This year Italy is getting all the cool special editions, and I think you know why. This one’s from Mercedes Benz, the S-Class Grand Edition.

The new S-Class Grand Edition is a fully loaded model with AMG sport pack and more features and luxury than the range-topping Avantgarde edition.

The car is visually distinguished over the normal S-Class with revised bumpers, side skirts, sports grille, exclusive tailpipes, and 19-inch AMG wheels wrapped in 255/40 tires at front and  275/40 rear. Based on the engine you choose, you may also get AMG cross-drilled brake discs.

The interior features a leather steering wheel and wood trim and black ash, in addition to the stainless-steel sports pedals with rubber studs brushed black. In line with its own personality and the role of technology trendsetter, the S-Class is the benchmark in terms of on-board infotainment systems. The car’s special COMMAND system has three-dimensional mapping sat nav and free updates for three years.

All models expect the diesel 250CDI are also equipped with Parking pack assistance system and Intelligent Light System.

Mercedes S-Class Grand Edition at a glance:

AMG Styling Pack and Sport:
• Front bumper with spoiler and air intake divergent and side skirts
• Rear bumper with extractor
• chrome exhaust with AMG lettering
• AMG alloy 5-spoke 19 “with 255/40 tires up front and 275/40 rear
• Inserts in Black Ash
• AMG Brakes: front disc and drilled, painted brake calipers
• Steering wheel with wood inserts with matching inserts car
• Aluminium sports pedals
• Velour floor mats AMG
• Rear view mirrors electrically folding and auto-beam
• Large front brake discs
• LED lighting system
• Intelligent Light System and the care system with adaptive beam
• LINGUATRONIC
• Speed ??Limit Assist
• Parking pack: rear camera and parking assist system (optional on 250 Biturbo CDI)
• COMAND GPS

Carlsson is treating owners of Mercedes Benz S Class type W/V221 with a new tuning package.

This cool and subtle kit improves the S Class’s mighty presence by adding a new grille, mesh inserts, new fog lamps, Carlsson side skirts, rear diffuser and rear wings. The interior is garnished with fine leather and Carlsson logos everywhere you look, on the seats, steel pedals, door sills, the lot.

The wheels on this car are Design 1/10 models available from 19 to 22 inch in size with Dunlop tires. They are completed with Carlsson C-Tronic suspension module that tweaks the Merc’s Active Body Control system.

This S-Class is the S600L model and Carlsoon has tuned the V2 engine from 517 HP (380 KW) to 600 HP (441 KW) and offers a 1000 nm of torque for a 0 to 100 time of 4.3 seconds and top speed of 320 km/h.

This treatment is also available for the S63 AMG and for that it offers 685 hp!

For the Mercedes E and S-Class equipped with AMG styling kit AMG, and E63, Brabus unveiled a series of upgrades.

Like the AMG kit itself, Brabus upgrades for the S-Class too are only cosmetic. A new aerokit with front spoiler, new side skirts, and different tailpipe models integrated into a neat diffuser, plus a wide range of monoblock rims for you to choose from, give good personalization potential.

Both E and S can be ordered with sport exhausts with flaps in them which are quite under normal load and bark at high rpm.

The E Class also benefit from a new front spoiler. It also gets new design rear diffusers and bootlid wings. Again, you have the choice for the exhausts and you can have them with oval or rectangular tailpipes. The new body components can also be had in different finishes such as body color, black, or event titanium-look.

New interior goodies include new upholstery design with leather and Alcantara, sport steering wheel again with new design, carbon fiber or wood trims and accents in any desired colors.

These days with skyrocketing fuel prices even luxury car buyers are thinking more sensibly. That’s why Mercedes launched the S350 BlueTEC and equipped it with a new ECO Stop/Start function.

This clean diesel car has an output of 190 kW (258 hp) and 620 Nm of torque, while averaging 6.2 liter per 100 km with CO2 emissions of 164 g/km. Thanks to BlueTEC with AdBlue exhaust treatment and the new ECO start/stop function fitted as standard, the S-Class satisfies emission regulations up to EU6 which are not mandatory until 2014.

