Log Cabins,Domy z bali,Domy z bala,Domy drewniane z bali www.domy-z-bali.org

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Tech, Mercedes Benz

Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept

Massive amounts of money are being spent in the alternative energy sector of the automotive industry. Last year, Daimler spent $6 billion in research and development and another $2.7 billion on environmental protection. Expect those already rather large sums to increase in the coming years. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the company will “increase these budgets even more and by 2010 we’ll invest $21 billion in research and development.” Daimler has invested heavily in hydrogen technology and holds twenty-five patents protecting new battery technology for automobile use. Further development will continue to cost a large chunk of change.

Of particular interest is the fact that Daimler intends “to offer at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in fuel consumption,” according to Zetsche. Despite looming legislation that will require more fuel efficient vehicles, Mercedes-Benz plans on continuing to offer vehicles that will meet the size, performance and luxury demands prospective buyers have come to expect from the premium German marque. Otherwise, it won’t be $21 billion well spent.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Green, Mercedes Benz

Click above for a high-res gallery of the new M-B four-pot diesels.

With lots of AMG goodness on the road and in the pipeline, something’s got to balance out Mercedes-Benz’ carbon footprint. So M-B announced today that it’s releasing a new range of four-cylinder diesel mills that balances emissions, fuel economy and performance. The top-of-the-line 2.1-liter oilburner is producing 204 hp and 368 lb.-ft. of torque, or around 20-percent more than its predecessor, while returning better mileage and reducing emissions by over 10-percent. When fitted in the new C-class (250CDI) it’s able to make the run to 60 in 7.7 seconds while getting 46 mpg.

The other upcoming C-class models will include the 220 CDI and 200 CDI, producing 170 hp and 136 hp respectively. The boost in performance and fuel efficiency comes from the use of new twin-stage turbochargers, more efficient exhaust recirculation, intercoolers, injection systems and a revised common-rail setup.

All the details are available in Mercedes’ press release posted below the fold.

Continue reading Mercedes unveils new range of diesel four-cylinders

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Aston Martin, Mercedes Benz

According to Autocar, rumors of Mercedes-Benz purchasing a major stake in Aston Martin don’t hold water. Aston’s current owners are reportedly not interested in selling all or part of their British sportscar marque to anybody at this time. The possibility still exists that Aston will go public within the next five-or-so years, meaning that just about anyone could own a piece of the tasty Aston Martin pie in the future.

Dreams of a beautifully styled Aston Martin powered by a glorious AMG engine are still possible, though, as Aston’s current owners have been in talks with multiple other automakers over parts-sharing opportunities. Major technical components could be bought or developed in collaboration with a company that’s got plenty of R&D acumen, and MB/AMG certainly qualifies as such. Although a possible synergy does exist between the two brands, nothing beyond collaboration and the sharing of technical know-how seems likely.

[Source: Autocar]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Aston Martin, Mercedes Benz, AMG

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aston Martin N400 V8 Vantage.

What began as a rumor that Mercedes-Benz would begin supplying Aston Martin with engines has evolved into a full-blown partnership that may include both automakers co-developing platforms and technology. The newest report comes courtesy of Autocar, suggesting that M-B is considering purchasing a stake in Aston Martin and the Kuwaiti Investment Authority would in turn receive a seven-percent slice of the Daimler AG pie.

The partnership would make sense on several levels. Aston Martin, which is a small fish in a very large pool, will need to purchase major components from mainstream suppliers once its ties with Ford are officially severed. Imagine AMG-levels of power nestled inside Aston’s sensuous sheet metal. Yum. But the partnership wouldn’t be one sided. Recent reports coming out of Germany say that M-B is looking to employ a lightweight aluminum platform for the next generation SL. Aston Martin has the technology to help develop such an architecture, and with Mercedes stepping away from McLaren next year after production of the SLR ends, M-B needs a new supercar manufacturer to join the party.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: Autocar]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Trends, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Mercedes Benz

When the C-Class predecessor launched, it was known as the 190 and carried a four-cylinder powerplant underhood. Mercedes is now considering a return to four-pots in the U.S. market as the price of fuel continues to soar. MBZ is reportedly already testing a 1.4-liter carrying a supercharger, which is strange when you consider there’s already a 1.8-liter blown four-cylinder on sale in Europe. The C180 Kompressor seems like it’d be the easy way to get fours back into the U.S. lineup, but Mercedes must have some other ideas driving the decision to develop the smaller 1.4.

Even stranger, while the talk is all about forced induction, the end result will supposedly be underwhelming in the power department, so Mercedes is planning on ramping up the glitter without delivering the gold. Perceived performance is the euphemism for a car that comes with a loud exhaust and twitchy throttle, and that’s what Mercedes engineers think it will take to make the car palatable to U.S. buyers. Gee, leave the sound insulation out so that 25 mph feels like 100 and we’re sold! Seriously, is this a late April Fool’s joke? “Perceived performance?” A car that’s not in denial about being thrifty might be more successful than a poseur.

[Source: Inside Line]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Coupes, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Mercedes Benz

It’s no secret that the Mercedes-Benz A-class hasn’t been a resounding success and that the automaker is looking to revamp its entry-level line-up to better compete with rivals. According to Autocar, M-B boss Dieter “Dr. Z” Zetsche has green-lighted a new model that’s taking aim at the BMW 1-series and Audi A3, and will accompany the rest of the revised A-class models when it debuts in 2011.

The new model will replace the aging, if just recently facelifted, CLC and will initially come to market sporting a coupe body style instead of a three-door hatch. Mercedes plans to expand the rest of the A-classes to include at least three different body styles of each model, coinciding with the launch of the new B-class, which will be designed to compete with the upcoming BMW X1.

Power will supposedly come from a combination of direct-injection gasoline and diesel powerplants, with output ranging from 120 to 200 hp. Pricing should be competitive with BMW’s 1-series models, with the new A-class falling right around the £19,000 mark.

[Source: Autocar]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments