” emblem found in the mirror triangle. Aside from there, the “EDITION” logo could also be found on the velour floor mats where it is embroidered.

There is also an onboard computer, a steering wheel that has been incorporated with the control for the MP3-compatible “Audio 5” radio with CD payer and AUX-IN connector. And to complete the setup of entertainmen, six loudspeakers are installed for better sound quality.

There are two body variants available for the “Edition 10,” and potential buyers have seven different engines for choices – four petrol and three diesel engines. The power outputs of these engines vary between 60 kW/82 hp (A 160 CDI) to 142 kW/193 hp (A 200 Turbo). Their fuel economy ranges between 4.9 and 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions between 128 and 192 g/km).

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has revealed its vision for tomorrow’s superior touring car that has low carbon emissions and a unique but really spacious interior.

It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz developed DIESOTTO four-cylinder engine with a displacement of just 1.8 litres but which has the performance level of a current S-Class car with a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 gasoline engine.

The engine combines the strong points of the low-emission gasoline engine with the consumption benefits of the diesel drive. Its CO2 emissions of a mere 127 grams per kilometer correspond to consumption of only 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, extremely low for a vehicle of this class.

”Our goal is to make the gasoline-powered car just as economical in consumption as the diesel. The new DIESOTTO concept is a major step in that direction, combining the best properties of the spark-ignition engine and the diesel engine,” says Dr. Thomas Weber, Board member of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for Group Research & Mercedes Car Group Development.

The F 700 also sets standards in regard to road noise, tire vibration and suspension comfort. In a world first, the Active PRE-SCAN suspension has two laser scanners which check the roadway in front of the car. The hydraulically controlled active suspension proactively compensates for detected hindrances, enabling a further improvement of comfort characteristics.

Equally innovative is the operating concept SERVO-HMI. The display is not only particularly gentle on the eyes but it has enabled the number of controls to be reduced and the menu structure to be strikingly simple and self-explanatory. The driver can even ‘discuss’ more complex inputs, such as a destination for navigation purposes, in dialogue with an avatar, a virtual operating assistant.

The interior concept reflects comfortable travel and well-being in a completely new way. With its REVERSE seat the F 700 breaks up the firmly established seating arrangement of conventional sedans and offers individual seating positions facing, or with one’s back to, the direction of travel, always affording maximum spaciousness and supreme comfort.

The Director for ales and Marketing at Mercedes Car Group in Middle East, Johannes Fritz, said, “This is a research car that demonstrates an innovative approach to new technologies and shows not only how resources can be conserved and the environment protected but also how driver and passengers can be relieved of stress and can travel completely at ease.”

According to DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche said that the German automaker Mercedes-Benz expects to gain revenues on vehicles making use of the sophisticated new hybrid system that it was able to develop with general Motors Corporation.

General Motors has admitted that it initially thought it would only lose money on this system. Zetsche acknowledged his more optimistic expectation to the higher sales price of Mercedes-Benz. But despite that, Zetche said that Mercedes will make use of this system on only one of the lot of hybrid models that it plans to launch over the following years.

The powerful two-mode hybrid system will only be used on the M-Class SUV and the other vehicles like the company’s flagship S-Class luxury sedan will only be using the mild hybrid system. The difference of the two is that the mild hybrid system will not have the power to move the vehicles only with the electric power in city traffic.

Zetsche’s optimism suggests that Mercedes will charge premium for the system, because the prices of the M-Class substantially overlap models of GM like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon that will offer the system.

The German company will soon change its name to Daimler shortly after to reflect the sale control of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management. Also, according to Zetsche, it “will continue to cooperate with Chrysler in areas where it makes sense” and will look into the idea of working with other automakers on projects that would decrease its costs without weakening Mercedes-Benz brand’s status.

Daimler is not planning in bidding on Ford Motor Co.’s Jaguar and Land Rover unit.

Zetsche said, “I can’t see how, in a foreseeable time, we could add so much value to Jaguar and Land Rover to pay for the acquisition price.”

He said that Daimler, however, anticipates to turn a profit on U.S sales of its tiny Smart Fortwo two-seat city runabout. This is designed to be used on congested European cities and it will be available for sale in the United States early next year. Its prices will begin at $11,590.

“We had 30,000 Internet reservations” from U.S. customers “with a $99 down payment,” far more than expected, he said. “Almost all of them are converting that into orders with a larger deposit.”

