Saturday, October 13, 2007

2008 BMW M3 Sedan By Sam Smith



If you've been paying attention for the past few years, the arrival of a four-door version of BMW's venerable M3 should come as no surprise. There have been M3 variants almost as long as there has been an M3, all the way back to the glory days of the late 1980s and the first M3 convertible. (The euro-only E30 M3 cabriolet was expensive, limited-production, and much less focused than its coupe sibling, but it also taught the Bavarians a valuable lesson: If you slap an M badge on a 3-series and roll it off a production line, they will come.) The previous-generation E46 M3 arrived on our shores only in coupe and cabriolet form, but its predecessor--the E36 M3, the first M car to achieve widespread sales success--was available in coupe, cabriolet and, four-door sedan form. And of those three, the sedan sold the best in North America.

As such, we've recently been gifted with images and basic information on the next M3 variant to hit our shores: Yes, all you family-bound speed freaks, we're getting a four-door.



The four-door M3 shares the coupe's 414-hp, 8400-rpm, 4.0-liter V-8, along with that car's basic styling cues and suspension. Like the coupe, the four-door boasts an aluminum hood complete with power bulge, side "gills" on both front fenders, and a discreet lip spoiler on the trunklid. Four round tailpipes live under the rear bumper, and the front bumper forgoes the foglamps traditionally found on ordinary BMW sedans and coupes.

Like all 3-series four-door sedans, the M3 is a five-seater. A newly designed center console housing M-specific buttons lives up front and is finished in black leather. In a return to the layouts of BMW interiors past, it's subtly angled towards the driver, creating a cockpit-esque feel. Folding rear seats and front seat backrests with adjustable bolsters are optional.

We expect to see the M3 sedan for the first time in the flesh at the 2007 Los Angeles auto show.


Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an ECO-Start System


It is evident that an idle engine does not consume fuel. This fact has made it possible for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to decrease fuel consumption and amount of pollutant emission to the atmosphere. If the engine runs at idle speed and the car is in a stall position at neutral for more than three seconds the engine is automatically disconnected. As the driver depresses the clutch pedal again, the system starts the engine.

The ECO-Start system really provides for an essential opportunity to save fuel: sometimes (depending on the drive style and car flow density) the driver can decrease fuel consumption at almost 20%. In average, economy makes 5% to 8%. The system is the best solution for a large city taking into account frequent stops in endless jams and at street-traffic control lights.

The safety is ensured by the most up-to-date electronics. If the car starts moving the engine runs immediately to provide for correct operation of steering boosters and a break system. In any other case, the engine does not run until the clutch pedal is depressed home. If a battery charge is not sufficient or an attempt to start the engine failed, the ECO-Start system is disconnected. To be absolutely sure that nobody can be injured at an unexpected engine start, the control system checks if the engine hood is closed.

If necessary, the driver can disconnect the ECO-Start system himself using the button on the dashboard.

To exclude a cold start, on the one hand, and engine overheating, on the other hand, the system is active only at a cooling liquid temperature of 40°C to 100°C. Passengers’ comfort is also taken into account: if an outdoor temperature falls up to zero, the engine will not be disconnected.

The ECO-Start system is available worldwide and good for any Mercedes-Benz Sprinter modification with a diesel engine and manual gearbox.

Mercedes-Benz is the Official Automobile of the “Vladimir Spivakov is Inviting…”


Mercedes-Benz became the official automobile of the Moscow Music Festival “Vladimir Spivakov is Inviting…” held for the fourth time this year.
The festival, which is reasonably thought to be an exceptional event in the cultural life of the capital city, has been held in Moscow since 2001 biyearly. This year the “Vladimir Spivakov is Inviting...” festival will be held from September 25 to October 9 and will include seven concerts, six of them will take place with a participation of two orchestras headed by maestro Spivakov: the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia and the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra.
As part of the festival, a concert of Dmitry Khvorostovsky, a worldwide opera star, will take place, an appearance of Ien Bostridge, a splendid tenor from Great Britain, will be a unique concert. Denis Matsuev, a pianist, will take part in the festival. The festival will be closed by a concert of Randy Crawford and Jo Sample, the stars of jazz main stream.
www.vladimirspivakov.ru



