lunedì 31 maggio 2010

Mercedes-Benz to Style Helicopter Interiors, Yachts, and Furniture

Mercedes-Benz to Style Helicopter Interiors, Yachts, and Furniture
You aren't likely to spot a helicopter parked next to an E-Class at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer anytime soon, but designers employed within the automaker's styling studios are lending a hand in creating a number of non-automotive products.

We first saw the AMG-branded Cigarette racing boat back in February, but it seems the sleek vessel was just the tip of the iceberg. Daimler revealed today a number of different assignments doled to its designers, ranging from helicopter cabins to luxury yachts and everything in between.

"We are in no way entering into new territory," says professor Gorden Wagener, head of design at Mercedes-Benz Style. "Our design team has already styled such products such as watches and interiors, as well as numerous products for Mercedes-Benz accessories. Our design division has all of the necessary expertise in more than ample measure, and has benefited from such skills for many years."

As is the case with BMW's Designworks studio, Mercedes-Benz Style can be hired by outside firms to provide design work for future products. Although we'd be a little surprised to see Daimler's stylists penning vehicles that would compete against its own wares, Wagener says the operations has its foundations in land, sea, and air transportation, so anything goes.

Although Daimler itself is no longer attached to the EADS consortium or its Eurocopter subsidiary, M-B's first project was to create the cabin for the new Eurocopter EC145 luxury helicopter. Reportedly inspired by the R-Class crossover, the helicopter has seating for eight, which can be quickly reconfigured or removed to make room for more luggage. Buyers can select from a number of different trim materials and wood patterns, while a three-color ambient lighting system is culled from the S-Class.

Wagener sets no bounds on M-B Style's activities, but does insist clients "must match our premium standards and represent innovation, as well as trend-setting, enduring style." Look for the design operation -- which is comprised of 400 employees from 20 different countries -- to have a hand in many more products in the years to come.

Source: Daimler

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Will Use More Carbon Fiber
The SL moniker once stood for sport leicht, but at 4220 pounds, the current 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is anything but light. That said, the next-generation SL -- due in 2012 -- will be the first of several Mercedes-Benz models to use a substantial amount of lightweight carbon fiber composite materials.

Daimler AG has partnered with Toray Industries, a Japanese textile maker, to develop and produce car parts made from carbon fiber composite materials. The move mirrors BMW’s partnership with U.S.-based carbon fiber supplier SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, which is designed in part to supply components for the 2013 Megacity electric vehicle. Toray is the world’s largest carbon fiber supplier, and has even supplied Ferrari with carbon fiber for its cars.

Together, Toray and Daimler will work on lightening some of Mercedes’ vehicles through the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics. Although Mercedes has not disclosed what parts will be made from the material, they’re likely currently made from metal. Carbon fiber parts will therefore significantly reduce the car’s weight, but may carry a substantial cost premium.

Carbon fiber could replace a number of metallic parts, but some suggest the SL’s folding roof may be be fabricated from the material. The current steel roof is rather heavy, and also requires a large hydraulic mechanism to stow and deploy the structure. Using a carbon fiber roof could potentially allow the SL to shed some pounds and utilize a smaller folding mechanism, which could subsequently improve cargo space.

We’ve yet to see finite details on the new SL, but based upon spy photos of the car, it appears the next-gen roadster will bear resemblance to the SLS AMG. In fact, many upcoming Mercedes-Benz models will ape the SLS. According Hans-Dieter Futshik, director of Mercedes’ passenger car design, the SLS will influence the shape of the company’s sports cars, including the SL and SLK.

Source: Autocar, Kilometer Magazine

Mercedes Announces New C-Class Coupe is Coming in 2011
The previous Mercedes-Benz C-Class "Sports Coupe,” as it was called, never exactly set the sales charts on fire, and was criticized for being a little too entry-level. But Mercedes apparently is ready to make a go of it again, announcing today that it will build a new C-Class Coupe starting sometime in 2011.

The C-Class Coupe will enter production at Mercedes’ Bremen plant in Germany on the same line as the rest of the C-Class lineup. (The 2010 C-Class sedan is pictured.) The Coupe's arrival coincides with the coming C-Class refresh expected for the 2011 model year, which will see changes to the front and rear bumpers, taillights, hood, and LED running lights. Expect to see the refreshed sheetmetal fitted to the Coupe.

