2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is here, and it's had a lot more work done than just a little plastic surgery. Four years into the current model's lifecycle, the changes begin with the unusual step of a serious sheetmetal rearrangement: gone are the four headlights we've seen on the segment leader for 17 years, and gone are the light-relief pontoons over the rear wheels. In front, the one-piece headlights contain LED signatures that 'break' them into two segments, but the main lighting functions have been consolidated into a single lens. Full LED headlights will be available for the first time.

Around the lights, the new E-Class will come with a choice of two grille treatments: the luxury version is a showcase in chrome, with a three-bar center section topped by a Mercedes three-pointed star ornament on the hood; the sport version (pictured) is muted, with a two-bar center section supporting a large Mercedes emblem. Beneath either one of them, the lower fascia takes on a more aggressive shape with larger twin scoops outboard.

Down the body, the pontoon detail has been replaced by a stronger and lower trim line that runs to just beyond the rear wheels, and beneath that is another character line that describes wheel arches. Two-tone LED taillamps laid horizontally emphasize the sedan's width. Inside, the dash is separated into two zones with a horizontal element in one of three finishes, and features a new dash cluster and head unit design.

Among the eleven new and enhanced safety systems are some that borrow from the coming S-Class, the Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera now able to build a three-dimensional view of what's ahead at a distance of up to 1,650 feet. The systems it serves can detect the speed and position of vehicles in front and those crossing, and can detect pedestrians.

Underhood, buyers can opt for a four-cylinder diesel with 190 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in the E320 BlueTec, and pair it with 4Matic all-wheel drive for the first time. The E400 Hybrid also joins the ranks next year, bringing 24 city and 30 highway mpg with it. The V6 E3560 and V8 E550 will continue, and all come with stop/start and are are yoked to a seven-speed automatic.

2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the new C-Class sedan, internally called the W205, won't be arriving in European dealerships before spring of 2014 with North American deliveries likely to commence in the fall of the same year.

Though the brand's engineers made sure that we don’t see any design elements of the new model on the prototype, the styling will borrow elements from Mercedes-Benz's latest production models such as the more upright family grille as seen on the SL and CLS.

From this video, it's also clear that the C-Class' shape will be less rakish than the similarly sized CLA four-door coupe, which is due to make its debut next year.The German luxury brand's BMW 3-Series rivaling saloon is based on a new and lighter platform, while engineers will also shave some pounds from the body, making the new C-Class lighter than the current model.

The W205 will benefit from a newer generation of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines while we also hear that Mercedes will develop regular and plug-in hybrid powerplants.At the top of the range will be an AMG-branded variant, which is rumored to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 making around 450-ponies.

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class

Price toggle
Base price : $57,800 (CAD)
Monthly payments : $1,091/month
Engine toggle Type : V6 3.5 litres
 Power : 302 hp @ 6,500 rpm (225 kW)
 Torque : 273 lb·ft @ 3,500 - 5,250 rpm (370 N·m)
Induction :
Atmospheric Power to weight ratio : N/A
Bore : 92 mm
Stroke : 86 mm
Fuel type : Premium CO2
emissions : 5,290 kg/year
Ohter engines : none
 Transmission : 7-speed automatic
 Drivetrain : AWD Vehicle type / Category toggle
Vehicle type : Crossover
Category : Crossovers
Assembly : Tuscaloosa, Alabama, É-U
 Generation : 1 What's new : N/A
Fuel efficiency / Autonomy toggle City : 13.1 l/100km
 Highway : 9.4 l/100km Autonomy : 611 km
 Tires / Suspension / Brakes / Safety toggle Steering : rack and pinion, variable assist Traction control : yes
 Stability control : yes
Seat belts : 7
 Airbags : 6 Front
suspension : independent, double wishbones
Rear suspension : independent, pneumatic, multi-link Front brakes : disc (ABS)
Rear brakes : disc (ABS)
Front tires : P255/50R19
Rear tires : P255/50R19
Dimensions / Weight toggle Length : 5,157 mm (203″)
Width : 2,183 mm (86″)
 Height : 1,663 mm (65″)
Wheelbase : 3,215 mm (127″)
Front track : 1,661 mm (65″)
Rear track : 1,651 mm (65″)
Weight : 2,270 kg (5,004 lbs)
 Weight distribution front-rear : 52% - 48% Capacities toggle
 Fuel tank : 80 l (21 gal)
 Trunk : 295 to 2,385 l (10 to 84 ft3)
Towing : 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs)
 Box length : N/A Performance toggle 0-100 km/h : 8.4 s 80-120 km/h : N/A
Top speed : 210 km/h Braking
distance : 41.7 m
Warranty toggle Base warranty : 4 years / 80,000 km
Powetrain warranty : 4 years / 80,000 km
 Insurability rating : N/A
Competition toggle Competitive
models : Acura MDX Audi Q7 BMW X5 Buick Enclave Lincoln MKT Volvo XC90