According to The Chauffeur magazine which made a unique survey into the chauffeur industry in UK, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the most popular chauffeur vehicle.

 The chauffeur sector has always been ruled by the three-pointed star automaker and this is actually the first time that a survey was made about the chauffeur industry. But in the days of more competition from Germany, it appears that the automaker has been able to keep its lead.

The chauffeurs’ favorite appears to be the E-Class Saloon range. The readers that were surveyed are operating or driving anything from a single vehicle to many hundreds of them. . Its outstanding diesel economy and passenger comfort seem to be the major causes why chauffeurs are buying the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The Chauffeur magazine is a dedicated trade magazine for the limousine and chauffeur industry. It was the one which conducted the survey over a 12-month period through its publication and its website. Those who participated in the survey gave information and details about the vehicles that they operated, what they think of the chauffeur industry and how they think a chauffeur should be treated by automakers when entering a showroom.

This survey will be published in the September issue of The Chauffeur magazine. The Mercedes-Benz class is close to automaker Rolls-Royce which is the second in the list. The German automaker was also delighted to know that its S-Class is the third most popular vehicle being operated.

The Strategic Account Manager for Mercedes-Benz, Adrian Freeman, commented saying, “The E-Class range is very popular to a wide range of customers, but we are especially proud to receive this accolade from the chauffeur sector. The business needs of these important clients are extremely demanding; they expect and need the very best. It is great to see that Mercedes-Benz and the E-Class delivers what they require. In fact, we have just launched a special E-Class Executive edition too, reinforcing our commitment to professional drivers.”

Other automakers are also among the top fifteen most popular such as Chrysler Voyager, Jaguar’s Jaguar XJ, BMW’s &-Series, and Audi’s A8.

Reports have come out that there is a final word on the Mercedes M-Class hybrid SUV. It has been confirmed that the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid is due to be launched on the market in 2009 as the most economical two-mode petrol hybrid SUV worldwide. Car enthusiasts would be able to get a sneak peak on the vehicle on next week in  Frankfurt.

It has also been reported that it will be powered by a version of the dual mode hybrid system. The ML 450 Hybrid can sustain the system output of 250 kW/340 hp, with maximum torque of 354 lb-ft. It reportedly gets combined mileage of 30.6 mpg, with CO2 emissions of 185 g/km (297 g/m).

2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series is all about performance. Backed by a 6.3-liter V8 seven-speed automatic engine, it can produce some mean power of 465 lb-ft that can generate the speed of 500 hp. This new edition can be very competitive either on the streets or on the race track. Uneven pavement is no problem with this one, especially in the comfort mode.

Another great thing about this vehicle is the sound the engine creates as it revs up. But there is a bit too much delay between the time you stomp on the throttle to the point the car reaches for a lower gear, even in sport mode. Working the paddle shifters, however, erases much of that lag time.

Car enthusiasts can opt for additional features such as COMAND navigation or a premium package I, that includes a satellite radio, six-disc CD changer and premium audio.

Car enthusiasts would think that a new C-Class is enough for Mercedes-Benz, but there are still so many possibilities. In fact, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has released a special edition version of the much-awaited awaited 2008 C350 Sport Sedan in order to raise funds for Saks Fifth Avenue’s KEY TO THE CURE, a women’s cancer initiative developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s (EIF) Women’s Cancer Research Fund. MBUSA will be contributing $1 million as a national sponsor of the fund raiser. The company will do this through the sale of 1,000 exclusive C-Class vehicles scheduled to arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships this month. It was reported that the sales of the limited edition of MB C-Class will help the programs dedicated to finding new detection methods, treatments and a cure for women’s cancers nationwide. MBSUSA has been part of Saks Fifth Avenue’s KEY TO THE CURE for five consecutive years and has contributed $5 million for women’s cancer research.
The new 2008 C350 Sport Sedan is packed with the right power in a 268- horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 engine and state-of-the-art technology available today. It also features a Sahara Beige and Black leather interior specially made for Saks Fifth Avenue’s KEY TO THE CURE.  Not only will it give the right drive and performance, car enthusiasts will also get a chance to help fight cancer.

The Special Edition C350 is all set with an Obsidian Black Metallic Paint, Exclusive Sahara Beige / Black Leather Interior, 18 inch AMG twin-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, Multimedia Package that includes HDD Navigation, Harman Kardon sound system, DVD changer, Voice Control and an iPod Integration Kit.

