Want to get a load of the latest in hybrid and electric vehicle technology? Then you’d better be at the Paris Auto Show this August as the industry’s most promising hybrid and electric vehicles take center stage on this unique event.
In case you’re wondering, Mercedes-Benz will be introducing a whole new variant for the A-Class. Rightfully named as the E-Cell, hopefully it will pull in enough crowds at the Show to gain an early step in its production cycle. As far as manufacturing is concerned, there are only going to be 500 units made. Right now, we’re a little lacking on details, but it looks like Mercedes-Benz is set to announce officially the A-Class E-Cell.
Several sources suggest that the A-Class E-Cell will be running a battery pack and controller combo that’s sourced from Tesla. Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG happens to own a controlling stake on Tesla, in case you’re wondering.
As far as range goes, the E-Cell will run around 124 miles on a full pack. And it will have around 214 lb-ft torque spilling from its drive wheels. Both the A-Class and the B-Class will be produced at two plants, namely in Kecskemet, Hungary and Rastatt, Germany. As for the 500 test vehicles, well, they’re going to be sold or leased to companies for further testing procedures, of course.
The present Mercedes-Benz B-Class has experienced great success in the majority of markets it has been showcased in, having sold over 120,000 units in its first year, but the latest version due in 2011 is foreseen to sell in much higher quantities and will be out in the U.S. market for the first time. According to the reports, to intensify sales, the German carmaker is aiming to expand the range by putting in new variants to accompany the regular hatch: a latest coupe-cabrio, a sporty hatchback to compete with BMW’s 1-series line and more likely a four-door sedan with coupe styling.
One of the models that is set for production, however, is the hatchback seen in the spy photo testing in prototype form. Based on the photo, it maintains the boxy appearance of the present model, even though its side profile is similar to the newly released 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The total look will line up closely with 2009’s BlueZERO concept family. Its interior shows that Mercedes designers have chosen a steering column lever for selecting the gears and have adjusted the stereo and navigation screen further up on the dashboard compared to the earlier model.
Clients should anticipate a line of small displacement turbo engines and latest hybrid variants offering in the B-Class model, as well as a hydrogen fuel cell model. The latest 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is the sportiest of the AMG variant as corroborated by the tuning division’s outgoing boss Volker Mornhinweg late last month. AMG presently offers V-8 engines but will build an exclusively tuned four-cylinder engine for the B-Class. The model will rival other automobile lines such as the Volkswagen Golf R32 and Audi S3. According to the reports there would be an array of performance improvements that would include new brakes, a sporty bodykit and a top of the line interior.
In the past, Mercedes-Benz reversed a plan to bring the present B-Class Stateside due to reservations that it would harm the brand’s exclusivity and the low dollar exchange rate would make the model much expensive. However, surprising strong sales of the Smart Fortwo minicar are bringing renewed interest in putting up the B-Class and also the A-Class up in the market, in North America.
Things are looking good for the much sensationalized Mercedes-Benz A-Class. While majority of the motoring world have been drawn back since the Silver Arrow announced that they would be modifying its compact segment entry, there are reports that the German carmaker is planning to associate design cues from a few of its more prominent concepts into the look of the new pint sizer. Based on the Detroit Bureau, the A-Class will be based from both the F800 and Concept Fascination prototypes. Though it is not confirmed whether that means that the final product would be released in both four door and hatchback or if the actual car would be a fusion of the two. Either way, the vehicle is expected to be good in every way.
The Concept Fascination Prototype was revealed to the public back in 2008 and immediately roused the interest of some of its followers. Having a long and arching roof line with an aggressive rear flanks, the vehicle looked more fit for the wagon world. Recently, the F800 was showcased at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, having a corporate nose that is much common with majority of the Mercedes-Benz line. Combine the two, shrink it up a bit and you would probably have an idea of what the anticipated A-Class would be like.
The Mercedes Benz A-Class is bound to be one of the best automobiles on the performance compact vehicle line. As reported, the next gen of compact Mercedes will feature a front wheel drive platform with its design greatly influenced by the F800 Concept. Presently, AMG boss, Ola Kalenius, has validated that the performance line of the car is in the works. The latest automobile will be positioned at the top of the hatch segment, featuring a four wheel drive and a top of the line forced induction four cylinder poweplant. The automobile will put up against competitors like the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R.
The new vehicle’s power source will be based on Mercedes-Benz’ present M271 EVO engine and boasts of a top of the line technology like the latest multi-cycle direct injection and the wave-pulse supercharger technology that was established together with the Swiss company Hyprex. The automobile’s engine is said to feature a power and torque level within the 270 hp+ and 280 lb-ft range, respectively. The A-Klasse will also include a dual clutch transmission. Its AWD system is said to show a sporty setup, delivering majority of its power to the rear axle.
Based on the reports, the A-Class AMG is set to be out in the market a year after the civilian version of the car. Which means we would have to be patient until 2013 to see this baby Merc on the streets.
Mercedes-Benz has updated their SLK model as the spy photos show while it is being road tested alongside it precursor somewhere in Germany this week. The new model was spotted showing more of its newly designed front end and seems to be wearing lesser camouflage than other past spied development vehicles. The spy photos of the new SLK and the present-generation SLK shows the best look yet at the significant changes made on the newer model. Based on the review, the 2011 SLK is basically the same as the current model but features a new grille that resembles the SLS AMG’s frontal pattern, while the headlights, bonnet and front bumper’s designs are new.
The side mirrors of this new model seems to stick out further from the car’s body and are on more slender stalks in contrast to the present model. Also noticeable is the LED daytime running lights shown behind the camouflage wrap of the front bumper. According to the reports, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK would be powered by the company’s 2.2 litre BlueEfficiency four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel, with a maximum of 152kW and 500Hm of torque. There would also be a probable release of petrol engines with reports of a 3.5 litre twin-turbo V6 for the AMG model of the new SLK that has an estimated torque of 200 to 260kW.
