The new 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will also usher in a new era of small displacement powertrains for Mercedes-Benz. The company’s new M270 four-cylinders will be turbocharged for 122-horsepower in the 1.6-liter and 156 ponies in the 2.0-liter variants. New turbodiesel four-cylinders will also be on offer for Europe and most markets should get both six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic transmissions.
Looking inside, Mercedes-Benz has already shown off the B’s interior, even though it is keeping the rest of the car under wraps.
The B-Class’ interior is much improved for the latest model, with Mercedes taking the car upscale. The B-Class’ interior prominently features three circular air vents atop the center stack, with a “large, three-dimensional” element giving the dash some added style. A dash-mounted TFT screen will be standard on all B-Class models, although two different sizes will be available.
The new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is powered by a new naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 that delivers 415 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, making this "the most powerful SLK of all time," the automaker says.
The direct-injection gasoline V8, which is based on the twin-turbo unit that powers several of its AMG siblings, sends power to the rear wheels through an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
To enhance fuel economy, the engine also features a stop-start system and a cylinder-shutoff system that enables the V8 to operate under partial throttle on only four cylinders.
As you would expect from a car bearing the AMG insignia, this exclusive edition of the SLK gets a raft of sporting hardware, notably an AMG-tuned suspension, performance brakes with torque vectoring, sport exhaust with twin chrome tailpipes, and exclusive alloy wheels. An optional AMG Handling package provides stiffer suspension setting, a rear diff lock, two-piece front brake discs and a fancier AMG steering wheel.
An AMG body kit includes a new front apron with larger air intakes and LED running lights, dark-lens headlamps, side vents with chrome-plated fins, side sills, rear lip spoiler and rear apron with a black diffuser.
The SLK55 comes with a choice of three roof treatments, including the standard retractable hardtop, a panoramic roof panel in tinted polycarbonate and a new panoramic roof with the company's Magic Sky Control, which darkens or lightens the panel at the touch of a button.
AMG hasn't neglected the cabin, which features premium leather sport seats, an AMG instrument cluster and an AMG performance steering wheel with flattened top and bottom, perforated-leather grips and aluminum shift paddles.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 CDI. For the first time in the SLK's history, Mercedes-Benz is offering a diesel-powered version of its small hardtop roadster that will be available for order in Europe from 13 September 2011.
The new SLK 250 CDI makes use of the Stuttgart-based automaker's 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 204-horses (150kW) and a hefty 500Nm (368.8 lb-ft) of peak torque.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a standard 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, but Mercedes said a six-speed manual gearbox will also be available in the second quarter of next year.
With the 7sp auto, the SLK 250 CDI can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds, accelerate from 80 to 120km/h in 4.3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 243 km/h (151mph).
And while performance is on par with the gasoline-powered SLK 250 BlueEfficiency that features a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-pot with 204HP (0-100km/h in 6.6 sec, 243 km/h top speed), the diesel SLK really shines when it comes to fuel economy.
According to Mercedes, the SLK 250 CDI returns a combined fuel consumption of 4.9lt/100km (48mpg US or 57.7mpg UK) versus the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency's 6.2 lt/100 km (38 US mpg or 45.6mpg UK).
Like all third-generation SLK models, the SLK 250 CDI also features a start/stop system as standard, and is available with a choice of three versions of the vario-roo, including the panoramic glass roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL that allows it to be changed from dark to transparent at the touch of a button.
The new Mercedes-Benz SLK250 CDI can be ordered from 13 September 2011. The price including VAT is € 41,828.50.
