Fun Rocking

Mercedes Benz to showcase concept car spotting sliding rear doors

Mercedes Benz eludes style, charisma, speed and comfort, all at ones. And given just before the big Motor Show at Geneva, the car giants have unveiled images of their latest concept car. Touted to be the sedan of the future, the F800 Style research vehicle has rear doors with a sliding mechanism. And thanks to a swivel arm design, the car does not spot any door rails on the outside, giving it a clan look when the doors are shut. Moreover, the sedan is much wider in comparison to the others, making it more comfortably spacious inside. The car will come with a plug-in hybrid or fuel cell drive propulsion for better efficiency. And to finish off the look, the car will have a translucent roof allowing more light to the wood-finished interior.

Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell

As electrifying as the gull-winged Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG may be, it still won’t compare to the lightning storm that’s brewing in the SLS E-Cell. It’s a battery-electric version of the supercar and will be powered by four motors, one on each corner of the car, giving it a total of 526 horses of electric power. Each pair of motors will be integrated in the front and rear axles, effectively making this an all-wheel drive car. The batteries are strategically located in the car for balance and proper cooling while the car’s bodywork has been revamped for better aerodynamic qualities. The color will be AMG Lumilectric Mango and will be repugnant to some but adorable to others. It’s expected to go on sale sometime in 2013.

The looks is somewhat retro to the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL; specially the Gullwing doors, and the sharp roof. It also catches some design cues of the 2010 Mercedes SL. Inside, the SLS AMG gets a besboquie supercar-like interior. Weighing in at around 1600 kilograms, the new SLS AMG is powered by a natrually-aspirated 6.3L AMG V8, which now produces 571 hp and 480 lb-ft of troque, which goes to the rear-wheels through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed automatic transmission. 60 mph happens in just 3.7 seconds, and electronically-limited top speed is 200 mph. However, because the hand-built 6.3L is actaully very refind, the SLS AMG achieves 21 mpg fuel-economy on combined roads. Handling claims is supported by a 50/50 weight disturbotion, and a 3-stage ESP program like all new AMGs. Sales will start in spring 2010, with prices in Germany start at 177,000 euros.Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division is planning another stand-alone sports car as a follow up to the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing. The model would be a smaller V8 coupe that will compete with the likes of the Porsche 911.

As of right now, Mercedes-Benz is focused on a successful launch for the SLS AMG, the company’s first ever stand-alone model. That means the smaller V8 model is at least five years away. A rear-engined configuration has been eliminated as since it would be out of step with the AMG values.

Power for the baby SLS will come from a new V8 with a displacement capacity of somewhere between 5.8L or 6.2L with direct injection and cylinder cut-off technology.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

National Base Price $50,300

• Orders are now being taken for the newly launched 2011 Mercedes Benz R-Class.
• Prices start at 42,100 euros for the entry-level model. The German carmaker will offer nine basic versions of the model.

The R-Class has had a rough life. Not only did it suffer from odd, disproportionate styling, but Mercedes-Benz never really marketed the vehicle the way that it should have, choosing to position it as a “sports tourer,” rather than the obvious upscale family hauler that it is. Dismal sales ensued. Makes sense, then, that the 2011 R-Class benefits from a slightly more comprehensive overhaul than the standard mid-cycle refresh usually entails.

This time around, the designers at Mercedes did a much better job of making the R-Class look like a real Mercedes instead of some oddly proportioned utility van. The entire front end was redesigned to look more like the sedans and SUVs in Mercedes’ lineup. Almost everything up front, including the grille, bumper, hood, fenders and headlights, has been updated. The rest of the design changes consist of new side mirrors, revamped wheel designs, a revised rear bumper cover, integrated exhaust pipes and LED taillights. A set of LED running lights and bi-xenon headlights are optional up front.

Interior changes are minimal, which is fine, since we’ve never really had a problem with the sports tourer people mover’s cabin. Look for the typical array of Mercedes-Benz technology features, as well as a new AMG sport interior, which includes different seats, a better steering wheel with shift paddles, a new lighting package, and stainless steel pedals. As for powertrains, we expect the standard V6 engines – both petrol and diesel – to be offered. Us? We’re secretly crossing our fingers for the return of the R63 AMG.

If you were previously put off by the R-Class’ look but still like the idea of a luxury minivan, the 2011 model could be the one to finally check out. We’ll have updated buying advice and full driving impressions as we get closer to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class on-sale date.