BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S.

A growing demand for more fuel efficient cars in the United States, as well as impending CAFE regulations, may prompt German luxury carmaker BMW to bring a diesel variant of its redesigned 7-Series to the North American market. The news came from BMW's president of North American operations, Jim O'Donnell, who admitted that such a move wasn't originally in the carmaker's plans but considering the changing economic climate and buying habits of consumers the group will "look at it". BMW already plans to sell new clean diesel variants of the 3-Series and X5 in the U.S., and expanding this to include the 7-Series would make sense for the Munich-based manufacturer. O'Donnell acknowledged the improvements that have been made in diesel technology over the years, and mentioned that when U.S. 2009 BMW 7-series

 

Mercedes Benz to phase out V12 engine

The push by governments around the world for stricter emissions regulations for new cars has all carmakers, from mainstream makes like Toyota and GM all the way up to exclusive brands like Mercedes Benz and even Ferrari working on new methods to clean up their act. One trend we've already started to see is the downsizing of engines. Both Ford and GM, for example, are starting to place less emphasis on their big V8 engines in favor of more economical V6 engines, and this trend is being repeated at BMW and Mercedes Benz. Mercedes is developing new technologies to boost the output of its compact four-cylinder engine range – the Diesotto being the most recent development. While the Diesotto sits at the lower end of the engine spectrum, Autobild is reporting that Mercedes has cancelled plans for a future V12 engine codenamed M295 and will instead develop a new twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant.

 

Carlsson customizes Mercedes' S-Class with RS-design kit

Mercedes' tech-leader and showcase car, the S-Class, gets the custom treatment from Carlsson with the RS design kit, presenting an exterior image to reflect the interior's cutting-edge equipment. Retaining much of the sophisticated look of the original, the kit adds a bit more aggression to the final product. The elegant, swooping curves of the car's upper half are left untouched, with Carlsson instead focusing its efforts on the road-skimming portion of the car - a wider, more angular air duct section of the front fascia, flared side sills and a rear diffuser to smooth the airflow are the primary additions. Carlsson RS design kit for Mercedes' S-Class

 

Next Mercedes A and B-Class still being considered for U.S. sale

The trend towards smaller and more fuel efficient cars has caused Daimler to reconsider importing the next-generation of Mercedes-Benz A and B-class compact cars to the U.S., with the CEO of the company, Dieter Zetsche, stating earlier this year that such a move is likely given the current market conditions. New confirmation that the small cars are still being considered for sale comes today via Auto Motor & Sport, speaking with Stephen Cannon, vice president of marketing at Mercedes' U.S. offices. Preview: 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class variants

 

2010 Mercedes Benz GLK priced from $33,900 in U.S.

After a string of concept versions and the first reveal of its new GLK in full production trim at this year's Beijing Motor Show, Mercedes Benz has finally revealed pricing and released dates for the new compact SUV in the United States. The GLK will go on sale in January next year, with pricing for the base 2WD model starting at $33,900. Upgrading to the AWD version will set you back $35,900. Both prices exclude a $850 destination charge that applies on both models. Designed to go up against the BMW X3 and upcoming Audi Q5, the new GLK shows a dramatic improvement in quality over Mercedes' previous SUV models despite being an entry-level offroader. Mercedes GLK

 

Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe

The current Mercedes-Benz CLK is something of an enigma - built around the C-Class platform, styled like the E-Class, and priced in between the two, the car sits in its own unique segment and has no direct competition from its German rivals. Its sales history has been a strong success, especially in the U.S., but reports are surfacing that the German carmaker is planning to end the CLK name and instead brand its successor as an 'E-Class' Coupe and Convertible. In the press release for the new ConceptFASCINATION Mercedes-Benz states that its designers are working on a 'future E-Class Coupe.' This goes towards explaining why Mercedes would drop such an important nameplate - the main reason is that the car's successor will be based on the same platform that will underpin the next-generation E-Class due next year. Meanwhile, near production-ready test mules for the E-Class Coupe and Cabrio have been spotted near Mercedes headquarters in Germany and now these latest spy shots give us a clue as to what the final car will look like. Mercedes-Benz CLK Spy Shots

 

Mercedes Benz previews myCOMAND next-generation vehicle infotainment system

Mercedes Benz is offering a preview of its next-generation vehicle interface system with the unveiling of the new myCOMAND vehicle infotainment system in the ConceptFASCINATION concept vehicle at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. The myCOMAND system features new functionalities including internet connectivity and automatic software updates, with everything controlled via a single interface. Every time the engine starts myCOMAND automatically updates itself via radio and thus continuously brings the software up to date. 2008 Mercedes Benz ConceptFascination concept at Paris Motor Show

 

Several Mercedes plant workers accused of corruption

Several employees of the Mercedes Benz plant in Sindelfinger are under investigation, following allegations of corruption and bribery, according to a number of German news sources. The beginning of a preliminary investigation was confirmed by the Stuttgart public prosecutor's office on Sunday, although no charges have been laid as of yet against the employees. The first report of the allegations came from the German news magazine Focus, which reported that several employees had been caught intentionally producing defective cars.

 

Mercedes to include BLK SUV in upcoming B-Class

Earlier this year it was revealed that Mercedes-Benz was halting production of the current A-Class and B-Class after the current cycle and replacing the two aging models with a new family of small vehicles ranging from cabrios to sports coupes. We reported that this replacement would entail a whole new family of models consisting of four distinct variations, including a cabriolet, a coupe, a people mover and a soft-roader. Now Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that at least three of these variations will be made for the replacement B-Class, including a hatchback, a mini-MPV and a soft roader. The soft roader will be known as the BLK, and CAR is reporting that it will be available in two trim levels - 'Street', for the majority of purchasers who don't actually require any SUV-capabilities, and 'Nature', which will be for those who intend to take the BLK into a more rough and tumble sort of environment. Preview: 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class variants

 

Leaked shots of Mercedes Benz SLC interior

The successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany's Nurburgring test circuit on a number of occasions in the recent past, but until now the car has been shrouded in heavy camouflage gear. A series of interior shots have now appeared on several Internet forums that are alleged to be the real deal. The shots show a familiar Mercedes Benz steering wheel and a unique dash fitted with silver accented controls similar to that used in the current SLR supercar. 2010 Mercedes SLC Gullwing rendering

 

Mercedes Benz delays launch of S-Class facelift

The current generation Mercedes Benz S Class has been on the market since 2005 and is due to receive a minor update next year to keep it fresh for its rivalry with the all-new BMW 7-series on sale at the end of the year and next-generation Audi A8 arriving in 2010. Recent prototypes seen testing in Germany and the United States reveal that the only major updates for the car are a set of new bumpers and a revised projector design for the headlights. While the car was expected to make its world debut last month at the Paris Motor Show, AutoTelegraff reports that its reveal has now been pushed back as far as April next year, with the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show likely to be the place for its unveiling. 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift spy shots