Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Tuning...

When we first saw this picture at our Dutch pals over at Autoblog.nl our initial thought was a Suzuki Ignis based Mercedes ML-Class replica. However, a closer look at the image provided reveals that this ghastly creation could actually be an… original ML-Class! Whatever it is, it's bad and someone in Belgium should take action and take this “thing” off the road.

Via: Autoblog.nl

Frankfurt Premier: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off the ML 450 HYBRID which is due to be launched on the market in 2009. Though all the details haven’t been released yet, the ML 450 HYBRID features a two-mode petrol hybrid system that has been co-developed by Mercedes, BMW and GM. The system delivers a combined output of 250 kW/340 hp and a combined maximum torque of 480 Nm – 354 lb.ft. According to the initial specs, the ML 450 HYBRID consumes just 7.7 lt per 100 km (30.6 mpg) - equivalent to CO2 emissions of 185 g/km. Ok, I surrender; on one hand they present a 457 Hp Station Wagon and in the other a 340 Hp hybrid SUV that sips just 30.6 mpg of fuel. Utterly nuts! -We’ll have more on the ML Hybrid as soon as Mercedes releases all the details.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class "Edition 10"

Marking the 10th anniversary of the M-Class, Mercedes-Benz announced the production of a limited edition model dubbed “Edition 10”. The current model’s predecessor, the first generation M-Class, rolled off the production line in 1997 at Mercedes’ Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama. It was Mercedes-Benz’ first passenger vehicle to be made outside of Germany.

Back to the limited edition M-Class, in addition to the regular model, the anniversary model is marked with “Edition 10” badges on its fenders along with an array of standard equipment and exterior design elements. Available from fall 2007, the “Edition 10’s” standard features include 20-inch wheels, taillights with a sporty, dark background, special color highlights for the vehicle body and bi-xenon headlights. Inside the anniversary M-Class gets among others, two-tone leather appointments throughout, sport instruments, and stainless steel pedals. –Full press release and images after the jump

Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama celebrates ten year production anniversary with the “Edition10” special edition M-Class

Tuscaloosa plant is the cradle of Mercedes-Benz SUVs – all available with state-of-the-art diesel technology

Number of employees and plant capacity has more than doubled since production launch

More than $1 billion of total investment up to date

Governor Bob Riley, Chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche and Plant Director Bill Taylor celebrate anniversary together with team members and guests

Tuscaloosa, Alabama (USA)- Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) celebrated the ten year production anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. At the event, Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of the Mercedes Car Group, as well as Plant Manager Bill Taylor welcomed current and former team members as well as guests, including government officials, business leaders, and local dignitaries.

In his address to team members and guests, Governor Riley emphasized the economic importance of Alabama’s first automaker: “In 2006, the economic impact of MBUSI and its Tier-1 suppliers was well over $6.8 billion to Alabama’s economy. Mercedes-Benz changed the economic development model for Alabama. It improved the economy of the whole state and helped to prove that Alabama is the place to be when it comes to doing business.”

“Right from the start, Alabama and Mercedes-Benz has been a win-win relationship. Since our decision to come here, we have invested more than $1 billion and twice expanded our production facilities. And that’s not without reason, since the plant produces top quality vehicles that are popular all over the world. Plus, the plant employs around 4,000 people and contributes strongly to society,” Dr. Zetsche underlined.

“Ten years of production of the M-Class is a great milestone and major accomplishment for both our team and our partners around the world in building our products,” said Bill Taylor. “This organization has come a long way – from never having built an automobile just ten years ago – to now building three products that are produced for 135 countries worldwide. Today’s event reminds us what this Mercedes-Benz team in Alabama can do.”

“Edition10” limited edition M-Class model

To mark the tenth anniversary of the M-Class, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the limited edition model “Edition10”. In addition to the regular model, the special edition is marked with “Edition 10” badges on its fenders. The anniversary edition also contains a long list of features and distinguishes itself through attractive exterieur design elements. Customers can order the vehicle beginning in fall 2007. The model comes with a broad range of special features already included, such as 20-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, taillights with a sporty, dark background, and special color highlights for the vehicle body. Striking features of the sporty interior include two-tone leather appointments throughout, sport instruments, and stainless steel pedals.

