The S63 and CL63 have been updated to include AMG’s newest motor, the direct-injected 5.5 liter twin turbo. Along with the engine stop start system found in the S400 these new models provide more horsepower with increased fuel economy. It will be interesting to see if the addition of the stop start system will eliminate the wonderful rumble the current cars produce at start-up or if everyone around will now hear this every time an AMG fires up to leave a stop light. Another great benefit of going to a twin turbo setup is that it will be much easier to increase power output over the coming years or much sooner for with a quick visit to Kleemann or Renntech. The new motor’s increase to 571hp and 663 lb-ft of torque should keep you entertained for a while but it’s good to know that there is more power available when you’re ready.

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

Mercedes-Benz European Delivery is always a popular option for taking delivery of a new vehicle! There are so many benefits!

The European Delivery Program Spring Special Promotion has begun. For a limited time customers who take delivery between May 1 and June 30, 2010 will receive a 2nd night hotel accommodation, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. There is also available 2-for-1 airfare from Lufthansa through the Mercedes-Benz travel department.

Model Year 2011 European Delivery Launch Dates:*

E350 & E550 Cabriolet   May 17, 2010

CLS and SLK-Class   June 21, 2010

C, GLK and E-Class   July 19, 2010

SL550, SL63 AMG   February 22, 2010

S-Class   November 15, 2010

*Launch dates are subject to change should there be a delay in the US retail release dates.

The European Delivery Program would like 90-120 days notice but there are ways to speed up the process! Please get in touch if you are interested in the program. You should also read my European Delivery customer testimonial to get another take on the benefits of this program.

Mercedes debuted the “Tree of Innovation” commercial during the Oscar presentation on Sunday. You may have seen it a few times since! It is just a small sample of all the green technology that Mercedes has brought to the marketplace!

2010 S550
Diamond White
AMG Exclusive Leather
264 designo Porcelain Edition Interior
P02 Premium 2 Package
321 Sport Package
413 Panoramic Roof
MSRP $116,210

SPLITVIEW allows the driver and passenger to view two different sources on the same COMAND screen. The driver can control all of the normal COMAND functions like radio, navigation and phone while the passenger can use headphones and a remote to watch DVD video on the same screen!

State law prohibits this system on vehicles registered in AL, AZ, CO, IL, LA, MD, MA, NH, PA, VT, VA, WA, WV and WI. But we can have it in Georgia!

SPLITVIEW – Code 867 – $700 – Order now!

If you purchase a car with this option, your dealer’s service department will still need to activate it for you once you have acknowledged that you understand the legal requirements for using it in your state.

The 2010 S400 HYBRID has met the Federal Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit Program requirements as a hybrid motor vehicle. As a result, all purchase customers qualify for the $1150 tax credit. This is regardless of income and tax situation, claimed on your Income Tax Return, and applies only to purchased (not leased) vehicles.

Tax credit amount : 2010 S400 HYBRID $1,150

I also just finished some training on the S400 HYBRID and it is very impressive. With a base price nearly $20,000 lower than the only other competitor, the Lexus LS Hybrid, and this tax credit that the Lexus can’t use, the S400 is a fantastic value. The technology for the new Lithium Ion batteries is groudbreaking and allows us to have a normal sized trunk as opposed to toting around a trunk full of batteries. Also, at 19 MPG in the city the S400 offeres a 26% increase in fuel economy over the S550.

I have two S400 HYBRIDs in stock here at Atlanta Classic Cars and would be happy to demonstrate the benefits of a luxurious, efficient and affordable S-Class.

(Don’t forget…Mercedes-Benz diesels also qualify for tax credits.)

It is an exciting time here at the dealership…the 2010 models are arriving! There is nothing I enjoy more than parking a 2009 next to a 2010 and looking for the differences. Some models have only tiny changes this year and some have the “refresh” – which is usually new bumpers, lights, a few buttons and new wheels. I have included a few pictures of the changes that jumped out at me.

2010 ML550

“Mercedes’ classic S-Class has been around since the 1955 model year, though the current, tenth-generation “W221″ first appeared on our shores in 2006. The S550 is bursting with innovative tech — including infra-red Night View Assist and Distronic Plus cruise control that in stop-and-go traffic can brake the car to a halt and then, as traffic begins moving again, accelerate automatically.”

“The new 7 Series isn’t a luxury sedan. It’s an instruction manual on four wheels. That’s not hyperbole: So complex and mechanically intimidating is this new machine, BMW has wisely incorporated the operating instructions for the myriad systems right into the on-board hard drive (you can summon pages using the iDrive controller). That’s if, of course, you can figure out how to call up the manual first. …That’s the 750Li in a nutshell. It’s the Windows Vista of luxury cars.”

“The Audi scored second-highest on lateral grip, yet its ride doesn’t give up much (though it’s no match for the creamy Benz). Straight-line speed is third by a good margin, but the Audi puts its power down so smoothly you likely won’t mind.”

“The A8L may have an edge for the sheer beauty of its cabin, but in almost every other respect the big Benz is unsurpassed. Ride quality, for instance, is brilliant — smooth, relaxed, unfazed by road imperfections. Yet, magically, the S550 also cranked out the highest skidpad grip, 0.89 g.”

“…the Benz is enormous in the rear seat, with room to stretch the legs (and a giant trunk, too). But its seats are the best for support. You also grow to appreciate the pared-down, almost minimalistic cabin. This is the anti-7 Series, the luxury of simplicity.”

“…the Benz equals the others in terms of gee-whiz features. Its advantage is that it doesn’t depend on these goodies or substitute them for luxury.”

“The Mercedes-Benz S550 does what a premium luxury sedan should: It makes you feel like a king.”

You can read the full article here.

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.