new motrsports | car modification design | 2011 FAB-Design Mercedes SLS AMG

One of the Swiss tuner companies, FAB-Design, has started working with AMG Mercedes SLS to provide an exclusive product. The vision of the company is to offer a more creative and personalized vehicle, they have had to come up with a more pronounced version of a wing-door. The automobile has a rear apron integrated with a diffuser in the same way the front spoiler lip is vertically situated with daylight driving light. The rear is perfectly assembled with a protruding, boosting rear spoiler. An FAB stainless steel sports exhaust with four end pipes is seen as well at the rear, allowing the gases to go booming and produce echoing.
However, the driver may also choose a silent escape of gases through the integrated valve steer. Side skirts made of carbon fiber improved the aerodynamics of Mercedes. An additional sporty sensation is the 3-part Evoline complete wheels, measuring 20 inches each. A fitting suspension set allows for added maneuverability.

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new motrsports | car modification design | 2011 FAB-Design Mercedes SLS AMG

One of the Swiss tuner companies, FAB-Design, has started working with AMG Mercedes SLS to provide an exclusive product. The vision of the company is to offer a more creative and personalized vehicle, they have had to come up with a more pronounced version of a wing-door. The automobile has a rear apron integrated with a diffuser in the same way the front spoiler lip is vertically situated with daylight driving light. The rear is perfectly assembled with a protruding, boosting rear spoiler. An FAB stainless steel sports exhaust with four end pipes is seen as well at the rear, allowing the gases to go booming and produce echoing.
However, the driver may also choose a silent escape of gases through the integrated valve steer. Side skirts made of carbon fiber improved the aerodynamics of Mercedes. An additional sporty sensation is the 3-part Evoline complete wheels, measuring 20 inches each. A fitting suspension set allows for added maneuverability.

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MBTech Shows Off Plug-In Hybrid Pickup Concept at IAA Show in Hannover

Daimler subsidiary MBTech has presented a 1:1 scale model of its Reporter concept study at the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover. The four-seater plug in hybrid pickup truck with the Smart Fortwo-esque fascia was designed in just six months using CAD and digital prototyping.

At a press conference at the show, MBTech President and Spokesperson Werner Kropsbauer explained the rationale behind the Reporter: "We wanted to create a low-emission vehicle drive for urban and regional transport which is realistically feasible today and not in 2025."

Though the example shown at the IAA Show was merely a mock up, MBTech has been thinking about the drive system for a working prototype. The Reporter would use a plug-in hybrid system MBTech calls DualX E-Drive, which couples a 70 kw (94 hp) electric motor with a 75 kw (101 hp) 1.2-liter internal combustion engine that can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas.

In the DualX E-Drive system, the electric motor turns the rear wheels while the ICE turns the front. The two systems can either work independently or together, though MBTech has not said what switching from FWD to RWD to AWD would do to the driving dynamics.

The Reporter is expected to have a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and a combined range of 300 km (186 miles), which drops to 55 (34 miles) if using only the electric motor.

It also features a network of tiny solar cells on the tonneau cover, which produce 266 Watts – enough to power the air conditioning, interior lightning or the sound system (though not all three at once). The cells can also be used to recharge the vehicle's 12 volt battery.

By Tristan Hankins

Mercedes Announces Engine Range and Prices for 2011 CLS, Starts Accepting Orders

While we'll have to wait for the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month to get up close and personal with the all-new, second generation CLS sports sedan, Mercedes-Benz today released info on the available engine range and pricing for the European market. Furthermore, the Stuttgart automaker said that as of now, European buyers can place their order for the new CLS at the firm's sales partners.

At launch, there will be two V6 models available; the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with a 265HP diesel unit and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 306HP 3.5-liter gasoline engine featuring ECO start/stop tech as standard. In Germany, prices are set at €63,427 and €64,617, respectively, with first deliveries to be shipped to European dealers in January 2011.

