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    Consumer Reports Test Drives the Mercedes C63 AMG

    Thursday, August 26th, 2010
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    Today we found a great article over at Consumer Reports about the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.  Below we featured a snippet of the article and included the video in which Consumer Reports’ auto engineer, Jake Fisher, checks out the 481hp, 6.2-liter Mercedes-Benz C63. Enjoy! :-)

    “The C-Class is Mercedes’ smallest sedan, but with this special model, it gets the company’s largest V8 engine. That’s a formula that worked magic in the 1960s, launching the muscle car era, and it is a strategy that still fuels excitement today. The transformation is managed by AMG, a wholly owned speedshop that modifies Benzes into fierce, high-performance monsters, much like BMW’s M division.

    To sample the fun factory’s latest creation, we borrowed a C63 from Mercedes-Benz for a fee. This 2011 example had the optional AMG Development package that adds 30 horsepower to the standard 451 horses. It also adds $6,050 to the $58,200 base price.”

    For the full Consumer Reports article click here.

    Comfort and Class With Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet

    Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
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    Here is a nice review of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet we found over at Ezine.  As I’m sure you all know by now, the Cabriolet made its big screen debut in Sex and the City 2!  I wonder what’s next for our beloved E-Class Cabriolet?

    Comfort and Class With Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet

    By Alexei Timchuk

    The E-Class Cabriolet comes with a four-seater design as the Coupe model, using a folding canvas roof for an open air experience. E-Class alternatives, known as CLK, are a simplified line-up of Mercedes Benz. Its name is timely as it gives an open top luxury sedan feel, having a deluxe and welcoming interior and posh exterior. Air turbulence is reduced by the AirCap system, the leather-bound interior has climate control and belt busters to give front seat passengers a relaxing feeling, and rear headrests and AirScarf system keeps the neck warm at all times. Its good value costs good money, with good eMercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrioletquipment and quality.

    It can accommodate four adults sitting comfortably with sculpted rear seats. Luggage for four can also be placed on the boot, when the roof is in place. There is a decent size glove box, center space, door pockets in the front, and cup holders are provided for at the rear seats.

    The Air Cap system, featuring a lip that extends from the top of the widescreen with the roof down and directs airflow to the occupants is introduced with the traditional, lighter canvas roof. The E-Class Cabriolet is one of the most sophisticated open tops, with the roof opening in less than 20 seconds and up to 20 mph and has acoustic qualities when stationary. With the latest technical novelty, a range of economical diesels and powerful petrol are offered with engine options.

    A little memorization of the control layout of the E-Class lets the user access astonishing features. A single row of buttons along the lower portion of the centre console takes a little familiarization. The main control interface behind the gear lever is easy to manage.

    Standard alarm and immobilizer system when added up with a tracking system gives security assurance. A pop-up rollover protection, seven airbags, head bags, with Pre-safe that anticipates accidents, Attention Assist that monitors signs of drowsiness from the driver assures safety with the E-Class.

    Although it is relatively large in size, the E-Class Coupe can be a good deal of fun and excitement. It is sure-footed and quick to respond, keeping scuttle shakes to a minimum. The E-Class Cabriolet can be considered a family car, a child seat is somewhat exasperating to mount and dismount at the rear. Because of its roomy characteristic, classy style and luxurious cost, the E-Class Cabriolet is best for an executive option.

    For more information about Mercedes Benz and other cars, visit Car Express News

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexei_Timchuk

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets Top Safety Pick Award

    Friday, May 14th, 2010
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    We’ve got some exciting news!  The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan earned 2010 top safety pick awards, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety!

    The award recognizes the vehicles that earn the top rating of good for front, side, rollover and rear crash protection, and that have electronic stability control, which is standard on Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.  This is the first time the E-Class has earned the Institute’s Top Safety Pick award, which applies to all E-class models built since March 2010.  How many of you folks are driving around in our Top Safety Pick luxury sedan?

    To read more about this click here.

    Forbes test drives the Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG

    Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
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    Mercedes news from NJ Mercedes dealer, Ray Catena Mercedes Benz of EdisonForbes recently featured this write-up about the Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG. We couldn’t be more excited about the incredible things they had to say about this Mercedes Benz model.  Check it out below, or head over to Forbes to read more.

    Exterior: Simply put, the car is beautiful for a four-door sedan-like model–but its four doors don’t distract from the coupe-like appeal it has. The rear is slightly raised, with angular tail lights and a rounded trunk door. The AMG badges and detailing add to its allure.

    Interior: AMG’s presence is felt everywhere inside the car, from the door-sill panels and the AMG-made leather sport seats to the sport steering wheel and sport pedals. The biggest bonus? The car doesn’t have the steering-wheel-mounted shifter and old-fashioned radio dial found in most other Mercedes vehicles.

    Handling: The CLS lives up to the AMG name in every way. Maneuverability is superb, as are acceleration and braking. It’ll do 0-60 in 4.3 seconds.”

    The Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG versus the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

    Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
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    test drive a Mercedes Benz today at this Mercedes dealer in NJWhat happens when you pit the Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster? Road and Track magazine recently staged this battle of epic proportions, and we could wait to find out the results! Check out what they had to say below, or head over to Road and Track’s website to read more!

