S-W111 The Fintail

Mercedes Benz Fintail (German: Heckflosse) is a nickname given to certain Mercedes Benz vehicles which show American influences in design including the presence of tailfins. Though never officially designated as such (they were designated Peilstege, marking the end of the car in rear view mirror). The Fintail series replaced the Ponton series.

The exterior was designed for the European and North American markets. The body was modern and featured a characteristic tailfins that gave the models their nickname — the fintail (German: Heckflosse).

The W111 was a chassis code given to its top-range vehicles, including four-door sedans, produced from 1959 to 1968, and two-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. The W111, was initially attributed only to six-cylinder cars with 2.2-litre engines. The luxury version with big-block 3-litre engines were given the chassis code W112. The entry-level vehicles with four-cylinder engines were called W110. All three versions W110, W111, and W112, in both two- and four-door bodies, were built on an identical chassis.

S-W180 the Ponton

The W180 line debuted in 1954, and is the first lineup of "Ponton" models associated with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The W180 featured six-cylinder sedan, coupé, and convertible models, and was produced until 1957. The later W128 lineup, introduced in the mid-to-late 1950s, was the last to be associated with the "Ponton" name. It featured the 220a, 219 (W105), 220S, and 220SE models (sedan, coupé, and cabriolet) powered by a 2.2L straight-6, and came to ten. The "Ponton" designation referred to pontoon fenders, a stylistic feature on the W180/W128 models.

 

The "Ponton" lineup included four- and six-cylinder models, but only the six-cylinder W180 and W128 lines are considered part of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class chronology, as they were the most powerful "Ponton" versions available. Both "Ponton" models were Mercedes' first without a conventional frame, using a unitized body/frame construction.

E-W124

The 'E-Class' name first appeared in the USA with the face-lifted W124 for the model year 1994 (the w124 was introduced in the US in 1986 but continued with the older models' naming convention until 1993, when all Mercedes-Benz models switched to a new system, e.g., E320 instead of 300E). The 300D continued to be the fuel economy option over the 4 and 6 cylinder gasoline engines, and the gasoline V8 engines (available after 1992) increased gasoline power outputs further. The V8 powered sedans/saloons were named 400E/500E from 1992–1993, and E420/E500 after 1993. Likewise, the 3-liter cars (e.g., 'E300') where also re-badged to 'E320' with the new 3.2 litre engines and naming rationalization of 1994.

Saloon/Sedan, Coupé, Convertible and Estate body configurations were offered.

From 1992 to 1994 Mercedes offered a limited production sport version of the W124 sedan, created and assembled with help from Porsche. This was called the 500E (E500 for 1994).

E-W123

W123 is the internal chassis-designation Mercedes-Benz used for their executive line of cars, manufactured between 1975 and 1986.

The W123 models surpassed their predecessor, the W114 and W115 models, as the most successful Mercedes, selling 6.7 million cars before replacement by the W124 after 1985. The additional range of smaller Mercedes-Benz W201 models were introduced in 1982.

E63-AMG

The performance version of the E-Class, the E63 AMG is the first sedan built entirely by AMG. With a 518 hp (386 kW) engine, the E63 can achieve a top speed of around 200 mph (320 km/h) (electronic limiter off), and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.3 seconds.

The styling has been altered for both aesthetic and practical purposes: AMG side skirts and rear apron give the E63 more aggressive styling, and the larger air apertures on the front of the car allow for more air intake to the naturally aspirated 6.2 liter V8. Another styling change on the E63 is the wider, flared front wheel arches which accommodate the AMG front axle with a 2.2-inch-wider (56 mm) track.

For 2012, Mercedes-Benz started offering a bi-turbo V8 version. It has a W157, 5.5L twin-turbo V8, that is rated at 518 hp, which is mated to a 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission

Portland Speed Industries, a performance shop in Hillsboro, OR, have tested a 2012 E63 AMG biturbo on their Dynojet dynamometer and it produced 479 whp and 561 ft-lbs of torque.

E55-AMG

The previous AMG model of the E-Class was the W211 E55 with 469 hp (350 kW) and 516 lbf·ft(700Nm) between 2650 and 4500 rpm (the power band). A supercharger system was used to increase the power of the base engine of the E55 from 369 hp (275 kW) to 469 hp (350 kW). The E55 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.3 seconds and has a quarter-mile time of anywhere from the high 11's to low 12's depending on driver and each individual car. The difference between the E55 opposed to the newer naturally aspirated E63 is the potential of one to the E55. Since the E55 engine has a forced induction system (supercharger), this allows for smaller pulleys to be installed and tuned to gain more power. The major drawback to the E55 is the cooling system (mainly the stock Bosch intercooler pump does not have sufficient flow rate) which is highly prone to heat soaking after a series of high speed pulls. The solution to this common problem is replacing the stock intercooler pump with an aftermarket Johnson CM30 pump.

