1992 Mercedes-Benz W140 S Class Review: The Invincible Sedan

If you aren’t aware it’s 2011 and just like every other year we get one year older. Of course, being mortal when we get older you find your body changing over time. You find hair growing out of your ear lobes, you find aches in places where it has never ached before a year ago and your bones creak slightly more than usual. All of these mentioned above will happen to you, unless you’re not human. However, if you’re a car, especially a W140 series Mercedes Benz S-class, you could probably go on forever.

Designed to be the best car in the world, it actually is, or was. First sold in 1991 the W140 Mercedes Benz S-class cost Mercedes Benz about $1billion to develop and had tons of innovation built into it. It was the first production car that had double glazed glass for the windows, power assisted closing for the doors and boot lid (on higher specced models), electric windows that will stop and lower itself if it detected your hands and objects in its way, an electric powered adjustable rear view mirror (so that the ultra lazy can just move their wrist to adjust it) and other incredible sounding gadgetry at the time. Some of these items had filtered to lower Mercedes Benzes and introduced into cars from other manufacturers. It was one, if not the last, over-engineered Mercedes Benz made and it basically cost 25 percent more than the outgoing W126 model because of this. Everything in the W140 felt good to the touch and also felt like it could go on forever.

The car in question that I drove was a black 1992 300SE. This was the base model in the line-up which went up all the way to the V8 500SEL and the V12 600SEL. This was pre-1994, before Mercedes Benz changed the way it named their cars – the S-classes became the S280 or S500L instead of using the ‘SE’ or ‘SEL’ moniker. It had a 2.8liter straight 6 engine that made 190bhp and about 199lb/ft (270Nm) of torque. Adequate for a barge that weighed in at about 1,880kg (for this base model). Unfortunately, due to the weight of the car, you only get 100/bhp per ton, hence the 0-60mph time of about 10.5 seconds. Not very CarThrottle, but what’s very CarThrottle about this car is that it makes the chore of driving a barge easier than you think possible in every location. With the exception of small, tight backlanes.

This car may be almost 20 years old and in car years, being 20 means you’re almost 50. In most 20 year old cars you will find a lack of refinement and a lack of performance in them. If you had a ride in a 20 year old Toyota Camry you may be grinding your teeth and you would hear squeaks rattles and clunks throughout your drive. There are some old Camrys which would still be nice to drive, but these are rare, few and far between. Not to mention utterly dull to drive. But try hop into any Mercedes Benz W140 and you’d be surprised by how much of a sense of occasion a car like this car give you. That three-pointed star up front does this to you.

The leather seats feel good, the driving position isn’t tiring at all. Half a day of dealing with city traffic and I popped out of the car feeling strangely fresh as when I hopped in the car in the morning. I also remember a few of us driving 400 kilometers in one and none of us felt knackered. It is this long legged ability and the high level of refinement of this old Mercedes that makes it worthy of a CarThrottle article.

And it surprisingly handles in an inert sort of way (blame it on that recirculating ball type steering system), slightly feel-less brakes and a typical Mercedes throttle pedal. It isn’t a small car as even this short wheelbase car seems to have tons of space at the rear. It is actually Rolls Royce Silver Spirit huge if you want a comparison of size. But it would still do a U-turn at a busy street junction with such verve that could embarrass smaller cars and it could also be hustled down a tight mountain road if you want to but you actually won’t. I tried giving it more boot than usual around one of the highways but somehow, I seemed to settle into a serene, hushed trot at about 70mph. I suppose this is what stress-feel motoring is all about.

Now being a typical Mercedes from the 1990s it will tell you that it’s understeering very early into a corner. So you have to actually adjust your driving style to suit it – not the other way round. If not it would be akin to wrestling a bull (and it is bull-sized). Drive within its limits and it does its job well. I suppose you shouldn’t hustle a Mercedes S-class as it is more suited for ushering captains of the industry from one meeting to another instead of tackling the Nurburgring. You could take this W140 to the nearest Autobahn for a workout. Even this base model will hit 130mph if it had enough road to do so. It could also do a 100mph cruise all day if you wanted to. And cruising at 100mph in one feels like cruising at half the speed. Such is the refinement of the W140 S-class that you could do this 20 years on without any problems. In fact, if you sat in the later W210 S-class that came after this model you would be hard pressed to differentiate the ride quality and quietness of the cars.

