Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series

Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series Side

Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series Front Side

Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series Back Side

Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series Interior

MBTech Shows Off Plug-In Hybrid Pickup Concept at IAA Show in Hannover

Daimler subsidiary MBTech has presented a 1:1 scale model of its Reporter concept study at the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover. The four-seater plug in hybrid pickup truck with the Smart Fortwo-esque fascia was designed in just six months using CAD and digital prototyping.

At a press conference at the show, MBTech President and Spokesperson Werner Kropsbauer explained the rationale behind the Reporter: "We wanted to create a low-emission vehicle drive for urban and regional transport which is realistically feasible today and not in 2025."

Though the example shown at the IAA Show was merely a mock up, MBTech has been thinking about the drive system for a working prototype. The Reporter would use a plug-in hybrid system MBTech calls DualX E-Drive, which couples a 70 kw (94 hp) electric motor with a 75 kw (101 hp) 1.2-liter internal combustion engine that can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas.

In the DualX E-Drive system, the electric motor turns the rear wheels while the ICE turns the front. The two systems can either work independently or together, though MBTech has not said what switching from FWD to RWD to AWD would do to the driving dynamics.

The Reporter is expected to have a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and a combined range of 300 km (186 miles), which drops to 55 (34 miles) if using only the electric motor.

It also features a network of tiny solar cells on the tonneau cover, which produce 266 Watts – enough to power the air conditioning, interior lightning or the sound system (though not all three at once). The cells can also be used to recharge the vehicle's 12 volt battery.

By Tristan Hankins

Mercedes Announces Engine Range and Prices for 2011 CLS, Starts Accepting Orders

While we'll have to wait for the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month to get up close and personal with the all-new, second generation CLS sports sedan, Mercedes-Benz today released info on the available engine range and pricing for the European market. Furthermore, the Stuttgart automaker said that as of now, European buyers can place their order for the new CLS at the firm's sales partners.

At launch, there will be two V6 models available; the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with a 265HP diesel unit and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 306HP 3.5-liter gasoline engine featuring ECO start/stop tech as standard. In Germany, prices are set at €63,427 and €64,617, respectively, with first deliveries to be shipped to European dealers in January 2011.

From March 2011, the range will be expanded with the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY powered by a 204HP 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel that returns a combined fuel economy of 5.1lt/100km (equal to 46.1mpg US / 55.4mpg UK) and to CO2 emissions of just 134 g/km. Pricing starts from €59,857.

In December 2010, European buyers will be able to order the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 408HP V8 gasoline unit, with first deliveries commencing in April 2011.

All 2011 CLS models will come equipped with Merc's 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission as standard.

For the first year of production, Mercedes-Benz will offer a special package called "Edition 1" priced from €6,664, which includes matt exterior paintwork in manganite grey SHAPE, shimmering metallic leather upholstery designo corteccia pearl, floormats with "Edition 1" lettering, black designo roof liner and aluminium pedals.

For the interior trim elements in the "Edition 1", Mercedes offers a choice between poplar light-brown satin, ash black high-gloss or, as an optional extra, AMG Carbon priced at a hefty €10,115.

An AMG version of the CLS powered by the German automaker's new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with at least 536-ponies will follow within the next year or so.

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Mercedes-Benz Drops More Photos of 2012 CLS Sports Sedan

Mercedes is trying to make the most of the media's thirst for news slowly unleashing more and photos of its second-generation CLS sports saloon, which will make its grand premiere at the upcoming Paris Auto Show on September 30.

Albeit more visually complex than its predecessor, the new CLS continues the same design theme (on the outside) set by the original model, which was introduced onto the market in 2004.

We'll probably have to wait until the Paris show for detailed specs, but buyers should expect the engine lineup to include among other powerplants, a 3.5 liter V6 petrol producing 306HP and a 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 petrol with 429HP, as well as a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 making at least 536-ponies for the range-topping AMG version that has yet to be revealed.

The new CLS will hit U.S. Mercedes showrooms by mid-year next year.

*Check out the previous set of photos by clicking here