Category: Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz GLA revealed

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Shortly after releasing a sketch of its GLA compact SUV, Mercedes-Benz has come good with pics and press material prior to its public debut in Frankfurt next month.

As far as pint-sized SUVs go we think this one looks pretty good. In fact we’d go so far as to say this is the best looking model in the A Class family, which already includes hatchback and saloon models.

As such most of the engine range and equipment is already familiar. Although, if you option your GLA with the 4matic all-wheel drive system you get the added bonus of Downhill Speed Regulation and an off-road transmission mode. The leaves on your front yard won’t know what hit them!

We’re not sure what pricing will be when it goes on sale in Australia next year, but we think it’s pretty safe to expect Mercedes will sell a crap load!

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz reveals GLA sketch

Mercedes-Benz GLA sketch

Mercedes-Benz has used its Facebook account to release sketches of its forthcoming GLA model. As if the world needed another SUV, but while the public appetite for such models exists you can expect Mercedes to cash in like everyone else.

The GLA will be based on the A Class platform and will rival the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Just imagine how bonkers the AMG version will be!

We’ll find out a lot more about the GLA at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, where it has been scheduled to make its world premiere.

[Source: Facebook]

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Audi Mercedes-Benz Video

Get on the Chris Harris bandwagon

Audi RS6 Avant v Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake

We love fast Euro estates here at AUSmotive. Absolutely love ’em! As it happens so does Chris Harris and he brings us two of the very best in his latest video. It’s the Audi RS6 Avant up against the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. Wagon versus wagon. V8 versus V8. And, tellingly, all-wheel drive versus rear-wheel drive.

And that’s probably all the introduction you need. The rest is perfect Sunday afternoon fodder.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

What Formula 1 will sound like in 2014

Mercedes V6 F1 engine

Mercedes-Benz has released a computer-generated sound clip of what its 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 Formula 1 engines power units will sound like under the new regulations to be introduced next year. Their YouTube clip includes this introduction:

Best enjoyed with the sound turned up LOUD and on headphones or speakers for the full effect! Laptop speakers may lead to pale imitations of a Formula One Power Unit…

Exclusive to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS YouTube channel, here’s the sound of the future!

This is a lap of the mythical Monza circuit with the new-for-2014 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 Formula One Power Unit. It’s a new music – but a beautiful one, too. Enjoy 🙂

Hopefully, in reality, the new engines won’t sound this artificial.

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Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

2013 Hungarian Grand Prix in pictures

2013 Hungarian Grand Prix

We’re fairly certain is Lewis Hamilton is still over the moon at his first win for Mercedes-Benz, which he achieved at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. But we’re not so sure he’ll check into AUSmotive to relive his victory. So, it’s just as well you’re here to fill Lewis’ shoes.

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Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG track test

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

We’re hearing reports there’s a couple of Mercedes-Benz A45 AMGs on Australian shores. Seems like they’ve been assigned to promotional duties, but customer deliveries should start in September/October.

So we figured it’d be worth building the anticipation with this track test from South African mag Car. Okay, they are testing the Edition 1 version which won’t be coming to Australia, but who needs a daft wing and some dodgy racing stripes anyway.

If nothing else it’s interesting to compare the lap time of the A45 against the other times shown during the clip. Plus the driver and former racer Deon Joubert offers some decent feedback on the car as well.

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Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2013 Hungarian GP: Post-race press conference

2013 Hungarian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton rated his win in the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix very highly. When interviewed on the podium by Martin Brundle he declared: “I think this is probably one of the most important grand prix wins of my career. To move to a new team and to win for Mercedes-Benz is just a real privilege.”

Clearly, Lewis was pretty happy with his day’s work, and so he should be. He drove a strong race and deserved the win.

Mark Webber was also pleased with his result, even though, he’d much prefer fighting for higher honours that P4.

“I think we had the right strategy,” Webber said. “We knew there was a lot of pressure on getting a good first lap and I got some clear air, which worked well. The start was okay and the first sector was very good, I was able to put a bit of pressure on Kimi and then we just settled in.

“I don’t think we could have got much more than that result today. The strategy was pretty solid and you have to pace the option tyres until the end.”

Daniel Ricciardo wasn’t quite so pleased with his day and think the mid-30 degree temperatures may not suit the Toro Rosso STR8.

“Right from the start, it was clear we weren’t really quick,” admitted Ricciardo. “I tried to hold position as long as I could but we were way too slow. I tried my best in terms of trying to maintain a good pace and look after the tyres, but today it was not enough to go looking for points. We got a bit more out of the car in qualifying yesterday, but it’s hard to repeat that for seventy laps.

“We struggled at Nürburgring as well, so the heat has got something to do with it. We could not match our competitors today, just lacking speed when we have a heavy fuel load, which is the opposite of what we tended to see with last year’s car.”

The full post-race press conference transcript featuring the first three drivers can be read after the break.

[Pic: Mercedes AMG]

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Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2013 Hungarian GP: Qualifying report

2013 Hungarian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG) collected his third pole position in succession after setting the fastest time in qualifying for the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton (1:19.388) was genuinely surprised to have edged out Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull, 1:19.426), who had been the benchmark all weekend.

