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2008-05-15

Formula One Stars On Mercedes-Benz Ad : New Mercedes-Benz car

Formula One Stars On Mercedes-Benz Ad
by Anthony Fontanelle
German automaker Mercedes-Benz has strong ties with Formula One and it is banking on the popularity of the sport's drivers for its new TV ad. The said television commercial will feature Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as well as former McLaren driver and world champion Mika Hakkinen.
In the Mercedes-Benz TV ad, Hamilton and Alonso will reveal that they have racing in their blood. The concept of the commercial is to show that the two Formula One drivers consider each other as friendly rivals. In the commercial, the two drivers not only races through the circuit but also rivals each other in other activities and in other places such as at a hotel reception desk, at a gym, and even in a sauna.
The TV ad will run for sixty minutes and it will be aired starting next Saturday which will coincide with the qualifying session for the upcoming European Grand Prix which will be held at the Nürburgring in Nurburg, Germany. The said commercial will be aired on the most popular public and private TV channels in Germany, Spain, where Alonso hails from, and the United Kingdom, where Hamilton resides.
The commercial will demonstrate that auto racing is not only based on the fighting spirit of the drivers but also incorporates playfulness and fun. These are the messages that Mercedes-Benz is hoping to get across to viewers of the commercial.
The choice of Hamilton and Alonso for the commercial is an obvious one since both are sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and would even have been tapped to market Mercedes-Benz products such as Mercedes-Benz car covers although that would seem out of place.
"Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have a passion for auto racing," said Norbert Haug, the head of Mercedes-Benz Motor Sports. "Both of them are ambitious, focused, and competitive. They cultivate a healthy sense of rivalry and appreciate and respect each other very much."
These attributes, according to Haug, is evident in the shooting and the outcome of the commercial. "Of course this is obvious on the race track, and it was evident while we were shooting the new TV commercial, too. In spite of the time pressure and their lack of familiarity with the TV medium, they really enjoyed the shoot."
Former McLaren driver and two-time champion Mika Hakkinen also joined the two current stars of the sport. "Mika Häkkinen, who has won the Formula 1 championship twice, has been in commercials before, and he's as cool and appealing as ever this time around," said Haug of the appearance of the Finn in the commercial.
A sneak preview of the commercial will be aired at the Mercedes-Benz Internet TV at www.mercedes-benz.tv on the 20th of this month. The said commercial will then be aired at the site on its full length after that.
"The idea for this commercial originated in our brand philosophy," said Dr. Olaf Göttgens, the Vice President for Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars. "After all, motor sports are deeply rooted in the history of Mercedes-Benz, and today they're still an essential element of our brand's fascination. Motor sports embody the passion that characterizes Mercedes-Benz." The German automaker has been the engine supplier of the McLaren Formula One team since 1995 and this partnership has led to success in the sport.
The commercial is said to have a twist at the endings since Hamilton and Alonso will be outdoing each other most of the time. That is where Hakkinen comes in. At the end of the commercial, Hakkinen will outdo both Alonso and Hamilton in their contest in a sauna.

