Mercedes R-Class gets better looking

I have always liked the idea of the R-Class, I've just never liked the family hauler in person.  Just compare the redesign model with the current edition below, see what I mean?

I doesn't look nearly as much like an ant eater.  Combine with the available BlueTEC diesel and I am very interested!  Of course, by interested I don't mean that I'd buy one.  The starting price on a current edition BlueTEC is $51,675 with delivery.  Throw in some popular options and you are looking at 60 grand and you  don't even get real leather for that price.

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Mercedes-Benz to USA: You want 33 flavors? Go buy some ice cream. US only getting one wagon config

USA will get the 2011 E-Class wagon in June of 2010

Recently photos of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class wagon broke cover and were splashed around these pages. At the time of that article there was no word on which model, if any, would be headed to the USA. BMW has made noise as of late that the new 5 Series GT may completely replace the wagon in the USA. Some have feared that Mercedes may be looking to slim down its lineup as well. However, as Mercedes well knows, wagon buyers are a loyal bunch and there is no reason to lose good customers. Mercedes has now announced that the USA will be getting one version of the wagon: 2011 E350 4Matic. Given the immense variety of models that the European market receives, this might be disappointing news to some. No diesel editions are currently approved for our market. One does have to wonder if Volkswagen’s stellar sales numbers for its diesel wagon will change any minds at MB USA headquarters?

Check out this gallery for even more pictures of what will be our 2011 wagon.

Still, one wagon is better than no wagons. The 268 horsepower model will arrive here in June of 2010 with an optional sport configuration: Three-slat chrome grille, twin exhaust pipes, perforated front brake discs with painted calipers, paddle shifters and 17-inch alloys. An AMG package can be added that includes 18-inch wheels and a three-spoke steering wheel.

The video embedded below gives a great overview of the new wagon.

For more info: You can visit the MB USA website, but currently it shows no wagons at all!

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2010 Mercedes E-Class Wagon: Quite delicious and good for you as well!

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon

Americans tend to treat wagons like Grape Nuts cereal: Yes its might be good for you, but Frosted Flakes (in the shape of SUVs and crossovers) taste a lot better.

That really is a shame because there is nothing like a great handling, load lugging wagon to tour around the country with.

Click to view the gallery of more photos of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class wagon, its sister vehicles and the previous generation wagon.

Enter the 2010 E-Class wagon: One of the grand dames of the wagon segment is getting a fresh new look. To this author's admittedly biased eyes, the E-Class wagon is a real looker. In the gallery below, you'll also see that she can haul quite a bit as well. All the better to cast aside your passé M-Class SUV and slip into something more practical, fuel efficient and frankly better for the world at large.

These pictures are an early look at what we can expect to see at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show in September. German car magazine AutoBild apparently decided to break ranks and publish these photos and everyone else followed suit.

Currently the E-Class wagon is missing from the Mercedes-Benz USA website. Presumably this is because the new E-Class sedan is already on the market while the wagon is getting a later introduction. Several years ago, Mercedes banished the C-Class wagon from the states after experiencing slow sales and the expectation that the GLK would cannibalize whatever demand was left. That was a most unfortunate turn of events, but its doubtful that Mercedes would make the same decision with the E-Class wagon.

What would be even more healthful for all of us would be a diesel version offered here in the States. AsVolkswagen has shown, diesel buyers like the practicality of wagons and reward manufacturers who offer them.

Don't forget to read the Grape Nuts article linked above to find out what Grape Nuts are really made of. Here's a hint: They aren't grape related!

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Mercedes E-Class Coupe

Here are a few shots of the forthcoming coupe. Not too shabby in my opinion.

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Vans Unit?

If you were to walk up to me and say that Wolfgang Bernhard was returning to a major automaker, I'd say "Well it's about time." Now if you were to tell me that he was going to head up a unit comprised of commercial vehicles, I'd say "What?" However, that's what is happening. Wolfie will return to Daimler as head of its vans business. This has to be an entry point for a product genius like Bernie. To be honest, I always saw this guy replacing Bob Lutz. I wonder if Daimler did as well and decided to lock this guy down?


source: Reuters

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Next Mercedes E-Class

1/7/2009 Update:

More pictures of the next E have been added, this time we have interior shots.


12/9/08 Update:

Here are some fresh shots of the next E. The photos that we saw at the beginning of this post's thread were accurate, but the rich wine color of the car in these new pictures helps the car immensely. The design doesn't make me want to drop everything and rush down to my local dealer to make a deposit, but it does look to be a solid seller.







