Mercedes-Benz is truly beyond just a luxury car brand as it pocketed the Environment Grand Prize for its innovative DIESOTTO engine at the 23rd Festival Automobile International held at the Les Invalides Hotel in Paris last February 6.

The coveted award proved that the German automaker is competent to design and to produce critical car technologies that are geared toward the wellness of the environment. Mercedes-Benz successfully fused its high performing Mercedes-Benz parts with the green benefits of the DIESOTTO engine and that made such product worthy of the top prize of the festival. The Environment Grand Prize was accepted by Professor Peter Pfeiffer, who is the head of design for the company, and Reinhardt Lyhs, who is the president of Mercedes-Benz France. Seasoned Formula-1 champ Alain Prost and former Le Point editor-in-chief Franz-Olivier Giesbert were the presenters of the title.

Mercedes-Benz’ creation of the DIESOTTO engine has the integration of a V6 petrol engine that boasts of power and responsiveness and a diesel power plant that burns fuel efficiently minus the noxious exhaust emissions. Moreover, turbo charging, variable compression ratio, and direct fuel injection are also part of the engine system. Such features allow the production of 238-horsepower and 20-horsepower, when in hybrid mode. A huge chunk of the usual Nitrogen oxide emission is also removed courtesy of the engine and its closed-loop catalytic converter. These remarkable benefits are made possible because of the precision-engineered four-cylinder DIESOTTO power plant.

“The DIESOTTO concept provides an important basis for the future of the internal combustion engine. It assures personal mobility into the future and demonstrates the great innovative strength of the automobile industry,” the jury at the Festival Automobile International said.

According to Pfeiffer, Mercedes-Benz, along with Daimler and Smart ForTwo, is in continues pursuit of improving the performance of its vehicles so that its products will all be equipped with the necessities that could be crucial to meet the future automobile requirements.

Source: Daimler via Auto Spectator.

Mercedes-Benz started the year right on track. Providing the right momentum for the company’s new fiscal year is its Mercedes-Benz Cars division that posted a 16 percent increase last month.

Last January, Mercedes-Benz’ worldwide sales went up a few notches and sold a total number of 90, 400 vehicles compared to only 77, 000 units in January of 2007. The Mercedes-Benz AG alone sold a total of 82, 300 cars last month from only 73, 500 units last year.

Among its best-sellers, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class bagged the top spot for January’s sales. It amassed 26, 800 cars from its station wagon and modified sedan vehicles. The units sold last month was doubled from the previous record of only 13, 400 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz’ compact cars A-Class and B-Class, on the other hand, had a decent first month for 2008 as the combined units sold equaled to a three percent increase or 17, 000 vehicles worldwide from the previous record of 16, 500.

In the company’s homeland, the luxury brand went up to 13 percent or 15, 500 cars from 13, 700 of January 2007.Outside Germany, which includes Italy and U.K., pocketed a decent 12 percent or 27, 900 from 24, 900 units last year.

Mercedes-Benz’ micro-car Smart ForTwo was not left behind as its sales jumped to 8, 000 across the globe. From only 3, 400 units in January 2007, the diminutive car, which has a capacity of only two adult passengers, received a good reception from motorists as the total units sold actually doubled. Complementing such feat in the Smart ForTwo line is the launch of this model into the U.S. market last month.

The Daimler-produced automaker has truly established its momentum with its more than successful first month for this year.

Source: Market Watch.

Mercedes-Benz is an automobile maker known for its luxury line. Aside from the high-end cars of the German company, it also has the AMG (AMG or Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach), which is Mercedes’ performance line. The automaker, however, believes that its AMG has a rather small following in the United States compared to its luxury line. For that, Mercedes-Benz is pushing for an awareness campaign across the U.S. to strengthen its performance-geared cars in the market.

The company is going to establish the AMG Performance Centers in America. These facilities will center on advertising campaigns as well as AMG performance cars display. For starters, Mercedes-Benz picked seven dealerships in Florida, New York, and California. Before the year closes, however, the automaker aims to get about 80 percent or its top 30 dealers in the U.S. to join the said project. According to the company, it will shoulder the expenses for setting up AMG areas in each of its dealers. Moreover, it will also finance the training of service personnel for the AMG Performance Centers. Lastly, fund road shows, which will go to different towns, that will showcase the wide array of limited AMG cars, like the Black Series.

Source: Autoblog.

The City of Ann Arbor in Michigan houses to a lot of establishments and that include the technical center of Mercedes-Benz’ called the Research Park Drive. Last week, the planning department for review received a good number of projects and among this is from the German car company’s plan of expansion of the said facility.

As a way to further strengthen its global presence, automakers make sure to have research centers as well as manufacturing plants in different countries. The German automaker Mercedes-Benz for one is all set to develop its Michigan-based technical center Research Park Drive according to the company’s Research and Development North America Inc.

