* Comfortable: AIRCAP® automatic draft-stop plus AIRSCARF®
* Quiet: sound-dampening soft top as standard
* Safe: robust roll-over protection and new headbags

The all new E-Class Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which goes on sale in May 2010, features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling. Viewed from the side, the new model is an intriguing proposition – with its clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette.

In keeping with the motto “four seasons, four personalities”, all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the developers’ list of priorities. With the new E?Class Cabriolet, the cabriolet season lasts the whole year because, while many cabriolets tend to disappear from the roads in the Fall, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/width/height: 185.0/70.3/55.2in.) provides driving pleasure and comfort whether the roof is open or closed.

New features include:

* The AIRCAP® automatic draft-stop: always on board and easily controllable at the push of a button, it reduces turbulence substantially for all four seat occupants
* The modified AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system
* The sound-dampening soft top fitted as standard

The soft top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds – even when driving at speeds of up to 25mph. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the trunk area; it must be closed in order to close the soft top. If the roof is to remain closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, in which case the trunk capacity is increased by 3.17 cu. ft. to 13.8 cu. ft. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the new Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY – a manually operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.

The power plants for the new E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the engines combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption has been achieved because of a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tires with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle’s electrical power requirements, plus the crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics. The Cabriolet’s cd figure of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a continuation of the E-Class success story in the field of aerodynamics.

An overview of the engines:

* E350 Cabriolet: 268 hp / 258 lb-ft.
* E550 Cabriolet: 382 hp/ 391 lb-ft.

Less turbulence, easier to use: AIRCAP® is a world-first

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the SL model series, followed in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to further enhance comfort in open-top models. Now comes another world-first: the AIRCAP® automatic draft-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces turbulence in the interior of the new Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, creating a sea of warm air. It is also much easier to implement and use than conventional draft-stops: there is no tricky installation, the two individual rear seats remain free and the Cabriolet’s flowing side lines remain uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is therefore a classic Mercedes innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe.

AIRCAP® consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around 2.4 inches with a net in the windscreen frame and a draft-stop
between the rear seats.

The functions of the two components:

* Elevation of the free flow above the interior
* Net at the front increases the basic pressure in the interior
* Draft-stop at the rear reduces the backflow

As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draft when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be activated at speeds of up to 100 mph and remains in use right up to the car’s top speed) reduces the interior noise level – so passengers in all seats find it far easier to communicate.

When the standard AIRCAP® is combined with the optional AIRSCARF®, the system functions like an invisible scarf warming the occupants’ head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the front seats and provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.

Mercedes engineers have modified this unique innovation specifically for the E-Class Cabriolet: in this model, an adjustment wheel pivots the outlet nozzle upwards and downwards by a total of 36 degrees over and above the head restraint height adjustment, meaning that the driver and front passenger can enjoy the unique neck-level heating regardless of how short or tall they are.

Quiet, warm and windproof: sound-dampening soft top fitted as standard.

Thanks to its sound-dampening soft top, fitted as standard, even the closed E-Class Cabriolet has one of the quietest interiors in the segment for four-seater premium cabriolets with a fabric roof. The soft top’s exceptionally high-quality insulation brings about a clearly noticeable reduction in the interior noise level compared to conventional fabric soft tops. Exterior noise caused by other vehicles and wind noise are therefore absorbed more effectively.

On the road, the difference is audible from speeds of just 50 mph, for example when driving through a tunnel or overtaking a convoy of trucks. At higher speeds, the benefits of the acoustic soft top are even more tangible. For instance, it is possible to have a perfectly normal phone conversation in hands-free mode even when travelling at a speed more than 125 mph.

The soft top is of course waterproof and windproof. Plus it can be put through an automatic carwash without any hesitation. With a total thickness of .9 inches, the fabric soft top offers excellent thermal insulation, meaning that the E-Class Cabriolet is also ideal for use in winter.

Safety: robust structure, anticipatory protection and windowbags

The new Cabriolet offers the wealth of safety innovations one would expect from a Mercedes-Benz model. Highlights of the open-top two-door model include roll-over protection, the A-pillars reinforced by two additional tubes and the plug-in B-pillars. This new model is also the first Mercedes cabriolet to feature headbags.

The roll-over protection consists of two robust bars, each with a diameter of 1.4 inches, which are housed in the rear head restraints in modules behind the rear seat backrests. A tilting cone sensor detects imminent danger to the occupants based on extreme skidding movements or acceleration caused by impact. If this sensor then sends a corresponding signal, pre-tensioned pressure springs are activated by pyrotechnic means, i.e. extremely quickly.

Consequently, both roll-over bars in the rear head restraints are extended. They reach their highest point and are locked automatically within a fraction of a second. In combination with the robust A-pillars, each of which is reinforced with two high-strength steel tubes, the steel bars provide highly effective roll-over
protection.

