Mercedes-Benz USA officially released the 2012 Bluetec versions of the R350 and GL350 over the weekend. 400 lb/ft of torque and great fuel economy…a winning combination!

It is an exctiting time for Mercedes-Benz! We have lots of new engines, technology and vehicles for the 2012 model year. Here is a quick rundown.

2012 C-Class Sedan – C350/C300/C63 August/C250 October

• Facelifted – more than 2000 new parts!
• C250 with 1.8L inline 4-cylinder direct injected, turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower
• C350 with 3.5L direct injected V6 with 302 horsepower
• New standard equipment including automatic transmission, rain sensing wipers, auto dimming mirrors, garage door opener, compass, HD radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, ATTENTION ASSIST amd adaptive brakes with HOLD function
• New paint and upholstery options
• Parktronic available
• New Lane tracking Package
• LED daytime running lights standard fro both sport and luxury models
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Updated version of 7-speed transmission which provides better fuel economy

2012 C-Class Coupe – C350/C63 September/C250 October

• Same redesigned interior and improved standard features as the C-Class Sedan
• Standard Panoramic Sunroof
• Steering Wheel Shift Paddles
• 10-way power driver seat with memory
• Split folding rear seats
• Unique wheel 

2012 CL-Class – August

• New colors – Lunar Blue and Andorite Grey
• New 19″ AMG triple 5-spoke wheel

2012 CLS-Class – CLS550/CLS63 June/ CLS550 4matic August

• All-New bi-turbo engines with direct injection 402 or 518 hp
• World’s first fully-active all LED headlamps
• Electromechanical steering system
• Standard sport body styling
• Standard Navigation, Pemium sound and SiriusXM

2012 E-Class Sedan – October

• New direct injected engines – V6 with 302 hp and V8 with 402 hp
• New wheels and steering wheels for some models
• Wood/Leather steering wheel now availabel for both sport and luxury models
• New Lane Tracking package
• LED running lights for both sport and luxury
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Updated version of 7-speed transmission which provides better fuel economy

2012 E-Class Wagon – October

• The E63 AMG wagon is coming!

2012 E-Class Coupe – E350 July/E550 October

• New direct injected engines – V6 with 302 hp and V8 with 402 hp
• LED daytime running lights standard
• New wheel for E350
• New interior colors – Red/Black and Natural Beige/Black leathers
• New Lane Tracking Package
• Standard shift paddles
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Electromechanical steering on V8

2012 E-Class Cabriolet – E350 July/E550 October

• New direct injected engines – V6 with 302 hp and V8 with 402 hp
• LED daytime running lights standard
• New wheel for E350
• New interior colors – Red/Black and Natural Beige/Black leathers
• New Lane Tracking Package
• Standard shift paddles
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Electromechanical steering on V8
• New Red soft top option

2012 GL-Class – GL450/GL 550 August/ GL350 October

• Acoustic Signal when locking/unlocking
• Improved Rearview camera software
• New ESP off icon
• New garage-door opener concept (multicolor LEDs)
• New paint colors – Dakota Brown & Pearl Beige
• New rear chrome trim for rear control panels

2012 GLK-Class – July

• Acoustic Signal when locking/unlocking
• Improved Rearview camera software
• new ESP off icon
• New garage-door opener concept (multicolor LEDs)
• Media Interfact port moves to center console
• New 20″ 5-spoke wheel with Appearance Package
• New Colors – Lunar Blue, Sapphire Grey, Diamond White & Cuprite Brown
• Keyless-Go is reduced to $640 

2012 ML-Class – ML350s September/ ML550/ML63 2012

• All New! Same Price! See previous posts for details

2012 R-Class – R350 gas August/R350 Bluetec October

• New direct injected V6 with 302 hp
• Acoustic Signal when locking/unlocking
• Improved Rearview camera software
• new ESP off icon
• New garage-door opener concept (multicolor LEDs)

2012 G-Class – October

• Edition Select Package available. See previous post for details

2012 S-Class – July/S350 September

• New direct injected V8 with 402 hp means no Gas Guzzler tax
• The S350 Bluetec arrives with an estimated 20 city/ 31 highway MPG
• New colors – Lunar Blue and Andorite Grey
• The Sport Package gets a new 19″ AMG triple 5-spoke wheel

2012 SL-Class – July

• Premium 1 Package now standard
• Limited production in anticipation for the all-new 2013

2012 SLK-Class – SLK350 July/SLK250 2012

• All new for 2012
• New direct injected V6 with 302 hp
• Updated NTG 4.5 is amazing technology for nav and music
• See previous posts for more details

2012 AMG

• C63 AMG coupe arrives
• E63 returnes with 5.5 litre biturbo with 518 hp and 25% better fuel economy
• CLS63 AMG debuted in the spring
• SLS AMG roadster arrives

This is a great time to be a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast!