    “Both the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG were created for the open road. They possess a high level of comfort and refinement, with the option of going top down if the weather permitted…when in California, it usually does. The Vantage has the more communicative chassis of the two as each bump on the road is effectively relayed to the driver in a non-intrusive way. The car feels more nimble than the Mercedes, while still providing excellent ride quality. Although the SL63 AMG feels sturdier and heavier, it’s by no means sluggish; the M-B provided better high-speed stability than the Vantage Roadster and felt more like an Autobahn annihilator than it did a sprightly sports car.”

    Victory!

    Roundup: Our favorite Mercedes Benz blogs

    Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
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    We’re constantly getting some great information from a number if different Mercedes Benz blogs out there, so we figured we’d do the honors of presenting our readers with a short little roundup of some of our favorites.  Check out these guys below for the latest in Mercedes Benz news and the most up-to-date information on Mercedes Benz cars.

    BenzInsider: This blog has a team of writers who love all things associated with the Mercedes Benz Car Group (Mercedes, Smart and Maybach).  Daily posts keep this blog’s readers constantly coming back for more.

    Mercedes-Benz-Blog: Here, we’ve found a great source for Mercedes Benz reviews, Mercedes Benz spy shots, and brief glances at the history of Mercedes Benz vehicles.

    Mercedes-Benz TV: Whenever we want to watch some incredible videos about Mercedes Benz, this is our go-to source! Check it our for the incredible layout and impeccable video quality.

    Check out each of these sites and we guarantee  you won’t regret it!

    First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon

    Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
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    By Frank Markus of Motor Trend Magazine

    Courtesy of Motor Trend MagazineSure-footed four-corner traction: Standard. Height-adjustable rear AirMatic suspension for deep-snow ground clearance: Standard. Luggage-rack rails ready to accept your Thule ski-rack: Standard (and low enough to show off your Dynastar Ferrari sticks at a comfortable viewing height). Seating for seven (okay, five and two-halves): Standard. Iconic style and a hood ornament that commands respect from the apres-ski club valets: Standard. Could there be a more perfect vehicle than the new Mercedes E-Class wagon for driving up to Deer Valley, Whistler, or Hochgurgl, Austria?

    Mercedes-Benz invited us to the latter (if you can say it without dislodging any phlegm, you get a night free) to sample its new E350 4Matic Wagon’s suitability to wintry driving. The visit started with a tech briefing held in an igloo and concluded with a driving session on some of the most nicely groomed parking lots and most gorgeous snow-covered mountain roads on planet earth.

    First, you should know that the new E-Class wagon will only be available with the 3.5-liter V-6 and all-wheel-drive. The wicked E63 AMG wagon is finished, at least for the time being. Please observe a moment of silence for its passing. Thank you. Next, you may be encouraged to hear that the latest iteration of 4Matic is lighter (adding just 100 pounds), more compact, and–teamed with the new seven-speed automatic–more efficient (improving by as much as 2.3 mpg on the EPA driving cycle). Its planetary center differential still provides a natural 45:55 front:rear torque split, with slippage at either axle causing friction in the pre-loaded center differential clutch to send as much as 70 percent of the torque to the axle with the best grip.

    Mercedes still relies on individual wheel braking to equalize torque side to side or front to rear as needed beyond what the center diff can do. We find this to be a perfectly acceptable solution for on-road vehicles coping with momentary traction losses due to rain, snow or ice (using the brakes to go forward in a hill-climbing off-roader is nowhere near as effective or desirable as proper torque-directing differentials).

    And indeed in a series of exercises on a large groomed-snow-covered parking lot, the fourth-generation 4Matic system and its coterie of backup electronic assistants functioned exactly as planned. With all systems on, the car faithfully cleaves to the driver’s intended driving line — at least to the extent that physics can allow (which is impressively high when the various electromechanical traction assistants are abetted by a set of Continental ContiWinterContact footwear). Switch ASR off and deep prods at the accelerator are rewarded with satisfying countersteerworthy slides at 30 or 40 degrees of slip angle (after which the systems step back in to reign in the fun)

    Read more.

    Edmunds Road Test: Searching for the Ideal European V8 Sedan

    Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
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    Because we love the products we sell, I will have to spoil this review by adding this piece of information…

    1st Place
    You know the feeling. You’ve just walked into the meeting or party or bar wearing an outfit that’s just a little bit more handsome and cosmopolitan than everybody else’s. It gives you an inner confidence and outward respect without your needing to utter a word. You feel effortlessly cool, controlled and more attractive. You think, “This is going to be my day. I own this room.”

    That’s how it feels to drive the new Mercedes-Benz E550 Sport. Like many before it, this Merc feels overbuilt, like it’ll go down the road impervious to any exterior influences for the next 250,000 miles. But here’s the difference: This time, it doesn’t drive like a European taxi.

    Whatever Mercedes-Benz has done to the steering of this E-Class, it should do with every car in its portfolio. It’s supple, friction-free, informative and predictable. And there’s nothing wrong with the corporate V8 engine. Besides producing the best acceleration, it is also the most fuel-efficient of this trio, and not by a little bit.

    The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Sport amounts to more than the sum of its parts. It’s hard to describe, but there’s an overall sense of satisfaction, competence and experience that’s somehow baked into the fiber of this car. It drives like it knows where it’s going. It looks like it knows where it’s been. And it’s priced as if it knows where we’re all headed.

    Here is the video of the review and the written review in its entirety below.

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