Developing new models is expensive, so the producers are always looking on new ways how to reduce costs, and joint development and platform sharing is probably the best solution to do so. While economies of scale make sense in the mass market, the customers in the premium segment are more demanding and seek more prestige.

However, with the emergence of “new luxury” brands in the late 80’s, the platform sharing has made its way into the premium class. Already successful in the large American market, Toyota launched Lexus and Nissan created Infiniti brand while Volkswagen owned Audi released V8 model in 1988, clearly showing ambitions to compete with then-dominating BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The clear advantage of these brands is above mentioned platform sharing – using technology already developed for mass market products and selling it for a higher price. This should not be confused with badge engineering (where virtually same products are sold under different names) which was first applied to first models of Infiniti and Lexus and in early models of Audi, when it was relaunched under Volkswagen in 1964.

Today it refers to sharing same the chassis, engines and gearboxes with significantly cheaper models which brings higher profit and lowers research and development costs, but in most cases, offers inferior technology and less prestige.

Although BMW rarely collaborated with other manufacturers, the importance of cooperation was obvious in 1997, when Mercedes-Benz released the A-Class. Always associated with big luxury sedans, Mercedes had no experience in producing small cars so the development of their new car was tricky and the initial results were inadequate for a such distinctive manufacturer. During the infamous moose test, the car had flipped over which caused a large scandal and seriously damaged their reputation as a maker of one of the safest cars on the market. Shortly after, Mercedes recalled all sold models to install ESP and to rework the suspension set up. Despite this, the first generation A-Class became a sales success and was the first small car with stability control as standard.

When BMW decided to develop the successor to the original Mini, the engine was jointly built with Chrysler, which back then was a part of Daimler AG. And while the new MINI was praised for its incredible handling, the engine was criticized for not being powerful enough and for consuming too much fuel. The other attempt was more successful, as the new 1.6L “Prince” engine co-developed with PSA received extremely positive reviews and was awarded with the Engine Of Year award.

The speculations about the collaboration have been confirmed by Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche.
Currently major projects are being discussed, including developing a common front-drive platform to underpin the next MINI and A and B-classes, plus front-drive powertrains.

“It’s clear that we are two independent companies whose success in the market depends on the strength of our brands, so brand integrity is cardinal imperative. This has to be considered at all times but it is not something that would prevent broad co-operation.”
said Zetsche.

So, does it mean that from now on we’re going to drive 3-Class and A Series? Hardly, but it is possible that the engine found in the future small Mercedes-Benz cars will be exactly the same as the one used in the next MINI. What is even more interesting, Mercedes has announced that the next A-Class will be a more conventional hatchback, while the innovative but dynamically inferior MPV style of the current A-Class will be kept under the B-Class name.

To sum up, the collaboration between former fierce rivals will benefit both companies, not only in reducing costs but in increasing brand strength. This last argument may sound contradictory, but BMW and Mercedes-Benz are only independent premium companies, whereas their rivals have a larger company as their owner. Although an average buyer would hardly pay attention to that detail, every aware, experienced and demanding customer will know how to appreciate the difference.

We have already heard  in the past about the California Zero Emission Vehicles regulation which stipulates that large auto makers have to sell between a few hundred and a few thousand Zero Emission Vehicle every year starting in 2012.

The new rules announced today will increase the 2009 model year requirements of 25 mpg to fleet fuel efficiency standard of 35.5 miles  per gallon by model year 2016. This breaks down into the following: fleet fuel efficiency standard for all domestically sold passenger cars will be 39 mpg and 30 mpg for all domestically sold light trucks and SUVs.

So, the natural questions arises: where does BMW stand and how will they be affected? Well, we can clearly see now how BMW has positioned itself over the last few years and in our opinion, their odds are very good. We have first seen more and more vehicles being launched under the EfficientDynamics program, with two diesel efficient engines that launched in the U.S. late last year. We have also learned over a year ago about BMW’s plans to introduce four cylinder turbo engines and even quad-turbo four cylinder sometimes in the future.

