Nik J Miles

Posts Tagged ‘Mercedes-Benz’

“Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG: Most powerful production SUV”

Exclusivity with a bi-turbo V8

The true luxury SUV market segment was actually created by Mercedes-Benz, when the German automaker debuted the first generation M-Class in the fall of 1997, breaking new ground. Now, 14 years later, the new 2012  M-Class rolls into dealer showrooms adding new standard features and options loaded with state-of-the-art safety technology. Starring at the top of the model lineup is the ML63 AMG which is scheduled to go on sale in early March.

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Mercedes-Benz is expanding its hybrid offerings to the E Class in 2012.  Scheduled to debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid and the E 400 Hybrid which both promise impressive performance on the highway and at the pumps.

The 4-cylinder diesel engine of the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid produces 204 horsepower, which is combined with a 20 kW electric motor. The result is the most economical luxury-class vehicle in the world.  The powertrain will be offered in both the sedan and Estate wagon. Read the rest of this entry »

“Premium quality in a compact format”

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is number one in sales worldwide in its market segment. That’s newsworthy in its own right, but for the 2012 model year, the iconic German automaker has undertaken a major restyling of its popular four-door C-Class sedan that incorporates more than 2,000 new parts, including new bumpers, headlights, front grille, an aluminum hood, LED taillights along with a redesigned interior.

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The Mercedes-Benz F125! is a  research vehicle for future technical developments in the large, luxury segment and it is almost like a time machine stuck in the “future” setting.

Powered by hydrogen, the F125!  explores emission-free driving, looking ahead to 2025 and beyond rather than the typical seven or eight year window of a traditional concept vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »

Greenough, Mont. – It seems like just last year that I was attending the introduction of the original Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Alabama.  We drove through the beautiful countryside, lunched at the NASA Space Camp and wallowed through the slickest mucky mud I’ve ever seen. 

That was 1997, now 14 years later; I’m in Greenough, Montana for the introduction of the third generation Mercedes Luxury SUV. Read the rest of this entry »

Slip a big V-8 engine in to a compact coupe and you have the makings of an awesome sports coupe.  When the engine is the Mercedes-Benz AMG 6.3-liter V-8 and the car is the C-Class coupe the edge becomes even sharper and the car becomes world class.

At 510 horsepower, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series is the most powerful C-Class of all time and is expected to make a 0 to 60 mph run in under four seconds.  The engine is backed by the high-performance AMG Speedshift MCT-7 transmission driving the rear wheels. The transmission has four modes, the rev-matching function and RACE START deliver maximum driving fun and a high degree of versatility. In the “Sport plus” and “Manual” modes gearshift takes a mere 100 milliseconds. Read the rest of this entry »

Owners of the new Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will be getting the best of both worlds with the new 5.5-liter V-8 engine.  Boasting an increase of 60-hp for the SLK55 from the previous version, up to 415-hp, the engine also is consuming about 30 percent less fuel.

The new AMG Cylinder Management system and direct fuel injection are responsible for the magic that provides the seemly contradictory characteristics. Read the rest of this entry »

 Third Generation M Series In a Class of its own on and off road

 Greenough, MT- Mercedes-Benz introduced its first generation luxury SUV in the Fall of 1997 breaking new ground in the segment. The second generation of the highly successful M-Class appeared on the scene in 2005. Now, with more than one million sold worldwide and14 years later, the new M-Class for 2012 takes to showroom floors loaded with new standard features and options, showcasing state-of-the-art safety technology.

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“This thing is like the love child of a tour bus and a Hummer!” declared my 17 year-old daughter. She considered the massive Sprinter in the driveway for a moment and then added, “But it’s kinda nice.”

In 6 years of reviewing all kinds of new cars, I have to admit I’ve never brought home anything quite like the Sprinter. It’s a diesel-powered, 12-seat van, tall enough to stand up and walk around inside, powered by an economical and fun 6-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Read the rest of this entry »

There are precious few automakers who can put together a luxury car like Mercedes-Benz, and the E-class represents the mid-size luxury line for Mercedes in America.  And among the E-class offerings, there’s nothing as luxurious as an E550 Cabriolet. For pure power and enjoyment, this is your car.

Starting at $64,800, the E550 Cabriolet gives you a refined luxury 4-seat convertible, with fully automatic top operation and every modern convenience you could want.

The 5.5-liter direct-injected V8 engine produces 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque – all neatly available to use with a close-ratio 7-speed automatic transmission with steering-mounted paddle shifters.  Yet even with its breathtaking acceleration and speed, the Benz gives you a respectable 15/22 MPG. Read the rest of this entry »