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2008-05-15

Formula One Stars On Mercedes-Benz Ad : New Mercedes-Benz car

Formula One Stars On Mercedes-Benz Ad : New Mercedes-Benz car
by Anthony Fontanelle
German automaker Mercedes-Benz has strong ties with Formula One and it is banking on the popularity of the sport's drivers for its new TV ad. The said television commercial will feature Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as well as former McLaren driver and world champion Mika Hakkinen.In the Mercedes-Benz TV ad, Hamilton and Alonso will reveal that they have racing in their blood. The concept of the commercial is to show that the two Formula One drivers consider each other as friendly rivals. In the commercial, the two drivers not only races through the circuit but also rivals each other in other activities and in other places such as at a hotel reception desk, at a gym, and even in a sauna.The TV ad will run for sixty minutes and it will be aired starting next Saturday which will coincide with the qualifying session for the upcoming European Grand Prix which will be held at the Nürburgring in Nurburg, Germany. The said commercial will be aired on the most popular public and private TV channels in Germany, Spain, where Alonso hails from, and the United Kingdom, where Hamilton resides.The commercial will demonstrate that auto racing is not only based on the fighting spirit of the drivers but also incorporates playfulness and fun. These are the messages that Mercedes-Benz is hoping to get across to viewers of the commercial.The choice of Hamilton and Alonso for the commercial is an obvious one since both are sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and would even have been tapped to market Mercedes-Benz products such as Mercedes-Benz car covers although that would seem out of place."Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have a passion for auto racing," said Norbert Haug, the head of Mercedes-Benz Motor Sports. "Both of them are ambitious, focused, and competitive. They cultivate a healthy sense of rivalry and appreciate and respect each other very much."These attributes, according to Haug, is evident in the shooting and the outcome of the commercial. "Of course this is obvious on the race track, and it was evident while we were shooting the new TV commercial, too. In spite of the time pressure and their lack of familiarity with the TV medium, they really enjoyed the shoot."Former McLaren driver and two-time champion Mika Hakkinen also joined the two current stars of the sport. "Mika Häkkinen, who has won the Formula 1 championship twice, has been in commercials before, and he's as cool and appealing as ever this time around," said Haug of the appearance of the Finn in the commercial.A sneak preview of the commercial will be aired at the Mercedes-Benz Internet TV at www.mercedes-benz.tv on the 20th of this month. The said commercial will then be aired at the site on its full length after that."The idea for this commercial originated in our brand philosophy," said Dr. Olaf Göttgens, the Vice President for Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars. "After all, motor sports are deeply rooted in the history of Mercedes-Benz, and today they're still an essential element of our brand's fascination. Motor sports embody the passion that characterizes Mercedes-Benz." The German automaker has been the engine supplier of the McLaren Formula One team since 1995 and this partnership has led to success in the sport.The commercial is said to have a twist at the endings since Hamilton and Alonso will be outdoing each other most of the time. That is where Hakkinen comes in. At the end of the commercial, Hakkinen will outdo both Alonso and Hamilton in their contest in a sauna.