September 8, 2007 is the Mercedes-Benz Day in the German Embassy


On Saturday, September 8 the “Mercedes-Benz Day in the German Embassy” event took place on the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany Embassy in Russia. At the invitation of DaimlerChrysler Automotive Russia SAO more then 250 representatives of diplomatic missions accompanied by their members of the family and children visited that event. The Mercedes-Benz Day was willingly supported by the German Embassy in Russia.
The Mercedes-Benz Day is a family holiday in the open air, with a grill, live music, radio-controlled car races, specially equipped a children’s corner, coffee bar and, of course, test drives within which the Mercedes-Benz brand presented the latest tendencies of an automotive design and scientific and technical achievements to the international diplomatic community.
During the test drives the guests could test a new C-class Mercedes-Benz, renewed E-class version and S-class, the leader of the Mercedes-Benz line. The lineup presented to diplomatic community included also R- and M-classes.
Employees of the embassies and their escort could visit that event with diplomatic passports. The success of the Mercedes-Benz Day convinced the intention of initiators to make this holiday a traditional annual event.



Motor Show in Frankfurt



19 New Products
A Mercedes-Benz brand presented a series of especially economy and ecofriendly cars equipped with intellectual management engineering on the 62nd international motor show. As Mercedes-Benz thinks the future of motor-car construction is embodied in 19 new products starting with eight models with BLUETEC engines, seven cars with a hybrid drive in five model series, continuing with seven cars – record-breakers in СО2 emission and ending with a pilot F 700 concept car. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler AG President of the Board, said, “Each of 19 models demonstrates an ability of the company-inventor of the first car to remain a car trend setter in the future too. We intend to apply only highly ecofriendly process solutions which we have united and called as 'TrueBlueSolutions' to accelerate our future without emission.”
A production strategy developed by Mercedes-Benz includes several modules and is an intelligent energy management in every essential car component whether they are optimized combustion engines or custom-made hybrid drives which can be used individually and in combination depending on the motor class, its application and customer requirements. Dr. Zetsche went on, “Every our new product is marked by combining a design, pleasure from driving and safety, dynamism and ecological properties. In Mercedes-Benz, we believe that the said characteristics can coexist simultaneously, and we embody them in our lineup.” In addition, Mercedes-Benz has announced that in 2010 a B-class F-Cell model with a fuel cell of a new generation will be produced in series.
F 700: Learning from the Future
Dr. Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler AG Board Council member, who is in charge of R&D, explained, “Our new experimental car gives evidence to the possibility to combine the safety, comfort and efficiency of engineering characteristics with a maximum low fuel consumption and emission.” Fuel consumption of a model F 700 equipped with DIESOTTO innovation engine and hybrid drive is only 5.3 liters per 100 km with an emission level of СО2 equal to 127 g/km. The emission value of F 700 is comparable to the level of the similar figure of present-day diesel engine cars. The F 700 record-breaking low level of fuel consumption is really unique. This is the lowest figure measured for a large sedan during the all history of motor-car construction. Making comments on F 700 experimental model Dr. Weber also said, “We have a unique opportunity to learn from the future using F 700 as an example. We have already managed to apply some of our inventions in serial production.”
S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID: Most Ecofriendly and Economical Premium Class Sedan in the World
Being the first car in the world integrating the BLUETEC system and hybrid technologies, S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is the most efficient and ecofriendly premium-class car among all ever made. The total power of its four-cylinder engine and hybrid module makes 165 kW/224 hp, and its maximum drive torque reaches 560 Nm. This is comparable to the similar figure of an eight-cylinder gasoline engine.
The premium-class sedan combines perfection of technical characteristics with an exceptionally low level of fuel consumption for its segment: only 5.4 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km, the emission level of СО2 makes 142 g/km. This figure of new S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is lower the today’s record of СО2 emission in S-class segment at 57 g/km or 30%. Mercedes-Benz models presented on the 62nd motor show in Frankfurt exhibit the lowest level of fuel consumption and emission in the world. The S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID is capable to meet the strictest emission requirements, European EU6 and American BIN5.
BLUETEC and Hybrid Drive also for Mercedes Sport-Utility Vehicles and Е and С Class Cars
Following the successful coming of the world's first passenger automobile equipped with BLUETEC - E 320 BLUETEC into the American market, now the technologies backing the most ecofriendly diesel engine in the world come to Europe. Within the current motor show in Frankfurt, Mercedes-Benz announced on the E 320 BLUETEC entering the European market in 2007. This car is one of the most environmentally sound (by EU5 standards) and economical one in a business-class. In 2008, a line of cars equipped with 320 BLUETEC will be complemented with R-, ML- and GL-class cars, the first in the world sport-utility vehicles capable to meet the strictest limitations of emission standards: an American BIN-5 standard valid on the territories of all 50 states and European EU6 standard which has not yet been approved.
Also Mercedes-Benz presented the ML 450 HYBRID with the most economical gasoline hybrid engine among sport-utility vehicles, the model is planned to enter the market in 2009. The innovation hybrid drive can operate in two modes including that with a full electrical control conversion and meets the severest comfort requirements. ML 450 HYBRID consumes 7.7 liters per 100 km., meanwhile, the hybrid system power reaches 250 kW/340 hp, СО2 emission makes 185 g/km.
Worldwide Opening Night of a New С Class with a Station Wagon
One more Mercedes-Benz’s novelty on the 62nd motor show in Frankfurt is a new С-class with a station wagon. The high level of functionality of this car is complemented by an elegant design, comfort and maneuverability, which is a specific distinction of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Dr. Claus Maier, Executive Vice-President of the Mercedes Car Group, responsible for sales and marketing commented as follows: “For me, a new С-class is the most complete embodiment of a style, multifunctionality and elegance.” When a new station wagon comes into the market in the beginning of December customers will enjoy a choice among eight four-and six-cylinder engines. Among other things, the enhanced four-cylinder engine with the increased cubic capacity is characterized by its capability to consume less fuel at high capacity. For example, 18% of a drive torque increase in a new С 220 CDI (at 60 Nm) decreases the engine speed as well as the fuel consumed. As a result, a four-cylinder engine consumes only 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 km. The consumption figure has been decreased by 0.7 liter as compared with the previous model. It must be taken into account that the capacity has increased by 13%, i.e. from 110 kW/150 hp per 125 kW/170 hp. The formula as “low fuel consumption combined with even easier car handling” can be also successfully applied to the models equipped with gasoline engines. New C 180 KOMPRESSOR of 115 kW/156 hp in capacity consumes 0.7 liter per 100 km less than the previous model having the greater number of horse power (+14).
On the motor show in Frankfurt, the Mercedes Car Group also presented a hybrid solution for a smart model. A smart fortwo mhd (mhd means a microhybrid engine) model of an economical three-cylinder gasoline engine will enter the market in October 2007. Researches performed for a smart fortwo mhd model carried out on the present-day smart fortwo cdi model breaking a record in СО2 emission (88 g/km) have resulted in a progressive decrease of CO2 emission up to 78 g/km owing to the start/stop function of an experimental microhybrid engine.













