As some of you may know Mercedes-Benz USA is the Official Vehicle of the US Open and today they announced that they would be participating in the USTA’s environmental strategy by providing fleets of “luxury eco transportation” for the players and VIP transportation.  MBUSA will be positively impacting the US Open’s green initiatives and a new green PSA is expected to feature Alec Baldwin.  For more information on this green initiative check out a portion of the press release below.

Source:  News Blaze/Mercedes-Benz USA

As the Official Vehicle of the US Open, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announces today that it is a driving force behind the USTA’s commitment to green initiatives by providing Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID sedans and Mercedes-Benz F-CELL (Hydrogen Electric Vehicle powered by a fuel cell) vehicles representing 60 percent of the fleet used for player and VIP transportation during the 2010 US Open tournament.

As an innovator in luxury eco-transportation, Mercedes-Benz is dispatching its F-Cell hydrogen fuel vehicles with zero emissions in addition to 75 S400 Hybrid vehicles in an effort to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the US Open tournament. The US Open launched its comprehensive environmental program three years ago and continues to expand green initiatives each year. In 2010, key initiatives include recycling, energy management, composting and utilizing paper products comprised of at least 30% post-consumer waste. In addition, a new green PSA campaign is planned featuring Alec Baldwin.

“We are very excited to participate in the USTA’s environmental strategy and positively impact the US Open green initiatives through the Mercedes-Benz transportation fleet. By tapping our portfolio of eco vehicles, we can provide athletes, staff and officials with green transportation without having to sacrifice luxury or safety,” said Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “Over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz is committed to exploring new ways through innovative eco mobility to help the USTA expand their environmental initiatives.”‘

For the full article click here.

Here are some excerpts from Daimler’s news release about Mercedes-Benz’s July sales.  The article is pretty lengthy, so we decided to provide you with the most important facts from the article relating to the U.S. market.  Happy reading!

July was a promising month for Mercedes-Benz, rising by 17%.  This marked the ninth month in a row that sales have increased at a double-digit rate.  Sales now total 654,400 units since the beginning of the year, representing an increase of 16 percent.  “Our sales figures continue to rise — after a successful first half of the year, the second half has now also begun extremely well with a high growth rate,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars.  “Starting this fall, a range of attractive new models will join the E- and S-Class to provide us with additional momentum. The new generation of the R-Class, for example, has met with a very good customer response, and the thoroughly updated CL will ideally supplement our lineup in the luxury segment.”

In addition, Mercedes-Benz is gradually introducing its new and especially efficient six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines in all model ranges, from the C-Class up. The high-tech direct injection gasoline engines are combined with an enhanced 7GTRONIC automatic transmission with an integrated standard start-stop function. Dr. Schmidt adds: “Our strong product range puts us in a very good position, which is why we can look ahead with optimism. We want sales at Mercedes-Benz to grow at a double-digit rate in full-year 2010.”

The U.S. market continues to be a key pillar for the success of Mercedes-Benz in the second half of the year. In July, Mercedes-Benz boosted sales in the country by seven percent, to 17,400 units. The brand has handed over a total of 121,000 vehicles to customers since the beginning of the year, representing an increase of 20 percent. This performance makes Mercedes-Benz the German premium brand with the highest sales volume in the U.S. since the start of this year.

For full article from Daimler click here.

We’ve got more….you’ve guessed it….SPY SHOTS! Some of you may be thinking what the heck? The Mercedes-Benz B-Class doesn’t exist for United States Mercedes lovers, however that will soon change as Mercedes is planning up to three B-Class variants for the U.S. market!  The hatchback version in these photos (courtesy of LEFTLANE) will likely be a part of the B-Class’ U.S. mix, but two other models are still under consideration as well.  Mercedes-Benz is planning sedan and SUV variants of the next B-Class, giving the premium compact a broader appeal among U.S. buyers.

As you can see in the interior shots the display for the radio and navigation has moved up a bit on the dashboard as well as it seems that the gearstick for the automatic gearbox comes with a steering column gear selector rather than a gearstick in the center console. That will offer more possibilities for storage in the center console.

Look for the next-generation B-Class to debut sometime next year as a 2012 model, with a U.S. sales debut likely a year or two later.

For full article click here.

Thanks to eMercedesBenz check out the new video of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG!  Dynamic and efficient: The CL 63 AMG impresses with a newly developed V8 engine and with fuel consumption that is 27 percent lower than its predecessor. The new V8 engine has two turbochargers with a top performance of 420 kW. Fitted as standard are the spray-guided direct petrol injection and stop start function, this way the CL 63 AMG represents motoring refinement at the highest level.

