SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz A 25 AMG 'glides gently' on the slippery Nürburgring

Mercedes-Benz is about to introduce the new A 25 AMG shortly after the market launch of the new generation A-Class in September. The compact sportscar promises to be the ultimate leader of the segment thanks to a series of special features that speak about the dynamic character of the car: the new supercharged gasoline unit, the integral traction system, the adaptive suspension and the multitude of ride management systems developed by AMG for a safe experience even at high speeds.

The 2013 A 25 AMG will sport a newly engineered powerplant at the High Performance Powertrains department in Brixworth, UK: experts and technicians used F1 know-how to tweak the engine for maximum performance. While the total displacement of just two litres might not sound very moving, then prepare to hear the rumored value for the peak output: 350 hp. The impressive amount of power is achieved through high-pressure supercharging and intelligent cylinder management. Handling the situation will be easier for the compact A 25 AMG as the car is set to premiere a new 4x4 platform enhanced to deliver an optimal ride and added grip under any condition. The 350 ponnies will reach the four wheels with the help of a double-clutch, 7-speed automatic transmission similar to those found on the C 63 AMG or SLS AMG.

Image Credits: Autoevolution

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: New shots of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 222)

With the reveal set for Paris Auto Salon this fall, the new S-Class should make an initial appearance in either late June or July. The trendsetter in the automotive industry enters the eighth model generation with a confident mission - to write a new chapter of the rich S-Class heritage book.

The new S-Class will be, how else, the best high-end premium limousine. Powerful and astonishing in every sense, the W 222 will incorporate intelligent technology that make it look like a moving luxury Swiss watch. The MAGIC RIDE CONTROL, the Autonomous Driving System and the integrated @yourCOMAND telematics will celebrate world debut on the new S-Class.

Furthermore, a new generation of active safety systems, such as the Speed Limit Assist or the Blind Spot Assist, will be available for the car as well. Powertrain will consist of the rear-driven MRA platform, on which new and efficient BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 engines, as well as an I4, a new V12 unit and several hybrid solutions, will be sitting on. A new automatic gearbox, featuring up to nine speeds, will also be launched with the W 222.

The new generation of the S-Class goes on sale beginning with 2013 and we expect the entry-level version to be priced at over 75,000 euros in Germany. The US market launch is scheduled for spring the same year.

Image Credits: Motor Authority

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W 205) scooped while at work

Mercedes-Benz began the development programme of the future C-Class during winter 2011-2012. Intensively put to work on snow from the beginning, the W 205 prototypes became a familiar sight in Northern Scandinavia and spy shots never stood coming for a period. Now, the weather has warmed and spring time hit Europe, so the test vehicles are now back on German roads. A heavily disguised car has been recently spotted on the outskirts of Stuttgart, the natal city of the Three-Pointed Star brand.

The new C-Class will celebrate world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 and goes on sale a few months later, during summer. According to latest hints from inside the factory, the mid-class premium limousine will have slightly altered dimensions to make room for the new CLA sporty executive coupe, set to arrive in November this year. The W 205 will have a more spacious and upscale interior and will launch a new, driver-oriented cabin architecture, inspired by the F 800 Style and F 125! research cars.

When unveiled, the new medium high-class sedan from the Star brand will certainly be the most powerful, most efficient and most secure automobile in the segment. Mercedes-Benz experts from the R & D department will certainly implement a consistent series of specially designed measures that substantially improve comfort, efficiency and safety aboard the upcoming C-Class. First of all, this model will sit on a new platform: the Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture for added dynamics and comfort. A load of assistance systems, such as the PRE-SAFE and ATTENTION ASSIST, will likely be offered in the standard package. A new range of gasoline and diesel engines with BlueEFFICIENCY technology and ECO start/stop function will be launched together with the new W 205, whereas alternative variants (hybrid, electric) are possible beyond 2015. As for the communication and entertainment, the future C-Class will be among the first Mercedes-Benz models to adopt the revolutionary @yourCOMAND infotainment system which promises man's best partner when at the wheel of the forthcoming W 205 vehicle series.