Mercedes Benz Introduces C 63 AMG : New Mercedes Benz car

Mercedes Benz Introduces C 63 AMG
by Evander Klum
The German automaker Mercedes Benz introduces the newest C-Class model with design cues and performance features from the company's AMG sports tuner.
The new Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG will roll out in the market with two variants: sedan and estate models. Both variants are equipped with a monstrous AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine capable of pumping out 336 kW / 457 hp and 600 Nm amount of peak torque. This naturally aspirated engine allows the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The car is equipped with a continuous dual-flow AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin oval tailpipes with large cross-sections to reduce back pressure, according to Mercedes Benz. Along with high performance catalytic converter, the C 63 AMG complies with almost all of the emissions standards including EU 4 and LEV-II. According to the NEDC, the new Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG achieves a fuel consumption of only 13.4 l/100 km and emits a mere amount of CO2 of 319 g/km. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine is coupled with AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission to complete the powertrain package.
Like all other Mercedes Benz AMG models, the C 63 AMG comes with a wide array of interior and exterior components. Outside, the C 63 AMG features AMG bonnet with power domes, distinctive AMG radiator grille, flared front wings, AMG rear apron with a black diffusor insert, AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, AMG spoiler lip, EASY PACK tailgate and load-securing kit, headlamp Assist, and bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and headlamp cleaning. The C 63 AMG also comes with various wheel and tire combinations. These include the new 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design wrappe3d with tyres in size 235/40 R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear). A 19-inch AMG titanium grey light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design is also available as an optional feature. These high-gloss finish wheels are covered with 235/35 tyres (front) and 255/30 R 19 tyres at the rear.
On the inside, the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG offers the distinctive AMG sports seats with integrated head restraints, AMG performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design with a 365-mm rim diameter, flattened lower section, tubular-design AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu, aluminium trim panels on dome, doors and centre console, armrest with roller-top compartment, AMG lettering and brushed stainless steel sports pedals, 1/3:2/3 split-fold rear seat backrest (saloon), /3:2/3 split-fold rear seat backrest (estate), AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG velour floor mats, and Nappa leather upholstery, just to name the few. Safety feats include ISOFIX child seat attachment points in the rear, THERMATIC two-zone automatic climate control, knee bag on the driver's side, airbags for the driver and front passenger, and Mercedes Benz's PRE-SAFE system available as an optional feature.
Technical features include improved multi-link independent rear suspension with increased track width, fade-resistant AMG high-performance brake system, and new 3-stage ESP with Sport function.
The company said the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG will roll out in selected markets in Europe early in 2008 carrying a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of 67,235 Euros ($95,782) for the sedan variant, and 69,853 Euros ($99,512 USD) for the estate. Probably this model will also roll out in the US market. Mercedes Benz lovers should watch out for this model instead of upgrading their auto parts (like Saab OEM parts).

Mercedes-Benz to Double Sales of Diesel Cars, SUVs in the US : New Mercedes-Benz car

Mercedes-Benz to Double Sales of Diesel Cars, SUVs in the US
by Anthony Fontanelle
The luxury car unit of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz the producer of high quality Mercedes S350 radiator support has announced recently that it may double the sales of its diesel vehicles in the US after successfully meeting the emission regulations in all states.
The Bluetec diesel motors equipped on Mercedes cars and sport utility vehicles were able to comply with the country’s strictest emission requirements especially in the state of California and because of this the luxury car maker will finally start marketing its vehicles in the US.
According to Ernst Lieb, the unit’s chief executive officer for the US, "When we're able to have diesel in all states we'll be in a position to possibly double the number of diesels we sell." In an interview in New York, Mr. Lieb said that the models to be offered in the US will include cleaner models such as the re-engined versions of the M, GL and the R-Class SUVs.
The coming of Mercedes vehicles in the US is just perfect since according to the study conducted by J.D. Power & Associates, diesel’s share in the US car and light-truck market is likely to quadruple to 11.8 percent by 2015. This is attributed to the fact that automakers are already responding to calls and demands for emission controlled vehicles. Likewise, the fuel that powers half of the new cars distributed in Europe has been blocked from entering US since consumers associate it with heavy trucks and aside from that most of the gas stations in the US don’t offer it.
In California and in four other US states sales of new diesel autos are restricted since diesel vehicles are believed to emit soot and gases that are linked to heart and lung disease. The luxury unit of Daimler AG has started selling a diesel version of its E-320 sedan in all 50 states since its Bluetec engine was able to meet up with the emission standards required in the US.
Mercedes-Benz will also offer its new GLK small SUV on the market in early part of 2009 which Mr. Lieb said will provide that extra boost to sales. The GLK will be made to compete with BMW’s X3.
Daimler for this year is predicting record sales in the US which happens to be its second-largest market. Mr. Lieb further stressed that at present the company has no plans of offering the B-Class compact van in the US. The efforts to sell the model were dropped in 2005 attributed to the plunging of the dollar against the euro thereby reducing the vehicle’s profitability.
For this year the dollar has declined by 4.8 percent as compared to the European currency bringing the record to as low as $1.4967 on November 23.

