2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertibles Coming Soon!

Mercedes has announced the specifications for the E350 Cabriolet Demo vehicle that Atlanta Classic Cars will receive three weeks before the official launch of the E-Class Convertibles as well as the specifications for the E550 Cabriolet Launch Edition. The Launch Edition of the E550 Coupe was hugely popular when it came out last year and was quickly sold out. They are only making one Launch Edition and one Demo Vehicle per dealership.

2011 E350 Convertible - Demo Vehicle
Arctic White
Almond Mocha Leather
Black Top
Premium 1 Package
Appearance Package

2011 E550 Convertible - Launch Edition
Olivine Grey
Natural Beige/Black Leather
Black Top
Burl Walnut Wood
18" AMG 6 twin-spoke Wheel
mbrace
Multi-Contour Front Seats
Rear Spoiler
Premium 2 Pacakge
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel Package

We still do not have the details on packages, options or pricing. That is expected in March. If you think that the Launch Edition might be the one for you, you should get a deposit to your dealer soon!

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sculpture - Detroit Auto Show

Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show this week, this sculpture is likely the basis for the 2012 CLS redesign scheduled for release in 2011. The SLS style grille is the most obvious change and Mercedes officials say this is the first vehicle headed away from the tradition wedge-shape and toward a more art-deco inspired design.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon - Motor Trend

The 2011 Mercedes E350 4matic wagon is scheduled to arrive in the US this June. I think the wagon is a great vehicle for passengers and cargo. It is also such an iconic vehicle for Mercedes.

"Sure-footed four-corner traction: Standard. Height-adjustable rear AirMatic suspension for deep-snow ground clearance: Standard. Luggage-rack rails ready to accept your Thule ski-rack: Standard...Seating for seven (okay, five and two-halves): Standard. Iconic style and a hood ornament that commands respect from the apres-ski club valets: Standard. Could there be a more perfect vehicle than the new Mercedes E-Class wagon for driving up to Deer Valley, Whistler, or Hochgurgl, Austria?"

"With all systems on, the car faithfully cleaves to the driver's intended driving line -- at least to the extent that physics can allow (which is impressively high when the various electromechanical traction assistants are abetted by a set of Continental ContiWinterContact footwear)."

"The seat is still comfortable, however, offering oodles of headroom and a panoramic view of the passing Alpine scenery. Another cool feature: once the rear doors have been opened and closed, a screen on the driver's information display indicates which (if any) seat belts have been fastened."

"The 2011 E350 4Matic wagon goes on sale in June, 2010 (all-wheel-drive sedans are available now) at a price that's yet to be determined, but if the price difference relative to the sedan stays roughly the same as it was on the W211 generation, it should drop to $54,500 or so."

You can read the full Motor Trend report Here.

Jay Leno's SLS AMG Review - Video

Plenty of great SLS exhaust sounds and a quick demo of AMG Race Start

SLS AMG - Weight Savings - Video

SLS AMG - Interior Design - Video

SLS AMG - Aerodynamics & Design - Video

120 kph = 74.5 mph

Mercedes-Benz History And Future Of Passenger Safety

If you ask most people which car company was the first to use seat belts, airbags, and electronic stability systems in their cars they would probably credit another European automaker that is always hyping thier safety. Since a Mercedes-Benz is so much more than just the safest car on the road, their rich history of pioneering safety innovations is often overlooked. We invented airbags, crash testing, stability control and now Attention Assist all with the goal of first, preventing the accident, and then keeping you safe from injury if it can't be prevented.

SLS AMG - Colors, Options and New Pictures

Mercedes just posted an updated Dealer Ordering Guide for the SLS. All of this information is preliminary and can change as we go forward. It is hard to believe that this dream car is about to become a reality!



The Basics -
Performance:
Handbuilt 6.3L V-8
563 hp / 479 lb-ft Torque
7-Speed AMG Dual Clutch Transaxle Transmission
Rear Limited Slip Differential
Compund Brake Rotors
Safety:
Rearview Camera
Tele Aid
Bi-Xenon Headlamps
LED Daytime Running Lights
Comfort:
Parktronic and Keyless Go
Auto-dimming Side and Rearview Mirrors
Power Folding Mirros
Headlamp Washing System
Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control
Technology:
COMAND APS with 6-Disc CD/DVD Changer
40GB Hard-Drive GPS Navigation
Enhanced Voice Control System
SIRIUS Satellite Radio and HD Radio
iPod/MP3 Media Interface

That is a far cry from the stripped down supercars that are usually built! Navigation, Parktronic, iPod? Finally a luxury car in a supercar body!

