Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Special Financing on Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Mercedes Benz to integrate Apple's Siri for hands-free commands
According to the IBTimes, Drive Kit Plus integrates with Mercedes' app called "Digital Drivestyle" that projects the iPhone's screen onto the car's in-car screen. At that point, drivers can use Siri to perform any command that Siri can already do, like make appointments, send messages, and perform Web lookups. The publication also says Drive Kit Plus will integrate Siri with a Garmin GPS device in order to get turn-by-turn directions, and the kit also comes preinstalled with social networks like Twitter and Facebook. (I'd like to think that I wouldn't be making a Twitter update while driving—even if it's voice dictated—but that's probably not true.)
The news about Drive Kit Plus and Siri isn't significant because of the voice commands themselves—plenty of vehicles available today offer some level of hands-free voice operation to make phone calls, and those controls are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. Siri is just joining the already growing trend of using natural language technology in a hands-free driving environment, though its integration with the iPhone means that users won't have to learn a different system if they already use Siri for other parts of their lives.
Sources: Ars Technica
Monday, February 27, 2012
Take an advantage on this great offer on a 2012 C50 Coupe!
We have an amazing deal going on currently. Stop in today and take a look up close!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Take advantage of this great offer!
10% off any parts or services when you present this coupon. Hurry in! Offer is only good thru next week.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Schumacher impressed by Mercedes' 'special' new F1 car
The motorsport legend was joined by fellow-German Niko Rosberg and team principal Ross Brawn as Mercedes showed off the new F1 W03 at a preseason test event in Barcelona, Spain.
The 43-year-old, who has won more drivers' titles than anyone else in history, is enjoying a second spell in the sport after initially retiring in 2006 -- only to return again in 2010.
Despite being unable to replicate the form he showed prior to his first retirement, Schumacher said he is still hungry for success as he prepares for a 19th season in the elite division of motorsport.
"I have done quite a few roll-outs and launches of new cars, but even after all these years I must say it still feels special," Schumacher, who won two championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 and five with Ferrari 2000 and 2004, told the sport's official website.
Days like this are precious moments, as they are always filled with hope and anticipation
Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher
"Days like this are precious moments, as they are always filled with hope and anticipation."
Schumacher, who has started 287 grands prix since making his debut in 1991, has failed to finish on the podium since returning to the grid and only registered one top-four finish last year, at June's rain-affected Canadian Grand Prix.
Despite disappointing results, he vowed to fight for the hardworking staff at the team's British factories.
"I can say already that the guys and girls back in the factories at Brackley and Brixworth were brilliant in putting in so much effort, and we can only say a big thank you them," he said.
"I know which reward they would like, and we will definitely try to deliver it. For my part, I am eager to fight again, looking forward to the new season, and I can't wait for it to begin."
Rosberg was the first driver to get behind the wheel of the F1 W03 at Silverstone last week. The former Williams driver was looking forward to learning more about the new car ahead of the season getting under way in Australia next month.
"We have had a good start to our 2012 testing program, and it was a great feeling to drive the first laps in the new F1 W03," the 26-year-old said. "The car looks good, and is very nicely packaged under the bodywork.
"All the parts are in harmony, which reflects how well the different departments of our team are working together. From the beginning of our running, we have been able to focus on understanding the car and making good progress with our test program.
"It will be very interesting to learn more about where we stand in the next few weeks."
Source: CNN
Friday, February 17, 2012
Happy Friday fans!
In honor of Presidents' Day on Monday, we ask: If you had the chance to meet face to face with any U.S. President, who would it be?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tesla will help develop new electric Mercedes-Benz
LOS ANGELES - Electric car company Tesla Motors Inc. announced a deal to provide the powertrain for a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle, even as it moves closer to manufacturing its own vehicles later this year.
The Palo Alto, Calif., automaker also said Wednesday that it expected revenue to roughly triple this year, when it will begin selling the Tesla Model S sedan, its first ground-up design. The company is about to launch production of the Model S at its factory in Fremont, Calif.
For the new Mercedes model, Tesla will provide the battery packs, motor, gearbox, inverter and all related software. It will start to record sales for the contract starting in the second quarter. Mercedes has not released details about the new vehicle. Tesla has previously provided Daimler with battery packs and chargers for its experiments with electric car production.
As expected, Tesla has continued to pile up losses as it prepares to produce the Model S, the first vehicle it will make in any volume. Tesla posted a net loss of $81.5 million in the fourth quarter and $254.4 million for 2011. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 9 percent to $39 million from the same period a year earlier. Full-year revenue in 2011 rose 75 percent to $204 million.
Tesla also said it was developing a growing backlog of business. It has 8,000 pre-orders for the Model S and has already logged 500 reservations for a Model X crossover announced just last week.
