Mercedes Keeps 2012 M-Class SUV Prices Unchanged

Good news for those looking to shop Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation M-Class SUV as the German firm has kept pricing for the two available models at launch unchanged over the respective versions of the outgoing ML, despite the new design, improved engines and upgraded standard equipment.

The new 2012 ML350 4MATIC, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 302HP and 273 lb.-ft.), with an estimated fuel economy of 17mpg city and 22mpg highway, starts at $49,865..

The 2012 ML350 BlueTec 4Matic that comes with a V6 diesel engine delivering 240-horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, and returning 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway, starts at $51,365. Both Prices include an $875 destination charge.

All 2012 M-Class models feature a power glass sunroof, a drowsiness warning system, eight-way power heated front seats, power windows, power liftgate, cruise control, rain sensing wipers and an integrated garage door opener as standard equipment.

For more information on the standard and the cost of the optional equipment features, scroll down to check out the respective spec sheets.

SPEC SHEET

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Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 “secret shoppers” and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car’s features to closing a deal.

This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper’s study.

The German firm was followed by Jaguar and Lexus dealers, who tied in second place. According to the survey, Toyota and Chrysler’s Ram sales representatives were ranked the best among mass-market carmakers, while Mitsubishi and Suzuki finished at the bottom, as did Lincoln in the luxury segment.

According to CEO of Pied Piper, Fran O’Hagen, in general the brands that scored the poorest were those with the worst sales per dealership. O’Hagen added that’s easy to explain, as these brands cannot retain competent salesmen for a long time.

He also commented that reduced staff has had a negative impact in customer satisfaction now that sales are on the rise again and dealers don’t have the necessary staff to cover their needs.

However, as O’Hagen pointed out, the secret of success in this particular business is not really a secret at all. Good dealerships focus on a customer’s needs, get to know them and ask a few questions about their driving habits – and that takes skill and time.

The “secret”, according to O'Hagen, is to "think not like a salesman, but as a customer".

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U.S.-Spec 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Mercedes-Benz’s all-new 2012 M-Class (or ML) makes its on-the-road debut in the U.S. this week so the German company decided to drop a new batch of images for our viewing pleasure.

The Stuttgart firm’s new luxury SUV enters the 2012 model year in the U.S. with a choice of two models. First up is the diesel-powered ML350 BlueTEC delivering 240 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, while averaging 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway.

The second choice for U.S. buyers is the gasoline-fueled ML350 4MATIC equipped with a brand new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 rated at 302 hp and 273 lb.-ft.), with an estimated fuel economy of 17mpg city and 22mpg highway.

Mercedes-Benz has not yet announced U.S. pricing.

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The New Mercedes-Benz 2012 B-Class

We’ll know all the ins and outs of the new 2012 B-Class in about two months time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Mercedes today provided us with the first official teaser photos and initial specifications of its small MPV that will go on sale in Europe in November.

While the shape and styling of the new B-Class won’t surprise anyone given the close proximity to the current model, there’s more than meets the eye about the Mercedes-Benz model.

"No model change in the history of Mercedes-Benz has ever seen so many new developments introduced in one fell swoop," argues Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

First of all, Stuttgart’s newcomer is longer at 4,359mm (+86mm), wider at 1,786 (+9m) but surprisingly, has a lower height at 1,557mm (-43mm). It also features an impressive drag coefficient of cd=0.26 which drops to an outstanding cd=0.24 when equipped with the optional ECO Technology package, which will be available at a later date. For comparison, the current Toyota Prius has a cd figure of 0.25.

The latest B-Class introduces a brand-new range of petrol and diesel engines as well as new manual and automatic transmissions, all of which were developed in-house.

Starting with the new four-cylinder gasoline engines, codenamed M270, all come equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz direct injection system that was introduced last year with the BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 engines.

Designed for both transverse and longitudinal installation, the four-cylinder units are initially available in the B-Class with a displacement of 1.6-liters, as the B 180 rated 122HP and 200Nm and the B 200 with an output 156HP and 250Nm.

The B-Class’ new four-cylinder diesel is a further development of the OM651 deployed in the C- to the S-Class, a common rail direct-injection engine of the third generation. It’s displacement is scaled down to 1.8-liters as the B 180 CDI generating 109HP and 250Nm, and the B 200 CDI rated at 136HP and 300Nm.

Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and the firm’s new 7G-DCT dual clutch gearbox.

Even though it was initially believed that the new B-Class would share the same platform with the upcoming 2012 A-Class, that’s not the case as Mercedes opted to update the current model’s sandwich floor.

The German company said the 2012 B-Class’ updated chassis has a lower center of gravity and comes with newly designed four-link rear axle, an upgraded ESP Electronic Stability Programme and a redesigned electromechanical steering.

It also claims that the new chassis offers “enhanced dynamic performance in comparison to its predecessor” without any compromises on comfort. A sports package featuring with a lowered suspension (-20mm) featuring different dampers with amplitude-selective damping and a Direct-Steer system will be optionally available.

Other technological highlights include a new radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist that will come as standard on all models.

From what we know up until now, Mercedes-Benz has no plans to bring the B-Class to the States.

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New Badass Brabus 800 E V12

Well, given Brabus’ history with the sedan and coupe variants of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it was only a matter of time before the German tuner would give the Convertible model its acclaimed “800” treatment.

And what a treatment it is: a 6.3-liter V12 biturbo with 800 hp (hence the name) that makes this car not only the most powerful, but, with a top speed of 370 km/h (231 mph), also the fastest four-seater cabriolet in the world.

The Brabus engineers drew upon their experience gained on the development of the E V12 sedan and coupe. The most powerful engine that Brabus makes is based on the 3-valve V12 of the Mercedes S 600, but with many modifications.

These include optimized cylinder heads, sports camshafts and a special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger pistons which along with the cylinders’ larger bore, increase the V12’s capacity from 5.5 to 6.3 liters.

The modifications don’t stop there. The E V12 has a new intake manifold, two exhaust manifolds with integrated turbochargers for better efficiency and no less than four water-to-air intercoolers.

The ECU is reprogrammed and the 5-speed auto gearbox had to be reinforced in order to withstand not just the power, but also the colossal torque of the V12 which can reach 1,420Nm (1,047 lb-ft) but is electronically limited to “just” 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

All this power is directed to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40%. Performance is, naturally, exceptional: apart from the 370 km/h top speed, the E V12 accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in just 9.9 seconds and 300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.9 seconds.

The suspension is recalibrated, with adjustable dampers, and the aerodynamic modifications to the widened E-Class Cabrio bodywork are not just made of carbon fiber, but they have been tested in a wind tunnel in order to reduce lift and provide the stability that is essential for a car with such performance.

The Brabus 800 E V12 is built to order, with its price starting from €478,000 or about US$680,000.

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Lexus Loses Top Spot in US After a Decade

Lexus has been the top-selling luxury brand in the US for the last 11 years. But in 2011 the luxury division of Toyota looks bound to lose the top spot to both BMW and Mercedes-Benz and be relegated to third place.

The earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan in March and disrupted production is one of the reasons, as Lexus manufactures all bar one of its models (the RX) in its homeland. However, the production problems aren’t the sole reason for Lexus’ declining sales.

Last year’s recalls and the publicity they received had a negative effect on the brand. Moreover, arch-rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW are expanding their US line-up and offering bigger incentives – plus let’s not forget, the Germans also manufacture some of their cars locally in the US.

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Mark Templin, general manager of Lexus, commented that the media is giving too much attention to market leaders:

“In the 11 years Lexus was number one, we ‘ve never once bragged about it. When we had to reduce production, it pretty much guaranteed that we would be challenged to remain number one in sales”.

He also dismissed all the talk about luxury car ranking: “All that doesn’t matter. All we care about us being number one in quality”.

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Massa Shines in the Rain

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa set the quickest time in Friday’s afternoon practice session of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at Silverstone. Just minutes before the beginning of the session, heavy rain started to fall, with all cars staying in the pits for half an hour because of the condition of the track.

However, in the last 20 minutes conditions improved slightly and the teams decided to send their cars out of the pit lane. At first Michael Schumacher, on wet tires, set the fastest time until one minute before the end of the session.

But with the track drying up the rest were able to use intermediate tires and Massa, with 1:49.967, 0.777 seconds ahead of Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes and Kamui Kobayashi’s Sauber.

2011 champion and current points leader Sebastian Vettel was 18th, one spot behind the second Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.

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