Mercedes-Benz has set its goal high – which is to grow their US sales by 30 percent in the next five years, where the automaker’s executives suggested that an expansion in the downmarket would make this thing possible. According to the CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, to attract more customers, they should bring in the B-Class hatchback and present additional C-Class derivatives. Mercedes’ top rival, BMW, are already offering coupe, convertible and station wagon variety of the 3 Series in the US, along with the much lower prices 1 Series range together with their variants of Mini products. In the US, another car company, Audi, is presenting its A4 in sedan and wagon types, together with the similar A5/S5 Coupe and Cabriolet, where it also offers the less priced A3 hatchback.
As for Mercedes-Benz, they are presently offering their C-Class in a four-door sedan bodystyle in the US. According to the news, a C-Class coupe is set to be available in the US by 2011 and its version of a convertible in 2013, off of the remodeled C-Class that is set to come out in 2012. Based on some critics, they are pessimistic for the introduction of the B-Class in the US for it may lead to a brand dilution. In the contrast, despite of the slow sales in the US, the 1 Series offers much better context to the BMW lineup of performance luxury cars.
In Europe, the Mercedes-Benz A and B Class have been in the market for a decade, where Benz offer mainstream and a wide-range of models, thus, brand dilution does not pose a problem for Mercedes-Benz overseas. Despite the lack of comparison for entry-level products, the sales of Mercedes-Benz continues to gain momentum, with sales through April going up by 26 percent to 68,826 units.
It looks like Mercedes-Benz’s A-Class and B-Class compact car segments are making a killing in the market. According to the carmaker, they have just delivered compact car number 2,500,000 this month, marking a production milestone in the manufacturer’s car-making history.
With the increase in sales, Mercedes Benz is looking into including two more models in its compact car division by the end of 2011. Already, the premium vehicle maker is pouring in about 800 million US dollars in their manufacturing plant in Rasttat, Germany to keep up with the projected increase in demand. Another manufacturing site in Hungary, this time in Keckskemet, is also being planned with a little over a billion US dollars of infusion to respond to this uptick in the demand of Daimler’s compact cars.
These investments in their production capacities, says sales and marketing head Dr. Joachim Schmidt, is in keeping with the growing importance of Mercedes Benz’s vehicles in the compact car markets. The A-Class and B-Class of Mercedes’ cars are receiving the biggest demand from Europe, particularly in Germany, Italy and France, in that order. China is also showing a growing interest in the B-Class as well, with the sale of about 6,400 units in its introduction in the country at the start of 2009. The gasoline-powered A160 and A180 received the most interest in the A-Class while the B180 and the B180 CDI, which uses diesel, has pride of importance in the B-Class. It appears the most popular among the colors preferred by customers are silver and black.
Mercedes-Benz says they aim to take advantage of these new opportunities that are opening up and establish a leadership position with its introduction of new compact models.
The Good old folks over at Autobild.de have partnered up with design firm Larson to show us what the future at Mercedes-Benz looks like. Based on rumors and probably even pure speculation, they have created an illustration of the next-gen A-Class. Mercedes-Benz will be taking a somewhat different approach with the new A-Class (W 176) says Autobild. They’ll make it longer and lower the center of gravit – and making it much more sportier. Audi and BMW are being taken head on with the new A-Class; to be more specific, they’re going after the 1-Series as well as the A3. It’s being preped for an October 2012 launch
In Germany, Mercedes-Benz sold 25,600 vehicles in May (May 2008: 23,100) and increased sales by 11%. In addition to the boost from the new E-Class, the A- and B-Class also contributed to the growth in sales. Around 5,300 customers bought an A-Class vehicle in Germany in May (May 2008: 3,400), representing an increase of 54%. Deliveries of B-Class vehicles rose by 27% to 3,900 units (May 2008: 3,000). Sales in the A- and B-Class segment totaled 18,900 units worldwide, remaining largely unchanged from the same month last year (May 2008: 19,000).
The smart fortwo posted a sales increase of 26% in Germany with 3,200 units sold in May (May 2008: 2,600). Since the beginning of the year, customers have bought 50,100 units of the innovative two-seater worldwide (January-May 2008: 55,500, minus 10%). The smart fortwo is now in the third year of its lifecycle. Mercedes-Benz in May was able to gain market shares in key Western European markets, such as Spain, France and the UK.
Mercedes-Benz is showing the way ahead in environmentally responsible electromobility by presenting its near-series Concept BlueZERO at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on a single vehicle architecture, this intelligent, modular concept allows three models with different drive configurations, all of which are able to meet customer requirements in terms of sustainable mobility.
The BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive and a range of up to 200 kilometres using electric drive alone.
The BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) with a range of well over 400 kilometres using electric drive
The BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with electric drive and additional internal combustion engine as power generator (range extender). This version has an overall range of up to 600 kilometres and can cover a distance of up to 100 kilometres using electric drive alone.
Loading ...
(6 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)
Mercedes-Benz has set its goal high – which is to grow their US sales by 30 percent in the next five years, where the automaker’s executives suggested that an expansion in the downmarket would make this thing possible. According to the CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, to attract more customers, they should bring in the B-Class hatchback and present additional C-Class derivatives. Mercedes’ top rival, BMW, are already offering coupe, convertible and station wagon variety of the 3 Series in the US, along with the much lower prices 1 Series range together with their variants of Mini products. In the US, another car company, Audi, is presenting its A4 in sedan and wagon types, together with the similar A5/S5 Coupe and Cabriolet, where it also offers the less priced A3 hatchback.