Located in Ann Arbor City, Mercedes-Benz’ 20, 821-square-foot Research Park Drive is slated to have three more buildings soon. A 6, 663-square-foot space building will be added in the company’s facility. The expansion will also house the testing centers for its popular micro car Smart ForTwo Cars, which started its initial retail this February. Completing the expansion is the auto emissions lab that is undergoing its renovation. This lab is allocated for more office space as well as function as a storage area for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The additional facilities, which cost $5 million, will help carry out Mercedes-Benz’ plans of developing a line especially for the U.S. market. According to the company, four of its product engineers from Germany will head on to this new facility when finished to carry out the plan.

The Ann Arbor-based Mercedes-Benz Research Park Drive is among the two facilities of the company. Another research and development center is in Long Beach, California.

Source: Mlive.

Renowned European automaker Mercedes-Benz gets Sirius’ deal as Sirius Canada Inc. has signed an exclusive factory standard agreement with the European automaker. From this point on, Sirius will offer its satellite radio service and will be made as standard option in many of the vehicles of the European automaker.

The Mercedes-Benz models which will have the Sirius satellite radio as standard equipment include all Mercedes-Benz E-Class, S-Class, CL-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class and GL-Class vehicles, and the all new 2008 C350 and C350 4MATIC models as well.

Aside from that, all of the Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles will also feature the satellite radio from Sirius as standard equipment and this will be available on all the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, C-Class, CLK-Class and SLK-Class models as factory standard equipment.

He Mercedes-Benz models which will have the Sirius satellite radio also come with a six-month subscription to the service offered by Sirius. And Sirius will be a standard equipment complete with a lifetime subscription in all Maybach vehicles.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Canada, Marcus Breitschwerdt, said, “Mercedes-Benz Canada is pleased to make Sirius standard equipment on a wide range of models. For our customers, the Mercedes-Benz experience will be further enhanced by the unique programming and wide range of exclusive content that Sirius offers.”

After which, Mark Redmond, President and CEO of Sirius Canada Inc. added, “With SIRIUS in their vehicle, Mercedes-Benz drivers will be able to experience Canada’s leading satellite radio service for themselves. With unbeatable coverage throughout North America and the best content and programming, Sirius offers drivers and their passengers an unmatched listening experience.”

Autocar, the leading weekly automotive magazine in UK, has awarded the European automaker Mercedes-Benz with the “safety and Technology” award because of its revolutionary DIESOTTO drive system.

During the award ceremony in London, the editor of Autocar, Chas Hallet, said that the DIESOTTO concept of Mercedes-Benz was an impressive leading-edge technology. It has a high degree of practicability and it can assure a bright future for both the car enthusiasts and the industry of automotives.

The success of the DIESOTTO engine is due to its combination with a hybrid module which is present in the Mercedes-Benz F700. This system shows that a large touring saloon is still capable of returning a fuel consumption figure of just 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers. This means that there is a decrease in carbon dioxide emission but it does not compromise performance. An example of this is the four-cylinder drive system which has a two-stage turbocharging that’s fitted in the Mercedes-Benz F700. It still provides the same level of performance like that of the existing S-Class that is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 naturally-aspirated petrol engine.

Johannes Fritz, the Director for Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East and Levant, said, “The DIESOTTO concept shows how, in the medium term, a petrol engine can be made just as efficient as its diesel counterpart and how the internal combustion engine will remain a key drive concept when it comes to meeting private-transport requirements.”

The European New Car Assessment Program crash tests has performed a series of crash tests and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class had been lucky enough to bag five stars from this European organization. NCAP has even recognized the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon as one of the safest cars available in the auto market today.

Having five stars from NCAP confirmed the safety concept that is behind the C-Class success. This model has been optimized based on the analysis of real-life accidents. As such, it naturally performs significantly well in the standardized rating crash tests. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class actually deserves the five-star rating it got from NCAP as it is equipped with a lot of safety equipment. These safety equipment include seatbelt tensioners, belt-force limiters, seven airbags, and NECK PRO crash-responsive head restraints that come as standard on the model. With all these installed, there’s no doubt the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the ability to offer the highest possible passenger protection in the event of a collision or any road accident. Even the structure to which the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been designed ensure that the forces of the impact of the collision are distributed over a wide area and on four independently acting impact levels. This only means that the passenger cell can remain mostly unharmed.

One would also be happy to drive this around and feel completely safe as almost 70 percent of its bodywork panels are made from only the state-of-the-art and high quality strength steel alloys. However, this doesn’t mean that the model is heavy to drive around as these steel alloys reduce weight and maximize safety. Of course, as these steel alloys are strong and durable, they also provide great protection to passengers from side collisions.

The safety systems that are incorporated into the Mercedes-Benz C-Class are based on the concept of the German automaker which are already tried and tested. This systems emphasizes on accident avoidance and anticipatory occupant protection.

