Autos : Aston Martin signs Letter of Intent for technical partnership with AMG

A little over two months ago came reports that Daimler and Aston Martin were in talks, again, about "supply and technical-cooperation agreements." The next step has been taken with Aston Martin announcing that it has signed a Letter of Intent that looks "towards a technical partnership" with Mercedes-AMG GmbH, and the two companies aiming to have definitive agreements done by year's end.

While it will get to use certain electric and electronic components from AMG, the true golden egg for the maker of the Vanquish will be the ability to develop a new line of "bespoke V8 powertrains" that will be fitted to "a new generation of models." In return for opening up the larder, Daimler will get a non-voting stake of up to five percent of Aston Martin.

 

Press Release

Aston Martin in technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG GmbH

Thursday 25 July, 2013, Gaydon: Aston Martin is today announcing moves towards a technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG GmbH, a 100% subsidiary and high performance brand of German multinational automotive corporation Daimler AG. A Letter of Intent to this end has been signed today and both parties are working towards signing definitive agreements before the end of the year. Such agreements are subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

The proposed deal will see Aston Martin access significant Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Mercedes-Benz Cars' resources, allowing the development of bespoke V8 powertrains and the use of certain components of electric/electronic (e/e) architecture.

Daimler AG will own a stake of up to five per cent non-voting shares in Aston Martin depending on the progress of the agreement. The company will join the existing shareholders that include Investment DAR, Adeem Investment and Investindustrial.

The technical partnership will support Aston Martin's launch of a new generation of models that will incorporate cutting edge technology and newly-developed bespoke V8 powertrains. An essential element of the planned partnership is a supply agreement between Mercedes-AMG, Daimler AG and Aston Martin.

Aston Martin, which is Britain's most exclusive sports car company, is celebrating its centenary this year. The company will continue to manufacture all of its sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.

Aston Martin Product Development Director Ian Minards said: "We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process.

"Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news."

He added: "Working with Mercedes-AMG in this way while, of course, remaining independent and preserving the unique character and style of Aston Martin that has been the mainstay of the company throughout its 100-year history, points to a very bright future for the company as it starts its second century in business."

Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH said: "We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG's technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides."

The companies confirm that their respective engineering teams will work together to optimise the implementation of this technical partnership.

Both parties have agreed that no further details of the planned technical partnership will be revealed for the time being.

 

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Car Porn - NEW Mercedes-Benz S Class 2013 on the Road !!

Rides : Watch Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class in an anime adventure

The still-warm A-Class is already the most successful launch in Mercedes-Benz history, yet the German brand is still coming up with new ways to show it off to more people. The latest example comes from Mercedes' Japanese outpost, which has created an anime series for the compact hatch called "Next A-Class." The new video shorts are part of the promotion ahead of the model's launch in Japan this January.

 

The futuristic, city-shifting action centers around a mythical, mystical noodle truck, the hitch being that you have to somehow find it and then actually catch it before you can buy anything from it. Thankfully, the protagonists have an A45 AMG to do the trick. An insider's note: the noodle truck is based on the 1955 Blue Wonder, an actual Fifties-era race transporter powered by the inline six from the 300SL Gullwing. Check out the series' first installment below.

Rides : Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG Sports Package teased on Facebook

Mercedes-Benz has given the world a peek at the upcoming C-Class AMG Sports Package, thanks to a few quick photos on the company's USA Facebook page. Buyers who opt for the kit will get to enjoy seven-spoke, eighteen-inch alloy wheels outside, while the cabin comes decked in all sort of niceties. Red seat belts pair with MB sport seats hemmed in red contrast stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel replaces the standard tiller. Otherwise, details are scarce about when we can expect to see the package show up on order sheets or how much it will cost buyers when it does arrive.

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class starts at $35,350, plus a $905 destination fee. You can find out more by heading over to the Mercedes-Benz USA consumer site or checking out the company's Facebook page. 

 

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Mercedes-Benz Recalls E-Class Coupe For Faulty Airbags

The German based automaker Mercedes-Benz has recently announced a recall for the new E-Class Coupe because of a problem with the side curtain airbags.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 499 units of the E350 and E550 will be affected by this recall and their owners in the United States will have to take a trip back to the dealers in order to get the problem with the side curtain airbags fixed. The NHTSA is saying that because of improper stitching, the side curtain airbags may not deploy in case of an impact, increasing the risk of injury or even death.

“Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 E350 and E550 Coupe vehicles, manufactured April 2, 2012, through June 29, 2012. Improper stitching of the right side window curtain air bag may cause it to not deploy as intended in the affected vehicles”, said the NHTSA in its summary of the problem.

The company’s dealerships will be notified soon and dealers will replace the ride side window curtain airbag free of charge. The recall is expected to begin next month (November, 2012). Owners are advised to contact their local dealership or Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Rides : Mercedes recalling 2013 SL-Class over air conditioning issue

Last week, Daimler announced that it would be sticking with R-134a refrigerant in its cars due to some tests it conducted that showed the newer, more environmentally friendly R-1234yf ignited in certain crash tests. Apparently, this R-134a replacement had already been installed in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so the automaker is electing to issue a recall for a small number of SLs to replace the refrigerant. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall, this worst-case scenario crash was only verified by Daimler, and the refrigerant recall is not yet affecting any other automakers.

Since the two refrigerants are interchangeable, all Mercedes-Benz dealerships will have to do is replace the R-1234yf with R-134a and swap out the A/C lines. Mercedes-Benz will be notifying owners this month whose cars were built between December 19, 2011 and May 31, 2012; NHTSA states that only 432 cars will be affected.

Currently, General Motors is the only other automaker in the U.S. using the R-1234yf (in the 2013 Cadillac XTS and 2013 Cadillac ATS in addition to the European-spec Chevrolet Malibu), and it has responded with a statement of its own regarding this matter:

"The safety of our vehicles and our customers is GM's highest priority. The new vehicle refrigerant, called R-1234yf, was evaluated and tested over many years through industry-wide cooperative research programs with organizations such as SAE and other independent engineering organizations and involved 10 major global automobile manufacturers including GM. We believe these tests demonstrate that R-1234yf is a safe, effective and environmentally beneficial motor vehicle air conditioner refrigerant for our future vehicles. However, we are trying to learn more about the Daimler test experience and will, of course, make any decisions and take any actions with our customers' safety in mind."

Press Release

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
MERCEDES BENZ / SL-CLASS 2013

Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Report Receipt Date: OCT 01, 2012

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V478000

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EQUIPMENT:AIR CONDITIONER

Potential Number of Units Affected: 432

Summary:
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2013 SL-Class vehicles manufactured from December 19, 2011, through May 31, 2012 originally equipped with R1234yf refrigerant. Daimler AG (DAG), the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, conducted product testing of a vehicle, not sold in the US, but equipped with the same refrigerant. According to Mercedes-Benz, the testing was designed to replicate worst-case conditions expected in a severe frontal crash that would cause a rupture of the air conditioner refrigerant line. A rupture of a refrigerant line will result in a gaseous mixture of refrigerant being released into the engine compartment.

Consequence:
The testing conducted by DAG determined that the escaping R1234yf refrigerant may ignite under specific conditions. The resulting fire could spread to additional combustible materials.

Remedy:
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the R1234yf refrigerant with R134a along with new refrigerant lines (hoses) designed specifically for R134a. The remedy will be provided free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during October 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Spyshots! 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio

 

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio has been recently spied and the latest images are confirming the rumors which were announcing the luxurious drop-top.

The all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio is confirming our questions and the model is indeed inspired by the Ocean Drive Concept, which was officially presented to the public back in 2007 during the Detroit Motor Show, and the final production version of the model will borrow the concept’s fabric roof. Even if it has been inspired by the Ocean Drive Concept, the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio will only get two doors and four seats.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio is expected to hit the market one year after the new generation of the regular S-Class will be presented, and with the model being scheduled to be revealed next year, the drop-top version might make its way onto the market in 2014. All technologies which will be used on the next generation of the S-Class are expected to be carried over on the Cabrio, including the Magic Body Control, which is using sensors and cameras in order to scan the road and adapt the suspension to any surface. The engine lineup is also expected to be carried over from the regular S-Class too. No more details are being known about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabrio for the moment.

Rides : Mercedes-Benz previews next S-Class with Aesthetics S Concept

Mercedes-Benz previews next S-Class with Aesthetics S Concept

Mercedes-Benz took a moment at the Paris Motor Show to display its Aesthetics S Concept. Built as a combination static, physical sculpture and audio-visual presentation, the design exercise lends a glimpse at what we can expect to see from the next-generation S-Class. Mercedes-Benz projected a number of scenes onto the relief to highlight the design's lines and lineage, including images of W189, W108 and W126 S-Class models. Aligning the images of the S-Class ancestors with the new designs is a clever way to draw parallels between new and old.

