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Mercedes is smacked with a Class Action Suit due to alleged V8 AMG defects
  It seems that Mercedes is headed towards some dark days now that they are facing a class action suit due to alleged defects in the M156 V8 motor. Reports coming in are stating that there seems to be a premature wear that occurs as a result of the material used in the camshafts. Let’s break it down a bit more. Mercedes’ V8 AMG engines have cast nodular iron camshafts, but the valve lifters are made of 9310 grade steel. The complaint is that this combination of materials is contributing to premature wear of the M156 motors. This can be due to improper heat treating of the metals or improper offset. Seems like an easy fix, but the problem is that the company has known about this issue since 2007 when a service bulletin was released by Daimler, but the company has failed to take action on the matter. This 6.2 liter V8 engine is used in models such as the C63 AMG Coupe, the ML63 AMG, and the SLS AMG supercar. In these vehicles, it can develop between 450 to 570 HP. At this time, there is only one plaintiff who is alleging financial losses of about $25,000. Sometimes tells us this is going to snowball into many, many more people coming forward with the same problem. We’ll keep you posted as more details surface. 2011 Mercedes ML63 "Carbon Series" by Kicherer
The Mercedes ML63 AMG. This isn’t exactly a car that makes tuning firms sweat in anticipation of what they could do with it, but German tuner, Kicherer, decided to take a stab at it anyway with their latest tuning package. Their new upgrade kit is called "Carbon Series" and it starts with a black carbon foil that covers every element of the exterior so that the vehicle looks uni-colored. In addition to that, Kicherer also enlisted the help of a new set of 23" wheels that are combined with an electronic chassis adjustment. For the interior, the tuner is offering a combination of carbon-leather and alcantara. The Mercedes ML63 AMG also received a specially developed stainless steel sports exhaust system and a Kicherer Power Converter to pump up the 6.3L V8 engine. The engine now produces a total of 540 HP and a peak torque of 472 lb-ft, up from the standard 510 hp at 6800 rpm and a peak torque of 464 lb-ft. Top speed has also been increased to 155 mph. 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Mercedes has officially unveiled the third generation M-Class, a model that not only features an impressive exterior and interior design update, but also low fuel consumption and emission figures - about 25% lower than in the previous model. On the US market, the new M-Class will be go on sale in September 2011 and will include two models: ML350 4MATIC and ML350 BlueTEC. Both models are powered by a completely reworked 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering two different power figures. The ML350 4 Matic will pump out 302 HP, while the ML350 BlueTec will deliver 240 HP. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars development, commented: "The M-Class embodies all the automotive experience that we have accumulated over 125 years and thus represents – in short – a quantum leap in terms of efficiency, safety, agility, driving enjoyment and design!" UPDATE 07/13/2011: Mercedes USA has announced the prices and option list for the 2012 ML-Class that will go on sale next month. US customers will have to choose between two models: the ML350 4Matic priced at $49,865 and the ML350 BlueTec 4Matic diesel priced at $51,365. Mercedes is also offering a several packages, including a Premium 1 Package ($3,600), a Premium 2 Package (5,450), a Dynamic Handling Package ($5,150), a Lighting Package ($1,290), a Lane Tracking Package ($850), and a Driver Assistance Package ($2,950). Hit the jump for the full price list. Hit the jump to read more the 2012 Mercedes M-Class. Full story 2011 Mercedes ML 350 by Vilner
Bulgaria’s very own tuning firm, Vilner, has graced our pages recently with some pretty interesting tuning set-ups for the Mitsubishi Evolution X, the Mercedes SL 63 AMG, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600. Well don’t look now but, apparently, these guys are far from finished with their projects. This time around, the Bulgarian aftermarket tuning company decided to play a little dress-up with the Mercedes ML350, giving the German SUV a number of fancy exterior and interior upgrades. As if Merc SUVs need further styling, Vilner gave it a whirl nonetheless. Among the features included in their exterior program include a new set of custom LED headlights, new black-chromed elements where it used to only be chrome, giving the car a little darker treatment, and, subsequently, an edgier look to it. In addition to that, the same black-chromed finish was used on the rims, further complementing the SUV’s body paint and giving it a nice black-and-white contrast. Inside the SUV, Vilner rolled up a nice heaping of Alcantara on the upper part of the dashboard, as well as on specific areas of the door, and the seats. The steering wheel was given an expensive standard and perforated leather trim, while the rest of the cabin was given a leather finish with silver trims to provide a nice and balanced accent on the interior to go with the ambient lighting. Overall, the modifications did their job in giving this SUV a more luxurious feel. The changes done on the exterior may not be that noticeable from a distance, but once you get inside the cabin, the smell of expensive leather and Alcantara will give you all the assurances you need about Vilner’s program for the ML350.
