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March 04 News |
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Stylish
new SLK
Due for showroom launch in the UK this summer, Mercedes new SLK
model has more powerful engines and distinctively sportier appearance
than its predecessor. This stylish two-seater roadster, which is
now wid er and longer, has a chassis based on the C-class, enabling
engineers to provide an all-round better car with an improved suspension
set-up to make it a better handling car for the driver. The new
model will offer a choice of three new engines with a performance
range extending from 163 hp to 360 hp. This includes, for the first
time in this vehicle class, an eight-cylinder supplied by Mercedes-AMG.
A new 272 hp V6 engine delivering, what engineers call dynamic driving
pleasure, will power the SLK 350. The second-generation of this
two-seater, with its more spacious and luxurious interior, includes
a further development of its vario-roof, which transforms this roadster
into a coupe in just 22 seconds. The range of standard equipment
also includes head-thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage
belt force limiters. As a global first, Mercedes is offering the
AIRSCARF neck-level heating system. This delivers a flow of warm
air from the headrests at the touch of a button, thereby enabling
occupants to keep the roof down even when there is a chill in the
air. Automatic climate control, bi-xenon headlamps with cornering
light, COMMAND and the unique 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission
add to the technological innovations that can now be supplied as
options to the SLK for the first time. The new roadster is now taking
the place of its predecessor, a car that sold worldwide over 398,000
since it first appeared in the autumn of 1996. Worldwide, this model
holds the number one position in this market segment and has already
established itself as a symbol of the new, dynamic image of Mercedes-Benz.
The design and technology employed in this second generation SLK
place greater emphasis on sports performance. With more powerful
engines, redesigned suspension, direct steering feel and a responsive
six-speed manual shift system, the new model offers a more athletic
driving experience than before. The body size has grown by 72 mm
in length and 65 mm in width, affording driver and passenger more
space and higher standards of comfort than the previous model. The
new model has a long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen, wide doors
and short boot. The interior has been redesigned and substantially
upgraded with a careful choice of materials. The design concept
is characterised by switches, push buttons, and decorative elements
with silver-coloured surfaces. Customers who opt for a leather interior
can select from a range of six colours to create their personal
choice of interior look. Prices will be released near to the car¹s
UK launch. |
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End
of the road for LRP
Mercedes owners who run their cars on lead replacement petrol will
soon no longer be able to buy the fuel, warns The AA Motoring Trust.
LRP has been disappearing from petrol forecourts over the last year,
and is now difficult to find. The one million drivers who use it
will still be able to keep their cars on the road, but the AA Trust
is concerned that they could be worrying unnecessarily. Even worse,
they may be tempted by fuel treatment devices, which can cost up
to £100 and will not do what the makers claim. Motorists who currently
fill up with LRP tend to do lower than average annual mileages and
will have cars made before 1992: cars sold in the UK after that
date had to have a catalytic converter and run on unleaded petrol.
Owners of cars that must use LRP have three options: 1) Dose ordinary
unleaded fuel with a bottled lead replacement additive, available
from motor accessory shops and filling stations. This will give
good protection to the engine. 2) Just use unleaded fuel. It could
take many thousands of miles for the coating that lubricates the
valves to wear off, or 3) Modify the engine to run on unleaded petrol.
Costs may range from £50 for cars that only need to have the timing
reset, up to several hundred pounds to have new valves and hardened
valve seats fitted. |
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Smart
SUV
A 4x4 Smart utility vehicle (SUV) scheduled for 2006 will bear the
name Smart formore. This fourth Smart model range will also mark
the company¹s entrance into the US market. From the beginning of
2006 the Smart formore will be built in the plant in Juiz de Fora,
Brazil. The plant has a capacity of 60,000 cars per annum. In a
full sales year, Smart plans to sell half of these in the USA and
half in their other core markets. "The Smart formore will provide
a driving experience loaded with adrenaline, off road as well as
on", explained Andreas Renschler, President of Smart gmbh.