DaimlerChrysler Bank is Now in Russia


On September 10, 2007 the Central Bank of the Russian Federation issued banking license No. 3473 to DaimlerChrysler. A new DaimlerChrysler Bank Russia with the central office in Moscow will start its operations on October 1 offering auto loan services to customers of several authorized dealers.
DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, a global partner of the DaimlerChrysler AG concern in providing financial services, has offered leasing services to companies through DaimlerChrysler Leasing Automotive since 1999. When the bank starts its operations DaimlerChrysler Leasing Automotive will offer its motor insurance services to customers of several authorized dealers.
Both DaimlerChrysler Bank Russia and DaimlerChrysler Leasing Automotive are 100% subsidiaries of DaimlerChrysler AG.



Unprecedented Auto Lottery


One hundred Mercedes-Benz cars, including 86 new generation C-class cars, 13 Е-class cars and 1 ML-class car, will be presented to winners of an unprecedented lottery of MegaFon, one of the largest cellular communication operators in Russia. All cars will be raffled within a period from September 1 through December 10, one vehicle every day.

Visit www.100za100.ru for particular terms and rules of this action.

MegaFon is the first Russian nationwide GSM 900/1800 mobile carrier. The company was established on May 2, 2002. All the territory of the Russian Federation is license covered by MegaFon and its daughter companies.