The current issue of German car magazine Auto Bild reports that Mercedes-Benz is working on a superlight E-Class for 2015 that will be manufactured using carbon fiber. Although the carbon fiber will be super-lightweight, it will be harder than steel. The new E-Class will weigh approximately 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs.), which is 350 kg (772 lbs.) lighter than the current model.

The article states that Mercedes-Benz is thinking about both hydrogen fuel-cell and gasoline-hybrid drivetrains for the superlight E-Class.

Below is an excerpt in the original German, followed by our translation:

Wow, was für ein Hingucker! Mercedes schickt seine E-Klasse zur Diät. Das Ergebnis wird für 2015 erwartet. Der E superlight wird nicht nur super schick, sondern auch super leicht. Lediglich 1300 Kilo soll er noch auf die Waage bringen – ganze 350 Kilo weniger als die aktuelle E-Klasse. Denn der Superlight besteht aus super leichter Kohlefaser. Trotz des geringen Gewichts ist das Material härter als Stahl. Diese hohe Steifigkeit lässt Technikern und Designern ungeahnte Freiheiten. So soll der E superlight extravagente Schiebetüren ohne störende B-Säule bekommen.

Wow, what a looker! The Mercedes E-Class went on a diet. The result is expected in 2015. The E-Class is not only super light, but super smart, too. Only 1300 kg, it should weigh in at 350 kg less than the current E-Class because the Superlight is made of super-lightweight carbon fiber. Despite its low weight, the material is harder than steel. This high rigidity gives engineers and designers unprecedented freedom to add features such as sliding doors (gullwing?) without B-pillars.

(Note: photo is of the current E-Class Coupe.)

It’s official – the Louisiana Superdome is now the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The automaker inked a 10-year agreement that provides naming rights and other sponsorship benefits, including the title “Official and Exclusive Vehicle” of the NFL’s Saints team.

In addition to the 2013 Super Bowl, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will host several upcoming sporting events including the 2012 Men’s Final Four and BCS Championship Game.

“The joining of the Mercedes-Benz brand with the world-class Saints organization and the Superdome, an iconic destination which has undergone an incredible transformation over the past six years, is a significant moment for us, the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana,” said Ernst Lieb, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.  “Our commitment over the next decade is to the Saints fans, team, and this famous community as it flourishes beyond anyone’s expectations.”

This is Mercedes-Benz’s first U.S. naming deal and also the first for the Superdome, which recently concluded a six-year $336 million renovation project. The agreement provides Mercedes-Benz with branding opportunities inside and outside of the sports complex. In addition, the Saints print and online publications will feature Mercedes-Benz advertising and content and the company will have access to Saints players and coaches for promotions and special events.

Photo credit: Daniel Schwen

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers aged 16-19 years old are four times more likely to experience a motor vehicle crash than adults. Further, such crashes are still the leading cause of death for teens in this country. Yet according to research cited by Mercedes-Benz, traditional U.S. guidelines for driver’s training “cannot reasonably be expected to transform a non-driver into a safe driver.”

Thus, the automaker is currently developing a new Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy aimed at preparing “students for today’s driving environment by going beyond basic car control skills and rote learning of traffic rules.”

“Despite the dramatic changes in vehicles, highways, and the driving environment over the past 60 years, driver education remains relatively unchanged in the U.S.,” said Alexander Hobbach, senior manager, Daimler AG. “The skills required to simply get a license do not fully prepare young drivers to meet the demands of the road. Mercedes-Benz recognizes this issue and as a result is creating an educational program for the U.S. that is based on the best teaching methods and tools available.”

The Academy, expected to open later this year, will leverage a mix of state-of-the-art teaching methods, classroom sessions, online learning opportunities and real-world, on-the-road training. And notably, Mercedes-Benz already has met with representatives of U.S. Departments of Motor Vehicles to ensure its curriculum fulfills all state and local requirements.

A similar program was launched in the United Kingdom in 2009 and has experienced impressive results. Some 79 percent of the Academy’s UK graduates passed their driving test on the first try, as compared to a national average of just 43 percent.

“As a company, we have a long history and continuous efforts to improve vehicle safety so the Driving Academy is a natural extension of Mercedes-Benz desire to achieve accident-free driving,” added Hobbach. “With only 10 percent of crashes being a result of technical failure and 90 percent due to human error, Mercedes-Benz sees an opportunity to actively improve drivers’ skills, focusing first on novice drivers, who are most at risk on U.S. roads.”

(via: Tysons Corner Mercedes)

The massively powerful 2012 C63 AMG Mercedes Coupe made sports car drivers’ dreams come true with its debut at the New York Auto Show today. The sleek two-door vehicle harnesses a maximum output of 451 hp and pinnacle torque at 443 lb.-ft. torque. The coupe reaches 155 mph (electronically limited and monitored) and accelerates from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. Although the sports car is a definite power house, it is also fuel efficient thanks o the AMG SpeedShift MCT 7 sports transmission equipped with a “controlled efficiency” mode and fuel reducing power steering pump. The coupe will be available in dealerships this September.

AMG sports suspension and high performance braking system optimize responsiveness and overall performance along with road noise and tire vibration. The braking system includes perforated and internally ventilated discs at the corners delivering maximum responsiveness, short stopping distances and high fade resistance.

With a low riding arrow-shaped front section, high-gloss black horizontal edge and LED daytime running lights, the AMG Coupe has a uniquely sleek look all its own. Inside features include the high-gloss piano lacquer center console and instrument cluster, dashboard and door aluminum elements and comfortably stylish head rests with the AMG emblem stitched into the cover.
Speed demons can be kept safe with nine surrounding air bags, belt-force limiters and attention assist technology with drowsiness detection to Blind Spot Assist.

