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The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team is pleased to announce two new appointments as the team continues to strengthen its technical structure. Geoffrey Willis will join the team as Technology Director on 17 October and Aldo Costa will begin his role as Engineering Director on 1 December.
Aldo and Geoffrey will report to Technical Director Bob Bell. Aldo will be responsible for design and development, and Geoffrey will head the aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, control systems and simulation functions.
Geoffrey Willis worked at Brackley from 2001 to 2006, and was Technical Director at Red Bull Racing from 2007 to 2009, before taking a consultancy role with Hispania Racing in March 2010.
Aldo Costa previously worked as Technical Director at Ferrari, joining in 1996 after eight years at the Minardi team. Aldo won eight World Championships at Maranello, prior to his departure in May 2011.
Team Principal Ross Brawn said: “I am delighted to announce that Aldo Costa and Geoff Willis will be joining the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team. Geoff is a highly respected engineer with over twenty years of Formula One experience, and we look forward to his arrival next month. Having worked closely with Aldo for many years, I know that he will bring dedication and championship-winning expertise to the team when he joins in December. Building a winning team is an exciting challenge for us all as we work towards the competitiveness and standards that we aspire to as the Mercedes-Benz works team. With a strong technical structure led by Bob Bell, we are moving ourselves into the best possible position to achieve our ambitions.”
Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport commented: “Since MERCEDES GP PETRONAS was formed as a new team in early 2010, we have been putting in place the building blocks for success. Our technical organisation was strengthened by the arrival of Bob Bell and, working closely with Ross, he has identified the areas where we can improve still further. Aldo and Geoff will reinforce our technical management and bring the experience required to harness the talents of our people in Brackley; we have also recruited and invested at other levels in order to maximise our competitiveness under the Resource Restriction Agreement. Our goal remains to progress step by step in order to establish ourselves as a front-running team for the long term, in line with the tradition of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows.”
* Official photo and details courtesy of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS *
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION
First-Ever Mercedes-Benz Coupe in This SegmentFor the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz is launching a new two-door coupe version of its highly successful C-Class, complete with bold AMG styling and a standard panorama sunroof. This marks the first time Mercedes-Benz has offered a traditional coupe in this market segment.
Major Sedan Redesign
At the same time, the popular four-door C-Class sedan has undergone a major restyling involving 2,000 new parts, including new bumpers, headlights, front grille, an aluminum hood, LED taillights and a redesigned interior. Interior design work focused on restyling the C-Class dash, its integrated display and the glove box, as well as introducing a new grain for the interior panels. The dash accommodates a new 5.8-inch display, color gauges and a new-generation telematics system. A prominent trim piece extends from the center vents across the front passenger area to the right-side vent, while trapezoidal air vents in the center and the round vents near the doors are accented with metallic trim.
More Convenience, More Safety
In addition, there are 13 new standard equipment features on the 2012 C-Class sedan and coupe line, as well as five new safety systems. Standard-equipment Attention Assist warns drivers when they get drowsy, and a new HOLD feature for the Adaptive Brake system keeps the car from rolling when stopped. Optional Blind Spot Assist provides a warning whenever a turn signal is activated with a car in a blind spot, while Lane Keeping Assist alerts drivers if the car drifts from its lane without the turn signals on. Parktronic now incorporates a parking guidance system that can identify right-size parking spaces and provide helpful steering guidance in the instrument cluster.
Two Body Styles, Seven Models
Both the coupe and sedan are available in three different models: the C250, powered by a new direct-injection, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (201 horsepower, 229 lb.-ft. of torque); the C350, with a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.); and the high-performance C63 AMG model with a normally aspirated 6.3-liter V8 (451 hp, 443 lb.-ft.) and AMG's MCT multi-clutch transmission. With an optional AMG Development Package, power jumps to 481 hp. Lastly, the C-Class sedan is available as a C300, with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the proven 3.0-liter V6 engine (228 hp, 221 lb.-ft.).
Sport Versus Luxury Personalities
While all C-Class coupes boast inherently sporty personalities, the C250 and C300 sedan models can be ordered with Sport or Luxury equipment. In addition to a grill-mounted star, the C-Class Sport sedans can be identified by AMG cladding - deeper front and rear aprons as well as under-door rocker panels. Inside, Sport models come with three-spoke steering wheels, rubber-stud pedals and aluminum trim (instead of the four-spoke wheel and burl walnut trim found on Luxury models). Sport sedans are also fitted with staggered-width wheels and tires and a stiffer sports suspension that rides 0.6 inches lower than Luxury models.
New Transmission
All 2012 models (except the C63 AMG with its MCT transmission) feature a new seven-speed automatic transmission with a more advanced torque converter lock-up clutch that provides even better fuel mileage, more responsive driving and increased durability. The new transmission is also designed to work best with a new type of low-viscosity ATF transmission fluid - tinted blue instead of the usual red. Together with new planetary gears, bearings and seals, the "FE-ATF" fluid provides less friction and improved fuel mileage.