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

The SLK-Class is the baby roadster in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. Now in its third generation, it was the first 2-seater on the market with a retractable folding hardtop, the benefit being coupe-like security and comfort, along with easy top-down functionality.

The SLK250 is the entry-level offering with a new direct-injection 201-hp turbo four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed automatic. A more powerful SLK350 boasts a 302-hp direct-injection V6 teamed with a paddle-shifted seven-speed automatic. The SLK55 AMG tops the class with a 415-hp hand-built 5.5-liter V8 that uses automatic stop/start and cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy. 

Safety features on all SLK models include eight airbags, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring, stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, and the mbrace emergency communication system. Options include Bi-xenon headlights with active curve illumination, hard-drive based navigation system, AIRSCARF neck-level heating, harman/kardon audio system and the world's first MAGIC SKY CONTROL electrochromic roof.

For 2013, engine stop/start is standard on the SLK350, as well as all the content from last years Premium 1 package which includes heated seats, AIRSCARF, satellite radio, and harman/kardon sound system.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

E-Tron, power in the SLS AMG E-Cell is routed through four electric motors, one at each wheel. With 526 hp and 649 lb-ft of torque—the latter available from 0 rpm—the SLS E-Cell is in league with some venerable supercars, even though it tips the scales at a considerable 4400 pounds. 

The SLS E-Cell offers four modes of regenerative braking in addition to being completely off in the manual powertrain setting, which leaves you “sailing” with minimal drivetrain drag. Paddles on the steering column allow you to gradually increase the resistance; steps one and two feel like a regular car coasting; step three is a bit more aggressive, and step four decelerates the SLS so strongly that AMG considered switching on the brake lights as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator. Unlike Tesla, AMG decided not to. This mode is perfect for extreme driving, when you are standing on one of the two pedals at all times anyway.  

The E-Cell’s Achilles’ heel, unsurprisingly, is its range. This prototype carries a 48-kWh lithium-ion battery, but AMG hopes to fit the car with a 60-plus kWh battery pack when it becomes available to customers. The current range is about 90 miles, which is likely to grow to more than 130 miles. The current claims are perhaps even conservative: After a sharply driven 60 miles, battery capacity was still about 30 percent. With a fast-charging station, it took an hour to recharge the batteries to almost 100 percent. Extended trips still require planning, but the progress in battery technology is tangible.

If all goes according to plan, you will be able to buy the SLS E-Cell by late 2012 or early 2013—six or so months after Audi launches the E-Tron. There is no word yet on pricing, but figure on a premium of $50,000 to $100,000 over the regular SLS. Just having the money won’t be enough to get you an E-Cell, though, as customers will be handpicked. 

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

SLK 55 AMG "It may very well be the most efficient performance car in the world." Huh? I find the statement odd because if this car actually were the "most efficient performance car in the world," Mercedes-Benz would sure as the sun rises trumpet that fact until the cows believed it. But what if the SLK 55 AMG really is the most efficient sports car of them all? Well then, good job, AMG. Just a few short years ago, such a statement would have been laughable at an AMG press briefing. Remember the horsepower wars? The 6200-plus cubic-centimeter engines goosed to within an inch of thermal meltdown? These days, however, we're talking plausible. With a new corporate focus on reducing CO2 emissions 40 percent by 2015, it very well might even be true.

