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December 05 News |
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Entry level
M-Class
A new entry-level ML280 Cdi will join Mercedes' SUV range, and deliveries will
begin in April 2006. The ML280 costs £35,175 and comes with a 3.0-litre V6
turbodiesel producing 190bhp and 325lb ft. Fuel consumption of 28.8mpg matches
that of its ML320 Cdi big brother. The ML280 will come with a seven-speed
automatic gearbox as standard. For £2,750, buyers can upgrade to either Sport
or SE trims. The ML platform will be the base for the next generation of
Mercedes G-Wagen, to be called the GLClass. Mercedes will show the production
version at the Detroit Motor Show in January and the car is expected to go on
sale in the UK in late 2006. Expect to see a similar lineup of engines as in
the ML, including 3.5 V6 and 5.0 V8 petrol engines, and a 3.0 V6 turbodiesel. A
6.3 V8 is destined for an AMG version. |
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Turbo
A-Class
Mercedes has topped the A-Class range with a 193bhp 2.0-litre turbo model. The
A 200 Turbo takes 7.5 seconds to cover 0-62mph and heads on to a top speed of
141mph. Eighteen-inch AMG alloy wheels and lowered suspension provide the
essential sporty look, along with a matt silver radiator grille and twin
stainless steel exhaust pipes. The A200 Turbo is available now from Mercedes
dealers. Prices start at £20,695 for the three-door and £21,295 for the
five-door.
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Merc's
touch of hygenius
Mercedes is showcasing its latest fuel-cell technology in a new research
vehicle. Dubbed F600 Hygenius, the futuristically styled fourseater uses a
combination of fuel-cell propulsion and electric drive to return a claimed
average 97mpg, enough to provide the hatchback with a theoretical range of over
250 miles. That's an impressive 16 per cent improvement on previous research
vehicles, giving hope that the technology will one day find its way onto
customer cars. At the heart of the new car is an advanced fuel cell stack that
Mercedes is touting for production between 2012 and 2015. Some 40 per cent more
compact and significantly more efficient than earlier systems used by
Mercedes-Benz, it is mounted in the Hygenius' sloping nose and is fuelled by a
hydrogen tank fitted within the flat floor. The compressed hydrogen is combined
with oxygen to produce electricity, which in turn powers an electric motor
capable of putting out 115bhp. Energy created under braking is stored in a
lithium-ion battery to allow the Hygenius to run without the need for fuel-cell
intervention at low speeds. As well as providing a glimpse into the future of
Mercedes' driveline technology, the F600 Hygenius is said to hold some clues to
the look of the nextgeneration C-class due in '07, especially the headlamps and
bold wheelarch flares.
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The last
one?
"Like stepping back in time", says Carl Wilford about this unregistered 1989
300 SL with delivery mileage currently available through Autobarn. It looks and
drives as if it had rolled off the production line only yesterday. The car has
been dry stored for 16 years with the remit that the owner may want to have it
registered for use at short notice. In consequence it has been maintained
throughout its life with periodic engine oil, filter, brake fluid and
antifreeze changes. It is on its third set of tyres even though the milometer
records a mere 317 miles. In fact the owner never used it so the black leather
seats and steering wheel show no sign of use and retain that lovely matt 'new'
look. Everything about this car is absolutely as new. The tool kit in the boot
is still sealed in its original wrapping; the first-aid kit is similarly
unopened. The factory yellow rust preventative wax coating is still evident and
bright and rubber mouldings pin-sharp. The hood has never been raised and the
hard top was removed for the first time in its life to take these pictures.
This unique right-hand-drive model will appeal to the more serious collector or
someone who wants a unique opportunity to buy a brand new 1989 300 SL. By using
it as an everyday car it will start to depreciate but at a fraction of the rate
of a modern car. If you are interested call Carl on 01892 771321.
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Cooking on gas
The E200 NGT is Mercedes' first bi-fuel passenger car available to the public
(though not here in the UK). The standard 65-litre petrol tank is combined with
an 18-litre natural gas tank mounted in the boot to provide a claimed 600-mile
range. The standard E200's supercharged engine is modified to run on either
petrol or gas at the press of a button on the steering wheel. Switching from
petrol to natural gas doesn't affect performance one bit. Fuel consumption
improves from 31.4mpg in petrol guise to an impressive 46.3mpg when you're
using gas. It's just a pity the gas tank is so small, as with only 180-odd
miles between gas fill ups, you're sure to be relying on the petrol tank a lot.
If you're intent on lowering running costs but aren't prepared to give up on
luxury, then the E200 NGT might be the answer and you'll be doing your bit for
the environment at the same time.
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