E-W212

The W212 replaced the W211 in 2009. Official photos of the W 212 were leaked on the internet on 9 December 2008 ahead of its 2009 Geneva Motor Show unveiling. Scans of a leaked brochure were posted onto the internet in January 2009, detailing the whole E-Class range including the new E 200 CGI and E 230 CGI with direct injected forced inducted engines. New features include a blind spot monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-safe with Attention Assist and Night View Assist Plus. In the United States the E-class will be priced nearly US$4,600 less than the previous model. The E-class coupe is built in Bremen using the W204 C-class platform. The W212 estate was also announced and goes on sale from November 2009. The W212 cabriolet was announced January 11, 2010 at the North American International Auto Show, for sale March 27, 2010 in Europe and in May 2010 in the United States.

Features on the 2010 version include folding mirrors when locked. Locking can be done on the touch sensors on every door handle and the lock button of the power closing trunk. The colors available for sedan are: Calcite White, Black, Cuprit Brown Metallic, Diamond White BRIGHT Metallic, Indium Grey Metallic, Iridium Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black, Palladium Silver Metallic, Pearl Beige Metallic, Tanzanite Blue Metallic and Tenorite Grey Metallic.

E-W211

Launched in 2002, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model and was considered by the motoring media as an even more competitive offering to the long term rival BMW 5-Series (which previously was the preferred choice of the motoring media). Before North American sales began, the car was shown in the 2002 movie Men in Black II.

The W211-based W219 CLS-Class 4-door coupé was introduced as a niche model in 2005, primarily to attract a younger demographic.

E-W210

The W210 E-Class, launched in 1996, brought the mid-size Mercedes firmly into the upper end of the luxury market. Though six-cylinder models were still offered for a time, the four-light front end and high prices moved the car upmarket. In September 1999 the W210 E-class was facelifted. This included visual, mechanical and quality improvements over the earlier versions.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1996.

CLC-Class

The SportCoupé was spun off into its own separate line called the CLC-Class in 2008, but still based on the W203 platform, with an updated front and tail inspired by the W204 C-Class. The refresh reworked the rear and front along with some other refinements and new details (Mercedes claimed around 1100 components), including a steering system borrowed from the SLK-Class and a revised suspension. Out of the sheetmetal of the CLC-Class, only the doors and roof were carried over from the Sportcoupé. The interior is still largely similar to the first-generation Sportcoupé, although it did receive the W204 steering wheel and an updated optional navigation system. Some auto journalists noted that the improvements were limited in order to differentiate the CLC-Class and protect the status of the more lucrative marques in the lineup; one reviewer stated the "CLC does just about enough to introduce new customers to the world of Mercedes" and that it had the "feel of an authentic Mercedes-Benz, which is more than I’d say about the A-Class and B-Class front-wheel-drive hatchbacks".

The car was presented at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which took place from the 27th to 31 January 2008. The CLC was produced in Brazil at the company’s plant in Juiz de Fora, close to the state border with Rio de Janeiro.

CL203

Introduced in 2001 for the 2002 model year, the C-Class SportCoupé (codenamed CL203) was a three-door hatchback coupe with a fastback profile, based on the regular W203 C-Class range.

While the C-Class sedan and wagon had the traditional Mercedes horizontal bar grille with the hood ornament, the coupé had a star-grille front end. The coupé also had a swooping fastback roofline, and a functional rear spoiler at the short rear end that added downforce on the rear tires at high speeds. One exclusive option to the coupé was a panorama sunroof that was intended to make the rear seats feel less cramped. The coupé was seven inches (178 mm) shorter overall compared to the sedan but both share the same wheelbase length.

C-W203

The second generation C-Class was introduced in 2000. The sedan debuted with a range of straight-four and V6 gasoline engines and straight-four and straight-five Diesels. Most of the engines were carried over from the W202, but the C 320 was exclusive, offering 218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp). The diesels now featured common rail direct injection and variable geometry turbochargers. Six-speed manual gearboxes were now standard for nearly the entire range (except the C 320). For the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the C 200 (1.8 L), C 240 (2.6 L) and C 200 CDI (2.2 L).