The most powerful ever SLK 55. While there are other bits and pieces that make it an AMG, at the end of all the hubbub (and the 44-page press release!), Mercedes-Benz's in-house tuning arm is really all about just one thing: big engines pumping out big, tire-shredding power numbers. The new SLK 55 is no exception, though it is a little different. Under the long hood sits a special version of AMG's 5.5-liter V-8 (internal code name: M157). Only thing is, the two turbochargers and intercoolers have been removed for "packaging reasons." In their place? Nada. But don't fret, as the new (and newly christened) M152 motor puts out a rather healthy 422 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque.

 First and foremost is a slick cylinder deactivation system that is (almost) totally imperceptible. If you really go out of your way to feel and listen for it, you will detect a slight (and I mean slight) shudder when the other four cylinders fire up and the motor turns back into a proper V-8. But in reality, the reactivation just feels like a tiny bump in the road. The M152 also employees high-pressure direct injection (2900 psi), a lofty compression ration of 12.6:1, and start/stop technology. Now, you have to leave the AMG drive selector in C (or Eco) mode to take advantage of both the start/stop and the cylinder deactivation. And most of the time, most people probably will do just that. The end result will net you about 28 mpg combined. Better yet, the car feels mighty quick, especially with the top down.

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

The ML63 AMG is the potent, sport-focused model of Mercedes-Benz's M-Class mid-size luxury SUV range. Though the wisdom of a high-performance variant of a big, heavy and aerodynamically challenged SUV is debatable, customer demand is strong, and Mercedes has responded with the most powerful ML63 AMG to-date. 

The winding canyon roads above Malibu give insight directly into the soul of the beast. Console-mounted buttons summon more sporting personalities from the suspension and transmission. While Comfort mode is preferable around town, Sport and Sport+ modes tighten things up and allow for faster reactions. To accomplish this complete manipulation of the ML63's dynamics, AMG uses active damping control, active anti-roll bars, and airbags instead of coil springs. Sport mode is the best compromise for anything but the smoothest of roads. Directional changes happen fast and predictably on undulating switchbacks. The SUV never achieves the light, tossable feeling of a sports car, but rather beats physics into submission with big contact patches and intelligent suspension. In tight quarters, physics battles back, throwing hairpins and big braking areas at the heavyweight powerhouse. Even the best engineers haven't mastered anti-mass technology, and all those pounds want to obey Newton's First Law of Motion.

2013 Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG Front Profile In Motion When things start to get a little too hot, the vehicle understeers and bleeds off speed with squealing front tires grinding outside of the intended line. Suddenly all 2-and-half tons of high-riding SUV strong-arm the electronics and bring things back to reality. Even with a 40/60 front/rear power split, the stability control won't allow you to drive the car with the throttle. Once things start to get out of shape, the electronics call a timeout and reel things back in. It is amazing just how hard you have to push to find those limits, and the idea of any rational person finding them is unlikely.

2013 Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG Rear Three Quarters In Motion Steering feel is surprisingly good through the contoured and sueded wheel. The seats are more than up to the task of holding passengers in place, and the bolsters don't get in the way of ingress and egress. Although the seats have the height adjustment of a barber's chair, even in their lowest position the height of the vehicle still gives a parade-float view of the road. Interior quality took a major leap forward in the redesigned ML, and the AMG version takes it another step farther. Material quality is luxurious and attention to detail abounds in spots only contortionists would be able to see. Even the doorjambs look as though they spent time in the design department to match the clean, uncluttered aesthetic. For those seeking something even more exclusive, Mercedes Designo can create custom interiors with contrasting leathers, rare trim materials, and even exclusive paints.