Our first 2011 R350 arrived this week. It looks fantastic! I parked it next to a 2010 to really compare. The 2011 is on the right in the slide show above. Please pardon the tape and plastic…I borrowed from the shop while it was still being inspected.

New for 2011 R-Class:

• New from the A-pillar forward – fenders, grille, hood, bumpers, LEDs
• New 19” wheel
• New LED tail lamps
• New Rear bumper
• New seat design

As a former R-Class owner, I can attest to it being spacious, luxurious and perfect for carrying 4 adults and a bunch of luggage. However, it never won any beauty contests! Scheduled to arrive this month, the 2011 R-Class has updated styling, more aggressive lines and blends much better with the rest of our SUV line-up.  I look forward to the exterior reflecting the beauty inside!

If you look really quickly you would almost mistake it for a supercar!

Here are some of the changes that are coming to the 2011 models.

C-Class

• Sport sedans now feature LED Daytime Running Lamps and black headlamp inlays
• Enhanced P1 package includes split folding rear seat and rear sunshade
• Heated Seats removed from Premium 1 Package
• New Lighting Package with Bi-Xenons and active curve illumination
• New standard 17” wheel for C350 sport

CL-Class

• Refresh! New bumpers, hood, fenders, grille, headlamps, and taillights
• LED daytime running lights standard
• Driver Assist Package updated with Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist
• New standard 18” wheel
• Magnetite Black exterior color added (black base with metallic flake)
• Sahara Beige/Black interior color added

CLS-Class

• Sport body styling, sport steering wheel and 18” AMG wheels now standard

E-Class

• Bluetec arrives in late summer with 17” run-flats, sport or luxury
• Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist added to Driver Assist Package in E350/E550 sedans
• E63 gets alcantara headliner and stitched dash as standard
• Diamond White available starting in October production
• Wagon is standard with rear view camera and power liftgate
• Coupe gets new 18” AMG wheel in Appearance Package
• Cabriolet introduced with AIRCAP, AIRSCARF and trunk pass through

SUV Family

• New Mirror Design
• Blind Spot Assist Available (not on GLK)
• New Rear View Monitor reduces fish-eye effect
• Compass in rear view mirror – M/GL/R
• Diamond White paint available in October (not GLK)
• Barolo Red and Sand Beige discontinued (M/GL/R)

GL-Class

• GL550 gets a facelift
• New head restraints in 2^nd and 3^rd row
• Passenger seat memory added to P1

GLK-Class

• Driver Knee and front passenger airbags added as standard (9 total)
• LED daytime running lamps in lighting package
• Eco mode replaces Comfort mode
• Pearl Beige paint replaces Sand Beige paint

G-Class

• New wheel design
• Night Black paint added (matte)
• Tail lamp covers and turn signal covers deleted

M-Class

• LED daytime running lamps with bi-xenon headlamps
• ML63 gets new hood and headlights

R-Class

• Refresh!
• New from the A-pillar forward – fenders, grille, hood, bumpers, LEDs
• New 19” wheel
• New LED tail lamps
• New Rear bumper
• New seat design

S-Class

• S63 gets all-new 5.5 litre direct injection bi-turbo V8
• Contrast stitching with Premium and Exclusive upholstery
• Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist added to Driver Assist Package
• Optional Bang & Olufsen BeoSound surround-souns system with 15 speakers, 1200 watts and 16-channel digital signal processing
• Magnetite Black exterior color added (black base with metallic flake)
• Sahara Beige/Black interior color added

SLK-Class

• Sport Body Cladding added as standard
• Quartz Blue paint added
• No SLK55 AMG

“Most of the changes to the U.S.-built 2011 R-Class revolve around its exterior, which is now more in line with its stablemates. Its wider-look mug is highlighted by a more angular three-bar grille and hood, revised headlamps and slick LED light-bar running lamps. The muscular theme also plays out at the rear, with shallower rear glass, rectangular exhaust tips integrated into a diffuser, and edgier taillamps. “

“Seven-passenger seating is an option, but the R-Class works best as a six-seater, with two captain chairs in the second row and a two-person bench at the rear. Adults should have no problem getting into the back row as the second row seats easily flip up and out of the way, and with 32.4-inches of legroom, they’re probably not going to complain about sitting back there for a spell unless they’re on the local basketball team. “

“The R350 4Matic employs the automaker’s 268 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, while the R350 BlueTEC 4Matic gets the 50-state legal 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 210 horsepower and a healthy 400 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are hooked up to Benz’s tried-and-true seven-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic means both are all-wheel-drive only.”