Image Credits: Autoevolution

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: A near-series 2012 CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake (X 218) vehicle captured in Affalterbach

Affalterbach, a beautiful town in the Baden-Württemberg region, is home of the prestigious Mercedes-AMG GmbH and the perfect location for spotting their newest performance cars. Just recently, photographers were able to get pictures of a production-ready CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake prototype featuring light disguise while the vehicle was being manouevred in the company's backyard.

Even though the media was expecting the all new CLS Shooting Brake to be officially unveiled this month at New York or Beijing, it seems the launch of the new 4-door wagon coupe will happen during summer this year, around June or July. Obviously, in comparison with the CLS Coupe, the Shooting Brake features a station wagon design which has been evenly combined with a sporty, dynamic 2-door silhouette. The roofline seems even more sloping and, together with the traditional Mercedes-Benz window line on the profiles, further highlight the streamlined shape.

As the technical package and the entire equipment list come from the CLS Coupe, the AMG variant of the Shooting Brake is a must. Following the introduction of the standard version, the new CLS 63 AMG SB comes this September and will boast AMG's new twin-turbo V8 rated at 525 hp and developing a peak torque of 700 Nm. If these numbers sound inconvenient, the optional Performance Package improves figures to 557 hp and 800 Nm.

Hopefully, the greater mass and the estate-ish body won't affect the ride and the sports abilities of the car, so the 0-100 acceleration should not take more than 4.5 seconds. One of the many categories where the 5.5-litre engine excells at is fuel economy, expected to settle at approximately 10 litres/100 km (combined). Efficiency measures further include a very precise fuel injection with spray-guided, high-pressure technology and the ECO start/stop function. For more driving convenience, the impressive power will be handled via AMG's 7-speed MCT gearbox and properly sent to the rear wheels. Last, but not least, the AMG RIDE CONTROL and bespoke assistance systems take care to ensure maximum agility in supreme, all-round safety.

Image Credits: WorldCarFans

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz A 25 AMG goes out for a ride in Germany

With the introduction of the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz wants to grab a big slice of the market segment currently ruled by the premium rivals from Munich and Ingolstadt. Having caused a mass stir after the unveiling that took place in March at Geneva, the new compact hatchback from the Three-Pointed Star constructor comes fully prepared to win on all fields of battle with its direct competitors, the 1er and the A3. The comprehensive array of equipments and versions, designed to meet every customer desire, would not be complete without an AMG variant. The baby rocket from Affalterbach is bound to make its first appearance towards fall 2012, with the market launch planned for late this year or early 2013.

Development for the new A 25 AMG is fully underway, with a test prototype being spotted recently in Germany. The compact sports car is destined to have a striking outfit in true AMG style: an aggressive front apron with generously dimensioned air takes, a single-slat grille, a lowered ride height, 19" or 20" forged alloy wheels with special design features, a rear diffuser and double exhausts for the back end. The racing atmosphere feels at home inside the A 25 AMG courtesy of the carbon fiber/aluminium trims, the deep tone, perforated and stitched leather upholstery, the bespoke instrument cluster and the all-round quality.

Engineers from the High Performance Powertrains department of Mercedes-AMG, headquartered at Brixworth, UK, have readied a new petrol engine for this model: a 2.0-litre supercharged unit releasing a staggering 350 hp of peak output. Formula 1 know-how was also invested in the development of the new powerplant, which reportedly sports cylinder cut-off technology and further clever stuff from the motorsport world. To ensure more efficiency is achieved while the engine is functioning, AMG has also fitted this brand new unit with intelligent cylinder management programme for an accurate, spray-guided fuel injection, a revised exhaust system and the all so present ECO start/stop function. 

That huge amount of power will be smoothly transferred through a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission  to all four wheels of the vehicle, as the new A 25 AMG runs on a new 4x4 sports traction system that promises to offer best dynamics and safety in class.