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
BASE PRICE	$94,500 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door, SUV
ENGINE ENGINES	5.5L/525-557-hp/516-561-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve V-8
TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSIONS	7-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT	5200 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE	114.8 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT	189.6 x 76.4 x 68.9 in
0-60 MPH	4.8-4.7 sec (mfr est)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON	N/A
ON SALE IN U.S.	April, 2012

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC

The M-Class SUV is the original luxury sport utility in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Comfortably sized, it seats five with room for plenty of luggage, drives like a sedan, and is a capable off-roader. For 2013 the ML350 4x2 model returns and the ML550 will include an M-B Tex wrapped dashboard. New for 2013 is a On/Off-Road package with adaptive damping and AIRMATIC air suspension available on the ML350 and ML550 4MATIC.

All models are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Electronically managed 4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard on all models except the rear-wheel drive ML350 4x2. The ML350 BlueTEC is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 generating 240 horsepower. The ML350 is powered by Mercedes' latest-generation 3.5-liter gasoline V6, generating 302 horsepower. The ML550 includes a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 402-hp and the ML63 AMG has a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with either 518- or 550-hp and ECO stop/start.

The extensively equipped M-Class includes standard features such as stability control and active front head restraints, as well as front, side, side curtain, and driver knee airbags. Collision Prevention Assist, a color display instrument cluster and Mercedes-Benz mBrace2 in-vehicle services are now standard on all models. Available features include a navigation package, satellite radio, bi-xenon headlamps, and a driver assistance package.

The M-Class is a carryover for 2013 with the re-introduction of the ML350 rear-wheel drive model.

2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class full-size luxury sedan has long been the face of class, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology for Mercedes-Benz. In the latest S-Class, this tradition continues with a coddling interior, a new V8 with more power and efficiency than before and enough gadgetry to put technophiles into a state of utter bliss.

The recently S550 ditched its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 in favor of a 4.7-liter V8. Despite its smaller displacement, the engine boasts 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque - far better than the old motor's 382 ponies and 391 lb-ft of twist - thanks to a pair of turbochargers. Fuel economy also improves from 14/21 mpg to 15/23 mpg.

The pricier S600 retains its 510 horsepower V12, which consumes fuel at the rate of 11 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway according to the EPA. With a staggering 612 lb-ft of torque, the S600 will sprint from zero-to-60 in just 4.5 seconds.

Those looking for a more fuel-efficient S-Class should look into the S400 Hybrid and the diesel-powered S350 4MATIC BlueTEC, while power junkies will be delighted by the S63 AMG and S65 AMG models.

All S-Class variants recently received a mild refresh, with more of the more noticeable changes being the addition of daytime LED running lights fitted to the outer edges of the bi-xenon lamp units. The rear end is also accented with a total of 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two taillights. Gone are the body-colored strips through the taillamps.

Mercedes-Benz also makes more use of light as a styling element in the interior via the standard ambient lighting, now with a choice between three lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice-blue).

Another change at the front of the car is a more pronounced arrow-shaped grille, plus a new front bumper with a light-catching contour and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes. Exhaust tailpipes of all S-Class variants are now visibly integrated into the rear bumper. Mercedes-Benz says its engineers have also implemented specific aerodynamic measures to reduce wind noise.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550

 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550

 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550

 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550

 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550

GL-Class SUV with top-spec luxury amenities that is perfectly suited for the daily driving needs of a dad or a mom (68-percent dads, according to 2011 figures) and with what we can only believe is a very nice 362-horsepower V8 engine. What the company sent our way, however, was a heavily blinged, huge-wheeled, 429-horsepower pleasure wagon that is just as well-suited to creating babies as toting them around, should your amorous instincts be triggered by the pimp-level of your whip. The GL550 is the real deal, if the deal you're looking for involves carting kiddies and/or hauling ass. We really only had need of the latter during our one-week loan of the thing, sadly.

A full four of them lived about 150 miles from our Metro Detroit base of operations, in the western corner of Michigan called St. Joseph. All of them were interested in finding a sucker buddy to drive them around on a tour of some local wineries. This would also prove an entertaining time to test the performance boasts of this remarkably rapid V8 sport ute, we thought. Plans were made, a weekend was selected and the GL550 showed up just in the nick of time for our fall tour.

