Mercedes Announces Engine Range and Prices for 2011 CLS, Starts Accepting Orders

While we'll have to wait for the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month to get up close and personal with the all-new, second generation CLS sports sedan, Mercedes-Benz today released info on the available engine range and pricing for the European market. Furthermore, the Stuttgart automaker said that as of now, European buyers can place their order for the new CLS at the firm's sales partners.

At launch, there will be two V6 models available; the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with a 265HP diesel unit and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 306HP 3.5-liter gasoline engine featuring ECO start/stop tech as standard. In Germany, prices are set at €63,427 and €64,617, respectively, with first deliveries to be shipped to European dealers in January 2011.

From March 2011, the range will be expanded with the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY powered by a 204HP 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel that returns a combined fuel economy of 5.1lt/100km (equal to 46.1mpg US / 55.4mpg UK) and to CO2 emissions of just 134 g/km. Pricing starts from €59,857.

In December 2010, European buyers will be able to order the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY with a 408HP V8 gasoline unit, with first deliveries commencing in April 2011.

All 2011 CLS models will come equipped with Merc's 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission as standard.

For the first year of production, Mercedes-Benz will offer a special package called "Edition 1" priced from €6,664, which includes matt exterior paintwork in manganite grey SHAPE, shimmering metallic leather upholstery designo corteccia pearl, floormats with "Edition 1" lettering, black designo roof liner and aluminium pedals.

For the interior trim elements in the "Edition 1", Mercedes offers a choice between poplar light-brown satin, ash black high-gloss or, as an optional extra, AMG Carbon priced at a hefty €10,115.

An AMG version of the CLS powered by the German automaker's new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with at least 536-ponies will follow within the next year or so.

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New Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell with Battery Powered Electric Drive

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its all-electric A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle that will enter production this fall. The company plans to build 500 A-Class E-Cells and lease the car to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.

The lithium-ion powered E-Cell is based on the existing A-Class and Mercedes claims it offers the same safety, space and comfort of its petrol-powered sibling.

The E-Cell has a range of 124 miles (200 km) on a single charge and can be recharged either through mains power (which takes eight hours) or at public recharging stations (which takes three).

Nominal output from the electric motor is 68 hp (50 kw) and 95 hp (71 kw) when on boost (i.e. for overtaking). Torque is 290 Nm. Mercedes claims the E-Cell is good for 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and 0 - 62 mph (0 - 100 km/h) in 14 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 93 mph (150 km/h).

The launch of the E-Cell coincides with the planned establishment of hydrogen and electric recharge infrastructure in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. In cooperation with Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Daimler will provide 700 recharge points and two to three hydrogen refilling stations in the region by the close of 2011.

By Tristan Hankins

Profile description and technical data for the A-Class E-CELL

• Locally emission-free, exclusively battery-powered electric vehicle with a range of more than 200 kilometres NEDC (new European driving cycle).
  
• Five-seater compact car meeting all requirements for everyday use.
  
• Two liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries with 36 kWh storage capacity.
  
• Battery system location leaving spacious interior and luggage compartment completely unobstructed.
  
• Power electronics with integrated DC/DC converter for 12-volt supply.
  
• Front axle drive.
  
• THERMOTRONIC air-conditioning and pre-start climate control via charging plug.
  
• Series production run of 500 units to start in autumn 2010.
  

Drive system	Electric drive, lithium-ion battery
Continuous power rating (hp)	68
Peak power (boost) (hp)	95
Rated torque (Nm)	290
Maximum speed (mph)	93
Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (s)	14
Acceleration from 0 to 37 mph (s)	5,5
Charging time for 100 km range (NEDC)	8 h from domestic mains socket (230 V) 3 h from wall-box / public charging point (400 V)
Range (miles) NEDC	>124
Energy capacity of lithium-ion battery system (kWh)	36
Payload (kg) *) As per EG directive, including driver (68 kg) and luggage (7 kg)	350*)
Luggage compartment volume (l)	435 - 1.370

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