Shining Star
Chicane Challenger
Mercedes-Benz USA has just released information on the MY 2012 models set to arrive between early summer and early fall. This includes information on all models except the ML, which is due for a redesign.
Interestingly enough, it appears as though double fogs are no longer available in America, as all Mercedes-Benzes now come standard with LED DRLs.
Press Release
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan (September)
Restyled four-door sedan with new direct-injection 4- and 6-cylinder engines, more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission, aluminum hood and increased standard equipment including HD radio, rain-sensing wipers, integrated garage door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, USB interface and integrated compass.
Exterior updates include new headlights, LED DRL’s and taillights, bumpers and grille.
A completely redesigned interior features a color instrument cluster display, new headunit (described above) w/fixed 5.8” screen, avail. PARKTRONIC w/Parking Assist
New safety features includes standard ATTENTION ASSIST, ADAPTIVE BRAKE with HOLD function and available Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.
C250 Sport/Luxury: new direct-injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo (201 hp, 229 lb.-ft.)
C300 4MATIC Sport/Luxury: continues with existing 3.0-liter V6 (228 hp, 221 lb-ft) and standard all-wheel drive.
C350 Sport: new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.)
C63 AMG: receives AMG 7-speed Multi-Clutch Transmission (MCT) and continues with naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V8 (451 hp, 443 lb-ft) and optimized suspension. Optional AMG Development Package yields 481 hp.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (September)
New two-door coupe debuts with bold AMG styling, standard panorama sunroof, steering wheel shift paddles, split-folding rear-seats, front seats with integrated headrests and driver memory plus a fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission as well as the other technology highlights of the sedan.
C250 Sport: new direct-injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo (201 hp, 229 lb.-ft.) and 17inch 5-spoke alloy wheels
C350 Sport: new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.) and 17-inch AMG twin 5-spoke alloy wheels, rear trunk spoiler
C63 AMG: features hand-built naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V8 (451 hp, 443 lb-ft), AMG 7-speed MCT and 18-inch twin 5-spoke alloy wheels. Optional AMG Development Package yields 481 hp.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe (July)
CL550 4MATIC continues with 4.6-liter direct-injection biturbo V8 (429 hp, 516 lb-ft.)
CL63 AMG continues with 5.5-liter direct-injection biturbo AMG V8 (536 hp, 590 lb-ft) with ECO Stop/Start and AMG 7-speed MCT.
CL600 5.5-liter biturbo V12 model (510 hp, 612 lb-ft) continues
CL65 AMG High-performance 6.0-liter biturbo V12 model (621hp, 738 lb-ft) continues
Model line continues to showcase advanced driver assistance systems such as Distronic Plus with PRE-SAFE Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist with automatic brake intervention and Nightview Assist PLUS with pedestrian detection.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Four-Door Coupe (June)
New-generation four-door coupe debuts with dramatic styling, two new V8 engines, electromechanical steering, aluminum doors and world-first active LED headlights.
CLS550 new direct-injection 4.6-liter biturbo V8 (402 hp, 443 lb.-ft) with more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission, AIRMATIC suspension and available with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive (Sept).
CLS63 AMG new direct-injection 5.5-liter biturbo AMG V8 (518 hp, 516 lb-ft) with ECO Stop/Start technology, AMG 7-speed MCT and AIRMATIC rear suspension. Optional Performance Package yields 550 hp/590 lb-ft.
Other new technology includes a color instrument cluster display, multicolor ambient lighting and central controller
LED taillamps and PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
Safety technology includes available Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, 10 standard airbags and standard ATTENTION ASSIST
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet
E350 Coupe and Cabriolet (July) new 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 engine (302 hp, 273 lb-ft) and new 17-inch twin 5-spoke wheels
E550 Coupe and Cabriolet (Oct.) new 4.6-liter direct-injection V8 engine (402 hp, 443 lb-ft) and electromechanical steering.
New available assistance systems include both active and passive Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.
Other highlights include new steering wheels with standard shift paddles, color instrument cluster display, standard LED DRLs, more fuel-efficient 7-speed transmission and media interface moved to the center console.
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan and Wagon (October)
Model line features more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission, new steering wheels, color instrument cluster display and standard LED DRL’s, media interface moved to center console.
E350 4MATIC Wagon continues with sport or luxury models, new direct-injection 3.5liter V6 engine (302hp, 273 lb-ft) and standard all-wheel drive, 3rd-row rear-facing seat, power tailgate, rear air suspension and electromechanical steering,
E350 BlueTEC 50-State V6 turbodiesel (210 hp, 400 lb-ft) continues.
E350 Sport/Luxury new direct-injection V6 engine (302 hp, 273 lb-ft) and available 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.
E550 4MATIC Sport new 4.6-liter twin-turbo direct-injectionV8-engine (402 hp, 443 lb-ft), electromechanical steering and standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.