The redesigned 2013 GL500 is a vehicle that is well suited to make a strong impression on folks of all kinds, whether they generally care about cars or not. For a start, there is still an undeniable cache associated with that Benz logo on the grille – something that is more easily sensed in the parts of Midwest America that don't see the three-pointed star quite so frequently. (The suburbs of Detroit don't flip for the big M-B quite so much as the sticks around St. Joseph, Michigan, for instance.) 

The inherent impressiveness of a Mercedes is matched by the size, scale and design of this new GL, which manages to look pretty rugged and refined at the same time. Those who know their off-roading stuff might laugh a little at the GL550's 21-inch five-spoke AMG wheels, but they really do give the SUV an impressive stance, and add quite a lot of overall gravitas to the vehicle. We actually think that the sharply creased bodylines Mercedes seems so fond of nowadays work a bit better when scaled up to GL size than they do on the smaller GLK. At any rate, the neighbors seemed to dig it.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is setting new standards in comfort, dynamics, safety, elegance and efficiency and with this spectrum it is regarded as the S-Class among off-road vehicles. This premium SUV is able to demonstrate its exceptional capabilities in everyday situations with dense city traffic, over very winding roads or on well-built motorways as well as way off the beaten track. Here the multi-talent's qualities are even more evident. Whether driving over tracks with potholes, continually altering road surfaces or dusty natural trails interspersed with off-road sections - the superior comfort of the seven-seater's ride as well as its outstanding power and confident performance are really convincing even when the going gets really tough.

Relaxed - and that means safe - driving both on-road and off-road - is one of the great strengths of the new GL-Class. Especially its NVH qualities (noise, vibration, harshness) are very convincing and are on a par with those of the S-Class. The high standards of comfort are derived from the combined result of a very rigid bodyshell, a perfected drivetrain, improved chassis and superb aeroacoustic finishing as well as the intelligent use of new-style insulation materials. At the same time, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class retains its traditional advantages of being extremely responsive with outstanding off-road expertise.

On the manufacturer-sponsored press launch in sunny Sante Fe, I drove the base model, the GL350 BlueTech, a diesel that is the most mindful albeit the least powerful. It’s stocked with a 3.0 liter turbo diesel V-6 that produces 240 hp. I found power sufficient for moving the vehicle’s considerable 5467 pounds. The diesel-powered engine earns an EPA estimate of 18/24 mpg and boasts an impressive 500-mile range. Despite it’s size, the GL350 handles its weight on the brakes, without appearing sluggish . Steering is up to part — when I blew past one turn, I was able to make a graceful u-turn on the wide-open road. The use of lighter weight aluminum in the body makes the GL more agile on its feet despite it’s brawnier appearance. It’s only 50 pounds heavier than the previous model though it gains about an inch.

Next time around the block, I’d like to sample the thirstier 4.7 liter biturbo V-8 found in the GL450 which produces 362 hp and 406 pound feet of torque or even better the GL550V-8 that produces 429 hp and 516 pound feet of torque. The sportiest drivers will wait for the ultimate GL63 AMG debuts that has a ravenous 550-hp bi-turbo V-8. What’s also interesting about the GL550 is the flashier grill sliced with more statement making lines. The grille is distinct enough that the 350 and 550 look like distant cousins in the rearview.

The safety systems on the GL keep things in line even when driving patterns turn in to the wild west on remote desert roads, and are a nod to the future of driving, in which cars will rely on sensors to detect information and perform automatic driving functions. When Attention Assist is engaged a coffee cup logo illuminates on the dash and a “dong” pulses through the speaker. The Active Curve System feels as, for an instant, a phantom driver has seized the steering wheel, which takes some getting used to. Crosswind Stabilization does just that when a gust of wind blows. There’s also a 360-degree camera projecting an aerial image of the GL on the screen. It’s all very Tron-like.

The inside of the GL350 has the texture and technology one would expect of a proper Mercedes-Benz. Seats bend and fold with a button. Buyers can opt for Harman Kardon Logic 7 or Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG systems — two outstanding varieties for audiophiles. And Mercedes has nailed the cup holders, lest driver worry about spilling while off-roading through the peaks and valleys on a ski trip to Taos, New Mexico, where I took a break for lunch and had a proper plate of Bavarian style strudel.