The way this start/stop system works is pretty straight forward. But if you have no clue what it is: The ECO start/stop system developed by Mercedes-Benz switches the engine off when the vehicle comes to a standstill – for example at traffic lights. The engine then immediately starts again as soon as the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal. Thanks to the intelligent control system, all of the vehicle’s functions and comfort systems continue to operate during the stop phase.

Of course going green in luxury is not cheap, as this Mercedes costs 76,517 euros, inclusive of 19% VAT!

If you can afford a Mercedes S500, chances are you can also afford – if you squeeze yourself a little harder – an S65 AMG. Now, what if you like the S65  looks but don’t need all that power in your life?

Inden Design might have a solution for you.

This Mercedes S65 AMG you see here is actually a S500 converted to look like its high performance sister. It is actually better because it features a magnificent color, new rims and lowered suspension, which make it even better looking.

The rear and front bumpers, exhaust tips, diffuser, LED lights and the side skirts come directly from the S65. Inden then wraps the whole car in charcoal-gray matte film which look fantastic but as you know this kinda treatments require taking care of. You have to keep it clean all the time, or don’t take it to carwash very often, or don’t park it in the sun for too long… It’s a bit inconvenient!

Inden also provides some performance upgrades, probably to save you from being embarrassed if someone tried to race you! Their revisions to the Merc’s V8 results in 420 bhp which is not much, but it’s better than the 380 of the standard. Due to the increased power, the braking system was “converted” to the S600 V12 BiTurbo model with 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston brake calipers.

Also part of the conversion package are the 50mm lower suspension and 20-inch wheels wrapped in tires in size 265/30-20 at the front and 275/30-20 at the rear. For the interior you get A, B and C pillars, the headliner at the dashboard and door panel are trimmed with two-color leather in combination with black Alcantara. All the wood trims are replaced with carbon fiber parts and there’s also a 360 km/h speedometer to make you feel good!

YES! Brabus is right back at it creating overpowered and utterly bonkers Mercedes’. And we’re grateful because in this age of electric and hybrid cars, it is heartwarming for petrolheads seeing such magnificent supercars, plus Brabus is very very cool. With the new SV12 T Biturbo 800, they reclaim the title of “World’s Most Powerful and Fastest Luxury Sedan”.

This SV12 S class gets the same good old V12 engine which has specially tuned to deliver 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW and a peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft – limited to 1100 Nm- 800 lb-ft) in this car! If we cut to the chase, that means 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

Displacement of the V12 engine that normally powers the latest Mercedes 600 models is increased from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 385 cu. in.) The displacement increase is the product of a special crankshaft with longer stroke, precision-balanced piston rods, larger-diameter pistons and corresponding larger cylinder bore. The inner workings of the BRABUS engine are modified further by high-performance camshafts and flow-optimized cylinder heads.

But there’s more to this car than just power and speed. You can customize the cabin of this car to your desired specs and garnish it with fully leather interiors in any color imaginable, Alcantara supplements and exclusive wood trim sets which can be ordered in any desired color thanks to an innovative staining technology. Or you can let Brabus turn it into a mobile luxury office with mind-blowing level of technology.

Other features of this unique Mercedes includes BRABUS Monoblock wheels with diameters ranging from 19 to 21 inches, BRABUS active body suspension system specially tweaked for this car, BRABUS high-performance brake system consisting of 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380 x 36-mm (15.0 x 1.42 inches) vented and cross-drilled discs in front, and 355 x 28-mm (14.0 x 1.1 inches) discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the rear axle.

It also gets a bespoke body kit for a distinctive look, better aerodynamics and better cooling of engine and front brakes.

Thanks to their magnificent body kits for luxury cars, Japanese tuner WALD International is now a world famous firm. Their cars can rival works of giant tuners like Hamann or Lumma, mainly because they ‘re sporty and elegant, a trick that most of the Germans never been able to pull off properly! Wald’s latest kit for the W221 Mercedes S-Class though, is a bit overdone.

It gets the same fancy package with flared arches, big spoilers, massive skirts and big wheels. But this one has too much garnish. It wears too much mascara. Those side vents really don’t work with the S-Class style, and what’s up with that ghastly rear diffuser?! Also, those exhaust seem to be copied from Lexus ISF, but why?

Wald is fine tuner, but this time they get 5 out of 10.

