2008 Mercedes Benz Cl550 on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Unplugged: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz's AMG division entered new territory in late 2013 with the launch of the CLA45, an all-wheel-drive sedan (with front-wheel-drive underpinnings) motivated by a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. But it wasn't any old turbo-four – the boosted 2.0-liter powerplant claimed the title of most powerful production four-cylinder engine. From behind the wheel, we loved its turbo-heavy antics and steer-it-with-the-throttle dynamics. Now, Mercedes offers the GLA-Class – a small crossover based on that CLA architecture. And rather than just leave it alone in GLA250 guise, the AMG folks created the tiny-tough GLA45 high-riding hatch you see here. It's got the same 355-horsepower, 332-pound-feet turbo-four underhood, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a unique sound that's unlike anything you might expect from a small CUV. That's why we took to some of our favorite backroads to capture another Autoblog Unplugged video with the GLA45. There's no talking, no music, no rizzle-razzle – just shots of the GLA45 driving down our favorite winding roads with nothing but the sweet, throaty sounds of the AMG powerplant. Good luck holding back your giggles when you hear the braaap of a quick gear-change. Mercedes-Benz Crossover Luxury Performance Videos mercedes gla-class mercedes gla45 amg

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive gets official US launch

It's finally time to plug in the first production Mercedes-Benz-branded electric vehicle in the US. The Daimler division, which also sells a few of its battery-electric Smart ForTwo vehicles here in the states, has officially launched sales of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED. Even better, the US will be the first market in the world to give the general public access to the new plug-in. As with many other EV debuts, the flyover states will have to wait a bit. Mercedes-Benz is only selling the B-Class ED in 10 coastal states, including California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Maine, and hasn't said anything about when a broader release might happen. Earlier this month, the US Department of Energy rated the B-Class electric with an 87-mile single-charge range, which is comparable to that of the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3. The other shoe dropped, though, when it was revealed that the model has an 84 miles per gallon equivalent rating, which is about 30 percent less then both of those other EVs. The culprit for the model, which puts out 177 horsepower and has a base price of $41,150, is its heavier curb weight. Check out Autoblog's "First Drive" impressions here.

Recharge Wrap-up: BMW i3 goes against Mercedes B-Class ED, Tesla good for business

Car and Driver has published a comparison test pitting the 2014 BMW i3 against the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive. The test not only measured the quality of the driving experience, but also all the quantitative details that are especially important when looking at electric vehicles. For instance, the Benz's real-world MPGe surpassed its own rating, but it still couldn't match the BMW. The B-Class, though, won in the range department. We won't spoil all the results, or Car and Driver's overall pick, but you can head over to the article to find out for yourself. Tesla's expanding business, including the Gigafactory being built in Reno, NV, is encouraging growth in the locales and associated businesses. Some of Tesla's suppliers are talking of relocation, wanting to be close to the action stirred up by the electric automaker's expansion. It makes good business sense to be in the same neighborhood as Tesla. "We can react quickly, and our engineers are constantly working with Tesla," says Futuris General Manager Sam Coughlin. Brookings Institute fellow Jennifer Vey says, "The land around Tesla is being redeveloped and reimagined. It's a mash-up of an anchor campus, startups, housing and transit, in a physically compact area where companies can cluster and connect." Read more at San Jose Mercury News. EVs are doing even more to reduce energy use clean up the air, according to new analysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists. According to findings, 60 percent of Americans now live in areas where EVs do more to reduce emissions than hybrids, up from 45 percent in 2012. Average electricity use is now 0.325 kWh per mile, down five percent from 2011. EV performance - in terms of mileage and emissions - is improving compared to traditional fuel vehicles, based on the sources of electricity in various regions. Read more from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Zipcar's carsharing network has launched in Paris. Zipcar is expanding across Europe, and has already established itself in Austria, Spain and the UK. According to Zipcar France's General Manager Etienne Hermite, "In a highly populated city, Zipcar's model has been proven to remove up to 15 personally owned vehicles from the road for each Zipcar in service, reducing parking demand, congestion and emissions." Zipcar European President Massimo Marsili hopes that most Parisians will eventually be just a short walk from a Zipcar.