This weekend at the 2013 Auto Shanghai motor show, Mercedes unveiled the GLA Concept - the initial preview for the company’s fifth SUV. The production version of the GLA-Class will arrive sometime in 2015 and will be the smallest SUV offered by Mercedes.
The production version GLA-Class will be built on the same front-wheel-drive architecture that features transversely mounted engines, just like the new-generation A-Class and B-Class. From the A-Class, the future SUV will also borrow the engine lineup, including the most powerful one offered in the AMG version.
The concept version unveiled in Shanghai features a futuristic design language, but for the production version Mercedes will adopt a more conventional look, pretty much similar to what we have seen in the A-Class. To help give you an idea of what the production GLA-Class will look like, we have created a rendering, which you can see above.
Hit the jump to read more about the production version Mercedes GLA-Class.
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It is not a secret anymore that the Chinese market is clamoring for longer versions of the models sold in markets like the U.S. or Europe. So, it should be no surprise to anyone that Mercedes has unveiled a long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class at Auto China 2013 in Shanghai.
The model measures 5,019 mm (197.59 inches) in length so it offers an extra 140 mm (5.51 inches) legroom in the rear. Also, as a first for the model, the new E-Class Long offers two different front ends. The standard version features the classic, three-dimensional saloon radiator grille in three-louver look, while the Sport Sedan version comes with the sporty front end featuring a centrally positioned star.
Chinese customers can choose between two variants — luxurious Sedan and the Sport Sedan — and three trim levels — E 260 L, E 300 L and E 400 L.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Mercedes E-Class Long.
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The 2013 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG is a model that really doesn’t need any upgrades, but American tuner, Renntech, decided it would boost the luxury sedan’s image regardless. While these upgrades make the CLS 63 AMG looking better than ever it has one big disadvantage: its relatively high $9,500 price tag.
The entire kit was designed and prototyped in-house and is constructed of the highest-quality pre-preg carbon fiber that ensures years durability. If you were expecting something big, you will be disappointed, as Renntech kept the updates to a minimum by only offering a front splitter, rear diffuser and rear lip spoiler.
Usually, Renntech offers up some form of an engine update to go along with the updated aesthetics, but this time it decided to skip them. After all, the CLS 63 AMG’s 5.5-liter biturbo V-8 engine that delivers a total of 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, or 550 horsepower and 590 pound-feet when you add the AMG Performance Package, is plenty powerful.
Click past the jump to get a closer look at the kit
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The Mercedes G-Class has had a very long history in the automotive industry. Currently the model comes in four versions: G, GL, ML and GLK. Starting 2014, however, a fifth version will be added to the lineup. Called the GLA, the new model will be an SUV coupe.
The Mercedes GLA will be built on the same front-wheel-drive architecture that features transversely mounted engines, as found in the next A and B-Classes. The production version of the GLA will also borrow lots of its design elements from the same A-Class that inspired it, but of course with an increased ride height.
Updated 04/18/2013: After the first images surfaced on the Internet the other day, Mercedes dropped the official details on the new GLA Concept set to be unveiled at the 2013 Auto Shanghai motor show on April 21st.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Mercedes GLA.
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Mercedes’ two-door luxury car, the CL-Class is all sorts of awesome. It’s got serious credentials as a luxury coupe that very few in its class can come close to matching.
That’s precisely why it’s garnered so much love from Mercedes customers over the years. But what happens when you have an aftermarket company that’s willing to put in the time to ensure that the CL-Class’ appeal goes up a few more notches?
Famous Parts’ Matte Black edition happens.
The aftermarket company took up the task of building a new aero kit for the CL 500, giving the luxury coupe some new styling that adds to the aggressive look in a rather stealthy manner. It’s a pretty cool upgrade that really fits in well with the CL-Class’ 4.6-liter V-8 direct-injected engine that produces 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque while mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Put that all together and the CL-Class can hit 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
Click past the jump to read more about what Famous Parts did to the CL-Class
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The Japanese market has received yet another special edition in the form of a very cool Mercedes G550 Night Edition. It will be limited to only 100 units and is priced at 13,900,000 Yen (about $141,663 at the current exchange rates).