Options -- Remember that this is all subject to change --

Colors:
No Charge Colors: Obsidian Black, Iridium Silver, AMG Daytona Blue and AMG le Mans Red
Approx $1500 Colors: AMG Imola Grey, designo Diamond White
Approx $3000 Colors: designo Magno Alanite Grey, AMG Magno Monza Grey - Matte Finish
Approx $10,000 Color: AMG ALU-BEAM Silver - a unique process that makes the paint shine like liquid metal

Interiors:
Black, Sand, Red, Porcelain
Aluminum Center Console
2-Tone designo Seats: Sand/Black, Classic Red/Black, Porcelain/Black - No Charge!
Light Brown Woven Natural Leather - Approx $1000



$4500 Carbon Fiber Console and Door Panel
$9000 Extended Interior Carbon Fiber Package (sill plates and seat frame)
$500 AMG Leather/Alcantara Performance Steering Wheel



Wheels: All styles are 19x9.5 front and 20x11 rear.
Twin 5-Spoke - Standard
7-Spoke - no cost option
10-Spoke Forged - Approx $2,400



Bang & Olufsen Sound System: Approx $6400
10 Speakers, 1,000 Watts
Dual subwoofers
Amplifier (Ice-Power and DSP)
Speakers with Neodymium magnet to reduce weight without loss of sound quality
All speaker grilles are made of high-quality 2mm aluminum
Illuminated tweeter lenses
Selectable sound modes

AMG Carbon Ceramic Braking System: Approx $12,000
Specially-developed carbon ceramic rotors and brake calipers for reduced weight and excellent braking performance.
Bronze painted brake calipers with "AMG Carbon Ceramic" Logo.
Larger carbon-ceramic compound brake discs
Front: six piston caliper, 15.8" disc (Stock - 15.4")
Rear: four piston caliper, 14.2" disc (Stock - 13.0")

AMG Performance Suspension: Approx $1500
Stiffer steel springs and shock absorbers for enhanced dynamic capability in high-performance driving situations.

More Carbon Fiber:
$5000 Mirror Covers
$5400 Engine Compartment Covers


If you are considering purchasing what will probably be the most collectable Mercedes-Benz of this decade please give me a call today.

SLS AMG In Action - Mercedes-Benz.tv

SLS AMG Design and Features - Mercedes-Benz.tv

650N-m = 479 lb-ft of Torque

2010 ML450 Hybrid at Atlanta Classic Cars!

A 2010 ML450 Hybrid was dropped off at the dealership yesterday! It was picked up by one of the Mercedes-Benz technical executives but I was excited to get a sneak peak. It looks a lot like the 2010 ML350 that was dropped off right afterwards but it does have a few striking differences.


Sculpted Hood - It has a very angular power dome hood that looks fantastic. It had to be that way to make room for the 180 pounds of extra electronics under the hood.


Under the hood - The engine cover is pretty extreme. The battery is in the back where the spare tire would be so this has run-flats.


Fuel Door Release Button - I don't yet know why this is the only Mercedes that has one!

I was able to go for a test drive and the ride is fantastic! Much like the diesel, if you didn't know it was hybrid you really wouldn't notice any difference in the way it drives. It is obviously a little quieter when the gas motor is off but with the radio on you can't tell when it turnes the engine on and off. The power was fantastic. It didn't feel heavy or lacking in any way. The brake feel is different than our other vehicles because they are electric but it stopped just fine.


I look forward to introducing the first Mercedes Hybrid to a new group of clients!

2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Review from Edmunds.com

"...Benz has a well-earned reputation for pricing its sedans higher than everybody else. But this time it's different. When the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 goes on sale in June, its $57,175 base price will land it smack in the middle of the V8 midsize luxury sedan class. It's also cheaper than anything else coming out of Germany."

