1981 Mercedes Benz 380slc on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mercedes may not be done with R-Class after all

The idea of blending a three-row SUV and a minivan into a luxury model like the Mercedes-Benz R-Class still seems wonderfully absurd, particularly when you consider that there was an AMG version of that German people-mover. Apparently, though, one of the brand's execs doesn't believe the concept behind the R-Class is all that bizarre. In fact, he thinks it could be time to try again. Wolf-Dieter Kurz, Mercedes' vice president in charge of SUVs and sports cars, believes that crossovers could be a major driver of product variants in the future due to their popularity. There are a lot of design possibilities to explore in the segment, in his opinion. "There was already one that we had in the portfolio – maybe we were too early – which was the R-Class, which we are still selling in China. It's doing good, with 12,000 to 14,000 units per year," Kurz said during the launch of the GLE and GLE Coupe, according to CarAdvice. Under a recent deal, the quirky model is made by AM General and exported out of the US. Kurz even suggested the exact niche that the new model might fill. "So let's say these more, let's say, on-road based but still very roomy, but not station wagon, is definitely an interesting segment also in the future," he said, according to CarAdvice. That almost sounds like a blend of wagon and SUV in a move not too dissimilar from the current Subaru Outback or the old R-Class. One hurdle for any future model reviving the concept of the R-Class is that the company is already bursting with CUVs. Every size is practically already filled with the GLA, GLC, GLE, and forthcoming GLS, plus Coupe variants for some of them.

Brabus tunes new Mercedes GLE Coupe up to 700 horsepower

With 576 horsepower on tap, the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe would be more than enough machine for most. For the rest, there's Brabus. Now the Benz tuner extraordinaire has revealed its own tuning program for the performance fastback crossover, turning the dial way past 11 to a massive 690 hp. Since the engine is already turbocharged, the 114-horse boost comes courtesy of modifications to the intake, charge-air pipes, engine control unit, and exhaust. Brabus also upgraded the turbo spools themselves, boosting torque up to 708 pound-feet. The result, according to the tuner, is a 0-62 time of 4.0 seconds flat and a top speed of 186 miles per hour. Those would have been considered supercar figures not that long ago. But this is a luxury crossover, for crying out loud. Still not enough? Brabus will further tune your GLE to 838 horsepower and a mind-blowing 1,069 lb-ft for a 3.8-second 0-62 sprint and a 200-mph top speed. In either state of tune, the aftermarket modifier will also gladly fit its aero kit, rolling stock, air-suspension control unit, and fully refit the interior to the buyer's specifications. The example you see here is making its world premier this week at the Dubai Motor Show. Brabus is also unveiling the Rocket 900 Desert Gold edition based on the Mercedes-AMG S65 sedan at the same show. They're being showcased alongside a number of regional debuts as well as a couple from its non-Benz brand, Startech. World premiere at the DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 2015 BRABUS 700 Coupe 515 kW / 700 HP, 960 Nm, 300 km/h top speed, carbon and 23-inch forged wheels for the brand-new Mercedes GLE 63 S Coupe Brand-new on the market and already exclusively and professionally refined: BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com) presents the BRABUS 700 Coupe based on the new Mercedes GLE 63 S in a world premiere at the DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 2015. This high-performance SUV capable of reaching a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) includes a 5.5-liter twin-turbo engine uprated to 515 kW / 700 HP (690 bhp) and 960 Nm (708 lb-ft), sporty carbon aerodynamic-enhancement components and 23-inch high-tech forged king-sized wheels. The BRABUS fine leather interior with quilted azure-blue seats and door panel elements creates an especially luxurious atmosphere.

Mercedes previews sleek concept for CES

It was over two months ago that we spotted a mysterious cloaked prototype said to belong to Mercedes, but we didn't know much about it at the time. And we still don't, but at least the German automaker has given us an idea of what to look forward to. Released on Facebook is this teaser image showing a silhouette of what appears to be that same concept car. The image is accompanied only by these few words: "The future will be bolder than you've ever imagined" and tagged by an accompanying #mbCES - which tells us only that, a) it's futuristic, which we already knew, and b) that it's coming to the CES, set to be held around a week from now in Las Vegas. The sleek one-box design appears to have some sort of appendage atop its roof – just the kind of periscope that might house, say, some cameras – leading to speculation that the idea behind this concept would be to showcase autonomous driving technology. We'd also be surprised if it weren't electric powered and – given the backdrop for its reveal – all the technology Daimler can throw at it. But one way or another, we'll be finding out soon, so watch this space. News Source: Mercedes-Benz via Facebook CES Mercedes-Benz Technology Concept Cars