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Mercedes Benz Brabus , as usual, a very nice stand with almost the whole range on show.Several of the cars were equipped with this engine, Brabus´
version of the twin-turbo V12 called SV12, first introduced in the
Maybach but also powering Mercedes´ 600-models. Brabus has increased
the displacement from 5,5 litres to 6,3 litres which is achieved through
the installation of a unique steel-billet crankshaft, larger diameter
lightweight alloy pistons and precision-balanced connecting-rods.
The engine is also fitted with sport camshafts, precision-machined
cylinder heads, a high-performance sport exhaust system and reprogrammed
engine electronics. The engine is amazingly powerful, 640 bhp at 5100
rpm and a maximum torque of 1026 NM from 1750 rpm. This engine is
available for the SL-, CL- and S600 and the upgrade costs 44900 EURO
plus an installation cost of 1980 EURO. But it is also available in
the E-class in a model called EV12. The EV12 is only available as
a complete car, built in exclusive small-series production, which
means that you can´t upgrade your standard E500 with the V12-engine,
you have to buy the EV12 directly from Brabus. It is one of the most
amazing 4-door cars ever built.

STUTTGART/BERLIN - July 23, 2008: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring/Summer 2009 was concluded in glamorous style with a splash of eccentricity, with Vivienne Westwood’s show adding the crowning touch. Taking part in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin for the first time, the ‘grand dame of punk’ turned to Ancient Greece for inspiration for her latest ‘Anglomania’ line of casual wear. Scores of celebrities including Kim Cattrall, Eva Padberg and Karoline Herfurth were on hand to admire the English fashion queen’s column-like draped jersey robe creations, vine and vase printed t-shirts, as well as dresses that combined antique tailoring with 50s accents.

The audience was equally impressed by the new collection of Kai Kühne, who once again surprised with an astonishing mix of classic lines and avant-garde vision. Shortly before the show, actress Karoline Herfurth and Mercedes-Benz fashion ambassador Eva Padberg had a chance to chat with Kühne backstage about the latest fashion trends and ‘must-haves’ for women next summer. The New York-based German designer revealed to them that architecture is his current source of inspiration, and that he intends to stay in Berlin for two more days. Perhaps Kühne will be inspired by Berlin’s architecture as he designs his next fall/winter collection.

The fashion designers, event organizer IMG and title sponsor are all extremely pleased with how successfully the third Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin unfolded.
read full report at [ theautochannel.com ]

With the overhauled 2009 Audi A4, the temperature is rising in the compact quasi-luxury sedan class. We recently tested the all-new A4 for the first time and came away impressed. Increases in length, wheelbase and interior space make it a close match to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Although the Mercedes-Benz C350 trailed the BMW 335i in our last comparison test, the C-Class in its current guise represents an exclamation point of goodness in this market segment. Besting the C350 requires a car with enough talents to achieve critical mass.

And so it came to be that we tested a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 equipped with the Multimedia and Premium II Packages, TeleAid and slick-looking 18-inch AMG wheels with summer tires, a pricey $45,275 package that nevertheless fairly represents the fullest expression of C-Class goodness.

The 2009 Audi A4 with which we were provided by the manufacturer for this test turned out to be a German-specification car, which apparently means very little since U.S.-spec cars will differ only in the deletion of the front parking sensors and power-folding mirrors found on our test car, plus minor rejiggering of the options groups. Our A4 was equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires.

Pricing of the new A4 has not yet been released, though Audi representatives have told us not to expect significant changes from today's A4. Based on this assurance — plus consultations with the magic bones and some scrutinizing of groundhog shadows — we estimate that this 2009 A4 3.2 Quattro test car will sticker very close to $45,000.

Both the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz come only with automatic transmissions in the trim levels we tested. more

The Mercedes-Benz SLR marks a new era for high-performance cars and at the same time, celebrates the formidable SLR race cars of the 1950s. The SLR McLaren combines unmatched power and performance with classic Mercedes-Benz design cues. Featuring a full carbon-fiber monocoque, crash structures and body panels, the SLR is powered by a 617-horsepower supercharged 5.5-liter V8 that rockets the new SLR from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 3.8 seconds, on its way to a top speed exceeding 200 mph.

A Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Collaboration

The SLR super sports GT car showcases the collective experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren in the development and production of high-performance sports cars. This unique combination of expertise is evident not only in the pioneering developments and impressive performance of the SLR, but also in its high levels of safety and practicality.

One dramatic example of technology transfer from Formula 1 racing is the carbon fiber composite material of the new SLR body, which provides rigidity and strength never before achieved in road-going vehicles.

Equally impressive is its high level of occupant protection. The SLR is distinguished as the first series production vehicle to utilize a front crash structure made exclusively of carbon fiber. Specially designed to absorb crash energy at a constant rate, the carbon fiber crash structure absorbs four to five times more energy in a severe frontal collision than similar structures made of conventional steel.

AMG Supercharged V8 Power

Each supercharged, intercooled V8 engine is hand-built at manufacturing facility of AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, in Affalterbach, Germany. The engine is mounted behind the front wheels in a front mid-engine position. Dry-sump lubrication eliminates the need for an oil pan, allowing the engine to be mounted as low as possible in the frame for better aerodynamics and a lower center of gravity, which benefits handling. Dry-sump lubrication also prevents oil starvation that can occur during hard cornering.

Ceramic Composite Brake Discs

The high-performance SLR super sports car is one of very few production cars to make use of ceramic brake technology. The brake discs on the SLR are made of a new composite material – a fiber-reinforced ceramic with astounding stopping power, high heat resistance, outstanding structural strength and long service life. The discs weigh less than half that of conventional brakes, and are fitted with eight-piston calipers in front and four-piston calipers in the rear. The brake system alone can decelerate the SLR up to 1.3 g, producing the theoretical equivalent of 2,000 horsepower. In addition, an innovative airbrake in the form of an adaptive rear spoiler in the trunk lid increases downforce, improving stability and braking even further. Under hard braking above 59 mph, the air brake pops up at a 65-degree angle, helping to stop the car from 62 mph is just 114 feet.

Broadening the Mercedes-Benz Product Portfolio

Not only does the new SLR boast a rich heritage, but it is also the new flagship of the multi-dimensional Mercedes-Benz brand. With by far the broadest product portfolio of any luxury automaker, Mercedes-Benz offers an array of models ranging from mid-size coupes and large premium sedans to luxury roadsters and the SLR super sports car. [source]

2009 Mercedes CLK
The next generation Mercedes-Benz CLK, currently “in works”, will be a lot more ostentatious, displaying a dynamic look with angular lines, refining the visual language of the new C-Class sedan. Official launch is expected for 2009, sales beginning later.
With components from both C-Class and E-Class (to save costs), the 2009 CLK will compete with Audi A5, BMW 3-series, and Lexus SC.
The “nice guy” attitude of the current Mercedes-Benz mid-size coupe will be completely dropped, as the next-gen CLK will want to play with the “bad boys”. In order to do that it will feature an all-new design line, with angular strokes and aggressive accents. The four front lights layout will be kept, but this time they will no longer be round. In addition to that, the fog lights will use LEDs as most of the new vehicles will.
The rest of the body will borrow the aggressive wheel arches and body creases from the C-Class, but will have them refined in an elegant manner, proper for a coupe.
The aggressive esthetics will be backed by an all revised engine range. An important novelty will be the entry level 2.2 liters diesel that will offer a highly advanced depollution system and will provide a respectable power output of up to 204 bhp. As for the gasoline engines, they will feature direct fuel injection to improve efficaciousness. All engines will be available with the optional 4Matic, all wheel drive system. Hybrid versions are also expected to be developed later.



The 2009 CLK line-up is expected to be: CLK350 powered by a 272 hp V6, CLK500 powered by a V8 engine with an output of 388 hp. Later on, there will also be a CLK63 AMG powered by a 6.2 liter V8 engien with an output of 503 hp. A hybrid version may also be available.
The new CLK will be available on showrooms starting the summer 2009, and will feature technologies like: Presafe II, night vision, Command II, and the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control system.
The computer generated images show you an envision of the next Mercedes Benz CLK based on available information and future tendencies in the design of the German brand.

The Different Between Mercedez CLS-550 and CLS-63