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August 31, 2005

2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Spy Photos

Seen here testing somewhere in the Californian desert with massive cladding is the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Expect official unveiling at Geneva 2007 with sales starting shortly after. Also expect the wagon to arrive 6 months later in the autumn or fall. Our sources state a cabriolet soft-top and coupe are also planned which we can only interpret as being the new CLK-Class which is also based on the same platform. Air suspension or active body control have been ruled out due to cost restraints. Base engine will be a direct injection 4-cylinder 1.8 liter with varying horsepower from 150 to 190. Horsepower for the 2.5 liter V6 and 3.5 liter V6 will be 210 to 270 respectively. AMG's 5.4-litre will be revised with new horsepower rating up from today's 360 to 400-410hp to compete with the Audi RS4 and future BMW M3. Also a 3.0 liter diesel is planned as well as the new iDrive-like operating concept found in the new S-Class. 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system will also remain available as well.

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06:00 AM in Mercedes-Benz | Permalink

August 30, 2005

200 hp Blitzen-Benz

1909 was a special year in the history of Benz & Cie, crowned by the achievements of a record-breaking car which has sealed its place in automotive folklore as one of the most inspirational models ever made. Powered by a quite awe-inspiring 21.5-liter 200-horsepower engine, the “Blitzen-Benz” reduced the then mythical 200 km/h landmark to a footnote in history. No other road-going vehicle could compete, whilst the world’s fastest trains and even the aircraft of the time were left gasping in its wake. A land-speed record which remained intact for eight years represents a suitable legacy for this era-defining vehicle. Of the six Blitzen-Benz ever made, two survive – Mercedes-Benz owns one, the other is the muse of a US collector. However, now another American enthusiast has found a way to gain entry into this exclusive club, working closely with Mercedes-Benz Classic to create a reproduction of the Blitzen-Benz containing a number of genuine parts.

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06:00 AM in Mercedes-Benz | Permalink

August 29, 2005

New Astra TwinTop Roof Concept Performs Dance at Frankfurt

Opel livens up the Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 15–25), breathing life into motionless cars with a new dance on its stand. Visitors can watch the Astra TwinTop, which celebrates its world premiere in Frankfurt, do the “Cabrio-Coupé Lambada” as it opens and closes its roof. At the touch of a button, a total of five sections, including the two C-pillars, go through a sequence of precisely choreographed moves with the help of five electric motors, eight hydraulic cylinders, 13 sensors and a 14-joint kinematics. The main advantage of the Astra TwinTop’s innovative roof concept: the individual components are smaller than in conventional systems and thus require less space when stowed in the trunk.

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06:05 AM in Astra | Permalink