In this day and age, the term ‘efficiency’ is the most important factor for all car makers. And we’re not talking just about small city cars, even the most luxurious, heck even supercars must be built in the most efficient way to please the green party. So it’s no wonder why Mercedes launched this diesel-powered BlueTEC edition of its luxe super saloon, the S-Class.

The new S 350 BlueTEC tries to offer the best compromise between power and fuel economy. The output of this 3.5 liter V6 engine is 190 kW (258 hp) with peak torque of 620 Newton metres, which is not bad at all, specially as the car can go from zero to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and keep on going to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Along with the good performance, the S350 BluTEC also has astonishing fuel economy, as it uses just 6.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. And it’s one of the cleanest diesel engines on the market because it has AdBlue emission control system.

With CO2 emissions of 177 grammes per kilometre, this car complies with Euro 6 standards, which means it needs no upgrades whatsoever until 2014.

BlueTEC is a technology developed by Mercedes-Benz to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, in particular nitrogen oxides. To this end AdBlue®, an aqueous urea solution, is injected into the exhaust flow. This releases ammonia, which converts up to 80 percent of nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water in the downstream SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter. As a result, the S 350 BlueTEC already complies with the emission levels which are planned for 2014 with the introduction of the EU 6 standard. The AdBlue® tank is installed under the luggage compartment floor and has a capacity of 25.7 litres. The tank is replenished at the regular maintenance intervals every 25,000 kilometres.

But it’s not all about economy! After all it’s a S-Class and you have to pay € 76,279 for it, so you expect to get a lot of kit, and indeed you do. Above all, the car features two of the newest safety technologies developed by Mercedes, and they are Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. And in addition to the regular equipments you find in any S-Class, it’s available with PASSION leather package and Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system.

New leather appointments with stitching

To personalise the interior of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also offering new, high-quality leather appointments which underscore the luxury saloon’s exclusive character. A defining feature is the contrasting stitching on the PASSION leather package and the Exclusive PASSION leather package (standard for S 600). Colours and scope of appointments vary according to upholstery and package contents.

The PASSION leather package features the stitching on the fine leather of the seats and armrests as well as on the top and bottom of the instrument panel support and the door panelling, all of which are finished in ARTICO, a man-made leather which is pleasant to the touch. The Exclusive PASSION leather package features seats, armrests, instrument panel support, door linings, ruffled pockets and a rear shelf in fine leather with contrasting stitching. Alcantara is used for the roof liner and to cover the A-, B- and C-pillars.

Tailor-made high-end sound system

The new Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system tailored to the luxury saloon’s interior is available as a further new feature for the S-Class (standard for S 65 AMG). A combination of 15 loudspeakers and two amplifiers with a total output of 1200 W ensure a thrilling quality of sound from this high-end system. The algorithm of the digital sound processor allows a choice between high-end studio sound and surround sound, and the audio output can be focused exactly on the seat positions of the driver, front-passenger, rear seats or the centre of the interior.

Music can be enjoyed on long trips without tiring the listeners, thanks in particular to the dynamic compensation of driving noise: a microphone integrated in the roof lining between the gullwing doors provides a continuous supply of data on the current interior noise level. The digital sound processor analyses all the frequency bands and increases the volume according to the vehicle’s speed – via individual adjustment of each loudspeaker and the different frequency ranges.

Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist

In parallel with the CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also introducing two new safety systems for the S-Class which can help to avoid dangerous situations and accidents. When the wheels pass over a broken lane marking, the system activates an electric motor in the steering wheel which triggers brief vibrations – a subtle but effective warning signal. Active Lane Keeping Assist takes effect when the vehicle unintentionally passes over a continuous line to the right or left of the lane. In this case it gently brakes the rear wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle to counteract the drift away from the lane. Active Lane Keeping Assist employs the ESP® electronic stability programme for this purpose.

Active Blind Spot Assist is now available as a further new feature for the S-Class. This system warns the driver by means of a red signal in the glass of the exterior mirror when it detects that changing the lane may lead to an accident. Close-range radar sensors scan the area directly alongside and behind the car for this purpose. If the driver ignores the warnings and a vehicle in the neighbouring lane comes dangerously near – when cutting in after overtaking, for example – gentle corrective braking intervention will take place via ESP® on the wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle. This results in slight yawing of the saloon around its vertical axis as a result of the varying brake force distribution.
Where an accident is nevertheless unavoidable, braking intervention by Active Blind Spot Assist helps to reduce the severity of impact. Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist are available for the S-Class now as part of the Driving Assistance package PLUS.