While no official specifications have surfaced, the upcoming C-Class Coupe will likely port over at least some of the same engine options as its sedan brethren. In the U.S., the C-Class currently offers a 228-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6, a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, and the high-output 451-horsepower, 6.3-liter V-8 from the superbad C63 AMG model. Powertrain revisions are also expected for 2011, but details are unclear. Also unclear is if the Coupe will come to our shores, but we'd be surprised if it didn't make it to the U.S. market.

In terms of pricing, the 2011 C-Class Coupe should not be too far off the C-Class Sedan. The 2010 C-Class starts from $34,475 for the C300 Sport Sedan, which includes a $875 destination charge.

-By Benson Kong

Source: Mercedes-Benz

New York 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, R-Class and S63 AMG Bow
Three updated 2011 model Mercedes-Benz vehicles rolled across the stage today in New York: the E-Class Wagon, R-Class, and S63 AMG. Mercedes-Benz also released pricing for the 2010 model year E-Class line.

First to roll out was the latest E-Class Wagon, the E350. Essentially an updated E-Class with a wagon body, the E350 comes in gasoline and diesel flavors. Sharing an engine with the rest of the E-Class line, the 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 is expected to produce 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The E350 BlueTEC with its 3.0-liter turbo diesel should produce 211 horsepower. 4MATIC AWD is standard across the range.

Thanks to its large rear end, the E350 Wagon offers up to 70 cubic feet of storage space with the second and third rows folded, though the second row doesn't fold entirely flat. With all the seats up, the Wagon can hold seven passengers, although, as usual, the third row is best left to children. Mercedes hasn't released pricing on the Wagon yet, but expect it to start a bit north of the sedan's $48,600 starting price.

Though the Wagon's pricing is still under wraps, Mercedes did drop some other E-Class pricing during the reveal, at least for the 2010 model year. The E350 Coupe starts at $48,050 while the V-8-powered E550 Coupe starts at $54,650. The E350 Sedan starts at $48,600 as mentioned above while the E550 Sedan starts at $56,300 and the ultimate E63 AMG sport sedan starts at $85,800.

Joining the E-Class Wagon on stage was the new R-Class, Mercedes' controversial wagon/crossover tweener. For the 2011 model year, the R-Class gets all new body work ahead of the A-pillars to bring its styling in line with the new corporate face of Mercedes. Beyond the LED-emblazoned nose and new 17-inch wheels, the R-Class is mostly the same, offering only a new color scheme on the interior and an optional second-row bench to add one extra seat for a total of seven. The R-Class continues to use either a gasoline 3.5-liter V-6 good for 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque or a 3.0-liter BlueTEC turbo diesel good for 211 horsepower.

Also appearing on the Mercedes-Benz stand, but with no fanfare whatsoever, was the 2011 S63 AMG. Starting at $133,550, the new S63 offers a hand-built 518-horsepower 6.3-liter V-8 with 465 pound-feet, which it sends to the pavement via a seven-speed automatic transmission. 60 mph is met in just 4.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 186 mph. In addition to the blistering performance, the AMG package also adds 20-inch five-spoke wheels, carbon-fiber and piano-black interior trim, a special steering wheel, top-tier seating, a special instrument cluster, high-performance brakes, a sport exhaust system and subtle aerodynamic trim.

Stay tuned for more of our live coverage of the 2010 New York Auto Show straight from the Big Apple show floor.

New York 2010: Mercedes SLS GT3 Race Car Debuts, Street Car to Start at $183,000

Like the legendary 300SL Gullwing before it, the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is going racing. Dubbed the SLS GT3, the new race car roared onto the stage today in New York a fully FIA-compliant track car. The street-legal SLS AMG, meanwhile, will go on sale in the U.S. in May starting at $183,000 to help meet homologation requirements.

The SLS GT3 will leave showrooms ready to race with a stripped interior and modified body work. Despite the gigantic wing hanging off the trunk, the SLS GT3 is lighter than the street car and will rip to 60 mph in no more than 3.5 seconds thanks to a monster 6.3-liter V-8 expected to make over 600 horsepower. One thing we know for certain is that it sounds absolutely wicked.

Mercedes isn't talking pricing for the racecar yet, but we expect it to be well north of the production car's sticker. Deliveries will begin in the Fall of 2010, well ahead of the start of the 2011 GT3 Series race season but with enough time to sell enough production cars to meet homologation requirements. On the track, it's expected to go up against top offerings from rival automakers including the Audi R8 LMS, BMW Z4 GT3 and Aston Martin DBRS9.

Stay tuned for more of our complete coverage of the 2010 New York Auto Show, live from New York.

