If you are in the neighborhood, and feeling a pint heavy, please stop by and help us meet our goal for the American Red Cross Blood Drive today! The mobile donation bus is set up out front and will be here until 6pm!

“…all staffers who drove it made note not only of the car’s amazing return on the gallon but also how much they enjoyed the performance along the way.”

“If you need further proof that a turbodiesel is the ideal powerplant for a big luxury car, look no further than the E350 Bluetec”

“Still, one might question whether that real-world mpg is good enough to eclipse a $1,200 price premium and, arguably, the incrementally higher maintenance fees associated with keeping the diesel-combustion process relatively clean…If you consistently achieved as high an average as we did during our time in the diesel E-class, the break-even point shrinks to just 3.2 years.”

“When two tons of luxury sedan can get more than 30 mpg indicated in mixed driving with no extension cords, weird clunks or CVTs needed,” one editor explained, “I have to ask why so many manufacturers (and so many Americans) are wedded to the idea of hybrid/electric propulsion.”

Read the full review at Autoweek.com.

The second generation 2013 GL-Class is scheduled to arrive in the US in September. I am really excited about the new exterior and interior, the improved fuel economy and some of the new options! Everything is preliminary at the point and subject to change but here is what we know so far!

• GL350 Bluetec 4Matic – 240 hp, 455 lb/ft torque – 11% Better Fuel Economy – Arrives October 2012
• GL450 4Matic – 362 hp, 406 lb/ft torque – 13% Better Fuel Economy - Arrives September 2012
• GL550 4Matic – 429 hp, 516 lb/ft torque – 18% Better Fuel Economy! – Arrives September 2012

New Standard features:

• Rear view camera
• Power liftgate
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
• Crosswind Stabilization
• AIRMATIC air suspension
• Adaptive Brake Technology with HOLD function, Brake drying, pre-charging, hill start assist
• Central Controller with NTG 4.5, 7-inch head unit display
• Manual EASY-ENTRY for both sides of 2nd row seat
• 115-volt outlet in 2nd row seat

Colors:

• Black
• White
• Cinnabar Red (Pictured below) (starting with July production)
• Obsidian Black
• Steel Grey
• Iriduium Silver
• Pearl Beige (starting with July production)
• Dakota Brown
• Diamond White (limited)
• Lunar Blue

Interior:

The interior of the new GL-Class is a big improvement. It looks plush and luxurious! The MB-Tex interiors are now perforated for comfort but still do not allow for Ventilated Seats. The Leather and designo interiors are not perforated unless Ventilated seats are ordered. The designo interiors are STUNNING! I am very impressed!

• GL350/GL450 – MB-Tex Standard, Leathers $1620, designo $4800
• GL550 – Leather Standard, designo $4100
• Black – MB-Tex and Leather
• Almond – MB-Tex and Leather
• Grey – MB-Tex and Leather
• Almond Beige/Black – Special Order Leather
• Grey/Black – Special Order Leather
• Auburn Brown/Black – Special Order Leather
• designo Porcelain with Dinamica Headliner
• designo Auburn Brown with Dinamica headliner
• designo Black with Dinamica Headliner

* Click on Thumbnail Images to enlarge *

Packages:

Premium1 Package: GL350/GL450 $3500, GL550 Standard

• COMAND with Hard-Drive Navigation
• Enhanced Voice Control
• 10 GB Music Register
• 6 CD/DAV changer
• SD Card Slot
• SiriusXM Radio, Traffic and Weather
• iPod/MP3 Media Interface Cable
• 10-way power passenger seat with 3 position memory
• Autodimming mirrors
• Power folding mirrors
• Power steering column
• Multi-Color Interior Ambient Lighting
• Front Illuminated Door Sills

Premium 2 Package: GL350/GL450 $5850, GL550 Standard

• All components of Premium 1 package
• harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound system
• Soft Close Doors (Like the S-Class!)
• Rear Lockable Storage Compartment
• Keyless-GO

Lighting Package: GL350/GL450 $1290, GL550 Standard

• Bi-Xenon Headlamps with Active Curve Illumination
• Adaptive High Beam Assist
• Headlamp Cleaning System

Appearance Package: GL450 only $1340

• 20″ Twin 5-spoke Wheels
• Chrome Exhaust Tips
• Illuminated Running Boards

On/Off Road Package: GL450/GL550 $2850

• Adaptive Damping System
• Front Underride Protection

Active Curve System: All $3950 (Limited Availability)

• Adaptive Damping System
• Roll Stabilization

3-Zone Automatic Climate Contol: GL350/GL450 $1450, GL550 Standard

• Rear AC control and additional vents
• Mist Sensor

Lane Tracking Package: GL350/GL450 $850, GL550 Standard

• Blind Spot Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist

Driver Assistance Package: GL350/GL450 $2950, GL550 $2100

• Distronic PLUS with Pre-safe Brake
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist

Parking Assist Package: GL350/GL450 $1290, GL550 $320 – Delayed Availability on All

• Parktronic with Active Parking Assist
• Surround View System

Options:

Parktronic with Active Park Assist – GL350/GL450 $970, GL550 Standard

Wood/Leather Steering Wheel – GL350/GL450 $590, GL550 Standard

Multi-contour driver/passenger seat with massage and comfort headrest – GL350/GL450 $1100, GL550 Standard