Also, just a few weeks ago, another semi-confirmed rumor appeared: three cylinder engines that will power some of the next generation 1 Series entry models. Despite the fact that the most recent BMW models are being powered by large displacement engines, including the most recent V8 twin-turbo in the X5 M and X6 M, the future generation Motorsport models will use six cylinder engines, either in-line or V6.

As far as the MINI brand, we have already seen the first 500 MINI E  electric models being launched part of a pilot in some U.S. states. Future MINI vehicles will also use four cylinder engines, either gasoline or diesel.

At the end of this year, BMW will launch the first hybrid SUV/SAC , the X and we predict to see an X5 hybrid next year as well. The 7 Series will also come in a “hybrid flavor”, making the large premium sedan a far more efficient car.

Again in our opinion, we will see many changes in the next few years, clearly four-cylinder gasoline engines coming to the U.S., some new diesel models(we’re rooting for the 123d) and definitely more hybrid vehicles(5GT is rumored to be one of them).

Before I will let you read the BMW statement issued today, I would like to leave you with this thought: will this announcement made today impact in short term, in a positive way, the sales of the BMW 335d and X5d?

Below you will find the current EfficientDynamics BMW and MINI fleet.

BMW Group supports Obama Administration’s Proposal on Future National Fuel and Green House Gas Regulations

* 19.05.2009
* Press Release

Munich/Washington,DC. The BMW Group is in agreement with the direction outlined today by President Obama and his Administration to have the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) work together toward one national standard for regulating future greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy. “The announcement today by President Obama is a major step in the right direction for automotive manufacturers in the United States such as the BMW Group,” said Friedrich Eichiner, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Consistency of legislation and planning certainty are not only crucial for synchronizing product development and regulatory requirements but also for enabling companies to remain viable, profitable and sustainable.”

With a view to the challenging new targets in the US the BMW Group can build upon its extensive technological expertise and innovative know-how in developing environmentally friendly technologies that have already enabled the company to reduce its carbon output and increase fuel efficiency over the past several years.

In the US, the recent report entitled “Automakers’ Corporate Carbon Burdens” published by the Environmental Defense Fund found that the BMW Group had reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the US more than any other automotive company between 1990 and 2005.

In Europe, the BMW Group also achieved fuel consumption levels that were the best among any premium auto manufacturer between 1995 and 2008, exceeding the voluntary commitment made by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers to reduce average CO2-emissions by 25 per cent from 1995 to 2008. Such achievements have enabled the BMW Group to be ranked as the most sustainable automotive company in the world for the past four consecutive years.

Innovative fuel and emission reduction solutions are part of the Efficient Dynamics program of the BMW Group, which is integrated throughout the company´s fleet. Since the spring of 2007 well over one million vehicles incorporating Efficient Dynamics measures have reached customers around the world. The launch of BMW Advanced Diesel this year will deliver further potential for fuel consumption reduction in the US. Later this year, the company will also introduce innovative hybrid systems.
In addition to these efforts, the BMW Group is testing more than 600 electric MINI E vehicles both on the East and West coast of the US as well as in Germany and possibly soon in the UK to gain valuable insight and experience for a series version of an electric vehicle, which is expected to be launched by 2015. This demonstrates the BMW Group´s drive towards sustainable mobility and will help the US Government in its commitment towards a cleaner environment.

If we believe the new nomenclature from Stuttgart then the answer is YES, the E-Class so it seems to have moved away from this market, especially since historically, any models carrying the E-Class badge, have always been directly competing with the 5 Series.

But a big question arises: Is the new E-Class Coupe the successor of the old C-Class based CLK, of course at a much higher price, or is it simply a model derived from the E-Class line dominating a new market?

Well, let’s see where Mercedes stands on this and take a look at some numbers below.

