Mercedes-Benz Launches Special Edition C-Class Models

A new special edition model has just been added to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range. Available as a saloon and an estate with all the C-Class engines, the Special Edition models feature unique exterior and interior styling elements while Merc has also upped the car's standard equipment list. On the outside, key traits include the darkened headlights, shoulderline trim strips in polished aluminium and front grille finished in silver matt with chrome highlights.

The Special Edition C-Class models also get front fog lamps with a chrome ring and chromed twin louvres, chrome highlights in the bumper, rub strip and boot lid plus the B-pillar trim painted glossy black. The car's exterior looks are rounded off by a set of 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with mixed-size tires (235/60 R 17 at the front, 255/55 R 17 at the rear), though customers can opt for 16-inch 7-spoke alloys and 205/55 R17-size tires all round.

Color options for the Special Edition C-Class range are limited to a new indium grey paintwork along with 'obsidian black', 'palladium silver', 'iridium silver' and 'calcite white'.

Based on the AVANTGARDE design and equipment line, the interior of the Special Edition gets unique tow-tone seats made from black ARTICO leather and fabric in como beige, trim parts in brushed aluminium and specific floor mats. There's also contrasting stitching embellishing the seats, center armrest and door center panel.

Among other things, the Special Edition's standard equipment includes a multifunction leather steering wheel, Intelligent Light System featuring bi-xenon headlamps with variable light distribution and a Parktronic system.

Prices depend on which engine is ordered, but Mercedes said that the additional charge on the respective Avantgarde models is between €2,689.40 and €3,879.40 with the leather/fabric seats and €4,629.10 and €5819.10 with a full leather upholstery.

Lorinser Readies Mercedes C-Class Based LV8 to Compete at Tuner Grand Prix

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Lorinser, has announced that it will participate in the 2009 Tuner Gran Prix that takes place in Hockenheim in Germany from June 26 to 27, with a specially modified Mercedes-Benz C-Class dubbed LV8. The tuner did not release any details on the car -though we're suspecting that the LV8 means it will be equipped with a V8 engine- but the firm's managing director stated that aside from the special tires, the LV8 will be totally street legal and that it will be offered for sale by Lorinser at a later date.

New Direct-Injection Engines for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

A trio of newly developed direct injection engines have been made available for Merc's C-Class sedan and Estate models. Already offered on the new E-Class Sedan and Coupe, the new range consists of the two diesels and one gasoline engine. The 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline unit in the C250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY produces 204HP and 310Nm or 229-lb/ft of torque launching the sedan from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.2 seconds while the combined consumption amounts to 7.2lt/100km or 32.7mpg US.

The new 2.1-liter turbo diesel is available in two guises. In the C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY it generates 170 hp and a torque of 400Nm (295-lb/ft). This accelerates the saloon from standstill to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, while the combined fuel consumption is 4.8lt/100km or 49mpg.

In the C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY the 2.1L diesel delivers an output of 204HP and an impressive torque of 500Nm (369-lb/ft) launching the saloon to 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds. This model returns an average fuel consumption of 5.1lt/100km or 46.2mpg.

VATH V63RS: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate with 585HP V8 and Carbon-Fiber Kit

If you want to get a bit more oomph out of the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate, then you may want to take a look at Vath's new performance package as the noted German tuning firm has readied a bunch of goodies with the enthusiast in mind. A series of engine tweaks pump the output of the 6.3-liter V8 engine from the factory 457HP and 600Nm to 585HP and 690Nm of torque. No word on how fast the V63RS sprints from zero to 100km/h (62mph) but the German tuning house does reveal that the modified Estate now reaches a top speed of 325km/h or 202mph.

A new limited slip differential with a 60 percent locking rate, a sport suspension and a high-performance brake system and 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 245/30 tires up front and 285/25 at the back complete the list of performance mods.

The V63RS also features a new hood, front apron and a rear diffuser all made out of lightweight carbon fiber. Buyers can also upgrade the C63 AMG Estate's interior with an array of accessories including carbon-fiber trim, a high-end audio system and a DVD/TV unit.

AVUS Performance Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG with 585HP

In less than a week's time, AVUS Performance has gone from unknown to tuning stardom (ok, you get our point) cranking out its third consecutive proposal. After the Audi RS6 Avant that stirred controversy over to its allegedly mistranslated name and the Audi A5 Coupe Matte Black, the latest creation to come out of the German tuning house's boutique is based on the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. Featuring a 'Stage 3' engine kit, the C63 AMG's reworked 6.3-liter V8 delivers an output of 585HP and 740Nm or 545 lbs-ft of peak torque.

That's compared to the standard car's 457HP and 600Nm or 442 lbs-ft of torque. AVUS claims that along with the removal of the C63 AMG's speed limiter, the sedan can now reach a maximum speed of 320km/h or 199mph.

Other mechanical upgrades include 8piston brake calipers with 380mm diameter, a new set of springs and coilovers that lower the C63 AMG's ride height and a stainless steel exhaust system that promises to produce a more aggressive sound from the V8 engine.

Visually, as with the other proposals we've seen from AVUS Performance, you'll really need to take a close look at the car to spot the changes. These are limited to a new set of 19-inch multispoke AMG alloy wheels (20's are available as an option) and the black paint finish on the mirror covers, rooftop, front grille and the Mercedes-Benz star.

Mercedes SL63 AMG and C63 AMG Estate official 2009 F1 Safety and Medical Cars

Once again, Mercedes-Benz is the automaker of choice for the 2009 Formula One World Champion series. The specially-modified SL63 AMG safety and the C63 AMG Estate medical vehicles will make their debut at the first race of the 2009 F1 season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne that runs from 27 to 29 March 2009.

As in 2008, the role of the Official F1 Safety Car is being fulfilled during this year's new season by the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. While retaining the same 525HP 6.3-liter V8 engine as the road-going model that provides acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.4 seconds, AMG has equipped the car with a newly developed sport exhaust system with larger pipe diameter and special rear silencers.

Other mechanical upgrades on the SL63 AMG Safety car include the tweaked seven-speed automatic transmission, the large-size, additional coolers for engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering, the specially developed coil-over suspension and the heavy duty composite brake discs.

Furthermore, thanks to the extended use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic on the engine bonnet, front and rear aprons, front wings and luggage compartment lid, the SL63 AMG Safety car is 220kg or 485lbs lighter than the series-production model.

Apart from its special roof attachments, F1 logos and the special LED illuminated number plate, the SL 63 AMG Safety Car is distinguished from the standard model by a front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the modified diffuser insert in the rear apron and the interior which features two bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, trim parts in real carbon fibre, black leather appointments plus two monitors on the center console that enable crew of the Safety Car to supervise the action on the racetrack.

The C63 AMG Estate medical car that follows the Formula 1 field on the first lap, is powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine delivering 457HP and 600Nm of torque. Like the SL63 AMG Safety car, the C63 AMG Estate has received a bevy of upgrades including optimized brake and suspension components. The cooling of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil and power steering have also been upgraded to improve reliability in harsher climate conditions.

The Official F1 Medical Car differs on the outside from the standard-production C63 AMG Estate with its new front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the F1 logos, roof bar and strobe-like LED flashlights at front and rear. Inside, the C63 AMG Estate features a set of bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts and two monitors in the centre console tha the crew to supervise the action on the racetrack.