| There's a famous name in motoring that's | | | | launch of their latest "sport utility cruiser" B-Class |
| associated not only with style and reliability, but | | | | sedan: [the] BLK. Attempting to be a portmanteau |
| also with high octane performance models, all | | | | of the A-Class and B-Class ranges, this features |
| from within its own diverse range of cars. That | | | | much of the same features of Mercedes' |
| name is Mercedes Benz. | | | | previous sedans, albeit in an updated package, |
| Since their conception in 1881, the German | | | | specifically targeting BMW's and Audi's audience |
| manufacturer has built a reputation on producing | | | | for the X1 and X3 respectively. The car is |
| some of the most technologically advanced and | | | | rumoured for release at the start of 2011. |
| reliable cars on the market. Their newest group | | | | It is interesting however that despite the range |
| of high performance cars take their lead form | | | | and performance of models available from a |
| Formula 1 and their developments with McLaren | | | | brand like Mercedes, the owners still create |
| and AMG (the division of Mercedes most | | | | demand for a healthy market in add-on Mercedes |
| associated with their high performance cars). | | | | diesel tuning parts. The range of engine re-chips |
| Mercedes' most recent rendezvous with | | | | and "piggy-back" tuning systems for diesel models |
| consumer sports cars has led to the creation of | | | | is a case in point, as customers continue to seek |
| the SLS AMG, which has just become available | | | | out ways of extracting ever increasing levels of |
| for pre-order in Germany. Costing 177,310 | | | | performance from what are in many cases |
| ($237,000), the car features a M159 V8 Engine, | | | | already highly optimised engines. |
| 571bhp and a 0-60mph time of just 3.8 seconds - | | | | Information and rumours surrounding potential |
| resulting in a top speed of over 200 mph. | | | | new Mercedes cars often bring excitement and |
| Designed solely in-house by AMG ([and] being the | | | | anarchy, but it also arises a question: how much |
| first car to do so), has resulted in a convergence | | | | difference can we see from new models |
| of technologies from their F1 cars; in fact, | | | | compared to our current cars? Whilst the |
| announced at this year's Geneva Motor show is | | | | aesthetics of cars often change drastically (utilising |
| the news that the SLS AMG will be used as F1's | | | | materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre that |
| safety car on the track for the 2010 season | | | | would've been impossible years before), the need |
| (replacing the SL63 SMG), due to its impeccable | | | | for ever increasing levels of performance is |
| speed and power. | | | | something that remains open to question. |
| Continuing their long standing tradition of motoring | | | | - Do we really need consumer available cars that |
| innovation, Mercedes is now experimenting with | | | | are able to reach speeds of over 200mph? |
| hybrid/fuel cell cars - such as their F800 research | | | | - Should we be pushing 0-60mph times to engine's |
| vehicle, which was also announced and displayed | | | | limits, to be even faster? |
| at this year's Geneva Motor Show; featuring a | | | | - Can the simple use of a third party engine tuning |
| 204bhp four-cylinder diesel engine which is | | | | equipment allow our current cars to replicate the |
| combined with a 15kW electric motor and seven | | | | performance of super cars? |
| speed automatic transmission. Anticipated for | | | | This question divides into two categories of a |
| launch at the end of 2011, it will be Europe's first | | | | car's use: recreational or practical. Mercedes' new |
| ever diesel hybrid, and seemingly an effective | | | | super cars fall squarely into the former category, |
| effort at combining the benefits of a | | | | while the mass market range seem to blur the |
| environmentally friendly car, with the style and | | | | lines between the two. |
| qualities that the market has come to expect | | | | Whether the industry should be focusing on |
| from Mercedes. | | | | practical and environmental, or mainly recreational |
| Amidst Mercedes' tradition of luxury super cars, | | | | uses for the automobile is something that will |
| they also have a large range of mass market | | | | probably always stimulate impassioned debate. |
| cars - including their A-Class, B-Class and sedan | | | | However it remains exciting to see these steps |
| models - which are more appropriate for | | | | forward in innovation and development from a |
| everyday use. They have recently announced the | | | | company as long-standing as Mercedes. |