From March 2011, the range will be expanded with the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY powered by a 204HP 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel that returns a combined fuel economy of 5.1lt/100km (equal to 46.1mpg US / 55.4mpg UK) and to CO2 emissions of just 134 g/km. Pricing starts from €59,857.

In December 2010, European buyers will be able to order the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 408HP V8 gasoline unit, with first deliveries commencing in April 2011.

All 2011 CLS models will come equipped with Merc's 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission as standard.

For the first year of production, Mercedes-Benz will offer a special package called "Edition 1" priced from €6,664, which includes matt exterior paintwork in manganite grey SHAPE, shimmering metallic leather upholstery designo corteccia pearl, floormats with "Edition 1" lettering, black designo roof liner and aluminium pedals.

For the interior trim elements in the "Edition 1", Mercedes offers a choice between poplar light-brown satin, ash black high-gloss or, as an optional extra, AMG Carbon priced at a hefty €10,115.

An AMG version of the CLS powered by the German automaker's new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with at least 536-ponies will follow within the next year or so.

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New Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell with Battery Powered Electric Drive

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its all-electric A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle that will enter production this fall. The company plans to build 500 A-Class E-Cells and lease the car to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.

The lithium-ion powered E-Cell is based on the existing A-Class and Mercedes claims it offers the same safety, space and comfort of its petrol-powered sibling.

The E-Cell has a range of 124 miles (200 km) on a single charge and can be recharged either through mains power (which takes eight hours) or at public recharging stations (which takes three).

Nominal output from the electric motor is 68 hp (50 kw) and 95 hp (71 kw) when on boost (i.e. for overtaking). Torque is 290 Nm. Mercedes claims the E-Cell is good for 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and 0 - 62 mph (0 - 100 km/h) in 14 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 93 mph (150 km/h).

The launch of the E-Cell coincides with the planned establishment of hydrogen and electric recharge infrastructure in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. In cooperation with Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Daimler will provide 700 recharge points and two to three hydrogen refilling stations in the region by the close of 2011.

By Tristan Hankins

Profile description and technical data for the A-Class E-CELL

• Locally emission-free, exclusively battery-powered electric vehicle with a range of more than 200 kilometres NEDC (new European driving cycle).
  
• Five-seater compact car meeting all requirements for everyday use.
  
• Two liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries with 36 kWh storage capacity.
  
• Battery system location leaving spacious interior and luggage compartment completely unobstructed.
  
• Power electronics with integrated DC/DC converter for 12-volt supply.
  
• Front axle drive.
  
• THERMOTRONIC air-conditioning and pre-start climate control via charging plug.
  
• Series production run of 500 units to start in autumn 2010.
  

Drive system	Electric drive, lithium-ion battery
Continuous power rating (hp)	68
Peak power (boost) (hp)	95
Rated torque (Nm)	290
Maximum speed (mph)	93
Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (s)	14
Acceleration from 0 to 37 mph (s)	5,5
Charging time for 100 km range (NEDC)	8 h from domestic mains socket (230 V) 3 h from wall-box / public charging point (400 V)
Range (miles) NEDC	>124
Energy capacity of lithium-ion battery system (kWh)	36
Payload (kg) *) As per EG directive, including driver (68 kg) and luggage (7 kg)	350*)
Luggage compartment volume (l)	435 - 1.370

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Mercedes-Benz Drops More Photos of 2012 CLS Sports Sedan

Mercedes is trying to make the most of the media's thirst for news slowly unleashing more and photos of its second-generation CLS sports saloon, which will make its grand premiere at the upcoming Paris Auto Show on September 30.

Albeit more visually complex than its predecessor, the new CLS continues the same design theme (on the outside) set by the original model, which was introduced onto the market in 2004.

We'll probably have to wait until the Paris show for detailed specs, but buyers should expect the engine lineup to include among other powerplants, a 3.5 liter V6 petrol producing 306HP and a 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 petrol with 429HP, as well as a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 making at least 536-ponies for the range-topping AMG version that has yet to be revealed.

The new CLS will hit U.S. Mercedes showrooms by mid-year next year.

*Check out the previous set of photos by clicking here