According to latest reports, the new A 25 AMG will come in five-door body configuration only, as no three-door model is considered for the standard A-Class at the moment. While European stores are a certain destination, it remains unclear whether Mercedes-Benz will launch the A 25 AMG on the US market as well. What we do know is that the forthcoming CLA four-door coupe is set to arrive in Stateside showrooms next year, only to be followed shortly after by the new 350 hp, all-wheel-drive CLA 25 AMG.

Photo Credits: Autoevolution

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 222) is a mindblowing appearance on streets

The S-Class is synonymous with automotive perfection. The premium limousine has been the all-time trendsetter in the luxury class: whether we talk about comfort, technology, safety or the upscale atmosphere, the S-Class symbolizes the epitome for a true representative car that always turn heads on the streets. This is the reason the engineers and all the personnel involved in the development of the all new W 222 generation of the S-Class have such a daring and complex task.

It is redundant to mention that the future S-Class will hold global supremacy among the high-luxury automobiles when it's launched this year during summer. The worldwide reveal is prone to happen in the beautiful city of Paris, at the French Mondial de l'Automobile 2012 starting late September. Testing phase has reached a very advanced stage, as these are the final months prior to the impatiently awaited unveiling.

When the curtains lift off, we will certainly witness an outstanding result no matter where we look - outside, inside or underneath. The new S-Class will be a competent fighter getting top marks in all disciplines. The progressive design the W 222 will display is the materialization of the styling seen on the F 700 research vehicle and Ocean Drive Concept. The interior will offer a futuristic experience thanks to the multitude of gadgets, telematics and assistance systems that help create a unique atmosphere.

The car will be packed full of clever technology and the ride will be more efficient with the help of a clean and powerful engine lineup consisting of I4, V6 and V8 gasoline and diesel (likely BlueTEC) units. For those who appreciate the alternative means of traction, Mercedes-Benz will offer the S 400 HYBRID ('mild') with over 300 hp and the all new S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID ('full') delivering around 415 hp. If you were wondering whether the range-topping S 600 version is gone forever, then we have some good news for you: a new V12 powerplant with over 550 hp is in the works at the moment and will be readied just in time for 2014 when the car is expected to be unleashed on roads. Last, but not least, come the well-known super limos from AMG: the S 63 AMG with 544 hp and the S 65 AMG with 630 hp.

You might also like to read:

- PREVIEW: Future Mercedes-Benz S-Class to display an outstanding tech bonanza
- The telematics future of Mercedes-Benz: @yourCOMAND - Always online for more information, safety and comfort
- SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 222) hits the fast curves of the Ring
- PREVIEW: A deep look into the next generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- The future Mercedes-Benz tech stuff is all about ... magic

Photo Credits: Autoevolution

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W 205) snagged in Germany

The fifth generation of the C-Class is planned to debut sometime during 2014. Dubbed W 205, the midsized premium limousine is a crucial model in the 2020 growth strategy that has been just recently adopted by Mercedes-Benz. A large volume of the series production for this vehicle will be moved at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, with the rest of the assembly facility remaining at the current location in Bremen.

Development for the future C-Class began during winter 2011/2012, so the prototypes could endure their first-ever cold weather programme, a vital part in the testing of any forthcoming Mercedes-Benz. Along with the rise in temperatures, the camouflaged cars are returning to the already sunny and pleasant Germany as a test vehicle has been lately spotted near company's R&D Center in Stuttgart.


With the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz targets to deliver the best choice on the market. Styling is essential for any automobile, so the team conducted by reputed designer Prof. Gorden Wagener will take care to deliver an outstanding visual performance. Influence in sketching the lines of the W 205 comes massively from the F 800 Style Research Vehicle (see 1,2,3) premiered in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show, so expect to see a self-assured, powerful and organic design. The 2014 C-Class will be slightly lengthier compared to the current generation and a lot more balanced. The large front bonnet, doubled by a short overhang, are contrasting the short tail hood and the long rear overhang and thus enhance the general, aerodynamical appearance by making the car look longer than it actually is.