Gordon Wagener, head of design for Mercedes-Benz, says the Aesthetics S Concept does more than point toward what's coming down the pike for the S-Class. The display also outlines what's in store for the rest of the company's products.

 

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Mercedes-Benz CL500 owned by DMX is for sale

The rapper and actor DMX is selling his customized Mercedes-Benz CL500 for 21,500 USD.

“If you like your music loud and obnoxious you have found your dream machine”, as the ad is saying.

DMX, by his real name David Michael Xaviar, the multi-Platinum American rapper and actor got bored with his 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500 and the vehicle is being sold on eBay. For 21,500 USD, you can be the owner of this customized ride, which is coming with Lorinser trim, including the spoilers, side skirts, free-flow exhaust system, sport suspension and 20×9.5-inch chrome Lowenhart wheels, along with a 20,000 USD Phoenix Gold Sound System.
The ad is saying that the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500 is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine and it’s done 107,099 miles on its odometer. Transmission is automatic and power is being sent to the rear wheels. The vehicle in question isn’t coming with any warranty and it’s had two previous owners. The CL500 owned by DMX wasn’t involved in any accidents so considering what it has to offer, the vehicle seems like a good deal. If you want to find out more about it you can check it out on eBay.

Surveillance camera shows Mercedes driver parking fail

It's happened to you or someone you know: You think your car is in Park and begin to exit your vehicle, and then it starts to roll. Now, most drivers catch themselves that moment, step on the brakes, throw the gearshift into Park and wait for their heart rate to come back down. This was not one of those times.

In this case, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the unfortunate vehicle involved caught on a security camera, and its operator thinks that the car is in Park or that the emergency brake is engaged. We won't even talk about the fact that the driver nearly drags the car along a cement wall while backing it out, but it it appears to come to a stop on the entrance to the street. When the driver gets out to pick something up in the driveway, the luxury sedan starts to crawl forward thanks to gravity, and unfortunately for the driver, it's aimed directly at her.

The driver initially manages to avoid being run over by her own Mercedes-Benz, but in the process of attempting to recover, things get... worse. We'll keep the conclusion a surprise until you check out the video below.

While you may not go to hell for muffling a chuckle in response to this video, we feel bad for the victim here. There is no description for this video, so we cannot confirm if she was badly hurt, but hopefully not. And we can't help but sympathize a little – we've always felt that Benz's newer column-mounted electronic gear selector (with its "P" button on the end of the stalk) can be a bit fiddly. Clearly, it takes some practice. 

 

 

Credit : autoblog.com

Rides : Chris Harris discovers new niche with Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake

There are a number of interesting tidbits in Chris Harris' review of the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake, one of them being that he spends most of his seat time talking about the station wagon like it's a sports car. This isn't all that surprising if you limit yourself to the side of the spec sheet that lists "twin-turbo V8 with 557 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, limited-slip differential and seven-speed paddle-shifted transmission."

One the other side, though, is the part about it being more than 16 feet long, having four doors, seating for five and a cargo capacity that can go from 590 liters to 1,550 liters by folding down the rear seats (that's about 21 cubic feet to 55 cubic feet). And that gets Harris examining how a wagon can not only fill a niche, but can actually be something special and, perhaps, even a cult vehicle.

Another measure of how far the automotive world has come is when Harris says, "Only a little 285-section [tire] at the back," which means a new goalpost for "little" tire sizes comes from a review of a station wagon.

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Check Out The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG by Vorsteiner

The German aftermarket specialists at Vorsteiner have recently previewed their latest creation, a modified Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG with a great body kit.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is probably one of the few rides out there which can successfully take you to a business meeting in a fancy restaurant or out for a beer on a Friday night with your friends in the same style but the luxurious German vehicle has just gotten even hotter thanks to the guys at Vorsteiner, who have modified its exterior design and have also offered a power boost for the model.
According to the German tuning company, the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG in question is bringing, amongst the unique paint job, a new body kit made out of a redesigned front bumper, a badgeless radiator grille, side skirt panels, fender grille covers, vented rear diffuser, a boot lid spoiler and a choice of brand new wheels ranging in size from 19 to 21 inches.
The performance of the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG in question hasn’t been left aside either even if this model already has a powerful engine and the tuning company has fitted the model with a new sports exhaust which can be ordered in either stainless steel or titanium. Vorsteiner didn’t announce a price list for the upgrades just yet but more details on the model will be announced soon. Remember, this is just a preview.