1989 Mercedes-benz 560sel Base Sedan 4-door 5.6l on 2040-cars

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Mercedes releases 6x6 G63 AMG specs and pics [w/video]

Mercedes-Benz has finally dropped full details on its insane G63 AMG 6x6. The machine puts 544 horsepower to all six wheels thanks to a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. A seven-speed gearbox shuttles power to the ground via three sets of portal axles, which helps give this machine a full 15.75 inches of ground clearance. By comparison, the standard G63 AMG sits with just 8.27 inches of ground clearance. The extra lift allows this 6x6 to ford nearly 40 inches of water and run massive 37-inch tires. All told, there are five differential locks on this thing, all controlled by a special "locking logic" that provides the best traction possible for any given situation.
The controls offer up three stages of locking, which we can only assume range from JKLOL to OMGWTF. Right now, AMG says this monstrosity is only a show vehicle, but we imagine it wouldn't take much to convince the team to whip up one of your very own. Check out our full gallery and the press release below for all the nitty gritty. While you're down there, you can also check out the video on the machine one more time.

Mercedes plans Audi TT fighter

With the growth in popularity of modular platforms in the auto industry, it's rapidly becoming commonplace to see a company with multiple models that look different but share a significant number of parts underneath. One such an example is Mercedes-Benz's line of compacts, including the A-Class hatchback, CLA-Class sedan, GLA-Class crossover. Two derivatives lacking from German brand's current, small-car range are a coupe and convertible, but that might be changing soon. Mercedes is hard at work on a coupe with 2+2 seating, a liftback roof and styling inspired by the AMG GT, according to Autocar. Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche reportedly supports the idea, too. The new two-door could be on the road as soon as 2019 to target models like the Audi TT and BMW 2 Series, and a convertible version might follow later. This little, luxury two-door would ride on Mercedes' next-gen, front-wheel-drive compact platform, according to Autocar. It reportedly allows the German company to vary a model's size more than the current version and can better adapt to hybrid powertrains. A previous report also suggested the coupe and convertible might use this improved chassis, if they got the green light. Of course, a Mercedes model is hardly complete without an AMG version, so that would also be a possibility. According to Autocar, the performance brand's 2.0-liter four-cylinder could see output pushed to 400 horsepower compared to the current 355-hp unit. Earlier rumors also indicated a more powerful version of the boosted mill might be on the way. With Autocar backing all this up only with unnamed sources, the rumors should probably be taken with a grain of salt at the moment. However, a small coupe from the brand doesn't seem entirely impossible. After all, after two-door versions of the C-,E-, and S-Class, why not a smaller one, too?

Volvo, Daimler, Traton join forces to build electric truck charging network

Volvo Group, Daimler Truck and Volkswagen's AG heavy-truck business the Traton Group announced on Monday a non-binding agreement to build a network of high-performance public charging stations for electric heavy-duty long-haul trucks and buses around Europe. The news was first reported by Reuters. The three major European automakers will invest ˆ500 million (~$593 million USD) to install and operate 1,700 charging points in strategic locations and close to highways. They intend to finalize the agreement by the end of this year and start operations next year, with the hopes of increasing the number of charge points significantly as the companies seek additional partners for the future joint venture. The venture is meant to be a catalyst to prepare for the European Union's goals of carbon-neutral freight transportation by 2050. One of the main deterrents for both individuals and freight companies for switching to EVs has historically been a lack of charging infrastructure. By building that infrastructure, Volvo, Daimler and Traton can also expect to boost their own sales of electric trucks and buses. “It is the joint aim of EuropeÂ’s truck manufacturers to achieve climate neutrality by 2050," Martin Daum, CEO Daimler Truck, said in a statement.  "However, it is vital that building up the right infrastructure goes hand in hand with putting CO2-neutral trucks on the road. Together with Volvo Group and the Traton Group, we are therefore very excited to take this pioneering step to establish a high-performance charging network across Europe.” The partnership between Volvo and Daimler isn't unprecedented. In May, the two competitors teamed up to produce hydrogen fuel cells for long-haul trucks to lower development costs and boost production volumes. This latest venture is another signal that major companies are banding together to solve climate-related issues in the industry. European car industry association ACEA has called for up to 50,000 high-performance charging points by 2030. Traton CEO Matthias Gruendler told Reuters that roughly 10 billion euros would be needed to build out Europe's infrastructure to be fully electrified by 2050. According to a statement released by Volvo, this venture is also a call to action for others with a stake in the industry, like automakers or governments, to work together to ensure the rapid expansion needed to reach climate goals.