Whether city traffic, twisting country roads, steep gravel tracks, or muddy forests: the X-Class with powerful six-cylinder engine, 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive impresses with its outstanding dynamism, assertiveness, and stylish appearance. The new X 350 d 4MATIC flagship model (combined fuel consumption: 9.0-8.8 l/100 km, combined CO2emissions: 236-230 g/km)1 develops 190 kW (258 hp) and a peak torque of 550 Nm. The tough performance pickup completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. Permanent all-wheel drive ensures high levels of driving stability and handling dynamics both on and off the road – even on wet and wintry asphalt. A choice of engine and transmission response levels, from comfortable to sporty, is at the driver’s fingertips. The X 350 d 4MATIC therefore offers the perfect blend of sportiness and practicality – for an agile life packed with variety. Since July 2018, the top-of-the-range model can be ordered with the PROGRESSIVE and POWER equipment lines in Europe. In Germany, prices for the X 350 d 4MATIC start at 53 360 euros (incl. 19 percent VAT). In addition, there are two EDITION models available: PROGRESSIVE EDITION (47 490 euros incl. 19 percent VAT) and POWER EDITION (53 490 euros incl. 19 percent VAT).

Nino Schurter, who races for the COTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team, is the first mountain biker ever to have won six world championships, while he also took gold at the 2016 Olympic Games. Now, Nino has another title to add to his already long list, Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador.

Six-times mountain biking world champion and Olympic medallist Nino Schurter becomes new brand ambassador for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup includes ten races on three continents and is followed by millions of fans around the world. The favorite to win the title in is six-times mountain biking world champion and Olympic medallist Nino Schurter. In the coming races, the Swiss cyclist will enjoy support from Mercedes-Benz Vans: Nino Schurter is the new brand ambassador for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

“The X-Class is a terrific vehicle”, says Nino Schurter. “Not only does the loading area offer enough space for my mountain bikes – the pickup is also great for reaching unknown trails in the mountains. Together with the cool design and the comfort, the X-Class is the prime choice for me – both in my sporting career and in private.”

The 31-year-old swiss cyclist has countless junior titles to his name, as well as an excellent track record in U23 races at international level. He has taken part in three Olympics, winning bronze, silver and gold. Schurter became a mountain biking legend by winning the world championship six times between 2009 and 2017.

“We are delighted that Mercedes-Benz Vans is an active partner of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and Championships and proud to have now also recruited Nino Schurter as a brand ambassador”, says Sonja Schneemann, Head of Marketing Communications and Operations, Mercedes-Benz Vans. “Nino Schurter is a towering figure in mountain biking – an up-and-coming international sport that is enjoying growing popularity. Our pickup fits in perfectly here. The X-Class cuts a fine figure both on- and off-road, offers a large stowage area for sports equipment and appeals to people who actively pursue sports and recreational activities all over the world.”

Mercedes-Benz’s impending pickup truck could be dubbed the X-Class or Z-Class following the emergence of news from a secret Australian design forum about the car.

Local publication Car Advice says that the new premium pickup will continue the marque’s existing nomenclature and help to distinguish the pickup as a distinct model within its range.

We already know that the Mercedes pickup will be based around the Nissan Navara NP300 and therefore utilise the Nissan’s platform. Beyond that, however, the company says the pickup will be totally distinct from its Nissan sibling to ensure it retains the key values of Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz Pickup Truck

Discussing this, Daimler board member Thomas Weber said “Yes, to come to an attractive price we are using a common platform, but all the rest is done by Mercedes – to design, to develop the vehicle specifically to meet Mercedes criteria.”

To cater to a broad range of customers, three distinct specifications will be offered. The entry-level model will be focused at trade workers, a more comfortable and versatile mid-range model and then a luxurious variant incorporating the firm’s best materials and technologies.

Due to the vehicle’s Nissan underpinnings, it will be produced at the group’s production facilities in Argentina and Spain, and be sold globally.

Mercedes-Benz Pickup Truck

Via: Carscoops

A Mercedes S63 AMG is synonymous with power, style and luxury.  A pickup truck however is thought of as more of a rugged workhorse – this is likely the reason why we’ve never seen them combined.  At least until now.  X-Tomi Design rendered what such a marriage would look like.

Mercedes S63 AMG Pickup truck

Via: X-Tomi Design

Daimler Trucks managed to substantially increase its sales and revenues for 2012 while also generating good earnings. For 2013, one of the factors that will help strengthen Daimler Trucks is the Daimler Trucks #1 initiative, which is expected to generate positive effects that will amount to €1.6 billion through the end of 2014. Due to the expected course of market development, this growth will probably occur mainly in the second half of the year.

In 2012 the truck markets were affected by positive as well as negative developments. After many truck markets had posted strong sales increases in the first half of the year, all core markets saw demand increase more slowly or even decline in the third and fourth quarters. In Europe, the sovereign debt crisis and the associated economic downturn led to a marked decline in purchases. Economic constraints also limited demand in the NAFTA region to the procurement of essential replacement vehicles. Although reconstruction activities caused an upswing in Japan following the earthquake, this development slowed considerably in the course of the year. In Brazil, meanwhile, weak economic growth and the introduction of a tougher emissions standard led to a significant drop in unit sales since the beginning of 2012.