Mercedes Benz Introduces C 63 AMG : New Mercedes Benz car

Mercedes Benz Introduces C 63 AMG : New Mercedes Benz car
by Evander Klum
The German automaker Mercedes Benz introduces the newest C-Class model with design cues and performance features from the company's AMG sports tuner.The new Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG will roll out in the market with two variants: sedan and estate models. Both variants are equipped with a monstrous AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine capable of pumping out 336 kW / 457 hp and 600 Nm amount of peak torque. This naturally aspirated engine allows the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The car is equipped with a continuous dual-flow AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin oval tailpipes with large cross-sections to reduce back pressure, according to Mercedes Benz. Along with high performance catalytic converter, the C 63 AMG complies with almost all of the emissions standards including EU 4 and LEV-II. According to the NEDC, the new Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG achieves a fuel consumption of only 13.4 l/100 km and emits a mere amount of CO2 of 319 g/km. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine is coupled with AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission to complete the powertrain package.Like all other Mercedes Benz AMG models, the C 63 AMG comes with a wide array of interior and exterior components. Outside, the C 63 AMG features AMG bonnet with power domes, distinctive AMG radiator grille, flared front wings, AMG rear apron with a black diffusor insert, AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, AMG spoiler lip, EASY PACK tailgate and load-securing kit, headlamp Assist, and bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function and headlamp cleaning. The C 63 AMG also comes with various wheel and tire combinations. These include the new 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design wrappe3d with tyres in size 235/40 R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear). A 19-inch AMG titanium grey light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design is also available as an optional feature. These high-gloss finish wheels are covered with 235/35 tyres (front) and 255/30 R 19 tyres at the rear.On the inside, the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG offers the distinctive AMG sports seats with integrated head restraints, AMG performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design with a 365-mm rim diameter, flattened lower section, tubular-design AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu, aluminium trim panels on dome, doors and centre console, armrest with roller-top compartment, AMG lettering and brushed stainless steel sports pedals, 1/3:2/3 split-fold rear seat backrest (saloon), /3:2/3 split-fold rear seat backrest (estate), AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG velour floor mats, and Nappa leather upholstery, just to name the few. Safety feats include ISOFIX child seat attachment points in the rear, THERMATIC two-zone automatic climate control, knee bag on the driver's side, airbags for the driver and front passenger, and Mercedes Benz's PRE-SAFE system available as an optional feature.Technical features include improved multi-link independent rear suspension with increased track width, fade-resistant AMG high-performance brake system, and new 3-stage ESP with Sport function.The company said the Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG will roll out in selected markets in Europe early in 2008 carrying a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of 67,235 Euros ($95,782) for the sedan variant, and 69,853 Euros ($99,512 USD) for the estate. Probably this model will also roll out in the US market. Mercedes Benz lovers should watch out for this model instead of upgrading their auto parts (like Saab OEM parts).

Mercedes-Benz to Double Sales of Diesel Cars, SUVs in the US : New Mercedes-Benz car

Mercedes-Benz to Double Sales of Diesel Cars, SUVs in the US : New Mercedes-Benz car
by Anthony Fontanelle
The luxury car unit of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz the producer of high quality Mercedes S350 radiator support has announced recently that it may double the sales of its diesel vehicles in the US after successfully meeting the emission regulations in all states.The Bluetec diesel motors equipped on Mercedes cars and sport utility vehicles were able to comply with the country’s strictest emission requirements especially in the state of California and because of this the luxury car maker will finally start marketing its vehicles in the US.According to Ernst Lieb, the unit’s chief executive officer for the US, "When we're able to have diesel in all states we'll be in a position to possibly double the number of diesels we sell." In an interview in New York, Mr. Lieb said that the models to be offered in the US will include cleaner models such as the re-engined versions of the M, GL and the R-Class SUVs.The coming of Mercedes vehicles in the US is just perfect since according to the study conducted by J.D. Power & Associates, diesel’s share in the US car and light-truck market is likely to quadruple to 11.8 percent by 2015. This is attributed to the fact that automakers are already responding to calls and demands for emission controlled vehicles. Likewise, the fuel that powers half of the new cars distributed in Europe has been blocked from entering US since consumers associate it with heavy trucks and aside from that most of the gas stations in the US don’t offer it.In California and in four other US states sales of new diesel autos are restricted since diesel vehicles are believed to emit soot and gases that are linked to heart and lung disease. The luxury unit of Daimler AG has started selling a diesel version of its E-320 sedan in all 50 states since its Bluetec engine was able to meet up with the emission standards required in the US.Mercedes-Benz will also offer its new GLK small SUV on the market in early part of 2009 which Mr. Lieb said will provide that extra boost to sales. The GLK will be made to compete with BMW’s X3.Daimler for this year is predicting record sales in the US which happens to be its second-largest market. Mr. Lieb further stressed that at present the company has no plans of offering the B-Class compact van in the US. The efforts to sell the model were dropped in 2005 attributed to the plunging of the dollar against the euro thereby reducing the vehicle’s profitability.For this year the dollar has declined by 4.8 percent as compared to the European currency bringing the record to as low as $1.4967 on November 23.