Did I encounter any problems with this car? No. None whatsoever. The individual air-conditioning controls still worked perfectly in this car, the car’s original 6 cylinder engine still sounded sweet (with only a top or cylinder head overhaul to its name). Most of the electrics basically worked fine and there were no sounds of creaks or squeaks aside from the usual leathery squeaks. The 4 speed automatic (pre-1994 models mostly came in the more basic gearbox) worked decently well too.

I suppose the best things about cars like these is that they are now dirt cheap with prices of between a thousand or so pounds to about three thousand pounds for this base 300SE model and you could even get the fully loaded S500 versions for about the same amount (depending on condition of course). Parts may be pricey as it is an S-class – and spare parts for these cars were never as cheap as the smaller C or E class Mercedes. This was the best car in the world, circa 1992, and in 2011, it still drives better than some of the cars today.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Official Photos

I’m sure you’ve read about the new C-Class Coupe in the previous post in Carshowp. This time, Mercedes-Benz released some photos and preliminary details on both the North American and European lineup.

The new 2012 C-Class will receive its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 and make its way to European showrooms by June and in the U.S. in September.

Mercedes-Benz’s newcomer is a two-door variant of the facelifted C-Class sedan, and it has been designed to replace both the CLK and CLC Sportscoupe. It sits right under the larger E-Class Coupe in Mercedes’ range, offering the company a direct competitor to the BMW 3-Series and Audi A5 coupes.

Exterior showed two door body style, the chief differences over the sedan model concern the more steeply raked windshield and longer sloping roof, the arched window line with an upsweep kink into the C-pillar, plus the redesigned rear end. The Coupe’s front end is identical to that of the four-door model.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe’s interior sports the same updated dashboard as the rest of the range but features a four-seat layout with independent sports seats. The rear backrests can be folded to extend the storage area.

For U.S., it will be offered at launch with two engine choices, a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit with direct injection and turbocharging technology delivering 201HP and 229 lb-ft of torque in the C250, and a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 302HP and 273 lb-ft in the C350. Both models are equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission as standard.

For Europe, Mercedes has announced an initial range of three gasoline engines and two diesel powerplants, all equipped with direct injection and the ECO start/stop function as standard.

On the diesel lineup includes a 2.1-liter four-cylinder unit available with 170HP and 204HP guises, while the gasoline range, a 1.8-liter turbo with 156HP and 204HP, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 306HP.

While, the most economical coupé model is the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with a manual six-speed transmission and the standard ECO start/stop function, which has an average diesel consumption of 64.2 mpg UK, equal to 53.5 mpg UK and 4.4 lt/100km, and emits 117 grams of CO2 /km.

A BMW M3-rivaling performance version featuring the C 63 AMG’s 457HP / 487HP 6.2-liter V8 is also believed to be in the works.

Click images to view gallery

New Mercedes-Benz Announces

Increased fuel economy and more horsepower from smaller displacement – sound like a good deal? It does to us. Mercedes-Benz recently revealed refreshed iterations of it’s 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan.

While they got the usual mid-cycle tweaks to styling and options, the big news is under the hood. Mercedes, which is locked in a race with Lexus for the top selling luxury brand in the United States, has just announced pricing for these new models.

In typical Mercedes fashion, they don’t come cheap. The S63 AMG goes for $138,875 while the coupe model gets a hefty premium, checking in at $151,125.

Last year, a 6.3-liter unit was standard in those two models. This year, it’s a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 making 536 horsepower and a whopping 590 pound feet of torque.