Daimler Mercedes-Benz Trucks

Strong growth in North America and Asia

In spite of these difficulties, Daimler Trucks succeeded in further increasing revenues and unit sales, with growth occurring in particular in Asia and the NAFTA region. Revenues rose by 9% worldwide, to €31.4 billion (2011: €28.8 billion). The division sold 462,000 vehicles, or 9% more than in 2011. Sales in the NAFTA region rose by 18% to around 135,000 units (114,000), and in Asia by 21% to 164,000 vehicles (135,000). In Western Europe, Daimler Trucks’ sales declined by 6% to 58,000 units (61,400). The result in Latin America was particularly impacted by the steep contraction of the Brazilian truck market. As a consequence, sales in the region as a whole dropped by around 25% to 46,200 vehicles (61,900).

“We’ve done relatively well in a difficult situation,” says Andreas Renschler, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Buses. “We substantially increased sales and revenues despite volatile markets, thus demonstrating once again that we are properly positioned. That’s because our global presence enables us to offset the effects of weak markets more effectively.” The division’s EBIT amounted to €1.7 billion, which was around 9% lower than in the prior year, due to lower sales in Brazil and Western Europe as well as scheduled expenses for the current product offensive.

Although some of the markets presented difficult conditions, Daimler Trucks’ innovative range of cutting-edge products met with a good customer response and enabled it, as the global market leader, to increase its share of core markets. In spite of the sovereign debt crisis, the division continued to boost its leading position in Europe (EU 29) to 22.6% (2011: 21.7%) and increased its share of the German market by an even greater percentage to 39.2% (37.5%). In North America, the division strengthened its domination of the market for medium and heavy duty trucks (Class 6-8), which it has held for many years. “In 2012 we countered the headwinds with a fantastic product range that enabled us to remain among the top three manufacturers in all of the core markets and, in some cases, to even improve our position,” says Renschler.

In the development and expansion of its product range, Daimler Trucks proceeds as globally as possible and as locally as necessary. Through the rollout of global platforms and modules, Daimler Trucks can exploit the advantages of its worldwide presence extremely well and offer an optimal product lineup for each customer and market. One example of this is the heavy-duty truck platform on which the Mercedes-Benz Actros, Antos, and Arocs trucks are based. Daimler Trucks is rigorously implementing its shared parts and module strategy, for example in the new models it has launched over the past two years. As a result of the recently presented new Atego, Daimler Trucks also became the first manufacturer in the sector to complete the launch of a full range of Euro VI-compliant trucks. What’s more, this was achieved eight months before the new emissions standard goes into effect on January 1, 2014.

Daimler Mercedes-Benz Trucks

Daimler Trucks #1 excellence initiative launched

To safeguard its leading position as a global truck manufacturer and also achieve top profitability values, the division launched the Daimler Trucks #1 (DT#1) initiative in mid-2012. The initiative is part of the Global Excellence Strategy, which has guided the division’s actions since 2005. DT#1 consists of a range of programs that are tailored to the needs of the various business units (Trucks EU/LA, Trucks NAFTA, Trucks Asia, and Global Powertrain), as well as cross-business approaches. All of these measures aim to generate total improvements of €1.6 billion for Daimler Trucks by the end of 2014. Although some of these improvements will be achieved through higher sales and earnings, the reduction of fixed, material, production, and quality-related costs will also play an important role.

One element of the DT#1 initiative is the development of an integrated business model for Asia. “The aim is to exploit as much growth and synergy potential as possible in procurement, production, sales, and the product range,” says Renschler. Among other things, the division plans to produce robust Fuso brand trucks in Chennai, India, and export them – for example to markets in Asia and Africa.

Outlook: World market for medium and heavy-duty trucks expected to grow slightly

Daimler Trucks once again expects its business to get only limited support from economic developments this year. The prospects are particularly dim in the industrialized countries, which suffer from risks ranging from the euro crisis to the federal debt dispute in the U.S. This year the global economy will once again be primarily driven by the emerging markets, which are expected to contribute around three fourths of the world’s economic growth of 2.5 or, at best, 3 percent. The demand for medium and heavy-duty trucks is therefore expected to increase in 2013. It currently seems that the worst is probably over for the truck sector in the emerging markets, and in Brazil and India in particular, and demand is expected to stabilize in the triad later this year.

Daimler Trucks expects the market for medium and heavy-duty trucks (Class 6 to 8) to contract by 5 to 10% in the NAFTA region. In Europe, the demand for medium and heavy-duty trucks is forecast to decline by up to 5%, while the Japanese market is expected to remain at roughly last year’s level.

The market will probably improve considerably in Brazil. Following difficult developments in 2012, the country’s overall economic prospects have now improved substantially and the government will continue to offer favorable financing terms for commercial vehicles. As a result, Brazil’s truck market might increase by up to 10%.

