SPY: The 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML Coup� a.k.a. MLC (C 292) spotted in the U.S.

In January 2015, Mercedes-Benz will launch its first Sports Utility Coup� (SUC). The new ML Coup�, which was previously known as the MLC, will showcase on the stage of the NAIAS Detroit. The radical design is inspired by the Concept Coup� SUV, which Mercedes-Benz highlighted in April at Auto China 2014 in Beijing.

Although this fact is yet to be confirmed, Mercedes-Benz has decided to drop the proposal for the �MLC� name and will eventually go instead for the title �ML Coup� which is intended to better link the car to the popular M-Class in addition to highlighting the special coup� quality it has through the homonymous particle. This naming strategy obeys the latest rules of the brand, which is the same for the C-, E- and S-Class two-door models.

The future C 292 series is described by the characteristical roofline, which drops towards the rear end in an even manner, just like on a standard Mercedes-Benz two-door or four-door coupe. The stylish architecture is doubled by the impressive dimensions the ML Coup� has. The muscular wheel arches, the high ground clearance, the massive tail area with its gate-integrated spoiler and the aggressive fascia make up the ID card of this fashionable new Mercedes-Benz family member.

The front end is particularly interesting, as it heralds the introduction of a new design identity strictly reserved for the SUV the Stuttgart-based constructor builds. The radiator grille with its large Mercedes-Benz star located in the centre displays a grey-fence pattern, while the single louvre fuses to the three-pointed symbol and embraces it in a circular way. This styling motif will also be introduced on the upcoming M-Class and GL-Class facelift models.

The new ML Coup� will boast the new MULTIBEAM LED intelligent light system which was premiered on the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Facelift lineup. Apart from that, the SUC will also benefit from the addition of the INTELLIGENT DRIVE technologies, as well as of the new generation COMAND Online with Touchpad and Head Up Display. The ACTIVE CURVE system from the GL and the Active Tilting function that debuted on the all new S-Class Coup� are also possible equipments.

Mercedes-Benz will position its ML Coup� as a high-end, niche model, placed between the M-Class and the GL-Class. Thus it will mate the new vehicle with range-topping powering units. All the engines will come fitted with the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission as standard. The entry-level variant will be the ML 400 Coup� with 333 hp, followed up closely by the ML 450 Coup� with 367 hp. The ML 500 Coup� could feature the peak-output version of the 4.7-litre V8 BITURBO which delivers 455 hp. Mercedes-AMG will also stick its hands onto the new C 292 generation. Following the introduction of the standard ML Coup� in January 2015, during summer of next year the Affalterbach labs will release two mindblowing creations. The first is the ML 63 AMG Coup� powered by the 5.5-litre V8 BITURBO producing 557 hp and 585 hp as an S-Model. The latter, which is the icing on the cake, is the rumored ML 65 AMG Coup� which will the M279 12-cylinder biturbocharged unit with 630 hp.

Image Credits: Motor Authority

Copyright � 2014, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: First scoops of the new 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Facelift (X 166)

The current generation of the GL-Class launched during summer 2012 and the large-sized SUV is already prone to receive a makeover to refresh the model at the middle of its lifecycle. According to rumors, the facelift of the X 166 will be revealed next year as a 2016 model.

This decision to renew the GL-Class at quite the same with the reveal of the future MLC and the M-Class Facelift is rather surprising and it looks Mercedes-Benz plans to reduce the initial lifespan of its large-sized SUV in order to make the transition towards the forthcoming X 167 series, which will be developed under an all new 4x4 platform: the MHA or Modular High Architecture, designed to underpinned company's next generation of SUVs and crossovers.

The changes on the design of the GL-Class will be rather minimal and will include a new grille and headlights with more attractive inner LED graphics. The rear lamps will not be very different from the current ones, but expect them to receive a dark tint, just like the new CLS Facelift. Inside, the once dashboard-integrated display for the infotainment system will now be attached to the upper central section, similar to the latest Mercedes-Benz interiors. At the same time, the GL Facelift will also be equipped with the most recent COMAND Online generation, which also features a touchpad controller.

Image Credits: WorldCarFans

Copyright � 2014, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

SPY: 2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Facelift (W 166) shows new details

The revamped generation of the M-Class is set to be officially unveiled towards the end of the year. The SUV will showcase a more dramatic styling, which meets the cues of the new design philosophy from Stuttgart.

The front fascia will be subject to the most important important visual upgrade. New headlights with LED technology as standard and, possibly, MULTIBEAM LED as an option will create a more striking impact on lookers. Another part that criticized on the "phase 1" model was the radiator grille with perforated design. For the facelift, Mercedes-Benz will prepare not one, but two different appointments on the grille depending on the model.