The plug-in B-pillars are extremely robustly connected as they engage in the side skirts, thus offering highly effective protection in the event of a crash. A shoe made from ultra-high-strength steel braces the inside of the B-pillar against the rear seat crossmember.

Source for pics & press release: WCF

In an interview with AutoCar, Mercedes’ chief designer, Gordon Wagener, said “We want to elevate our design towards art and if any company can do it Mercedes can.” He added that the concept will be a “long and exaggerated” showpiece which is not intended to foreshadow any production model. Despite this, rumors seem to suggest the concept will hint at the next-generation CLS.

Look for more information on these and other Mercedes concepts coming in January.

This special 2013 edition “Black” SLS will include many upgrades, the standard M159 engine, a 6.2 liter V8 power plant with 563 bhp and 648 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque, will be dialed up to around 600 bhp and 677 Nm (500 lb-ft) of cranking kraft. The Black Series’ 0 to 100km/h sprint is expected to fall below 3.5 seconds, from the standard SLS’s 3.8. Top speed will rise to from 314 km/h (195 mph) to 335 km/h (208 mph).

AMG will achieve that power upgrade by increasing the compression ratio of the engine, creating a new profile for the camshafts and using a larger air intake manifold. But how much power can AMG continue to squeeze out of that 6.2 liter V8? Plenty.

via WorldCarFans

Mark Gillies of Car and Driver calls it a “bit of a disaster” – and we will admit as fans of automobiles old and new the new “nostalgia” trend in design is kinda lacking, ie: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and now (maybe) the 300SLR. This particular 300SLR is based off McLaren’s SLR, which is a 510 lb hand-built supercharged, all-aluminum V8 engine. Mercedes 300SLR reportedly hits 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. What do you think?

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photos via edmunds inside line

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL reinvented the make on a world stage by winning the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1952 Carrera Panamericana, and the 300 SL’s unique gullwing-style doors gave the production car that followed a look that has been identified with Mercedes-Benz ever since. Mercedes has taken home more then its share of motor sport trophies wince then, but few have the legendary appeal f the SL. Match it up with AMG power and you’ve got a vehicle fans will be drooling over later this month in Germany.

Edmunds states it best: “The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG might look like the SL Gullwing of the 1950s, but it’s clearly meant to challenge the best of today’s exotic sports cars, like the Audi R8, the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 Turbo.”

With fuel prices still hovering in the $2.50 range having a compact Mercedes, reasonably prices, might be the perfect way to induct an entire new set of cost-conscious fans to the make. With models like Mini and Toyota’s Yaris (both regular and hybrid) still making a dent in US car sales, now would be the perfect time to introduce a “luxury” brand of tiny transports. Keep your eyes peeled for more A-Class updates.

Source: nextautos.com

Here is the the rebirth of an Icon, the 2009 300 SL Panamericana, based on a Reproduction from Hoope’r, Gullwing-AG in Germany, who produce the closest model you can get to the real thing. Arturo Alonso and his company, Gullwing-America , modified this already outstanding automobile into an exotic for the 21st century.

A combination of the Glorious Carrera Panamericana cars of the 50′s and new technology, they came out with this incredible sports car, Alonso himself raced the Carrera for years in a Mercedes 300SE, where the passion for this legendary Race and the Mercedes was born.

The 300SL body is constructed with the use of aircraft composite technology. This construction comprises of a sprayed layer of aluminum to a thickness of .5mm into the mold over which an epoxy adhesive is laid and several layers of 7oz woven glass cloth are then applied with epoxy resin.

Chassis is made from RHS steel reinforced and powder coated, has independent suspension with adjustable coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, a 5.5 liter Mercedes engine, (M-133-55) the one used on the AMG Mercedes models and the SLR, mated to a six speed transmission, special made radiator and exhaust system.

The Panamericana will have a re tuned electronics raising the HP about 370, 530nm of torque @5400RPM. The car will sit lower, have speedtronic transmission, side mufflers, no bumpers, a special grill, four spoke leather steering wheel with power assist, a start button, A/C , a four point harness, Becker Mexico Radio with CD and I pod adapter, and fitted leather luggage. It also includes specially made old school 17 X 8 AMG wheels all around with 235/45/17 Continental Sport contact tires, AMG calipers painted in red, HID headlights, and stripes on the fenders like the “Works” Cars from La Barrera.

For 2010 there will also be the option for the new V6 Mercedes engine (M-272-E35) used on the 350 Models, which has almost the same power of the V8 ( 320HP And 360nm torque @4900RPM)) and could be ordered with a manual six speed.

