Mercedes-Benz has agreed to collaborate with Build Your Dreams (BYD) to develop electric vehicles intended for the Chinese market. BYD is starting to get quite a reputation for electric vehicle technologies.

Before BYD made cars, it had produced batteries. Mercedes-Benz is believed to be eager to gain local knowledge in China. Under the agreement struck between Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and BYD, the two firms will create a new brand to sell a vehicle designed for the Chinese market. Mercedes-Benz chief Dr Dieter Zetsche said that he considers the coming together of Daimler and BYD to be “a perfect match” considering that Daimler is known for its electric vehicle architecture and BYD has expertise in battery technology and e-drive systems. Meanwhile, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to work with Daimler, which it refers to as the “the inventor of the automobile.” As part of the agreement, Daimler and BYD are set to develop a technology center in China. So far, it has not been announced when the facility is expected to be completed or when the launch will take place.

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Tags:car news, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz byd electric cars, mercedes-benz electric vehicles
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Brabus didn’t hold back at all when it decided it wanted to be taken seriously at the Geneva Motor Show. The German tuning firm’s display of severely modified vehicles had visitors taking more than a second glance.

One of those that got the most attention is the Brabus G V12 S Biturbo Widestar off-roader, which made its world debut at the show. This car is based on the Mercedes G-Klasse and is priced from 394,900 euros. Powering this car is a twin-turbo twelve-cylinder Brabus SV12 S engine with 700 hp / 515 kW at 5,100 rpm and with a peak torque f 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft) at 2,100 rpm. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:Brabus, brabus g v12 biturbo widestar, car news, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz g55 amg tuning
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Over the next few years, we will be witnesses to the arrival of plug-in hybrids and fuel cell cars from Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit in each segment.

Mercedes-Benz will be doubling its investment in green technologies in the next two years and will spend $1.4 billion in each of the next two years to develop batteries and fuel-saving engines. In the past three years, annual spending had averaged $700 million. In an interview at the Geneva auto show, Thomas Weber, head of Daimler’s r&d, said that Mercedes will put up a “flexible architecture” so that the right powertrain can be installed for each customer, whether it’s a plug-in hybrid or pure electric fuel cell. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz hybrids
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This is Kicherer’s new E 50 Coupe that is based on the Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe. Kicherer said that the car is equipped with a revised ECU module and a sports exhaust system. Its 5.5-liter V8 produces 430 PS (316 kW / 424 hp) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque.

There is a noted increase of 42 PS (31 kW / 41 hp) and 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) over the stock model. The complete list of performance data has yet to be released. So far, Kicherer has divulged that the E 50 can reach a top speed in excess of 250 km/h (155 mph). When it comes to styling, the E 50 boasts a carbonfiber ‘Kicherer Performance Series’ package, which includes a front lip spoiler, aggressive side skirts, a rear diffuser, and special mirror casings. Buyers may opt for a three-blade sports grille. Kicherer also added 20-inch RS-1 wheels and a high performance brake system (with six piston calipers and carbon composite discs). Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:car news, e 50 coupe, Kicherer, kicherer e50 coupe, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz e-class coupe tuning, Tuning
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VATH has taken the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG and has given it a tuning package that brings up its performance to a whole new level. Rebranded as VATH V58, this supercar has had its 5.5 liter V8 engine tweaked.

From being capable of producing only 360hp and 510 Nm, the engine now offers 565hp and 770 Nm of torque. The engine’s capacity has been extended to 5.8 liters and it now uses forced induction via a supercharger. In addition, the unit received a long list of upgraded internals and an ECU remap. However, this upgrade comes at a hefty price – the package costs $42,000. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, mercedes-benz tuning, slk 55 amg tuning, Tuning, vath, vath v58 slk 55 amg
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The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the spiritual successor to the renowned Gullwing 300SL of the 1950s, will have a roofless variant too. The SLS AMG has offered some special and exciting offerings in the next two years.

Although there has been no confirmation yet, it is believed that a SLS AMG Roadster would appear at around late 2011 as a 2012 model. The timeline indicates that a year after, its sibling would enter the market in 2010. Spy shots reveal that the new model is a folding hard-top, similar to the current SL convertible. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz sls amg roadster, sls amg convertible
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The new 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, which is slated to go on sale this September, is equipped with a new V8 that offers more power and torque compared to the previous year and yet it consumes 25% less fuel.

Mercedes-Benz revealed that the smaller displacement “M157” 5.5-liter V-8 engine powering the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG is an all-new design. It features direct-injection and twin-turbochargers to simultaneously boost performance and fuel economy. The car is then enabled to deliver 544hp and 590 pound-feet of torque. There is an available Performance Pack that increases output to 571hp and 664 pound-feet of torque. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2011 mercedes-benz s63 amg, 2011 s63 amg, car news, Mercedes-Benz
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The industry has been abuzz with excitement since it was announced late last year that Mercedes-Benz, along with its high-performance partner AMG, is about to have a new range of more fuel efficient direct-injected and turbocharged powerplants replace its entire engine lineup.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the official details on one of those in the range – an engine codenamed M157 – a 5.5-liter V-8 that replaces the 6.2-liter unit found in the current AMG lineup. This engine is able to develop more power and torque than the current 6.2-liter naturally aspirated mill due to its featured direct-injection and twin-turbocharging technologies. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:AMG, amg 5.5-liter v8 engine biturbo, car news, Mercedes-Benz
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Mercedes-Benz announced its plans to offer a compact car but also a small SUV for sale in the United States. Although it has not decided on the timing, the German manufacturer confirmed the fact that the new cars will be based on the next-generation B-Class that will debut in Europe by the end of 2011.

These words came from Joachim Schmidt, sales and marketing chief of Mercedes-Benz, who also confirmed that a very stylish sedan which will be sold in Europe as part of the new four-vehicle B-class family is also being considered for the United States. The reason that Mercedes-Benz did not determined the launch date of the new vehicles is the uncertainty about the euro-dollar exchange rate. The rest of the plan is clear, United States is ready for a premium small car.” A key to the B class’ success in the United States will be offering an alternative-powertrain version, such as a plug-in electric or fuel cell” he said. Later this year, Mercedes-Benz will test a fuel-cell version of the current B-Class in the United States.

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Tags:car news, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz compact car us, mercedes-benz small suv us
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At the Geneva Motor Show, Brabus displayed its version of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe that it has dubbed as the Brabus E V12 Coupe.

This car, which is offered on a limited run, is featured with a Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800 twelve-cylinder displacement engine that develops 800hp and a peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft). In terms of performance, the car is able to go from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 370 km/h (230 mph) without being limited. Furthermore, the car can accelerate to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds and to 300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.9 seconds. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, 2010 mercedes-benz e-class coupe brabus, Brabus, brabus e v12 coupe, car news, e-class coupe tuning, Geneva Motor Show
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