With an expected delivery of 5,000 Model S cars this year, growing powertrain sales and the sell-down of the last of the Tesla Roadster sports cars that it developed with British automaker Lotus, Tesla expects $550 million to $600 million in revenue this year. Most of that will come in during the second half of 2011, the company said.
Source:Boston Herald
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Check out the 2012 Mercedes Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class GLK350!
We have great deals going on currently for this model. It's a fantastic car where you won't be disapointed when you set your eyes on this! It's the perfect car for a family outing or just driving to work every morning! Everyone will be wowed by it. Stop in today and take a look!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Mercedes-Benz debuts new active seat belt, a breakthrough in safety technology
Aside from improving ease of use, active seat belts are also integrated with the PRE-SAFE preventative safety system. This Mercedes-Benz exclusive technology initiates when outside objects are detected that may cause an accident, which better prepares passengers for potential impact.
Furthermore, the active seat belt utilizes POST-SAFE, a technology that enables rescue workers and/or vehicle occupants to easily unbuckle seat belts in the event of an accident. When a crash is detected, POST-SAFE electronically extends the belt buckle helping to provide easier access.
In addition to several remarkable safety features, Mercedes-Benz active seat belts also employ practical features like an illuminated insertion slot. The illuminated slot helps draw the passenger's attention to the buckle, making it easier to see in the dark. Also, the new active technology automatically minimizes belt slack once the seat belt buckle is secured. Decreased belt slack assures that the passenger is properly secured in the seat, especially in the pelvis and thorax areas.
As can be surmised by the active seat belt’s description, Mercedes-Benz has covered all bases to guarantee ultimate passenger safety. Particularly, the technology aims to cover four areas: “Safe driving,” “In the event of danger,” “In an accident” and “After an accident” according to Mercedes-Benz.
Just how did Mercedes-Benz develop the active seat belt buckle? The German automaker used virtual human models to simulate what happens to occupants during a crash. The virtual human models provide a more accurate portrait of crash victims compared to the old standard, crash-test dummies. Not only do these virtual representations simulate an actual human’s outer body, but they also reproduce internal factors like bones and tissue according to Dr. Hakan Ipek, virtual human model expert at Mercedes-Benz.
“All the crucial biological features of humans – joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones – can only be simulated in very rough terms with dummies,” stated Dr. Ipek. “Some seated positions, such as when a rear passenger is dozing and the belt does not pass over the pelvis in the correct manner, simply cannot be recreated with a dummy,” he continued.
No word yet on which model will be the first to come equipped with the new active seat belt technology, but stay tuned as Mercedes-Benz begins production later this year.
Source:Torque News
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Check out the 2012 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster
In creating a roadster version of the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz had to do away with the car’s signature gullwing doors, instead fitting regular old conventional doors. The resulting car is as delightful as the gullwing version, but some people worried that ditching the doors would mean the roadster would lose what is special about the SLS.
Fortunately, the SLS has plenty of special to go around. To our eyes, the car’s long-hood, short-deck proportions work better on the convertible than the coupe. With the top down, it looks lower, wider, and angrier. Without a roof or doors to distract from the basic shape, curves we hadn’t noticed emerge from the fenders and dovetail into the rear end. Lower the fabric roof (it can be raised or lowered in 11 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph), and you’ll be thunderstruck by the burbling, barking V-8 sounds pouring unimpeded into the cabin. The exhaust booms annoyingly at idle, but it turns wicked once the engine gets to work.
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That engine, of course, is the same 6.2-liter V-8 built by AMG that you’ll find under the hood of the coupe. Its 563 hp are channeled through a rear-axle-mounted seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Requests for upshifts and downshifts are handled quickly and with seemingly greater responsiveness than in the last SLS AMG coupe we tested. Simply pull the paddles, and gearchanges happen instantly. In full-automatic mode, the dual-clutch gearbox does a fine imitation of a torque-converter box, its mimicry going so far as to produce idle creep when you lift off the brake.
Don’t Be Such a Stiff
Additional bracing in the dashboard, reinforced sills, the fixed roll hoops behind the seats, and a rear-suspension brace stiffen the aluminum structure to the point that we could not detect any shakes, shudders, or shimmies. AMG claims the convertible’s body in white (the car’s structure stripped of all components) weighs only 4.5 more pounds than the coupe’s. Factor in the motors and mechanisms for the top’s operation, however, and curb weight rises 88 pounds. Based on the weight of the last gullwing coupe we tested, we predict the roadster will weigh in at about 3850 pounds. With 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, the extra weight goes unnoticed. Like the coupe’s, the roadster’s gearbox offers a race start (launch control) setting that raises engine revs and dumps the clutch. Once the wheelspin settles, we expect a coupe-matching 3.5-second 0-to-60 time. Top speed is limited to 197 mph.