German tuner MEC Design is one of our favourite mainly because they don’t mess around with ridiculous body kits and stupid paint jobs! Their cars are usually quite cool, we’re specially fond of their package for Mercedes CLS. Here’s their latest program for Mercedes S-class, based on the S550 model, but with 2010 S65 AMG body kit including bumpers, skirts and lights.

MEC has dropped the car of course, but it’s not just some pointless lowering. They’ve used ELS Lowering Module -65mm which is a sophisticated system that can adjust itself based on the car’s speed. It also provides the same ride comfort you expect from an standard S-Class, but now you also have the great looks of a slammed sedan on big wheels!

Speaking of wheels, they’ve put the new mecxtremeIII three piece Satin Editon wheels inside the buffed fenders, which come in size 11×20-inch for front and 12,5×20-inch for the rear. They are available in black or silver, but you can also order other colors.

It’s amazing how you can improve your car’s appearance with some lowering and a set of wheels! Kudos to MEC.

As you know Americans are not very fond of diesel-powered cars, but Mercedes has something in store that might change their minds. It’s the new US-spec S-class S350 CDI BueTec luxury saloon powered by a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 engine developing 241 hp and 429 lb-ft (580Nm) of torque. The European version of this car has 235 hp.

The S-class diesel which is apparently the only diesel variant of the car for North American market features AdBlue urea injection technology and comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and optional 4Matic system. It does 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 155 mph, but the real advantage of this model over petrol ones is the fuel economy, as it averages 25 mpg.

The car is going to be pricey though, so let’s wait and see how Americans embrace this eco-minded Merc!

As the company that always come up with new and innovative technologies, Mercedes is now working on an ambitious project regarding autonomous driving. The goal here is not making your car automated, they are just developing this system for testing purposes. This way their test drivers and engineers won’t have to risk their lives doing all those dangerous maneuvers evaluating every new model!

Moreover, a computer can do a certain test much more precisely than the best of the test drivers, so the result are more accurate. Of course this systems can be used to develop an autopilot system for production cars, but it just does not make sense!

Because even though a sophisticated autopilot can do the job of driving the machine, would you ever get on an autonomous plane with no human pilot onboard?! It’s the same with automobiles.

Details on Mercedes automated driving techniques here:

Autopilots ensure greater precision and relieve development engineers

In addition to established methods, Mercedes-Benz will in future fulfil requirements for reliable functionality and operational safety in future assistance systems through the “automated driving” of test manoeuvres on dedicated proving grounds. Prototypes used for this purpose are series production vehicles equipped with “robots” for steering, acceleration and braking. An on-board computer controls the autopilot so that a pre-programmed course is followed exactly – even if several vehicles are involved in one manoeuvre.

Test engineers in the control centre monitor all events and can stop the vehicles at any time. In parallel, the vehicles perform self checks and brake automatically if they register discrepancies. Thus, the test configuration is safe yet flexible. All Mercedes-Benz models can be equipped with the technical equipment for “automated driving”. Moreover, a variety of different safety systems and equipment can be tested.

Using “automated driving”, engineers analyse safety innovations under real-life conditions in the vehicle, addressing two critical challenges:

* Reproducibility. In order to calibrate the systems exactly, the same tests must be varied and repeated extensively. In so doing, all parameters like vehicle distances, speeds and steering radii must be exactly to specifications and always precisely maintained in order to guarantee comparability.
* Safety. Because the systems are intended to kick in only in critical situations, such scenarios must be induced during testing. The manoeuvres demand precision timing and cannot be permitted to put anyone in danger.

Both cases place human beings at their limits – in terms of their ability to react and the issue of reproducibility. However, for complex electronic systems and for assistance systems in particular, fully comprehensive functional validation must be carried out in a manner that is as close to reality as possible, thus making this kind of test driving indispensible.

The precise repeatability of the test methodology enables test vehicles to maintain exactly the pre-determined speed and course and to brake very precisely. For example, if a vehicle drives a pre-planned course several times, the tracks of all the runs vary from one another by less than two centimetres. Should the vehicle be brought to a complete halt at a particular location, the end points of all braking manoeuvres are within a radius of three centimetres.

