Mercedes Benz - Continuing Developments in Speed ​​and Performance

There's a famous name in motoring that's associated not only with style and reliability, but also with high octane performance models, all from within its own diverse range of cars. That name is Mercedes Benz.

Since their conception in 1881, the German manufacturer has built a reputation on producing some of the most technologically advanced and reliable cars on the market. Their newest group of high performance cars take their lead form Formula 1 and their developments with McLaren and AMG (the division of Mercedes most associated with their high performance cars).

Mercedes' most recent rendezvous with consumer sports cars has led to the creation of the SLS AMG, which has just become available for pre-order in Germany. Costing € 177,310 ($ 237,000), the car features a M159 V8 Engine, 571bhp and a 0-60mph time of just 3.8 seconds - resulting in a top speed of over 200 mph. Designed solely in-house by AMG ([and] being the first car to do so), has resulted in a convergence of technologies from their F1 cars; in fact, announced at this year Geneva Motor show is the news that the SLS AMG will be used as F1's safety car on the track for the 2010 season (replacing the SL63 SMG), due to its impeccable speed and power.

Continuing their long standing tradition of motoring innovation, Mercedes is now experimenting with hybrid / fuel cell cars - such as their F800 research vehicle, which was also announced and displayed at this year Geneva Motor Show; featuring a 204bhp four-cylinder diesel engine which is combined with a 15kW electric motor and seven speed automatic transmission. Anticipated for launch at the end of 2011, it will be Europe's first ever diesel hybrid, and seemingly an effective effort at combining the benefits of a environmentally friendly car, with the style and qualities that the market has come to expect from Mercedes.

Amidst Mercedes' tradition of luxury super cars, they also have a large range of mass market cars - including their A-Class, B-Class and sedan models - which are more appropriate for everyday use. They have recently announced the launch of their latest "sport utility cruiser" B-Class sedan: [the] BLK. Attempting to be a portmanteau of the A-Class and B-Class ranges, this features much of the same features of Mercedes' previous sedans, albeit in an updated package, specifically targeting BMW's and Audi's audience for the X1 and X3 respectively. The car is rumored for release at the start of 2011.

It is interesting however that despite the range and performance of models available from a brand like Mercedes, the owners still create demand for a healthy market in add-on Mercedes diesel tuning parts. The range of engine re-chips and "piggy-back" tuning systems for diesel models is a case in point, as customers continue to seek out ways of extracting ever increasing levels of performance from what are in many cases already highly optimized engines.

Information and rumors surrounding potential new Mercedes cars often bring excitement and anarchy, but it also arises a question: how much difference can we see from new models compared to our current cars? Whilst the aesthetics of cars often change drastically (utilizing materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber that would've been impossible years before), the need for ever increasing levels of performance is something that remains open to question.

- Do we really need consumer available cars that are able to reach speeds of over 200mph?
- Should we be pushing 0-60mph times to engine's limits, to be even faster?
- Can the simple use of a third party engine tuning equipment allow our current cars to replicate the performance of super cars?

This question divides into two categories of a car's use: recreational or practical. Mercedes' new super cars fall squarely into the former category, while the mass market range seem to blur the lines between the two.

Whether the industry should be focusing on practical and environmental, or mainly recreational uses for the automobile is something that will probably always stimulate impassioned debate. However it remains exciting to see these steps forward in innovation and development from a company as long-standing as Mercedes.

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