2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Emissions regulations are causing profound impacts on automakers these days, and Porsche is finally answering the call with a diesel model next year. The Stuttgart-based company is planning to offer a diesel powered version of its Cayenne SUV.

The choice of engine would most probably be a V6 borrowed from Audi, says UK auto industry analyst Peter Schmidt via Automotive News Europe. Other more powerful engines (V8, V10, and V12) were also considered, but eventually called off due to their heaviness.

Audi is believed to be developing an efficient twin-turbocharged 3.2 litre V6 diesel engine producing more than 300 hp, which is the most logical candidate for this purpose.

There has been no word from Porsche on this, but we all know what CEO Wendelin Wiedeking has in mind in respect of tackling fuel-economy issues. Just over a month ago, Porsche announced that it is co-developing hybrid systems with Volkswagen for the Cayenne and the upcoming Panamera.

Source: Automotive News Europe



Related entries:

Porsche Panamera Hybrid Schematics Released
Porsche is Delaying Hybrid Models Until 2010
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Displayed
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid First Details
Porsche Panamera: More Info

Weak camouflage:new spy pics of the E-Klasse

Photographers at Lehmann Photo Syndication have recently photographed a prototype of the future E-Klasse limousine while testing in South Germany(probably in Bavaria, judging by the number plate). What is kinda weird is the fact that now the camouflage is so weak that you can almost 99% distinguish the important details in the design of the new car. Expected to make its official debut in mid 2009, the E-Klasse will have new twin headlights, with a more appealing & sporty design, and also a new, more aerodynamic & stylish bumper in the front, which seems to be inspired from the C- and GLK-Klasse. On the both sides of the car, the lines of design simply flow evenly to the back-end area, developing both an elegant & strong allure. The new exterior mirrors to be used on the E will be those from the GLK-Klasse, as they are much more aerodynamic and energy-saving than those from the C-Klasse. The backlights have already revealed their intimate design in a previous set of spy photos taken in Northern Scandinavia, so they come as no surprise for many of us. They are correctly designed and I am sure they will be stylish and will match with the total design of the limousine.
The 2009 E-Klasse will grow in length by up to 7 centimeters. The new Merc will also benefit from the addition of new petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engines will vary in power from a 184 BHP 4-cylinders unit up to a massive 544 BHP V8. The diesel fans will have to choose their favourite from a large list of engines, with max. output ranging from a 136 BHP 4-cylinders engine up to a 354 BHP V8. In 2010, the W212 codenamed E-Klasse will also become eco-friendly, thanks to the official premiere of the IAA 2007-anticipated E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, which will feature a 3.0 litres V6 diesel unit, producing 224 BHP, connected to an electric motor developing 15 kW, that also has an integrated start generator.



Via WorldCarFans!

New 2010 Mercedes E-Class Clearest Spy Photos Yet

The new Mercedes E-Class, code named W 212, is scheduled for release in mid 2009. Initially just the sedan will be launched with the station wagon following a year later.

The photos are showing for the first time a prototype in silver metallic wearing much less disguise than previous pictures showed. The new styling will adapt styling elements from the current new C-Class, however, the headlights are quite different giving the new E-Class a so-called �four eyes face�. Also the new model will grow 7 cm in overall length.

The next E-Class will offer a wide selection of engines, ranging from a 4 cylinder petrol engine with 184 hp up to an 544 hp V8 as well as diesels ranging from 136 hp 4 cylinder to a 354 hp V8. However, customers will have to wait for a hybrid version for another year. According to insider information, in 2010 the car is going to available also as a hybrid model in combination with a diesel engine. The E 300 Bluetech-hybrid will get power from a 3.0 litre 224 hp V6 and a 15kW electric engine with an integrated start generator.

The photos are showing a prototype during testing in the south of Germany.