2011 Piecha Design Evorian RS
We haven’t heard from Piecha Design in quite awhile - 2009 to be exact - since they made over the Mercedes SLK, but it seems they have moved on to the bigger side of Mercedes with a new tuning package for the Mercedes M-Class and GL-Class. Their package is called the Evorian RS and includes impressive exterior and interior updates. The exterior package of the Evorian RS is defined by impressive LED day headlights integrated into the front spoiler corners, LEDs embedded in the side sills (4 per side), high-gloss chrome aerowings, and a Quadro-4-tube exhaust conversion that includes two chrome-plated double-tube end pieces. The package is finished by 22" dp1-CC Silver light metal wheel rims in three-part style with their high-gloss polished stainless steel bases. The tuner is also offering a lowering module produced by the H&R undercarriage specialists for vehicles with coil springs to lower the Mercedes Benz brothers by 35 mm at the front and by as much as 50 mm at the rear. This addition adds a little more aggression and sporty appeal to a set of already powerful vehicles. 2010 Mercedes ML500 by Senner Tuning AG
Senner Tuning is famous for its customization programs for models like the Nissan 370Z, but this time the tuner went bigger, much bigger in fact. They turned their attention to the Mercedes ML500 SUV and created a package that includes engine updates and a new set of wheels. While a standard ML500 delivers a total of 387 HP and 530 Nm of torque, Senner Tuning was able to perform an ECU-remapping along with adding a sport air filter with cold air intake to achieve a boost in power totaling 412 HP and 650 Nm of torque. The package also includes a new stainless-steel sport exhaust system with trapezoidal tailpipes. For the exterior, the tuner is only offering a new set of 22" Corniche "Monza" alloy rims and wheel spacers on the front and rear axles. There is also adjustable sway bar links and an Electronic lowering module for the air suspension. This package seems to be a small upgrade from the package Senner Tuning provided for the Audi Q7 last year. It looks like they took the same idea from the Audi, but improved the power boost, wheels, and overall look for the Mercedes. The package for the Mercedes ML500 starts at € 9,800 with the price going up in accordance with the tires chosen. Like all the other Senner vehicles the ML50 is also painted in an amazing white. 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Preview
We have seen photos of the 2012 ML-Class before, but we now have some photos with most of the camouflage removed, giving us a clear view of what the new Mercedes-Benz ML will look like. The wheelbase seems about the same as the current version, but we do know that the car went on a diet. The chassis will be shared with the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2011 Dodge Durango. The doors have new looks with two bold character lines. We can also see new side mirrors and a large angular grille with chrome bars running horizontal. The headlights appear to be nearly the same as we see on the CL-Class. Under the hood will be a few motor options. Base models should get a 3.5-liter V6, while a 5.5-liter V8 and a 6.2-liter V8 will likely be on offer. A 3.0-liter diesel should also be available, as well as a hybrid model. Expect the new ML-Class to be around $45,000 when it hits the showrooms in 2011.
2011 Mercedes ML63 AMG
Mercedes has unveiled today the new ML 63 AMG SUV that features a new exterior design and a powerful V8 engine. The car will go on sale in July at a price of 105,077 euro. Under the hood there is a 6.3-liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 510 hp at 6800 rpm and a peak torque of 630 NM. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.0 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. The engine is mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. As for the exterior design, Mercedes opted for a new bonnet with power domes, darkened bi-xenon headlamps with active light function, darkened tail lamps incorporating a clear-lens design and LED technology. There is a chromed front and rear underguard. The look is completed by 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels. On the interior the ML63 AMG gets electrically adjustable AMG sports seats finished in nappa leather upholstery, with Alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas and multicontour function and heating. The look continuesi in the AMG aluminium shift paddles and perforated leather on the specially-shaped grip area. Press release after the jump. Full story 2011 Mercedes M-Class Grand Edition
Mercedes has unveiled the special edition M-Class Grand Edition, a package available for all models in the series with the exception of the ML 63 AMG. The M-Class Grand Edition is distinguishable by 19-inch light-alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design, blue-tinted thermal insulation glass all-round, dark-tinted headlamps and LED technology for the daytime driving lights and sporty, darkened tail lights, aluminium roof rails and an extensive chrome package with an AMG radiator grille and underguards at the front and rear round. This special edition comes standard with a metallic paint finish, but on request it can be offered with a paint finish in chromite black or diamond white, and 50.8 cm (20-inch) bicolor light-alloy wheels. Press release after the jump. Full story Next-generation Mercedes M-Class SUV caught testing
It sucks that this spy video of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class caught the next-generation SUV in all its camouflaged glory – it would have been awesome to catch the tiniest glimpse of the new M-Class - but at this point, we’re just happy that we finally have video evidence of the car as opposed to all the spy photos we’ve seen in the past. With a platform that is shared with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2012 Dodge Durango, expect the new M-Class to come with something unique to separate itself from its competitors. Reports have surfaced that the Mercedes SUV will come with a revised engine line-up that is expected to come with a few variants, most notably a hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability. Check out the video to see the new M-Class in the middle of cold, winter testing. | featured reviews:Mercedes ML-Class latest reviews:Mercedes ML-Class tuning:
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