There will basically be three versions: the basic trim, the intermediate luxury version recognizable through the 2-slat design of the grille and a high-end, sporty variant which is to feature a single, thin-louvre grille. Moreso, the AMG Sport package will also be offered and it will likely resemble the style seen on similar models such as the new C-Class and the new CLS-Class Facelift.

Apart from the grille and its distinctive design, the facelift of the W 166 will also add a new front air intakes and further tweaks seen on the latest Mercedes-Benz models. The rear end is also bound to receive a few updates, including the slightly revised tail lamps, the oval exhausts and the new rear diffuser discretely integrated in the bumper.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz will fit its new-generation M-Class with the latest version of COMAND Online, which also features a touchpad and an improved rotary controller, with the new Head Up Display also being a possible equipment. The engine range will receive an efficiency enhancement, while the units will likely stay the same. The ML 250 BlueTEC with 204 hp will form the entry-level model, with the ML 350 BlueTEC following it with 258 hp. The ML 350 will be replaced by the new ML 400 powered by the new 3.0-litre V6 BITURBO engine producing 333 hp. An all-new addition to the lineup will be the ML 450 model with 367 hp, followed by the ML 500 that is likely to receive a power boost from 408 hp to 435 hp.

On the AMG side, the surprise will come with a new engine in two power stages. The standard ML 63 AMG will boast 557 hp, whereas the S-Model (or the Performance Package model) will be capable of achieving no less than 585 hp. There is no information on a possible hybrid model and we feel for now Mercedes-Benz is not interested in offering such a version, given the lack of sales of the discounted ML 450 HYBRID under the W 164 model series.

Look for the new ML Facelift to debut around November, most likely at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2014.

Image Credits: Motor Authority

Copyright � 2014, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz posts strongest half-year�s sales results in the company�s history

Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has handed over 783,520 vehicles to customers (+12.8%) and can thus count on the best unit sales result in any half year in the company�s history to date. In the month of June the company delivered 142,136 passenger cars (+8.0%).

�The first half of the year was extremely successful for us�, said Ola K�llenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. �With the unit sales of our vehicles, we are on track to make 2014 into yet another record year.�

In the first six months of the year, Mercedes-Benz increased its sales on the European market to 352,198 vehicles (+7.4%) and gained additional market shares in almost all markets. Sales in the UK (+17.8%) and Switzerland (+7.7%) also showed very strong growth. In the strongly competitive home market of Germany, Mercedes-Benz continues to be the most registered premium brand with 125,215 vehicles sold (+0.7%).

In its biggest sales market, the USA, the company has delivered 151,624 vehicles since the beginning of the year. The new C-Class, which is the volume model in the North American market, will be launched here in September. Sales of the brand are also developing very well in South Africa: unit sales have risen by 10.3% to 11,388 units since the beginning of the year, and the brand posted an increase of 30.1% in June.

In China (incl. Hong Kong), the Stuttgart-based manufacturer continued on its strong course and has pushed sales up to 135,972 units since the beginning of the year (+37.5%). The new C-Class sedan will come on the Chinese market in September. In Japan, Mercedes-Benz sold 27,306 vehicles (+13.0%) and thus continues to be the most registered premium brand.

In the first half of the year, 215,205 customers opted for an A-, B-, CLA- or GLA-Class vehicle (+24.1%). At the end of the year, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting the fifth member of its compact car family: the CLA Shooting Brake, which will be produced in the Hungarian Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskem�t and will come onto the market in the first half of 2015.

The models of the E-Class family proved to be growth drivers in the last six months: the sedan and the estate alone sold 130,464 units (+27.4%). The E-Class coupe and convertible were also very popular with customers: Here, Mercedes-Benz posted growth of 25% since the beginning of the year. Both models are segment leaders in their classes.

Since the beginning of the year, 49,262 units of the S-Class have been handed over to customers � twice as many as in the same period of the previous year. Just about a year after the production start of the new S-Class, the 100,000th S-Class sedan model series 222 recently rolled off the production line in the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. The flagship of the brand with the star is leading worldwide in the luxury class and is considered the benchmark of automotive progress with its numerous innovations. In addition to the S-Class with its short and long wheelbase and the S-Class coupe, Mercedes-Benz will be supplementing its luxury segment with three more models in the coming years.

The SUVs with the star are also continuing their strong growth with customer deliveries of 166,730 vehicles in the last six months (+6.8%).

The smart fortwo was sold 46,816 times since the beginning of the year (-9.7%). The official world premiere of the new generation of the smart will take place on July 16 in Berlin.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright � 2014, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.