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October 04 News |
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Formula
success
Michael Schumacher may have won the 2004 Drivers' title in Belgium
but McLaren Mercedes boss Ron Dennis is hoping the fact that the
German came second to Kimi Raikkonen on the track is the start of
O^Ferrari's declineO. Raikkonen's victory in the McLaren Mercedes
was the first time this season that Schumacher had been beaten in
a race where he saw the checkered flag. The only other time the
German did not win in 2004 was when he failed to finish the Monaco
GP, where victory went to Jarno Trulli. However, while Raikkonen
is hoping his Belgian win will lead to more victories, his team
boss is hoping it will lead to the 2005 World title. "We have won
two titles against Michael with Mika Hakkinen at the wheel and Kimi
has proved he can be a Championship challenger given the right car,"
Dennis said. "Michael has done a tremendous job but he's certainly
not invincible. Kimi's win is particularly pleasing because it means
Ferrari haven't won all but one race in a season as we achieved
in 1988." He added: "Hopefully this is the start of a new era for
us - and Ferrari's decline." Raikkonen agrees with his team boss'
sentiments. "I don't think Michael is any quicker than me and I
know I can beat him if I have the right car. I'm not trying to take
anything away from what Michael has achieved but he has been fortunate
in having a very reliable and very quick car - it makes a big difference."
This win is more important for the team than for me because it should
give them the confidence to fight for the title next season." |
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Powerful
CL 55 AMG
With imposing performance figures and exclusive specification, Mercedes-AMG
has succeeded in creating a most desirable car in the form of the
new CLS 55 AMG. This unique four-door coup? is driven by the powerful
and refined AMG V8 supercharged engine, which generates an output
of 350 kW/476 hp and 700 Newton metres of torque from a displacement
of 5.5 litres. This gives the car truly top-notch performance: the
CLS 55 AMG accelerates from nought to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds.
It boasts AMG sports suspension, a high-performance AMG braking
system plus AMG bodystyling and will be making its market debut
in January 2005. As with the other AMG high-performance cars, the
engine power is transferred to the wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT
five-speed automatic transmission. This allows the driver to choose
between fully automatic or manual gear changes, the latter being
possible by using either the selector lever or the gearshift buttons
on the ergonomic sports steering wheel. The powerplant is superbly
complemented by the AMG sports suspension and high-performance braking
system. The CLS 55 AMG features AIRMATIC DC semi-active air suspension
with an adaptive damping system; this suspension set-up has been
specially modified for AMG by giving it tauter tuning. Large, internally
ventilated and perforated brake discs make for impressive deceleration
and high fading resistance. |
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Bendy
bus fires
London's O^bendy busesO were taken off the streets earlier this year
for O^modificationsO following three separate fires. An independent
investigation was launched into the fires, the latest of which saw
passengers of one of the ultra-long buses escape unhurt after it
burst into flames in Park Lane, central London. The driver also
managed to escape but the bus was gutted. Transport for London said
that the buses were withdrawn from service on the advice of Mercedes.
Hans Smits, of manufacturer Evobus, part of the Mercedes group,
said: "In order not to take any risks, the Mercedes Benz Citaro
bendy buses were taken out of service for modifications". |
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Made
in America
The
Mercedes site in Tuscaloosa (in the US state of Alabama) is being
extended and prepared for production of the new Grand Sports Tourer
(GST). The future Mercedes model combines the features of existing
vehicles like saloon, estate and Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
into a new individual profile. The Grand Sports Tourer, which
will go into production at the start of 2005, will, alongside
the successful M-Class, be the second model that Mercedes produces
in Tuscaloosa. The designation Grand Sports Tourer describes the
key characteristics of the future Mercedes model: 'Grand' stands
for size, roominess and functionality; 'Sports' for dynamism and
performance, and 'Tourer' indicates that the qualities of this
car are those of a comfortable vehicle for long-distance travel.
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Special
edition M
Mercedes has introduced a special edition to the M-Class range.
Available now, the generously equipped Special Edition features
specially designed 5-spoke alloys as standard. Other appointments,
which are not available on any options list, include aluminium roof
rails, a silver-finished radiator grille, and the ML 55 AMGOs bonnet,
which features two O^power domesO to give a sporty look. For the
first time, Cubanite Silver paint is available as an exclusive finish,
although any of the M-Class metallic paints can be chosen at no
extra cost. Tinted rear lights and chrome-trimmed door handles detail
this special edition, and prices range from ?Åf33,915 - ?Åf46,290 on
the road. For a limited time, it will be available from authorised
retailers from ?Åf399 per month via the MB Personal Contract Plan.
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Grand
National
This year's Festival of Motorsport at Aintree Racecourse celebrates
50 years of 'The Liverpool Circuit' motor racing facility within
the course. Hosted by Stirling Moss, Tony Brooks and Roy Salvadori,
the event takes place on Friday 19 to Sunday 21 November. Unlike
the Grand National, the Festival of Motorsport is non-competitive.
However, for a small fee, guests can bring a vehicle and drive it
at speed on the 3 Mile Grand Prix Circuit for the first time in
20 years to the day! The circuit was first used in 1954 and last
in Nov 1984 for The Lombard RAC International Rally. The major names
in motoring, including Mercedes, are confirmed as attending. The
Festival of Motorsport offers fun for all the family. Attractions
include exhibitions, competitions and displays; colourful parades;
vintage, historic, and contemporary vehicles; shopping for racing
enthusiasts; games, and a cr?che for younger visitors. A spokesman
commented: "We're putting Aintree back on the map as a venue
for motoring events throughout the year, rather than simply home
of the Grand National. Our aim is to run the Festival annually and,
ultimately, reopen the circuit for motor racing. In 1954, a journalist
from the Daily Telegraph wrote, 'Aintree - a Mecca of motor sport'.
To revisit this 50 years on would be a poignant and fitting achievement!O?L
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Flying
the flag
The drivers contesting this yearOs German Touring Car Championship
(DTM) include Britain's Gary Paffett. His reward for last yearOs
efforts in a year-old Mercedes, is to line-up alongside reigning
champion Bernd Schneider, title contender Christijan Albers and
F1 refugee Jean Alesi at the wheel of a state of the art AMG machine.
The 22-year former Formula Three champion joined Keke Rosberg's
eponymous team from the third race of the 2003 season, scoring four
championship points and a best result of sixth at the A1-Ring, despite
being saddled with a 2002-spec car. Paffett follows the path already
beaten by Albers, who joined the crack HWA squad from Rosberg's
team on the eve of the 2003 campaign. Despite only making the switch
when Uwe Alzen walked out on Mercedes and the DTM, the young Dutchman
won more races than anyone else, and only lost out to Schneider
at the final round. O`Last year, I won four races, but I finished
runner-up behind Bernd, who had won only twice," Albers confirmed,
"This year, I hope to be more consistent and to score more often.
That should increase my chance to win the title." Schneider continues
to drive a Mercedes as he chases a fifth title. The C-Class is equipped
with the same engine as the CLK, which has been used since 2000.
The technicians have improved the driveability of the four-litre
V8 engine and adjusted the chassis to the dimensions of the four-door
car now required by the rules. |
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