Alongside the proving of assistance systems, “automated driving” will also be used in extreme tests in future. These put the vehicle under loads that are well in excess of those reached under normal use in traffic. The intention is to ascertain, for instance, that airbags are not activated unintentionally should the car be driven heavily over a ramp or against a kerb. Test drives that involve a high degree of physical stress for the driver can thus be avoided.

State-of-the-art test methods for the highest safety demands

In their development work, Mercedes-Benz engineers use the results from the company’s in-house accident research, which delivers important findings. A variety of networked validation methods guarantee that the systems function reliably at the critical moment. Company philosophy insists that validation must go considerably farther than prescribed by regulatory standards. When it comes to passive safety, the internal company crash test requirements go well beyond meeting standard crash test requirements. The combination of computer simulations and real-life crash tests ensures passive safety to Mercedes-Benz standards.

Mercedes-Benz also makes use of state-of-the-art, networked test methods when it comes to active safety. Drive simulator tests combined with simulation procedures deliver a faster and more precise development process and complement test drives under real-life conditions.

“In Sindelfingen, we are currently building a new drive simulator. The state-of-the art technology of this equipment will make the future development of new safety systems even faster and more precise,” confirms Balasubramanian.

Automated driving as the basis of future innovations

Mercedes-Benz is the only vehicle maker in the world to use “automated driving” as an additional element in the testing process. It will be used on dedicated proving grounds in tests that would be virtually impossible to reproduce manually, like merging at different speeds and distances; high-risk tests where, for example, a vehicle brakes heavily in front of another that swerves at the last minute; and safety-critical tests whereby, at an intersection, one vehicle crosses just in front of or behind the path of a second vehicle.

With “automated driving”, Mercedes-Benz has developed a new, unique testing method for safety systems. It is yet further proof of the innovative power of Mercedes-Benz. The new test method guarantees the fast and efficient development of assistance systems to the highest levels of quality and reliability and also offers maximum safety at work for employees.

Bharat Balasubramanian sums up: “In order to be able to set trends in the field of safety in future, too, our test procedures must be able to keep pace with the wealth of ideas generated by our engineers. With automated driving, we feel we are well equipped for the development of the next generation of assistance systems.”

Lorinser Sportservice has prepared a new sleek body kit for the recently facelifted 2010 Mercedes S-class which boosts its luxuriousness and elegance even further! This kit looks really cool, in fact it looks like a carefully tailored suit on the S-class. It comes with revised bumpers featuring new spoiler at front and a discrete diffuser at the back, side skirts, a small roof spoiler and a boot lid wing. The car also gets Lorinser traditional side vents.

The tuner offers for this car their timeless RS8 wheels which come in 9×21-inch for front with 265/30 and 10×21-inch with 295/30 tires for the rear. You can also order sports mufflers for this car for the sake of sportier noise. But honestly you are better off with the standard ones because it’s ridiculous for a superb luxury saloon like this to sound like a muscle car or whatever!

via: MBpassion

]]> http://www.motorward.com/2010/03/lorinser-bodykit-for-2010-mercedes-s-class/feed/ 0 http://www.motorward.com/2010/02/2010-mercedes-s-class-by-carlsson/ http://www.motorward.com/2010/02/2010-mercedes-s-class-by-carlsson/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:34:19 +0000 Arman Barari http://www.motorward.com/?p=10697

Carlsson’s kits have always been some of the sickest ones you could buy for your Merc, regardless of the model. Their packages always have a unique prestige which makes the car ultra cool and desirable. Here’s a preview of their new styling package for the 2010 Mercedes S-Class Facelift which they will bring along to the Geneva Motor Show. A good power upgrade is sure to come with this styling pack, but we should wait a bit longer for more details on that.

via: Mercedes Benz Passion

Following the S400 hybrid which successfully turned from a concept into a real car, Mercedes is launching another identical project, this time time the S500 plug-in hybrid. Although it’s called S500, the petrol engine in this car is a 3.5 liter V6 which is combined with a lithium-ion battery and of course an electric motor from the hybrid module. This will result in fuel consumption of only 3.2l/100km and 74g/km of CO2 which are astonishing numbers considering the size and class of the car.

