: : Mercedes-Benz Owners : :

February 2012 News

		Embossed headrest offer d:class automotive is offering readers the opportunity to have embroidered or embossed headrests on their Mercedes vehicle.Suitable for all Mercedes models, options are available for any size, colour or design desired. Prices start from £90+VAT for two headrests, and there is a turn -around of just a few days. Items can sent in the post, or customers are welcome to drop into the workshop. For previous work examples and current work please view the d:class website www.dclass.co.uk or call 01483 722923.

		Edition 125 Mercedes has launched an exclusive Edition 125 range equipped with satellite navigation as standard. Available for a limited period only, nine model lines will feature either COMAND Online or Navigation 50 advanced multimedia and navigation systems at no extra cost. COMAND Online, available across the C-Class range and the new SLK, provides internet access via mobile phone connection, along with a hard-drive navigation system displaying sophisticated 3D maps with city views. Navigation 50, available across the entire E-Class range, features DVD navigation for efficient journey planning, in addition to an integrated CD/DVD drive, Media Interface, MP3 compatibility and Bluetooth® connectivity.

		Hot Kircherer Supersport It seems like the Mercedes SLS AMG is becoming just as popular with tuners as the SLR McLaren was in its prime days. Adding on to more than a dozen modification kits for the SLS from different tuning houses around the world, this is German tuner Kicherer’s take on the gull-wing supercar. Known as the Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 Supersport, the tuner has added an aerodynamic body kit including carbon front lip spoiler and fin set. It rides on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the back and sits 30 mm lower than standard. Power has been increased to 621-hp from the base 563-hp while torque has been pushed to 516 lb-ft from 479 lb-ft. That allows the coupé to spring from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 199 mph. In case 610PS and 670Nm of torque doesn’t excite you sufficiently, Kircherer has thoughtfully provided photographs of the SLS 63 Supersport in the company of a blonde caressing the car’s assests, which include a stainless steel exhaust system, new rear diffuser, and forged RS-1 wheels. You also get a lift-up system operated at the touch of a button to ensure components aren’t scraped when parking.

		New SL launch The new Mercedes SL Roadster celebrated its debut at the Detroit Motor Show, with a lightweight aluminium chassis and three roof variations. While the design is basically an evolution of the predecessor model, with the front end taking cues from the smaller SLK, the air cooling in the flanks is a cue taken from the legendary 300 SL from the 1950s. The electric-hydraulic roof system comes in three different variations: as a painted hardtop; as a glass roof; or a panoramic roof with darkening function. It opens and closes in 20 seconds at the press of a button. Scheduled for showrooms in 2012, customers can also order an Edition 1 for that includes the panorama roof, AMG styling sport chassis, 19-inch alloys and a Harman-Kardon surround sound system.

		Olympic dreams She may be well down the road to gaining an Olympics place but now local hockey player Ashleigh Ball will be making her final push for London 2012 in style with the help of Mercedes-Benz of Cheltenham & Gloucester. The 25-year-old has just been given the ‘drive’ to complement her talent and determination to be selected for the Great Britain squad after collecting the keys to a C-Class Coupé. The dealership is providing Ashleigh with a sponsored car in return for her involvement with forthcoming model launches and customer events. The final 16-player Olympic squad will be announced in June and, despite fierce competition for places, Ashleigh is confident of filling one of the midfield berths, having won a trio of bronze medals whilst representing England in events last year.

		Film star fintail It has taken Ron Bird 2 ½ years to restore his Mercedes 200 Fintail to top condition but he is in no doubt that it was time and money well spent. The car was originally displayed in a Mayfair showroom in 1960, where it was purchased by a Major J L Sutro for £898. He took it to Folkestone and then onto Malta, before returning to England. Ron brought the car back to London, where its history began all those years ago. The car needed a total rebuild, including new doors, exhaust, wiring, clutch, brakes and a respray, luckily the engine was fine, only requiring a service. It is now used for film and television work, so readers should keep an eye out for it in various productions. Our photograph shows the car parked outside The Royal Oak in Columbia Road, which was used as a setting for ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, and is currently being used for a BBC series set in the 1960s. Ron is proud to be a member of Mercedes Owners and comments that it is a wonderful magazine and forum, where you will always find someone willing to help and offer advice.

		Serious sliding Mercedes’ Winter Training programme teaches car control on snow and ice. Over two days and nights, participants share a variety of Mercedes vehicles, including C-Class, E-Class, R-Class, S-Class, GLK and M-Class products. Opt for the next level of training, the Winter Driving Experience, and the venue switches from Austria to a location in Lapland roughly 100 miles below the Arctic Circle, with training stretches to 4 days and 3 nights. If you simply can’t get enough of playing with cars in temperature of -40 Fahrenheit, there’s the Winter Driving Experience Pro, 5 days and 4 nights of frostbite-inducing tutelage.

		Luxed-up G-Class The classic G-Wagen is a capable off-roader but it's also one of the longest-standing models in the motor industry. While Mercedes has tried to keep up with the times by refreshing its mechanics and equipment features, it can show its age in the interior. And that's where Bulgarian design studio Vilner steps in to update the classic model. The tuning house has completely revamped the G-Class' interior with high quality materials such as leather and Alcantara that have been applied everywhere. A new Ground Zero sound system along with a fresh set of alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights round things off nicely.