Related entries:

2009 Mercedes E-Class Wagon
2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

More official images with C-Klasse BlueEFFICIENCY

The engine unit on the C 200 CDI version

Major changes in the aerodynamics of the car

Aerodynamics tests conducted in the wind tunnel


The 'remained fuel' indicator on the display inside the tachometer

Mixed Tape 19

As usual, every eight weeks Mercedes-Benz releases a music compilation consisting of 10 new songs of talented young musicians, grouped under the name 'Mixed Tape'. This week, on February, 28th, the Mixed Tape 19 was released and it is obviously available for free download. The 10 tracks are the next ones:
1.Pantofis- It's been a while(I've been away) ~ 3'35"
2.Mind Games - Tak Miyazawa ~ 4'23"
3.Wole ft. Valentina Merkle - Saturday night ~ 3'59"
4.Hungry Hungry Ghost - The magpie ~ 3'03"
5.Piper Davis - Academics ~ 4'02"
6.First Touch - Toe Jammin ~ 5'56"
7.Ben Hadwen - Too good ~ 4'56"
8.Riccicomoto - Turn over ~ 9'09"
9.Haphazard presents Bubbz - What am I supposed to do ~ 5'02"
10.Samuel Harfst - To bring you hope ~ 3'06"

Download Mixed Tape 19

Have a magnificent audition!

Spy photographers have once again caught the ML-Klasse facelift

And these are the photos they managed to capture on tape!

Piece of history:Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 at Geneva 1968

I will publish one great article, taken from BenzInsider website, about one great & iconic Mercedes-Benz model:the 300SEL 6.3, a truly sporty and aggresive car for its times, which was officially presented at the 1968 edition of the Geneva Motor Show. Enjoy!

<< Just in time for the 78th International Auto Show in Geneva, we decided to highlight a vehicle that had its own debut at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show. This car is no other than the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. The 300 SEL was a combination of the 109 series Type 300 SEL introduced in 1965 and the Type 600 �representation sedan�. Out of the latter came the 6.3-liter V8 engine and automatic transmission, whose 250 hp (184 kW) accelerated the new model from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and provided a top speed of over 220 km/h.

Such sporting high performance made it one of the world�s fastest series produced sedans, capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with such nimble sports cars as the Porsche 911 S or the Jaguar E-Type 4.2. The only clue as to car�s output was the discreet number combination 6.3, positioned to the right-hand side of the trunk lid, ordered by many customers for the �obsolete position�.

What made this car so interesting and desirable for the buyer with the necessary ready cash � in 1968 it cost around 40,000 DM � was its unobtrusiveness, its comfort and the quiet manner in which it transported its passengers on long-distance journeys.

Comfortable running gear featuring ride-height control

The bellows-type pneumatic suspension with anti-dive control from the basic 300 SEL was also put to good use in the 6.3. It guaranteed steady handling and a high degree of comfort and even boasted a ride-height control. The brakes were designed to match the elemental force of the drive system, having front and rear disks with interior ventilation.

The standard equipment of this unostentatious high-performance car was considered to be unusually comprehensive for the day: Electrically operated windows on all doors, vacuum-controlled central locking and a rev counter. It was the first Mercedes-Benz to use the wide, low-profile radial tires of the so-called �70 series�. Twin halogen headlamps for the first time featured on the front of the 300 SEL 6.3, combined with turn indicators, parking lights and additional long-distance beams.

That the car was also suited to sports use was proved by one of its creators, Erich Waxenberger, when in November 1969 he won the six-hours race at Macao. �Racing trim� for his 6.3 amounted to the removal of bumpers and chromium work.

An early missile from AMG

In 1971, AMG � the performance tuning company specializing in Mercedes-Benz � succeeded in developing 428 hp (315 kW) from an increased engine bore of 6.8 liter together with other highly efficient refinements. AMG unflinchingly entered their missile � fitted with appropriate racing tires � for the 24-hour touring car race at Spa-Francorchamps. Only a works Ford Capri beat them to the finish.

Surveys compiled among the sizeable readerships of the USA�s major motoring magazines put the 6.3 in first place ahead of Cadillac and Rolls-Royce in the luxury car category, conferring upon it the title �greatest sedan in the world�.

