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[Three-cylinder coming to next Mercedes-Benz C-Class?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/report-three-cylinder-coming-to-next-mercedes-benz-c-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/report-three-cylinder-coming-to-next-mercedes-benz-c-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/report-three-cylinder-coming-to-next-mercedes-benz-c-class/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mercedes-Benz A-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from AutoWeek.nl, Mercedes-Benz is taking a long, hard look at a new three-cylinder engine for its upcoming range of small cars and hybrids. Daimler already offers a 1.0-liter three-banger in the diminutive Smart ForTwo, and this new powerplant would likely be destined for the engine bay of both the next-gen Smart and Mercedes' A-, B- and C-Class vehicles.

In addition to the three-cylinder engine, Thomas Weber, director of group research and car development at Mercedes-Benz, says the German automaker plans to offer a hybrid powertrain option on each of its models - from minicars like the Smart to its line of large luxury sedans and commercial vans. To make that goal a reality, M-B is working to reduce the weight of its hybrid drivetrain by 10%.

The last interesting little nugget from this report is that Mercedes is looking for a partner to help develop this small engine family. We can't help but recall rumors from last month indicating that BMW was working on its own new three-cylinder engine architecture.


Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class


[Source: AutoWeek.nl]

Three-cylinder coming to next Mercedes-Benz C-Class? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenmercedesmercedes 3 cylindermercedes a classmercedes a-classmercedes b classmercedes b-classmercedes benzmercedes three cylindermercedes-benzmercedes-benz 3 cylindermercedes-benz a-classmercedes-benz b-classmercedes-benz three cylinderMercedes-benz3CylinderMercedes-benzA-classMercedes-benzB-classMercedes-benzThreeCylinderMercedes3CylinderMercedesA-classMercedesAClassMercedesB-classMercedesBClassMercedesBenzMercedesThreeCylinderFri, 19 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz considering A-Class roadster for the States]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/mercedes-benz-considering-a-class-roadster-for-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/mercedes-benz-considering-a-class-roadster-for-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/mercedes-benz-considering-a-class-roadster-for-the-states/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz SLA Concept

Rumors that the Mercedes-Benz A-Class may come to America have been swirling around for years. The question revolves around whether or not the car is consistent with the image in the U.S. that MB has worked so hard to cultivate for years. As an economy car, the A-Class clashes with the rest of the brand's upscale line-up and doesn't seem appropriate to put in the same dealership where upper-crusters are shopping for the latest S-Class. One possible remedy could be reducing the number of seats and the losing the car's top, an idea first broached by the SLA Concept (above) that debuted in 2000. A roadster would make sense for the German automaker, as BMW, its main rival, is rumored to be thinking hard about launching a similarly-small Z2 roadster based on its 1 Series platform. Although production plans have already been considered, no decisions have been made. The next redesign of the A- and B-Class from Mercedes is scheduled for 2012, so there's still plenty of time to get it all sorted.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLA Concept


[Source: Autoweek]

Mercedes-Benz considering A-Class roadster for the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 A class

The market for luxury cars is slipping, and stalwarts like Mercedes-Benz are not immune. The German automaker's current projections indicate that overall sales will drop by about 10% for 2008, and '09 isn't shaping up to be any better. On the other hand, one of the few bright spots in the U.S. auto market has been the sales of small cars, which have at least sustained level sales and in some cases increased tremendously. While Daimler has no basis for comparison since 2008 was the first year that the fortwo was sold here, sales of the smart brand have greatly outpaced the automaker's projections.

The success of small but premium cars has prompted MB USA to take another look at its A-Class and B-Class cars. This compact duo are sold in other countries, but have been deemed too diminutive to be widely accepted here in the States. That all may change in 2012. By then, Daimler will have had a chance to rework the two cars for the American market, bringing them more in line with the brand's U.S. aspirations, and that's a good thing since the big concern would be whether the two models would devalue the three-pointed star in the fickle eyes of us Americans.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class


Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class


[Source: Auto Motor und Sport - translated]

Mercedes-Benz reconsidering A- and B-Class for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

We were just talking about the A-Class yesterday and what the future holds for Merc's most diminutive model, and the German automaker reveals the redesigned 2009 model right under our noses. The updates fall far short of a full redesign, but the exterior of the A-Class in both five- and three-door models gets tweaked with new headlamps, bumpers and front grille (is it smiling at us?). The side-view mirrors have also been made larger, and body-colored door handles are standard across the lineup. The interior gets a swath of new fabrics, and also a larger stowage compartment in the center console with new cup holders. We know, exciting stuff. Hardware-wise, the A-Class does benefit from the availability of an engine start/stop function on two of its petrol-powered models, the A 150 BlueEFFICIENCY and A 170 BlueEFFICIENCY. The A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY has also been upgraded and is even easier on fuel than before.

The rest of the A-Class updates can be found in the Mercedes-Benz press release after the jump, which unfortunately includes no mention of new models in the lineup for now. As we said yesterday, the entire A-Class lineup will likely be revamped around 2011, so these updates announced today will bridge the gap between now and a better A-Class of tomorrow.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils updated 2009 A-Class

Mercedes-Benz unveils updated 2009 A-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 a-class2009 mercedes-benz a-class2009A-class2009Mercedes-benzA-classa-classmercedes-benzmercedes-benz a-classMercedes-benzA-classFri, 28 Mar 2008 12:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes to pump some extra octane into next A- and B-Class]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/mercedes-to-pump-some-octane-into-next-a-and-b-retitle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/mercedes-to-pump-some-octane-into-next-a-and-b-retitle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/mercedes-to-pump-some-octane-into-next-a-and-b-retitle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

According to the latest reports, Mercedes has finally realized why its A-Class and B-Class compacts haven't been doing so well: they're boring, overpriced and underpowered... and that's a losing combination. So for the next generation of the two model lines that's expected around 2011, Mercedes is reportedly preparing to turn up the volume.

Although the next-gen baby Benzes will reportedly stick with front-wheel-drive, they'll sit lower to the ground - and save production costs - by ditching the expensive current models' sandwich platform. Whereas the 193-hp 2-liter turbo is currently the most powerful engine offered between the two related models, sources indicate that the top engine could offer as much as 230 hp, possibly sourced from BMW off all companies whose 1-Series Mercedes hopes to target with the sportier new A and B-Classes. Meanwhile, reports also suggest that competition from the up!coming Volkswagen models could compel parent company Daimler to bring back the previously slow-selling and subsequently discontinued Smart ForFour.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Motor Authority]

Mercedes to pump some extra octane into next A- and B-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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