The cars will all be painted in silver with blue accents in the front fenders like the race cars of the Panamericana, there is the option of a white with red stripes and a Black version. The interiors will be red cover in leather and plaid cloth, typical from that model; The instrument panel is identical as the original 300Sl.

Gullwing-America thinks that this is a true rebirth of the legendary 300SL Gullwing. Updated with technology from 50 years later, the car will be more powerful and handle better than the original. It will be a very drivable car with all the convenient accessories like air conditioning, power steering, etc. from modern cars.

Larger side mirrors reveal built-in arrow-shaped turn signals. At the rear, the SL looks sportier than ever, with a new air diffuser in the bumper that adds a motorsports touch, as well as trapezoidal exhaust tips that emphasize its width and suggest all the power that’s on tap.

Center-stage in the cockpit are a new-design three-spoke steering wheel and a restyled instrument cluster with eye-catching red tachometer and speedometer needles that swing to the max position and back to zero whenever the ignition is turned on.

AIRSCARF Around the Head and Neck

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is now available with AIRSCARF, an innovative feature that can extend the open-air driving season into the cooler months. Another technological first from Mercedes, AIRSCARF is an extra heating system built into the driver and passenger seats. At the touch of a button, warm air flows from vents in the head restraints, acting as an invisible scarf around the head and neck.

Testing revealed that warming just a relatively small area around the neck dramatically improves comfort in cooler weather. The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system blows warm air from the head restraints of the driver and passenger seats, allowing occupants to cruise comfortably with the retractable hardtop open in colder weather. AIRSCARF uses a heating element made primarily of barium titanate, which heats up in a matter of seconds when an electrical current is applied.

Its electrical resistance jumps once it’s heated, reducing power use – engineers call this balance “Positive Temperature Coefficient” or PTC for short. The PTC heater is only a few inches in size, allowing it to hide inside the SL seatback. Aluminum fins on the heater help transfer the heat to the air, and a small fan pushes the heated air through the vents in the head restraint.

Optional on the SL550 and standard on the SL600 and SL65 AMG models, the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system even compensates automatically for changes in air temperature and vehicle speed. AIRSCARF comes with a three-speed switch and an electronic control module that monitors data from the speedometer as well as from inside and outside temperature sensors. AIRSCARF automatically adjusts the fan speed based on this information, and at the same time, the switch can override the automatic settings.

New Audio Technology

With its 6.5-inch color display screen, the standard COMAND system with GPS navigation has been refined with a new multimedia interface and a four gigabyte hard drive as well as an integrated six-disc CD-DVD player and a Music Register for around 1,000 MP3 tracks. The interface makes it easy to connect an iPod, USB stick, memory card and other devices. Music tracks can be indicated on the COMAND display located on the center console as well as a smaller display in the center of the instrument cluster, and they can be selected easily using the buttons on the multi-function steering wheel.

Bluetooth-enabled cell phones will work hands-free – even with the phone in a pocket or purse, the audio is automatically muted when a call is made or received, and callers are heard over the audio system speakers. In addition, phone address book info can be displayed by the COMAND system.

From Coupe to Roadster in 16 Seconds

At the push of a button, the SL’s retractable hardtop can be fully opened or closed in just 16 seconds, transforming the car from a quiet, weather-tight coupe to a top-down, open-air convertible. A hydraulic pump and 11 computer-controlled hydraulic cylinders power the system, and roof operation is controlled by a switch on the center console. A clever folding design allows for a surprisingly large cargo area of 7.2 cubic feet when the top is down. With the top up, the trunk holds 10.2 cubic feet.

The World’s Safest Convertible

Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s safest convertibles, the SL provides sports car performance with all the built-in safety that’s expected from Mercedes-Benz. Since an open car can leave its occupants vulnerable in a rollover, Mercedes engineers met the challenge in the SL with the world’s first automatic roll bar. Normally part of the interior’s rear-compartment surround structure, the padded, leather-covered bar pops up, locking in place in a third of a second if sensors detect an impending rollover. The driver can also raise and lower the bar by a switch on the console.

Major Stopping Power for All SL Models

Excellent stopping power for the SL is provided by large, four-wheel disc brakes enhanced with four-channel ABS anti-lock control. The SL550 is equipped with vented 13.8-inch front and solid 12.6-inch rear discs. Matched to its power and speed capability, The SL600 comes with even larger 14.2-inch vented rotors up front and 13.0-inch vented rotors at the rear, while the SL65 AMG boasts vented discs that are another 1.2 inches in diameter.

ABC Active Suspension Gives Cat-Like Agility

The SL chassis uses a fully independent, double-control-arm front suspension and the patented Mercedes-Benz five-link rear suspension. All SL models come with second-generation Active Body Control (ABC), the Mercedes-Benz active-suspension technology that virtually eliminates body roll in cornering, squat under acceleration and dive during braking.

