SPY: The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class XL (X 222) conquers the European roads

Mercedes-Benz will develop a consistent luxury range on the basis of the new S-Class. After the SWB (W 222) and LWB (V 222) versions were premiered in May at Hamburg, the Germans will launch a third model - the extralong wheelbase (XLWB) S-Class (X 222), nicknamed "XL".



According to reports, Mercedes-Benz decided to name the new model as the S-Class Grand. Compared to the other body variants, this one will have a total length of near 5.5 meters. To compensate the increased measures, designers had to enlarge the rear doors and also a visible third, triangular window on each side.



The new S-Class Grand is set to arrive next year, in April, and it is directly addressed to the wealthy clients from the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, the Middle East and China. The two passengers that will seat on the rear couch will be the most privileged given the consistent array of comfort features the car will offer them, such as various functions for massage, heating and ventilation, reclining possibilities, a refrigerator, Wi-Fi internet access and more.



It is important to know that the S-Class Grand has nothing in common with the S-Class Pullman that will be unveiled in 2015, will sport a dramatically different exterior design, a 2+2+2 seating structure inside, near six meters in length, more state-of-the-art technology than the standard S-Class models and will compete with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Ghost.



Moving back to the X 222 models, they will be recognizable through the modified lamella grille, as you can see, identical to that on the upcoming S 500 Plug-In Hybrid (see HERE). Power will come from both the current 4.7-litre 455 hp V8 unit and a new V12 engine, engineered by AMG, and capable of producing around 550 hp - 600 hp. The 12-cylinder S 600 model will feature quad design for the exhaust pipes. When introduced on the market towards the end of 2014, the new S-Class Grand should display a starting price tag of around 150,000 euros in Germany.

Image Credits: Gmotors.co.uk / Autoevolution / Worldcarfans



Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: Early 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS SB Facelift (X 218) prototype spotted

Mercedes-Benz will refresh the entire CLS lineup (Coupe and Shooting Brake) in spring 2014. As indicated by the test prototype recently caught on tape in Stuttgart, this will be a moderate facelift of an already elegant and beautiful car. The front fascia will hold the most important update.



The new 2015 model year CLS-Class will highlight a major breakthrough in lighting technology: the introduction of world's first Active Multi Beam LED system (read more HERE). As suggested by the spy shots, the new headlights, which appear to have multiple light emitting, movable components, hidden under the black tape resemble the ones you see in the next photo:

Furthermore, it seems the AMG Sport version of the new CLS Facelift will boast the A-Class inspired diamond grille. If you look to the details in the first scoop, you can depict this design. The front bumper will also be restyled and will receive new air intakes. At the moment, the rear end of the Shooting Brake test vehicle does not suggest important changes, but we think the facelift will bring a new bumper, new oval exhausts and new LED graphics for the tail lamps.



The 2015 CLS-Class will be enhanced with the latest tech stuff from the new S-Class, E-Class Facelift and the forthcoming C-Class. The 9G-TRONIC will come as a standard feature on the high-end models. The C/X 218 will actually be the first Mercedes-Benz model to bring the new 9-speed automatic gearbox on the North American as well. The engines, equipped with ECO start/stop function, will be borrowed from the current model generation, but they will most likely be enhanced for more efficiency and lower fuel consumption values.



We will further report on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Facelift when new, more detailed spy pics arrive.

Image Credits: GermanCarForum



Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

PREVIEW: An insight into the AMG's future mid-sized supercar - the Mercedes-Benz GT

Mercedes-AMG is throttling up the development of an all-new supercar. After the success of the SLS AMG lineup, which has constantly grown over the past four years, the Affalterbach firm is filling the gap that exists between the Gullwing and the SL 65 AMG with a proper Porsche 911 killer.



In a world that is busy to save the Planet and be greener and eco-er as each day passes, Mercedes-Benz defies the trend and breaks the barriers of convention with the all new GT or SLC AMG medium class hypercar. The 190 model series will transpose into the series vehicle during 2015. The first to premiere is the coupe (C 190), followed in a year or so by a the roadster version (R 190).



