12 years after its debut the Mercedes Slk is celebrating 500,000 cars sold: a prestigious achievement favoured by the German market (with two thirds of the total not exiting German borders) and by the refined exclusivity of the folding roof, distinctive element separating it from the competition.

The second edition of the Sportlich, Leicht and Kompakt (sport, lightweight and compact), recently rejuvenated by the specific restyling, has reached the level of 190,000 vehicles while the Kompressor cements its position as the favourite car - already at half the expected sales.

Thanks to enr

Via | Motorauthority

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Talks with Fiat management have not been concluded on the part of Mercedes, and while no specific projects are underway, programs for the next Mercedes Class A and B have not terminated either. Daimler president Dieter Zetsche, in occasion of the Glk debut event, has reinforced ties with the Italian company, given as finished some months ago.

“I have a lot of respect for Sergio Marchionne”, said Zetsche, “We often catch up. We have discussed a possible base for a Fiat and Mitsubishi-Fuso partnership.” Zetsche also discussed the importance of the Chinese market for their own brand (”a place where we need to be present”), and praised Mercedes growth at 30,700 units, up 44% on 2007, in a market capable of exceeding 10 million units for the first time.

With thanks to Fulvio.

Via | Il Sole 24 Ore

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Looking to reduce consumption and emissions without compromising sportiness - actually looking to increase it - is the new strategy for AMG to limit the environmental impact of its vehicles. The strategy will include the use of turbo and hybrid engines, technical solutions that can’t be left aside in reaching a balanced compromise between performance and savings.

The current V8 6.3 is counting its days: it will be replaced by another V8, 5.8 litre, turbo-compressed and able, in the quieter version, to perform at 570 hp (for 904 Nm of torque), or at 700 hp (1,200 Nm) in the version destined to replace the V12 6.0 twin-turbo.

In addition, the German workshop is reported to have collaborated with Mercedes in the design of a family of V8’s, all turbo, destined to flesh out the top end of the range: with 4.0, 4.6 and 5.5 litres, they’ll have power between 355 and 544 hp.

Speculation on the hybrid is not lacking either, with 2012 indicated as the debut year for the engines proposed by Amg. In the meantime, to kill time, the possibility of adopting an X-Trac Flybrid engine at 100hp is being evaluated.

Via | Autoblog.com

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Take the rear of the Viper and add to it a threatening front, and what do you get? An attractive coupé, potentially enchanting, with an immortal inheritance. An oxymoron? Definitely.

A few days from the appearance of the “cousin” Sl Black Series, Mercedes is showing it hasn’t abandoned the Slc project (or for the nostalgic the Gullwing), following some road tests with the unusual bodywork.

Continue reading: One "seagull" does not a summer make: Mercedes Slc

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After the restyling of the Sl, the M-Class and the B-Class, Mercedes is continuing with its philosophy of renewal, lending to the A-Class an air of luxury.

The aesthetic changes as per tradition are marginal and based on continuity: the front headlights have been enlarged and are less almond-shaped, while the bumper is more edgy, taking on a “V” form.

Continue reading: Mercedes A-Class: restyling and new 1.6 diesel

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We’re curious to know how the news was received around the Ingolstadt traps. Auto, motor und sport has announced today that if the news is true (and it comes from a reputable source) Audi’s rivals will be in a league of their own. And this after Audi has only just revealed the new 6.0 V12 TDI, soon to be under the hood of the SUV Q7.

Audi risks portraying an image inconsistent with the “ecology” with which car companies have become obssessed over recent years. Neither the 4.4 V8 BMW nor the 4.0 V8 Mercedes will have heirs, being considered too big and polluting, according to the German companies. The units will be substituted with new six cylinder concepts, characterised by lower capabilities (around three litres) and drastically reduced consumption and CO2 emissions.

“The 4.4 V8 will be substituted by a straight-six cylinder twin-turbo”, Norbert Reithofer, General Manager BMW has revealed, underlining that they haven’t changed their tune for the current range. A similar discussion regards Mercedes, who in addition to exchanging the V8 will also gradually substitute the 3.0 V6 CDI with a 2.1 four cylinder twin-turbo. This engine is expected to debut next year on the C250 CDI in a version that will have both 204 hp and 480 Nm. Following will be versions taking a step further for higher power.

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Refined lines, integrated front lights vaguely conjuring up a boomerang, completed updated mechanics: if the letter wasn’t already legendary, taking its place in the history of the manufacturer, it could even be substituted to mark the coming evolution.

The new Mercedes E-Class, already admired in previous spy shots, will follow the new stylistic course of “all lines”, recently applied to the C and CLC: renderings created by World Car Fans contribute to picture by now quite realistic.

The rear seems to be a more traditional example though with a higher back for exhaust and quite conservative lines. The front, however, benefits from nervy lines along the bonnet and an oversized grill, and renouncing single circular headlights seems to be an evolution in style.

Continue reading: New Mercedes E-Class: preview renderings

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With a brief press release Pagani Automobili S.p.A has announced it will adopt a new engine developed in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG for the next model, possibly the C9 (taken here in a couple of videos).

The agreement has been signed by Volker Mornhinweg (AMG president) and Horacio Pagani, who have renewed the partnership initiated with the ambitious Zonda project.

“The excellent results obtained in recent years from Pagani Zonda and the handmade V12 have reinforced the relationship between the two brands proposing the passion, technology and performance at the top of the founding values.” Given the stratospheric Zonda, it’s spontaneous to ask what else we can expect in the near future from this top-notch alliance…

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146 units in 2007 was only a tenth of the initial sales forecasts: not even the introduction of the Landaulet helped to increase volume.

Dieter Zetsche, Managing Director of Daimler, comments with ill-concealed disappointment at the sparse results produced in the last year by Maybach, and especially as compares to the growth of Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Speaking with The Car Connection, the manager said however, that the glass is half full, given that the costs of developing the 57 and 62 are less than those of the competition. The close relationship with the Mercedes Class S, in fact, allows for wider earnings margins.

Continue reading: Maybach: the end seems near

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Some time ago we wrote about statements from AMG regarding the end of the war on power, with the explanation that future AMG cars with the CDI symbol would be manufactured with the environment in mind. It appears though that the possibility of explosive power is far too alluring to leave unexplored: and so AMG is proceeding in its development of the SL Black Series, perhaps the most powerful AMG ever.

According to reports of our favourite insider Auto Week, the new lethal weapon of the workshop will be powered with V12 6.0 already used on other 65 AMG: such an engine is capable of easily reaching 720 hp, even though the power would have to be regulated at 680 hp. The car has undergone a drastic “weight loss” (about 220 kg) using carbon fibre and more sporty components (brakes, fixed roof and an upgraded cooling system).

In addition, reports stated that the option of adding turbocharging technology combined with direct injection is being evaluated for the V8 6.3. “The increase in power,” as rumor-mongering had it, “would be limited though its presence would create ideal conditions for the adoption of direct injection.”

Via | Motor Authority

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