Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid 4Matic not for sale, lease only]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/mercedes-benz-ml450-hybrid-4matic-not-for-sale-lease-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/mercedes-benz-ml450-hybrid-4matic-not-for-sale-lease-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/mercedes-benz-ml450-hybrid-4matic-not-for-sale-lease-only/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Mercedes Benz ML450 hybrid - click above for high-res image gallery

This week brings the official launch of the first European-branded vehicle equipped with the two-mode hybrid system that was co-developed between General Motors, Daimler, BMW and Chrysler. The Mercedes-Benz ML450 edges out the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid in getting to showrooms but it actually shares much with the BMW. Mercedes is building the re-packaged two-mode transmission that is being installed in both vehicles. And while the vehicles bear German nameplates, both are actually built in the southeastern United States.

Unlike the BMW, Mercedes has tuned the ML for improved fuel efficiency compared to its conventionally-powered siblings. While the BMW uses a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 to achieve 17/19 mpg ratings. The ML450 instead uses an Atkinson cycle version of Mercedes 3.5-liter V6 to achieve up to 335 hp and 381 pound-feet of torque in combination with the electric motors. The result is a boost in mileage compared to the V8 ML550 to 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That compares with the ML350 Bluetec diesel which is rated at 18/25 mpg.

Interestingly, Mercedes has actually opted not to sell the ML450, instead offering it only for lease for either 36 or 60 months at $659 or $549 per month, respectively. According to Mercedes USA spokesman Rob Moran, "We are offering this vehicle as lease only due to a limited supply of batteries available. We felt a lease only program offered the best option for customers."


Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid 4Matic not for sale, lease only

Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid 4Matic not for sale, lease only originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 mercedes benz ml450 hybrid2010MercedesBenzMl450Hybridm classm-classMClassmercedesMercedes BenzMercedes Benz MLmercedes benz ml450mercedes benz ml450 hybridmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMercedesBenzMlMercedesBenzMl450MercedesBenzMl450HybridMl450ml450 bluehybridml450 hybridMl450BluehybridMl450Hybridtwo modetwo mode hybridTwoModeTwoModeHybridMon, 16 Nov 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New York: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 hybrid - Up to 34 MPH on battery alone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid-up-to-34-mph-on-battery/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid-up-to-34-mph-on-battery/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-mercedes-benz-ml-450-hybrid-up-to-34-mph-on-battery/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Mercedes-Benz ML 450 hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

The road to production for the Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid hasn't always been smooth, but now that the Germans have shown off the new SUV here at the New York Auto Show (following its early debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show), they'll be happy to tell you just how amazing and luxurious this SULEV people-hauler is.

The numbers start with a respectable 21 city/24 highway mpg rating. With a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson cycle engine and a 288V NM battery pack, the ML450 hybrid can go 1.8 miles and up to 34 mph on battery power alone (take that, Toyota Prius!). The hybrid powertrain altogether has a combined output of 335 horsepower, so providing adequate power to move the giant SUV was clearly just as large a priority as fuel economy. The ML450 hybrid features Mercedes' first application of the Two-Mode hybrid powertrain it co-developed with General Motors and Chrysler - similar applications also appear in the Chevrolet Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid, Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids.

How does it ride? All we can say for now is, stay tuned. We're about to hop in one and see for ourselves, but in the meantime for more technical details, see Mercedes' spec sheet (page 1, 2) and the complete press release after the jump.


Gallery: New York 2009: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading New York: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 hybrid - Up to 34 MPH on battery alone

New York: Mercedes-Benz ML 450 hybrid - Up to 34 MPH on battery alone originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>M Classm-ClassMClassmercedesmercedes benz ml450mercedes benz ml450 hybridmercedes ml450mercedes ml450 hybridmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMl450MercedesBenzMl450HybridMercedesMl450MercedesMl450Hybridml450ml450 hybridMl450Hybridnew yorknew york 2009new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2009NewYorkAutoShowNYAutoShowThu, 09 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/rumormill-mercedes-benz-expected-to-expand-alabama-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/rumormill-mercedes-benz-expected-to-expand-alabama-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/rumormill-mercedes-benz-expected-to-expand-alabama-plant/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Last week, we told you how despite the downturn, Daimler is upping its investment in the state of Michigan, coming to terms with the city of Ann Arbor to build a new hybrid and electric R&D facility. Now, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is expected to actually expand its Vance, Alabama production plant.