Award-Winning MCT Transmission
Adapted from high-end V8-powered AMG models, the cutting-edge MCT transmission in the high-performance C63 AMG features a start-up clutch that replaces the torque converter. The seven-speed MCT sports transmission provides the direct feedback of a manual transmission with the total convenience of an automatic, offering impressive versatility and even faster shift times.
For C63 AMG owners who are serious about competing on the race track, an optional AMG Development Package features lightweight forged pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft with modified engine management that together provide an extra 30 horsepower, for a total of 481 hp. The AMG Development Package also includes two-piece brakes with red calipers, carbon-fiber rear spoiler and a higher speed limiter of 174 mph.
New-Generation Telematics
2012 models are equipped with a new 5.8-inch color display that includes a Bluetooth interface for wireless audio streaming and hands-free phone operation, an FM phase-diversity twin tuner, HD/AM/weatherband, an MP3-compatible CD drive and a USB port in the center console.
An optional COMAND system comes with a larger seven-inch color display, GPS navigation, rear-view camera, a ten-gigabyte music storage hard drive, an SD card slot, voice control and an in-dash CD / DVD player. The powerful navigation system offers many new features, including Sirius real-time traffic info, the ability to show alternate routes before choosing them and record routes while driving as well as a 3D city-map display and a compass overlay.
COUPE DESIGN
A Dynamic "Three-Box" Coupe Silhouette
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe is a two-door, four-seat car of classic proportions. Based on the highly successful sedan, the new coupe embodies bold, yet elegant exterior styling with a dynamic three-box coupe silhouette topped off with a standard Panorama sunroof. While its exterior dimensions are similar to the sedan, the coupe roofline is about 1½ inches lower.
Dominated by its radiator grille, the front end of the new coupe has a bold and resolute presence. Within the grille, two chrome fins on each side of the centrally-positioned star taper to the sides, emphasizing the raked horizontal lines at the front, and a black threedimensional mesh insert behind the fins enhances its sporty look.
Headlights Reminiscent of a High-Tech Camera
Below the front bumper, side air intakes and horizontal daytime running lights accentuate the coupe's bold stance, as do headlight assemblies contoured into the front fenders. Turn signals sit at the outer edges of the headlight modules, low beams in the middle and high beams to the inside. With optional bi-xenon headlights, the sense of stylistic depth is amplified. C-shaped positioning lights identify the car at night, and behind them, cornering lights extend toward the main light modules, while a wideband row of LED turn signals at the base underscore the look of both light assemblies.
An Unmistakably Raked Look
The new front hood emphasizes the new coupe's unmistakably wedged-shaped lines. Visually tying together the lights, grille and front bumper, the lines of the hood naturally lead the eye to the windshield, which is more sharply angled than on the sedan. From the side, the profile of the coupe is defined by its short overhangs, a long front hood, the raked windshield and an elongated roof line. The greenhouse begins at its long doors and extends behind the rear wheels to a relatively flat rear window.
A Short, Sporty Rear
The beltline, which sweeps upward toward the rear, intensifies the car's wedge shape and leads to the uniquely-coupe C pillars, which form a taut, angular signature line at the rear. All of these angles, plus a wide bevel at the top edge of the trunk lid, accentuate the shortness of the car's rear section, which helps define its sporty look.
Taillights positioned at the far corners emphasize the width of the rear. Visual depth was achieved by integrating the LED turn signals in the center of the taillight assemblies, so they appear to float over the recessed LED light strips. The overall effect is eye-catching, making the car recognizable, especially at night. At the base of the rear bumper, between the exhaust outlets, an air diffuser lightens the look of the rear, lending an additional sporty flair.
A Distinctive Look for the C63 AMG
With its deeper front apron, distinctive AMG daytime running lights and lower ride height, the new C63 AMG is easy to spot. A single wing-like slat in the grille and power domes on the hood are also unique to the new AMG model.
From the side, special touches include new, high-gloss AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels, a "6.3 AMG" badge behind each front wheel and deeper, more aggressive AMG door sills. An AMG rear apron features a striking black three-fin air diffuser and four exhaust outlets.
Inside, an AMG Performance steering wheel greets the driver. Both the top and bottom of the metallic-trimmed wheel are flattened, and the grip areas are covered in perforated leather. However, the most eye-catching difference in the C63 AMG interior is new AMG sport seats that feature integral head restraints and distinctive horizontal seams.
SEDAN DESIGN
The Most Extensive Restyling Ever
For the 2012 model year, the C-Class sedan boasts the most extensive restyling in Mercedes- Benz history. Other than the company's new-generation products, the 2012 sedan line features more new parts than ever before. This year's redesign involved 2,000 new parts, which includes several new safety systems and higher standard equipment levels.
A Cool Makeover
The front end restyling includes a recontoured hood and bumper as well as new headlights. The new aluminum front hood better accentuates the sweeping lines of the front end, especially around the grille and headlights. Design lines that begin from the middle of the bumper sweep around to the side, in a design sense, connecting the front and sides. In a similar way, air intakes in the sides of the bumper help make the car appear connected to the road.
