The Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC is the first diesel powered vehicle to meet California’s strict emission standards, and it went on sale today. Mercedes-Benz is offering the car only as a lease vehicle for 2 years/24,000 miles for roughly $600 per month. Only about 100 units will be available this year, but don’t worry. The rest of the Mercedes diesel lineup arrives next August when the M, R and GL Bluetec diesels go on sale.
Other states that have adopted California’s strict emission standards are New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, all of whom can expect to get the E320 Bluetec in January 2008.
[Source: Automotive News]
Seven years ago, one of the largest mergers in automotive history took place as Daimler and Chrysler unified. Originally viewed as a brilliant growth strategy, Daimler dropped $38 billion dollars on the deal, only to come out of it bruised in 2007. Oh well, you live, you learn right? Well, today Daimler execs have finally closed that chapter in the company’s book as they officially revealed their new corporate names. Ready for it? Daimler shareholders voted on the new name ‘Daimler AG’, but in the interest of keeping ties with co-founder Carl Friedrich Benz, the Mercedes Car Group has been renamed “Mercedes-Benz Cars.”
For clarification purposes, let me explain that Daimler is responsible for the Mercedes-Benz luxury division as well as the trucking and van businesses, while Mercedes is in charge of the luxury car unit, the Smart Car brand, and the uber-luxury brand, Maybach. Diamler AG also holds majority interests in a banking group that’s now called Mercedes-Benz Bank. Savy?
[Source: Autoblog]
Well folks, looks like Brenda Priddy and friends are up to their old tricks. They managed to photograph an undisguised Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG being loaded into a trailer. Clearly evident in the pictures are 4 beefy exhaust pipes and an AMG badge. The car in these photos is likely built from the same architecture as the 2008 C-class, meaning that it will likely have a 6.2L v8. Some estimates point to a power output in the range of 400 to 500 horses, although it is suggested that the peak power might actually be toned down to more comptetatively match BMW’s new M3.
[Source: Left Lane News]