If we compare the wheelbase of the E-class Coupe with the C-Class sedan and the C-Class T-model with whom the E coupe allegedly has nothing in common, we start to wonder. Is it coincidence that the wheelbase in all three cases is exactly 2,760 mm? Possibly. The E-Class models however have a significantly longer wheelbase, 2,874 mm to be exact.

To go even further with the measurements, if we compare the entire exterior length, we find that the C-Class Sedan is about 12 centimeters shorter than the E-Class Coupe, but the coupe remains nearly 17 centimeters behind the E-Class Sedan. It is very common that the Coupe model is longer than the sedan it is derived from, we see the same thing in the BMW 3 Series as well.

Looking at the width of these cars, we notice that the C-Class Sedan is only ONE centimeter shy of the E-Class Coupe, but the E-Class Coupe is still a whole lot smaller than the E-Class Sedan – seven centimeters is very significant when it comes to the car’s width!

Comparing the Mercedes E-Class Coupe to its counterpart in the Audi line-up, the A5 and the BMW 3 Series Coupe, we determine that the E-Class Coupe is longer than both, but not by much. It is sitting somewhere between the 3er Coupe and the 6 Series Coupe.

Mercedes claims that there are 60% common parts between E-Class Sedan and the Coupe version, but they don’t tell us how many of these parts can be found in the C-Class as well e.g engine, gearbox.

We believe it would be very interesting to get the percentage of common parts shared between the C-Class Sedan and E-Class Coupe, which could demonstrate even further our theory. We’re no Mercedes-Benz experts, but we strongly believe that there are plenty common parts between the two different models, putting the E-Class Coupe even more in the “minor C-Class league”.

Now let’s focus a little bit on pricing, I’m sure your heads are already spinning from all these measurements. In Europe, the Audi A5 and BMW 3 Series Coupe start at around 34,000 Euros, while the new E-Class Coupe is a whole 10,000 euros higher. A pretty significant difference we would say, don’t you agree?

But the general auto media is not interested in such details, instead, the current issue of the “Auto Straßenverkehr” compares the three cars with each other, simply telling us that the despite the higher price tag, the E-Class Coupe goes after the Audi A5 and especially after the very popular 3 Series Coupe.

But instead of telling their readers that the Merc is a bit too expensive for that segment, they do the exactly the opposite: they are complaining about the price difference between A4 / A5 and 3er sedan / Coupe. And to go even further, next they are praising Mercedes for the very small difference between E-Class Sedan and Coupe.

As long as you intentionally forget to tell your readers about the huge price difference between C-Class Sedan and E-Class Coupe, then it’s safe for everyone to assume that the new “E-Class” Coupe is probably closer to the C than to the E.

Of course, in the end everybody is free to compare any cars however they want to, but in this case, it seems to come to a personal opinion of what market the E-Class Coupe really belongs to.

But in this case one could really think that the only purpose of naming the new “CLK” as the “E-Class Coupe” instead, is the opportunity to sell it at a higher price tag. Since in the end, this is the an E-Class now.

At least by it’s name…

The new E-Class will be available a year before the new 2010-2011 5 Series and it is expecting to impress again by the amount of luxury and attention to details.

Engines

Mercedes-Benz E-Class will ofer a variety of engines, from the 4 and 6 cylinder ones to a powerful V8. The base petrol models is the E200 CGI which outputs 184hp and 270Nm, followed closely by the E250 CGI – 204hp and 310Nm. The petrol line-up is completed with the V6 E350 CGI – 292hp and 365 Nm – and the 5.5 liter V8 E500 producing 388hp and 530Nm. 

Of course, the diesels play an important role in their future strategy, so the BlueEfficiency models are part of the new line-up. The E200 CDI produces 136hp with an upgraded version, E220, outputting 170hp. At the top end, we find the 204hp E250 CDI and 231hp E350 CDI, the 4Matic with 224hp and BlueTEC with 211hp.

