We've already had an in-depth look at the new 2012 C-Class Coupe, but Mercedes-Benz has published the first official video of the two-door model before its official debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. You can hit the jump to watch the clip for yourself.
In Europe, the Stuttgart-based automaker's Audi A5 Coupe rival will come with a choice of up to of five direct-injection engines including 1.8-litre and 3.5-litre petrols ranging in power from 156 to 306HP, and two 2.1-liter diesels delivering from 171HP and 204HP. Buyers in the United States will have to make do with two gasoline engine choices, 1.8-liter unit with 201HP and a 3.5-liter V6 with 302HP.
In an exclusive pre-game release and following a behind-the-scenes version that we showed you on Friday, Mercedes-Benz has published an extended cut edition of its Super Bowl XLV commercial called 'Welcome'. With this ad, the German automaker 'welcomes' four new additions to its range including the next generation SLK roadster and CLS 63 AMG, as well as two never before seen (at least not officially) models, the SLS AMG Roadster and the C-Class Coupe. The quartet of new Mercedes-Benz cars can be seen towards the end of the video, which is posted for your viewing pleasure after the break.
Continuing our online stream of the automotive-related ads of the Super Bowl XLV, we now have a trio of teaser spots from Mercedes-Benz, which will be making its first advertising appearance at the game. According to the German automaker, four new models will be featured in the ads, with two of them making their world debut in the 60-second-long spot called 'Welcome'. You can watch the two teaser spots plus the making of the 'Welcome' commercial right after the break.
With its new commercial for the 2011 A8, Audi of America is opening a fresh chapter in the advertisement wars. Taking inspiration from the 1947 children’s book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, the ad portrays S-Class owners as gluttonous people with an excessive lifestyle, representing the age of “old luxury”. The 60 second clip is said to be a prelude to the upcoming Super Bowl TV spot, set to air in the first break on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, 2011. Hit the jump to watch the video.
If you're tired of ogling the same 50 second clip of the 2012 Mercedes SLK published at launch, we have some good news for you as the Stuttgart automaker has released some fresh footage of its roadster model, filmed both on the road and the track.
The third generation of Merc's roadster comes with a two-piece foldable metal roof top and a choice of a force-fed 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine available in two states of tune, or a 3.5-liter V6 motor. In Europe, the 2012 SLK will be available for order starting from next week, while U.S. sales will begin this summer. Click here for more details or follow the jump to watch the videos.
Over the past year, numerous scoops and a major leak, accompanied by several official releases, have shed light on many details on the 2012 Mercedes SLK. In fact, we were expecting the German maker to bring the third generation roadster to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, ahead of its projected March debut. Even though that never happened, today, Mercedes finally released the last pieces of the SLK puzzle.
Claimed to offer a 25% increase in fuel economy compared to the previous model, in Europe, the SLK will be available with three engines, all of them featuring direct injection and stop/start systems.
Filling in the base model's shoes is the SLK 200 BlueEfficiency variant, powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant, capable of 184 hp. Mated to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission, the four-pot needs just 6.1 liters of gasoline per 100 km (38.6 US mpg) in the combined cycle. The SLK 200 sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds and has a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph).
Next up is the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency, fitted with the same engine, but tuned to deliver 204 hp. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.6 seconds and maxes out at 243 km/h (151 mph). Furthermore, the extra oomph doesn’t take its toll at the pump, as the SLK 250 consumes 6.2 lt/100 km (38 US mpg).
The top dog of the line-up will be the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency, motivated by a newly developed 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The bevy of technology found under the bonnet helps the range-topping SLK return good mileage as well (7.1 lt/100 km or 33 mpg) and sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 250 km/h or 155 mph.
In the U.S., the new generation of Merc's roadster model will be offered in two variants, the 302HP SLK 350 (0-60mph in 5.4 sec) and the 201HP 1.8-liter four-cylinder SLK 250 (0-60mph in 6.5 sec, 27mpg combined with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox).
The base models will come with a conventional steel suspension, while optional goodies include a sports suspension with harder springs and dampers and the Dynamic Handling Package with continuous adjustable damping, further refined by a better steering system and torque vectoring brakes.
There are plenty of electronic gadgets on the menu as well. Aside from the innovative (and optional) Magic Sky Control panoramic glass-roof, owners will also be able to enjoy the benefits of the Airguide draught-stop and Airscarf heating system, ensuring that open-top motoring is possible even in cold weather.
Regarding safety, Mercedes says the new body structure offers better protection, complemented by active features, such as PreSafe and Presafe Brake.
The 2012 Mercedes SLK can be ordered in Europe from January 17, for a base price of 38,675 euros (SLK 200), including VAT. The more powerful variants will cost 44,256 (SLK 250) and 52,300 (SLK 350) euros.
To mark the launch of the car, Mercedes will offer a special edition equipment package. Named “Edition 1”, the package includes a panoramic vario-roof, Dynamic Handling package, AMG bodykit, two-tone Designo nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, Airscarf, ambient lighting and more. Additional charges range from 8,490 to 8,990 euros, depending on the model.
Sales in the U.S. start this summer with pricing to be announced at a later date.
The all-new 2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe, that may or may not debut in Detroit next week as a Geneva Salon show up in March is also a strong possibility, was spied at the Long Beach Vehicle Processing Center in California by a crafty Youtube user. The lightly camouflaged C-Class with the two-door body was parked alongside other Mercedes-Benz models including a pair of wrapped up prototypes that appear to be the next generation M-Class and SLK roadster.
While exact specifications aren’t known yet, it's believed that the C-Class Coupe will be almost identical to its recently refreshed four-door and Estate siblings under the skin, offering buyers a choice of four-cylinder and V6 gasoline engines, while a V8-powered AMG model could also be in the cards.