The GL 450, priced at $63,900, and the GL550, prices $86,900, go on sale in September, followed by the $62,400 GL350 BlueTec in October and the yet-to-be-priced GL63 AMG in early 2013.

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

The E350 BlueTEC is the spiritual successor to the clattery but efficient and indestructible diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz sedans of the ‘70s and ‘80s. While it retains the impressible gas mileage of its forebears, its oil-burning engine now features the level of refinement one would expect of a modern Mercedes.

What makes the E350 BlueTEC different from other models in the E-Class range is the 3.0-liter diesel V6 under the hood. Though its output of 210 horsepower isn't impressive, the motor also produces a mighty 400 lb-ft of torque from just 1600 rpm. Hooked up to a polished seven-speed automatic transmission, the mill facilitates effortless passing while also returning notable fuel economy: 22 mpg in the city and a superb 33 mpg on the highway. 

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its safety features, and the E350 BlueTEC will only add to that reputation. In addition to ABS and ESP stability control, the car boasts nine supplemental restraints including two-stage front air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags which work together with curtain and side air bags to provide extra protection for front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions.

Also standard is an "A TTENTION ASSIST" system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C300

2013 Mercedes-Benz C300

2013 Mercedes-Benz C300

2013 Mercedes-Benz C300

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains the most accessible of the brands models sold in the United States, delivering the expected levels of advanced engineering, design and safety features that keep it highly competitive within the entry luxury segment. For 2013 the C300 and C350 have new 3.5-liter engines with ECO start/stop technology.

The C-Class is offered in three rear-wheel drive sedan and coupe configurations: C250, C350 and C63 AMG as well as a C300 4MATIC all-wheel drive sedan or C350 4MATIC all-wheel drive coupe. Additionally, the C250 and C300 sedans are available in either Sport or Luxury trim levels. The C250 is powered by a 201-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, while the C300 is equipped with a 248-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and the C350 gets a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6; all three engines feature direct gasoline injection. The enthusiast-oriented C63 AMG boasts a hand-built 451-hp 6.3-liter AMG-tuned V8 engine. 

A revised seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard on every C-Class model; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are available. The C250 and C300 are outfitted with a power sunroof, 17-inch aluminum wheels, MB-Tex upholstery, dual-zone climate control, HD radio and a USB port, along with Bluetooth wireless connectivity and audio streaming. The C350 adds a rear spoiler, heated front seats, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and satellite radio, while the C63 AMG is further outfitted with 18-inch aluminum wheels and AMG sport seats, as well as exclusive leather/simulated suede upholstery. 

Standard equipment exclusive to the four-passenger coupe models includes unique sport seats and a Panorama sunroof. Safety features include stability and traction control systems, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, active anti-whiplash front head restraints and nine airbags. Mercedes ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system is standard, while safety-enhancing options include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Park Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C class 250

2013 Mercedes-Benz C class 250

2013 Mercedes-Benz C class 250

Mercedes-Benz C250 showcases the more modest-side of the Mercedes C Class.  This refreshed version has scored a makeover in upgrades that feel substantial. The C250 function better in it’s revitalized skin.The Destination: Downtown Los Angeles. I started at LAX and speeded toward downtown LA where I stayed at the Standard, and then headed for the hills, the Hollywood Hills and Pasadena.

The Looks: The C Class sedan is more conservative than say, the CLS, but it’s not displeasing. It’s small proportions give it a sense of lightness that is supported by drivability and subtly sculpted body work. The grille has a look at me quality that adds a bit of oom-pa-pa to the overall package. Nice twinkly LED lights, too.

The Numbers: Zero to 60 mph in 5.5–7.0 sec, 201 hp and 229 pound-feet of torque.

Top speed: 130 mph

The Engine:1.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-charged engine.

Gadgetry: Attention Assist, active lane-keeping assist, power sunroof, Sirius XM radio,

How it drives: Smooth acceleration and responsive braking. The extra option for lumbar support made all the difference on days when the freeways were packed. The refurbished engines on this line are specialized in redistributing air flow, so we have a car that’s more responsive with better fuel economy — 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.