2011 Mercedes-Benz B55

Trainees of Mercedes-Benzs Rastatt plant in Germany turned a B200 CDI diesel model into a full-blown sports car by planting in a 388 hp 5.5-liter V8 and transferring the drive from the front axle to the rear, called B55.

Peter Wesp is plant manager make this idea of the project and execution fell on the shoulders of foremen Andreas Würz and Matt Rieger and a team of twelve second and third-year trainees specializing in production mechanics and automotive mechatronics.

According to the plan, the spatial concept as well as the body of the B-Class were to remain unchanged. The interior, however, was to be upgraded to reflect the newly acquired qualities and the overall goal was to create a vehicle suitable for everyday driving.

The engineers were able to solve all problems by combining various replacement parts and doing a fair share of modifications. The B55 rides on 18-inch AMG alloys, shod in 235/50 front and 255/35 rear tires. The final performance upgrade is comprised of a K&W-sourced coil-over suspension. The rear axle was sourced from a W210 E-Class and suitable brakes were found in the C32 AMG replacement parts catalogue.

In interior of Mercedes-Benz B55 was upgraded with sport seats and steering wheel, Alcantara linings and other, more luxurious materials.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

That an official photos of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK has already been leaked online (you can watch it after the jump if you missed out), these pictures simply offer some additional -and unobstructed- views of the roadster model with the retractable hardtop.

Keep an eye out for the SLK either at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January or at the Geneva Salon in March.

The new SLK will arrive in the market sometime next year offering buyers a revamped engine lineup of four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units, and if the rumors turn out to be true, a diesel option also. The range will be completed by a high-performance AMG model, said to be equipped with either twin-turbocharged V6 or a larger-displacement V8 engine.

2011 GWA Mercedes-Benz Ciento Once

Back in the 70s as the Mercedes-Benz C111, it is experimental showcase demonstrated the epitome of performance technology and aerodynamics. Now, GWA Tuning has breathed new life into the C111 formula with a recreation called the Ciento Once.

The one-off eschews the Wankel engine of the original for the AMG M120 V12 that drives the Pagani Zonda, driving 408 horsepower in this case through a six-speed transmission with the brakes from the S55 AMG and the rolling stock from the SLS.

2011 RENNtech Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series

The Florida-based Mercedes-Benz specialist RENNtech has just released a new aero package for the CLK 63 AMG Black Series, which includes a fully functional full carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, front air brake ducts, a redesigned carbon air box and fully adjustable DTM style rear wing. It for integrate seamlessly within the original body work and offer improvements in vehicle performance and handling.

2011 RENNtech Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series detail;

Carbon Front Splitter: Our front lip spoiler offers aggressive front end styling and increased down force for improved handling. Integrated into the flat panel underbody tray are functional channels which allow cooling air to be directed to the front brakes to significantly increase brake cooling and reduce heat fade and pad wear. Price $2450

Carbon Front Brake Air Ducts: Our front brake air ducts were designed in conjunction with our front splitter to dramatically increase cooling air flow to the front brakes reducing brake fade and pad wear under the most extreme driving conditions. These bolt on components require no modification to the brake heat shield and are crafted in full carbon fiber. Price $1250

63 Carbon Air box: Our redesigned full carbon air box incorporates a restyled carbon vacuum chamber box. By optimizing the path and increasing the volume of incoming airflow, our carbon air box is able to offer gains up to 10hp, in addition to serving as an attractive under hood showpiece. Price $2795.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan and Estate

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be launched in spring 2011. Now, fuel consumption has been improved by up to 31 per cent. Efficiency-enhancing measures including new engines, the improved 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function also feature. Ten new driving assistance systems ranging from the standard ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system to the optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control system are also now available for this model series for the first time.

The exterior are dynamic, resolute, self-assure. The front bumper has more expressive and dynamic contours, with the front section being brought in line with the brand’s new design idiom. The side air inlets in the bumper are positioned low down, giving the car a more road-hugging appearance.

The Sedan and Estate now have a new aluminium bonnet, which contributes to weight reduction and therefore enhances fuel efficiency. Its contour in the area of the headlamps and radiator grille emphasises the V-shape of the front section more heavily than before. In conjunction with the newly designed headlamps, this gives the front section a more resolute impression.

The rear bumper, the light-catching contours and dividing lines have been modified to emphasise the width of the Saloon and Estate even more strongly. The particular impression of depth is achieved by a centrally located LED indicator, which appears to float in front of the red upper and lower light bands with their more deeply set LEDs. The tail lights have a particularly high recognition factor in the dark.

Sporty, high-quality interior, there is now a high-resolution colour display screen in the instrument cluster, an elegant new dashboard with grained surface and prominent decorative trim. The large section of trim is an important part of the newly designed dashboard. This extends from the centre air vents across the front passenger side to the outer air vent, while the lower edge of the upper dashboard section continues into the beltlines of the door panels with a new surface grain. The control panel of the new-generation communication and information unit has keys with high-gloss surface inserts.

All the engine variants are now classed as BlueEFFICIENCY units, showing that they are particularly efficient and environmentally compatible in their use of fuel. In future all automatic versions will feature the further-developed 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission.

One of the highlights is the introduction of the new V6 petrol engine with its innovative and highly efficient BlueDIRECT process in the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. The quantum leap in efficiency is particularly well illustrated by the six-cylinder unit: Power has increased considerably, the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY delivering 306 hp and 370 Nm (previously 292 hp and 365 Nm).