If the rumors are true, the Mercedes-Benz plant (which currently builds GL, M, and R class vehicles) will benefit from a $290 million investment that is to begin within 60 days. The news evidently leaked out after company officials contacted the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority about property and sales tax breaks (which it apparently received).

The expansion news comes at an odd time, as not only has the automaker's sales been flagging in the U.S. (down 20 percent in February year-over-year, admittedly much better than the market plunge of 41.4 percent), but sales of Vance-built SUVs in particular have fallen off, with Benz responding by reducing the plant's workforce.

Automotive News says the expansion effort won't be completed until 2011, but word yet on how much capacity this will give the plant (and what it will be used for) is not yet known.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlabamaAutomotive NewsAutomotiveNewsBenzGL ClassGlClassM ClassMClassMercedesMercedes-benzMLML ClassMlClassR ClassRClassTuscaloosaVance AlabamaVanceAlabamaMon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[New York 2008: Mercedes burns oil and rubber]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/new-york-2008-mercedes-burns-oil-and-rubber/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/new-york-2008-mercedes-burns-oil-and-rubber/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/new-york-2008-mercedes-burns-oil-and-rubber/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery from Daimler's press conference

Just like any good political campaign, Mercedes came to the New York Auto Show touting nothing much as a whole lot. Actually, the faux political rally might have been less than compelling with its old news, but the new M Class sporting 50-state legal BlueTec diesel power is exciting. Almost as exciting as the very original 1965 190 D Mercedes had borrowed to illustrate its long-running experience with Rudy's coal dust motor. The senescent sedan will be helping MBZ recreate Bill Carroll's cross-country diesel-fueled journey to celebrate the U.S.-wide availability of what it's touting as the cleanest diesel ever. BlueTec allows the M-, GL- and R-class oil burners to earn ULEV and TierII/Bin 5 classification.

Mercedes says its new diesels are now as clean as gasoline powerplants, and once they drop BlueTec hybrids on us, emissions and economy will improve yet again. JD Power projects that fully 40 percent of vehicles will be diesel powered by 2017, and Mercedes wants to increase diesel sales beyond the current level of 22 percent. The newly tweaked M-Class should help move the powertrain off dealer lots. Sporting plenty of safety upgrades, new headlights, a Hannibal-Lechter inspired grille and some interior tweaks, the M-Class has returned from the gym freshly chiseled. It was not all utes and politely obscured minivans (*ahem* R-Class). Just before Mercedes wrapped the presser, they said, we're paraphrasing here, "Oh yeah, we also brought the SL, w00t."

Gallery: New York 2008: Mercedes M Class and SL

Continue reading New York 2008: Mercedes burns oil and rubber

New York 2008: Mercedes burns oil and rubber originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showAutoShowbluetecbluetec dieselBluetecDieseldieselemissionsgreenm classm320MClassmercedesmercedes benzmercedes dieselmercedes suvmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMercedesDieselMercedesSuvnew yorknew york auto shownew york auto show s...new york autoshowNewYorkNewYorkAutoShowNewYorkAutoShowS...suvFri, 21 Mar 2008 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes celebrates 10 years in Tuscaloosa with "Edition 10" M-Class]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/mercedes-celebrates-10-years-in-tuscaloosa-with-edition10-m-cl/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/mercedes-celebrates-10-years-in-tuscaloosa-with-edition10-m-cl/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/mercedes-celebrates-10-years-in-tuscaloosa-with-edition10-m-cl/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click image for gallery

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 10 years of operation at its Tuscaloosa, AL facility, which is best known for producing the M-Class SUV. At a press event held at the plant and presided over by Dr. Z himself, the automaker presented a special edition version of its SUV stalwart dubbed "Edition 10." The Edition10 limited-edition package is a paint-and-trim deal that's quite good-looking, actually. The requisite badges are joined by other visual highlights such as darkened trim around the headlamps, darker taillamp lenses, a black chrome look to the grille, and a similar treatment on the hood vents. A two-tone interior and metallic pedals are also included, and based on what we see in the photos released, a metal steprail is also part of the package. No pricing for the Edition 10 option has been released yet, and we'd expect to see some additional shots of the SUV before all is said and done.

Press release follows the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz M-Class "Edition 10"

Continue reading Mercedes celebrates 10 years in Tuscaloosa with "Edition 10" M-Class

Mercedes celebrates 10 years in Tuscaloosa with "Edition 10" M-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 years tuscaloosa10YearsTuscaloosaedition 10Edition10m classm-classMClasstuscaloosatuscaloosa plantTuscaloosaPlantThu, 12 Jul 2007 17:27:00 EST