Autoblog

Motor Trend goes head-to-head-to-head in Cadillac ATS 3.6, BMW 335i and Mercedes C350 Sport

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The latest episode of "Head 2 Head" from Motor Trend is a battle of the little luxury sixes, looking to see which of these $50,000 sport sedans, all equipped with automatic transmissions, can lay the largest claim to your money: the 321-horsepower, six-speed Cadillac ATS 3.6, the 302-horsepower, seven-speed Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport or the 300-horsepower, eight-speed BMW 335i.

Host Jonny Lieberman doesn't just look at dynamics. He starts off with an assessment of each car's interior and its infotainment interface: CUE on the Cadillac, COMAND on the Mercedes and iDrive on the BMW. A bit of a spoiler, CUE doesn't fare any better here than it did with Consumer Reports, for essentially the same reasons. Thankfully, the ATS has tricks beyond its touchscreen.

The victor and the overall ranking might surprise you. One of the contestants "goes around corners better than it goes in a straight line," one of them would have won the comparo if it were held a year ago, and one earns more mention of the word "rubbery" than you'll hear outside of a Kumho factory. Enjoy the episode in the video below.

Continue reading Motor Trend goes head-to-head-to-head in Cadillac ATS 3.6, BMW 335i and Mercedes C350 Sport

Motor Trend goes head-to-head-to-head in Cadillac ATS 3.6, BMW 335i and Mercedes C350 Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic

Zach Bowman — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

All-Wheel Drive Sans Compromise

One can hardly mutter the words "German," "luxury" and "all-wheel drive" without invoking visions of Audi. The company has worked hard to make its Quattro all-wheel-drive system synonymous with each of the phrases above, and its tireless marketing, successful motorsports programs and loyal fans have inextricably married the Four Rings to the power of all-wheel drive luxury. But Audi isn't the only German manufacturer putting power to all four wheels. Buyers have been happily bringing BMW xDrive models home for years, and Mercedes-Benz has a long and storied history of grips-at-all-four-corners innovation as well.

From vehicles like the globe-conquering Unimog to the somewhat more civil G-Class, the Silver Arrow has more than a little experience when it comes to overcoming uncertain terrain. Beyond four-wheel drive systems, Mercedes has sold over one million 4Matic all-wheel drive vehicles in the U.S. since the system's debut here in 1989. These days, Benz offers 4Matic on 10 of its vehicle lines in a total of 21 variations, and for 2012, luxury coupe buyers can rejoice in the inclusion of both the E350 4Matic Coupe and the C350 4Matic Coupe to the horde. With rivals like the Audi A5 and BMW 335i xDrive Coupe already default choices for two-door shoppers who prefer the foul weather capability of all-wheel drive, will the newest additions to the Mercedes-Benz stable be able to keep the pace? We took to the C350 4Matic Coupe to find out.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic

2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes C- and E-Class coupes to get AWD option next year

Chris Shunk — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

4Matic has proven to be a popular feature on various Mercedes-Benz models, especially in U.S. regions that experience four distinct seasons. But while all-wheel-drive is almost a necessary option in the luxury sedan segment, Daimler's C-Class and E-Class coupes have soldiered on only with rear-drive.

According to Car and Driver, that will change for next year. The 4Matic system will reportedly only be offered with the company's 3.5-liter V6, which pumps out 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.

This news could mean changes for the C-Class sedan as well. Currently, 4Matic is only offered with the 3.0-liter V6-equipped C300 sedan, so this could mean that the C350 sedan could also get an AWD option in 2012. That's good news for grip-loving buyers who want more oomph than the modestly powered 228-horsepower C300 can provide.

Mercedes C- and E-Class coupes to get AWD option next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

Matt Davis — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

Entry-Level Benz Finally Drops A Set Of Doors

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

For those that remember it, the secretary-special two-door CLC hatchback, built on last-generation C-class bits and pieces, was rather embarrassing for Mercedes-Benz. It was a dumpy thing, but at least Daimler was smart enough to not even attempt selling it in the States.

Thankfully, the decidedly easier-on-the-eyes C204 C-Class Coupe has just arrived, and we're getting this hot toddy. So what took Stuttgart so long to bring us this no-brainer variant of the C-Class? Were they worried about coupe clutter between the CLC- and E-Class? Too many two-doors, too soon? Funnily, we asked, and all we heard back were sheepish "We were waiting for the mothership to come around and give us the go-ahead for this car" comments.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Rex Roy — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

The Baby Benz Becomes More Like Its Big Brothers

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

When it comes to automobiles, money is usually the limiting factor. Endowed with unlimited dough, who wouldn't drive their dream car?

For those inclined toward luxury, the full-size Mercedes-Benz S-Class coddles its drivers with massive comfort and technology that compensates for nearly every common human frailty exhibited behind the wheel. The S-Class, however, remains beyond the means of most drivers.

Developed to make three-pointed quality, safety and luxury more attainable, the W 201 sedan was introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1982. Known as the 190, this compact sedan stands as the direct forerunner of the C-Class. Some 8.5 million sales stand as M-B's commercial proof of concept over four generations. And the way things are going, those sales are set to continue.

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sedan...

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sedan: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz: U.S. fuel too dirty for next-gen efficient engines

Chris Shunk — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Sedan, Government/Legal, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK - Click above for high-res image gallery

The newest gasoline engines from Mercedes-Benz feature cutting-edge lean-burn technology that leads to fewer harmful emissions and a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy. Well, the new engine tech, which requires a much leaner fuel-to-air ratio, is making its way into many mills, but apparently not the ones destined for these United States.