Interestingly, Mercedes hasn’t updated naming to reflect the decrease in displacement – otherwise it would be S55 and CL55. That was the displacement of last year’s standard models, which this year have also seen their displacement reduced as well - to 4.6-liters.

That engine is standard in the CL55 4-Matic, which is priced at $114,025. The engine is 20 percent smaller in displacement than its predecessor but generates 429 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque – 12 percent more horsepower and 32 percent more torque than the engine, all while improving fuel economy by 20 percent.

That is a lot of figures thrown around, but one thing is clear – engines in performance vehicles are advancing for the better.

Mercedes Previews C-Class Coupe Ahead Of Geneva

With the demise of the CLK, Merc’s Coupe lineup consists of Medium (E-Coupe) and Large (CL.) For those wanting 2-door Benz style in a compact, efficient package, Mercedes will be bringing the C-Class Coupe to the Geneva show, and they’ve leaked some pictures to whet everyone’s appetite.

Intended as a competitor for both the 1 and 3 series Coupe (as well as the Audi A5, likely), the C-Class Coupe will split the size gap between the two. Let’s get one thing out of the way first, though. Seperated at birth?

C Class Coupe, circa 2011 above. Honda Accord Coupe circa 2008 below. Hmm.

Hmm. Okay. I’m not going to say Mercedes stole some design elements from Honda for this one. Let’s just say they’re similar looking. That sounds a lot better. Similar. Done. Moving on…

As you can see, it’s the same as the facelifted C-Class for 2012, with the differentiation only occuring from the A-pillar rearward. The interior appears to be the same as the regular C-Class as well, which is no bad thing.

The engines are expected to mirror the normal C-Class lineup, with boosted 4 cylinders at the bottom end, and the new direct-injected 3.5L 302bhp V6 at the upper end. It would not be surprising for Mercedes to make a C63 AMG Coupe to compete with the 1M Coupe/ M3 Coupe/ S5 as well, considering all the parts are already there. That’ll really be something to see – a comparison test between the C63 AMG Coupe, M3, RS5, and CTS-V Coupe. Lovely.

Full details (and hopefully some pictures that make the C Coupe look less like an Accord Coupe) should be released leading up to the Geneva show in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for more news on this classy 2-door Benz.

New Mercedes-Benz SLK Photos Leak

Mercedes-Benz has been busy with his debut a new design philosophy across the board. Newer models have moved away from the double oval design of the light, so high on the Mercedes featured in the last decade.

Instead, more and more open design with a big star adorning the front end. Redesigned CLS is one of the first cars to a whole new look for Mercedes passenger cars to show. Spy shots of the new SLK, but thanks to the new release Cars Mercedes Coop French commercials was spotted by anyone.

Photos are a bit grainy, but you have a good sense of what looks like the new SLK will. While previous SLKs seemed to fade into the background, the updated car bold and aggressive appearance.
We say it's a little out-of-character for the SLK looks. Huge front does not seem to the size of small cars together and it makes for some unusual angles. We need more pictures to judge us one.

From behind, a new light guard recalls the connection between the C-Class and AMG. What's more, the interior of the SLK AMG monkey, and setting the car is low in the cockpit, who feel and a retro-style round holes.

The new SLK is added to the Pre-Safe, Mercedes 7-speed automatic transmission and the latest technology for new convertibles such as the heater in the cabin air scarf. Mercedes does not lose the official press release for more information on the composition of the new engine is still unknown. Stay tuned for more details.

New 2010 Mercedes Benz G Class

Cool Modified Mercedes Benz G Class Cars

New Mercedes Updates C63 AMG for 2012

Mercedes has updated the C-class lineup for 2012, and the V8-powered C63 muscle car along with it. For 2012 the C63 gets a redesigned exterior and some minor mechanical upgrades to make it a sharper driver’s car as well as more efficient. Let’s take a look at what’s new for everyone’s favorite bonkers Merc.