2008-05-14

Cheap Jeep : New jeep car

Cheap Jeep : New jeep car
by Ieuan Knox
When it comes to building stuff, the Americans don’t do things by halves. Whether it’s adding to a cityscape with a moon-prodding skyscraper, jetting off to said moon, building the SR-71 ‘Blackbird’ - the fastest plane ever (2,193.167 MPH!), or constructing a colossal super-sized meal, the US rules supreme. But before we get carried away with Uncle Sam, in motoring terms they’ve been…well…unremarkable, shall we say. So whilst sports cars don’t handle and stick you into a hedge backwards and saloons possess suspension that breaks your back at the mere sight of a pebble, Americans go elsewhere. The biggest selling style of vehicle is anything big and with four-wheel drive, and this is where Jeep come in. The words ‘cheap jeep’ may not seemingly fit together ��" one look at the shear size of a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee (that’ll be the model range, not native Americans) has your wallet popping a cyanide capsule, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised.For a tad under 15 grand (UK Money) you can jump on the Jeep bandwagon and have a sparkly new Cherokee all to yourself (that’ll be the model name not an Indian ��" is this going to get tiresome?) Right lets start at the beginning ��" other than being cheap, Jeep has a lot going for it. A brief history lesson would inform you that Jeep are the oldest Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV to you and me) manufacturer, beating even long-established companies like Land Rover. Heritage counts for a lot, plus once you’ve been making SUVs for 67 years, you must be doing something right.One look at American roads will have you gazing into the distance without seeing a single bend, the horizon gobbling up the tarmac until it’s out of sight. Faced with this mundane terrain and the alternative - vast mountainous deserts and cactus lined off-road passes, Jeep came to a simple conclusion that was probably along the lines of: “if we make sure it can handle a desert, then geez man, a straight road in Chicago ain’t gonna be a problem”. Owning a Jeep affords you the luxury of cruising comfortably on the motorway, safe in the knowledge that the American (or in my case British) countryside holds no fear should you turn off at the next junction and head for the hills.Now obviously an SUV isn’t built to climb Mount Everest but that’s because it’d be foolish to assume everyone is going to drive off-road all the time. We all know the school run will far outweigh the amount of times the Jeep will contend with anything taller than a blade of grass. It is however the combination of having the ability to tackle tough terrain and driving something that is built to withstand it that is key. The Jeep Wrangler for example is the US Army’s company car. Essentially, four big wheels, a seat and steering wheel, the only time this vehicle encounters a school is defending one in a war. It is arguably, the most robust, go-anywhere vehicle available to buy today, but is far too small and workmanlike for a mother of three.The aforementioned Cherokee and Grand Cherokee ranges however, give you Wrangler bullet-proof suspension and reliability whilst lapping air conditioning over you and your leather seats. Ok so which Jeep is it to be? The Cherokee as mentioned earlier, is the entry level model, offering the usual refinements for a price that pits it against the likes of the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra. In the jam packed world of the hatchback, the Cherokee offers a bit of individuality on the road, or outside the school gates.If you want to really impress however, the Grand Cherokee may be your choice. Ok, so at nearly £30,000 it’s not initially the cheap Jeep I’ve been harping on about, but compare it to the rivals and you’ll need a lie down. For your money you get everything you’d expect on the specification sheet (that’s not me being vague, you really do even get the kitchen sink) and of course the big one ��" 4 wheel drive. Right sit down please, here’s how the rivals stack up. A BMW X5 is £10,000 more, a similar specification Land Rover is £6,000 more and don’t get me started on Mercedes or Audi.Admittedly owning the flagship American brand may lead to badge snobbery in the staff car park from BMW man and yes you may be filled with dread every time you reach a corner ��" but don’t be as you’ll come out the other side without a problem. The Cherokee derivatives really are a serious alternative to the sombre, repetitive metal that lines our streets and despite the US of A’s car making CV; they’ve made a pretty good car, sorry SUV.

