This week marks the opening of the New York Auto Show. Because of the sheer number of vehicles debuting during that time, we thought to post their press releases and, when possible, images in honor of the show.
First up: the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
MONTVALE, N.J. –Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its February sales of 17,304 new vehicles, a marginal decrease from February 2006 (MBUSA’s highest February on record.) This brings MBUSA’s year-to-date total to 34,373 new vehicles, an increase of 15.2 percent over the same period in 2006.
While I don’t agree, many consumers and enthusiasts are united that the Pontiac Aztek is one of the less…”aesthetically pleasing”…vehicles around. Well, eMercedez may prove them wrong.
Diesels weren’t that long ago considered almost purely agricultural and industrial engines with exceptions being some models from Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Peugeot puttering down the road. Certainly, none of these, cars or trucks, were known for their pulse-pounding power or acceleration. Although advanced diesel development has been going on for more than a decade in Europe, it wasn’t until recently that hot-rodding diesels became popular in North America. Exactly what sparked the diesel horsepower race (or torque race, more accurately) is debatable, but the ball got rolling with the 7.3 liter Power Stroke diesel in the Ford trucks, followed closely thereafter with a 24-valve version of the Cummins B-series, and then by GM’s modern Duramax diesel. By the late ’90s, there was no question the quest to build the hottest diesel was on. Today, less than 600 lbs./ft. seems tame: the newest LBZ Duramax cranks out a torque coverter-bursting 650 lbs./ft; the upcoming 6.4L Powerstroke is said to match it; and the new 6.7-liter Cummins is forecast to produce that much in 3/4-ton trim.
Automobiles de Luxe has a hilarious post on descriptors for the new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Gunnar Heinrich, who writes the blog, found adjectives such as “Big & Bold” and “Serve & Protect” in the description of the SUV. After nearly snorting out (hot) coffee from barely surpressed laughter, I added my two cents: “Gas-guzzling & Pretentious”.
The mystique and grandeur of the old S-Class sedan just wasn’t cuttin’ the proverbial mustard over in Germany, so they gathered round the fire and came up with a bulbous, bug-butted replacement that has turned some heads ….. in the wrong direction.