If the first tuning package from Wald wasn't enough to meet your aftermarket Mercedes needs for the day, here's another that may do the trick.  It's again entitled the Wald Sports Line Black Bison package, but this time it's designed for the W215 Mercedes R-Class. Highlights again include a new front apron (with new fog lights), new vented front fenders, side skirts, a new rear apron, and a sport exhaust system, while completing the package is a set of multi-spoke Wald wheels painted in black...

Keep Reading "Wald Sports Line Black Bison Edition Tuning Package For The W251 Mercedes-Benz R-Class"

I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better way to kick off a beautiful summer Friday morning than with a healthy dose of Mercedes tuning goodness, and thanks to the fine gentlemen at Wald, that's exactly what we have for you today.  First up is a new tuning package for the W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, entitled the Wald Sports Line Black Bison Edition.  Highlights of the kit include a new front apron (with new fog lights), new vented front fenders, side skirts, a new rear apron, and a sport exhaust system...

Keep Reading "Wald Sports Line Black Bison Edition Tuning Package For The W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class"

Mercedes yesterday tipped us off to a new web special they launched recently highlighting the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, but we didn't quite find the time to bring it to you.  It's called the "Virtual Photo Shoot," and it features an impressive array of beautiful women gathered around the new model.  When viewing the web special, you have the ability to see the scene through the eyes of any of the women, and then take a snapshot of the scene, should you so desire.  After doing so, you can then set your image as a wallpaper, and subsequently email it to yourself or your friends...

Keep Reading "New 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Virtual Photo Shoot Web Special Launched"

The ESF 2009 is the first Experimental Safety Vehicle Mercedes-Benz has built since 1974. Like its historic predecessors, it attractively combines trailblazing innovations in the field of safety and makes the progress achieved visible. Integrating all the ideas and implementing them for a clear appreciation was an extraordinary challenge for the team in the test vehicle workshops.

The go-ahead for the ESF was given in October 2008, and the decision was received with great enthusiasm in the test workshop: "Making safety visible – I was quickly able to assemble a highly qualified team for this interesting project", says Axel Wittig, the team leader for the entire workshop facility. "The complexity of this assignment was a welcome challenge, as we not only had to integrate the numerous innovations into an S 400 HYBRID, but also make them fully functioning in demonstration mode and provide a look behind the technical scenes by incorporating eight inspection windows in the bonnet, bumpers and doors..."

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle: Creation And An Interview With Mercedes' Head Of Safety"

Mercedes engineers have thought about how children might travel even more safely in a car.  The two major advantages of the Mercedes concept study "Child Protect" over conventional child safety seats are an improved protective effect and greater comfort for the child. This is accompanied by a high level of quality and attractive visual integration of the seat into the interior of Mercedes models. This system jointly designed with the restraint system specialist Takata is suitable for children aged between three and 12 years (weight categories II and III). One special feature is its modular construction, as the height and width can be individually adapted to the child’s physical proportions...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle: Child Protect & Cam, PRE-SAFE 360 And Size Adaptive Airbags"

With the multiple award-winning PRE-SAFE® system, Mercedes-Benz has once again been underlining its role as a pioneer in the safety field since 2002: once the system recognises certain critical driving situations, PRE-SAFE® activates occupant protection measures as a precaution. As a further development, PRE-SAFE Pulse is able to reduce the loads acting on the torsos of the occupants by around one third during a side impact by preventively moving them towards the centre of the vehicle...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle: PRE-SAFE Pulse, Side Reflect And Belt Bag"

PRE-SAFE Structure:  It sounds like science-fiction – concealed metallic structures that wait patiently in a collapsed, space-saving state until they are required to go into action. Daimler researchers working together with the gas generator specialists at Autoliv spent two years actively researching such active metal support systems, and tested a variety of applications. For the very first time, inflatable metal side impact protection can be seen in the ESF 2009...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle:  PRE-SAFE Structure, Braking Bag And Vehicle Communication"

Yesterday we brought word of a new concept vehicle based on the new Mercedes S400 Hybrid, and today, Daimler has officially unveiled the model along with a lengthy description.  It's called the Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle, and it's the first safety vehicle to be built by the company since 1974.  In total, the Mercedes ESF 2009 features more than twelve safety systems, the majority of which are fully functioning.

According to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars:  "Safety is a central element of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In this respect we have been setting the pace in the market for almost 70 years. For the benefit of our customers and for road users in general. The ESF 2009 shows that we still have plenty of ideas and the absolute will, to lead the automobile industry in this field even in future..."

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle:  General Overview"

The first details have emerged today of a vehicle that's being called the Mercedes ESF 2009 Concept – a model that will reportedly be unveiled next week and one that demonstrates Mercedes' ongoing commitment to develop the safest vehicles in existence.  It's based on the new Mercedes S400 Hybrid, and it features a number of innovative safety enhancements, starting with an inflatable brake under the vehicle that in the event of an accident, helps create friction and thus, slow the vehicle down more quickly...

Keep Reading "2009 Mercedes-Benz ESF Concept Vehicle Makes Its Debut"

Daimler AG is reporting today that worldwide sales at its Mercedes-Benz Cars divisions dropped 12.4 percent in May 2009 to 97,300 new units, bringing total sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands to 433,100 units through the first five months of the year (a decrease of 21.1 percent).  Individually, sales at Mercedes-Benz were down 12.1 percent on the month (86,300 units), while smart noted a slightly larger decline, with sales trailing 14.9 percent when compared to May 2008 (11,000 units).  As a result of these figures, year-to-date sales at Mercedes-Benz are off 22.3 percent (383,000 units), while smart is down 9.9 percent (50,100 units) compared to 2008's five-month ytd total...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 12.4 Percent In May 2009"

Mercedes-Benz would like to remind you today that the new C-Class is the most economical C-Class ever.  Thanks to three direct-injection models – the C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the C250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY – you can enjoy fuel consumption of just 4.8 liters, 5.1 liters and 7.2 liters (per 100 kilometers), respectively. For my American readers, that's about 49 mpg, 46 mpg and 32 mpg, respectively...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz C-Class Models With Direct Injection The Most Efficient C-Class' Ever"

The sales figures for the month of May 2009 are in, and Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting that for the month, sales dropped a total of 30.5 percent to 15,134 new units.  As a result, sales at MBUSA now total 69,933 new units, down 29.9 percent when compared to 2008's five-month year-to-date total.

As for the models making headlines, all of MBUSA's model sales were in the red for the month, save for the GLK-Class, of which 2,598 were sold.  Then again, the GLK wasn't on sale last year, so it's not really a fair comparison.  Looking at the models that were on sale, the month's biggest loser award goes to the CL-Class, with sales of the coupe dropping 77.1 percent to just 68 units.  Sales of the CLS-, R-, S-, and M-Class were all down significantly as well, with the group dropping 64.8 percent, 59.4 percent, 54.9 percent and 47.5 percent, respectively...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 30.5 Percent In May 2009"

It's June, ladies and gentlemen, which means it's time to get outside and start enjoying the beautiful summer air.  To help you get started, Mercedes has launched their Mercedes-Benz Bike Sports Selection 2009/2010 – a collection of bikes that covers a diverse of array of cycling enthusiasts.  For the off-road lovers, there's an aluminum framed full-suspension mountain bike featuring SRAM gearing, Avid Elixier CR disc brakes and a set of DT Swiss X 1800 wheels. The price:  3999 Euros...

Keep Reading "New Mercedes-Benz Bike Sports Selection 2009/2010 Makes Its Debut"