How do they compare against the current BMW 5 Series? Well, for starters, we have the 523i – 177hp, then the 525i with 218hp, followed by 528i with 230hp, 530i 272hp, 535i twin-turbo 300hp. At the top, we have t he V8 540i producing 302hp and 550i with 362hp.

A bit of advantage for the high end MB model.

As far as the BMW diesels, we have the 530d upgraded last year to 231 hp, 535d with 286 hp. Advantage BMW this time.

Exterior Design

I have two word for the design: interesting and adventurous. The two-piece headlights are replacing the round shaped ones from the current generation, but some might find the fog lights a bit odd. As far as the exterior design, the sharper lines and surfacing reflects a more C-Class-like, but I will have to reserve judgment until I will see the car in Detroit this week.

The read-end imports some elements from the S-Class, again with sharper edges.

Two E-Class look can be customized through different styling packages, like the Elegance, AMG or Avantgarde, each unique in their own way. The Avantgarde models have different shaped LED fog lights and the car has a more sportier, agile look.

Interior Design

This is the department where Mercedes-Benz excels. High quality materials, luxury leather upholstery and most important, attention to details. Definitely an interior that even myself, a huge bimmer fan, I am jealous of. 

The Elegance package is all about …elegance, so wooden materials are predominant. For the younger crowd looking for sportiness, Avantgarde uses aluminium materials.

From the photos below, I could also see the Night Vision camera as being an option in the new 2010 E Class, so I can only assume that the technology inside the E-Class is top notch.

Would the current 5 Series stand a chance…or the “fight” starts when the new 2010 BMW 5 Series will come out?

You knew this was a question that would come up and as much as I would like to answer at this point, I just don’t have the proper amount of information to make a concise comparison, but…..based on the photos below and the current design of the 5 Series, I do see the E-Class taking the lead for a short while. It’s a newer model which offers a multitude of engine options, a beautiful customizable interior and an exterior which could draw a younger crowd if equipped with the right package. 

Would I buy it? No comment yet.

Just a couple of months ago, we reported that BMW is cutting the V8 engine production to focus on smaller, cleaner and more efficient engines. We also mentioned that the larger V10 and V12 engines might have a similar faith, and we also anticipated other car manufacturers to do the same.

Three months later and during one of the biggest economic crisis, the Stuttgart based competitor, Mercedes-Benz is looking to phase out their V12 engine.  Autobild is reporting that the M295 engine(V12) will be replaced by a new twin-turbo V8 engine. The M295 was the replacement of one Mercedes most powerful and acclaimed engines: M275, an engine that powered models like the S600, S65 AMG or the SL65 AMG. 

As we have seen in the past few years with BMW and other carmakers, the turbocharged engines is the direction everyone is going towards to, with a focus on twin-turbo versions. Mercedes will launch a new V8 turbo with four different power levels, which will most likely go across several of their models.

Thomas Weber, MB Development Chief speaks of the trend towards smaller engines, the reverse of the era where large engines were king.

He also mentioned that several engines from the A and B-Class models will move into the C-Class range, similar to BMW’s plans to bring four-cylinder engines in their 3 Series. 

We are definitely traversing difficult times and I am glad to see the carmakers becoming more responsible and acting accordingly. Their R&D departments must be a busy place these days.

Following the current trend of smaller, lighter and implicitly more efficient cars, Mercedes is looking to use the new diesel AMG in smaller chassis, such as the C-class.

The E-Class could be another candidate for the super-diesel AMG, but of course, all it’s too early in the game to confirm that.

Now to move over into the BMW world, what are the odds that BMW will embrace the idea of an M car powered by a super-diesel engine? We are already seeing the large push for fuel efficiency with BMW’s own EfficientDynamics technology and especially with the recent launch of diesel engines in the U.S, it seems like BMW is looking to push the massive-torque diesels more and more.

So, let me ask again, what are the odds of seeing a BMW M3 powered by a superduper diesel engine? Would that make any sense? Would it “hurt” BMW’s image?