The high-performance battery and the 44 kW/60 hp Hybrid module enable the vehicle to drive up to 18 miles purely on electricity. That is completely sufficient for many trips within cities, where the Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is quick and very comfortable without producing any local emissions. The gasoline engine automatically adds its power to that of the electric motor when travelling at high speeds or driving up steep inclines. Before closing the clutch in such cases, the vehicle electronics synchronises the engine speed with the Hybrid module’s rotational speed so that the engine is activated extremely smoothly without the driver noticing.

The lithium-ion battery not only serves as an energy storage device for the elec-tric motor in the Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid; it is also linked via a DC-DC converter to the 12-volt on-board network, which provides power to standard consumers such as the headlamps and various comfort devices. To ensure a consistently high level of electrical efficiency, the voltage transformers are water-cooled via an additional low-temperature circuit.

Special power electronics are required for operating the three-phase AC electric motor in the high-voltage direct current grid, and the inverter for this task is hou-sed in the engine compartment. Because the power electronics system itself is heated by the electric current thus created, it too is integrated into the low-temperature cooling circuit. Mercedes-Benz employs standardized components for the power electronics system as well, enabling them to be efficiently com-bined with different electric motors and battery types across all model series.

Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept – Technical Data

• Combustion engine (gasoline)
  • No. of cylinders/arrangement: V-6, 4 valves per cylinder
  • Displacement: 3.5 l
• Hybrid module
  • Type: Permanently excited synchronous machine
  • Rated output: approx. 44 kW/60 PS
  • Rated torque: 184 lb-ft
• Performance and fuel consumption
  • Acceleration 0-60 mph: 5.4 s
  • Top speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)
  • Fuel consumption: 3.2 l/100 km (combined)
  • CO2 emissions: 74 g/km (combined)

A new masterpiece by the most prestigious Mercedes tuner, the Brabus SV12-R based on the new facelifted S600 is a meeting point for some amazing numbers! 750 hp, 1350 nm of torque and top speed of 340 km/h. And it’s not a supercar we are speaking of, it is an ultra lux saloon which weighs over two tons and is better equipped than an Airbus A380 business cabin!

Brabus engineers have increased the capacity of engine from 5.5 to 6.3 and further equip the engine with larger turbochargers, a more efficient intercooling system and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four tailpipes and metal catalysts with low back pressure. Newly programmed engine electronics ensure that all new components work together flawlessly. They also contribute to maximum power yield and to meeting current exhaust emission limits.

The rated power output of 750 hp (740 bhp) / 552 kW at 5,500 rpm produced by the BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 750 engine is as superlative as the peak torque of 1,350 Nm (995 lb-ft) at 2,100 rpm. In the car peak torque is electronically limited to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft). This extraordinary performance makes the BRABUS SV12 R not just the most powerful but also the fastest luxury sedan in the world: 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) after just 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph).

The enormous performance of the BRABUS SV12 R is kept safely under control with custom-tailored solutions for tires, brakes and suspension. They include BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels with diameters ranging from 17 to 21 inches.

The largest version features size 9Jx21 wheels on the front axle and size 10.5Jx21 in back. Customers can choose from three different designs: Three-piece forged and high-gloss polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels with six double spokes, Monoblock E multi-spoke wheels and the especially exclusive Monoblock F PLATINUM EDITION forged wheels with cross-spoke design. All versions are fitted with Pirelli or YOKOHAMA tires in size 265/30 ZR 21 in front and in size 295/30 ZR 21 on the rear axle.

Especially exclusive is the newly created BRABUS Yachting precious-wood combination of maple and tropical Wenge wood, which lends the luxury sedan a maritime ambiance. In traditional craftsmanship hundreds of individual pieces are used to recreate every piece of wood trim in the S-Class in the style of a miniature ship veneer. The combination of maple and Wenge woods features traditional open pores but is sealed according to the latest automotive guidelines.

As a stylish and perfectly crafted complement the company upholstery shop created an elegant fully leather interior in a combination of light-beige and dark-brown leather that is especially soft, breathable and extremely durable.

INDEN has brought this magnificent ’83 Mercedes S-class which they tuned back in 1991 out of their garage and let us catch a glimpse of this old school O.G. They say it’s a perfect getaway car, for say a bank job, but if I had this ride I’d never use it in potentially dangerous situations! It’s a classic and should be treated like one!