Performance/Handling
•    621 Horsepower @ 4,800 RPM
•    738 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,000 – 4,000 RPM
•    Acceleration: 0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
•    Top speed: 186 mph (electronically limited)
•    AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed transmission with Sport, Comfort and Manual shift modes
•    AMG-specific power-assisted speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering
•    AMG-calibrated Active Body Control (ABC) suspension
•    Front: AMG-calibrated 4-link independent with antilift control and stabilizer bar
•    Rear: AMG-calibrated multilink independent with antisquat and antidive system
•    AMG high-performance two-piece braking system
•    Front: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 15.4″ discs with dual sliding calipers
•    Rear: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 14.4″ discs with sliding calipers
•    20″ AMG twin 5-spoke forged alloy wheels
•    255/35 ZR20 (front), 275/35 ZR20 (rear) high-performance tires
•    AMG sport exhaust system with V12-design dual twin chrome tailpipes
•    AMG aerodynamic sport styling

Take a look at the new Mercedes-Benz R-Class with this inside and outside tour of the newly designed model.  The R-Class is very spacious and can fit up to seven people!  Commanding power is delivered with energetic confidence by a choice of engines — a gasoline V6 or a 50‑state BlueTEC clean diesel V6 — both teamed with a 7‑speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.  Standard 19″ wheels and self-leveling rear suspension usher you around curves and over any road with poise and precision. While its rigid, aerodynamic body ensconces every seat of its roomy cabin in serene, secure comfort. 

Touring sedan, family car, and SUV, it doesn’t matter what you want to use the R-Class for–it’s always right!!

Over the weekend Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) posted the first official photos of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG, along with a preliminary equipment list and performance figures for both the 2011 Mercedes CL63 AMG and 2011 Mercedes CL65 AMG.  The following is the preliminary information for Performance/Handling and Safety/Security for both of the models, as well as a photo of the CL63AMG.  For the rest of the 2011 Mercedes CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG standard and optional equipment list, check out the eMercedesBenz website.

2011 Mercedes CL63 AMG

Performance/Handling
•    536 Horsepower @ 5,500 RPM
•    590 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,000 – 4,500 RPM
•    Acceleration: 0-60 mph: 4.4 sec.
•    Top speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
•    AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sport transmission with Sport, Comfort and Manual shift modes
•    AMG-specific power-assisted speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering
•    AMG-calibrated Active Body Control (ABC) suspension
•    Front: AMG-calibrated 4-link independent with antilift control and stabilizer bar
•    Rear: AMG-calibrated multilink independent with antisquat and antidive system
•    AMG high-performance two-piece braking system
•    Front: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 15.4″ discs with dual sliding calipers
•    Rear: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 14.4″ discs with sliding calipers
•    20″ AMG twin 5-spoke alloy wheels
•    255/35 ZR20 (front), 275/35 ZR20 (rear) high-performance tires
•    AMG sport exhaust system with dual twin chrome tailpipes
•    AMG aerodynamic sport styling

Safety/Security
•    New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
•    Mercedes-Benz mbrace™ emergency calling and convenience system
•    New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
•    Mercedes-Benz maintenance system
•    24-hour roadside assistance program
•    Steel-reinforced cabin with front & rear crumple zones
•    3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
•    ISOFIX anchor and tether system for child seats
•    Adaptive dual stage front airbags including driver knee airbag
•    Side airbags mounted in front and rear
•    Full-length head protection curtain
•    NECK-PRO active head restraints
•    4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and Brake Assist
•    AMG 2-stage Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
•    PRE-SAFE® (predictive occupant protection system)
•    Roll-over sensor
•    Anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer
•    Night security illumination
•    Tire pressure monitoring system
•    Panic button remote key
•    Emergency trunk release inside cargo area

2011 CL65 AMG

Performance/Handling
•    621 Horsepower @ 4,800 RPM
•    738 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,000 – 4,000 RPM
•    Acceleration: 0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
•    Top speed: 186 mph (electronically limited)
•    AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed transmission with Sport, Comfort and Manual shift modes
•    AMG-specific power-assisted speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering
•    AMG-calibrated Active Body Control (ABC) suspension
•    Front: AMG-calibrated 4-link independent with antilift control and stabilizer bar
•    Rear: AMG-calibrated multilink independent with antisquat and antidive system
•    AMG high-performance two-piece braking system
•    Front: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 15.4″ discs with dual sliding calipers
•    Rear: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 14.4″ discs with sliding calipers
•    20″ AMG twin 5-spoke forged alloy wheels
•    255/35 ZR20 (front), 275/35 ZR20 (rear) high-performance tires
•    AMG sport exhaust system with V12-design dual twin chrome tailpipes
•    AMG aerodynamic sport styling