The Mercedes-Benz GT/SLC AMG will be fully engineered by Mercedes-AMG, as its bigger sibling - the SLS AMG. It will feature state-of-the-art lightweight construction, which combines aluminium, alloys and composite materials to trim an athletic chassis. The kerb weight should of the GT/SLC could be dropped by up to 100 to 150 kilograms compared to the 197 series.



The body will be shaped in a modern and aerodynamic way, while retaining the hallmark Mercedes supercar silhouette with a longer bonnet and the shuttle moved towards the rear of the model. To save more kilos, the door mechanism will be a conventional one, not Gullwing nor scissors style.



Under the bonnet, Mercedes-AMG will house no less than three different powerplants. First of all, the entry-level version will be powered by thoroughly revised 6-cylinder petrol burner boasting around 340 hp. The next model raises the stake to 485 hp. This performance level will be achieved by the new 4.0-litre V8 BITURBO M177 powerplant. Last, but not least, the S-Model (which could also be fitted with the Performance AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system) will be the pearl of the crown: equipped with an enhanced variant of the M177 engine, it will boast a peak output of 550 hp.



Some indicate a Black Series model is possible towards 2017. Little can be known at this moment, but the GT/SLC AMG Black Series is rumored to pack at least 585 hp. The purchase rice for the new supercar is expected to start at near 109,000 euros in Germany, which is almost 80,000 euros less than the bigger SLS AMG.



It is worth mentioning that the GT/SLC AMG will not replace the SLS AMG (which also receives a gentle makeover for 2015MY). The two are differently marketed models that will live together inside the Mercedes-AMG range. Moreover, the "GT" particle, which indicates the other possible title of the supercar, was probably chosen as to avoid confusion with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC roadster model from the 1970s. We shall see, when the car is unveiled in two years time, the final designation of the C/R 190 project.

Image Credits: Autobild



Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C/R 197) receives a minor facelift for 2015 model year

In late 2014, the new SLS AMG will be already 5 years old, so the engineers from Affalterbach thought it would be great to apply some subtle revisions to the Gullwing-ed supercar.



The general styling of the C/R 197 series will hardly be transformed. Expect to see a new front bumper with larger air intakes in the shape of the A-wing that launched on the new E 63 AMG this year. It is also possible the head- and tail lights receive new LED inner graphics and new lighting technology for sharper performance.



Likely, the most important changes will be inside, where the SLS AMG is set to receive the latest tech stuff from its Mercedes-Benz brother. We are talking about the new generation of the internet COMAND Online NTG 5 infotainment system. Expect some new controls and buttons for the operative interface of the HVAC unit and the audio device.



From the 2015 model year, the SLS AMG could also receive the high-end surround system provided by Burmester (that debuted on the new S-Class) on the option list, alongside the existing choice from Bang & Olufsen.



There is still no hint on this issue, but the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG could receive a new beast under the bonnet - the 5.5-litre V8 BITURBO instead of the current 6.2-litre aspirated V8. Confirmation is on the way to us, but the larger inlets that can be seen under the camouflage tape at front indicate the C/R 197 could stick to the old engine till the end of its lifespan sometime towards 2017/2018.



If the latter is the real scenario in the end, Mercedes-AMG will continue to offer the supercar in the already known variants: basis model with 571 hp and GT with 591 hp. The Black Series (limited to less than 500 units and cranking out a massive 631 hp) and the Electric Drive (with 552 kW) are to remain as they are now and not receive any make-up.



The SLS AMG will remain committed to the rear traction, so if you were excited about a 4x4 supercar wearing the Star, forget it. However, there is still some hope the Performance AMG 4MATIC gets implemented on some variants of the future SLC AMG (C 190) mid-range supercar (also known as the Mercedes-Benz GT), that we will report about in our forthcoming articles (read more HERE).

Image Credits: Gmotors.co.uk



Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.