1989 Mercedes-benz 560sec Base Coupe 2-door 5.6l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mercedes GLS updates Silver Star seven-seater

It can be bewildering, the staggering array of crossovers and SUVs offered by Mercedes-Benz. There's the G, the GL, the GLK and the GLA, not to mention the new GLE and the ML that basically started it all. So you can forgive yourself if you've never heard of the GLS. After all, it doesn't currently exist. But it will soon. In accordance with Benz's new nomenclature, the GLS-Class will be the replacement for the GL – the largest of the Mercedes utility vehicles and the only one with three rows of seats. Since the current GL was only launched about two and a half years ago, the new nameplate won't be attached to an all-new model just yet. But as you can see from these spy shots, it appears that Mercedes is preparing a facelifted version of the existing model to fit into the new (or at least renamed) lineup. The biggest changes discernible from these spy shots is the revised front end, with new headlights, a more upright grille and a reshaped bumper and hood to go along with it. Around back the changes are more subtle, with reshaped tail lamps, bumper and exhaust pipes. Inside we're expecting a cleaner center console with a new 8-inch touchscreen reportedly inspired by the iPhone. We don't know when, exactly, to expect the revised GLS to arrive on the scene, but given the relatively modest nature of the revisions and how close they look to being ready, we wouldn't expect it to be long now. Whether those minor changes will be enough to keep up with the all-new Audi Q7 just announced, however, is another matter entirely.

Recharge Wrap-up: Volvo's efficient truck concept, Tesla's updated mobile charger is cheaper

Mercedes-Benz plans to equip its gasoline-powered cars with particulate emissions filters, just like its diesel vehicles. Claiming to be the first automaker to apply the technology to gasoline motors, successful testing in the S500 led to the decision to expand the use of these filters. This announcement coincides with a $3.35 billion investment in clean diesel technology, including a new four-cylinder engine that adheres to strict emissions guidelines. It's not clear when Mercedes will begin including the filters on its gasoline vehicles, or if it intends to use them outside of Europe. Read more at Green Car Reports. Tesla has updated its mobile charger and given it a lower price. The 40-amp "Mobile Connector Bundle" – which used to sell for $650 – is now priced at $550 with two adapters and a storage bag, with an available $520 version offered without the adapters. Tesla's product description reads, "The Corded Mobile Connector has an integrated 240 volt 50 amp rated plug for high power output. A seamless design provides a low profile connection, allowing for use with covered outdoor outlets." Read more at Electrek. Volvo has developed a new truck concept that reduces fuel consumption by more than 30 percent. The modified Volvo FH 420 long-haul truck, simply called the Volvo Concept Truck, features 40 percent better aerodynamic efficiency, a weight reduction of about 4,400 pounds, and tires with lower rolling resistance. The truck's rear view mirrors have been replaced by cameras, which, in addition to reducing drag, also improve safety through better visibility. While the research vehicle won't reach market as-is, some of its aerodynamic features have already been included in real-world applications, with more to come as Volvo aims to improve the efficiency of its trucks by 50 percent. Read more at Green Car Congress, and in the press release below. Volvo Trucks' new concept truck cuts fuel consumption by more than 30% Almost one-third lower fuel consumption. Volvo Trucks' new concept vehicle shows how it is possible to drastically boost productivity in long-haul operations. Among the secrets behind these remarkable fuel savings are aerodynamic design and lower kerb weight. With support from the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo Trucks has developed a new concept vehicle, the Volvo Concept Truck. It is the result of a five year long research project aimed at creating more energy-efficient vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet completes the luxury trinity

In its continuing bid to simply eat the lunch of the Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz has followed up on the S-Class sedan and coupe with a new S-Class Cabriolet. Aristocrats, take notice. Below the beltline, all is familiar. That means the same stylish sheetmetal, from the chiseled front fascia to the strong character lines to the pert rear end. Expect the cabin's accommodations to mirror the hardtop model. But the third member of the S-Class family differs above the beltline, where we see a sumptuous canvas roof. The three-layered top is, unsurprisingly, quite advanced. It uses a three-layer, acoustically optimized design that promises a quiet ride. The top can be dropped or raised in under 20 seconds and at speeds of 37 miles per hour. Finally, the addition of a canvas cover doesn't do much to the S-Class' aerodynamics, as the cabriolet still returns an impressive 0.29, which compares favorably with the 0.27 of the four-door model (the coupe's CoD isn't available). Opting for the S-Class Cabriolet will entitle you to some additional standard equipment, including Mercedes' AirScarf neck heater. The droptop will also pioneer the German brand's new Thermotronic climate feature, which takes complete control of the HVAC system and makes adjustments based on the findings of 12 sensors and 18 actuators. The sensors include those for interior and exterior temperature, solar radiation, air quality, and dew point, among others. Yes, your S-Class will have a sensor for the dewpoint. Also new to the S-Class Cabriolet – not to mention the S-Class line as a whole – is a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, which is already featured on the SLK-Class and the new GLC-Class. The new 9AT will be limited to the S550, while the new S63 Cabriolet will use the coupe's seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. Both engines, meanwhile, mirror their coupe counterparts, with 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque for the S550 and 577 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque on the AMG model, allowing the latter to hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 186 mph. Both the S550 cabriolet and its Mercedes-AMG counterpart will make their global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, later this month. Read on for the full press release from Mercedes-Benz. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Open-top luxury Stuttgart. The new S-Class Cabriolet is the fourth variant of the current S-Class family in the U.S.