Most obvious are the new, swept-back headlights. There’s a new bumper up front with integrated LED daytime running lights, a new aluminum hood with a redesigned grille, and around back a new bumper as well. The C63 gets some new wheels for 2012; these black wheels give it a pretty sinister appearance, don’t they?

Power-wise, it’s the same as it’s always been: a lot. The standard C63 retains the 6.2L 32v AMG V8 with 457bhp and 442lb-ft of torque, while the Performance Package is still available with it’s upgrade to 487bhp. The C63 gains the AMG 7-speed Speed Shift MCT gearbox, which is a 7-speed planetary gearset automatic but with a wet clutch in place of a torque converter, as first seen on the SL63 AMG. AMG says the fuel economy is improved compared to the previous model, which seems about as relevant as what Cameron Diaz’s favorite bird is. The C63 will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds as a sedan, 4.6 as an estate – and the power pack for either drops that figure a tenth on both.

The other changes are limited to suspension calibrations (not specified) and an updated interior (not shown in the press photos.) Oh, and Mercedes continues to sell the C63 as a wagon in Europe. Cry silently to yourself. The new C63 is available for order from you local Mercedes Dealer now.

New Mercedes Falls Short of Toppling Lexus

s luxury market, consolidation in the last decade is undoubtedly the Lexus. Since 2000, Lexus luxury reigned from ticket sales, capturing the title of best-selling luxury brand in the U.S. each year in a row.
In 2009 is expected to overtake the BMW brand, because it is heading for the best sales. This year, overtaking Mercedes-Benz Lexus sales at once.

But just like last year, Lexus has declined in the fourth quarter to beat the charge. With the great leaders who constantly chipped away, anticipate trends, not too good for Lexus. Let's see how the numbers shake.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz Lexus range with only a few thousand copies between them. Driven Lexus sold 229,329 cars, which is 6.88 percent more than in 2009 in number. Mercedes came in second with 225,007 units, which is 18.82 percent. Just behind him on 220 113 with 12.75 percent growth in BMW.

percentage increases are the most telling - and the growth in BMW and Mercedes-Benz remains the same pace in 2011, one of them has a Lexus.

However, Lexus is not exactly on his laurels. It is run by hybrid CT 250 hours intending to 12,000 units of the contest to add in the coming years. We'll see how it shakes - stay tuned. For now, however, Lexus is still on top.

New Mercedes C63 AMG Images Leak

Mercedes-Benz models, the AMG version in particular, never seems to be revealed in time due to leakage that inevitably occurs. This happened with the recent CL AMG lineup too.
Mercedes has recently announced the renewal of the C-Class lineup for 2012. The update is a small, new headlights, front, a new interior and improved the rear.

a refreshing effort C-Class line with a recent new Mercedes models. General, Mercedes updated the entire line reflects new, bold look.
As expected, C63 AMG gets the same treatment, with new front-end design that aggressive new headlights, grille and bumper covers.

cracks and internal pictures of this German-Cars website here. The most important part is undoubtedly the engine, but no information about upgrading to - as yet. For now, we dig the new look. What do you think?

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Debuts

Mercedes SLK Roadster is a trend when it first appeared as early as 1996. Until then, the "convertible" traditionally does not intend "floppy stoftag, noisy, and easy to steal things out." The SLK is an elegant two-piece folding electric hardtop was not technically the first of its kind on the market (that honor goes to 1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyder with ASC-up design), but it was a car that the folding hardtop, the idea that almost all the popular brands are now copying. Continuing the tradition of those outside the SLK, Mercedes has revamped its smallest two-seater car and gave him many new features to keep it fresh.

Styling wise, the new SLK fairly predictable. The smallest Benz Roadster has always inspired styling of the car MB Halo at the moment. Source (R170) SLK shared many styling signals from the iconic R129 (1989 +), the SL-Class, the new model (R171), followed in 2004, the new SL, SLR McLaren and reflected later with their facelift. The new SLK (R172) takes up most of the design inspired by the Merc is the marvel-gullwinged, AMG.

