With rising concerns from environmentalists and green peace advocates, fuel efficiency and lesser greenhouse gas emissions are becoming bigger concerns for car makers. Mercedes Benz takes these factors into account as they get ready to debut a new model this coming spring. The Mercedes Benz C-class Blue Efficiency promises to incorporate a worldlier outlook for the brand.

 
The Mercedes Benz C-class Blue Efficiency takes the typical Benz engine features to a whole new level. These sedans will sport light weight materials, paired with air intake enhancements that will cut fuel consumption. The Mercedes Benz C-class Blue Efficiency will be at around 42 to 71 pounds lighter than previous C-class sedans. The weight reduction was made possible through the use of lighter windshield material, lighter insulation materials and aerodynamically forged aluminum wheels. The ride height is reduced by 15 millimeters allowing lesser wind resistance for the car. New extrinsic designs for the headlamps, grilles, and the hood lower the car’s drag by 7 percent. Other new features include a smoother pan, a variable radiator, as well as re-shaped mirror casings. It also comes equipped with Michelin tires that decrease rolling resistance by 17 percent.

 
The Mercedes Benz C-class Blue Efficiency has higher drive ratios and a automated gearshift display that informs the driver when he has to gear up or gear down. This feature will effectively decrease fuel consumption by 15 percent.

 
Here are some specs and stats for the three models:

 
The Mercedes Benz C-class Blue Efficiency C200 has a 134-horsepower, 2.2 liter four-cylinder diesel engine. The sedan will run 100 kilometers for 5.1 liters of diesel (This is said to be 10% less than the standard C-class sedan).

 
The Mercedes Benz C-class Blue Efficiency C180 Kompressor sports a robust 154units of horsepower, powered by a 1.6 liter four cylinder gasoline engine. It travels 100 kilometers for 6.5 liters of gas. This is 12 percent less that its predecessors.

 
Finally, the C350 boasts a 288 horsepower engine powered by a 3.5 liter tank of direct-injection gasoline. It will travel a 100 kilometers for 8.4 liters of gas.

These three vehicles will be making their debut at the Geneva Show this coming spring. Mercedes aficionados are already counting the days.

The Retromobile is the most prestigious classic car auction in Europe.  Car enthusiasts and collectors around the globe gather at Paris, France for this annual event. The event was a huge success, as it reeled in an amazing 9,789,958 Euros. This marked a 40% increase in sales compared to its previous years.

The event sold 78 classic vehicles including a 1929 Bugatti, 1973 Porsche, 1936 Mercedes Benz 500K Cabriolet and a 1926 Rolls-Royce which was pre-owned by Barbara Streisand.

However, the show was stolen by the Mercedes Benz S 1928. The Mercedes, which is regarded by some as the greatest sports car of the pre-war era, recorded the most expensive selling price at 2.3 million Euros or $3.5.

Jacques Saoutchik, one of the renowned coachbuilders in Paris, patterned the vehicle’s bodywork. Most prominent of which are the torpedo bodies, designed with a 680 chassis that gave the vehicle its sports car persona. The vehicle used light- weight materials to maximize the speed capacities of its 6.8 litre engine.  Later models of this class were used in Grand Prix racing.

Bonham’s, the organizers of the event, are making a strong plea to be a dominant player in the classic car auction market.  Apart from their annual Retromobile auctions in Europe, they also hold auction events in Scottsdale, Arizona. The success of the event will only add to their current prominence in the classic car auction market.

Sources:

Christie’s

GreatCars

SuperCars 

TopSpeed 

Mercedes-Benz’ decision to offer its SLK 350 model in deisgno edition roadster had been a success and so the European automaker announced that its CLS 350 models will also be offered in the same limited edition and will have the designo enhancements as well.

These models can now be seen in Mercedes-Benz showrooms. Upon taking a peep at this new Mercedes beauty, one will be amazed at the beautifully appointed CLS-Class coupes which have been equipped with uniquely crafted and special features from the designo customization facility of Mercedes-Benz in Germany. This only means that the already stylish coupe design of the CLS has been improved and thus taken to a whole new level of style and redefining what style really is all about.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class models which were given the deisgno treatment are only limited in number and have been made really unique. The reasons for its all new uniqueness include special paint finishes, interior timber trims, and upholsteries and roof linings that are not available in the standard Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vehicles.

Four different combinations for the special designo elements which customers can choose from are available:

1. designo Mocha Black metallic paint with designo Sand single-tone leather, designo Dark Umber Maple wood trim and designo Alcantara roof liner in Anthracite

2. designo Graphite metallic paint with designo Porcelain single-tone leather, designo Dark Umber Maple wood trim and designo Alcantara roof liner in Anthracite.

3. designo Mystic Red metallic paint with designo Marron single-tone leather, designo Natural Oak Grain matt wood trim and designo Alcantara roof liner in Alpaca Grey

4. designo Diamond White metallic paint with designo Cortecchia single-tone leather, designo Piano Lacquer wood trim and designo Alcantara roof liner in Alpaca Grey

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class vehicles make use of the sophisticated chassis found in the M-Class, which are composed of mainly off-road vehicles. the R280 CDI is disguised as a rear-wheel drive vehicle but it actually makes use of the 4Matic four-wheel drive which is already available on the R320 CDI and the R500. Because of the combination of the chassis and the 4Matic four-wheel drive system, the driver can be rest assured that he will be able to make it through the most unfavorable weather conditions. Aside from all these, the R-Class can also have a better road performance thanks to its optional air suspension setup. Plus, another great factor is that this air suspension setup lows for a Sport mode. The available powerplants in the Mercedes-Benz R-Class are V6 diesel engine and the 5.5-liter V8 petrol which can produce 288bhp and can hit 60mph in a matter of 6.3 seconds.

Today, the R-Class is available in the conventional five-seat setup and there’s a seven-seat setup available as well. All the models in the R-Class except for the base R280 CDI, there’s an option for a long-wheelbase and the simple trims available are the SE or the Sport. If one wants to have a more stylish R-Class vehicle, he can opt to get the AMG body styling kit and 18-inch alloy wheels.

What really makes the Mercedes-Benz R-Class stand out is its spacious interior as it can seat seven adults and some of their cargo or luggage. Aside from that, there’s an 869-liter boot where they can load their luggage.