Ward's Automotive quotes Daimler powertrain development vice president Bernhard Heil as saying that the gasoline in the U.S. contains sulfur at the rate of 95 parts-per-million; about twice as much as can be tolerated by the new engines. The problem? Excess sulfur apparently clogs the nitrogen oxide-capturing traps.

So, is the U.S. the only country lagging behind Europe in removing sulfur from its gasoline supply? Far from it. Heil points out that the gasoline in Africa and many areas of Asia also contain too much sulfur for the lean engines. The first engine to feature the technology is the direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 destined for the C350 sport sedan and the SLK roadster seen above. The 302-horsepower mill will not (obviously) utilize lean-burn tech here in the U.S.

[Source: Ward's Automotive]

Mercedes-Benz: U.S. fuel too dirty for next-gen efficient engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Best look yet at forthcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class update

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercury, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz C-Class spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our spy photographers have just snapped these shots of the next Mercedes-Benz C-Class undergoing winter testing, and these latest shots give us the clearest look yet at the entry-level luxury sedan's updated front and rear. The baby Benz should make its official debut later this year, and these photos clearly show that we can expect some mild yet substantive alterations to their appearance.

So, what's new? Up front, a new front fascia integrates LED daytime running lamps - something that's becoming standard fare on the entire Mercedes-Benz lineup. From there, we see slightly revised headlamps, what appears to be a more upright grille and a new hood. Out back, there's a modified rear bumper and revised LED taillights.

Our spies also suggest that minor interior and mechanical updates could be present in the new C-Class. We aren't expecting giant leaps from the already very good current car, but squeezing a few more miles-per-gallon out of the Merc's mill probably isn't out of the question.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Best look yet at forthcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class update originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Fluctuations and disparities in currency exchange rates have grown to become a significant factor in determining where foreign automakers in particular assemble their vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is among those carmakers most cognizant of these effects, and it has been assembling select models in the United States to meet local demands. Now the German automaker has announced that, for the next generation of its popular C-Class sedan due in 2014, partial production will shift to its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the M-Class, R-Class and GL-Class crossovers are already built.

The shift in production - which is set to comprise no more than one-fifth of global C-Class production - will not only help offset currency rates, but also afford greater flexibility in meeting local customer demand. The move is expected to further upset Germany's automotive workforce, which has grown restless in the wake of General Motors' collapsed sale of Opel.

In addition to the partial shift to Alabama, German production of the remaining four-fifths of C-Class production is set to switch places with the SL-Class roadster, the former moving from Sindelfingen to Bremen and the latter vice-versa. Full details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama

Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class US pricing announced

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:06:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz

Click the image above for a high res gallery of the US-spec C-Class.

For those of you that either want to upgrade your current Benz or finally make the leap into German luxury sedans, Mercedes released pricing for the US-bound C-Class, and the cost of entry is approximately $2,200 less than the outgoing model.

The new C-Class benefits from a freshly styled exterior that's one of the more handsome designs to come from the automaker in recent years, and its new pricing structure undercuts its competitors, including the BMW 3-series and Lexus ES350.

If you're stingy with the options list, you can get a manual transmission, but once you get into the higher-end versions, the automatic is standard and the price goes up accordingly. Two models are available: the 228 HP C300 and the 268 HP C350, with the former coming in at $31,200, while the latter bumps up the price another $5,300 (not including the $775 destination charge). Right out of the box, the C300 comes with 17-inch rollers, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, an LCD display, eight-way power seats up front and a power sunroof. Not bad for an entry-level Merc.

Look for the new C-Class to hit dealers on August 7, with AWD models coming the following month.

All the details are available in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class US-Spec

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz C-Class US pricing announced

Mercedes-Benz C-Class US pricing announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: Mercedes-Benz reveals new 2008 C-Class for U.S.

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz

click above image for 39 high-res pics of the US-spec 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Merecedes-Benz just dumped a whole lot of details about the new US-spec C-Class in our laps, including data and pics. You can read all of the stats on the next page, but the important bits are right here. There will be three models initially (all 4-door sedans), including the C300, C300 4Matic, and C350. Each has a V6 and will be the same shape and size, but the differences are revealed in their names.

The C300 and C300 4Matic will sport a 3.0 liter V6 with 228 hp @ 6,000, and 221 lb.-ft. from 2,700 - 5,000 rpm. The C300 is rear drive while the 4Matic adds M-B's unique all-wheel-drive system. Those will be available with your choice of 6-speed stick or 7-speed auto trannies. The C350 adds .5 liters of displacement and power goes up to 268 hp @ 6,000 and 258 lb.-ft. available between 2,400 - 5,000 rpm. This one comes with a 7-speed automatic only. Although this 4th generation of Cs is larger than its forebearers, weight is about the same as the previous gen.

There will also be C-Class Sport models (shown above) that feature AMG-inspired styling, including the attractive grille-mounted three-point star badge. The regular models will feature a more traditional grille like their euro counterparts. Sport models will also receive additional AMG cladding, twin-spoke 17-inch wheels and ride height lowered on a sport-tuned suspension.

Wagons, coupes and diesels are also rumored to be in the pipeline, but for New York and the U.S. market, it's just these three sedans for now. Not that there's anything wrong with that. One other number we haven't seen yet is price. We'll have lots of live shots from New York as soon as the press conference ends.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class US-Spec

Continue reading New York Preview: Mercedes-Benz reveals new 2008 C-Class for U.S.

New York Preview: Mercedes-Benz reveals new 2008 C-Class for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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