Romain Grosjean (Lotus, 1:19.595) qualified third and in doing so reminded us that, when switched on, he has the talent to mix it with the best in the sport. If he can rid himself of his brain fades he could forge an enviable F1 career. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG, 1:19.720) will start form P4 alongside Grosjean.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari, 1:19.791) and Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus, 1:19.851) occupy the third row of the grid.

For Australian fans their hopes will be pinned on Daniel Riccardo (Toro Rosso, 1:20.641) who will start from P8, once again making it into Q3 while his teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne, was left behind in Q2 and will line up on P14.

“It was good to get into Q3 again. We seem to make a habit of finding a little bit extra for qualifying,” Ricciardo said after qualifying. “Athough ideally, I’d like to be on the pace right from Friday and chip away at the lap times within the top ten. We made some set-up changes overnight and they seem to have worked, although we had a bit of work to do to get to Q3 today.”

Meanwhile, Mark Webber (Red Bull) did well to get himself into Q3 with a car that had ever present issues, namely a KERS failure and hampered performance from his gearbox. He elected not to go out at all in Q3 and will start from P10 and has the luxury to choose the tyres he wants to start with. Although, that’s not much of a compensation for Mark who was clearly frustrated after hopping out of his car while Q3 was still underway.

“Massively frustrating. We look stupid, it’s embarrassing and it’s a brutal circuit to be out of position on,” Webber said. “We should be challenging for the front row and we’re 10th.”

Expectations for the race are that Mercedes, again, won’t have the pace to challenge for the win, which leaves the likely result another win for Sebastian Vettel. The Hungaoring is notoriously difficult to overtake on and while Webber might have the car able to challenge for a podium it will be a mighty result if he can achieve that.

[Pic: Mercedes AMG]

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Aston Martin Mercedes-Benz

Aston Martin seeking technical partnership with AMG

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

Aston Martin has announced it signed a letter of intent with Mercedes-AMG GmbH to enter into a technical partnership with the German firm.

The deal is expected to see AMG secure a 5% stake in Aston Martin in exchange for access and development of bespoke V8 engines, along with electric/electronic (e/e) components from Mercedes-Benz Cars.

A formal agreement is yet to be signed but both companies are working towards finalising the deal, which may be subject to regulatory approvals, before the end of the year.

“We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process,” said Ian Minards, Aston Martin Product Development Director.

“Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news.”

Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH added, “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides.”

No further detail will be provided from either manufacturer until the partnership has been signed off.

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2013 Goodwood FoS in pictures – gallery 2

2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

This is your second fix of images from the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. We start with McLaren and take you all the way to Vuhl, plus a few bonus pics at the end.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s final gallery which is a dedicated set of Porsche images.

See also: 2013 Goodwood FoS in pictures – gallery 1

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BMW Mercedes-Benz Video

Chris Harris on the A45 AMG and BMW M135i

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG v BMW M135i

Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and the BMW M135i in the hands of Chris Harris. There’s no need for an intro, just strap yourself in for the next 20 minutes and enjoy the ride.

If you would like a few more words, head on over to PistonHeads.

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Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz

Audi S3 v BMW M135i v Mercedes A45 AMG

Audi S3 v BMW M135i v Mercedes A45 AMG

This is what we want to read; a comparison between the three hottest hatches currently on offer from the triumvirate of German masters. Thankfully, George Kacher has put his keyboard to work on behalf of Automobile magazine:

George Kacher on the S3: The Audi goes around bends like a slot-car racer with a second pin between the rear wheels. Neutrality is the name of its game. So is it boring? Wrong term. The S3 rewards its driver with a different potpourri of talents. The roadholding is so tenacious that the Continental Sportcontact tires (225/40 R18 all round) might have harbored hidden Velcro strap fragments. The steering, overly light and a little mute, nonetheless turns honing the line into a surprisingly entertaining pastime.

George Kacher on the M135i: There is more roll and pitch and dive than we expected from a 1-series model wearing the M badge. On the other hand, grip is astounding in the dry, traction is only an issue when you ask for it by switching off ESP, and the stability through very quick uneven corners is supported by the nicely compliant spring and damper setting. So, full marks for ride quality, panache and refinement, but only 3.5 stars out of five for absolute sportiness and driver involvement.

George Kacher on the A45 AMG: The engine delivers notable extra urge with real authority, the steering fuses input and feedback to a wonderfully three-dimensional level of control, four-wheel drive distributes torque with the eerie professionalism of a poker ace dealing his rounds, and the brakes bite with vigor and determination until, at the foot of the pass, smoke signals beg for mercy. The A45 AMG is as chuckable as it is sure-footed. It can corner on three wheels, decelerate at a ridiculous yaw angle, put the power down even earlier than the Audi. What it cannot do is ride well, period. Not even on smooth blacktop.

Based on what we’ve been reading, the S3 will only find buyers in Australia due to being cheaper than the other two (and only marginally), the A45 AMG will be the one everybody wants and some of the gloss of the M135i seems to have faded in the presence of serious competition.

Although, it is worth remembering the margins being discussed in reviews such as this are often so minor as to conclude that all three cars will reward their owners well beyond the initial novelty period. It’s just that they’ll do it slightly differently. We think it’s fantastic to see so much choice in the premium hot hatch segment. A shame it’s taken so long.

Follow the source link below to read the full review.

[Source: Automobile | Thanks to Richard for the tip]