9/10/08 Update: Added Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION photos. As you can see, it looks like the spyshots were "spot on" in terms of the front of the car. Of course, the concept shows a sport grille and the spyshot is a luxury grille as demonstrated in the picture of to C-Class sedans below:

The concept looks fabulous, but the spyshot of the sedan is much less exciting. I can only hope that the wagon or a potential X6 competitor spinoff will look like the ConceptFASCINATION.

8/21/08 Original Post:

These shots are from the latest copy of iMotor magazine, which you can check out by clicking here. The photos seem to be pretty close, if the real deal, especially when you compare the shots to the ones Autoblog recently ran. While I like the new C-Class, I don't like the design language when translated to the larger E-Class. A fresh round of beauty shots from the manufacturer may change my mind. It's too bad. I was just following an E-Class Bluetec diesel and was admiring the clean lines of the car. The E-Class never strays too far and I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I was hoping for a bit more from the next generation.

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2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe Spyshot and Color Info

Now that we have seen the next E-Class sedan in its official duds, attention is turning to the CLK successor the E-Class coupe. What I have assembled for you here a spyshot of the coupe, a sample of the launch edition paint color and a poll of what folks think that particular color should be called. The paint sample and poll info was sent in by a reader, so I'm not sure where it was taken from. I add that disclaimer just in case this is bogus info, but c'mon who is going to come up with that many pretentious names as a hoax?

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Mercedes CLK Set to Die, Replaced by E-Class Coupe

The year 2010 will more than likely see the end of the CLK, replaced by an E-Class based coupe and convertible. Mercedes wants to better compete against the likes of the Audi A5 and feels that an E-Class Coupe is just the ticket. Naturally, the new coupe will start off with a higher price tag. I've always had a secret crush on the CLK, with its pillarless side windows and eye catching interior (especially in white). I also really like the A5, so I'm looking forward to the next coupe. However, I'm quite worried about the leaked images of the next E-Class. I don't find it very appealing at all.

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Mercedes Releases Mobile Web Site, But You Gotta Understand German

I would presume that American iPhone users won't be left out in the cold forever, but for now Mercedes-Benz.mobi is strictly in the mother tongue. Slice it, dice it and run it through a translator. Enjoy!

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Following A Mercedes E320 Bluetec

I'm waiting at the light, sitting behind an Mercedes E-Class. Nothing spectacular, just admiring the Arctic White paint job and clean lines of the sedan. Suddenly, on the left side of the trunk I see a Bluetec badge. Whoa! Now I'm suddenly more interested. There is no sooty mess on the bumper and as the driver pulls away there is no puff of smoke. Now, I've read all about this sedan and I know it's supposed to be clean, but until you actually see it in person it's kind of hard to fathom. This diesel really is clean as a whistle!

The 2009 E320 gets 23MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. The base price is $53,775 and doesn't include leather but instead sports MB Tex (which some people actually prefer to real leather). You can check out the 2009 E320 Bluetec on MB's revised website by clicking here.

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Getting the Lead Out: Manufacturers Sue Battery Makers

Chrysler is suing Johnson Controls because of a discrepancy over lead content and Daimler has filed a suit against Cobasys LLC, alleging the company won't provide battery packs as agreed for a planned Mercedes hybrid sport-utility vehicle. What gives?

Chrysler is having a spot of trouble with a number of suppliers, not just Johnson Controls. Dana Holding Corp. is trying to get out of its existing Chrysler contracts because it says the contracts are unprofitable. Plastech Engineered Products declared bankruptcy shortly after Chrysler attempted to pull its tooling and machines from Platech's plants. Suppliers have indicated concern about Chrysler's future and are hesitant to seek further work from the company. Also, some companies may have been rubbed the wrong way by new purchasing chief John Campi, who has followed Nardelli from GE to Home Depot to Chrysler. From what I've read online, folks weren't happy with Campi's idea to import batteries from India. Many considered such a plan to be ill conceived.

The Mercedes/Cobasys relationship is a bit different. Daimler paid Cobasys $6 million in connection with development of the batteries which Cobasys later said it could not deliver, mostly because it could not get funding from Chevron Technology Ventures to meet production commitments.

In tough economic times, relationships can become strained. I'll be watching to see how these suits resolve themselves and if there are more on the way.

photo source: hilaroad.com

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Join "Generation Benz" (As Long As You're Young)

Mercedes is inviting younger buyers (over 31 need not apply) to join “Generation Benz” where they can “Participate in everything from how they develop vehicles, to they communicate with you.” Basically you'll be providing them with free market research, but who knows maybe you'll get something out of it. If you interested in joining such an effort, click here.

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Unofficially Official: U.S. C-Class and GLK Get 2.2 BlueTec in 2010

IL Insider: Mercedes Launches GLK, Confirms It's Eyeing Production Shift to U.S.