Personally, I think style is a bit too conservative in terms of anonymity - even if the pressure on the red car, it's still hard on the head. Not to complain, it is quite possible, Mercy, I could have gone too far in the opposite direction and made it strange, but when it is desirable to make the car a muscular position. To save weight hood and fenders are now made of aluminum.
It is clear, elegant fold still, but there are some new tidbits spoiled owners happy. The biggest news about the Mercedes SLK R172 is what a magic sky called CONTROL. It is actually an electronic color systems glass roof that can go with dark tinted clear at the touch of a button. Of course it is a possibility, and your second choice in the painted body color roof, or solid-tone glass roof as well. Ferrari is using this technology in 575 years Superamerica couple back and it's one of the cooler tricks out there.

More goodies are on their way to R172 also AIRGUIDE comfortable ride, which rotates the wind-stop is mounted behind the roll bars to reduce top-down turbulence Interior, headlights are LED lights AIRSCARF neck warmer is reviewed, and in particular, leather seats treat, a cool touch - less heat from the sun to keep! Other useful features include a solid base with leather-wrapped steering wheel, bright color in the middle of Commissioners, the steering wheel, and more typical of luxury properties for this class.
R172 gets two new engines to go with a new body. The basic model, now called the SLK250, replace the 3.0L V6-powered SLK280 than previous generations. With a 1.8L I4 turbo direct-injection was 201 horsepower does not sound like much (especially compared with the SLK280 is 230 hp), but it will still just an impressive 6.5 seconds from 00 to 60 time and 155 flat out to return after 27 km / h in combination. SLK250, a 6-speed manual transmission standard are happy.

An important step will be SLK250 SLK350, a derivative of the engine of the previous car. But the 3.5L V6 engine now has a new gasoline direct injection with piezo injectors, twin-spark head. Power is up 30bhp from 272 to 302bhp, which is significantly faster than 250: This is a 5.4s 0-60 times faster than others. Fuel consumption is estimated at 23mpg combined for the SLK350. It is still unclear whether it will be AMG versions of the new SLK and what the engine will be used. Suspension-wise, the SLK gets (the press) "firmer springs and dampers, and torque coupling effect by the brakes on the rear, which ensures that the SLK pointed in the direction in which this goal.

The new SLK is the official debut in Stuttgart, Germany for 125 marks its first birthday soon and look at R172 at the Geneva Motor Show in March to publish. You will not wait long for a while: 2012 SLK will be available at your local Mercedes-Benz in summer 2011.

New Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG In Action

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG got my online search, and we want the new super sedan.

It follows a trend in recent Mercedes models give more for less money. If more power with less displacement and increase fuel consumption.

CLS63 trenches last year, with an atmospheric 514 horsepower 6.3-liter V-8 for a two-tubocharged drive, 557 hp. Increasing fuel efficiency also increases by 32 percent.

CLS63 AMG is always about power itself, and this video shows the new Mercedes in action on the road and around the track.

New Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss reviews

British legend's name given to final editions of the SLR supercar. Mercedes-Benz has revealed details of an exclusive SLR inspired by British motor racing legend, Stirling Moss. Only 75 will be made, each costing €750,000 (£710,810).

The SLR Stirling Moss is a roofless and windowless version of the Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster, featuring a supercharged, 5,439cc V8 engine developing 650bhp. It accelerates from 0-62mph in less than 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 217mph.


Moss won many racers for Mercedes in its SLR racers during the 1950s and this tribute to his sublime skills recalls the sleek 300 SLR in which he and Denis Jenkinson famously won the 1955 Mille Miglia road race in Italy during a record-breaking drive from Brescia to Rome and back. The pair’s average speed was almost 98mph.

Like the series production SLR, the bodywork is made from carbon-fibre, with the bonnet continuing into the passenger compartment. Minuscule wind deflectors protect the two occupants from the airflow, while air scoops integrated into the bodywork behind the seats serve as roll-over bars. The SLR Stirling Moss also has a larger rear diffuser than that fitted to the SLR Coupe and Roadster.

