Production of the Mercedes-Benz 170 V (W 136 I series) was resumed in May 1946. Even though just 214 units were produced until the end of that year, this was enough to raise hopes of a return to normal car production. Initially, however, it was not sedans but pickups, panel vans and ambulances which came off the assembly line because the Allied Control Council had prohibited the manufacture of passenger cars for the time being. It was not before July 1947 that production of four-door sedans was resumed which were, however, supplied almost exclusively to authorities.

What had happened at the time was this: Just twelve days after Germany’s capitulation, the Untertürkheim plant – or what had been left of it – was provisionally re-opened on May 20, 1945. Some 1,240 wage-earners and salaried employees reported back. Initially, the occupying powers only permitted the clearing away of rubble and – in their own interests – the repair of their military vehicles in makeshift workshops. Production of motor vehicles was prohibited – and wouldn’t have been possible anyway for lack of machinery and materials. And yet, modest manufacturing activities were resumed soon with a rather mixed range, including a first vehicle again: a bicycle trailer...

Keep Reading "eMercedesBenz Feature:  The Mercedes-Benz 170 V, A Pre-War Car For A New Beginning"

The Mercedes-Benz CL600 is an immaculate creature, offering an incredible amount of luxury along with an equally awe-inspiring level of power.  But for those looking to add an additional dose of thrust to the model's 517-horsepower twin-turbo V12, Kicherer has unveiled a new tuning package for the CL600 – one they're calling the CL 60.

Highlights of the package include an increase in output of 53 horsepower and 70 Nm of torque, a high-performance rear axle equipped with a differential lock and a modified transmission control module, handcrafted multi-part 20“ Kicherer RS-1 wheels and a lowering of the suspension by 25 millimeters.  To add a bit of outward style to their CL 60, Kicherer also added a few external mods, ranging from a new front/rear apron and side skirts to a four-pass sports exhaust system.  And completing the package, various carbon fiber elements have been added to the CL 60's interior, including accents on both the doors and center console...

Keep Reading "Tuning The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class:  The Kicherer CL 60 Coupe"

Coming off a difficult month at its U.S. division, Daimler is reporting today that worldwide sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars dropped 2.0 percent in September to 122,200 new units – this compared to 124,600 new units in September 2007.  Despite the decrease, sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands still remain up for the year, with the group's nine-month year-to-date total reaching 979,800 new units – 4.0 percent more than 2007's nine-month ytd total of 942,300 new units.

Individually, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles were down 3.0 percent for the month, with the luxury division noting sales of 110,700 new units (September 2008:  114,100 units).  Helping offset the loss was a nine percent sales increase of the smart brand, with deliveries of the compact fortwo range jumping to 11,500 new units (September 2008:  10,500 units).  Through the first nine months of the year, both brands have managed to exceed the prior year's sales levels, with Mercedes-Benz and smart delivering 877,800 new units (up 0.6 percent) and 102,000 new units (up 46.6 percent), respectively...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 2.0 Percent In September 2008"

The coupe is an exclusive body design. This was true even in the days of the horse-drawn carriage, when the coupe – presumably so-called because it resembled a four-seater carriage with its front end cut-off (French: “coupé”) – offered two seats in the comfort of the cab with the coachman seated up front on the open box seat. People who chose this mode of travel clearly liked to demonstrate a sense style and individuality.

The early automobiles borrowed heavily from various styles of horse-drawn carriage. The coupe retained a strong focus essentially on two persons traveling in style, and to this day it typifies an exclusive form of transportation. Use of a coachman eventually gave way to owners who preferred to take control of their vehicle themselves; today’s coupes are also driver-oriented. So would it be entirely wrong to suggest that one decides upon a coupe rather as one might choose an elegant coat – with the aim of wearing it for comfort and self-confidence...?

Keep Reading "eMercedesBenz Feature:  Coupes By Mercedes-Benz"

According to German market observer EurotaxSchwacke, the smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd) is still Germany's most cost-efficient car, confirming previous cost calculations by numerous other trade magazines and ADAC (Germany's largest automobile club).  In the study, a total of 16 vehicles from the mini car segment were evaluated, after which it was determined the smart fortwo mhd costs €27.52 to drive 100 kilometers.  When compared to the segment's most expensive model, which costs €38.88 per 100 kilometers to operate, the smart fortwo mhd saves drivers approximately €1,700 per year, assuming an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers...

Keep Reading "Smart ForTwo MHD Named Germany's Most Cost-Efficient Car By EurotaxSchwacke"

This weekend marked the tenth round of the 2008 DTM in Le Mans, and after an action-packed 41 lap race, it was Paul di Resta that took the top position for Mercedes, capturing second behind Audi's Mattias Ekstrom.  As a result of the finish, Di Resta has reduced the gap between himself and points leader Timo Scheider of Audi to a mere two points, thus postponing the championship decision until the DTM season finale in Hockenheim on October 26th.

Following Di Resta, Gary Paffett (stern AMG Mercedes C-Class) managed to pilot his 2007 C-Class to a fourth place finish – this after starting from 16th on the grid.  Bernd Schneider (Genuine Parts AMG Mercedes C-Class) also performed admirably, coming home fifth after an exciting battle with Scheider in the closing stages...

Keep Reading "Paul Di Resta Takes Second At The 10th Round Of The 2008 DTM At Le Mans"

Looking for the top stories of the past week on eMercedesBenz? Here they are, all in one convenient, clickable location. Scroll, click and enjoy.

	Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show: The Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition
	Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show: The Mercedes-Benz Concept FASCINATION Study
	Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show: Overview And Highlights
	The Mercedes-Benz S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Is Officially Unveiled
	The Mansory Renovatio Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren In White
	World Premier Of The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Keep Reading "Headline Roundup:  The Top Stories Of The Week On eMercedesBenz"

Spectacular dimensions in open-top driving are opened up by the new Mercedes-Benz SLRMcLaren Roadster 722 S. With an output of 478 kW/650 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 335 km/h, this open two-seater betters the standard set for open-air super-sports cars by the SLR McLaren Roadster. Both have a fully recessible soft top suitable for high speed driving, and are made from carbon fibre. This produces a very high level of safety and extremely high torsional strength. In addition to a higher engine output, the new SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S has an even more dynamic suspension setup and further aerodynamic improvements.

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show:  The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S"

Mercedes-Benz is proud to present a prestigious new luxury limousine – the S 600 Pullman Guard with integrated Highest Protection. This new model is the latest in a long and unique tradition of large, armoured, prestige limousines from the world's oldest automaker. It was 80 years ago that Mercedes-Benz became the very first car brand to develop and manufacture Pullman limousines with special protection characteristics.

Mercedes-Benz' unique wealth of experience as well as its role as a technical pioneer in the construction of prestigious special-protection limousines – a role which has been demonstrated time and time again over the years – puts the Stuttgart-based premium brand in a class of its own in this demanding segment. This is why governments, heads of state and royalty all over the world choose to make dignified progress in Mercedes-Benz limousines which are eminently worthy of the "Pullman" label.

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show:  The Mercedes-Benz S 600 Pullman Guard"

Mercedes-Benz is launching its first passenger car model equipped with a hybrid drive system in summer 2009 - the S 400 BlueHYBRID. The combination of a modified V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module makes the S 400 BlueHYBRID the world's most economical luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine. The NEDC combined fuel consumption is a mere 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This makes for the world's lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class - just 190 grams per kilometre. These exemplary figures go hand in hand with assured performance. The 3.5-litre petrol engine develops an output of 205 kW/279 hp, the electric motor generates 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque of 160 Nm. The result is a combined output of 220 kW/299 hp and a combined maximum torque of 385 newton metres. Moreover, the new S 400 BlueHYBRID is the first series-production model to be equipped with a particularly efficient lithium-ion battery specially developed for automotive use. This is another major contribution by Mercedes-Benz to the electrification of the car...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show:  The Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID"

Mercedes-Benz is set to launch a completely new diesel engine generation starting in the autumn of 2008. For its world premiere, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer will unveil a C-Class model with this new four-cylinder engine. In the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition, this engine produces, with its 2.2 litres of displacement, 150 kW / 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The premiere model can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds, on the way to its top speed of 250 km/h. Notwithstanding these exceptional performance figures, the Prime Edition only consumes an average of 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km (NEDC), with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km. The engine impresses with its eager responsiveness and smoothness of operation, which can make it a sensible alternative to the higher-displacement six-cylinder engines in future...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show:  The Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition"

Mercedes-Benz builds the world’s most desirable coupés – a claim which the Stuttgart-based car maker is underlining at the 2008 Paris Motor Show with its Concept FASCINATION design study. This unique vehicle, whose innovative and unconventional proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coupé in a new way, represents an exciting and intelligent combination of sporty and elegant design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium and smoked glass give a particularly exclusive look and feel to the luggage compartment which incorporates a refrigerated compartment and a humidor as well as offering a large load space. These attributes embody the two objectives of Concept FASCINATION – to provide a high level of practical usability and to create a coupé which appeals to the heart with fast, thrilling lines. In developing this design study, Mercedes-Benz has given fresh impetus to the long-established (although now rarely seen) "shooting brake", a vehicle category with its own distinctive charisma. Freed from the constraints of a specifications book, the designers have created an automotive sculpture with great aesthetic appeal which once again demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’s high level of design expertise...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show: The Mercedes-Benz Concept FASCINATION Study"

Today marks the launch of the 2008 Paris Motor Show, and with it, a host of premiers from Mercedes-Benz.  Of these premiers, none are more likely to garner attention than the Mercedes Concept FASCINATION, the S 400 BlueHYBRID and the S 600 Pullman Guard, a trio that offers a unique blend of innovative design, stalwart protection and exemplary efficiency.

To celebrate these premiers as well as the other models on display at the event, Mercedes today has published a wealth of information detailing each of the key vehicles on display in Paris.  Due to the immense magnitude of the content published, I will abstain from commenting on this information in an effort to publish it all as quickly as possible; however regular programming will once again commence following our Paris Motor Coverage...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz At The 2008 Paris Motor Show:  Overview And Highlights"

Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting today that new car sales declined sharply in September, dropping 16.4 percent to 18,779 new vehicles (compared to 22,459 in September 2007).  As a result, sales through the first nine months of the year noted a slight decrease, with MBUSA's year-to-date volume totaling 177,298 new units – down 1.6 percent when compared to 2007's nine-month ytd total of 180,265 units...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 16.4 Percent In September"

Mercedes has announced today that starting at the end of 2008, they'll be expanding their BlueEFFICIENCY lineup to include a luxury saloon in the form of the S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY.  Compared to its predecessor, the S 320 CDI, the BlueEFFICIENCY variant boasts fuel savings of some 10 percent, a figure that translates into real world fuel consumption of 7.6 liters per 100 km (0.7 liters less than the standard S 320 CDI) and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (21 grams less than the standard S 320 CDI).  For my American readers, that equates to roughly 31 mpg, a figure that makes it one of the most economical luxury sedans in the world...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Is Officially Unveiled"