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Handling is identical to that of the gullwing SLS. The engine still sits aft of the front axle line, lending a precise and quick turn-in. How important is the engine placement? Next time you’re in the grocery store, put the heaviest item as far forward in the cart as you can and try to turn. Then move that item back a few inches, and see how much more willing the cart is to turn. Those same physics apply here. Massive tires offer equally massive grip that is easy to exploit. There are no false moves, no twitchiness, no I’m-going-to-put-you-into-this-ditch threats.
A Supercar, but Still a Mercedes
That user-friendliness is consistent throughout the SLS. With the top down, the roadster feels spacious in a way the gullwing version can’t match. Top-down trunk space is even the same six cubic feet as the coupe holds. The SLS we drove came equipped with AMG ride control, an option that adds electronically adjustable shocks with three damping settings. Keep them in comfort, and the SLS rides like a sporty luxury car. (The roadster gets the adjustable shocks first; they will be added to the coupe later.) Airscarf, Mercedes’ vent at the base of the headrest that blows warm air onto your neck, will be offered.
Despite the wild shape and performance, the SLS is a car you’d want to drive to work or use to run errands. There aren’t any supercar peccadilloes such as poor visibility, a nose that scrapes on inclines, an outdated navigation system (or worse yet, one sourced from Chrysler), or a jerky gearbox. When you use the SLS like a regular car, it feels a lot like an SL63 AMG. But start exploiting the SLS’s capabilities, and it feels as alive and as exotic as it looks. No official pricing has been announced, but a base price of $198,000 plus a $1700 gas-guzzler penalty is our estimate. That makes this SLS roughly $10,000 more than the gullwing coupe. Losing those doors might make the roadster a little less special, but overall, it feels like the better car.
Source: Car and Driver
Monday, February 6, 2012
Detail special going on right now in the month of February!
Protect the beauty of your Mercedes-Benz with our complete detail special, only $109.95. It's the perfect gift for your special someone this Valentine's Day!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
2012 MERCEDES COUPE D'ETAT
PORTLAND, MAINE — A few years ago, coming up on five now to be exact, Mercedes-Benz introduced the third-generation version of its small sedan, the C-Class. This edition was a big step up from its predecessor in terms of style, performance and packaging. Now, this small luxury/sport sedan has received a further upgrade and a coupe version has rejoined the North American fleet for the first time since 2005.
First things first: The coupe is dead sexy. While some of the latest designs emerging from the Mercedes-Benz drawing board seem somewhat forced, this thing has plenty of flow and more than its fair share of sheer muscular beauty.
Of course, the sedan version is no plate of chopped liver, either. But the coupe benefits from a lower profile, panoramic sunroof, aggressive body kit and beautifully shaped C-pillar (appropriate, no?) that directs the eye from the rear window towards the back of the car. It’s really something—but this beauty is more than skin deep.
But let’s step back a moment before falling too deeply in love. Let’s clear our heads here —because the question on the minds of every small German luxury/sport coupe/sedan-loving person is this: Does the C-Class perform as well as the BMW 3 Series? For the uninitiated, the 3 Series is the acknowledged leader in its segment and has been for a long time now.
During that time, all the other manufacturers daring to compete head-to-heard with BMW in this segment — in alphabetical order, Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Saab and Volvo —have fallen short for one reason or another. More often than not, that reason links back to driving dynamics.
When this version of the C-Class was introduced in 2007, it immediately jumped up to the number two spot in the segment. And with this latest revision, it’s edged closer still to the benchmark. Sure, the purists will bemoan the fact that the C-Class cannot be ordered with a manual transmission. But in terms of sheer fun behind the wheel, there’s now little to choose between the two German cars.
The coupe is available in a number of different configurations ranging from the mild to the extra-spicy; the fleet consists of the C 250, C 350, C 63 AMG and C 63 AMG Black Series. During a drive event held in and around Portland, I had the opportunity to test the first two. While the 250 and 350 may reside on the milder side of the sliding C-Coupe scale, they still have enough going for them to keep the driving enthusiast well and truly entertained.
The C 350 in particular. Powered by an all-new V6 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, this version of the coupe is one swift performer with an estimated 0-100 km/h time of just six seconds. To top it off, this engine boasts a 10% gain in fuel efficiency over the previous C-Class V6.
The C 350 Coupe also features a dynamic handling package as standard equipment. With the flick of a switch, this offering transforms the car from a suburban commuter to a real road-gripper. The package includes speed-sensitive steering, crisper accelerator response and gear shifts, and a suspension system that adjusts to the road surface continuously and automatically.
The net result is a car that delivers weighted steering, intuitive handling, and very good feedback through the steering wheel and the seat. The transmission, albeit an automatic, is a 7-speed automatic armed with technology that improves the gear-swapping process with each new generation (although the gear indicator on the instrument panel needs to be easier to read.) And the standard 18-inch wheel/tire comb platter puts plenty of rubber to the road.