[Source: Autocar ]

Mercedes-Benz recently released its all new SL  65 AMG Black Series. The AMG Black Series is a small amount of special car that Mercedes brands out to be the best of the best in their respective class. A couple of years ago they gave us the very impressive CLK 63 AMG Black Series and its younger sister, the SLK 55 AMG Black Series. While the CLK AMG BS was impressive it wasn’t a supercar for MB, and the SLK 55 Black Series wasn’t much more than a special edition AMG.

Now Mercedes-Benz has parted ways with McLaren, at least in terms of making cars again together. The SLR was such a failure that MB knew they had to come up with a car that could beat the SLR’s performance, have less GT styling inside and out and appeal to that boy racer in all of us…

Que the SL 65 AMG. The SL 65 AMG is the top Mercedes model. Sure you could say the CL 65 is, but that’s just a grand-tourer with a V12. Wait, so is the SL 65. Well, anyway, they used the smaller 2-seat SL platform for their new ’supercar’. The SL 65 has a handbuilt 6.0L BiTurbo V12 good for 604 @ 4,800 RPM and 738lb-ft of torque available from an impressive 2,000 RPM all the way to 4,000.

There is no doubt that will all of the bodywork and the nice re-tooling of the V12 that the new AMG Black Series SL 65 is one bad machine. The Twin-Turbo V12 now pumps out 661hp. Supposedly the engine can handle an estimated 720hp. As you can see with the wings (the rear wing moves up and down to help provide better stability at speed) and scoops there is a large amount of carbon fiber being used. Mercedes-Benz was able to lower the weight greatly at 550lbs. Unfortunately that still leaves 4,122lbs to be moved… Is 661hp enough? I don’t know, now.

So, is this the next great thing from MB, or is it just another flop with too much Mercedes-Benzish behaviors? The cost of the new SL 65 AMG Black Series is around $300,000 with a 0-60 time of roughly 3.5-3.7s, and a top speed of 198 MPH. Is that what a $300,000 car is these days? A slow beast of a machine? I give you, for example, the roughly $272,000 Ferrari F430 Scuderia. 0-60 time of 3.1s stands out a lot when you are buying in this price range. Seeing as which there is nothing under 5-700,000 dollars that can get you that.

So has Mercedes made themselves another dud? That’s up to the automatic buying guy who likes all of the wings and the alcantera interior. I like this car, and while there is no doubt that it is one of the most beautiful cars in the world, and a mean looking machine, I’d have to be blind to buy it. But, if I had the money to buy this car, I may just buy it and spend an extra 50-100 grand having Horacio Pagani put a Pagani Zonda F manual transmission in it, that is, since all of his engines are sourced by AMG. He must know something that Mercedes-Benz doesn’t.

Click the thumbnails below to see more of the SL 65 AMG Black Series, and watch the video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Article by Josh from RawAutos.com

[Source: World Car Fans]

[Ferrari F430 Scuderia source: Motor Trend]

The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is finally out in the open. And with a $320,000 price tag, a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 and only 200 units on their way to the U.S., it’s a serious stopgap between the deceased SLR and Mercedes’ 2011 SLC gullwing supercar.

The Black is 550 pounds lighter than the stock SL65, coming in at 4,122 pounds. Power is up to 661 hp available at 5,400 rpm, while torque remains the same at 738 lb.-ft. With a five-speed automatic gearbox equipped with AMG’s speedshift software, the Black can hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds on its way to a gearing-limited top speed of 199 mph.

You can expect the SL65 to be selling early next year in the U.S.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Article By CARversation.com 

Daimler AG announced today that they have chosen Kecskemet, Hungary, for its new plant that will focus on building models on the A-Class/B-Class platform. Adding a smaller SAV to its lineup isn't something new for Mercedes-Benz. At the beginning of this project, the MB engineers wanted to build a compact four wheel-drive version of the A-Class, but their plans fell through due to the "elk test’ debacle, when the A-class was rolled during rapid avoidance tests and sharp cornering. 