E63 AMG Sedan new 5.5-liter twin-turbo direct-injection V8 engine (518 hp, 516 lb-ft) and ECO Stop/Start technology mated to the AMG 7-speed MCT plus new 19-inch AMG 10-spoke wheels. Optional Performance Packages yields 550hp/590lb-ft.
E63 AMG Wagon debuts with drivetrain mentioned above and standard panorama roof
Model line continues to showcase advanced new driver assistance systems such as ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist with automatic brake intervention, PRE-SAFE Brake with Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and Nightview Assist PLUS with pedestrian detection.
2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV (October)
G550 5.5-liter V8-powered model (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) continues
“Edition Select” package offered in choice of 3 paints, AMG fenders, exhaust sidepipes, silver-painted wheels and other interior highlights including designo upholstery
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV (August)
GL350 BlueTEC 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel (210 hp, 400 lb-ft) model continues
GL450 4.6-liter V8-powered (335 hp, 339 lb-ft) model continues
GL550 5.5-liter V8-powered (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) model continues
Minor updates to the interior, rearview camera now includes directional lines, all models now feature standard LED DRLs
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class SUV (July)
GLK350 3.5-liter V6-powered (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) model continues w/available 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.
Media interface relocated to center console.
2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Crossover (August)
R350 4MATIC new direct-injection V6 engine (302 hp, 273 lb-ft), more fuel-efficient 7speed automatic transmission & standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
R350 BlueTEC 50-state V6 turbodiesel (210 hp, 400 lb-ft) continues
Model line features standard LED DRLs, directional lines on rearview camera and minor interior updates.
New standard equipment includes COMAND system with hard-drive navigation, enhanced voice control for audio, telephone and navigation, Gracenote® media database, HD Radio®, SIRIUS® satellite radio with SIRIUS real-time traffic service, Zagat® Survey restaurant guide, 4GB hard-drive with Music Register
2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan (July)
S400 HYBRID continues with the first lithium-ion battery designed exclusively for automotive use and 3.5-liter V6 mild hybrid powertrain (295 hp, 284 lb-ft)
S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC new model features standard all-wheel-drive and 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine (240 hp, 455 lb-ft)
S550 new 4.6-liter direct-injectionV8 engine (429 hp, 516 lb-ft) and more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission. Available with 4MATIC all wheel drive.
S63 AMG High-performance model continues with 5.5-liter direct-injection biturbo V8 engine (536 hp, 590 lb-ft) and ECO Stop/Start functionality as well as AMG 7-speed MCT. Optional Performance Package yields 563hp/664 lb-ft.
S600 flagship 5.5-liter biturbo V12 model (510 hp, 612 lb-ft) continues.
S65 AMG high-performance 6.0-liter biturbo V12 model (621hp, 738lb-ft) continues.
Model line continues to showcase advanced driver assistance systems such as Distronic Plus with PRE-SAFE Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist with automatic brake intervention and Nightview Assist PLUS with pedestrian detection.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Coupe/Roadster (June)
SL550 5.5-liter V8 model (382hp, 391 lb-ft) continues
SL63 AMG high-performance 6.3-liter V8-powered model (518 hp, 465 lb-ft) with AMG 7-speed MCT continues
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Coupe/Roadster
New-generation SLK debuts with SLS AMG styling cues, new powertrains and retractable hardtop that opens/closes within 20 seconds and offers Panorama roof and MAGIC SKY CONTROL. Standard LED daytime running lamps and electronic parking brake.
SLK350 (June): new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.) with 7-speed automatic transmission and 18-inch 5-spoke wheels
SLK250 (Early 2012): new direct-injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo (201 hp, 229 lb.-ft.) available with 6-spd manual or 7-spd automatic and 17-inch 5-spoke wheels
New interior highlights include sun-reflecting leather, Direct Ambient Lighting, COMAND control knob and AIRGUIDE.
New safety highlights include Adaptive Brake, NECK-PRO head restraints, PARKTRONIC with Parking Assist, 8 airbags and standard ATTENTION ASSIST
New standard equipment includes rain-sensing wipers, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, power memory seats with lumbar support, integrated garage door opener, rearview mirror with integrated compass and HD Radio.
New headunit (described above)
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
AMG-developed super sports car with aluminum body and high-performance powertrain featuring a hand-built V8 engine (563hp, 479 lb-ft) with front-mid layout and dry sump lubrication mated to a carbon fiber driveshaft and advanced dual-clutch transaxle transmission with 4 driving modes.
New equipment includes standard Blind Spot Assist, optional 3-mode AMG Adaptive Suspension and AMG Performance Media including driving telemetry and G-Force measurement
SLS AMG Coupe (July) continues with new paint offerings
SLS AMG Roadster (late 2011) debuts with power soft top in choice of three colors that opens/closes in 11 seconds up to 30 mph, conventionally hinged doors, standard AIRSCARF and removable wind deflector.