Driving the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG : New Mercedes Benz car

Driving the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG
by Frank Collins
Just three years ago, Mercedes Benz CLS had amazed the market by its fashion runway of the world's first four-door coupe. And now, Mercedes has officially unveiled the changes to the 2009 CLS four-door coupe. Without a doubt, the CLS coupe had created an automotive industry trend toward more attention-grabbing, eye-catching four-door cars - vehicles that blur the line between sedan and coupe.
Lately, there has been so much talk in the internet chatrooms about whether the new AMG 6.2-liter naturally aspired V-8 engine is an innovation over the supercharged 5.4-liter that was an AMG staple - particularly, if the new model is slower or quicker off the mark. At least for now, the new CLS63 AMG, we can say that the answer is both yes and no. The 6.2-liter V-8 releases 507 horsepower in the CLS which is easily surpasses the 469 hp in the old CLS55 AMG. On the other hand, torque has decreased from 516 pound-feet to 465 lb-ft. Actually, more torque means faster mid-range and off-the-line acceleration, while more power results in better top-end performance.
Similar to what's mentioned above, the Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG is powered by V-8, which is the most powerful naturally aspirated production as well as the first engine developed completely by AMG. This powerful feature is built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy which makes AMG racing success spur high-power production.
One of the cosmetic changes is the sleek new nose of the CLS complemented by a more dramatic two-bar grill. Originally, the CLS had a four-bar grill and to add a little flavor, they have crafted it with a two-bar grill. What else is fairly noticeable is the new CLS features a built-in arrow-shaped turn signal on its large outside mirror. In addition, the new dual five-spoke 18-inch wheels make the car appear even more striking. A new rear bumper with trapezoidal dual exhaust pipes and arrow-shaped LED tailings gives the car a unique and fresh new look.
Amazingly, the CLS63 romps to 60 mph from its initial point in a blistering 4.1 seconds which is a tenth quicker than the CLS55. And to make sure that it will stop as fast as it goes, it comes equipped with new, giant vented and perforated disc brakes with all around feature such as 14-inch discs and six piston calipers up front and 13-inch discs with four piston calipers at the rear attached. The AMG suspension is a recalibrated version of Mercedes' Airmatic air-spring setup, which works in conjunction with the so-called Adaptive Damping System. It has driver selectable settings just like the system in the E-class, none of which are perfect.
So what are the other benefits of the new engine of the CLS63? Besides the fact that it teases the 7200-rpm redline, it really does go past 180 mph. Also, not to say that the old five-speeder was not good, its seven-speed automatic transmission is as smooth as a glass of fine aged wine from the cellar. The seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission can be shifted manually by either a conventional lever or by the Formula-1 style shift paddles on the back of the steering wheel - right for upshifts, left for down.
Other features included 19-inch alloy wheels, larger front discs, limited slip differential as well a leather and Alcantara-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel. From what you hear, you may want to see a Mercedes video if the dealer isn't close by. Take a peek at Insidefastlane.com for more information on this and other cars.