6526 units of this exclusive high-performance sedan were built in the years up to September 1972. But despite the great market success of the 6.3 there was no prospect of a large-displacement V8 model in the 116 series which followed, due principally to the oil crisis of 1973. Not until May 1975 did the company present a worthy successor � the 450 SEL 6.9 � a car that sublimely continued where its predecessor had left off. >>






Via BenzInsider!

Total breakthrough:first on-car lithium-ion battery

Dr. Dieter Zetsche

Mercedes-Benz is the first carmaker in the world that achieved what no others could till now:the first lithium-ion battery mounted on a production car. Engineers have managed to adapt this type of battery to the needs of a car. Thanks to clever minds, Daimler helds now no more than 25 patents for top technology 'made in Germany'. Not to forget to mention that the lithium-ion battery will introduced on the 2009 S 400 BlueHYBRID. Check out for more interesting technical information in the official press release below!Enjoy!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

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First patented integration of a lithium-ion battery into a series-produced passenger car
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Available in Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID starting in 2009
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25 patents for top technology �made in Germany�

Daimler AG has achieved a crucial breakthrough in battery technology. The Stuttgart-based automaker is the world�s first manufacturer to have succeeded in adapting lithium-ion technology to the demanding requirements of automotive applications. Until now, the technology has been used primarily in consumer electronics. The new battery will be used in the series-production S 400 BlueHYBRID beginning next year. This important technology was possible thanks to 25 patents held by Daimler.
Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler AG Board of Management and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, says: �What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry. That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been conducting in this area since 1992.�
The engineers� success is above all a result of the Daimler-developed integration of the lithium-ion battery into the vehicle�s climate control system. This ensures that the battery always works at optimal system temperatures of between 15 and 35�C, which in turn makes it possible for the battery to provide long service life and maximum performance.
The main advantages offered by the newly developed lithium-ion battery are its very compact dimensions and its far superior performance compared to conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries. The weight/power ratio of the entire battery is 1,900 watts per liter (W/L). What�s more, the battery stands out by virtue of its high ampere-hour efficiency, long service life, and great reliability, even at very low temperatures. Its high level of safety is the equal of that provided by today�s auto batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles to help reducing fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions. At the same time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel cell-powered cars.
S 400 BlueHYBRID - the world�s most economical luxury sedan
The S 400 BlueHYBRID consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km in the NEDC. This results in very low CO2 emissions of only 190 grams per kilometer, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making the S 400 BlueHYBRID the world�s most economical luxury sedan - unrivaled by any gasoline, diesel, or hybrid drive system offered by any competitor.
And S 400 BlueHYBRID drivers will still enjoy impressive performance: combined with the hybrid module, the maximum output is 220 kW/299 hp, and the corresponding maximum torque is 375 Nm. The S 400 BlueHYBRID accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Even more potential is offered by the combination of clean BlueTec diesel technology with a hybrid module, a duo that is featured in the S 300 BlueTec HYBRID, for example.
About Daimler
Daimler AG, Stuttgart, with its businesses Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Daimler Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Daimler Buses, is a globally leading producer of premium passenger cars and the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles. The Daimler Financial Services division offers a broad range of financial services, including vehicle financing, leasing, insurance, and fleet management. Daimler sells its products in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, continued to make automotive history following their invention of the automobile in 1886. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler AG willingly accepts its obligation to act responsibly toward society and the environment and to shape the future of safe and sustainable mobility with groundbreaking technologies and high-quality products. The current brand portfolio includes the world's most valuable automobile brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as smart, Maybach, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Mitsubishi Fuso, Setra, Orion, and Thomas Built Buses.
The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt, New York, and Stuttgart (stock exchange abbreviation DAI). In 2007 the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of over 270,000 people. Revenues totaled �99.4 billion and EBIT amounted to �8.7 billion. Daimler is an automotive group with a commitment to excellence, which aims to achieve sustainable growth and industry-leading profitability.
Dr. Thomas Weber

A successful story:Citaro reaches number 20000

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

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20,000 regular-service buses in just ten years
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Bus number 20,000 will be operated by travel company Pflieger Reise- und Verkehrs GmbH in B�blingen
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Bus concept compatible with future drive technologies

