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Mercedes-Benz took the easy route when it comes to making its current CLC, using the previous C-Class coupe as a starting point instead of engineering a new entry-level model from the latest C-Class platform. That may be about to change, as CAR is reporting that MB will introduce a proper C-Class coupe to replace the CLC. The new model will ditch the cut-off hind-end of the current car, which isn’t quite as pretty as its competition from Audi and BMW. A soft-top convertible is expected to follow a few months after the new 2010 C-Class coupe is introduced.

Moving up the Mercedes line, a new E-Class coupe is also in the works to offer a direct competitor to the Audi A5. We wonder if a “shooting brake” style hatchback could be offered as well. In any case, the two-door will lose its CLK nomenclature in favor of being known simply as a coupe. Also dead is the CL moniker, which will be replaced with an S-Class coupe. In addition to the expected gasoline and diesel-powered models, hybrids are expected to be offered across the entire Mercedes-Benz range in an effort to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

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.

If you’re Mercedes-Benz, then what you have here is a failure to keep your photo shoots under wraps. First Autobild came out with bare naked shots of the 2009 E-Class, and now German magazine Auto Zeitung has more shots of the car getting some fresh air.

With a minimal front end and a profile that rises seemingly without arc to a chunky back end, the car is reminiscent of a stretched Alfa Romeo Milano. We aren’t sure how big these wheels are, but the car’s increased upright stance makes them look exceptionally small. As usual with the launch of revolutionary E-Class designs, the car could take some time to get used to, but by the time E-Classes are clogging roads worldwide they will look perfectly natural.

There will be some excitement in the engine choices, including a 204 hp turbodiesel Bluetec, a BlueHybrid lump shared with the S400, and a 550 hp V8 in the AMG. The new E will also benefit from closer association with its spin-offs. Now that the CLK is no more, the E sedan will receive more of the spotlight that shines on its coupe and convertible siblings. If Mercedes doesn’t get tired of the clandestine attention, we’ll see the sedan for the first time at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, with the other variants to follow at Frankfurt that same year.

Short of riding around in a tank, among the highest levels of protection while motoring are provided by armored Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker has been protecting heads of state and captains of industry for 80 years now, and to mark the anniversary has officially released the new S600 Pullman Guard limousine, which was initially announced way back in February 2007.

Based on a stretched version of the standard, off-the-shelf S600, the Pullman is engineered right off the assembly line to withstand handgun fire, grenades and explosive charges to the stringent B6 and B7 ballistic protection standards. The extra weight of all that armor is pulled around by Mercedes’ top-of-the-line 517-hp 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 and is further supported by run-flat tires, a self-sealing fuel tank and integrated fire suppression system. Of course, the stretched limousine can be specified with all manner of luxury equipment, coddling its occupants in security and opulence. All that protection and luxury surely doesn’t come cheap, but for wealthy public figures under threat, price is presumably no object. However, Mercedes also offers an armored E Guard and G Guard as well as the standard-wheelbase S600 Guard.

Mercedes-Benz may decide to call a coupe a coupe starting next year. If you want a CLK after 2009, you might have to settle for an E-Class Coupe or E-Class Convertible. Want a 2-door S-Class around the same time? Then you’re after the S-Class Coupe. We don’t know the reason for the potential name changes, especially since the cars have such great equity — and taking eight minutes to say E-Class Coupe Black Series doesn’t have nearly the to-the-point hotness of CLK Black Series, even though it’s the same number of “syllables”. The CL change might make more sense as the car wasn’t a huge sales success, but drop those letters in conversation and you still get a forceful point across. We can only hope that the bard was right, and that a rose by any other name…

Mercedes-Benz USA has designed a special edition version of its S550 sedan to help raise funds for Saks Fifth Avenue’s KEY TO THE CURE, a women’s cancer initiative developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s (EIF) Women’s Cancer Research Fund. The Special Edition S550 that will be available in 1,000 pieces, is distinguished by the sport bodykit that includes a front air dam, side skirts and rear bumper with dual stainless-steel exhaust tailpipes, 20-inch AMG 5-spoke alloys, the Diamond White metallic paint and the exclusive Sahara Beige / Black Leather interior that’s combined with Burl Walnut trim.

The terms “performance” and “diesel” used to be mutually exclusive, but times, they are a-changin’. Audi’s dominance of LeMans with its R10 TDI and the recent unveiling of the R8 V12 TDI concept might be giving Mercedes a reason to turn towards oilburners for some of its high-po offerings. AMG has made a name for itself by providing, among other things, torque-rich engines that sometimes have to be electronically limited due to their tire (and differential) decimating potential. AutoExpress supposedly has it on good authority that plans are in the works to offer diesel models with an AMG badge, but both Mercedes and AE failed to provide any details about what vehicles or engines would be used. It might be a forgone conclusion that new CAFE standards in the U.S. are causing automakers to rethink their performance offerings, but in the meantime, we’re going to throw this in the rumormill and see what comes out the other end.

[Source: AutoExpress]

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Massive amounts of money are being spent in the alternative energy sector of the automotive industry. Last year, Daimler spent $6 billion in research and development and another $2.7 billion on environmental protection. Expect those already rather large sums to increase in the coming years. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the company will “increase these budgets even more and by 2010 we’ll invest $21 billion in research and development.” Daimler has invested heavily in hydrogen technology and holds twenty-five patents protecting new battery technology for automobile use. Further development will continue to cost a large chunk of change.

Of particular interest is the fact that Daimler intends “to offer at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in fuel consumption,” according to Zetsche. Despite looming legislation that will require more fuel efficient vehicles, Mercedes-Benz plans on continuing to offer vehicles that will meet the size, performance and luxury demands prospective buyers have come to expect from the premium German marque. Otherwise, it won’t be $21 billion well spent.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Golf can be a very expensive and exhaustingly difficult sport to play, but watching the pros makes hitting the dimpled little ball seem like child’s play. Pro golfers can have the same effect on the car buying process, as a recent study by Compete.com shows that web traffic for three sponsors of The Masters are getting a huge spike in site traffic in advance of the event. Mercedes, Cadillac, and Buick are pouring money into golf, and at least online the strategy is paying off. This is especially true for Buick, which has the one and only Tiger Woods as its pitchman.

Golf lovers are five times more likely to visit a Buick website than the average consumer and two to three times more likely to visit a Mercedes or Cadillac site. We’re no marketing experts, but if those numbers hold up, that’s an impressive return for the automakers marketing dollar. It’ll be interesting to see if the up-tick in online interest will spur sales for Buick, Mercedes, and Cadillac in the month of April. The chart above shows web traffic in the months before The Masters, which begins April 10. Thanks for the tip, Eric!
[Source: Compete]