Posts from the Daimler Category at Autoblog UK

Maybach Zeppelin: The subtle hint of filthy lucre

Posted Feb 27th 2009 2:16AM by Andrew Hopkins
Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Special/Limited Editions, Lifestyle, Daimler, Maybach, Luxury

The premium car market has now become richer by another generation: soon there will be a 'fragrant car'. It's surprising that no manufacturer came up with the idea before, but perhaps less surprising that it is Maybach who are bringing this special equipment to market. In March, Mercedes-Benz will be offering a limited edition of 100 Maybach Zeppelin vehicles with 640 HP and unabashed luxury, from lambskin through to an electronically-controlled perfume atomiser. This fragrant airship on wheels really is a vehicle for people who already have everything else. Computer technology cannot yet handle the transmission of fragrances from our Gallery but that doesn't matter, because the beguiling scent of success will not be aired until the Geneva Car Show.

Gallery: Maybach Zeppelin

M-B CL600 + Kicherer = Monumentally Badass CL60

Posted Oct 19th 2008 11:19AM by Andrew Hopkins
Filed under: Tuners, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz

If Drake, the ur-vampire from Blade Trinity, were a car, this is the car he would be. Starting with a CL600, tuning firm Kicherer didn't waste time throwing pieces at the car's already aggressive styling. Instead, Kicherer attacked the CL's jugular: sloppy performance due to the car's portliness.

The biturbo V12 gets 53 extra horses to corral 570 in total, torque gets smacked up to 664 lb-ft., the engine gets a new transmission control module to better deal with the extra juice, and out back, the rear axle gets a locking rear differential. The car is lowered an inch, and firmer springs help keep things settled when it's go time. Will all this turn the car into a cheetah? Probably not, but with the carbon goodies added throughout and the 20-inch Kircherer RS-1 wheels, it will look mighty good doing whatever it does. You can see for yourself in the gallery below.

What recession? Daimler adding 1,000 to payroll next year

Posted Oct 19th 2008 11:16AM by Pete Mait
Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz

The automotive industry is reeling under serious financial woes, plant closings and job cuts, so news that Daimler AG will be adding 1,000 new people to its payroll next year comes as a bit of a shock. The new jobs will be added globally, with 500 positions going to Daimler's headquarters in Stuttgart, and the rest being distributed around the world. These new positions will reportedly train the automaker's next generation of workers, which are entering the industry at a time when expertise in complex developing technologies are essential for survival. Even with the added jobs, Daimler can't cut any positions until 2012 because of an agreement already in place with its employees. Just like every other automaker, it's hoping to weather the rough time in between by focusing on efficiencies and flexibility wherever possible. So that's one piece of good automotive news, now let's get to work on those stock prices.

Pedestrian protection: Will all cars look the same in the future?

Posted Oct 14th 2008 1:52PM by Pete Mait
Filed under: Trends, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz

The crucial determining factor when it comes to buying a vehicle nowadays is styling. Manufacturers spend millions on design studios to give their vehicles a distinct look and thereby differentiate their marque from that of the competitor.

Since 2005, however, new legislation has been painfully encroaching on the creative freedom of the Pininfarinas of this world.

Every new model launched onto the European market since 2005 has had to fulfil certain minimum requirements in regard to pedestrian protection.

Basically there are two methods of testing:

A dummy leg ('Simulated leg impact on a pedestrian') is propelled against the front bumper of a vehicle at a set speed. The resulting deceleration and the angle of bend between upper and lower leg are not allowed to exceed a legally prescribed value.

In this test, a dummy head ('Simulated head impact on a pedestrian') is propelled against the bonnet of a vehicle at a set speed. The physical distress caused to the dummy head is likewise not permitted to exceed a legally prescribed value.

And of course, in order to keep within these legally prescribed limits, the zones most likely to be involved in a collision with a pedestrian have to be capable of a certain degree of crumpling, a consideration that had little attention paid to it before 2005.

The influence that this has on the design of a vehicle can be clearly seen in the current Mercedes C Class.
Whereas its predecessor was allowed to get away with having a significantly more shallow front, the steep prow of the 2007 model represented a concession to pedestrian protection rather than a designer's passing fancy.

There has been talk within the industry of even more stringent regulations from 2015, which are likely to restrict styling even further and lead to vehicles being far more uniform in their shaping and proportions.

So can we expect all cars to look identical in future? Does this spell the end for sports cars with low bonnets and sexy curves?