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro has attained a new manufacturing milestone with the production of the 20,000th model. Michael G�pfarth, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach Unit of EvoBus GmbH, handed over the landmark vehicle to Hermann Pflieger, the owner of Pflieger Reise- und Verkehrs GmbH in B�blingen. This company operates two dozen routes within the Stadtverkehr B�blingen-Sindelfingen (SBS) [B�blingen-Sindelfingen urban transport] network, itself part of the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart (VVS) [Stuttgart transit and tariff association], and employs more than 120 staff. With a fleet of some 90 buses and coaches, including many Mercedes-Benz Citaro models, the 82-year-old company operates regular-service routes and is also active in the touring and excursion sectors.
Flexible, customer-oriented product range
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro goes from strength to strength. Its impressive total production volume of 20,000 units in just ten years is unique among regular-service buses and almost 3200 units were sold in the record year 2007 alone. Since production began in 1997/1998, the urban bus family has been extended steadily from two to the current twelve basic models. Continuously updated and available in the form of a new-generation model for the last two years, the highly advanced Citaro still sets the standard - as it did at the time of its initial launch - with its outstanding levels of safety, comfort and environmental compatibility. From the driver's area to the engine, the Citaro points the way with its design, comfort and technology. Drive systems with BlueTec diesel technology based on the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) principle reduce the environmental impact by ensuring compliance with the Euro 4 and the future Euro 5 emissions standards as well as the EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle) requirements. Thanks to the low exhaust and noise emissions as well as the reduced environmental impact of the manufacturing process, the natural-gas-drive Citaro and the diesel-powered Citaro were awarded the "Blue Angel" ecolabel in 2003 and 2007 respectively.
The success of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro has made it the benchmark for the current line-up of competitor products. This is partly due to the market-oriented vehicle range which has been continuously optimised in line with customer requirements. The modular structure of the Citaro provides scope for a high degree of flexibility in the manufacturing process. As well as making it possible to use different drive systems, this forms the basis for numerous special and modified versions. The Capa-City high-capacity bus, for example, is an innovative solution which has been developed to meet the transport challenges facing fast-growing cities.
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is unmatched for the diversity of its model range: its two and three-axle low-floor solo buses from 10.5 to 15 metres in length, low-floor articulated buses, low-floor rural-service buses, the low-entry Citaro LE and the Citaro-derived Mercedes-Benz Capa-City high-capacity bus provide a host of answers to the requirements of regular-service operators in the urban and urban-fringe segment. The Citaro has been operating very successfully in most major European cities for a long time now. Present in a total of 39 countries, it can be found as far afield as Australia, Japan, China and Mexico.
Bus concept compatible with future drive technologies
The design concept of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro is also compatible with future drive technologies. As a result, the Citaro was used as the basis for the world's largest field test of fuel-cell technology. From 2003 to 2006, 30 fuel-cell buses based on the Citaro were operated under greatly varying conditions by transport authorities all over Europe. Perth in Australia and the Chinese capital Beijing each hosted another three test vehicles. The entire test fleet has now covered a total of more than two million kilometres and clocked up some 125,000 operating hours.
Hybrid-drive technology represents an intermediate stage on the way to the adoption of the fuel-cell drive in series production. Last year saw the premiere of the hybrid bus. The Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid went on to receive the DEKRA environmental award at the beginning of this year in recognition of the innovative and lasting contribution it makes to the quality of life of city dwellers. The hybrid bus is currently undergoing testing ahead of its market launch in 2009.

2 Hyundai coupes arrive in 2009 (UK)

Hyundai will launch two new coupes by 2009. The first will be front wheel drive and will replace the current Coup� SIII. This is be based off the i30 and will look alot like the Veloster. Expect the same radical design, including the shooting brake-style rear end and squat, wide body, although the glass roof may be lost for safety reasons. Engine options will include the 1.6 and 2.0-litre engines also used in the i30, with a diesel model still being considered.

As part of Hyundai�s new brand restructuring, the next Coup� will remain in the same price range as the current model (which starts at �15,700) without compromising the level of quality which has been set by the new �i� cars; it hasn�t yet been decided if that nomenclature will appear on the coup�.