Upcoming Baby AMG May Get Supercharged V-6, Not Turbo Four
British magazine Autocar reports that the upcoming B-Class-based AMG sedan will be powered by a 3.2-liter supercharged V-6, not a turbocharged four-cylinder as previously thought.

The mill is based on the upcoming 3.5-liter engine that'll first make its home in the new CLS350. Also like the CLS, the smaller AMG (codenamed the *** EVO) will get similar coupe-like styling, meaning four frameless doors and a steeply raked profile.

Force feeding the engine is said to be an electronically operated pressure wave supercharger. The technology is widely used in tractor and big diesel applications, and utilizes pressure waves from the exhaust to boost engine induction.

Rumors persist that a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will handle what is believed to be around 400 horsepower. Though the car will be based on a front-drive platform, AMG will likely opt for an all-wheel drive setup to help put power down.

Though smaller and less powerful than its siblings, the "baby Benz" (the nickname was originally applied to the shown 190 E EVO II) will not be a cheap means to gain access into the premium performance segment. It'll still carry all the premium bits - and driving characteristics -- AMG customers are used to, but at a slightly lower price point in order to make way for newer, younger buyers.

Source: Autocar

Mercedes-Benz Crafts GT3 Racing Car Out of SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz’s legendary 300 SLR was explicitly built for racing, not the street. So perhaps it’s fitting that its spiritual successor -- the new 2011 SLS AMG -- will also be offered in a track-ready version.

The car, likely dubbed the SLS AMG GT3, is designed to compete in the FIA’s GT3 racing class alongside competitors like the Audi R8 LMS, BMW Z4 GT3, and the Aston Martin DBRS9. Overall, the car looks largely stock, although it is treated to taller side sills and bumper fascias for aerodynamics, a gigantic rear spoiler, and sliding Plexiglas window inserts.

We’ve yet to see an official release on the racer, but expect it to be much lighter and somewhat more powerful (i.e. 600 horsepower from the 6.2-liter V-8) than the roadgoing model.

AMG says it should have cars delivered to customers before the start of the 2011 GT3 season.

BMW Inline Six Motorcycle Concept

The EICMA Milan Bike Show debuts a number of motorcycle models, most often from the European marques. Most of the time the bikes have been spied and rumored well before the official debut, but BMW pulled off a surprise with its Concept 6 – a six-cylinder design which the Bavarian firm hints may soon power a touring motorcycle.
The Straight Six powering the Concept, says BMW, “follows the well-known Straight Four in the K1300 model series.” Not all the details are in but it’s identified as a 1.6 liter displacement via a “slightly oversquare bore:stroke ratio with relatively long stroke and very small gaps between cylinders.” Like the K-Series, the Concept 6’s cylinders are tilted forward by 55 degrees.

No hard peak horsepower or torque numbers are cited. BMW does promise, however, that 96 lb-ft of torque are available as low as 2000 rpm. And the Six revs up “almost to 9000 rpm.” Stressing its torque performance, the Concept 6 does not feature a tach at all, instead offering a digital readout of available torque production on the LED display.

The Inline Six engine centers the design of the Concept 6, surrounded by a “light-alloy bridge frame” that looks to be of the twin-spar aluminium variety. BMW’s Duolever and Paralever suspension units are present and it is highlighted by their trademark shaft-drive, beefy six-piston front calipers and 17-inch stylish hoops shod with Pirelli's latest Diablo Supercorsa sticky rubber. The Six theme carries over to the exhaust, which features a six-chamber system, three outlets on each side.
As for its future? BMW says this in its PR announcement: “The new BMW straight-six will further expand the K-Series in the foreseeable future. The first model to be introduced will be an innovative and luxurious BMW touring machine. Reflecting the tradition of the BMW K-Series, this will of course be a genuine top-of-the-line product.”

source by motorcycle-usa

Paul Yaffe-Built 2006 Yellow Road Glide
Alan Powell pushes for perfection. He is a gentleman of distinct means and style, not appearing to settle for anything less than precisely what he wants. He is a self-made entrepreneur, a former Army Ranger, music, entertainment and sports marketing man and corporate branding mogul. In his spare time, when he’s not buying and selling companies, he likes to ride big, heavy, crazy cool customs.

“It’s just who I am,” said Powell, whose own identity is unmistakable. The 42-year-old Chairman and CEO of AP & Associates, a strategic planning and multi-cultural marketing company, looks like he should be a starting defensive end in the NFL. He went to school for sports administration but somehow took a detour that led to whiz kid stardom and an unexpected career.