Home of Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs

The M-Class is the pioneer among premium SUVs, first rolling off the production line in 1997. Since then, two additional models have been added to the original and best-selling Mercedes-Benz SUV: The R-Class, a versatile and comfortable SUV tourer positioned between an offroader and a traditional station wagon, as well as the GL-Class, which is the first premium full-size SUV of Mercedes-Benz. More than 960,000 units of the three models have been delivered to customers since 1997, making Mercedes-Benz the best-selling premium brand in the SUV segment. MBUSI produced more SUVs last year - over 170,000 units - than ever before in its 10 Year-history.

Customers continue to provide positive feedback for the vehicles made in Tuscaloosa. Among the award recipients of J. D. Power’s Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study published in June were two vehicles from Tuscaloosa: the GL-Class (Gold medal) and the M-Class. Each year, the American market research organization J.D. Power surveys consumers who have purchased new vehicles to measure customer satisfaction in terms of the respective automotive concepts.

Cutting-edge diesel technology in the SUV segment

Almost half of the vehicles that rolled off the production line in Tuscaloosa last year were equipped with a V6 or V8 diesel engine manufactured at the German engine plant in Berlin-Marienfelde. In the M-Class, the worldwide share of diesel-powered vehicles rose in 2006 to the record level of over 50 percent for the first time.

The trend toward state-of-the-art diesel technology also continues to grow in the United States. In the first six months of 2007, diesel versions accounted for between 14 percent (GL-Class) and 20 percent (M-Class) of SUV sales in the U.S.

Starting in 2008, Mercedes-Benz will offer its entire SUV range with the exhaust treatment system BLUETEC, which makes diesel engines the cleanest in the world in all vehicle classes. What’s more, these engines meet even the most stringent emissions limits, ensuring that vehicles equipped with BLUETEC technology are approved for use in all 50 states. BLUETEC is a system developed by DaimlerChrysler that effectively reduces diesel vehicles’ fuel consumption and emissions by up to 40 percent compared to conventional gasoline-powered automobiles.

The V6 and V8 gasoline engines and transmissions installed in vehicles at Tuscaloosa are manufactured at the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant and by AMG GmbH in Affalterbach, Germany. This contributes significantly to the utilization rate of engine production, which Mercedes-Benz continues to entirely operate in Germany.

Series production launched in 1997

The Tuscaloosa plant was commissioned on May 21, 1997, after a two-year construction period. It was Mercedes-Benz’ first passenger vehicle plant outside of Germany. When DaimlerChrysler decided to construct the plant in 1993, it became the first automaker to establish an automotive manufacturing facility in Alabama. All in all, MBUSI has directly or indirectly, created more than 22,000 jobs. If the workforce of the largest suppliers in the area are added to this figure, then more than 41,000 people are currently employed in Alabama’s auto industry, either directly or indirectly.

After quickly reaching the original production capacity target of 65,000 vehicles per year, Mercedes-Benz invested about $80 million in the plant in 1998 and 1999, to ensure that capacity could be increased to approximately 80,000 units per year.

Plant expansion in 2005 and broader product range

By investing a further $600 million since 2001, Mercedes-Benz has prepared the plant for the production of the second-generation M-Class (since 2005), the R-Class (since 2005) and the GL-Class (since 2006). The expansion has led to a doubling of the workforce (4,000) and the production capacity (160,000). The expansion has been completed and was opened in May 2005.

Focus on optimum production and quality assurance processes

The Tuscaloosa plant now has two assembly lines, two paint shops, and a body shop. The assembly process is very flexible, and the principles and standards of the Mercedes-Benz Production System (MPS) have been comprehensively implemented. From a logistical standpoint, the site is ideally suited for just-in-sequence and just-in-time production. To this end, around 30 Tier I suppliers of production materials have located in the state of Alabama. This makes it possible for the plant to keep its inventory to a minimum.

To ensure that production proceeds smoothly, Mercedes-Benz has promoted intensive qualification and close intercultural interaction from the very start. Not only during production launches are team members from Tuscaloosa trained at German plants and the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center; but production experts are sent from Germany to Alabama as well as plant Tuscaloosa team members are also being called on to share experiences and train workforce in other international plants of Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, production experts from Germany are coming to Alabama to exchange know-how. Over the past decade, the German and American employees in Tuscaloosa have been steadily building a close working relationship within the production network as a matter of course.