With the new Audi Q3 coming out, Mercedes will have to step up its game and launch a competitive, while still affordable, product.

The funny ending is just priceless, a yellow smiley face replaces the BMW roundel, more like a smirk, which I found it just hilarious. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Article By CARversation.com 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Article By CARversation.com 

The battery is being developed by Continental AG and BMW paid some of the development costs of this battery.

According to Thomas Weber, a Daimler executive member,

“BMW will implement this technology shortly after us…This is part of our cooperation agreement,” Weber told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show. “We don’t want to keep this technology to ourselves…But of course we secured the related patents for our technology.” 

The Mercedes-Benz S400 Bluehybrid seems to be the first car that will get this technology. The S400 will be released at the end of 2009.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Article by CARversation.com 

The new-look front apron with a more pronounced wedge shape, black-painted radiator grille, larger cooling air intakes and lower transverse fin painted in black harmonises perfectly with the redesigned front end of the SL‑Class, giving it a decidedly masculine aura. The distinctive AMG bonnet more than hints at the unique power unit underneath. Bi-xenon headlamps with their dark surrounds, and large round fog lamps set well to the side in chrome surrounds also emphasise the vehicle’s width.

So whats new you ask?

Exterior Design of SL 63 AMG

• New, distinctive AMG bodystyling
• New: AMG bonnet with its own design contours
• New: AMG spoiler lip
• Air outlets in the front apron painted in body color
• New: matt silver painted AMG trim panels with “6.3 AMG” lettering in the front wings
• New: high-gloss black painted radiator grille
• New: transverse fin in the front apron, painted in high-gloss blackNew: darkened bi-xenon headlamps
• Darkened tail lights incl. third brake light
• AMG sports exhaust system with two oval twin chromeplated tailpipes
• New: 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a new triple-spoke design

Interior Design of the SL 63 AMG

• AMG sports seats
• New: AMG DRIVE UNIT
• New AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel
• New AMG instrument cluster
• AMG carbon-fiber trim elements
• Brushed stainless steel door sill panels with AMG lettering
• Nappa leather upholstery

SL 63 AMG Technology

• New: AMG 6.3-liter V8 with 386 kW/525 hp
• New: AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission
• New: 3-stage ESP (ON/SPORT/OFF)
• AMG high-performance braking system
• New AMG sports suspension
• New AMG speed-sensitive steering

The roadster is powered by an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 386 kW/525 hp and 630 Newton metres – which makes it today’s most powerful model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine in its class. The SL 63 AMG comes exclusively with the all-new, innovative AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. Thanks to the more agile AMG suspension this makes this SL class, the most sportiest of them all. The SL 63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds before quickly going on to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). check out the photos below and videos[Source:Mercedes-Benz-Blog]

Article by CARversation.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class sports coupe/hatchback, which is a replacement to the vehicle formerly known as the C-Class Coupe. It is still built to look like the new C-Class sedan, even though the CLC is still being based on the previous model type.

Interesting fact

More than 1,100 components were specially made for the CLC, including some that have been refined from the previous model. The new CLC was given a direct steering system for increased handling and the coupe will also feature a new infotainment system.

Engine Power

The basic CLC180 Kompressor and CLC200 Kompressor are powered by four-cylinder engines, delivering 143 horsepower and 184 horsepower, respectively. The upper models, CLC230 and CLC350 are a totally different breed. The CLC230 has a 2.4L V6 engine that delivers 204HP while the CLC350 offers 272HP from a 3.5L, still V6 engine.

There are also a couple of diesel models, CLC200 CDI and CLC220 CDI, with a way less horsepower, 120 respectively 150.

The transmission choices are as follows:

• basic models – 5-speed Automatic o r 6-speed manual
• V6 models – 7-speed Automatic with paddle shifting

So, what do you think? What market are they going after?