“The year 2013 will be challenging on the whole and business has been rather sluggish in the first few months. However, in the second half of the year the markets should gather momentum”, says Renschler. In view of these market developments and the full availability of Euro VI-compliant Mercedes-Benz medium and heavy-duty trucks in Europe, Renschler expects Daimler Trucks to increase its sales, market share, and profits in 2013.

“The three new Mercedes-Benz vehicles clearly deserve a triple A rating,” said Andreas Renschler, the Daimler Board of Management Member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, at the Arocs world premiere, which took place today in Munich. “The first three representatives of our heavy-duty truck platform are giving our global module strategy a big boost. At the same time, the all-new Arocs is enabling us to bring our Euro VI offensive for heavy-duty trucks to a close a full nine months before the new emissions limit goes into effect.” As a result, Mercedes-Benz customers are well prepared not only with regard to timing but also with respect to the total cost of ownership. Although the trucks are fitted with complex Euro VI technology, the Actros, Antos, and also the new Arocs are more efficient than their predecessor models. In fact, fuel consumption has been reduced by up to five percent.

The investment in the development of new vehicles is paying off. In 2012 Daimler Trucks produced almost as many vehicles in 11 months as it did in the whole of 2011, when the division’s six truck brands (Mercedes-Benz, Fuso, Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, and BharatBenz) manufactured approximately 426,000 vehicles. “Daimler Trucks substantially increased sales in 2012, despite volatile markets,” said Renschler. “We want to grow this year as well, especially in the second half of the year. We are benefiting from our global business model. Although the debt crisis hampered markets in Europe, Mercedes-Benz was able to buck the general trend, thanks, in part, to the model offensive spearheaded by the new Actros. In Germany, three out of four new Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks are already being ordered with Euro VI technology.”

Arocs to be launched on the market in mid-2013

Beginning in May 2013, the new Mercedes-Benz Arocs will be gradually introduced in Europe. In addition to being extremely environmental friendly as a result of Euro VI technology, the special construction vehicles boast three special attributes: power, efficiency, and robustness.

Never before in the history of Mercedes-Benz Trucks has the range of heavy-duty construction vehicles been as broad as it is today. The truck brand was established more than 110 years ago, when automobiles began to supplant horse-drawn vehicles. “Our roots are here in the construction industry,” said Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks since December 2012, at the presentation of the all-new Arocs. “Mercedes-Benz has shaped the construction sector more than any other truck manufacturer. We have an above-average market share in nearly all areas of the construction sector. Almost half of the construction site trucks in Germany sport the Mercedes star on their hoods. More than two out of five Mercedes-Benz trucks sold worldwide are construction site vehicles.”

The all-new Arocs is Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ third heavy-duty special vehicle. The first was the Actros for long-haulage operations, followed by the Antos for heavy-duty distribution transportation, and now the Arocs for the heavy-duty construction segment. Stefan Buchner is convinced that this product strategy exactly matches the interests of today’s customers. “All-purpose vehicles are increasingly becoming a thing of the past,” he said. “That’s why we used a common platform to develop custom-tailored vehicle series for individual segments.”

This product strategy is already beginning to pay off for the Actros. “To date, we have sold more than 16.000 units of the new Actros truck in Europe,” Buchner said. “One-third of these trucks feature Euro VI technology. It was mainly due to the Actros that no other manufacturer sold more tractors in Europe last year than we did.”

The construction industry has a lot of catching-up to do

Andreas Renschler, Head of Daimler Trucks, predicts that the all-new Arocs will have a bright future. “The commercial vehicle business will continue to grow globally,” he said. “This is due, in part, to the construction industry, which estimates that alone in Germany there is a demand for 250,000 new apartments per year. New construction was about 40,000 units below this figure in 2012 and will probably be about 20,000 units lower this year. In other words, the construction industry has a lot of catching-up to do.”

The word Australians have coined as ‘ute’ actually stands for ‘utility’ or ‘utility coupe’.  Appearing first in Australia in 1934 and then in 1957 in the US as a Ford Ranchero, the Utility Coupe was quite popular in its time.

But what if there was a luxury ute segment. Imagine for a minute what looks like an El Camino but with shiny new paint, aluminum loading rails with a wooden load compartment floor all while being surrounded by alcantara leather and wood trim. Well, here’s what that would look like if the Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe became a ute!

These renderings show a very svelte workhorse with glossy paint, twin exhausts and that desirable Mercedes badge.

To be honest, this sort of car will never be built, but you have to admit, it’s functional and good interesting looking.

Renderings via Autoevolution

Here at eMercedesBenz we’re big fans of Mercedes renderings, and one of the best at creating Mercedes concepts we can only dream about is CWW Cardesign.  Over the past month they have completed a few new Mercedes-Benz concept renderings, so we thought it only fitting to share them with you.

The first Mercedes-Benz concept from CWW Cardesign is an AMG F1 Renntransporter / Parts Transporter, imagined to transport parts during an F1 race.  The next two renderings are cabriolets based on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS Convertible and a Mercedes CL500 Convertible.  And if you haven’t already, make sure to check out their website as they have completed concept renderings of everything from a Mercedes 550 Kompressor to a Mercedes S770K Coupe.