Autoblog

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class caught totally undisguised

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

Based on the lightly camouflaged spy shots of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class we've seen lately, it hasn't taken a vivid imagination to picture what the next iteration of this big luxury sedan will look like. Even so, we now we have our first unobstructed views of the redesigned S-Class, codenamed W222, as it has just been caught out flaunting for some promo shots.

The first thing we notice about the new S-Class design is the disappearance of the last generation's flared wheel arches. Yet the new design adds even more character with bodyside creases similar to the CLS-Class and some elements reminiscent of 2007's F700 Concept, including the massive grille and vertical LED taillights. Other key details include a large panoramic roof and the narrow exhaust outlets, but the large LED-trimmed headlights and the aggressive front fascia are probably the biggest departure from the current design. With these spy shots, we also catch a blurry shot of the interior, but we've seen a practically uncovered look at the new S-Class' cabin back in January.

Overall, the next S-Class sports an expressive and premium new look, but as far as all-new designs go, it's quite conservative - a move no doubt fitting for these lean financial times.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class caught totally undisguised originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes-Benz S-Class spied once again

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

As evidenced by how little camouflage the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been caught wearing lately, it can't be too much longer until the car will get its official debut. In our newest shots of the yacht-sized luxo sedan, the cladding still covers up the headlights, front fascia and most of the rear end, but we finally have an almost undisguised look at the rest of the car's lines.

Considering previous spy shots had more camo that better (or fully) concealed the S-Class' body, some of the more obvious things we see in these images include the prominent grille, the CLS-Class-inspired bodyside creases, the pointed trunk opening and, most interestingly, a lack of fancy exhaust outlets. Unlike other S-Class prototypes we've seen, this car does not have integrated outlets, but it does have two pipes on the left side of the car. All current S-Class models in the US and Europe feature a dual exhaust layout on each side of the car, so while some of our questions about the car get answered, it would appear that more are just arising.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class spied once again originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series captured prepping for track duty

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

If we had to put a list together of cars that we're dying to drive, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series would be well within the top ten. Mind you, ours would be a big list, too. Apparently we'll need to recalibrate our roster a bit, because MB may just have a more vicious version waiting to assault our senses.

Our spy photographers have just trained their lenses on a particularly angry-looking C63 Coupe Black Series wearing some bolt-on upgrades. A fixed rear wing is paired with a carbon fiber front splitter, front canards and side skirts. For the moment, we're going to assume that the engine still pumps out 510 horsepower, but the more aggressive features point to this being a track-ready version of the German super coupe. Check it out from all angles in our high-res gallery.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series captured prepping for track duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes-Benz A-Class spied in AMG guise

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is coming to the United States, and we're already eager for some seat time. And while Mercedes-Benz hasn't outright confirmed an AMG variant, our spy photographers managed to snag a camo-clad compact wearing all sorts of bulgy bolt-ons. Our best guess is that some sort of AMG treatment lies beneath.

The large wheels and tires do nothing to hide the large brakes lurking just behind the rolling gear. A larger air intake is seen up front while larger exhaust pipes are poking out of the rear. Rumor has it that the Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG will be powered by an engine producing between 320 and 350 horsepower, filtering its energy through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and running to the ground via all-wheel drive.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class spied in AMG guise originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mercedes-Benz GLK to get a gentle nip/tuck

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Mercedes-Benz

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

Mercedes-Benz is prepping a refreshed GLK, and our spy photographers have managed to capture an example running around with a dash of camouflage covering up the revised front and rear ends.

Nothing major to report here, but it seems this future GLK will be wearing updated headlights along with re-shaped front and rear bumpers. We can see a row of LED running lamps poking out of the perforated camo up front, as well as more angular headlamp clusters. As far as updated powertrain details, we're still in the dark, but don't be surprised if the new direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 from the C350 finds its way underhood.

Clicking through the gallery below will give you an idea of what to expect when the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLK makes an uncovered appearance.

Mercedes-Benz GLK to get a gentle nip/tuck originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz CLS getting the inevitable AMG treatment

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Surprise, surprise - Mercedes-Benz is working on an AMG version of its next-generation CLS-Class ~~coupe~~ sedan. Our spies recently caught this prototype out and about, and underneath all of that cladding is what we imagine to be an immensely attractive, steroid-enhanced version of the new CLS body. We'll take one in black, please.

Shapely lines aside, the most important part of any AMG car is what's under the hood, and the CLS AMG will doubtlessly pack wallop. Expect Benz's new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 to be under the bonnet, as this will rapidly become standard spec for Benz's V8-powered AMG cars. We've already read about this mill in the new S63 and CL63, so expect the CLS to bring around 540 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque to the table, though we assume that an upgraded performance package will be available, increasing these output numbers.

We're on the edge of our Recaros for this one, folks. But until the final tweaks have been made, we'll have to settle for these spy shots. See for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz CLS getting the inevitable AMG treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class struts its stuff out in public

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

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

Mercedes-Benz has a lot on its plate at the moment. In addition to the spy shots we've seen of the next-generation GL, ML, SLK and C-Class Coupe, our men in the trees have spotted this S-Class mule out roaming the streets, giving us a glimpse at what the all-new flagship Benz will have in store when it launches in the next few years.

Up front, it appears that the headlamps have been reduced in size and our spies indicate that full-LED units will be in place for the 2012 model year. Additionally, the front grille appears larger, mimicking what we've seen in the F700 concept car. Under the hood, we expect a full range of new engines, including gasoline, diesel and hybrid variations, keeping the big S-Class competitive with what the rest of the luxury barges coming to market in the next few years.

We fully expect to see more spy shots of the new S-Class as development continues, so stay tuned. As for the official reveal, look for that to happen sometime in 2011 with production models hitting the road in 2012.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class struts its stuff out in public originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL caught testing

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz GL sport-ute may have received a slight refresh for the 2010 model year, but the team in Stuttgart is already prepping the next-generation GL, and our spies have caught an early test mule roaming the streets. The overall shape of the seven-passenger SUV hasn't changed much, but we can see that the front fascia has been smoothed out quite a bit, even in these early development stages.

The new GL will ride on a stretched version of the next-generation ML crossover platform, and it will share the majority of its technological data with the smaller ML, as well. In true Mercedes-Benz fashion, we expect a full range of gasoline and diesel engines to be available, though no official word has been given on exactly what will be under the hood when the GL launches. For now, check out the attached gallery to see the GL mule out on the road.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL caught testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL smiles for the camera

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all the hype surrounding the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it's easy to forget that the SL and SLK roadsters are still a crucial part of the automaker's lineup. We've seen the next generation of the baby SLK out testing, and now our spies have caught a larger 2012 SL mule out and about.

Up front, the more upright fascia with the dinner plate-sized Three-Pointed Star logo is the biggest change, as are the revised headlamps, which seem to be less angular than the ones found on the current SL. Looking below, we can see that LED running light strips have been fitted at the lower air intakes (something that's quickly becoming standard equipment across the automaker's portfolio), and out back, the triangular taillamps have been smoothed out a bit.

Our crafty spy photographers have also managed to get a glimpse inside the new SL. A new sport steering wheel is in place, and even though we don't have the photographic proof, we're told that the rest of the interior (center console, etc.) is akin to the new design found in the SLS AMG. Fine by us.

Click through the gallery below to see the full set of high-res Mercedes-Benz SL spy shots.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL smiles for the camera originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments