Take a Look at Mercedes’ Exhibits from the LA Auto Show

Like many other carmakers, Mercedes-Benz had to split its attention between Tokyo and Los Angeles, as both cities hosted important auto shows simultaneously.

The Germans did a pretty good job actually, capturing our imagination with the world debuts of the AMG Vision Gran Turismo study, as well as the racy Concept GLA 45 AMG. Mercedes also premiered new production models like the S 65 AMG and SLS AMG Final Edition at the show, which also hosted the U.S. debut of the GLA crossover.

The Concept GLA 45 AMG is a pre-production study that shows us how the upcoming GLA 45 AMG will look like. No big surprises here, and there are no new things under the hood either. The GLA 45 AMG uses the same powerplant from the A 45 AMG, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four delivering 355hp (360PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft), connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports dual clutch transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

The AMG Vision Gran Turismo is all fantasy. It is a 1:1 scale model of the model that will be offered as special downloadable content for the Gran Turismo 6 video game. That being said, it does look spectacular.

A more down-to-earth car (if we’re allowed to use that expression for a 583hp car) is the Final Edition version of the SLS AMG supercar. Mercedes-Benz will only built 350 units of these cars that signal the end of the SLS AMG line. Final Edition models bring updated aerodynamics and interior upgrades, including “AMG FINAL EDITION - 1 of 350” badges.

The most powerful production Mercedes-Benz S-Class model ever made premiered in LA too. We’re talking about the S 65 AMG, which packs 621hp (630PS) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque from a 6.0-liter biturbo V12 engine. Sporting a similar aero kit to the V8-powered S 63 AMG, the range-topping S-Class will set you back €232,050 in Germany.

Finally, Mercedes’ least spectacular car from the LA booth (but the most important in terms of sales) is the GLA, which had its U.S. debut at the show. The brand’s smallest crossover will arrive in U.S. dealerships in fall 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Is the New Mercedes-Benz S-Class a Better Luxury Car Than the Range Rover and Audi A8?

We’ve seen many reviews of the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class lately, and the unanimous opinion is that the new luxury sedan is a class above all of its competitors. However, when it comes to luxury cars, things are not that simple to classify. Nowadays, traditional luxury sedans face stiff competition from other luxury vehicles as well, like SUVs and four-door coupes.

This is why AutoExpress decided to test the S-Class against a traditional rival like the Audi A8 (albeit the pre-facelift model) and against a vehicle that theoretically belongs to another segment, the Land Rover Range Rover.

One of the reasons the magazine chose the luxury SUV was because it won Best Luxury Car at the 2013 Auto Express New Car Awards, following six consecutive years of S-Class supremacy.

I suspect the award may have had something to do with British pride as well, but can the Range Rover beat the S-Class in a comparative review? You’ll just have to watch the video to find out.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Wald Getting Ready to do its Black Bison Thing on New Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz is one of Wald International's favorite brands, so it makes sense that the Japanese tuner would jump on the opportunity to develop a package for the German carmaker's new top luxury saloon offering, the recently launched W222 S-Class.

Wald has named its kit the Sports Line Black Bison Edition and from the single rendering released today, we see that it will include a re-done front bumper with added LED daytime running lights, lower ride, different (optional) alloy wheels and side skirts, while a different rear bumper with the company's signature stacked exhaust pipes is a given.

That's all we have for the time being, with Wald promising to reveal photos and details of its S-Class tune in the very near future.

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All-New 2015 Mercedes S 65 AMG Packs 621HP V12, Starts from €232,050 in Germany [w/Video]

This is it, the most powerful series production Mercedes-Benz S-Class ever: with 621hp (630PS) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque available from as low as 2,300 rpm, the new S 65 AMG combines raw power with refinement and luxury.

Thanks to its AMG 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine, the S 65 AMG sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The acceleration time is improved by 0.1 seconds over the previous generation S 65 AMG, thanks to the slightly increased output (+9hp).

That’s pretty impressive for a sedan that tips the scales at above 2 tons (4,409lbs), and fuel economy is not as poor as one would expect: the S 65 AMG averages 11.9 l/100 km (19.8 mph US) – 2.4 l/100 km less than the previous model. That is mainly due to the fact that the EU 6-compliant engine gets a new 7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox with a wide ratio spread that guarantees a noticeably lower engine speed level than the previous AMG Speedshift five-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the S 65 AMG is fitted as standard with an Eco start/stop function.

Visually, the 2014 Mercedes S 65 AMG plays the same understated card as the S 63 AMG and sports the same bodykit. However, it is a little more blingy thanks to the high-gloss chrome splitter, grilles and air deflectors on the side air intakes, and the dedicated V12 radiator grille with six twin louvres in high-gloss chrome. Also in high-gloss chrome are the inserts in the side sill panels and the trim of the high-gloss black rear diffuser insert. The AMG sports exhaust system with its two chrome-plated, separate twin tailpipes and the “V12 BITURBO” lettering on the front fenders round out the exterior modifications.

Naturally, as the most expensive Mercedes S-Class model (it starts from €232,050 in Germany), the S 65 AMG features everything the brand has to offer in terms of technology and luxury, including Magic Body Control with Road Surface Scan, the head-up display and the touchpad, which makes it easier to operate radio, telephone and navigation system. However, Mercedes-Benz will charge extra for AMG ceramic brakes.

Available exclusively with a long wheelbase, the new S 65 AMG will premiere simultaneously at the Los Angeles International Auto Show and at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. Deliveries will begin in March 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

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