GENEVA: Brabus Mercedes ML 63 Widestar

Geneva got its share of tuned models this year with models like the Brabus Mercedes ML63 Widestar. Fitted with a “bad to bone” bodykit that consists of add-on parts for the doors, and rocker panels, the Widestar’s ML63 derived V8 engine is fitted with sport air filters and high-performance metal catalysts as well as newly programmed engine electronics with custom mapping for ignition and injection. The result is an increase in power output by 40 hp / 31 kW to 550 hp / 404.8 kW while peak torque grows from 630 Nm to 650 Nm. According to Brabus , 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time is shortened to 4.9 seconds while the installation of the BRABUS V/max unit increases top speed from 250 km/h to 275 km/h. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see a high-res image gallery & the press release

Press Release: World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2007

BRABUS WIDESTAR Based on the Mercedes ML 63: An Exclusive Wide-Track Version with 23-Inch Wheels and 550 hp / 405 kW

Sporty and dynamic, exclusive and powerful: These three attributes best describe the BRABUS WIDESTAR. The special model based on the Mercedes ML 63 celebrates its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2007. With the WIDESTAR BRABUS presents not only a new and exciting wide-track version of the SUV but also the new Monoblock E 23-inch forged wheels and BRABUS B63 S performance tuning for the ML 63 with 550 hp / 404.8 kW.

The WIDESTAR concept, which is of course also available for all current M-Class models, combines dynamic looks with maximum functionality. The elegantly flowing lines of the fender flares front and back increase vehicle width by four centimeters. The extra centimeters benefit the car's appearance while the wider track improves handling: The multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock E wheels in size 11Jx23 were custom-tailored for the wide-track version of the M-Class. Their forged wheel center ensures an optimal symbiosis of light-weight design and maximum strength. The new light-alloy wheels are mounted with high-performance tires in size 315/25 R 23.

The BRABUS control module for the standard AIRMATIC air suspension lowers the ride height of the vehicle by some 30 millimeters, further contributing to more sporty road-handling characteristics.

The BRABUS WIDESTAR body conversion consists of add-on parts for the doors, and rocker panels that create a more homogenous transition between the fender flares. But that's not all: Complete front and rear fascias replace their production counterparts front and back. The front spoiler bumper with three striking air inlets and four integrated auxiliary headlights lends the M-Class more passing clout and minimizes lift on the front axle. In combination with the rear spoiler the rear fascia with integrated diffuser and cutouts for the four chrome tailpipes of the BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system provides the perfect aerodynamic balance.

Its well balanced aerodynamic properties make the BRABUS WIDESTAR a perfectly suited to serve as the platform for a tuned version of the ML 63. The latter was developed by the BRABUS motor engineers in form of the B63 S performance kit. The production V8 engine delivers 510 hp / 375 kW. It is fitted with sport air filters and high-performance metal catalysts as well as newly programmed engine electronics with custom mapping for ignition and injection. Together these measures result in an increase in power output by 40 hp / 31 kW to 550 hp / 404.8 kW. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 630 Nm to 650 Nm.

Vehicle performance benefits accordingly: The sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened to 4.9 seconds. The engine tuning and installation of the BRABUS V/max unit increase the top speed from 250 km/h to 275 km/h.

To further optimize active safety the BRABUS WIDESTAR can be equipped with a high-performance brake system. It features 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and vented and cross-drilled 380 x 36 millimeter discs on the front axle. Together with 355 x 28-mm brake discs and 6-piston fixed calipers in the rear it provides the impressive stopping power usually reserved for purebred sports cars.

Yet another BRABUS specialty for the Mercedes M-Class is the creation of exclusive interior options: Stainless-steel door sills with illuminated BRABUS logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and leather-covered door trim pieces to upgrade the factory leather are all part of the program as are exclusive BRABUS fully leather interiors made from meticulously crafted combinations of the finest Mastik leather and Alcantara.

The production front seats are equipped with special rear consoles that reach all the way to the headrests. They house seven-inch 16:9 LCD screens with integrated DVD player. Also available is a version with an electric folding table made from precious wood.

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