2008-04-24

F1 Technology Makes Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Safer

F1 Technology Makes Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Safer
by Anthony Fontanelle
At the Canadian Grand Prix, the life-saving property of carbon fiber is demonstrated when BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica sustained only a minor concussion and a sprained ankle after a 250 kilometer per hour, 75-G crash. Less than 24 hours after the accident, the Polish Formula One driver was released from the hospital.
The use of carbon fiber on Formula One cars is mandated to make sure that the cars can adequately protect the drivers in the unfortunate event of a high speed crash. Mercedes-Benz of course has its tie with McLaren in Formula One and it comes as no surprise that the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren should be made safer by suing F1 technology.
The sports car co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Automotive is designed as a supercar thus it can reach very high speeds. This of course presents the issue of protecting the occupants of the car in the case of a crash. To make the SLR McLaren Roadster safe, the developer uses carbon fiber extensively in the manufacturing of the SLR McLaren.
In the unfortunate event of a head-on collision, the carbon fiber materials protect the passenger and the driver inside the car. Even on side or rear collision, the high strength material can adequately protect the occupants of the vehicle even on high speed traffic accidents.
"Naturally, it is not possible to completely transfer Formula One technology into a vehicle intended for everyday use, in which comfort criteria also need to be taken into account," said Dr. Rodolfo Schöneburg, head of Passenger Car Safety Development for Mercedes-Benz.
"For example, you cannot expect the driver of a series-production sports car to either wear a helmet or use the HANS Head And Neck Support system that is prescribed for racing cars to protect those parts of the driver's body. However, we do capitalize on the positive properties of the high-tech materials used in Formula One to offer those traveling in the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster a standard of safety that is unmatched, even in the realm of super-sports cars."
The presence of carbon fiber in the SLR is unique due to the fact that few supercar manufacturers use carbon fiber extensively on their production vehicles. One of the reasons for this is the complicated manufacturing process involved.
But with McLaren and Formula One partner Mercedes-Benz having years of experience in developing their race car made out of carbon fiber has given Mercedes-Benz the advantage of expertise in the production of the needed carbon fiber.
The front end of the SLR McLaren is fitted with carbon fiber materials. The material's capacity to absorb huge amount of energy makes it possible for a passenger of an SLR McLaren to Escape with only minor injuries after a high speed crash.
With the use of carbon fiber on the SLR McLaren, the car became not only a superfast and a very good looking machine but a safe one as well. The carbon fiber materials used in the SLR complements all the other parts used in the assembly of the car even down to the Mercedes-Benz wiper blade.
Aside from being safe, it is of course expected that the SLR has the driving dynamics that Mercedes-Benz and McLaren cars are known for. While the SLR McLaren Roadster cannot catch up with the MP4-22 currently used by McLaren this season, the SLR can stand its ground in terms of performance and safety.

Mercedes Benz Air Mass Meter for Better Fuel Economy

Mercedes Benz Air Mass Meter for Better Fuel Economy
by John L
When somebody says Mercedes Benz, they would think about luxurious cars. The German-based company has been proven time and time again that they specialize in high quality cars. Whether under the hood or its exterior qualities. It is the quality of the make that is produced, so are the parts and systems. Just like the car's air mass meter.
Mercedes Benz air mass meter is a device used in measuring the mass of air that the engine takes. The information is then transmitted to the engine computer to make necessary adjustments and corrections in maintaining good working conditions. The density of the air that it measures is a way of knowing the levels of temperature and pressure of the engine. It also determines the fuel combustion efficiency of the engine. Efficient fuel combustion is also known when measuring air mass. To archive an effective engine operation, there should be more air intake and less fuel exhausts are emitted. The bulk of air that enters through the engine is measured also to determine whether certain components of the engine system are defective.
Mercedes Benz air mass meter also determines whether the air-fuel concentration mixture is within desirable levels or not to enable engine control unit (ECU) to make necessary adjustments. It enables the ECU to immediately respond to critical levels of air intake and air-fuel concentrations. The air mass determines the efficiency of fuel combustion. Necessary corrections or adjustments are important to lessen emission for less fuel waste. If the engine emits less emission and the meters measures high levels of air mass, that means the engine is in good working condition. The air mass meter is located in the engine compartment usually adjacent to the air filter assembly.
In case the Mercedes Benz air mass meter needs to be checked, one must be careful not to touch or get any contaminates on the electrodes on the inside of the air mass meter, as this will cause the air mass meter to fail. If one experiences a hesitation on acceleration or a poor idle, a faulty air mass meter might be the culprit. The best way to determine if there is a need for a new air flow meter is to check the computer diagnostic codes.
Mercedes Benz Air Mass Meter is just one of Mercedes' tried and tested car part that has improve vehicle performance. Mercedes actually contributed a lot of innovations in the automotive industry. They have pioneered and was first to use supercharging, double-pivot steering system, starter motor and fuel injection. It has become part of Mercedes Benz to be the pioneer in different aspects. In fact, the very foundation of the company lies on the invention of the automobile. Mercedes-Benz originated in the 1880s by two men, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. They both invented first true internal combustion powered vehicle. However they were not working together at first despite both being from Southwest Germany. The two probably never even imagined that they would end up working together, this is due to the fact that both men were actually rivals in the corporate world. Daimler had his company Daimler Motorengesellschaft and Benz had his Benz and Cie. After World War I, however, Germany had a troubled economy in 1920's, forcing the two companies to work together. In 1926, the two companies merged and became Daimler-Benz AG. Mercedes was originally a model name of one of Daimler's automobile but due to licensing reason, Daimler was replaced by Mercedes, thus Mercedes-Benz was born. Since then, the company have not stopped in making high quality cars.