"Mercedes hasn't finalized option pricing for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550, but company officials assure us that $60,325 is a fair estimate for a 2010 E550 with the Premium I package that groups the COMAND navigation system, Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound, iPod integration and ventilated seats. "

"Our 2010 E550 test car feels neatly damped and over-engineered in nearly every detail. Mundane tasks like closing the doors, twisting the control dial of the COMAND system and shifting from Park to Reverse bring uncommon pleasure."

"The bigger improvement, though, is in the E550's steering, which remains a rack-and-pinion setup with a hydraulic power steering pump. It still feels light and still mutes out most road feel, but there's a level of accuracy that wasn't here before."

"We now rank COMAND at the leading edge of all-in-one audio/navigation interfaces. Whether you're using it to enter an address or search through your iPod's album list, it feels like a mostly natural extension of the car's basic controls."

"...we still average 19 mpg in mixed driving and see as much as 23 mpg on the open highway."

You can see the full review here.

2010 E550 at Atlanta Classic Cars Today!

There is a 2010 E550 Sport on the lot today waiting to be picked up by a Regional Manager. It may only be here for a few hours. If you are in the neighborhood and would like to see it in person, give me a call.

It is Arctic White with Panoramic Roof. The Interior is Almond/Black. Premium 2 Package.

2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe - Testing Video

2010 Mercedes E-Class Sedan Commerical

Silly Hippies

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 and E550 Coupe Colors, Packages and Options

Here is the information from the preliminary Dealer Ordering Guide for the 2010 E-Class Coupe. This is a preliminary version and is subject to change at any point. Pricing has not been announced.

New Model Highlights:
Styling shared with 2010 E sedan
2-Door pillarless coupe
LED tail lamps
V6 and V8 engines optimized for fuel economy
Standard panoramic sunroof!
Agility control suspension
HOLD convenience braking function
Attention Assist - driver drowsiness monitor standard
Available Back-up Camera (P1)
Standard split-folding rear seats
Standard heated seats
Standard COMAND PLUS with central controller includes:
7" LCD screen
6 CD/DVD changer
Bluetooth

Colors:
040 - Black (non-metallic)
590 - Mars Red (non-metallic)
650 - Arctic White (non-metallic)
197 - Obsidian Black
230 - Quartz Blue (new)
359 - Capri Blue
723 - Pewter
755 - Steel Grey
775 - Iridium Silver
792 - Palladium Silver
963 - Indium Grey

Interiors:
E350 and E550:
Standard Leather: Black, Almond Beige, Ash
Premium Leather: Black, Almond Beige, Ash


Premium 1 Package:
(standard on E550 coupe)
COMAND system with hard-drive Navigation
Sirius Satellite Radio
HD Digital Radio
harman/kardon surround sound
iPod/MP3 Media Interface
6 GB hard-drive with Music Register
Enhanced Voice Control
Heated Front Seats
Rear-View Camera (new)
Power rear sunshade

Premium 2 Package:
All components of Premium 1
Bi-Xenon Headlamps with active curve illumination
Keyless-Go
Heated and Active Ventilated front seats

Sport Package:
18" AMG twin 6-spoke
Sport Bodystyling - spoiler, exhaust tips, front air dam, side skits and rear apron
Sport steering wheel with gearshift paddles


Distronic Plus Package:
Distronic Plus
Advanced parking guidance

Stand Alone Options:
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
COMAND with HDD navigation
Heated Seats

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350, E550 and E63 Sedan Colors, Packages and Options

I now have the preliminary Dealer Ordering Guide for the 2010 E-Class Sedan. This guide lists out the standard and optional features as well as the colors. This is a preliminary version and is subject to change at any point. No pricing is available at this time but it should be comparable to the 2009 pricing. The guide was published without pictures at this point but I will post pictures of the standard and optional wheels when they are available.