Safety/Security
•    Active Lane Keeping Assist
•    New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
•    Mercedes-Benz mbrace™ emergency calling and convenience system
•    Mercedes-Benz maintenance system
•    24-hour roadside assistance program
•    Steel-reinforced cabin with front & rear crumple zones
•    3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
•    ISOFIX anchor and tether system for child seats
•    Adaptive dual stage front airbags including driver knee airbag
•    Side airbags mounted in front and rear
•    Full-length head protection curtain
•    NECK-PRO active head restraints
•    4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and Brake Assist
•    AMG 2-stage Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
•    PRE-SAFE® (predictive occupant protection system)
•    Roll-over sensor
•    Anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer
•    Night security illumination
•    Tire pressure monitoring system
•    Panic button remote key
•    Emergency trunk release inside cargo area

For full article click here.

Have you heard? Mercedes-Benz will be offering two hybrid models for 2011—the S400 Hybrid luxury sedan and the ML450 Hybrid SUV.

“Characterized as a “mild hybrid,” the S400 HYBRID (335 total hp, 381 lb.-ft. of torque) comes with the world’s first lithium-ion battery designed specifically for automotive use. The light-weight, high-capacity lithium-ion battery powers a 20-horsepower electric motor, which works with a 275-hp V6 gasoline engine to provide impressive fuel economy.

On the SUV side of the Mercedes-Benz family, the ML450 HYBRID comes with two electric motors and a 275-hp V6 gasoline engine that work together to provide impressive hybrid power with fuel economy estimated at 21 miles per gallon around town and 24 mpg on the highway.”

If you check out eMercedesBenz they have an article with more details about both of these Mercedes-Benz hybrid models for 2011!

Yesterday we told you about the 2011 Mercedes CL-Class that will be debuting this fall with state-of-the-art radar, camera, and sensor technology. Well what’s even better about the CL-Class is the BlueDIRECT engine that it will have.  Through a combination of innovative measures, including the third-generation spray-guided direct petrol injection and ECO start/stop function, the new V6 and V8 engines consume 20 to 24 percent less fuel than the previous versions.  BlueDIRECT engines provide increased performance, all the while using less fuel! How great is that?!

Check out this video to get a quick summary about how Mercedes-Benz’s new BlueDIRECT engines operate!

This fall get ready to welcome the restyled 2011 CL-Class featuring state-of-the-art radar, camera, and sensor technology!  The CL-Class encompasses the latest and greatest of Mercedes-Benz safety technology including features like Attention Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with automatic emergency braking, and Night View Assist Plus with Pedestrian Detection.  Continue on to read what these features entail thanks to eMercedesBenz.

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Using a multi-purpose camera mounted in the windshield and a computer that analyzes the images, Active Lane Keeping Assist recognizes lane markings and alerts the driver by simulating rumble strip vibrations in the steering wheel (via an electric motor) if the car drifts from its lane unintentionally. Should the driver fail to react to this warning, the car intervenes by gently braking the wheels on the opposite side of the car. The unequal distribution of braking forces causes a yaw movement which helps the driver to stay in their lane. Active Lane Keeping Assist makes use of the existing ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) system to apply the brakes and maintain vehicle control.

Active Blind Spot Assist

The second innovation on the 2011 CL-Class, Active Blind Spot Assist, monitors both blind spots alongside the vehicle using close-range radar sensors. When a vehicle is detected, a yellow warning triangle is illuminated in the corresponding side-view mirror. Should the driver disregard this warning and activate the turn indicator, the warning triangle changes to red and an audible warning also sounds. If the driver continues to ignore these warnings and moves dangerously close to a neighboring vehicle, the system activates corrective braking intervention to the wheels of the opposite side of the vehicle. Like Active Lane Keeping Assist, the yaw movement helps correct the car’s path or minimize the consequences of a collision.

For full article click here.

We hope you all are enjoying these spy photos because we have more on the way thanks to Car Advice!  Here are pictures of the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG.  The engine to be used for this model is still a mystery, however, spy photographers said it sounds like a V8 engine.  This could possibly suggest that the new 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 may find its way into the SLK.  If it’s the twin turbo V8, it may have performance figures of around 400-450 horsepower, around 90 more than the current SLK 55 AMG which makes use of a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8.

For full article click here.

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