Heated/Ventilated front seats (requires leather) – GL350/GL450 $570, GL550 Standard

Panoramic Sunroof – GL350/GL450/GL550 $1090

Heated Steering Wheel – GL350/GL450/GL550 $225

Trailer Hitch (7500 lbs) – GL350/GL450/GL550 $550

20″ Twin 5-spoke wheel – GL350 Only – $750

Power Easy-Entry 2nd row (delayed) – GL350/GL450/GL550 $400

Illuminated Running Boards – GL350/GL450 $670, GL550 Standard

Rear Seat Entertainment – GL350/GL450/GL550 $1970

Rear Heated Seats – GL350/GL450/GL550 $620

Keyless-Go – GL350/GL450 $650, GL550 Standard

Special Order Options:

Adamptive Damping System – GL350/GL450 $800, GL550 Standard

2nd Row Seat Pass-through – GL350/GL450/GL550 $160

Rear Sunshades – GL350/GL450/GL550 $380

Night View Assist Plus (requires lighting package) – GL350/GL450/GL550 $1780

Bang & Olufson Sound System – GL350/GL450/GL550 $6400

MB-Tex wrapped lower dash – GL350/GL450/GL550 $300

Black headliner (only for black MB tex and leather) – $0

The first GL450s and GL550s have been scheduled for production. Order now to make sure you get the options and colors you want! The vehicles should arrive in early September.

This concept vehicle from Mercedes-Benz hints and upcoming designs and technology. This vehicle is about the size of a C-Class with the swooping looks of a CLS-Class. It could be a research vehicle or it could be the first showing of a new niche that Mercedes-Benz will be entering. Either way, it is facinating!

Here it is! The 2013 SL550 was in my showroom today for a training class! It looks beautiful in person. The interior is even more luxurious and comfortable. There are tons of little features and touches that make it the perfect roadster! We are expecting it to arrive in showrooms in just a few weeks. Don’t forget, if you want one of the special Launch Edition vehciles you’ll need to reserve one soon!

This new 2013 SL550 actually has more torque and the same zero to 60 time as the 2012 SL63 AMG!

Nico Roseberg won the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend for Mercedes AMG Petronas! Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finished 2nd and 3rd respectively for McLaren Mercedes Formula 1! That is three Mercedes-Benz engines in the top three spots! It was a thrilling race with lots of passing and 2nd through 10th place finishing within 20 seconds of each other! 

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is scheduled to arrive in July. While the 2012 model was the major refresh, there are some differences for 2013. Since most of the options and packages are the same, I am focusing on the differences in this post. As always, info can change before launch and there will be small differences from the European Spec images here.

Engines:

• C250 Sedan and Coupe – 1.8L I4 with 201 hp and 229 lb/ft torque
• C300 4Matic Sedan – 3.5L V6 with 248 hp and 251 lb/ft torque – Now with ECO Stop/Start Technology
• C350 Sedan and Coupe – 3.5L V6 with 302 hp/273 lb/ft torque – Now with ECO Stop/Start Technology
• C350 4Matic Coupe – 3.5L V6 with 302 hp/273 lb/ft torque - Now with ECO Stop/Start Technology
• C63 AMG Sedan and Coupe – 6.3L V8 with 451 hp and 443 lb/ft torque

Colors:

• New – Polar White (both) , Dolomite Brown (sedan), Steel Grey (sedan) , Diamond Silver (both)
• Phased Out – Arctic White, Cuprite Brown, Pearl Beige

Packages:

Sport Package (code 956) Sedan and C350 Coupe – $2300

• 18″ 7-double spoke AMG wheel – black/polished
• AMG Rear Spoiler in vehicle color
• Sport Seats in MB TEX/Dinamica with red stitching (black upholstery only)
• Door Panel, center console, gear lever, floor mats and steering wheel with red stitching
• Red seat belts (black available as no cost options)
• C-Coupe style instrument cluster

Sport Package PLUS – C250 Coupe Only – $2800

• All components of the Sport Package
• Sport Badging on front fender
• Sport speed-sensitive steering with more direct ratio
• Larger braking system
• Special sport exhaust with sportier engine sound
• Sport shift mode with rev matching

Driver Assistance Package - Sedan Only – $2950

• Distronic PLUS with Pre-Safe Brake
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Active Blind Spot Assist

Dymanic Handling Package  – C250/C350 Sedan and Coupe $1530

• 18″ AMG Twin 5-spoke Wheel
• Advanced Agility Suspension
• Speed Sensitive Steering
• Shift Paddles

Options:

Becker Map Pilot – For Sedan and Coupe with Audio 20 Head Unit (small radio) – $800

• Voice Recognition
• 45 Day fresh map
• Optional 2D/3D map view
• Display and announcement of speed limits
• Brand logos for points of interest
• Info on distance remaining, time of arrival, street names
• Navigation also displays in instrument cluster
• Cannot Retrofit to previous model years!

Special thanks to Mike for getting me the Sport Package pictures a few days early!

The new smart, 2013 SL65 AMG, refreshed 2013 GLK-Class and the all new 2013 GL-Class were shown at the NYIAS this week!