Hyundai is confident that the new, more premium coup�s price won�t rise because it will not come with a V6 engine option � as the current model does.

The second coupe is likely to be the Genesis Coup�. The plan is to introduce an entirely different, more performance-focused coup� based on the rear-wheel-drive, 350bhp V6 Genesis coup� concept that was unveiled at the 2007 Los Angeles show. This would be Hyundai�s answer to the Nissan 350Z, and would be available with the concept�s V6; the V8 from the Genesis saloon concept is also being considered.

The Genesis coup� has not yet been confirmed for the UK, but Tony Whitehorn, MD of Hyundai UK, maintains that Hyundai �must have a sports car as its halo model�.

Odd-looking Mazda6 spied (U.S)

Meet your new Mazda6, provding you are in the U.S. This pre-production car was spied in the snowy state of Detroit.

The vulgar headlamps are part of the car right down to the Jaguar XF looking exhausts. A 3.5 litre V6 is likely to be used but the 3.7 litre V6 used in the CX-9 is unlikely.

Look for the official debut of the Mazda6 in the next few months with sales beginning sometime this year.

Related link:

Spied: 2009 Mazda6 sedan

[rF] �87 Touring Cars

The Land Down Under - 2008 Melbourne Auto Show

You gotta love Australia. It's like a trip to the past as GM and Ford continue to duke it out in a serious horsepower war reminiscent of the the 60s and 70s. Here in the US, it's all about green this and hybrid that. A prime example of the awesomeness in Australia is this years Melbourne Auto Show. On display are more than a few cars that I would absolutely kill to have them available here.

Thankfully, GM (thank you Bob Lutz) have embraced their Holden brand and are starting to bring the once forbidden fruit here to us rear drive horsepower junkies. That started with the fantastic but ignored 2004 - 2006 Pontiac GTO and continues with the new and, so far, well received Pontiac G8. Holden is not alone either as Ford has been building similarly bad-ass RWD sedans in Australia for years.

Here are a few of the most exciting cars featured at the Melbourne Show:

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) Falcon:
This car is based on the latest generation of the Australian Ford Falcon, a RWD sport sedan available with either a turbocharged straight 6 cylinder or an optional V8 and of course the option of a manual transmission. How killer would this be if it were available here? Ford Taurus anyone?

The FPV versions always get the flash to match the dash and this one seems to be no different. So far there has been no word on power figures but they should be pretty impressive.

FPV F6 - 6cyl turbo

FPV GT - V8


Holden HSV W427:
The new generation Holden Commodore was recently introduced in Australia and has made it to our shores as the new Pontiac G8. Not being satisfied with the 360HP of the standard V8 powered Commodore, Holden's performance wing, HSV, has stuffed the W427 with the sick 7.0l V8 from the Corvette Z06. Power numbers are expected to exceed 496HP and 472TQ. The car will also feature GM's magnetic shocks, huge brakes and the dual mode exhaust. Production numbers will be very limited.

Rumors have been swirling about a higher performance Pontiac G8 eventually being released. Please, please let it be this. More than likely, the US monster G8 will probably feature the 6.2l V8 from the standard Corvette producing over 400HP. I guess we'll have to settle for that. Beggars can't be choosers.

Holden HSV W427


Holden Coupe 60:
Well, with the lukewarm reception the previous Holden Monaro Coupe received in it's US guise as the Pontiac GTO from 2004 - 2006, you can imagine they would be hesitant to do it again, but, come on GM, right here is the next Pontiac GTO. Hell, I don't care what you call it, we must have it.

This is supposedly just a concept but production is a possibility. Based on GM's Zeta platform, the coupe was built by taking a Commodore sedan and removing the rear doors and trimming over 2 inches from the overall length. The wheelbase is the same as the sedan. The engine is a flex-fuel 6.0l V8 transferring power through a proper 6-speed manual. No power figures have been divulged but they should be as impressive as everything else from HSV.

Having always been a fan of the 2004 -2006 GTO, I really think they should give it another try with this car.

Holden Coupe 60:

More official pics of the Vision GLK BLUETEC HYBRID