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Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet advances to prototype stage

Following up on last month's sighting of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, we've got a pretty sizable update on the C-Class Cabriolet, after a prototype of the new droptop was spotted undergoing testing in Germany. A quick comparison with last year's spy photos shows that Mercedes has made a lot of progress, moving on to full-blown production prototypes with a minimal amount of camouflage. Really, though, we already knew what the C-Class Cab would look like – identical to a C-Class sedan below the beltline, although the tail will likely be a bit more sporting – these spy photos merely confirm that. Expect to see the production C-Class Cabriolet debut at (or more likely shortly before) the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, where it will appear alongside the next-generation C-Class Coupe. Check out the spy photos up top. Related Video:

Mercedes partners with Lufthansa to design executive jet cabins [w/poll]

Luxury automakers like to crow about their flagship models boasting first-class cabins, but the truly elite class of travelers know there's a class above that. We're talking about private jets, and now Mercedes is applying its skills to those as well. The German automaker isn't building its own jet aircraft. Its design department has, however, collaborated with Lufthansa to create a cabin space for executive jets that looks even more upscale. The concept integrates the walls, ceiling, and floor of the cabin into one fluid, continuous surface, with the furniture similarly integrated into the design with chairs, sofas, beds, and tables. It's even got a fish tank on board and auto-dimming touchscreen glass panels in front of the windows that can control the infotainment system. The design is being showcased by Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibit (EBACE) in Geneva. It's the same show where Brabus displayed its jet cabin design, rival BMW Designworks did the same, and where the Mercedes' Eurocopter cabin design debuted four years ago. There, Mercedes hopes to attract orders from private customers. If the finished product ends up half as stunning as these design renderings look, we don't doubt they'll find a few takers. Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik develop VIP cabin for short- and medium-haul aircraft: State-of-the-art luxury high above the clouds Stuttgart/Geneva, May 19, 2015 In time for EBACE 2015, which will take place from 19 to 21 May 2015 in Geneva, Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik have announced their cooperation on the design and completion of VIP aircraft cabins. The two companies will jointly develop an entirely innovative, luxurious and integrated cabin concept for short- and medium-haul aircraft. Dynamic architecture instead of traditional interior cabin design: Under the joint approach adopted by the two companies, the traditional separation of ceiling, wall and floor will be entirely replaced by a dynamic, spiral layout. This gives rise to new, independent spatial zones without the typical arrangement of seat and wall elements. The new sense of space is additionally reinforced by Mercedes's typically strong emphasis on contrast in terms of material, colour and lighting. The overall design is characterised by the aesthetic appeal of state-of-the-art luxury embodied in the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Mercedes to roll out C63 AMG late in 2014 with 4.0L V8

The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is upon us, launching initially in North America with turbocharged four-cylinder C300 4Matic and six-cylinder C400 4Matic flavors. But that's only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the vast array of powertrain configurations that will be offered in the new C-Class in markets around the world. Orders will soon be rolling in for gasoline, hybrid and diesel engines with four, six or eight cylinders, driving the rear wheels or all four, with the seven-speed automatic transmission soon to be replaced by a new nine-speed unit. But what enthusiasts are really looking forward to is the next C63 AMG.
As BMW has done with the M3 (and new M4), Mercedes has gradually ratcheted up the cylinder count in its AMG C-Class, graduating from the 3.6-liter V6 in the original C36 AMG to the 4.3-liter V8 in the C43 AMG, then the 5.5-liter V8 in the C55 AMG before going the distance with the sublime 6.2-liter V8 in the C63 AMG. Like its rivals, Mercedes is expected to use turbochargers as a replacement for displacement in the next model, but unlike its Bavarian rival, it won't be losing any cylinders in the process.
Skipping the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 that has gone on to power other AMG models, the next C63 AMG is still expected to introduce a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing between 450 and 500 horsepower. It'll also reportedly keep the same seven-speed automatic transmission (instead of switching to the new nine-speed), but the jury's still out on whether it'll come with rear- or all-wheel drive (or offer buyers the choice). The downsized V8 - codenamed M177 - is then expected to find its way into other models, but the C-Class will be the first to get it when it arrives before the end of the new year ahead.