The car uses a 6.0 liter V8 whit 386 hp which was a lot back in the 90s. The engine has 100mm piston from the former 560 SE series and a stainless-steel sport exhaust system from the manifold with a diameter of 60 mm. So it’s got a rumble as scary as the way it looks!

This gangsta ‘S’ features some unique visual treatments, all have been designed with a getaway car in mind! Apart from the black paintjob, you get custom grille and headlights, lower ride height, fatter Pirelli P-Zero tires around 18 inch rims in flared wheel arches and of course tinted windows. This car coins the modern appearance of the streets: Long Body, colored windows, large radiator grills and dark color (Uni-Black). With graceful movements the SE changes the track.

The complete undercarriage suspension consists of specially shortened dampers and progressive-rate lowering springs with 18mm wire gauge. This model which was finished in 1991 by INDEN Design can still be proud seen today, with perfect details, such as: U.S. headlamps and taillights, rebuilding to Model 1986 (smooth planking), the interior which is completely covered in black Nappa leather with König Sport seats in the front spots, the wood elements into recoated in gray bird’s eye maple and the related fully in leather luggage.

Some days after introducing their new Experimental Safety Vehicle, Mercedes released a series of promo videos explaining the car’s features and why it is such an important project. Mercedes ESF is based on the S400 Hybrid and is said to be the safest car ever. From what we see it’s a huge airbag with a S-class attached to it!

Press Release:

Perspectives: inflatable metal structures and braking airbags in the vehicle floor

Stuttgart – 2009 is a year in which Mercedes-Benz celebrates several anniversaries in the safety field: in August 1939 the safety pioneer Béla Barényi started his work in Sindelfingen. He invented for example the principle of the crumple zone, a trailblazing innovation which entered series production at Mercedes-Benz in 1959. With the help of its in-house accident research function, which was founded in 1969, Mercedes engineers in the following years have developed several groundbreaking innovations in passenger car safety. Now it is time for a look behind the scenes, and in this anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz is using the Mercedes ESF 2009 research vehicle to reveal what its safety specialists are currently working on – with a time horizon that often extends well into the future.

The Mercedes ESF 2009 is the first Experimental Safety Vehicle to be built by Mercedes-Benz since 1974. Like its historic predecessors, it illustrates trailblazing innovations in the field of safety and makes the progress achieved clearly visible. These amazing but by no means crazy ideas include inflatable metallic sections which give more stability to structural components within fractions of a second, as well as the so-called “Braking Bag”. This airbag housed within the vehicle floor is deployed when a crash is deemed to be unavoidable, and uses a friction coating to support the vehicle against the road surface. The Mercedes ESF 2009 will be premiered on 15 June 2009, at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference in Stuttgart.

“Safety is a central element of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In this respect we have been setting the pace in the market for almost 70 years. For the benefit of our customers and for road users in general. The Mercedes ESF 2009 shows that we still have plenty of ideas and the absolute will, to lead the automobile industry in this field even in future”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The Mercedes ESF 2009 was developed and built completely in the test vehicle workshops in Sindelfingen. This safety research vehicle based on the Mercedes S 400 HYBRID features more than a dozen safety innovations, most of which are fully functioning in demonstration mode.

“With the Mercedes ESF 2009, we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler. Anybody examining the Mercedes ESF 2009 in detail will recognise that more safety and improved energy efficiency are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas “, says Dr. Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

As always Mercedes S-Class is the ultimate showcase of new technologies and gadgets and luxury. But this time Mercedes has picked on safety, so you know the result is something that you look forward to have a crash in it! This is the Mercedes S400 Hybrid ESF concept which will be presented between 23 June 2009 and 16th of August in an exhibition in the company’s Museum’s Fascination of Technology section.

Of course this is an Experimental Safety Vehicle,hence the name, ( They have also built one back in 1974) but the features they use in this car will eventually make their way to the production models. The ESF is packed with airbags! In fact you get the airbags first and then this S-Class to carry them around! It even has one underneath the car! how could they think of that. Other stuffs worth mentioning are inflatable metal beams in each door to absorb the force of side impacts and a function that moves the occupants away from the doors and toward the middle of the car ( possibly into each other’s arms! ), very clever!

