1990 Mercedes 300d 2.5 Turbodiesel on 2040-cars

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Mercedes-Benz introduces new heavy security M-Class Guard model

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new addition to the company's line of personal security vehicles. The M-Class Guard features bullet-proof side windows made with special laminated glazing and a polycarbonate inner layer to protect occupants from shards of glass. Mercedes says the M-Class Guard meets protection level VR4 according to the Bullet Resistant Vehicles 2009 standards, based on testing from the independent Ulm-based Ballistics Bureau, which means it can withstand .357 Magnum and .44 fire from multiple angles. It can also stand up to the DM51 hand grenade when equipped with optional floor armoring. Why skimp?
Buyers looking for protection from the world's literal slings and arrows can opt for the ML350 BlueTEC with its 258 horsepower 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine. With 457 pound-feet of torque, the oil-burner should have no trouble hustling the privileged class about. Of course, the ML500 offers a bit more punch courtesy of a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 with 408 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Prices start at 105,050 euros for the diesel and 118,650 euros for the V8. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

Will AMG influence MV Agusta's three new 1,000cc bikes?

Freshly injected with capital from Daimler, Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta is reportedly on the verge of launching a whole array of four-cylinder, one-liter bikes in the near future. We're looking forward to checking them out when they arrive, but we can't help but wonder what influence we might see from the company's new tie-up with AMG. Though MV Agusta's new three-cylinder models have been garnering the lion's share of attention lately, a new range of four-cylinder models has reportedly been confirmed. There's a new F4 superbike on its way, a new Brutale naked street-fighter tipped to follow, and an additional sport-touring variant anticipated to join the lineup as well. A few months ago, MV Agusta released a customer version of its new World Superbike Championship machine, boasting over 200 horsepower in a 386-pound machine. Those specs made us sit up and take notice, especially with AMG logos plastered all over it to mimic the competition version's livery. And that only piqued our interest as to possible future collaborations between the two Daimler properties that could potentially extend far beyond livery. Though AMG has typically dealt with large-displacement engines with eight or twelve cylinders, it has been honing its skills on the smaller four-pot that powers the A45, CLA45 and GLA45 models. And as rival Volkswagen (having scooped up Ducati out from under Benz's nose) has shown with the XL Sport concept, the prospect of slotting the resulting motorcycle engine back into a four-wheeled automobile could prove quite compelling indeed. Related Video:

Mercedes-Benz releases US-spec 2014 Sprinter details

Last week, Mercedes-Benz released the details for the updated 2013 Sprinter intended for global markets, but this week it has announced what changes are being made to the US-spec version of the van for the 2014 model year, including the Freightliner model. As expected, most of the changes made to the European model will be present on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter when it goes on sale in the US, which is expected to be this fall.
The biggest difference between the Sprinter announced last week and the one headed to our shores is what is found under the hood. While European Sprinters will come with diesel engines and offer the availability of a supercharged four-cylinder gasoline or CNG engine, US Sprinters will still offer the 3.0-liter V6 BlueTEC diesel. This year's Sprinter now comes standard with a new base engine, the 2.1-liter four-cylinder BlueTEC diesel. This smaller engine will produce 161 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, and will be paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission; the optional 3.0 V6 puts out 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and will be mated to a six-speed auto.
Fuel economy for the new Sprinter has not been announced, but Mercedes-Benz has made numerous changes with the goal of improving efficiency. To this end you'll find a new, low-friction rear axle and the optimization for the generator, fuel pump and power steering pump.