Aside from the safety equipment incorporated in the model, there are other systems integrated in the model. These systems include the standard-fit ESP and Brake Assist which will gladly be of help to drivers in critical moments to keep them in control of the vehicle. Furthermore, the Brake Assist provide pedestrian protection as well as it reduces accidents that involve pedestrians.

All these safety systems and equipment make the Mercedes-Benz C-Class worthy of the five-star rating it got from the European NCAP organization.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles, because of the luxury and elegance they exude, may be too expensive for the budget-conscious car enthusiast. However, the German automaker wants to prove the people tagging its vehicles as expensive wrong. Mercedes-Benz has decided to release the Mercedes ride for the budget-conscious, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport Sedan. But don’t get them wrong, even though its base price costs only around $31,200, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport Sedan is still equipped with luxuries uniquely Mercedes-Benz.

When you drive this around your city, you’ll surely get amazed and astonished stares from bystanders, leaving their mouths wide open. This is because the exterior of this model is accentuated by rock-solid slabs of steel making up its flanks. It’s great looks are also from the model’s great looking black roof linings making it stand out amongst vehicles of its kind. You can also carry around more baggage as its trunk is enormous but not in an awkward way.

Once you’re inside, you’ll surely get all excited of all the luxuries this Benz ride has. It is equipped with an eight-way and power-adjustable front seats, there’s a “tunnel mode” button which allows you to close all windows with just one touch of a button, and there are aluminum trims on the console. Of course, there’s a sunroof for that extra sun glow when you feel like it. You also get a sun sensor which adjusts the temperature. There’s also a 5-color display which is easy to read. And of course, since the MP3 and Bluetooth technology have found their way in vehicles, these are available in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport Sedan as well.

Mercedes-Benz has been known for many years now as a producer of vehicles that are among the finest and most luxurious cars in the market. However, as much as the German automaker wants to produce luxurious vehicles, it has to first pass the soon-to-be-really-strict EU Commission standards on carbon dioxide emissions. EU Commission will soon limit the carbon dioxide emissions to 120 grams per kilometer staring 2012. But it also said that automakers will be allowed to trade carbon dioxide credits between themselves.

This means that the automakers of large and powerful vehicles can reach the 120-gram limit by buying credits from smaller and more economical vehicles.

The automakers will have to pay for the carbon dioxide credits in order to make up for the shortfall. Or they can pay the fines charged on the companies that were not able to reach the 120-gram limit.

EU Commission said in a document, “In order to provide flexibility for manufacturers, manufacturers may agree to form a pool on an open, transparent and non-discriminatory basis for the purposes of meeting their targets under this proposal.”

In the event that the automakers form a pool, they have a greater chance of meeting the carbon limit if of course, the emissions of the members of the pool do not exceed the target.

This will be good for the German automaker as this will mean Mercedes-Benz can produce luxury vehicles that are also economical and environment-friendly.

AMG is the German automaker’s in-house tuner division and for the 2008 model year, Mercedes-Benz decided to update its S-Class sedan models. The result is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, a big and fast sedan. It may be big but those who’ve taken it out for a test drive are saying that even though they were already going 75mph, it felt as though 45mph.

Of course, as it has been tuned by AMG, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG features a lot of electronics such as a stereo system with a great audio quality and a nice navigation display. Aside from that, would-be owners of this Mercedes-Benz beauty will be able to experience a unique relaxation brought by the massage seats feature of the model.

There’s also the presence of the speech recognition system. This recognition system speaks with a clear and pleasant female voice. The speech recognition guides the driver on how to use the navigation system and the navigation system. Another luxury of this model is its Bluetooth telephone system.

Owners of this Mercedes-Benz model can also enjoy the car’s adaptive cruise control. When this system is activated, the S63 AMG will use its radar to follow the car in front of it so that it could match its speed. At the same time, it will also drive safely by maintaining a safe driving distance and operating its own accelerator and brakes. But of course, drivers should still keep their hands on the steering wheel for more control.

A Night Assist Vision has also been installed in the 2008 S63 AMG to help drivers with driving during the night. It makes use of a night vision camera which provides drivers with a nicely illuminated image of what’s ahead of their car. This feature is really helpful as its video would show much more of the road ahead than what they will see on their windshield.

The powertrain under the hood is impressive as well. AMG equipped it with a 6.3-liter V8 engine with its cylinders coated in a special finish in order to reduce friction. This engine is capable of 518 horsepower and is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission that’s been tuned to allow faster shifts. This engine allows the driver to speed up from 0-60mph in a matter of 4.5 seconds. But even though it’s that quick to reach that speed, drivers will not feel body roll as the model makes use of tires that make a pleasant singing sound when on the road.

The EPA recorded the fuel economy of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and it showed the car is capable of only 11 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.