A sportier look is what the Special Edition C350 Sport Sedan sets apart among the rest with its AMG lower bodywork and rear spoiler. It continues in the interior with a sportier gauges, sport steering wheel and pedals. Along with the styling and performance elements of the new Sport Sedan, it also includes several standard equipments such as, power sunroof, eight-way power front seats with lumbar support, two-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, a central controller, and an LCD display screen.  SIRIUS satellite radio, heated front seats, rain sensor, garage door opener, and power-folding and auto dimming mirrors.

Reports have come out that Mercedes Benz Korea’s CEO Ivo Maul will be replaced by Harald Behrend, the current chief operations officer of Mercedes Benz Hong Kong. Maul is said to return to the head office in Germany early next month.

Maul was appointed the first CEO of the Korean branch in January 2003. A Mercedes Korea spokesman said the CEO’s replacement is a usual personnel change because heads of overseas operations are replaced every four or five years.

However industry insiders consider the Maul’s recall a reprimand for his failure to properly manage the image of the German luxury car in Korea.

Mercedes Korea was recently ordered by the Fair Trade Commission to correct irregular business practices including price-fixing. It was also the target of a tax probe by the National Tax Service and slapped with fines for some S-Class models that violated Korean environmental regulations.

Maul’s replacement has been expected since early this year, since he has been engaged in a lawsuit with Eugene & Company Corp. The Mercedes dealer for Gyeonggi and Bundang lodged a complaint against the company’s decision to replace dealers in the region.

In September 10, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) will begin airing the broadcast advertising components for the all-new 2008 C-Class. This is said to be the most significant marketing campaign in recent years. These new commercials from Mercedes-Benz will introduce the newest vehicle in its diverse product portfolio by asking, “Why did we devote seven years to creating the new C-Class?” The answer: “Because we promised you a Mercedes-Benz.”

The theme used throughout the broadcast and print executions informs buyers that through and through, the entry-luxury C-Class is every bit a Mercedes-Benz.

“This is one of our most critical launch campaigns in recent years,” said Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing for MBUSA. “The 2008 C-Class raises the bar in the entry-luxury segment and is the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for many of our customers — a good number of whom will move up through the brand over the next decade and beyond. When you combine that with the fact that once our customers join the brand, they tend to stay, then you understand why the C-Class is so crucial to us at Mercedes-Benz.”

The advertising campaign includes two national television spots, two radio spots, and five print ads, with regional versions of each produced as well. The commercials are scheduled to air on both network television and national cable stations, beginning Monday, September 10, and they will continue airing through November 4th on various top-rated programs like CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order, and Ugly Betty, as well as the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards. Spots will also air on national cable channels including Bravo, ESPN, and National Geographic.

Meanwhile, Print advertising will run in major magazines, primarily focused on lifestyle, technology, travel, shelter, sports and business publications such as BusinessWeek, Conde Nast Traveler, Domino, Fast Company, Gourmet, New Yorker, Self, Sports Illustrated, and Wired. Newspaper advertising includes USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Mercedes-Benz boast another technology called ECO-Start. If the vehicle is stationary with the engine idling and the transmission in neutral for more than three seconds, the engine is automatically switched off. As soon as the driver depresses the clutch pedal again, the engine re-starts.

The potential for saving fuel is considerable: in some cases, depending on application and traffic density, drivers managed to cut their fuel consumption by as much as 20%. On average, the amount saved will probably be somewhere between five and eight percent. The system performs to best advantage in urban use involving frequent stops in traffic queues or at traffic lights.

Safety is provided by sophisticated electronics. If the vehicle starts to move, the engine is started so as to ensure that servo assistance for the steering and brakes is maintained.

In all other cases the engine does not re-start until the clutch pedal is fully depressed. If the battery voltage is low or if an attempt by the system to start the engine has failed, the ECO-Start function is deactivated. In addition, the system’s safety logic checks whether the bonnet is closed to make sure that no one can be injured if the engine suddenly starts.

The driver can also deactivate the system by means of a button on the instrument panel.To avoid cold starts on the one hand and overheating on the other, the system only operates at coolant temperatures of between 40°C and 100°C.

The comfort of the occupants is also taken into account: when the outside temperature is below freezing point, the engine is not switched off.ECO-Start is available worldwide, with immediate effect, for all Sprinters with diesel engines and manual transmissions. In Germany it adds just € 203 (excluding VAT) to the price of the van.