“For as long and as heavy as it is, the R-Class is a solid handler. It’s not the type of vehicle you’re going to be tossing into corners, but it isn’t going to roll over and play dead either. “

Read Full review here.

It’s been a good month here at the dealership and we have sold all of the internet specials except for the 2009 R350V4. We would love to find this car a home before the end of business on Monday. Please let me know if you are in the market for an R-Class!

2009 R350 4Matic
Iridium Silver
Ash MB Tex
Panoramic Roof
Trailer Hitch
Premium 1 Package:
Navigation
Parktronic
Rear Veiw Camera
7-seat
Sirius Satellite Radio
Power Tailgate
iPod/MP3 Adaptor

Original MSRP: $56,175
Special Price: $49,900

Also qualifies for special financing of 1.9% for 36 months and 5.9% for up to 66 months.

This is a gorgeous car and a great deal!

The 2010 GLK, E sedan and E coupe are already here and the rest of the 2010 models will be arriving soon. Mercedes-Benz has just given us the official pricing and release dates.

Model	Release Date	Base Price
C300 Sport/Luxury	July	$33,600/$35,300
C300 Sport/Luxury – 4MATIC	July	$37,100/$37,300
C350 Sport	August	$39,750
C63 AMG	August	$57,350
CL550 4MATIC	August	$110,400
CL600	August	$154,400
CL63AMG	August	$145,200
CL65 AMG	August	$207,170
CLS550	September	$72,400
CLS63 AMG	September	$97,950
E350 BlueTEC	March 2010	TBA
E350 4MATIC Sport/Luxury	Late August	$51,100
E550 4MATIC Sport/Luxury	Late August	$58,800
GL350 BlueTEC	September	$59,950
GL450 4MATIC	July	$60,950
GL550 4MATIC	August	$82,850
ML350 BlueTEC	September	$49,700
ML350 4MATIC	July	$48,200
ML350 2WD	July	$45,700
ML450 HYBRID	December	TBA
ML550 4MATIC	August	$56,750
ML63 AMG 4MATIC	August	$91,050
R350 BlueTEC	September	$50,800
R350 4MATIC	September	$49,300
S400 HYBRID	August	$87,950
S550	August	$91,600
S550 4MATIC	August	$94,600
S600	August	$149,700
S63AMG	August	$133,550
S65 AMG	August	$201,150
SLK300	October	$46,900
SLK350	October	$51,900
SLK55 AMG	October	$66,650

For those of you who have been trying to decide between a 2009 and a 2010 this should help.

Most of these models have had some major upgrades in the last few years so they will only receive relatively minor changes for 2010.

New on the 2010 CLS:
P15 – AMG Wheel and Sound Enhancement Package
– 19″ AMG twin 5-spoke forged light alloy wheels
– AMG high-end surround sound system with 12 studio loudspeakers, ICEpower amplifiers and 705 watt output
New paint: Palladium Silver
Pewter Paint deleted

New on the 2010 CL:
New Direct-steer system
Improved selection of Sport mode for transmission and suspension
New mirrors with arrow-shaped LED indicators
New paint: Palladium Silver
New multi-color ambient lighting
New Night View Assist PLUS with pedestrian detection
New Active Body Control (ABC) with crosswind stabilization
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring system
Rear view camera (P2 Package)
Standard Bluetooth – no adaptor required
Sport Package PLUS one
– Sport bodystyling (front and rear bumpers, side skirts)
– 20″ AMG 5-spoke wheels with all-season tires

New on the 2010 SL:
Standard Bluetooth – no adaptor required
Direct-steer system

New on the 2010 GL:
GL320 Bluetec renamed GL350 Bluetec
Palladium Silver Paint is in, Pewter is out
Ventilated front seats now available in GL450 with Appearance package
Redesigned seat materials with piping

New on the 2010 R:
R320 Bluetec renames R350 Bluetec
Palladium Silver Paint is in, Pewter is out
7-seat option removed from Premium 1 – now stand alone option

New on the 2010 SLK:
New 17″ twin 5-spoke wheels for SLK300
Diamond White Edition SLK300 gets 18″ AMG two-tone wheels
New color: 230 Indigolith blue (really Mercedes? Indigolith?)

New on the 2010 G:
Bluetooth connectivity and voice control
Rear park assist
Stainless steel grille guard in chrome
New paint: Palladium Silver