Jalopnik
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tuners
Brabus Gives the Mercedes GL a Wide Stance
Not known for subtlety, the boys and girls at Brabus have taken the standard GL-Class Mercedes Benz, which was already a decently mean looking ride, and have touched it up in a way that reminds us why the French built the Maginot Line. The first thing you notice is the giganto-style aesthetic, which includes wider finder flares, a new front apron with angry air inlets and three-piece, 23-in wheels. In GL 500 form, the modified beast gets 456 hp with 454 lb-ft of torque, good enough for a 0-62 mph sprint in just 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 158 mph. What country would you use it to take over? Press release below:
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news
Detroit Auto Show Preview: Mercedes-Benz Vision GL 420 Bluetec Concept
Hey, here's one that's not on embargo — it's the Bluetec diesel concept GL 420 Vision, or is that Vision GL 420 Bluetec Concept diesel? Either way, Mercedes is continuing its cleaner-diesel strategy for the US by showing a version of its largest SUV, fitted with aqueous urea-spraying, emissions-scrubbing whatnots, in Detroit. The oil-burning proto-ute is a torque monster, producing enough foot-pounds to pull a grizzly bear out of hibernation, and with a stated miles-per-guzzle number of 24, it appears to be an answer to the conundrum of large living in a gas-dear world. Mercedes says its new line of diesels will be 50-state compatible when they arrive in 2008. Now if only diesel would fall back under three bucks a gallon.
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custom cars/hot rods: tuners
Tuner Ute: Carlsson's Take on the Mercedes GL500
It's far more domesticated than its G-Wagen sibling, but the Mercedes GL500 full-sizer is nonetheless tuneworthy. German shop Carlsson is the latest to do a workup on the largest of Merc's utes, holding to the tenets oflibert , egalit and fraternitspeed, power and luxury. The first is accomplished by way of Carlsson's CK50 engine kit, which allows the bus a zero-to-62 time that just crests six seconds (6.1). Power gets a bump to 435 hp (from 388) at 6000 rpm, and 443 lbs-ft of torque at 2800-4800 rpm. Carlsson says the top speed is 154 mph. All that mainly comes from remapping of electronics and fitting of a stainless-steel quad-exhaust system. It also gets a suspension lowering kit that drops the GL by 35 mm, custom alloys designed in-house and an interior makeover of fine, non-Corinthian hides. Ach. [Gallery] More » -
custom cars/hot rods: tuners
Third Row with More Go: Brabus Mercedes GL-Class
The tuning gnomes at Brabus have worked up a package for the Mercedes GL-Class that will have speed-freak lacrosse moms begging their private banking reps for liquidity. Like other Brabus-tweaked Mercs that originally sported the 5.5-liter V8, Brabus customers can choose the company's 6.1-liter bored-out version for the GL. That setup results in 462 horsepower (454 ft.-lbs of torque) and a zero-to-60 time of six seconds. A lesser-performing BB kit for the 5.5 is also available — which (unbored) produces 419 hp — as is a performance-tuned computer control module for the diesel. (All engine kits come with stainless-steel exhaust systems, natch). But Brabus isn't just about speed tweaks (and laughing maniacally at the visiting media) — a body kit, interior accoutrements, a suspension control module (for lowering) and 18" to 20" wheelage are all part of the Brabusian customization experience. More » -
spy photos
Spy Photos: Mercedes AMG Round-up
World Car Fans rounds up the next bunch of AMG-model Benzes spied in prototype form. They've compiled the latest shots of the C 63, GL 63, R 63 and CL 63 AMGs — all due by 2007 — caught during various manner of preproduction testing. The common thread is the new 6.2-liter V8 — AMG's first ground-up engine product — that will provide naturally aspirated gumption to nearly the entire line (over 7G-Tronic Speedshift trannies). With one-in-20 Mercedes models sold in the US an AMG product, it's no secret the Merc division is expanding its profile. Now all we need is six extra figures in disposable income and clear highway and a well-connected traffic-court lawyer. More »
12:58 PM on Mon Aug 7 2006
By Mike Spinelli
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ads/promotions
The Buzz Bin: Dodge Caliber Overhyped?
New survey results from KBB and Harris interactive show new-car shoppers seem to think the "anything but cute" Dodge Caliber is being hyped to death (it was the fairy, wasn't it?). It's high on the new study's buzz scale, but low on the "I'm interested in buying it" scale — though strong sales belie such interpretations. On the flip side, the Mercedes GL scores high in interest, but low on buzz, despite a major ad campaign with spots currently in heavy rotation on TV. Nonetheless, the two most buzzworthy cars, according to the study, were the Saturn Sky and Toyota FJ Cruiser, two models the media's been googley-eyed over since nearly ever. Let's look at it in our own, geek-intensive terms: Google results: More » -
news
More Shindiggin' With Dieter, Bluetec, GL-Class
Dieter went forth from Chrysler's booth and took command of his own, opening his first press conference as J rgen's replacement with a silly boardroom skit about what Americans want in a car. From there he espoused the wonders of the eighth-gen S-Class as well as the new Bluetec motors available this fall. The 50-state-legal diesels will also cut across company lines and make the jump to Chrysler Division vehicles, notably jeeps. More » -
news
Mercedes Releases Official Photos of New GL-Class SUV
After quite a year of spying by photogs and sneaking all 'round by Mercedes, the company has released the first full set of official press images of its new GL-Class SUV, ahead of the truck's official launch at the Detroit auto show next month. The bruiser will debut in the US market with Merc's 335hp 4.6-liter V8 plus 7TRONIC tranny and 4MATIC full-time four-wheel drive. Three rows of seats, natch. Click through for pics and press. More »
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