As in the coupe, sedan headlights feature a clear-glass look, with turn signals at the outer edges, low beams in the middle and high beams to the inside. The optional bi-xenon headlights include C-shaped positioning lights that clearly identify the car at night, and behind them, cornering lights extend toward the main light modules, while a wide band of LED turn signals at the base underscore the look of both light assemblies.
An Elegant Profile
Viewing the sedan from the side, its elegant style is characterized by the interplay of striking lines and large contoured surfaces. A wide, muscular shoulder line visually supports the side windows, roof pillars and roof, forming one sweeping line from the front all the way to the rear and elegantly stretching the body. Complementing the shoulder line, a character line emerges organically from the front fender and rises toward the rear, forming a boundary between the convex and concave door surfaces - emphasizing light and shadow.
For all its elegance, the design of the C-Class emphasizes its sporty character with wide track, prominent fender lines and large wheel wells. The shoulder curve and C-pillar join to form a line that flows to the rear, and the character line below it flows into the trunk lid, visually shortening the rear overhang and helping to create a stylish, athletic rear end.
A Redesigned Rear
Like the front, the redesigned rear of the 2012 C-Class sedan includes a new bumper and LED lights covered in a smooth one-piece clear lens. In particular, the edge of the bumper is more steeply angled as it approaches the taillight assemblies, and a light-catching contour at the top of the bumper wraps around to the side, visually connecting rear to the sides and giving it a sportier character. Between the exhaust outlets, the bottom of the bumper recedes, making the rear of the car appear lighter.
Proceed to the following link in order to download the complete technical guide of the new C-Class Coupe and Sedan (PDF file):
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Lately, it was discovered that Mercedes-AMG might be in a quite embarrasing situation due to possible problems that might affect the M156 6.2-litre V8 powerplant. The issues were already detected as early as 2007, but appear to have been constantly ignored since then.
To put it straight, the materials used for building certain components of the engine are incriminated because it was found out that they could eventually be suffering from premature deterioration and thus putting at risk the proper functioning of the entire unit. Precisely, the nodular iron camshafts have been clearly incriminated in this case, as they might not work in conjunction with 9310-grade steel valve lifters. One customer has already complained the V8 powerplant installed on his leased, pre-owned E 63 AMG broke up, which meant more than $ 25,000 were spent on service repairs and on covering the loss of value of the car.
This issues have been reported back in 2007 in an internal service bulletin of Daimler, but AMG engineers postponed a solution to the uncovered errors and, in this way, they basically spread across the entire range of products trimmed in Affalterbach, excluding the V12-powered models.
As a conclusion, Mercedes-AMG might be facing some serious legal difficulties if the judge decides to start a class-action lawsuit against the German company, offering a clear path for other clients experiencing similar failures on their AMG models to make themselves heard in justice.
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
As you may already know from a previous post, the new Mercedes-Benz Actros is participating at the Record Run 2011, a complete 7-day journey on a total distance of 10,000 km between Rotterdam (NL) - Sczeczin (PL) - Rotterdam (NL) whose aim is to discover the efficiency potential of a heavy-duty vehicle. The new generation of this multi-awarded truck is competing as Record Chaser against the Record Holder: the Actros 1844 Euro V "Nardo" (MP 3), a champion of fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. There are not one, but two models attempting to beat the current record: the Actros 1844 LS Euro V and the Actros 1844 LS Euro VI. The trip started back on 26th June and will come to an end today, 2nd July, when the fleet composed of the three trucks is scheduled to return to the Dutch harbour city, where it all started one week ago. At the moment, the teams are crossing Germany nearing Hannover.
Read more interesting technical details and see further images after you press the jump button!
Overall Performance 26.06.2011 - 01.07.2011
Actros 1844 LS Euro V (MP 3)
Distance covered up to now: 7794 km
Speed: 77.66 km/h
Fuel Mileage: 26,89 l/100 km
Actros 1845 LS Euro V (MP 4)
Distance covered up to now: 7810 km
Speed: 77.44 km/h
Fuel Mileage: 24.85 l/100 km
Actros 1845 LS Euro VI (MP 4)
Distance covered up to now: 7794 km
Speed: 77.47 km/h
Fuel Mileage: 25.66 l/100 km
___________________________________
Comparison data: 1844 LS Euro V / 1845 LS Euro V / 1845 LS Euro VI
Kilometres driven*: 9.468 km / 9.494 km / 9.470 km
Current speed*: 84 kph / 13 kph / - kph
Use of speed control system***: 88 % / 84 % / 89 %
Time stationary with engine running***: 1h 17min 33s / 1h 12min 13s / 1h 04min 46s
Time stationary with engine off***: 13h 05min 58s / 12h 44min 02s / 13h 00min 57s
Service braking distance***: 0,69 % / 0,66 % / 0,68 %
Number of stops**: 175 / 169 / 183
Use of wear-free brakes***: 3,09 % / 2,92 % / 3,09 %
Vehicle weight: 40t / 40t / 40t
*Update every 10 min. ; **Update ~ every 4h ; ***Update ~ every 24h
Source: Record Run 2011
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