Jeep Dealership Houston Texas â€" the Best of its Kind : New jeep car

Jeep Dealership Houston Texas â€" the Best of its Kind : New jeep car
by Norman Hendricks
One of the main sources of information if you are looking for jeep dealership Houston, Texas is the Internet. If you key into the search engine you would find a number of options available. Some sites accumulate all the data (across all over the United States) and store it into a large database for user convenience.This process is highly beneficial for both the buyer and the seller. It is not possible for the buyer to know each and every seller in the locality. Internet search makes the whole process of localized searching as easy as a pie with just a mouse click. One can simply put in the area, type the name of the jeep manufacturing company, select the model and input the zip code of Houston, Texas. Within few seconds the result will list all the names of jeep dealers Houston will be reflected on your screen. You will also view the options to find out about 'Used Auto Dealerships' in Houston Texas if you are looking for a second hand car. Search engines access the right database to facilitate the user experience.Buyers are provided with ample information about the sources that are accessible to them. In addition, they can view the details of the car and its price. The buyer can even check the price list of various dealers and decide on his selected vehicle. Conversely, sellers too get similar facilities. Due to high competitive nature of the jeep dealership Houston, Texas market the prices are kept at a minimal.Online the buyer can get hassle free discounted quotes on his selected jeeps. And if you are worried about hidden costs you can make full enquiries about the jeep before purchase. Moreover, visiting any site and enquiring does not put you under any obligation to buy.If you are enquiring about Archer Chrysler Jeep, then you can get an unlimited number of quotes from the Chrysler Dealer Houston. For quick information buyers can also get 'Quick Quotes' and 'Nada Guides'.Help on finance is also available if you are looking for car loans. Information on Gap Insurance, how to pre-qualify for the car loan, car loan payment rate calculator and privacy statement â€" all can be obtained through the jeep dealership Houston, Texas websites.Not only new and used jeeps, spare parts for the old jeep can also be acquired by filling out a simple form. The form has some easy to comprehend data fields. Under the 'vehicle information' â€" year, miles, make, VIN and model number should be provided. Under 'parts information' - 'part number' and 'part description' are to be supplied. Under the 'additional information' - 'part needed by', 'customer account number', 'payment method' and 'business name' are to be provided.Summary: The article provides tips on how to sell or purchase on the internet for say Jeep Dealership Houston Texas and how to locate online finance and insurance schemes looking for different new and used automobiles.

