Smart ForTwo Predicted to Sell Less Than 100,000 Units Globally

by (RSS feed) August 31st, 2010 at 5:16 pm

smartfortworeview003opta 597x398 Smart ForTwo Predicted to Sell Less Than 100,000 Units GloballyWhen the gas prices had a sudden increase in 2008, car owners began their search for a more fuel efficient automobile. One of the cars that experienced high sales was the small Smart Fortwo. An astonishing 25,000 units of Daimler’s “smart car” were sold that year, followed by a substantial though less spectacular sales during the whole of 2009.

Though the ForTwo experienced significant sales in the US, it took a turn for the worse in 2010. For the first half of this year, Automotive News stated that Smart has only sold 4,000 units of Fortwo. Also, according to the German newspaper, Der Spiegel, the Smart sales in the US will probably make only one third of the 25,000 units that were sold last 2008. Considering the low US sales, Smart is at risk of selling less than 100,000 units globally for 2010, a number much lesser than the 114,000 units sold last 2009.

Some experts think that ForTwo’s sparkle is already gone in the US as their fuel economy registers 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg in highway is not as great as far more convenient hybrids like Toyota Prius. ForTwo is also beginning to be compared to bigger gas-powered automobiles like the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Cruze. Nor were experts excited with the Fortwo when they reviewed their 2009 model. As of now, the only way Smart will get back on track in the US is if the petrol prices go up again, or if the forthcoming model of the Smart Forfour get good reviews from the car experts.

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Mercedes with Tesla Batteries to be Presented at Paris Motor Show

by (RSS feed) August 31st, 2010 at 4:27 pm

mercedes tesla logo c 1233x6792 597x328 Mercedes with Tesla Batteries to be Presented at Paris Motor ShowA tiny Mercedes-Benz electric automobile equipped with batteries from Tesla Motors Inc., will be presented at the Paris Motor Show this coming October.

Daimler AG, the mother company of Mercedes-Benz, has labored alongside with Palo Alto-based Tesla to manufacture the automobile, which based on the reports has a range of less than 125 miles.

Mercedes-Benz is geared to produce at least 500 of the automobiles, though they won’t be up in the United States car market. Rather, Mercedes will lease them to clients in Germany for a span of four years.

Mercedes and Tesla worked together on a battery technology last 2009. Tesla also produces batteries for electric versions of the small two-seater Mercedes “Smart Car”.

The Paris Motor Show is scheduled to run from October 2 to 17.

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Spy Photo: Partly Camouflaged 2012 Mercedes SLK

by (RSS feed) August 31st, 2010 at 12:42 am

spyshots 2012 mercedes slk 597x398 Spy Photo: Partly Camouflaged 2012 Mercedes SLK

After some spy photos showing the 2012 Mercedes SLK being tested while wrapped in heavy camouflage, photographers have succeeded to take a much revealing photo of the German coupe-convertible.

Based on the photo, the automobile showed some improvements and modifications in its body, even though the enhancements that really matter, which includes the more aggressive front nose is still hidden in thin layer of camouflage.

On the next generation SLK, the side mirrors will also be modified, as they are now much larger and adjusted further back than the present version. It is also situated on the doors and not in the front front of the side window.

Nonetheless, those who were aspiring for a design transformation with the latest SLK may be disappointed, as the SLK continues to carry the design cues that is familiar to its model.

With regards to the engine, it is anticipated that the SLK will feature four and six-cylinder petrol engines, with an average of 180 hp, and a much stronger AMG version of one of them is also to be also presented.

The AMG SLK will also be fitted with a smaller, twin-turbocharged engine (possibly a V6), rather than the present 5.4l V8. Though it is much smaller, the engine will be at about the same levels as in the present SLK AMG Black Series, with at least 400HP.

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Mercedes-Benz Preparing New Product Lineup, Including B-Class Coupe

by (RSS feed) August 30th, 2010 at 9:19 pm

mercedesfutureproduct 597x398 Mercedes Benz Preparing New Product Lineup, Including B Class CoupeMercedes-Benz has at least seven latest models of automobiles to launch in the US over the next three years. According to the reports, these new models are a refreshed and latest generation offerings. We already saw their new CL, CLS, S-Class and R-Class, also the spy photo of the anticipated SLK, SL, SLS Convertible and the C-Class Coupe.

Furthermore, its the latest B-Class that may be one of the most fascinating vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz USA lineup. The modified hatch will be developed to be more appealing for its American clients, and will be the first Mercedes to be presented in the US with front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines. According to the rumors, it will also include a rear-wheel-drive AMG version that would be the foundation for a CLC Shooting Brake, and will be fitted with its own coupe, crossover and sedan trims.

Other models in line include a C-Class convertible and  potential crossover that would give M-B 3 Series and X3 competition. A total of 100 F-Cell automobiles will be tried out in California, and the SLS E-Cell will be presented in 2013 with 526 horsepower and a 120-mile range. Additionally, that same year, Mercedes-Benz will also showcase the new S-Class Coupe (to take the place of the CL nameplate), S-Class, E-Class and GL.

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Classic E-Class diesel wagon going sideways

by (RSS feed) August 29th, 2010 at 5:24 pm

How often do you see a classic Mercedes-Benz wagon drifting on the track? Let’s see… uhm, never? Well, now you will. Here’s a video of an E-Class wagon, a diesel, going sideways in what seems to be a drifting competition. In case it hasn’t sinked in yet, what you’ll be witnessing is a real live Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. A diesel. Well, at least it used to be a diesel.

From the looks of the wheels and tires, and of course the fact that it’s competing in a highly competitive sport, this wagon has been modified inside out. If the Ghostbusters were still around, we reckon they’ll be trading in their Eco-1 for this baby. Hell, they’ll probably even throw in Slimer in their excitement. But of course, it takes a lot more than ghostbusting skills to properly let loose on a racetrack, much more sideways.

Ever since the Drift King himself, Keiichi Tsuchiya, started drifting on the mountain passes of Japan, never did anyone think that a European diesel wagon would one day be doing the very same thing on a race track. Drifting really has changed ever since Tsuchiya brought it from the underground to a full-blown motor sport.

Well, enough talk. Enjoy the video people. And one more thing. Don’t try this at home. Not even on the streets.

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