Mercedes-Benz engineers use ABC’s interplay of hydraulic, electronic and mechanical parts to reduce body roll by 68 percent (compared to the same vehicle with a conventional suspension), providing the driver with needed feedback through the vehicle chassis. A ‘Sport’ switch on the center console can make it 95 percent reduced roll, along with tighter shock damping. Active suspension solves the usual tradeoff between ride comfort and handling precision, so SL roadsters offer excellent comfort and league-leading handling.

Seven-Speed Automatic for the SL550

While the V12-powered models use a modified five-speed automatic transmission, the SL550 features a seven-speed automatic. This transmission improves acceleration and enhances fuel efficiency, while gear changes are barely noticeable, especially in the higher gears. The seven-speed shortens 0-to-60 mph time and allows significantly quicker acceleration for highway passing. Using seven gears allows individual gears to be spaced closer together while providing a larger overall spread between the lowest and highest gear.

[Source : racingOne.com]

The SLK Class is the lineup of luxury roadsters produced by Mercedes-Benz and are a novelty to the auto-industry. In 2008, the SLK Class is celebrating 10 years of production. Originally built in Germany, the name stands for the Sportlich, Leicht and Kurz that are the German words for sporty, light and short. These adjectives are dead on when in reference to this lively road machines. The available 2008 models include the SLK280 Roadster, SLK350 Roadster and SLK55 AMG.

The interiors of these classy sports cars are covered in leather upholstery, silver trim, velour carpeting and 8-way manual sport seats. This fancy sitting arrangement is consecrated with dual-zone climate control and the “REST” mode, which ventilates the cabin or uses residual heat to warm it up for as long as 30 minutes after powering the vehicle off. Another interesting technology on the 2008 models is the Airscarf neck-level heating system that blows heat from the headrests. The interior isn’t only fitted with luxuries either and holds a host of useful technologies for both the passenger and driver. The instrumentation is a convenient cluster of all vehicle options available, and with a small set of buttons, one can control the retractable power top roof, the ventilation system, the DVD-based Navigation system, audio settings and more.

The safety features are also impressive on these little convenience collections. The Integrated Restraint System includes frontal airbags, frontal knee bags and side-impact head/thorax airbags. Other standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction control, an electronic stability system and other options as well. Of course, Mercedes-Benz installed the 2008 SLK Class with the best engines they could. The SLK280 receives a 3.0-liter twin-cam V6 engine, the SLK350 gets a 3.5-liter V6 and the SLK55 AMG receives a momentous 5.5-liter V8. All models give a seven-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift operation and the first two models have an optional six-speed manual transmission. The 2008 engines pack some punch with the AMG model reaching up to 355 horsepower.

Not only does the SLK class have a lively acceleration rate, but also their superior mechanics and systems allow it to have the best steering and handling yet. It is evident that the 2008 SLK class is sporty, light and short.

Mercedes-Benz provides a sportscar for its loyal fanbase in the form of the SL Class. These roadsters can pack a punch in the power department, alleviate the occupants and endow the driver with enough technology to cover any situation. With awards from AutoCar Magazine such as “Most Technologically Advanced Car of the Year” and “Best Designed Car of the Year,” it’s easy to see why SL Class is so popular.

The two-occupant interior is decked in leather upholstery and attractive wood trims; the prestigious AMG models include carbon-fiber trim. The control panel, situated in between the driver and passenger, is a suitable medley of vehicle features. From the COMAND Cockpit Management and Data System you can control the DVD-based navigation system, the Bose® Cabin Surround™ digital surround-sound system, the SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Hands-Free Communication System activation and more. There are also gauges that monitor vehicle performance, exterior conditions, interior temperature and warnings will alert you when the vehicle is need of maintenance.

Here is something SL Class fans will be very excited about—the 2008 engines are more powerful than ever. The base SL550 is powered by a 32-valve V8 and the SL600 an intercooled biturbo SOHC 36-valve V12. The AMG models hit the gold as well; the SL55 AMG a supercharged SOHC 24-valve V8 and last, but not least, the SL65 AMG with a whooping biturbo SOHC 36-valve V12; the latter can reach 604-horsepower, 738 lb-ft of torque and can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The SL550 uses a seven-speed automatic transmission, while the other models utilize a driver-adaptive electronic five-speed automatic transmission. None of the power falls short in safety either. The two inhabitants of the cockpit are guarded with dual-stage frontal airbags, door-mounted side-impact airbags, front-knee airbags, a popup roll bar and more. Also standard is the antilock brakes and an electronic stability system.

All of this merges into a missile that flawlessly rockets through the roadways. Everything about the 2008 SL Class performance is top notch and you are guaranteed to enjoy any time spent in this luxury sportscar.