Mercedes Planning Electric A-Class with Lithium-Ion Batteries for 2010

Citing inside company sources, German newspaper “Automobilewoche” is reporting that Mercedes-Benz will market an electric version of the current A-Class in 2010. According to an unnamed senior manager in the automotive industry, the current generation A-Class’ sandwich construction with its double floor is ideal to fit the batteries without performing any serious modifications to the vehicle.

The newspaper also supports that Mercedes-Benz is currently in talks with Tesla for the supply of the lithium-ion batteries. Compared to nickel hydride units, lithium-ion batteries are not only more powerful but they also weigh less.

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Will be Available with a Hybrid Powertrain

Development of the second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is well underway as the production model is set be unveiled during a major car show in late 2010 with sales following in early 2011. According to our sources, a hybrid version of the new CLS will definitely be offered. It will get the same powertrain as the forthcoming S400 Hybrid that will be launched at the end of 2009, which means that the CLS Hybrid will make use of lithium-ion batteries that not only weigh less but also offer more power than the nickel hydride units used in today’s hybrids.

In terms of styling, as the rendering that we found on French car magazine Autoplus reveals, Mercedes-Benz’ 4door-coupe model will retain the basic shape of the current generation model adorned with styling elements from the German automaker’s newest cars. -One more pic after the jump

Pics via: Autoplus

Renntech Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 PKG2 with 740Hp

Renntech is updating its offerings with the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 PKG2. Compared to last year’s PKG1 that boosted the standard SLR 722’s output from 650Hp to 722Hp, the PKG2 adds a less restrictive, motorsports-style exhaust system and re-mapped ECU software resulting to over 740Hp at 6400 rpm. Moreover, Renntech now offers its Signature 10 spoke wheels in SLR offsets and 3 finishes (chrome, satin-ceramic, and sniper gray). -Continued

Pricing for Renntech’s SLR performance upgrades are set at $12,990 for the base PKG1 and $26,990 for the PKG2 while the 20-inch alloy rims will cost you an extra $7,800.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Advert For The Insecure

This catchy print ad for the recently facelifted Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster was created by the Brazilian advertising agency, Ponto de Criacao. The caption reads: “Men talk about women, sports and cars. Women talk about men inside sports cars”. Playful and witty it may be, but on the other hand, isn’t it like saying that the SL is the ultimate driving machine for an incapable and totally insecure male?