Mercedes’ aircraft inspired Concept A-class will be revealed April 19th at the Shanghai Auto Show. This new concept will re-launch the A-Class series which began in 1997. The original sculpture was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January, displaying the company’s inspiration from “wind, waves and the romance of flight”. Futuristic designs and modern features set this new concept far from the original and any other Mercedes vehicle on the market.

 The new concept introduces a front-drive architecture that will also be featured in the three-door and five-door variants of the concept. The front-wheel drive also offers radar-based collision warning system with adaptive braking ability which will significantly lower the risk of rear end collisions. With an acoustic and visual warning, the adaptive Brake Assist prepares an inattentive driver by initiating the brakes when the brake pedal is forcefully applied.
Between the four individual seats is an aluminum center rail extending the length of the cabin (made to look like a modern flight control panel), creating comfortable individual pod-like seats. The interior also glows red like the afterburner of a jet engine. Features like the vents, red instruments, dash and gear selector are reminiscent of sleek windswept designs found in aircrafts and the ocean waves. The dashboard itself is shaped like an airplane wing and is covered with translucent stretchable fabric.

Direct injection and turbo charging deliver high performance with low emissions and fuel consumption.

Mercedes-Benz usually has more formal introductions for its vehicles, but recently the upcoming SLK hardtop convertible debuted in a French promotional film that turned up on the Internet.

The roadster features the current aggressive styling, including a large front grille opening and huge emblem, Autoblog reports. Among the features found on the SLK are the AirScarf system neck warmer, adaptive headlights, seven-speed automatic gearbox and the Magic Sky control roof, which darkens by pressing a button. Unlike photo-sensitive lenses, the system uses electricity to vary the opacity from clear to nearly opaque. The glass filters UV and infrared radiation.

Official debut of the SLK is expected at either the Detroit Auto Show in January or Geneva in March.

Look in the rearview, BMW, Mercedes-Benz is also launching in-car iPad integration. Although Mercedes isn’t typically one to be a copycat, the popularity of this particular mobile computing device certainly warrants a little follow-the-leader.

The new product is very similar to BMW’s in that it features headrest-mounted iPad docks. This allows passengers in the rear seats to use and recharge their iPad with ease.

No pricing has been released just yet. It will be interesting to see what other factory accessories will roll out as mobile devices like the iPad (and competing Android-based devices) become increasingly popular.

* * *

Read more Mercedes-Benz news right here on this blog. Subscribe now for updates.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS pioneered the concept of the “four-door coupe” and has spawned many imitators. Now, Mercedes hopes to reshape this niche segment once again with the all-new 2012 CLS, which was just unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

For 2012, the CLS benefits from a bolder design that borrows cues from other recent Mercedes-Benz products. In addition to its eye-catching sheet metal, the CLS also lost weight, about 52 pounds to be exact. The CLS’ sleak looks have attracted buyers looking for something different from a typical sedan, according to Mercedes-Benz Dealer Maryland.

“Customers all over the world benefited from our bold move to launch a completely new vehicle concept onto the market”, explains a delighted Dr. Joachim Schmidt, head of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz. “And with its exciting design, the new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door Coupé.”

Demand for the CLS hasn’t wavered much among Arlington Mercedes Benz dealers since its introduction back in 2005. But competition has been brewing, and new “four-door coupe” offerings will soon arrive from rivals Audi and BMW. The CLS model is aimed at helping Mercedes stay on top in the niche that it essentially created. Hyundai has taken up the challenge of building a high-end luxury model with the Equus, which is highly anticipated, Alexandria Hyundai Dealers say.

Naturally, a car that looks this good should have equally impressive engines to match. The 2012 CLS will get a total of four engines, but two are reserved for European buyers. Here in North America, we’ll see a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 306 horsepower and a V-8 pumping out 402 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. For all your automotive needs, visit Alexandria Honda Dealers.

Other unique features coming to the CLS are LED High Performance Active Headlights, Direct-Steer electromechanical steering, and an updated suspension that borrows components from the E-Class.

* * *

Read more Mercedes Benz news right here. Subscribe for the latest.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS is all-new for 2012, and its sheet metal is just as stunning as before. The first generation sparked a design phenomenon that has led to other “four-door coupe” designs, especially from other European brands. Now the latest generation looks to be setting a new trend.

Marking the launch of this new model is its first commercial. Clearly, the latest model continues to the sleekness of its predecessor, but features a more corporate grille and bolder, flared fenders.

Next month the 2012 Mercedes CLS is due to be shown off at the Paris Motor Show. If you can’t wait until then to see more of this model, take a peek at the video below.

* * *
Read more Mercedes news on this blog. Subscribe now for the latest.

The “four-door coupe” is a design phenomenon that has taken the premium segment by storm. Much of that craze can be attributed to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. When it was launched in 2004, its sleek, sweeping lines were tremendously popular, and others were quick to imitate its stylish look.

Now, Mercedes is looking to maintain its distinction in this four-door coupe niche with the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS. Its official unveiling is slated for the Paris Motor Show, but already official images have already hit the Web, and they certainly don’t disappoint.

There has been no confirmation of what engines will be powering this new CLS, but it’s expected to be offered with two engine choices when it reaches showrooms in North American in the middle of next year. One possible engine is a new direct-injected 3.5-liter V6. Another choice is expected to be a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 that will produce 430 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

Check back to this Mercedes-Benz blog for additional 2012 CLS specs after its unveiling in October.

* * *

For all Mercedes-Benz news don’t forget to check back here soon. Subscribe now.