Saudi Tuner: Mercedes S550 Gets CL550 Front End Conversion - Becomes CS500?

Sometimes we here at WorldCarFans are just plain thankful for all that spare cash that flows through the Middle East. Without it, we wouldn't have all these weird, bad, and unusual tuners to make fun of.

Case and point, the car its owner is calling the Mercedes CS500. What's that you say? There's no such thing? Well there is when Saudi tuner MyCar takes a Mercedes S550 and tacks on a front end from the CL550. All that's left is to add the missing "C" and "0" to the rear badging, and you have a CS500. We definitely will not file this car away as ugly, like so many other tuner vehicles from the region. We think this car looks like a natural when the front end of the CL550 is joined to the S550 body.

Say what you will, but this certainly does not look like a bad car, especially when you put it side-by-side with such Middle Eastern atrocities as the Hummer H2 Cabrio, and the chrome-plated Mercedes C63 AMG. Even Autoblog thinks it classes up the S550 a bit. The family-owned Riyadh-based tuners at MyCar are very proud of their creation, and they should be.
If you happen to be in Riyadh, you may still be able to check out the MyCar Mercedes CS500. They only just posted the photos a few days ago.

Source: gulf4cars.com via autoblog.com

New 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Guard Model Announced

Mercedes-Benz has added the E-Guard high-protection package to the new W212 E-Class lineup. Not easily differentiated from the normal sedan, most of the work is under the skin. A protective cocoon made of special steel and all-around polycarbonate glazing forms the basis of the E-Guard's protection systems.

The E-Guard can withstand attacks by a .44 Magnum firearm. Even the underbelly can resist the blast of a DM51 hand-grenade. An optional intercom system will enable occupants to communicate with the outside world without opening any part of the car.

To compensate for the extra weight brought on by the protective layers of the car, the AIRMATIC suspension and the brakes have been duly adapted while the E-Guard runs on 17-inch runflat tires.

Three engine variants are available with the E-Guard badge in both Elegance and Avantgarde trim; the E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the E500 and the E350.

The E-Guard package can be ordered in Germany from April at a price of €45,000 excluding VAT.

Source: Daimler

Chrome Finished Mercedes C63 AMG Found in Dubai

This picture of a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG finished in chrome was found posted on a web forum. The picture was apparently taken in Dubai. Although the C63 AMG comes in a range of 10 colours, 7 of which are metallic, none of them is chrome.

Mercedes revealed the C63 AMG in July 2007 and launched it in September that same year. Based on the W204 platform, the car is the flagship model in the C-Class range. It's powered through the rear wheels by a normally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces 451hp (336kW) and torque of 443 lb-ft (600Nm). The official 0 - 100km/h time is 4.5 seconds.

Source: mbworld.org via http://www.autoblog.nl/archive/2009/01/21/heet-chromen-mercedes-c63-amg

New Mercedes E-Class AMG Sport Package Revealed

As soon as the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class goes on sale in March the AMG sports package will also be available as an option. The AMG sports package will be priced at between €2,915 and €4,046 (incl. 19% VAT), and includes some features that would not be made available individually.

What the package offers are exterior modifications like AMG side skirts, a front apron with large air intakes, 18-inch AMG light alloy wheels and brake calipers with the Mercedes-Benz logo at the front. The DIRECT CONTROL suspension system is lowered by 15mm and comes standard with the package.

More differentiating features that make the E-Class look sportier are the tailpipes. In the four-cylinder petrol models the twin pipes are oval shaped and polished in stainless steel. For the diesel four-cylinder cars the single oval pipe is also polished in stainless steel. The six-cylinder E-Class fitted with AMG sports package can be seen sporting rectangular exhaust pipes that are integrated into the AMG rear apron.

When stepping inside a vehicle with the AMG package a number of alterations are apparent. Some of these are AMG-badged floor mats, sports foot pedals, sports seats, a gearshift lever covered in nappa leather and chrome highlights and a three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel. Shift peddles come with automatic-shift models for a more engaging drive.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

New Mercedes Benz CLS Spied Winter Testing

Either Mercedes-Benz's development efforts of the next generation CLS have been accelerated or our spies are working overtime during this Northern Hemisphere winter. In either case it is good news for those who want to see more spy pictures of the CLS. The car starts selling in 2011.
Taken during the day the pictures follow on the first two sets of spy shots that were published in December 2008. Hidden under heavy black disguise the CLS only shows itself through the headlights, rear lights, side mirrors, tyres and the roof. Bits of the tailpipes can be seen sticking out through two rectangular tips on either side -similar tothe new E-Class sedan. A front grille shaped like two kidneys could be mistaken for one from another German brand.

The CLS was the pioneer of the 2+2-seater four-door coupe when it launched in 2004. More and more motor manufacturers are either presenting or working to finalise their own interpretations of this sporting sedan layout. Included here are Aston Martin with the Rapide, Porsche's new Panamera and Audi's upcoming A7 which was previewed in Detroit as the Audi Sportback Concept. Even Volkswagen has released its own Passat CC, although it falls lower in the luxury ladder than these other names.

Thrust is expected to come from a wide range of sources among which are petrol, petrol turbo and diesel turbo engines, as well as a BlueHybrid model that will use the same engine system as the S400 BlueHybrid. An AMG model should top the range and produce a revised target of about 380kW (517hp). Merc's 7-speed gearbox will be offered with these powerplants.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-McLaren SLR based Renntech 777 Proves Horsepower Wars are NOT over

If you believed AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg when he said, "the horsepower war is over," the people at RENNTECH would like to have a word with you.

RENNTECH still wants competitors to know that performance is not something to be taken lightly. Mornhinweg's statement came in connection with a new line of cars focusing on saving weight and engine tuning in attempt to save fuel. RENNTECH, on the other hand, is focusing attention on the new RENNTECH 777, a 777 hp mean machine.

RENNTECH president Hartmut Feyhl said, "Last year, it was a coincidence that we were releasing a new, 695 hp performance package for the 65 series AMG cars at around the same time. We sent out a press release that said 'HP War Not Over.'"

"This year it is the same timing again, and we have something much more extreme to announce for our 20th Anniversary."

2009 is the company's 20th anniversary, and Feyhl is trying to show people his company is the "foremost authority on Mercedes-Benz performance tuning." They will bring several limited edition cars to market this year, starting with the 777.

The RENNTECH 777 begins with an SLR McLaren, and adds on a new aero kit, with "big wing, splitters, and skirts. A top speed of 210 mph is expected, thanks to the 5.5-liter supercharged Kompressor V8. New suspension, a stronger transmission, and a limited-slip differential will be included.

Source: http://www.worldcarfans.com/

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing (DE)

Mercedes has released pricing details for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The ten different models range in cost from €41,590.50 for the E220 up to €70,269.50 for the E500 4matic.

MB still has two four-cylinder models, a petrol and diesel, still under wraps. Those two will be released sometime this fall.

The German automaker claims they wanted to keep pricing as close as possible to the last generation, despite adding several new features. Fuel efficiency has been improved across the entire line, even on the three models using the 4matic all-wheel-drive system. Adaptive shock absorbers, fatigue recognition, daytime running lights, Bluetooth, and a new color display all come as standard equipment.

E-class cars with either a V6 or V8 also get direct steering, and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Top-of-the-line E500 eight-cylinder also gets pneumatic suspension and a damping system.

The Elegance and AvantGarde packages also keep the same pricing: €1,921.85 for the first, and €3,361.75 for the second. Elegance includes ambient lighting, burr-walnut wood trim, 10-spoke 16" alloys, and new seats. A new front-end, sports suspension, bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime lights, LED taillights, and 17-inch light alloys come with the AvantGarde package.

AMG Sports package variants start at €2,915 and climbs to €4,046, depending on the E-Class model. This does not include labor costs. It comes with new bumpers, side skirts, sport seats, and 18-inch light alloys. Meanwhile, the €4,284 Exclusive package includes a leather upholstery, wood & leather steering wheel, Alcantara roof, and an upholstered instrument panel.

A Lane assist system and a system to prevent rear-end collisions are also available as options.

You can read the prices for each Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the press release below.

Source: Daimler

2010 Mercedes E-Class Sedan Presented on Video for First Time

Now we get to see it move.

Here's a video on the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. Watch and wonder.

The E-Class sedan will come with a wide range of both petrol and diesel engines all with improved fuel economy. Three new 4-cylinder diesel engines, the 200, 220 and 250 CDI, come with an average mileage of only 5.3 liters per 100 km (44 mpg US) and all are EU5 compliant. The new E 350 BlueTEC, a six-cylinder diesel engine set to make it into the E-Class this fall, already meets EU6 emissions standards that are to come into effect in 2014.

Improvements are in effect on the petrol side too with stop/start technology on the E 200 CGI with 184 hp returning an impressive fuel economy of 6.8 liter per 100 km (35 mpg US).

Mercedes recently announced pricing on the E-Class for the German market. Ten different E-Class configurations starting at €41,590.50 for the E220 and climbing to €70,269.50 for the E500 4matic. Question: What is the 50 euro cents for? Seriously, couldn't they just round it off?

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz BlueZero concept detailed for NAIAS

Mercedes used the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to debut three new BlueZERO concepts with each one offering a unique take on green motoring.

Mercedes calls the front end styling "powerfully elegant" and while we aren't inclined to agree with that statement, we understand that in order to maximize fuel economy the concepts had to feature an extremely aerodynamic exterior. The lengths to which the company went to achieve this can be seen in the closed front apron and the elimination of the air intakes. Even the 20-inches wheels have been designed with aerodynamics in mind and they are outfitted with low rolling resistance tires.

The concepts are underpinned by the same architecture used on the current A and B-Class models and the exterior styling offers a hint of what to expect from the next generation B-Class. Modifications were made to the platform in order to maximize the potential of the concepts, the major powertrain components were designed to provide the cars with a lower center of gravity and to optimize interior space.

The BlueZERO E-cell will be able to travel up to 200 kilometers on electric drive, while the fuel cell based BlueZero F-cell can achieve a range of more than 400 kilometers. The BlueZero E-Cell Plus combines the electric drive from the standard E-cell but adds a gasoline engine which kicks in to recharge the batteries, allowing it to travel up to 100 kilometers on electricity and then an extra 500 kilometers when the engine starts to recharge the batteries.

All three BlueZERO concepts measure 4.22 meters in length, offer seating for five, allow for a payload capacity of 450 kilograms and have over 500 liters of luggage space. The front-wheel drive concepts have peak power output of 100 kW and 320 Nm of torque, allowing them to reach 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds.

Source: Mercedes-Benz