For the cockpit, interior designer have prepared a spectacular, yet user-friendly architecture dominated by organic surfaces such as in the F 800 Style showcar. Little details are known at this moment, but given the fact the future C-Class is set to receive a new infotainment device, the revolutionary @yourCOMAND, the driver and passenger could easily like entering Enterprise space ship when stepping inside the sedan. The bigger exterior measures should translate in head and leg room for the cabin, which will further improve the comfort. Apart from the traditional upscale materials such as leather, sheer metal or fine-essence wood trims, we also expect some very attractive colour combos and, why not, a new type of clever, SF-looking upholstery to make you feel really hi-tech while travelling with the new C-Class. The all-time Mercedes-Benz quality will feel at home in the interior of the W 205, so the premium atmosphere is fully ensured.



The powertrain for the new generation will consist of the new Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture (MRA), which shall first make its official debut on the S-Class (W 222) this autumn. This will bring a substantial improvement in the dynamic capability of the car without affecting the well-known comfortable ride of any Mercedes-Benz model. To get the C-Class going, an entire lineup of frugal engines is specifically being developed at the moment. The brand new diesel-powered and gasoline-running units will feature displacements ranging from 1.8 litres up to 3.5 litre and will display I4 and V6 (and/or I6?) cylinder arrangements. Probably, most of the diesel powerplants will boast BlueTEC technology and a potent, high-end diesel engine is also possible. For the high-end C 350 petrol version, peak output should increase a bit from the current 306 hp. The top C-Class model will be the sporty C 63 AMG that is to use a further modified version of the current 5.5-litre biturbo V8, meaning it will also get an important upgrade in performance. If one is keen to save the planet, we would to like to inform him/her that the W 205 might premiere some plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell green variants, but only after 2015.


For the safety side of things, Mercedes-Benz researchers and engineers are preparing a consistent package of clever assistance systems that will surely make the difference between life and death in the event of a threatening situation. Alongside the well-known solutions such as PRE-SAFE or Collision Prevention Assist, the new C-Class could also be equipped with an optional autonomous driving system that uses a multitude of sensors, cameras and the fourth generation DISTRONIC PLUS radar to steer the car independent from the driver's action at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Moreover, the W 205 will also direct connectivity and communication means to a new level thanks to the addition of the Car-to-X technology, which enables a better interaction with the road, environment and the other cars and thus improves the flow of data and information to your own vehicle.









Photo Credits: Motor Authority

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class (C 117) hits the Ring for the first time

Development for the new CLC-Class, internally codenamed C 117, began during summer 2011 and, at the moment, the future compact 4-door coupe is approaching the middle of the experimental phase. With this model, Mercedes-Benz aims to expand its new compact class portfolio - the technical basis for the CLC will be the modular MFA front-driven platform, already underpinning the new A-Class and B-Class generations.

The CLC-Class is obviously a smaller alternative to the ol' daddy CLS, but in no way inferior to the business 4-door coupe. Its powerful attributes are the youthful outer styling boasting the coupe-ish dropping roofline, the traditional Mercedes-Benz luxury interior, smart technologies such as the comprehensive array of safety systems and the latest generation of clever telematics. Last, but not least, the CLC will feature a complete lineup of new, efficient petrol and diesel engines with peak outputs ranging from 109 hp to 211 hp. Starting 2013, a CLC 25 AMG sports version is due to hit streets. Following the A 25 AMG example, it will too boast 4x4 traction and 350 hp out of a 2.0-litre supercharged 4-cylinder gasoline powerplant mastered by AMG's division of high performance powertrains headquartered at Brixworth, UK.


The series CLC-Class will be revealed at the Paris motor show this autumn, but we'll get a preview of the new car on 20th April, when the Concept Style Coupé makes its official appearance at the Mercedes-Benz Transmission LA:AV CLUB festival.






Photo Credits: Motor Authority

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.