We are happy to present you the Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift. The design team from Stuttgart is obviously moving away from the teutonic design of the pre-facelift model, which had many strong lines and four distinctive front lights, presenting a more organic version, with a “softer” front, with single piece front lights and a more curvy front bumper. In the rear, the tail lights are redesigned, with new graphics, as is the lower part of the rear bumper.

What struck us the most, though, is that the distinctive rear arch is now gone, in favour of a second line running from the rear lights to the rear doors. Also in the interior the changes are minimal, limited only to a few details. As far as engine choices and standard and extra equipment, we have to wait for the official press release, which will come later this week.

Finally, we have to thank our member yzbenz for those photos. You can see more after the jump! (more…)

Posted in: Mercedes-Benz

Stuttgart.  In the latest round of tests conducted by the European safety organisation Euro NCAP, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class was awarded five stars for outstanding occupant safety.

The new A-Class from Mercedes-Benz came through crash tests conducted according to the European NCAP process (New Car Assessment Programme) with flying colours and has therefore been awarded the top score of five stars for outstanding occupant safety.

In addition to the all-round protection for occupants in the event of frontal, rear or side collisions, Euro NCAP assesses the level of pedestrian protection provided. The A-Class, which features an active bonnet, scored top marks in this area. “The Euro NCAP awards represent clear recognition for the level of safety demonstrated by our vehicles, and we are delighted to receive this”, explained Prof Dr Rodolfo Schöneburg, Head of Passive Safety and Vehicle Functions at Mercedes-Benz Cars: “However, the standardised crash tests can only ever reflect a small proportion of the accidents that actually happen on our roads. During the design stage that goes into every model series, Mercedes-Benz therefore takes some 40 different accident constellations into consideration.”

(more…)

Posted in: Mercedes-Benz

Our sources have spotted the new Baby-SUV from Mercedes-Benz, the GLA during first cold weather testing in Northern Europe.

The GLA will be based on the same platform (MFA= Mercedes Front-Wheel Drive Architecture) as the recently revealed new A-Class and the more MPV like B-Class, and will be available both as front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions.

As we can see the body looks a lot like the A-Class on the first look, but at a closer inspection we see the much beefier and muscular front end, the different lines of the greenhouse with a more sloping rear window to follow the latest coupe-look fashion and of course the higher ride. Compared to the boxy GLK this GLA looks much rounder in its shape.

Power plants and transmissions will be the same as we know from A/B-Class meaning four-cylinder petrol and diesel options.

Expect the GLA to hit a showroom close to you during 2014.

(more…)

Posted in: Mercedes-Benz, Spy Photos

The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show was chosen by Mercedes-Benz to unveil three new models. The first is the SLS AMG Black Series the high-end version of the legendary gullwing model. Its outstanding power-to-weight ratio of just 2.45 kg/hp is the mathematics’ outcome of 1550kg of kerb weight powered by 631hp, which results in a 0 to 100km/h time of 3.6 seconds. According to MB, the SLS AMG Black Series will be on sale from June 2013 with a starting price of 249.900€ in Germany.

The second world premiere is called Ener-G-Force, with the letter “G” hinting that this concept is the designers’ vision of what the G-Class should be in the future. Clearly inspired from the first G-Class that was presented in 1979, with both ec0-friendliness and great off-road capabilities in mind. The place of MB’s great V8 and V12 engines and locking differentials have take four wheel hub motors controlled by high-performance electronics, ensuring the maximum pulling power at any given terrain.

Finally, a new smart concept was unveiled. Designed by internationally acclaimed fashion designer Jeremy Scott, this fortwo electric drive went through a major makeover, getting ready for the new era of urban mobility. The first thing anyone notices are the set of wings attached in the rear, a typical trademark of the designer. Major reworking was also done in the interior and as we were informed, this model will see market launch next year in the form of a special limited edition.

Source: [Daimler]

Posted in: Mercedes-Benz

It was around this time of the year 30 years ago, that Mercedes-Benz presented the 190 and 190E models, from the W201 model line, to the press, thus introducing the new compact saloon series, alongside the mid-range 200 series and the S-Class. This model line was later to be renamed as the C-Class in 1993 with the launch of the W202 series. Despite being called retro, the W201 features a very clean and simple design, or timeless elegance as all of Bruno Sacco’s designs are.

The passive safety and suspension technology were a big step ahead of the competition as was its aerodynamics. The independent multi-link rear suspension, guaranteeing high precision with equal levels of comfort, became a segment standard many years later. 1,879,629 190-models were produced from the Sindelfingen and Bremen plants and sold in every part of the world, until May 1993, when the W202 was introduced.

You can read more about the classic 190 series after the jump, where you can also find our photo gallery.

(more…)

Posted in: Mercedes-Benz

The latest generation of Mercedes-Benz’s midsize sedan, the W212 E-Class, was first introduced in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show. So, three model years later, it’s time to discuss a facelift. With a considerable number of prototypes of the facelifted model driving around the broader area of Stuttgart, one was finally photographed undisguised.

As it can be seen in the above photograph, the headlights have been replaced with a totally new, one-piece design, featuring new light graphics and probably the latest LED technology. The front bumper is also revised, with what appears to be a considerably less angular design, compared with the current model. The rear is also changed, with slightly different taillights and rear bumper. We are expecting some changes in the standard equipment and the engines as well, but it’s still too soon.

Please join our forum discussion and share your opinion on how successful the E-Class design is and whether you find the facelift to be more refined than the current E, here: E-Class facelift forum thread

Posted in: Mercedes-Benz