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July 07 News |
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Armed and dangerous
The Canadian Defence Ministry has ordered 82 Mercedes Actros transport trucks, with
an option for another 26 units of the same model. The four-axle all-wheel-drive
chasses are fitted with a specially armoured cab that helps to provide a high level
of protection for soldiers from mines, hostile fire and roadside bombs during their
UN peacekeeping missions. The armoured heavy Actros trucks come in numerous body variants and are ideally suited to a wide range of applications in unstable crisis
areas..
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F1 going green?
FIA president, Max Mosley, is talking about a green revolution for F1 and has
targeted 2011 as the date by which he wants his changes implemented. Under his proposal
F1 teams will switch to ecofriendly 2.2-litre turbocharged V6 engines that would
run on biofuel. However, the engines would develop roughly 770 horsepower, around
100 less than the present 2.4-litre V8 engines. Maximum revs would also be cut by
approximately 9,000rpm, which would mean the cars would also create less noise polution.
Mosley also proposes that the engines be made to last for five grand prix weekends
and that the cars would be fitted with traction control, four-wheel drive and have
a power-boost facility. The latter, currently in use in the A1GP series, would be
deployed by drivers in order to allow for easier overtaking. |
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R-Class changes
Mercedes has restyled the R-Class with a modified front and rear-end design that
will be available in European showrooms by autumn this year. For the first time,
the model features a second row of seats for three people, giving a total of five
seats and a larger load compartment. From the exterior it is distinguishable by
circular fog lamps and 18-inch light-alloy wheels for all V6 versions. The top-of-the-range
R500 4MATIC is fitted with 19-inch wheels. The engine line-up is augmented by the
new V6 petrol powerplant in the R280. All R-Class models are specified with G-TRONIC
automatic transmission with direct select lever on the steering column. Mercedes
now offers three new entry-level R-Class models the R280 CDI, the R280 and the R350
all of which are V6 versions with rear-wheel drive and a choice of a short or long
wheelbase. The most fuel-efficient R-Class is now the R280 CDI. All five-seater
and 4+2-seater model variants are equipped with steel suspension, while air suspension
with level control is available as an optional extra for the rear axle. All 5+2-seater
variants and the flagship R500 4MATIC model have air suspension with level control
fitted as standard at the rear. AIRMATIC air suspension with the Adaptive Damping
System (ADS) is available as an optional extra for all versions |
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Estate workers
The last 203 series C-Class estate has rolled off the assembly line in Bremen on
marking a major milestone in the success story of the Mercedes Benz C-Class. Approximately
360,000 units of the C-Class estate have been sold since it was launched in 2001.
The last vehicle produced at the plant, a black C230 Kompressor equipped with right-hand
drive, comes to a customer in England. In the coming months the Bremen plant will
prepare for the 204 series estate, which will celebrate its premiere this autumn. |
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Super Model
German model Eva Padberg is taking on a new role as brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz.
The sought-after star model is to represent the company at future international
fashion and lifestyle events. Eva is
pictured next to a Mercedes CL500 in a Hugo
Boss dress at the Potsdamer Platz Berlin. |
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SL facelift rumours
The SL may get a major facelift next year. Test cars have been spotted in various
places around the world, in cold weather testing in Scandinavia as well as on dusty
roads in the warm spring sun of southern Europe. The biggest change is likely to
be the CLS-style headlamps together with a new bumper and grille. Another feature
likely to come in the facelifted SL is the AirScarf heating system in the headrests,
now featured in the SLK. Engines are likely to remain the same as in the current
model, but rumours are buzzing about a turbocharged version of the 350 engine with
354 hp. The top of the line will continue to be the SL65 AMG with 612 hp.
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Paffett confident of F1 drive
Gary Paffett is confident that he will move into formula one next year. The 26-year-old
McLaren tester is this year racing with Mercedes in the DTM series, where he recently
impressed by winning at the wheel of a year-old car. Paffett reckons that if Prodrive
links up with Ron Dennis' team for car and engine supply next year, he is in pole
position for a seat. "The situation with Prodrive and McLaren seems to be getting
closer, and if it happens, I'm quite confident that I will get the opportunity to
race," he said. "Hopefully, it will be sorted out quickly." Prodrive's David Richards
said recently that his package for 2008, including a driver lineup,
should be announced
at the British Grand Prix this month.
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