: : Mercedes-Benz Owners : :

December 07 News

		Big bus Pictured is the 19.54 metre prototype CapaCity bus, capable of carrying up to 193 passengers. Despite its length, it is able to negotiate traffic thanks to four axles (two of which are turning), as well as a single articulation joint. To make reversing easier, the bus features a camera with a particularly wide angle of vision. Four double-width doors and a low floor throughout the vehicle speed up loading and unloading times for passengers, while at the same time making it easier for those in wheelchairs and parents with strollers. As for power, the CapaCity features a 12-litre six-cylinder in-line engine situated at the rear of the vehicle.

		Roof up or down, sir? The Conrad Hotel in Bangkok, now offers business guests the chance of a ride in a Mercedes SLK 200. Pictured is the first guest to use the sports car, Matthew LoCicero from new York, who was collected from the airport and driven directly into the hotel’s Lobby! The hotel’s General Manager, said, “When limousine transfers were first launched you were asked “cold towel?”, with the Conrad’s latest transfer you will be asked “roof up or down?”. Our research highlighted that there was a potential niche in the market for the single business traveller who only had carry on plane luggage and who did not necessarily want the traditional airport transfer.”

		Blind spot detector Mercedes is launching a new radar-based system on the S- and CL-Class that uses radar to help drivers detect vehicles in their blind spots while changing lanes. This new Blind Spot Assist system uses radar sensors located in the front and rear bumpers to check for vehicles that may be located in the blind spots. If the sensors detect a vehicle within the designated area, the system will turn on a red indicator light in the appropriate side mirror. If the driver turns on the turn signal while the warning light is on, the system will flash the warning light and emit an alarm. The system is offered as part of the Distronic Plus package that also includes parking guidance and adaptive cruise control.

		Audi lifts DTM crown Mattias Ekstrom has been crowned the DTM Champion for the second time in his career after his third place at the Hockenheim season finale was enough to guarantee him the title. The race winner was Mercedes pilot Jamie Green, who scored his second victory in a row, following an impressive drive to the front of the field, while Timo Scheider claimed second and, most importantly, Ekstrom rounding out the podium to secure the title. Repeating his win in 2004, it is also the first time Audi has claimed the title since the Swede won three years ago, capping off what has been an occasionally controversial but nonetheless exciting 2007 season.

		Popular Brooklands Mercedes celebrated the anniversary of Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, reporting that targeted visitor numbers of 300,000 had been exceeded by 6,698. The company has already opened seven brand experience centres around the world including Stuttgart, Paris, Milan, South Africa, Frankfurt, Berlin and Singapore. The centre at Brooklands is by far the largest, thanks to having its own handling circuits and off-road terrain, which 30,904 people have so far used.

		Who Am I? To guess his identity, read the following clues! 1) This Italian-born designer once said that: "a Mercedes-Benz must always look like a Mercedes-Benz." 2) He began making his mark with the 1979 S-Class, right through to the ML 4x4 and SLK hardtop roadster. 3) He was inducted into the automotive hall of fame and won the Lifetime Design Achievement Award. 4) In the end, he had shaped design of Mercedes-Benz cars for four decades. Still stumped? Answer - Bruno Sacco retired from Mercedes-Benz in 1999 after 41 years of creating rolling history and contributing to the success of the brand. CKS Performance, based in Watford, is a specialist company offering servicing for all Mercedes models, as well as tuning, body styling, alloy wheels and a wide range of accessories. CKS Performance is currently marketing the superb Sprint Booster, a new device which improves acceleration, increase the speed of gear changes and to allow you to overtake more rapidly. The Sprint Booster can be used on any Mercedes car with drive-by-wire technology; with these models, the link between the accelerator pedal and the ECU is electrical. The Sprint Booster module fits into the socket on the pedal assembly and modifies the digital signal which goes to the ECU, removing the standard lag which is built in to the system. As a result, the engine responds to the accelerator pedal in approximately half the time, providing a dramatic improvement in acceleration. The Sprint Booster will fit all Mercedes petrol and diesel models (irrespective of gearbox type) from model year 2000 onwards. Normally retailing at £179.00 +VAT, CKS Performance is offering Mercedes Owner readers a 10% discount when code SPMO1 is quoted. For further details of this and many other excellent upgrades, contact CKS Performance on 01923 897 007 or visit them on the web at www.cksperformance.com