Powell is not an easy man to say no to. So when Powell wanted a groundbreaking, street-ripping bagger with all the trimmings imaginable—and some unimaginable—for a sophisticated super-tourer, he challenged the king of the Bagger Nation, master-builder Paul Yaffe, to make one.

“I had a vision to do something different,” said Powell, “just like most things I’ve done in my life, so designing a unique motorcycle came naturally. I laid out what I wanted Yaffe to do, and carefully considered his input. I’d say it was a team effort.

“I chose Yaffe because I like his work and respect his reputation, and like me, he is a trendsetter and innovator, so I figured he would get it, and he did. I can’t say enough about his craftsmanship and attention to detail. I’m very happy with Zonker.” “Screamin’ Yellow Zonker” is the 2006 Road Glide’s full given name.

The bike is a multimedia machine, an eye-popping expression of style and custom-fit function. It features a monstrous 600-watt stereo system with a sound so sharp and powerful it could blow out the windows of passing cars, which might inspire the proper

motorcycle reverence and keep any living thing within a 100-yard parameter from getting disrespectful. Powell happily demonstrated the system’s awesomeness, cranking up a CD, pounding out sound waves that could bend the fabric of time and space. I liked it, even if my ears and eyeballs were bleeding. “Is that all you got?” I screamed at Powell, whose resume must also include lip reader. “No, I have more, check this out…”

A DVD screen raised silently out of the dash, already playing an action movie. I was waiting for the standard issue James Bond rocket launcher to slide out of a hidden panel in the gas tank. “Nah, we thought about it, but that would probably be illegal,” I could imagine Powell saying. “Well, maybe not in Arizona.” I checked the tank.

I suppose an LED TV and dance club quality stereo is not surprising for a guy who earned his chops in the entertainment industry, developing the likes of Korn and Limp Bizkit. Powell was a precocious biker, carving up Kentucky back-roads with a Hayabusa at the age of 14. Is that legal anywhere?

He moved on to spreading mischief on a Kawasaki KZ1000, then into the Harley realm. Powell also owns a strikingly similar Street Glide, which seemed a little redundant. “Yeah, man, the Street Glide. It’s cool, I like to have a spare for my buddies,” he laughed, which set me to thinking what good buds we could make.

Powell doesn’t sit still for long. His phone is continually ringing with calls from China, Thailand, and across the country. He is engaging and conversational, not what you’d expect from a CEO on a mission, carrying on international business while chatting with a reporter and talking bikes. Mostly, Powell likes to relax by riding his bike to motorcycle events, whether it’s the local bike night or Sturgis.

He won’t relax for long. Powell continues to enlist C-Suite executives as ideas and opportunities surface. At press time, he was set to launch his next venture, BrandBreakers.com, which will focus on taking local individual and corporate brands global. Want to be famous? He later plans to own a motorcycle dealership.

Stay tuned, and crank it up.
Name of bike: Screamin’ Yellow Zonker
Owner: Alan Powell
Year/Make: 2006
Fabrication: Bagger Nation
Assembly: Paul Yaffe Crew
Build time: Three months
Engine: Twin Cam
Carb: EFI
Pipes: Bagger Nation/SuperTrapp
Air Cleaner: DM
Transmission: H-D
Primary: H-D
Clutch: H-D
Frame: H-D
Rake: + 14 degrees
Stretch: 1”
Forks: HD/Bagger Nation
Fork length (+ or -): stock
Triple Trees: Bagger Nation 7-degrees
Additional rake in trees: 7-degrees
Rear Suspension: H-D
Rear Shocks: H-D
Front wheel: Bagger Nation DeVille 23”
Rear wheel: Bagger Nation DeVille 18”
Front Tire (size and make): Avon 23”
Rear Tire (size and make): Avon 160 x 18
Front Brake: H-D
Rear Brake: H-D
Fuel Tank: Bagger Nation
Oil Tank: H-D
Fenders: Bagger Nation
Handlebars: Monkey Bars (Bagger Nation)
Risers: H-D
Hand Controls: H-D
Grips: Performance Machine
Foot Controls: Bagger Nation
Pegs: Covington
Headlight: H-D
Taillight: Custom LED’s
Painter: Hector Martinez
Color: Yellow
Graphics: Striping
Powdercoating: Desert Powder
Polishing: Concours
Molding: Gary Crisp
Electrical: Lee Woffenden
Seat: Guy Thieman

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lunedì 31 maggio 2010

Mercedes-Benz to Style Helicopter Interiors, Yachts, and Furniture

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL Will Use More Carbon Fiber

Mercedes Announces New C-Class Coupe is Coming in 2011

New York 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, R-Class and S63 AMG Bow