Using Mercedes Benz Fuel Filter to Make the Most Out of the Fuel

Using Mercedes Benz Fuel Filter to Make the Most Out of the Fuel
by H Lo
Each car part has its own specific function and belongs to a system that helps the car to run efficiently. Each part is vital to the car, if one does not function well, sooner or later it would cause greater damage to the whole car. For a Mercedes, regularly checking its performance should be part of the owner's agenda. Even if they are already built with top quality.
The Mercedes Benz fuel filter for example, is actually a simple component of a car, yet it plays a vital role. It generally screens out dirt and rust particles from the fuel. Because unfiltered fuel may contain several kinds of contamination, for example paint chips and dirt that has been knocked into the tank while filling or rust caused by moisture in a steel tank, may cause rapid wear and failure of the fuel pump and injectors. And due to the abrasive action of the particles on the high-precision components used in modern injection systems, serious problems may arise. Mercedes fuel filters also improve performance. Since it keeps contaminants in the fuel less, the more efficiently it can be burnt
Mercedes Benz fuel filters trap harmful contaminants that may cause problems with carburetors and intricate fuel injectors. Fuel filters for carbureted engines only clean the fuel before it enters the float bowl. While Injection filters, clean the fuel whenever the fuel pump runs. Fuel then moves continuously up the supply side through the filter to the fuel rail or throttle body. The fuel that doesn't make it into the engine returns to the tank and the whole process starts over again. With a full tank of gas, the filter may clean the volume of fuel in the tank many times before it's all used.
For most fuel-injected cars, their fuel filters consist of a high-pressure canister filled with filtering media. Filters may have clamped, threaded or special fittings to ensure reliable connection to the fuel system. Filters for carbureted engines may be located at the inlet of the carburetor or inline. These types of filters do not need to withstand the same pressures as those for fuel-injected engines. Fuel filters of diesel engines, on the other hand, consist of a bowl-like design which will collect water in the bottom. The water can be drained off when required. It is not recommended for water to be drawn into a diesel engine fuel system, because the system relies on the diesel for lubrication of the moving parts. In case water gets into a moving part which requires constant lubrication, it will quickly cause overheating and unnecessary wear. And water in the fuel system may cause some engine damage.
And since they deal with contaminants, Mercedes Benz Fuel Filter needs to be regularly maintained. One can simply disconnect the filter from the fuel line and replace it with a new one. There are also some specially designed filters that can be cleaned and reused many times offered in the market. Although Mercedes Benz fuel filters are of superior make, if they are not replaced regularly they may become clogged with contaminants and may block fuel flow. That will affect the engine's performance, because the engine will tend to have trouble getting enough fuel to continue running normally.