"It is the ideal model to launch the Smart brand in the US
market." |
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The
first small car
The Benz Patent Motor Car 'Velo' (Velocipede) was the world's first
large-scale production car, and the first small car. Benz produced
more than 1,200 units between 1894 and 1902. It fulfilled the demands
of its designer in that it was light, robust, fast and, at a price
of 2,000 marks, inexpensive. Its top speed was 20 km/h. Benz designed
an engine with a displacement of 1,045 cc and an output of initially
1.5 hp for the Velo. The car had wire-spoke wheels and the patented
double-pivot steering. In 1896, the more comprehensively equipped
Velo Comfortable was launched with a 2.75 hp engine, followed by
a three horsepower version in 1900. In 1901 engine output was raised
to 3.5 hp. The picture shows Klara Benz at the wheel of a Benz Velo. |
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World's
favourite taxi
A long service life along with trusted reliability explain the confidence
cab operators and their customers have been expressing in the Mercedes
brand for more than 100 years. Taxis are often 'on duty' for more
than ten years, with many taxis and their drivers covering well
over a million miles. The fact that several drivers often share
a taxi to keep it on the road 24 hours a day makes the life of a
taxi-cab especially demanding. The clear predominance of Mercedes
taxis is attributable to the high value retention and mile-eating
capability associated with these vehicles. It is generally reckoned
that the resale value of Mercedes taxis, taking into account the
original purchase price, is up to between 15 and 20 per cent higher
than that of other makes. The German taxi driver¹s favourite vehicle
is the Mercedes E-class. Every second taxi in Germany stems from
this model series and the E-class accounts for a staggering 70 per
cent of all Mercedes cabs sold. |
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Million
dollar roadster
The McLaren Mercedes SLR should get a run for its money from a 198mph
supercar also wearing the three-pointed star. The open-top V12 is
available from HWA, which runs Mercedes¹ German Touring Car Championship
campaign. The left-hand-drive roadster ditches the CLK GTR¹s roof
for two buttresses behind the cabin. Integrated into the carbonfibre
monocoque, they incorporate roll-over bars and cooling ducts for
the mid-mounted V12. The coupé's 6.9-litre V12 pumps out
612bhp and 571lb ft of torque. Drive is channelled to the rear wheels
through a clutchless six-speed manual gearbox, complete with shift
paddles mounted behind the wheel. The roadster is said to hit 62mph
in 3.8 seconds and costs a cool $1m. |
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Goodbye
windswept hair
Classic Additions, the UK¹s specialist car cover company has, during
the past ten years, solved common problems associated with driving
a convertible or cabriolet. Their exclusive wind deflector controls
air currents that cause disastrous blown hair, poor acoustics and
other uncomfortable side effects of Œtop down¹ motoring. The deflector
reduces Œbuffeting¹, most commonly felt when driving with the roof
down, and maintains heat within the cockpit. Gone are the days of
cold neck, ear discomfort and messy hair. Classic Additions supply
wind deflectors for convertible and cabriolet cars, old or new.
Competitive prices and easy fitting procedures will simply make
driving with the roof down a pleasure whatever time of year! Prices
start at £150. |
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New
big six
Mercedes-Benz has come up trumps by developing a new six-cylinder
engine specifically aimed at the latest SLK. The aluminium engine
excels with a unique package of technical features. For the first
time in a V6 engine it has variable intake and exhaust camshaft
adjustment, which increases the output and torque while contributing
to fuel economy. A two-stage intake manifold, tumble flaps in the
intake ducts and an intelligent heat management system are further
technical highlights. The variable, continuous camshaft adjustment
system controls the 24 valves in the aluminium cylinder heads. It
helps to ensure that the valves open and close at the most favourable
time in any driving situation, significantly improving the charge
cycle in the cylinders and reducing energy losses. As a result this
technology reduces fuel consumption under partial load, while ensuring
an optimal supply of fresh fuel to the combustion chambers under
full load. |
Comfort
stop
The problem of finding a convenient, accessible public lavatory
whilst out on the road travelling, could be a thing of the past
for millions of motorists and their passengers, following the launch
of the LIQSORB® Personal Disposable Urinal Bag. The unisex bags
are ideal for families, salespeople, bus, coach, van & truck drivers
who are travelling throughout the UK and abroad and can be kept
in the glovebox of any car, van, coach or truck - just in case of
emergencies. Now there is no need to stop at the road-side, cross
your legs in a traffic jam or get the kids to use an old drinks
can in the back seat when one of you needs a toilet, you just unwrap
and go! www.pwpdirect.com/range.htm |
Toll
free
New A and C-class drivers in the Birmingham area can benefit from
a year's free motoring on the M6 toll motorway. Mercedes-Benz retailers
in Birmingham Central, Tamworth, Solihull and King's Norton are
offering to pay a full year's subscription to the new 27-mile motorway
with any new A or C-class purchased before the end of March. Today
the M6 carries up to 160,000 vehicles a day, but was originally
built for just 72,000. It is one of the most congested sections
of motorway in Europe with an average speed of just 17mph between
junctions 4 and 11; the section the M6 Toll relieves. Alternative
incentives are available for owners who don¹t intend to use the
new motorway. |
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