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2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450   [Photos]
A jumbo German storms the field. May 2006

2006 New York Auto Show April 2006
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec   [Video]

Preview Test Review: 2007 Maybach 57S   [Photos]
If it's true that more is better, then too much is just right.

2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG (April 2006)
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec (April 2006)
2008 Lincoln MKS Concept (April 2006)
2007 Lexus LS460 and LS460L (April 2006)
Chrysler Imperial concept (April 2006)
Aston Martin Rapide Concept (April 2006)

2006 Charting the Changes — Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz  October 2005

There's a whole new class for '06, consisting of the CLS500 [Wallpaper] and CLS55 AMG, [Photo] that was introduced earlier this year. Another negrouping is the R-class  [ Video, Photos], an interesting combination of sedan, SUV, and wagon (with three rows of seats) built on a much modified M-class platform. The 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6-powered ML350 and the 302-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 ML500, each with a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, are all-new for '06. The C-class gets new V-6s: a 201-hp 2.5-liter for the C230; a 228-hp 3.0-liter for the C280; and a 268-hp 3.5-liter for the C350. The E320 is replaced by the E350 model (another 3.5-liter V-6 upgrade). The CLK-class gets a new grille and taillights, and the CLK320 is replaced by the CLK350 with the 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The SLK-class adds the SLK280, powered by a 228-hp, 3.0-liter V-6. A new S-class [Photo] (see Technical Highlight below), which is already on sale in Europe, comes here in January. (See also Technical Highlight: AMG, below.)

Unchanged: CL-class, SL-class, SLR McLaren, G-class.

Future: MLK-class, a little brother to the M-class, debuting in 2008.

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHT : AMG

We're used to seeing AMG, Mercedes-Benz's power-crazy performance division, inject more power into the company's engines. This time, however, AMG started from scratch to create its own 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine that shares no parts or dimensions with any other Benz engine. AMG's powerplant makes a healthy 503 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 5200 rpm, while revving to 7200 rpm. It has an all-aluminum construction with four valves per cylinder and a unique cylinder-coating process that saves weight and manufacturing time over traditional cast-in steel liners. All four overhead cams are continuously variable over a range of 42 degrees to optimize output while keeping emissions in check. Since the 6.2-liter's torque is lower than the supercharged V-8's 516 pound-feet, it's safe to use with the seven-speed automatic—the only transmission that will be paired with this engine. The first vehicle powered by this 503-hp beast will be the ML63 AMG. This engine will then be the V-8 of record in all AMG vehicles (we've been assured it even fits in the small C- and SLK-classes). No official word on a forced-induction version.
 

 

Aston Martin	Audi	Bentley	BMW
Cadillac	Ferrari	Jaguar	Lamborghini
Chrysler	Infiniti
Lexus	Lincoln	Lotus	Maserati
Maybach	Mercedes-Benz	Porsche	Rolls-Royce

                        
 

Acura	Chevrolet	Dodge	Ford
Bugatti	Buick US	Mercury US
GMC	Honda	Hummer	Hyundai
Isuzu	Jeep	Kia	Land Rover
Mazda	Mini	Mitsubishi	Morgan
Mosler	Nissan	Pontiac US	Saab
Saleen	Saturn US	Scion	Subaru
Suzuki	Toyota	Volkswagen	Volvo

Good Articles From The Past

Lords of Envy  Armed with six outrageous road cars endowed with racetrack performance levels, we go in search of a place to exploit them.

BY BARRY WINFIELD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PLANET-R/RANDY LORENTZEN
August 2005
 

Executive Trio, Con Brio  A summit of European left-lane huggers convenes under the Tuscan sun.

BY AARON ROBINSON
June 2004
 

Spoilsport Sedans  The latest generation of mid-size luxury sports sedans will spoil you as never before.

BY BARRY WINFIELD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DEWHURST
May 2005

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Thunder Road: The Standing Mile
The quarter mile? Forget about it! Plus: Web-exclusive video.

Honda Civic Si vs. Mini Cooper S vs. Volkswagen GTI
Battle of the Badge: Three revitalized nameplates compete for newfound glory. Plus: Web-exclusive video.

Japanese Sports Cars Sneak Preview
Prepare for an onslaught from the Land of the Rising Horsepower. Plus: Web-exclusive video of the Mazda Kabura and the Lexus LF-A.
 

All-Wheel-Drive Sport Sedans
Does more grip equal less fun? Plus: Web-exclusive video.

GM to Shed Isuzu Interests
 

Cadillac STS-V  (April 2006)
More power than a CTS-V — and considerably more civilized.

Automotive Safety  (March 2006)
Protecting us — even, occasionally, from ourselves.

Bavarian Brothers: BMW M5 & M6   Comparison Test  (February 2006)
Do you prefer your 500-bhp V-10 in coupe or sedan form?

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High Performance and High MPG  (February 2006)
Will an HCCI hybrid come to the enthusiast's rescue?
 

Fueling the Competitive Spirit  (January 2006)
Unleaded? Leaded? Diesel? Corn-fed? Racing fuels have never been more varied.

Road-Test Reading, Self-Taught  (December 2005)
An enthusiast's glossary.

2006 Mercedes-Benz S500 December 2005
S is for Substance.

Mercedes-Benz October 2005
What's new for 2006.

Run-Flats for All Seasons  (November 2005)
And I don't mean simply an "all-season" run-flat.
 

Ampersand — September 2005 September 2005
Will the prince outperform the king?

2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class September 2005
Flagship Merc sedan looks to emulate BMW's 7 Series.

BMW 645Ci Versus Mercedes-Benz CLK500
Two svelte, quick and luxurious coupes vie for our affections. One captures Bornhop's heart; the other is championed by Rusz. So who do you think has the real skinny?— By Andrew Bornhop and Joe Rusz ( April 2004 )

A Competition between salesmen with prices can be done from following car tests

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Get the complete specs on your favorite cars.

See all of last year's Data Panels.

Lexus IS 350    Road Tests  ( October 2005 )
Plush, but is it sporty enough?

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2006 BMW 330i    Comparison Test  ( August 2005 )
Moving in the right direction.

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Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and Beechcraft Premier I   Comparison Test  ( July 2005 )
Celebrating carbon fiber on the land and in the air.
In this comparison: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and Beechcraft Premier I

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2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500    Road Tests  ( July 2005 )
Back on top.

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Rocking the Establishment    Comparison Test  ( June 2005 )
Two Japanese challengers take on Europe's sports-sedan benchmark.
In this comparison: BMW 545i, Infiniti M45 Sport, Lexus GS 430

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2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500    Road Tests    ( June 2005 )
Daring to be different.

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Living Large    Comparison Test   ( May 2005 )
Spaciousness — and luxury — define the Audi A8 L, BMW 745Li, Jaguar XJ8 L, Mercedes-Benz S500 and Volkswagen Phaeton V8.
In this comparison: Audi A8 L, BMW 745Li, Jaguar XJ8 L, Mercedes-Benz S500 and Volkswagen Phaeton V8

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Best All-Around Sports Car     Comparison Test   ( March 2005 )
We go to great lengths to help you choose.
In this comparison: BMW Z4 3.0i, Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, Dodge Viper SRT-10, Honda S2000, Lotus Elise, Mercedes-Benz SLK350, Nissan 350Z 35th Anniversary, Porsche Boxster S, Porsche Carrera S Coupe

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An example of salesmen test.

Another example of salesmen test.

Learn More about the Maybach brand.

Learn More about the Smart brand.               

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