Edmunds is quoting a Mercedes spokesman who let slip that while it is still unofficial the 2.2 liter diesel will be coming to North America but not until 2010. The holdup is the fact that the 2.2 has to be fitted with Bluetec technology to make it 50 state legal. When the engine does arrive, expect to see the GLK's average mpg to slot in just under 40 miles per gallon. Giddyup!

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Mercedes B-Class in 2011?

Update: The article is now up (subscription required). Automotive News thinks that the U.S. will get a small crossover and coupe. The models would go up against the 1 Series and predicted X1 crossover.

Right after my R-Class post where I had mentioned a 2011 B-Class debut here in the States comes an Automotive News article with the same date. The article isn't live yet, but I would speculate once more that we'll get the next generation B (even though the current generation was designed with U.S. standards in mind).

I was disappointed when the B was pulled from the U.S. plans, but after hearing my Canadian friends talk about how the B got very expensive, very quickly I'm not so bummed. Let's face it, she wasn't the best looker. I fell in love with a metallic black B-Class in London, but I think that was just a vacation thing. This happens frequently to me, I'm off somewhere else in the world and become transfixed (much to the vexation of my wife and travel partners) with a car that isn't available in our market. "Better than being infatuated with another woman," that's what I always tell my wife and no, that line doesn't go over that well.

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Mercedes R-Class Refresh

Pity the poor R-Class, never really getting the attention it so wantonly desired. I really was interested in the concept of such a car, but the droopy snout of the production model just turned me off. Shots of a nose job over at Auto Express give some hope that all is not lost.

What I've done is selected the spy shot and for comparison, the current model. For some insight, I'm also showing you the revised B-Class (blue) and the original (red) to give you an idea of what Mercedes might be up to.

Originally we were going to get both the R and B classes here in the USA but then at the last minute the B was yanked from the U.S. lineup. Mercedes now says that the next generation A/B class model may make it to our shores. The last report was 2011 for an arrival here in the States, but I wonder if that timeline has been changed at all? Also, dealer's attitudes towards such a vehicle would have to change. In the past U.S. dealers have had a mantra "Nothing less than a C-Class" but with four buck gas those opinions might have softened.

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Mercedes GLK350

I hold a beef against the GLK: It has killed the C-Class wagon in the USA. Some consolation prize. Now it might be the cold medicine talking, but the squared off little buggy does little for me. I have only sat in the concept models and not actually driven the GLK, but I don't imagine it being that different than the current C. In fact given the extra mass, I can only imagine the drive being worse.

Having said all of that, the GLK is arriving at a good time for MBUSA. I'm sure they'd rather have the GLK in showrooms now rather than January of 2009, but downsized sport utility vehicles/crossovers will still be all the rage. For now, MB is only sending the high zoot GLK350 to our market. That means you'll get a 268hp V6 mill to squirt in and out of traffic with. My hope would be that a Bluetec diesel might find its way to dealers at some point.

I asked my wife if she noticed the GLK in the SATC movie. She said she remembered a "big suv" being in the movie, but that was it. For a more memorable experience, you can check out MBUSA's microsite here. You can check out Edmunds' first look by checking out this link.

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C-Class Wagon To USA?

I'll admit that I've been a bit distracted these days, but I don't recall hearing anything about the C-Class wagon coming to the USA. The way I kind of understood things, the GLK was going to be the cargo hauler in the C-Class space for MB in the USA. The only wagon was going to be the E-Class. Hmmm. Well, Cars.com says that we will be getting the wagon and we'll see it in Chicago. Of course, I love wagons so this would be great news. If they offered a Bluetec diesel in it, that would be even better. We'll find out soon enough as press days for Chicago start on February 6th. You can read the cars.com article here.

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More Power Captain! 9,004 Diesel Powered Vehicles Head Back To The Farm

Have you experienced a loss of power and an inability to restart? Are you driving a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320, GL320, R320 and ML320? If you are, then your Mercedes dealer would like to see you! Mercedes is recalling 9,004 diesel powered vehicles because a faulty crankshaft sensor could fail, causing the above symptoms. I'd still take one!

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Mercedes Freesider Concept

Call it a concept, but what we have here is very close to production reality. Yet another small crossover to join the fray. Extremely chunky styling seems to be Mercedes' tactic on this one. When we first got a glimpse the production model on the set of Sex and the City, a lot of folks recoiled at the look. "It looks like a Foster in the back!" some people crowed. In this crowded marketplace it is hard not to be a derivative of something already available. I don't mind the styling, personally, but based off of what little I do know about this vehicle I'd chose Infiniti's EX35.

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