Mercedes-Benz CLC Gallery

The problem: apparently it lies in a crankshaft sensor that can fail, which causes the engine to lose power and causes your vehicle to stop running. Our suggestion: get it fixed ASAP.

The recall affects 2007 E320 Bluetec, ML320 CDI, and GL320 CDI models. I am really hoping that BMW will not have all these problems when they will launch the 335d and the X5d in the States, later this year.

Compared with the current model, the new model gets:
– New front-end with only 2 grilles instead of 3
– Different wheels, similar in style to the 911 Turbo. Upgraded from 18in to 19in
– Rear LED lighting
– Carbon spoiler
– Different exhaust

Mercedes CLS AMG wouldn't be getting a power boost beyond 514 HP under the hood but since the information doesn't come straight from the German manufacturer, we're hoping that it was just a rumor and indeed the CLS will be getting some horsepowers.

In the same time, if I was to spend up to $40,000-$45,000 on a car, then I would definitely go the BMW route, but if my price range will be higher, then there are some nice MB cars in that price range: CLK, CLS, SLK and of course the higher priced cars, S, SL, CL etc..

Today, we're going to show you the facelifted version of the SLK 55 AMG model which will be available sometimes in 2008 as a '09 model. Performance-wise the SLK 55 AMG will keep the same engine as before, the AMG's 5.5L V8 underhood producing 360 hp and 376 ft-lbs. of torque.

Without getting too much into details, we can tell you a few things that are different from the existing version: single blacked-out lower air intake,  smoked headlamps and a new set of 18-inch AMG twin-spoke wheels.

Now, take a look at these photos and answer this: BMW fans, could a car like this make you jump ship and join the other brand?

Having this great mileage, the ML 450 Hybrid could be really competitive on the American market and the expected launch date is sometimes in 2009.

Here is the press release:

Mercedes-Benz will also be presenting the ML 450 HYBRID, due to be launched on the market in 2009 as the most economical two-mode petrol hybrid SUV worldwide. Its innovative two-mode hybrid system enables electric driving and satisfies the highest comfort demands. With a combined system output of 250 kW/340 hp and a combined maximum torque of 480 Nm, the ML 450 HYBRID consumes just 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres – equivalent to CO2 emissions of 185 g/km. Product highlights at this year’s International Motor Show in Frankfurt also include the new C-Class Estate, which combines functionality with stylish design and hallmark Mercedes refinement. Mercedes-Benz will also be exhibiting various C-Class BLUETEC versions — with and without hybrid — which are due to be launched successively.

There are national standards, and then California has stricter standards, which as the writer noted have been adopted by 4 other states. These engines are not banned per se, but are not allowed to be sold new in these states. Used diesels can be and are imported into these states all the time. The 2007 Mercedes E320 Bluetec did not pass CA emission standards, but only by a fraction of a percent. Once they add the AdBlue mixture (which the US EPA is almost ready to approve) then these diesels will be able to be sold in all 50 states.

As Dan has mentioned, when the new Mercedes Bluetec diesel engine will be rolled out, approximately a year from now, the new engine will meet even California’s strict emissions regulations. According to Autoblog, eventually all the Mercedes Benz SUVs will be offered with the Bluetec diesel option. The move was suppose to have taken place this year, for the 2008 models but it will be probably released next year as 09 model.
Another issue for the german manufacturer will be higher costs associated with this new engine and apparently Mercedes will have to subsidize it in order to keep the prices down and be competitive.
Mercedes’ competitor, BMW, has already announced its plans on bringing their BMW diesel engines into the US sometimes in 2008 and I’m quoting a BMW official

As a means of producing so much power with a minimum of environmental impact and a maximum of fuel efficiency, it is no surprise that BMW will be among the first to introduce 50-state clean diesel technology.

It seems like this is a lesson learned by BMW and they just want to get things straight the first time. Hopefully, their prices will stay competitive and we can all enjoy the diesel power in our engines.