For the first time in the SLK's history, Mercedes-Benz is offering a diesel-powered version of its small hardtop roadster that will be available for order in Europe from September 13, 2011.
The new SLK 250 CDI makes use of the Stuttgart-based automaker's 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 204-horses (150kW) and a hefty 500Nm (368.8 lb-ft) of peak torque.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a standard 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, but Mercedes said a six-speed manual gearbox will also be available in the second quarter of next year.
With the 7sp auto, the SLK 250 CDI can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds, accelerate from 80 to 120km/h in 4.3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 243 km/h (151mph).
And while performance is on par with the gasoline-powered SLK 250 BlueEfficiency that features a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-pot with 204HP (0-100km/h in 6.6 sec, 243 km/h top speed), the diesel SLK really shines when it comes to fuel economy.
According to Mercedes, the SLK 250 CDI returns a combined fuel consumption of 4.9lt/100km (48mpg US or 57.7mpg UK) versus the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency's 6.2 lt/100 km (38 US mpg or 45.6mpg UK).
Like all third-generation SLK models, the SLK 250 CDI also features a start/stop system as standard, and is available with a choice of three versions of the vario-roo, including the panoramic glass roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL that allows it to be changed from dark to transparent at the touch of a button.
In Germany, the new Mercedes SLK 250 CDI is priced from €41,828.50 (US$60,065). Mercedes did not say if it has any plans to offer the diesel-powered SLK in the States, but we wouldn’t hold our breath.
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Whenever there's a new Mercedes-Benz model out, you can be sure that Brabus will be one of the first customizers to jump on the tuning bandwagon.For the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster, the German firm has developed an extensive customization program to take care of both the styling and performance aspects of the car.Brabus says it is currently working on more extreme engine upgrades but for the time being, an available kit promises an increase of 26-horsepower and an additional 30Nm (22 lb-ft) of peak torque for the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY.There are two available performance packages for the SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY. The first kit bumps output from 204HP to 230HP, while the second package lifts output to 240-horses and 370Nm (273 lb-ft) for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 248km/h (154mph).Those looking for a deeper exhaust note can order a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with quad tailpipes. Brabus will also add a sports suspension that lowers the two-seater model's ride height by some 30 mm (1.2-inches) and a high-performance braking system.On the outside, the German company has developed several aerodynamic components including a front bumper with spoiler lips, side sills, a rear diffuser with a centrally mounted rear reflector and a boot lid spoiler.There are several alloy wheel designs to choose from ranging in size from 17- to 20-inches. The larger rims are shod in high-performance tires from Continental, Pirelli or YOKOHAMA in sizes 235/30 ZR 20 on the front axle and 275/25 ZR 20 at the back.Finally, Brabus offers a variety of interior upgrades ranging from high-gloss polished stainless-steel scuff plates and aluminum foot pedals and shifter to bespoke leather treatments.PHOTO GALLERY
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Security consulting firm iSec Partners warns drivers that thieves could exploit smart phone apps that allow the unlocking and starting of cars remotely.Researchers Don Bailey and Mathew Solnik have hacked the protocols some of these apps use and demonstrated how they can take advantage of them using a laptop.According to Mr. Bailey, the whole process of hacking and improvising the signals these apps send – what he dubs “war texting” – can take as little as two hours.Mr. Bailey will discuss the research at Black Hat Technical Security Conference in Las Vegas this week. Of course, he won’t name the products or provide full technical details of Mr. Solnik and his work until the software makers can patch them. GM, Mercedes-Benz and BMW all use the technology in one form or another.Bailey and his cohort intercepted messages sent between the server and the target vehicle over standard mobile networks. He explains:"We reverse-engineer the protocol and then we build our own tools to use that protocol to contact that system.”Researchers at iSec think this is indicative of a more widespread problem created by the proliferation of “cheap and easy” mobile networking technology.Bailey suspects that security considerations are often minimally addressed, thereby making devices using the technology susceptible to exploitation and misuse.Read more In
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We first reported on Mercedes-Benz's Frankfurt auto show-bound Viano Vision Pearl Concept just last week, but since then, the German automaker has released a slew of new photos detailing the luxury people carrier.But for those that simply want the skinny on the design concept, Mercedes-Benz crafted a deluxe passenger van out of its Viano model with most changes taking place inside.These include a full leather treatment in a two-tone white and gray color theme, wood flooring and matching side trim, brushed aluminium accents and a bespoke Bang & Olufsen sound system.On the outside, there are some modest touches such as the unique "magno pearl grey” and a revised front end featuring LED daytime running lamps.PHOTO GALLERY
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If Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche's dream comes true, Mercedes-Benz is on course to become the world’s leading premium car maker both in sales as well as in profits. As Automotive News reports, Zetsche sent a letter to the firm's employees admitting that chief competitors Audi and BMW are growing faster than Mercedes."Some of our competitors are now growing faster and more profitably than we are. Granted, those are just snapshots in time and should not be overestimated. After all, many of our best new products are yet to come" Zetsche wrote in the letter.But he didn’t stop there: “We can’t be content to be in a solid second or even third place. We are Daimler – we should be far ahead of the pack! And if it requires something we don’t have, we’ll identify and develop it”.Currently the premium car market is enjoying great success mostly due to the boom in China and the rebound of the US market. However, Mercedes-Benz global sales, despite increasing by 9.7% to 610,531 units in the first half of the year, still trail those of BMW (689,861 deliveries) and Audi (652,970 units).Read more In
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Earlier in July, Mercedes-Benz outline the shape and detailed the powertrain lineup for the new 2012 B-Class MPV. Now, the Stuttgart-based automaker is providing us with our first look at the tall compact model's inner works.Looking at these photos, if there's one thing that stands out it’s that, unlike the exterior, which is an evolution of the current B-Class, the interior has been completely redesigned and features a more modern styling and premium feel than the sober cabin of today's model.Mercedes-Benz says its new Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy played a significant role in the interior design of the new B-Class.The company added that the cabin also sports higher-quality materials and can be customized with numerous features and options such as covering the dashboard in hand-stitched ARTICO man-made leather.The new B-Class, which continues to use the current versions sandwich floor, will be making its world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt in mid September before Mercedes-Benz rolls it out to European dealerships in November this year.PHOTO GALLERY
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Things at Mercedes-Benz seem to be moving fast. Just this past weekend, the German automaker launched its C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, while a few days ago we reported on the firm's plans to invest $2 billion in its US factoryto build the next generation of the C-Class.However, Mercedes has even bigger plans for the Tuscaloosa plant. According to Autonews Europe, sources within the company revealed that it aims to add a fifth model (after the M-, R-, GL- and C-Class) to its Alabama factory production line in 2015.This model, currently code-named C166, will be based on the M-Class SUV but will feature a more dramatic styling with a coupe-like roofline. Its rival is obvious: the BMW X6.In 2010, the Bavarians sold 46,404 units of the X6 and 102,178 of its more conventional SUV, the X5, both of which are manufactured in the US. Therefore, it is only logical for Mercedes-Benz to want a piece of the cake that BMW is currently enjoying on its own. Read more In
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