C-W202

The first generation W202 C-Class was introduced in 1993, as a replacement for the Mercedes-Benz W201 (190). The C-Class sedan was the company's entry-level model up until 1997, when Mercedes launched the A-Class. Styling themes were carried over from the previous W201 series, but the new series had a smoother and rounder design than the previous generation of compact Mercedes.

On its debut, the C-Class was the only Mercedes model with a complete lineup of multi-valve engines. The new family of four-cylinder petrol units, called M111, debuted in the C 180 (1.8 L, 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp)), C 200 (2.0 L, 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) and C 220 (2.2 L, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp), the only four-cylinder of the range sold in the U.S.). In 1996 the C 220 was replaced by the C 230, enlarged to 2.3 L displacement but with the same output, although with torque increased to 220 N·m (162 lb·ft). The C 280 was the high end model of the class, with a four-valve-per-cylinder straight-6 engine, capable of reaching 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp).

CL-W216

After 6 years of development, the new model was officially unveiled at the end of June 2006 and was presented at the 2006 Paris Salon. Like its predecessors, the C216 has no B-pillar interrupting the sleek curve of the side windows. The W216 is offered in four models, each with its own engine and transmission, the 5.5L V8-powered CL 500 (available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which is standard in Canada and the USA), the high-performance 6.2L V8-powered CL 63 AMG (with optional performance package variant) and the ultra-luxury twin-turbo 5.5L V12-powered CL 600 and, lastly, the CL 65 AMG with a twin-turbo 6.0L V12 engine.

CL-W215

The second generation of the CL is the W215-chassis coupé of 2000–2006. It is based on the 1999–2004/6 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, though it rides on an 8-inch (203 mm) shorter wheelbase. The CL's front fascia of four oval headlights is shared with the W210 and W211 E-Class. The CL is offered as four models: the V8-powered CL 500, the supercharged V8-powered CL 55 AMG, the V12-powered CL 600, a limited-edition V12-powered CL 63 AMG, and the rare bi-turbo V12-powered CL 65 AMG. All models seat four. Development took place from 1993 to 1999, with final design being approved in circa 1995-1996.

CL-W140

The next generation was the sleek but hard-lined and redesigned W140-chassis (internally known as C140) coupe of 1992–1999. Designed by Bruno Sacco, the C140's final design was approved between late 1987 and early 1988. Though the coupe’s physical appearance changed little over these years, the class underwent a name change several times. The V8 and V12 coupes were called the 500 SEC and 600 SEC, respectively, in 1992 and 1993. The 600 SEC was the first V12 coupe ever offered by Mercedes-Benz. For 1994, the model names were changed to the S 500 Coupé and the S 600 Coupé.

CL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a luxury coupé automobile produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The name CL stands for the German Coupe Leicht (English: Coupe Light).

The CL-Class is based on the S-Class fullsize luxury sedan. Known at first as the SEC and later S coupé, it was spun off into its own, current name in 1996 and in 1997 for North American markets. The CL continues to follow the same development cycle as the S, though riding on a shorter wheelbase, and the current generation of the CL is actually heavier than the S (considering equivalent trims, due to the roof engineering required to compensate for the lack of a central B-pillar). It also has a different decor.

SLR McLaren Technical Highlights

Brakes

The SLR features Sensotronic, a type of brake-by-wire system. The brake discs are carbon-ceramic and provide better stopping power and fade resistance than steel discs when operating under ideal working temperature. Mercedes-Benz claims these discs are fade resistant to 1,200 °C (2,200 °F). The front discs are internally vented and 370 mm (15 in) in diameter. 8 piston calipers are used. Rear discs are 360 mm (14 in) in diameter with 4 piston calipers. During wet conditions the calipers automatically skim the surface of the discs to keep them dry.

 

To improve braking performance there is an automatic air brake, when engaged the rear elevation angle of the rear spoiler is set to 65 degrees. The additional rear downforce in addition to the markedly increased aerodynamic drag increases peak deceleration ~90%.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German grand tourer car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England and sold from 2003 to 2009. When it was developed, Mercedes-Benz owned 40 percent of the McLaren Group.

Due to the automatic gear box, front mid-engined arrangement, and its driving characteristics, some commentators classify the SLR McLaren as a GT, whose rivals would be vehicles such as the Aston Martin DBS V12 and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

SLR stands for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz stated that they would build 3,500 SLRs over seven years, with an annual production of 500 cars. The car's base price, GB£395,337 (approx. US$450,000, €350,000, CHF 500,000 or C$ 500,000. 2009), made it the ninth most expensive street-legal car in the year 2008.