New Model Highlights:
New headlamp design
Sport and Luxury version available
17" and 18" standard wheels
Interior ambient lighting
Agility control - suspension-dampening system
Low drag coefficient (.28)
Optimized for lower fuel consumption
Sunroof standard
Bluetooth standard
14-way power front seats with 4-way lumbar
HOLD convenience braking function
11 Airbags - New Pelvic and Knee Airbags
Attention Assist - driver drowsiness monitor standard
Available Back-up Camera (P1)
4-MATIC version will have full-leather and AIRMATIC suspension

Colors:
040 - Black (non-metallic)
650 - Arctic White (non-metallic)
197 - Obsidian Black
230 - Quartz Blue (new)
300 - Jade Green
359 - Capri Blue
755 - Steel Grey (new)
775 - Iridium Silver
792 - Palladium Silver (new)
794 - Pearl Beige (new)
963 - Indium Grey

Interiors:
E350 Luxury:
MB Tex Options: Black, Almond/Mocha, Ash
Full Leather Options: Black, Almond, Ash
E350 Sport:
MB Tex Options: Black, Almond/Black, Ash/Black
Full Leather Options: Black, Almond/Black, Ash/Black, Natural Beige/Black
E550 Luxury:
Full Leather Options: Black, Almond, Ash
E550 Sport:
Full Leather Options: Black, Almond/Black, Ash/Black, Natural Beige/Black

Premium 1 Package:
COMAND system with hard-drive Navigation
Sirius Satellite Radio with real-time traffic
HD Digital Radio
harman/kardon surround sound
iPod/MP3 Media Interface
6 GB hard-drive with Music Register
Enhanced Voice Control
Heated Front Seats (heated and ventilated in E550 and E63)
Rear-View Camera (new)
Power rear sunshade

Premium 2 Package:
All components of Premium 1
Bi-Xenon Headlamps with active curve illumination
Headlamp washing system
LED daytime running lamps
Adaptive high beam assist
Keyless-Go
Electronic trunk closer

Wheel Package:
(E350 Sport Only, standard on E550)
18" AMG twin 6-spoke
Three spoke sport steering wheel

Driving Assistance Package:
Distronic Plus
Blind Spot Assist
Lane Keeping Assist

Stand Alone Options:
Parktronic with Parking Guidance
Split Folding Rear Seats
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel (luxury only)
Panoramic Sunroof
Drive Dynamic Multicontour driver seat, with massage
Night View Assist Plus with Pedestrian Detection

2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe - Official Photos

These are the first official pictures of the 2010 E-Class Coupe that is due to arrive in the US this summer. It strongly resembles the 2010 E-Class sedan that is due around the same time. It has the same twin-headlamp design, "pontoon" reminiscent rear-end and received the same much needed technology upgrade to the navigation and entertainment systems. It will continue to have the stunning B-pillarless side windows that have always been my favorite part of the CLK coupe. For this new model they have taken that one step further with the addition of the panoramic roof.

The E-Class Coupe will have the lowest drag coefficient of any production vehicle at just .24. This low drag will help the E-Class coupe to be more fuel efficient. We are expecting to receive the 3.5 liter V6 and the 5.5 liter V8 in the US, although several other diesel engines will be available in Europe.

While a coupe isn't practical for everyone, this is going to be a gorgeous vehicle that deserves strong consideration if 2 doors are enough for you! Look for the official debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March and then the New York Auto Show in April.

The slideshow below contains the first official pictures of the 2010 E-Class Coupe. Please contact me if you want to secure your spot on Atlanta Classic Cars' waiting list for this new vehicle.

European Delivery Dates Announced For 2010 Mercedes-Benz Models

Mercedes-Benz offers an amazing program called European Delivery. You can order your vehicle at your local dealership, fly to Germany to pick it up, tour Europe for a few weeks in your new car and then have it shipped to your local dealership. It takes a little pre-planning but you do get a nice discount on the vehicle and it often pays for your vacation!

The earliest possible delivery dates for the 2010 models are as follows:
C-Class July 27, 2009
GLK350W April 15, 2009
GLK350W4 February 25, 2009
E350W, E550W July 20, 2009
E350W4, E550W4 September 28, 2009
CLS-Class August 19, 2009
SLK-Class October 19, 2009
SL-Class October 19, 2009
S-Class August 19, 2009

This is the first time that you can purchase an SUV through the European Delivery Program! Also, the E-Class is available for pick-up quite soon after the official launch of the new body style this summer. There is usually more of a delay. You can visit the European Delivery Site for more information or contact your local dealer.