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August 04 News |
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Place
your order
Orders are now being taken for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS, which
is available in two model versions. The CLS 350, equipped with the
new, powerful V6 engine and 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, and
the V8 CLS 500. The CLS is a unique vehicle concept, which combines
the elegance of a coupé with the practicality of a saloon.
The technical specification points the way to the future: adaptive
front airbags, sidebags and windowbags are all fitted as standard,
while options include state-of-the-art assistance systems like KEYLESS-GO,
LINGUATRONIC, COMAND APS, bi-xenon headlamps with Active Light System
and dynamic multicontour seat. In the top CLS 500 model, features
such as standard-fitted AIRMATIC DC air suspension and THERMOTRONIC
four-zone climate control provide S-Class levels of comfort. With
this new model, Mercedes-Benz is once again emphasising its role
as a trendsetter for new ideas in the automotive world. |
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DTM
1-2-3 for Mercedes
Gary Paffett led home two Mercedes colleagues for a Mercedes 1-2-3
at the recent Norisring DTM round. Former F1 star Jean Alesi started
from his second DTM pole position whilst Paffett was second on the
grid. Christijan Albers, who had qualified third, squeezed through
between them and took the lead ahead of Paffett and Alesi. After
the first round of pit stops, Paffett was first ahead of Alesi,
Albers and Bernd Schneider. The four Mercedes-HWA drivers made their
second stops and Paffett retained the lead whilst Albers was now
second ahead of Alesi and Schneider. On lap 64, Alesi locked his
wheels due to a brake problem and hit the tyre wall at the Grundig
hairpin. The Frenchman was able to resume and ended up tenth. Paffett
won ahead of Albers and Schneider. |
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Smart
on standby
The AA has come up with a smart idea. If iyour sticken car can't
be fixed at the side of the road, the AA will provide a courtesy
car to get you home free of charge. The organisation has a fleet
of 180 Smart ForTwos painted in its famous yellow and black livery
on standby for stranded motorists to use. The offer is open even
to those who only have the rescue group's most basic cover. If the
vehicle can't be repaired at the roadside, the AA patrol will take
the member to the nearest Europcar centre to collect one of the
brightly coloured Smarts. And if a bigger car is needed, an upgrade
option is available for a small fee. |
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Glorious
Goodwood Festival
Mercedes-Benz continued its extensive involvement in the Goodwood
Festival of Speed with six classic race cars. Commemorating the
company¹s stunning re-entry into Formula 1 in 1954 a W196 'Streamliner'
was driven by Jochen Mass and a W 196 Monoposto by Sir Stirling
Moss. The pre-war era was represented by a W154 from 1939 driven
by Sir John Surtees, and a static W25, the original Silver Arrow,
was displayed in front of the Driver's Club. The more current classics
included Ayrton Senna¹s original 190E 2.3-16 DTM from 1984 and the
Penske Mercedes Indycar from 1994. A special exhibition in the stable
area commemorated the Brooklands racetrack where DaimlerChrysler
is set to build a heritage and technology centre. |
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Diesel
upgrade
The C-Tronic® III from Mercedes tuner Carlsson promises a 20% increase
in performance for Mercedes' common-rail diesels. It is available
for the S320 CDI, E- and C-class including sportcoupé. It
consists of a control unit and adapter, which are plugged into the
original engine control unit using the standard plug and socket
connectors. The 36-pin plug uses all relevant control signals from
the original control unit and determines optimum values for fuel
quantity and point of injection. Installation is quick and easy
and waiting times for the driver are cut to a minimum. Carlsson
attaches great importance to reliability and safety for both vehicle
and driver. The C-Tronic® III has correction maps that guarantee
safe exploitation of the engine's reserves. The system monitors
the cooling-water temperature and provides the additional performance
depending on the temperature. For details tel: 01626 832222 |
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It's
good to talk in the car
Research reveals that 67 percent of parents name the family car
as a convenient place to have a meaningful conversation with their
children. The survey also found that nearly 70 percent of parents
spend most of their time outside of the house with their children
in the family vehicle. Survey results show that families spend an
average of 1.3 hours in the car every day. Overwhelmingly, parents
use this time to talk to their children about school (91%), friends
(90%) and values (82%). Today¹s family is juggling a more hectic
schedule than ever before, and a greater number of parents are using
time spent in the car to discuss important topics with their children.
Other subjects discussed in the car are activities such as sports
or music lessons, chores, and lifestyle or health issues, such as
drugs, alcohol, or sex. |
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Black
cars crash more
Black cars crash more often than others because aggressive drivers
love that colour. A study shows that out of 130,000 accident claims,
by far the largest number involved black cars, while the smallest
involved cream coloured cars. The survey, for Churchill Insurance,
found it wasn't just because they are harder to see in the dark.
Silver cars were the next most likely to be involved in an accident.
But drivers of red cars, often thought to be speed merchants, are
also quick thinkers, which is why they're not caught in so many
accidents. Red cars came seventh below third placed green, fourth-placed
yellow, blue in fifth and grey in sixth. |
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Buffet
buster
Like all full convertibles the SLK can suffer from buffeting caused
by back draught when being driven roof down. Mercedes elasticised
mesh, which is stretched between the headrests, doesn't satisfy
SLK owner Philip Little, who reckons driver rear visibility is compromised.
He has produced an alternative made from 6mm clear Perspex shaped
on a CNC machine. He feels his precision-made accessory is of a
quality that is consistent with the Mercedes marque and is tailored
specifically for the SLK. The design incorporates a 10o bend, which
prevents reflections in the rear view mirror, particularly at night.
To place an order please contact Philip Little on 01727 832834 or
email sales@hplltd.co.uk |
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Events |
August
1 Trentham Transport Festival, Stoke Tel 01922 643385
7-14 Cowes Week
13-15 Silverstone pre '72 races Tel +33 (0) 1425 97340
15 MBO Lunch Postillion Restaurant, Betchworth Tel 01737 844832
15 Track Day, Brands Hatch 0161 929 0446
15-4th Sept Edinburgh International Festival
September
1 Track Day Snetterton, Norfolk 0161 929 0446
2 Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford
3-5 Goodwood Revival, Chichester Tel 01243 755055
4 Royal Highland Games, Braemar
8-11 St Ledger, Doncaster
11 Last Night of the Proms
29 Brands Hatch GP Circuit Track Day 0161 929 0446 |
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