Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Three-Pointed Star's Cash Cow Gets Significant Updo

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - front three-quarter view, silver

On sale since 2009, with some enhancements already done in early 2011, the eighth-generation W/S 212 Mercedes-Benz E-class has once again been put under the knife to stay in step with the automaker's never-ending desire to be the world's Number One purveyor of premium. Whereas the smaller C-class is the best-seller worldwide for Mercedes-Benz, the E-class pulls in oceans of dough per sale, also at immense volumes.

Beyond a reworking of the overall engine strategy in this second midlife massage, a majority of the E-class' exterior panels have been redesigned. Additionally, many of the assistance systems to be offered on the next S-class are being introduced to the E-class segment for the first time. Occasionally, these sorts of comprehensive refreshes nearly create a new generation of the car, and this freshened E-class comes damned close to that.

While Mercedes-Benz wants to talk a lot about the new engine lineup and the S-class-style convenience and safety systems, we were struck immediately by the redesign. Frankly, to our eyes, these past few years of the Mercedes family look could have used a little more finesse and less knife-slice coldness. That general feel of chilled sharpness on the E-class is set to be history in short order. Even the chiseled "haunch" line is gone from the rear bodyside - the sort of sheetmetal change you almost never see on a mid-cycle update.

Continue reading 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class [w/video]

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 mercedes-benz e-class4maticbluetece-classe-klassee250e350e400e550featuredfirst driveFirstDriveWed, 20 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20459169/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/20/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-first-drive-review/20459169/article-detail.xml 20459169 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Top Ten "green" cars that met their fate during Cash for Clunkers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/#comments

One rule that all clunked cars needed to adhere to was a maximum rating of 18 MPG from the federal government, right? What wasn't required was that the clunked car be considered dirty. After all, it's pretty clear that CNG vehicles burn clean, but that didn't stop 232 of them from meeting their sodium silicate solution-induced death.

We looked through the official, but as of yet unverified, list (PDF) of trade-in cars that were clunked using the Car Allowance Rebate System (Cash for Clunkers) and found that the aforementioned CNG vehicles, 1,779 flex-fuel vehicles and 24 LPG vehicles found their way to the recycler thanks to CARS. Which alternative-fuel models were most dumped? Which single hybrid took a dive? Click above for our top ten and check out the full list after the jump.

Photo by dno1967. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Top Ten "green" cars that met their fate during Cash for Clunkers

Top Ten "green" cars that met their fate during Cash for Clunkers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b3000carscash for clunkersCashForClunkersclunkerscnge250explorerf150featuredflex-fuelflex-fuel vehicleFlex-fuelVehiclefordgrand marquisGrandMarquisgreenmazdamercurymountaineerrangersierrasonomaSat, 26 Sep 2009 18:22:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19175056/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/26/top-ten-green-cars-that-met-their-fate-during-cash-for-clunker/19175056/article-detail.xml 19175056 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/top-green-clunkers_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/top-green-clunkers.jpg <![CDATA[New York: Mercedes E250 Bluetec concept would get 39 mpg highway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/new-york-mercedes-e250-bluetec-concept-would-get-39-mpg-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/new-york-mercedes-e250-bluetec-concept-would-get-39-mpg-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/new-york-mercedes-e250-bluetec-concept-would-get-39-mpg-highway/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz brought the new E250 BlueTEC concept sedan to the New York Auto Show today, showing the type of clean diesel sedan that could follow in the wake of last year's BlueTEC SUV mini-fleet. The E250 BlueTEC boasts a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) exhaust technology mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The small diesel motor produces big power: 369 lb-ft of torque at 1600-1800 rpm. Part of the conceptual clean diesel fun comes from a 25-liter urea solution (AdBlue) tank that sits in the exhaust stream and reduces NOx emissions, which helps make the car 50-state legal. This is key, since the E250 was created just for us Yankees, MB says. The concept would also meet Europe's strict EU6 emissions standards, which won't be enacted until the later part of 2014. Using BlueTEC in the E250 would probably get the car a 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway rating from the EPA, Mercedes estimates. Check out the press release after the jump and live, high-res images in our gallery below.


Gallery: New York 2009: Mercedes-Benz E 250 BlueTEC


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz E 250 BlueTEC


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

Continue reading New York: Mercedes E250 Bluetec concept would get 39 mpg highway

New York: Mercedes E250 Bluetec concept would get 39 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benz dieselBenzDieselbluetecdiesele250e250 bluetecE250Bluetecmercedes dieselmercedes e250mercedes-benzMercedesDieselMercedesE250new yorknew york 2009new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2009NewYorkAutoShowNYAutoShowWed, 08 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1511647/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/08/new-york-mercedes-e250-bluetec-concept-would-get-39-mpg-highway/1511647/article-detail.xml 1511647 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/benz-nyas-11_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/benz-nyas-11_opt.jpg <![CDATA[VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Just as Ford's F150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, their E-Series (née Econoline) vans have also been sales champs since before the dawn of the 1980s. A strong presence in the trades delivers forty percent of the full-size van market to the E-Series. Ford's adding some new features and an upgraded interior to the E-Series for 2009 to help it continue to earn its keep. The full-sizers got an exterior nip and tuck last year, so the biggest body changes this year are rear doors that open wider.

Ford's Work Solutions system is a natural addition, and it makes just as much sense in the work van as it does in a pickup. The biggest news is a revised instrument panel with -- bar the door -- four auxiliary switches. Actually, not having a mish-mash of toggles and rockers drilled through the dash face for aftermarket gear is a nice touch. The panel itself has an uncluttered, no-nonsense layout, though the vents look like they could chew off errant fingers. Also on the new dash is a navigation system, which should lessen the "I'm lost, so I'm going to lunch" calls from contractors. American cargo vans are unsung utilitarian heroes, and Ford doesn't want its class leadership to slip away. Press release after the jump

Gallery: 2009 Ford E-Series


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades

VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcargocargo vanCargoVane 150e 250e 350e seriesE150E250E350econolineESeriesfordfull sizeFullSizevanworkwork solutionswork vanWorkSolutionsWorkVanTue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1124546/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/1124546/article-detail.xml 1124546 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/e350_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/e350_450.jpg -1 2