History

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe & Racecar of 1955, which was a modified Mercedes-Benz W196 F1 race car. It was introduced on 17 Nov 2003. On 4 April 2008, Mercedes announced they would cease production of the SLR. The last of the coupes rolled off the production line at the end of 2007 and the roadster version was discontinued in early 2009.

SLS-Class AMG

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a luxury grand tourer automobile developed by Mercedes-AMG to replace the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The car is the first Mercedes automobile designed in-house by AMG and is described by Mercedes-Benz as a spiritual successor to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 IAA. Sales began in mid-2010 in Europe with MSRP of €177,310 (including taxes) and in the United States in mid-2011 for less than $200,000.

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commonly known as AMG, is a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz car company specializing in high-performance luxury cars.

AMG models typically have more aggressive looks, higher performances, better handling and better stability, and more extensive use of carbon fiber than their regular Mercedes counterparts. AMG models are typically the most expensive and highest-performance of each Mercedes class, with the exception of non-AMG V12 models found in the most expensive nameplates of the lineup.

AMG variants are usually badged with two numerals, as opposed to regular Mercedes-Benz vehicles which have three.

CLK-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a mid-size rear-wheel drive coupé/convertible (Coupe Leicht Kurz or Coupe/Light/Short). While it was based on the W202 and W203 platforms of the C-Class, its styling cues, engine, and price range are closer to that of the E-Class, with Mercedes-Benz slotting the CLK as a coupé version of the W210 and W211 E-Class sedan/wagon. The CLK succeeded the W124 E-Class Coupe and it was in turn replaced by the C207 E-class Coupe.

The first-generation CLK was introduced in 1996, 3 years after the 1st generation (W202) C-Class model. Versions offered in the first generation were the CLK 200 (136 metric horsepower (100 kW; 134 bhp)), CLK 200 Kompressor (163 metric horsepower (120 kW; 161 bhp)), CLK 230 Kompressor (193 metric horsepower (142 kW; 190 bhp) and new motor with 197 metric horsepower (145 kW; 194 bhp)), CLK 320 (218 metric horsepower (160 kW; 215 bhp)), CLK 430 (279 metric horsepower (205 kW; 275 bhp)) and the CLK 55 AMG (372 metric horsepower (274 kW; 367 bhp)). All were available in both coupé and convertible form.

SL-Class : 2003 - 2011

2003 - 2008

In 2003, an all-new SL (initially just a 5.0 L SL500 version) featured a retractable hardtop (marketed as the Vario Roof) available on the SLK since 1997. This featured a 5.0 L 302 hp (225 kW) V8, with a 5.4 L AMG Supercharged V8 appearing in 2002's SL55 AMG. V12 engines are available in the SL600 and the limited-production SL65 AMG.

2005

The following Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadsters are offered Worldwide for the year 2005. Prices are listed in US, 2005 dollars.

• 2005 SL350 (Europe only)
  • 3.7 L (3724 cc) 18-valve V6 245 hp (182 kW) at 5,000 rpm 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 7.2

SL-Class : 1954 - 2002

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.

The term SL-Class refers to the marketing variations of the vehicle, including the numerous engine configurations spanning five design generations.

1954 to 1963

Vehicles' List

1920s

• K (Kurz-short) 1926
• S 1927
• SSK 1928
• SS 1928
• 10/50hp "Stuttgart" 1929

1930s

• Mercedes-Benz Mannheim 350/370 (W10) 1929-1934
• 170 Saloon 1931-1932
• 130H 1934
• 150H 1934-6
• W31 1934-1939 (6 wheels)

C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range (W201, also nicknamed “Baby-Benz”), the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class. The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany as well as in Mercedes' factories in Brazil and Daimler AG's South African factory in East London. The very first W202 C-Class sedan was produced on June 1, 1993, and the second generation W202 C-Class rolled off the assembly line on July 18, 2000. The most recent fourth generation W204 C-Class was launched in 2007 after the success of the third generation W203 offered from late 2000 to late 2007. The C-Class is the entry-level offering in Mercedes-Benz's United States lineup.

The C-Class platform has been used for several coupes, including the CLC-Class (and its predecessor, the C-Class Sportcoupe), the E-class Coupe (and its predecessor, the CLK-Class), and again for the 2012 model year with the C-Class coupe.