There’s also an airbrake to aid deceleration from high speeds, which deploys during heavy braking from speeds above 75mph.

The minimalist interior features carbon-fibre, aluminium-alloy and fine leather, with an aluminium-alloy plate engraved with Moss’s signature situated by the gearlever.

Production of the SLR Stirling Moss will begin in June 2009, when the standard SLR ceases production, and the run of 75 examples is expected to be completed by next December.

New Mercedes SLS AMG Pictures and reviews

A super cool new interpretation of Mercedes-Benz's fabled "Gullwing" car model, called the SLS AMG, will be one of the stars at this months Frankfurt Motor Show.



Gone are the familiar rounded nose, circular headlights and triangular rear quarter-lights of the 1950s model. In their place, the German firm will unveil a chiselled, aerodynamic new model with vertically slanted headlights, a steeply-raked windscreen and taut, muscular, ground-hugging lines. Doors that pivot from the roof and that fold up and out are, however, instantly reminiscent of the car's famous forbear; so too are not-so-discreet air vents just aft of the front wheels.

Mercedes SLS AMG Video

Equipped with a front-mid AMG-tuned 6.3-litre V8 producing 571 horsepower at 6,800rpm and seven-speed dual clutch transmission, Mercedes says the SLS AMG will be good for 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds. Expected to cost around £150,000, it will be on sale by summer 2010.

Inside the Mercedes SLS AMG
The interior is strictly 21st century, however. Designed under the direction of Hartmut Sinkwitz, it's notable for its simplicity and aviation-inspired motifs. "The new Gullwing bears the stamp of aircraft construction for good reason," says AMG chairman Volker Mornhinweg. "For decades, aircraft cockpits have represented intelligent lightweight construction, the highest level of functionality, concentration on the pilots' needs, and aesthetics in every detail."


The main instruments are housed in a simple binnacle directly in front of the driver. On the left is a large circular speedometer that reads to 360km/h (223mph) that includes a fuel gauge in its lower right quadrant.



On the right is a tachometer redlined at 7300rpm with a temperature gauge in the lower right quadrant. Between the two instruments is a version of Mercedes' information screen that gives a variety of digital readouts, and above that an F1-style shift light panel that's designed to help you time manual shifts of the seven speed dual clutch transmission to the last rev.


Four large circular air vents, styled to resemble jet engine intakes, dominate the otherwise plain dash. The screen for the latest generation COMAND multi-media system is situated between the middle two vents. The SLS will come standard with satellite navigation, along with climate control air conditioning, radar cruise control, and a specially developed Bang&Olufsen audio system.

The COMAND and HVAC controls are all located in the SLS's center console which is a trick light-metal casting with a bright silver finish. A carbon fiber version -- real, structural carbon fiber, not just an applique -- will be available as an option. In the center of the console is a transmission shifter that has been styled to resemble the thrust control lever of a jet, plus the rotary controller for the COMAND system. Arranged in a line along the left hand are the rotary controller for the four transmission modes, the engine stop/start button, the stability and traction control selector, a button that can be programmed to recall your favorite vehicle settings, and a button for the retractable rear spoiler.

Although the cockpit is generously proportioned for a supercar, the SLS is still a car you slide into like a tight pair of jeans. The sills are about as high as the seat cushion and about 10 inches wide. The central section of the roof is tight if you're anywhere near six foot, but the trim on the gullwing doors has been scalloped to provide sufficient headroom. It feels snug and purposeful.

When will the Mercedes SLS AMG become available and how much will it cost?
The SLS will arrive in the U.S. in 2010. It's way too early to talk pricing, insist M-B USA insiders, but it's likely the car will sticker for around $250,000, considerably above the $160,000 SL63 AMG, but way below the $455,000-$500,000 charged for the SLR McLaren. Given the SLS will be virtually as fast as the SLR, and promises to be a more agile, better handling supercar, I guess you could say it's impressive value for money -- for those who can afford it.