So, should the fine people at BMW be concerned? Quick answer: Yeah, a little bit, because the next iteration of the C-Class could well be the one that assumes the lead.
The other big news with respect to this new model is the vastly improved interior. In the past, Mercedes has been accused of “cheaping out” on its less expensive models, using inferior materials but sill positioning the cars in the luxury class. While this criticism may have been deserved before, it’s no longer relevant with respect to the C 350 Coupe.
The interior is far more pleasing from a visual and a tactile standpoint. The new, flat-bottomed steering wheel alone looks like it costs a cool grand more than the previous model’s rudder. The navigation screen is more effectively integrated into the dash. The individual trim pieces are more curvaceous and better matched to each other. Overall, it’s a huge improvement and one that certainly fits with the brand image.
By this point, you may be asking yourself, what does all this automotive excellence cost? Well, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 250 rings in at a smile-inducing $39,900, while the more powerful and admittedly more exciting C 350 tips the scales at $49,200. Anyone in the market for a truly stylish sports coupe needs to give this one a closer look.
Source: Toro Magazine
2012 MERCEDES COUPE D'ETAT
First things first: The coupe is dead sexy. While some of the latest designs emerging from the Mercedes-Benz drawing board seem somewhat forced, this thing has plenty of flow and more than its fair share of sheer muscular beauty.
Of course, the sedan version is no plate of chopped liver, either. But the coupe benefits from a lower profile, panoramic sunroof, aggressive body kit and beautifully shaped C-pillar (appropriate, no?) that directs the eye from the rear window towards the back of the car. It’s really something—but this beauty is more than skin deep.
But let’s step back a moment before falling too deeply in love. Let’s clear our heads here —because the question on the minds of every small German luxury/sport coupe/sedan-loving person is this: Does the C-Class perform as well as the BMW 3 Series? For the uninitiated, the 3 Series is the acknowledged leader in its segment and has been for a long time now.
During that time, all the other manufacturers daring to compete head-to-heard with BMW in this segment — in alphabetical order, Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Saab and Volvo —have fallen short for one reason or another. More often than not, that reason links back to driving dynamics.
When this version of the C-Class was introduced in 2007, it immediately jumped up to the number two spot in the segment. And with this latest revision, it’s edged closer still to the benchmark. Sure, the purists will bemoan the fact that the C-Class cannot be ordered with a manual transmission. But in terms of sheer fun behind the wheel, there’s now little to choose between the two German cars.
The coupe is available in a number of different configurations ranging from the mild to the extra-spicy; the fleet consists of the C 250, C 350, C 63 AMG and C 63 AMG Black Series. During a drive event held in and around Portland, I had the opportunity to test the first two. While the 250 and 350 may reside on the milder side of the sliding C-Coupe scale, they still have enough going for them to keep the driving enthusiast well and truly entertained.
The C 350 in particular. Powered by an all-new V6 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, this version of the coupe is one swift performer with an estimated 0-100 km/h time of just six seconds. To top it off, this engine boasts a 10% gain in fuel efficiency over the previous C-Class V6.
The C 350 Coupe also features a dynamic handling package as standard equipment. With the flick of a switch, this offering transforms the car from a suburban commuter to a real road-gripper. The package includes speed-sensitive steering, crisper accelerator response and gear shifts, and a suspension system that adjusts to the road surface continuously and automatically.
The net result is a car that delivers weighted steering, intuitive handling, and very good feedback through the steering wheel and the seat. The transmission, albeit an automatic, is a 7-speed automatic armed with technology that improves the gear-swapping process with each new generation (although the gear indicator on the instrument panel needs to be easier to read.) And the standard 18-inch wheel/tire comb platter puts plenty of rubber to the road.
So, should the fine people at BMW be concerned? Quick answer: Yeah, a little bit, because the next iteration of the C-Class could well be the one that assumes the lead.
The other big news with respect to this new model is the vastly improved interior. In the past, Mercedes has been accused of “cheaping out” on its less expensive models, using inferior materials but sill positioning the cars in the luxury class. While this criticism may have been deserved before, it’s no longer relevant with respect to the C 350 Coupe.
The interior is far more pleasing from a visual and a tactile standpoint. The new, flat-bottomed steering wheel alone looks like it costs a cool grand more than the previous model’s rudder. The navigation screen is more effectively integrated into the dash. The individual trim pieces are more curvaceous and better matched to each other. Overall, it’s a huge improvement and one that certainly fits with the brand image.
By this point, you may be asking yourself, what does all this automotive excellence cost? Well, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 250 rings in at a smile-inducing $39,900, while the more powerful and admittedly more exciting C 350 tips the scales at $49,200. Anyone in the market for a truly stylish sports coupe needs to give this one a closer look.
Source: Toro Magazine
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