Jeep Wrangler â€" a 4x4 that goes off road! : New jeep car

Jeep Wrangler â€" a 4x4 that goes off road! : New jeep car
by Ieuan Knox
This week I was driving through whimsical countryside, with the leaves sweeping past my windscreen just as the road did the same and all was right with the world. Suddenly a shadow was cast over my beloved car and as I dared peak into my rear-view mirror I asked myself “What’s that coming over the hill?” It was indeed a monster, in the form of a Chelsea tractor, piloted by none other than a life sized Barbie that was just a plastic. As she applied her makeup â€" presumably for Ken, the thought of driving seemed like an added bonus, the hand stitched hide of what appeared to be a white tiger lavished over the empty child seat next her. And then she was gone.This got me thinking. Barbie is your typical 4x4/SUV driver aka the school run mum that sees driving over a pebble as going off road. Well I hear you 4x4ers cry: “we’re not all like that”. I do believe there are those of you out of there that do need off-roaders and there is a simple way to show yourselves â€" buy a Jeep Wrangler. Oh yes, by purchasing Chrysler/Jeep’s Wrangler, you say to every other wannabe off-roader that you are the real deal and the school run is a thing of the past â€" unless the school is atop Everest.Heritage is a key component to standing out from the crowd and the Jeep Wrangler has it in spades. So what heritage then - motor racing? No. Italian flair? No. Helping protect the world from evil? Um, yes actually.Produced by Chrysler and marketed under the ‘Jeep’ moniker, the Wrangler is derived from the CJ (Civilian Jeep) the go anywhere, do anything utility vehicle made famous throughout World War II, as it helped allied troops immeasurably against German invaders. Launched in 1987, the first generation Wrangler featured four wheels (five if you count the steering wheel), a drop top, large ground clearance and a roll cage. I’m really not skimping on detail, that was about it. Put simply, the reason why the civilian production version was as-near-as-makes-no-difference the same as the army’s’ version was because, like the military version it was designed to go off road and off road alone.Perhaps in a misguided move, Jeep launched the Schwarzenegger sounding ‘Renegade’ derivative of the Wrangler in 1991. However the company miss-read it’s key demographic and offered it’s hardcore, off road customer base ‘luxuries’ such as floor mats (front only), a locking glove box, engine lights and cup holders. If these features didn’t alienate their customers with uselessness, the extra $7,000 (£3,500) price tag did. The Renegade sold poorly and was decommissioned in 1994, a year before the standard model gave way to it’s younger brother â€" the generation two Wrangler.A key change was Jeep making the new Wrangler available in right hand drive as the company sought to expand its global market. Style wise, it paid heavy homage to its World War II compatriot, with circular headlights a welcome return from the much maligned square monstrosities on the Mk1. The new Jeep also featured a relatively civilised coil spring suspension â€" if civilised is Mike Tyson biting your ear off. Admittedly, the Wrangler was more manageable on the tarmac but wisely, Jeep didn’t compromise it’s off road performance. A few additions such as a radio and the updating of the interior design were also welcomed, without softening the Jeep too much.On the back of the successful Mk2, the current generation three offering was launched merely months ago and has been criticised for being too large compared to the military hero it is derived from. Personally I think the Wrangler has grown up and is now a true contender to the likes of Range Rover, the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. To help with this, anti-lock brakes make an appearance 20 years too late, traction control appears seven years too late and Jeep are about on par with introducing Satellite Navigation. Ok, so the Wrangler may not be as good to drive on the road as an X5 or Cayenne, but its ultra reliable (the US postal service uses them extensively) and it’ll still do the ugly off-road stuff with a grin on its face, whilst the Porsche struggles with a broken nail. Plus it’s about $10000000000000000 (£100000000) cheaper.The latest edition is also available for military use â€" complete with a snorkel so the engine can breathe underwater (seriously). Jeep then have not watered down the Wrangler but with a slight measure of creature comforts it’s a serious contender for the best 4x4 you can buy.I’ve seen the latest Barbie motoring range - Ken’s cramped and his hair is blown around. She’s been beaten and she’s back in the sports car.

New Features With New Jeep Grand Cherokee : New Jeep car

New Features With New Jeep Grand Cherokee : New Jeep car
by Anthony Fontanelle
For the 2008 model year, the Jeep brand decided to upgrade their Jeep Grand Cherokee model. The brand has decided that with a new look and with new features to boot, the vehicle would become attractive to consumers and it would bring in more sales for the company. The auto maker claimed that the upgrades done to the vehicle “makes this Jeep the most luxurious yet”. Let us find out and see what the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has got to offer.Take a seat behind the wheel and you would find that the materials used are soft to the touch. The interior colors given to the vehicle are also new and actually gives the vehicle a luxurious appeal. Along with these, Jeep also added a telescope steering column which can be tilted by the driver. The steering wheel has also been made to be better. The instrument clusters are new and the floor console has been worked on so much so that operation is better than before. Add in those new comfortable armrests, and you get a really comfortable ride with the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee.For entertainment, you would find that the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with the MyGIG infotainment system. However, keep in mind that such a technology is an option and a unit would only be able to have one if you choose to have the technology installed in the vehicle. With the MyGIG infotainment system which has a hard drive memory of 20GB, you can plug in your MP3 players and drive to the sound of your favorite songs. The car maker even disclosed that with such a high amount of memory, you can store up to a high of 1600 songs with the MyGIG infotainment system. The satellite navigation system that comes with the mentioned technology can be controlled with just a touch of your finger.Aside from the MyGIG infotainment system, the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee also has a Bluetooth-enabled feature - the UConnect. This one allows users to communicate with other people without having to use their hands.Jeep also added new headlights, a new grille, a new color for the front sill, a new air dam, and quite a number of options for the vehicle’s alloy wheels.The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a sport utility vehicle which is handled by Chrysler’s Jeep division. Units of the model that are sold in Europe are produced by Magna Steyr in Austria.