The new special edition features special AMG fenders and is painted in a titanium gray combined with 18-inch five-twin-spoke aluminum wheels. While these are pretty much all the updates offered by the exterior, the interior does offer a wider list of options.
Customers can choose between two colors — classic red or white porcelain — for the door panels and the seats. They can be combined with a piano-lacquer wood interior trim, a dashboard wrapped in Kana jet black leather, an Alcantara roof liner and dedicated floor mats.
The new G500 Night Edition will be unveiled on April 22nd at Mercedes-Benz Connection in Roppongi.
Hit the jump to read more about the standard Mercedes G550.
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If you want to buy a German mid-sized sedan, you have three choices: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class. Still, the C-Class has lost lots of ground in the past few years and it was about time for Mercedes to do something about it.
The next-generation Mercedes C-Class has been caught testing in many times, but until now we had no details on the engines to be featured in the new model. However, in a recent interview Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon revealed that the next C-Class will be offered with a series of firsts: the first diesel and hybrid powertrains, first time with an all-wheel-drive system will and the first time the next C-Class will have an engine built in the United States: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder developed in cooperation with Nissan.
Also, next to the current sedan and coupe variants, the next C-Class will also add a convertible and station wagon versions. All these changes were required to make the C-Class more competitive with the BMW 3 Series.
Mercedes will unveil the next-generation C-Class at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show; the coupe and convertible will arrive in 2015. The hybrid version will also arrive in 2015.
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The market’s current trend is to develop more and more hybrid models. Apparently Mercedes is going to follow this trend, but its current V-12 engines will still be offered for at least five or six years.
According to Mercedes-AMG Chairman Ola Källenius, AMG is going to unveil hybrid models, but not until the market is really ready for it. Until then it will work on improving fuel consumption by at least 20 percent by the company’s 50th anniversary in 2017. AMG is still unsure about the hybrid powertrain because the battery needed to provide power to the electric motor is very heavy and will add unnecessary mass to the car’s total weight.
As a result, until AMG will be ready to offer a proper hybrid model, it will work on getting more power from the current gasoline engines and has no intention of offering a powerful diesel engine anytime soon.
On the other hand, Källenius confirmed that the current V-12 engine is EU6 (emissions compliance) and is offered with start-stop technology, so it’s absolutely safe for years to come.
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Along with the unveiling of the revised E63 AMG, Mercedes has also added a new top-of-the-line version to the lineup. The new E63 AMG S-Model will be offered in both the sedan and station wagon versions, and will add a distinctive look when compared to a standard E63 AMG model, plus a more powerful engine.
With the extra horsepower, the new E63 AMG S-Model will be a little bit faster than the standard model, plus it comes equipped with a performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system and a limited-slip rear differential that helps delivering better vehicle dynamics and more driving pleasure, especially on the race-track
The new Mercedes E63 AMG S-Model will make its world debut next week at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, with sales to begin later in June.
Updated 01/21/2013: Mercedes has unveiled a pretty cool video presenting the new E 63 AMG S-Model in action. Enjoy!
Updated 04/11/2013: Mercedes has unveiled a new commercial for the E63 AMG S-Model called "Opposites Attract". The main idea of this commercial is "when opposites fuse together, they create something unique. Like the new E 63 AMG." Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Mercedes E 63 AMG S-Model.
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The latest Mercedes SLS model reviewed by Chris Harris was the Black Series version. Today, however, he went from the most powerful supercar developed by Mercedes to its first electric one: the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive. The test was performed at the Circuit Paul Ricard and, as usual, he offers a pretty amazing test drive and some cool insight on the electric supercar.
The SLS AMG Electric Drive is powered by four electric motors – one at each wheel. This system delivers a total of 740 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. This amount of power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds, making it only 0.2 seconds slower than its gasoline bother and 0.5 seconds faster than the Tesla Model S.
Be patient and watch the full 20-minutes video. We can assure you it’s totally worth the time spent.
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