The only problem we see here is that if, God forbid, you have a crash in this you will survive of course, but the cost of replacing all of those airbags can probably cause you heart attack!

Feast your eyes on the new 2010 Jaguar XJ saloon! Forget that dull appearance of the old XJ, that is dead and gone away, the new car following the designline of its little brother the XF, will look modern and contemporary. Actually, contemporary is a not a good word to describe it, futuristic is much better! Anyhow, it looks fabulous.

Jaguar has started teasing the car by releasing a top view image before, and now there is a video interview of Mr.Ian Callum, the head of design in Jaguar and the man behind some of the most beautiful cars in the history such as Aston Martin DB9 and Jaguar XK. The car will be fully revealed in about a month in London, and it seems to have all the ingredients it needs to take on the big boys in this segment, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7er and Audi A8. 2010 XJ will get the same engine lineup as the XF, the new V6 and V8 petrol with or without supercharger and the V6 diesel, and it’ll be available in long wheelbase format as well.

Ian Callum interview:

Renderings via: car

German tuner MEC Design has already proved that they are one of the fewest tuners who can make a proper sporty cool looking bodykit with their kit for the CLS. With this S-class no one would think you are a banker anymore! But they might as well think you are a bank robber!

First of all, MEC has applied the simple recipe of tuning. They have dropped the car for a few inches and put their own wheels under it which are of large inches! That alone makes the car twice as cool. I have to point out though, this combination of suspension lowering and big wheels only work if your car is a high-end expensive one and you get very expensive rims as well, otherwise if you do so with say a Reanult or a Volvo, it’ll be dreadful and make you look like a cock!!

After that, they install their revised bumpers for front and rear, which you have two option for each one. For the front you can have integrated fog lights or just have mesh which looks more sporty. And for the back, there are two designs for the diffuser, elegant or sporty. You also get a pair of twin  stainless steel exhaust pipes and there are two options here too! You can either have the Earthquake for a magnificent rumble, or get it with a more discreet silent mode. I’d go for the quake:) Darkened grille, sporty sills bootlid spoiler and leather floor mats for the interior are the rest of MEC kit.

So there you go, MEC Design has done a proper job on the S-Class without diong too much. This car is much more desirable and better looking than all of those stupid jobs by ASMA or Hamann or… they should learn from MEC. Well done guys!

Press Release:

MEC Design show off some real S-Class Bodykit

European tuning experts MEC Design are pleased to show off their new bodykit for the Mercedes-Benz S Class.

The MEC Design S-Class bodykit is a 2face system which allows the customer the choice of having the front bumper with driving lights and fog lights or with just mesh. At the rear the customer can also choose between having the sporty looking diffusor or to go with the more refined elegant diffusor. The side skirts continue the beautiful lines and are available with or without LED lighting (5 per side) which is linked up to the internal lighting. The spoiler on the rear trunklid rounds off the rear end nicely.

The MEC Design sports exhaust system is manufactured from mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing, stainless steel resonator and muffler. The sounds that it produces are pretty amazing; the featured version is called “Earthquake” although it is available in a quieter version. The delicately placed embossed MEC Design logo on the quad oval chrome tips are the perfect finishing touch.

The interior features the MEC Design sports multi-functional airbag steering wheel. The distinctive ergonomically designed handles and its precious wood inlay and leather make it a pleasure to grip. The footmats are made from precious velours and feature Nubuck leather embroidery again with the MEC Design logo.

The alloy wheels are also designed by MEC Design and are a 3 piece design. The forged centre piece is high gloss compressed and has stainless steel outer rims. The front features 11×20 with 4,5 inch outer rims and 285/25 ZR 20 Hankook tires, whilst the rear has 13×20 with 5 inch outer rims again with 325/25 ZR 20 Hankook tires. The front axel has 10mm spacers and the rear axel 19mm spacers. All the bodywork has been done without the need for painting or lackering

About MEC Design:

MEC Design are an exclusive tuning company based in Berlin, Germany. They specialize in Mercedes-Benz and have an extensive range of extraordinary tuning and styling products. They have been making a big noise all over Germany and Europe for over 10 years and are now expanding into North America and the rest of the World.