The C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY both deliver top-class figures with a combined diesel consumption of 58.8 mpg. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 125 grams per kilometre. The C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with the manual six-speed transmission and the standard ECO start/stop function. This corresponds to 117 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In conjunction with the improved 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function included as standard.

The new assistance systems, some of which only warn and some which actively intervene in hazardous situations, at a glance:

• Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• DISTRONIC PLUS
• Speed Limit Assis
• Parking guidance including PARKTRONIC
• PRE-SAFE® Brake
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind Spot Assist

2011 Prior Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Black Desire

Black Desire is the tuning package is mostly about visual enhancements, however, upon request, the tuning firm also offers various engine conversions. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Black Desire based in Kamp-Lintfort.

Starting tuning upgrade the exterior cars, the front of the car designers chose a new bumper with side vents and a prominent spoiler lip. The new parts feature sharper edges, a theme that’s continued with the side skirts. At the rear we can find a bumper extension with three fins, boot lip and roof spoiler, all available in carbon fiber as an option.

The metallic accents paintjob found around the grille and custom Prior Design logo replacing the Mercedes star, on the side of the car and rear bumper. The same metal trim was used for the window surrounds.

Using 20-inch Prior GT wheels, available in matte black, gloss black and silver, and a 4-tip stainless steel exhaust system round up the exterior changes.

Tuner finishing by Prior offers numerous power upgrades, boosting peak output by up to 75 hp. Paired with a 35 mm lowering applied to the suspension, the performance package should make the Black Desire faster and better handling than the stock model.

Its other offer for consumers, the Black Desire tuning package can also be fitted on the E-Class Convertible, while both Mercs can be ordered with a range of carbon fiber trim parts for the interior.

2011 Piecha Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible W207

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible W207 by Piecha Design German tuner has unveiled. Tuner upgraded exhaust system, custom wheels and body kit.

The Rottweil-based specialist combining the factory AMG aero kit with new parts, such as a front spoiler lip, three-part boot lid lip and rear diffuser with integrated 4-pipe Quadro exhaust system. The latter is available for all engines powering the coupe and convertible models, while, upon request, Piecha can modify the standard, 2-pipe exhaust as well.

Piecha Design lowered side skirts boasting an LED lighting system, offered for all Mercedes-Benz cars, and 19-inch dp2 Phantom alloys surrounded by 235/35 front and 275/30 rear tires, complete the exterior package.

Using a potentiometer, owners can choose between three settings: standard, urban-driving or sports mode. The updated power converter is not an exclusive E-Class Convertible option, as it’s available for all models with electronic accelerators.

Piecha developed the Vario roof module that makes it possible to open or close the canvas top while driving, at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph), using the standard key.

Prices

• Front spoiler lip € 750.00
• Rear diffuser element € 785.00
• Rear spoiler lip € 430.00
• Side skirt LED lighting € 370.00
• Comfort Vario roof € 359.00
• Quadro exhaust sub-system € 1,385.00
• Piecha dp2 Phantom rim set € 1,690.00
• CS RC power converter € 357.00

2011 Mercedes-Benz B-Class BC301Z Hatchback

Recently BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp.) claims the design of Mercedes-Benz B-Class for its new BC301Z five-door hatchback and to a lesser extent, the BC302Z sedan. The styling similarities are not only concentrated on the outside with the profile line, V-shaped grille, headlamp and bumper designs, but are continued inside with the dashboard.

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class BC301Z hatchback will be offered in China with a choice of two Mitsubishi-sourced gasoline engines, a 1.3-liter unit linked to a five-speed manual and a 1.5-liter powerplant hooked up to a CVT. The five-door model will be followed next year by a four-door sedan (BC302Z) and station wagon (BC303Z) variant.

2010 FAB Design Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Now turn powered-up Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG proposal by Swiss tuning firm FAB Design. The tuner found a way to extract 40 more ponies from ‘Gullwing’ door supercar’s V8 engine pushing total output to 611-horsepower. The extra oomph allows the SLS AMG to do the 0-to-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 3.7 seconds instead of the stock model’s time of 3.8 seconds.

In addition, FAB Design has also crafted a new body kit for Stuttgart’s supercar comprising a restyled front bumper with added vents and a lip spoiler, side skirts, a race-like roof scoop, a new rear bumper that houses quad exhaust tips and a fixed rear wing. The 20-inch alloy wheels and the lowered suspension round off the changes.

2010 Mercedes-Benz 358 Concept

Mercedes-Benz after a two year absence from the Australian International Motor Show and now it is returning to this year’s edition of the event that takes place in Sydney from October 15th to 24th with a [supposedly] special C63 AMG, called the 358 Concept. The show car was co designed by Mercedes-Benz Australia and built by AMG.

2010 Mercedes-Benz 358 Concept based of C63 AMG, in the world to be painted in designo Pearl Orange paint from the AMG factory in Affalterbach bright orange paintwork aside. 358 Concept features an AMG Performance Package Plus which lifts the 6.2-liter V8 engine’s output from 336 kW (457-hp) to 358 kW (480-hp).

In addition it is equipped the Performance Package Plus are unique 19-inch multi spoke alloy wheels in black, KEYLESS-GO and extended designo leather appointments in the cabin.