Fleet Update: 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450

A 1200-mile outing to Zion National Park has editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie gushing: "We arrived home at the end of a 600-mile day feeling fresh, a testament to good seats and impressively low NHV levels. While our GL is a real-deal SUV rather than a wannabe crossover, it's actually a nice rig for the great American road trip.

It's quick, quiet, and comfortable, with a high seating position and big windows that give you a panoramic view of landscapes. And though you feel its mass at times, it drives more like, well, a Mercedes than a truck." No vehicle's perfect, though. "I'd prefer a 50-state-legal version of the 4.0-liter V-8 diesel Mercedes offers in Europe. That baby delivers nine-percent-less power but 52-percent-more torque."

OTHER MT VOICES:

ML -- does that stand for masculine looking? Regardless, I give kudos to M-B for this. In a sea of swooshy-looking euro SUVs aimed at the fairer sex, i.e. the X3, the ML's lines are robust and unabashedly macho. Unfortunately, I'm not sure any of that can be discerned from sitting in driver's seat. The interior is impeccably new wave with grab bars and leather where earthen tones abound--ostensibly, a plush and luxurious cabin. The adjustability of the steering wheel and seats, is excellent--one of the few vehicles in which my 6'3" frame can be truly comfortable. I understand that light interiors say upscale, but the light tan surfaces show a considerable "patina" from dirty appendages. The carpet, in particular, looks like a doormat from a trailer park. The center stack arrangement is easily visible but the logic of the interface is NOT intuitive, at least from this M-B neophyte. Trying to find a particular Sirius channel was torturous--very unbecoming. The sound system offers good strength, clarity, and depth.

The powertrain is deceptively fast. While I despise the Prius-like shifter stalk, I find the heavy SUV quite rewarding in most driving situations. The button shifters behind the wheel work well for in-city commuting. The ML really shines on the open road. The power seems to be both reluctant but accessible, depending on your driving style. That is the mark of intelligent engine-management software. The transmissions seamless shifting encourages the feeling of gliding over the road. The suspension, too, is a partner in this experience--leveling speed bumps and potholes alike.

My favourite mercedes :)

2006 Mercedes-Benz S Class Full-Size Luxury Sedan

Elite full-size Mercedes sedans continue in multiple issues -- S350, S430, S500, S600 and S55 AMG, with 4Matic AWD versions for S430 and S500.

For power, S350 gets the new 3.5-liter V6 tuned to 241 hp; S430 uses a 4.0-liter V8 at 275 hp, but S500 goes further with the single-cam 5.0-liter V8 pushing 302 hp. S600 stocks the bi-turbo 6.0-liter V12 ripped to 493 hp, and AMG's supercharged V8 drops into the S55 AMG, also pegged at 493 hp.

Late-arriving supercar S65 AMG brings the 12-cylinder AMG bi-turbo scored way up at 604 hp.

S Class sedans envelop riders in a staggering array of sophisticated controls and perks to make life in the fast lane not only comfortable but secure. Also, there are many mechanical systems working latently for protection, including devices that stabilize forward movement and tire traction, smart brakes and adjustable suspensions.

Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Germany makes luxury and performance vehicles that span the scale in size and type with multiple options for power and traction. The vast collection includes souped-up performance variations in many categories built by the Mercedes super-tuner AMG. But there are three new Mercedes classes for 2006 -- the elegant CLS Class of four-door coupes, the large-scale R Class sport tourer wagons and a new generation of designs for American-built M Class of sport-utility vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster and C63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster and C63 AMG Make North American Debuts

Making their North American debuts on Mercedes-Benz's stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show are two respective range-topping vehicles - the new SLR Roadster and C63 AMG. The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is a car designed for the track but built for the road, available in sedan and estate guise. Its topless range sibling is the SLR Roadster - a soft-top super-sports car with motor racing genes and innovative new technology.

SLR Roadster

The new SLR Roadster is a soft-top sports car heralding the hallowed SLR of the fifties, which was the basis for generations of high-performance touring cars. And so the open-top version returns with a car - although based very much on the SLR Coupe and its concept of optimum weight distribution - that has undergone a series of changes with over 500 new or revised components. Revisions include that of the now-frameless swing-wing doors, boot lid, rear wings, A-pillars and windscreen surround.

Performance comes from a powerful AMG-supercharged V8 engine, placed just behind the front axle to optimise the distribution of weight. Outputting 626 hp, excellent road-holding characteristics are achieved, with a top speed of 206 mph and acceleration to 62 mph from standstill in just 3.8 seconds.

Despite losing its roof to the elements, the SLR Roadster does not leave its supercar-owning occupants compromising on comfort nor practicality. The roof is triple layered to ensure excellent insulation and high levels of comfort even in poor weather. Maximum speeds are permitted even with the roof raised due to its rigid structure, its contours shifting by only a few millimetres at 200 mph. The soft- top is available in three fabric colours - anthracite-black, red-black and beige-black - allowing for high levels of combination with exterior colours and interior trims.

C63 AMG

Developed from the C63 AMG used in the German Touring Car Masters (DTM), its road-going sister delivers the same high levels of excitment seen at the event but in production form. It is the fifth-generation AMG-developed C-Class and is a model which celebrates 40 years of AMG at the top of the Mercedes-Benz range. Inspiration for the new C63 AMG is chiefly provided by the 190 E 3.2 AMG of 1987, a car that pre-dates the first AMG C-Class by some six years.

Delivering a 457 hp output from its AMG-developed 6.3-litre V8 engine, and producing maximum torque of 600 Nm from its naturally-aspirated high-revving unit, this is a luxury sedan whose figures are unrivalled in the segment. Performance follows suit with the car's power-pumped powertrain, allowing for supercar-near acceleration to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds (4.6 in estate guise) and a top speed electronically-limited to 155 mph. AMG sports suspension and 18-inch lightweight alloys ensure enhanced driving dynamics, while braking ability is aided by high-performance AMG-developed large internally ventilated and perforated disc brakes.

The C63 AMG is a vehicle that excels not only in its performance, but too in both the quality of its design and equipment. The differentiations from the standard C-Class are now greater than ever. In addition to AMG bodystyling, characteristic brand features include the distinctive AMG grille, flared front wings, the AMG rear apron with black diffusor insert, the AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes and the AMG spoiler lip.

AMG sports seats, three-stroke AMG performance steering wheel and a tubular AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu are the chief design elements to produce an elegant but more sporty interior cabin.

Offering a high-performance vehicle with stylish looks to match and packaged around the body of a vehicle featuring everyday practicality and in-built elegance, the C63 AMG Sedan or Estate is a unique proposition. Sales start early next year in Germany from 67,235 euros and 69,853 euros respectively.

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Press Release

C63 AMG Makes North American Debut as the SLR Goes Topless

The C63 AMG celebrates its North American debut alongside the S400 BLUETEC at the Los Angeles Automobile Show, open to the public November 16 – 25, 2007. The new C63 AMG sedan is powered by a 6.3-liter normally aspirated V8 that produces 451 horsepower and 443 lb. ft. of torque.

The SLR Roadster drives into Los Angeles topless and in style. Powered by a supercharged 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine with 617 horsepower and 575 lb.-ft of torque, the SLR McLaren Roadster boasts 0-60 mph acceleration of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 206 mph. Thanks to its fully retractable top, the SLR Roadster offers open-air driving pleasure that’s practical for everyday use. Even with the top down, conversation is still possible at speeds well over 120 mph, thanks to its superior aeroacoustics.