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Showing posts with label Mercedes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercedes. Show all posts

5 Dec 2017

Review: X253 Mercedes GLC 200 Exclusive - worth the saving?

This picture was taken at KLCC few months back
It was a pleasant Saturday afternoon at Desa ParkCity. The swanky property estate located in Kuala Lumpur played host to the recent Mercedes Benz Gallery which gave visitors opportunity to test drive a range of new tri-star models which include the X253 GLC 200 Exclusive, X156 GLA 250 4Matic AMG Line, W213 E350e AMG Line and W205 C200. A fitting backdrop to test drive cars from the premium brand.

I tested the GLC, GLA and E350e respectively, as each person was limited to just 3 cars. As per the article title, this piece will be a test drive review of the X253 GLC 200 Exclusive.

Stuttgart's compact SUV, formerly known as GLK before the company's introduction of the new nomenclature where the base name (GL- in this instance) is followed by the model hierarchy (A, B, C, E and S Class), was initially introduced in Boleh Land under the guise of the locally-assembled GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line. 

Then this August, the entry level locally-assembled GLC 200 Exclusive was unveiled to Malaysian public. Chief differences between the GLC 200 and GLC 250 4Matic is of course the former excludes the 4Matic all-wheel drive and deletion of AMG Line package. The exclusion marks the GLC 200 as a cheaper variant of the GLC range, retailing at RM288,888 (OTR without insurance). That translates to saving of RM37k from the higher spec GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line.

With that money, what do you get? More importantly, is it worth the saving from depriving it of the GLC 250's bells and whistles? Keep reading to find out.

Technical Specs


Lurking under the bonnet is the same M274 DE 20 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol as found in the GLC 250, albeit with lower output figure in contrast to the latter. The GLC 200 makes 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque in comparison to the 211 hp and 350 Nm churns out by the GLC 250. Just like the GLC 250, the grunt is mediated by 9G-Tronic 9 speed automatic transmission, but unlike the GLC 250 which propels all four wheels, the GLC 200 sends all the engine's thrust to the rear wheels only. 

On paper, the lower output does impact its performance. The GLC 200 takes 8.7 seconds to sprint from 0-100 kph and tops out at 210 kph. The GLC 250, on the other hand, only takes 7.3 seconds to complete the century sprint and boasts a higher top speed of 222 kph. On the hindsight, this doesn't matter much as it's not build for outright performance. If all out performance is what you're looking for, the GLC 43 AMG 4Matic is in the crosshair.  

Without the AMG Line package, the GLC 200 now rides higher than the GLC 250, thanks to the fitment of Off-Road suspension. It still retains the Agility Control passive selective shock absorber though, as found on the updated GLC 250 (prior to the update, the latter had AMG sports suspension). 



Also, the SUV now rolls on 235/55 series run-flat tyres (which can cost RM2000 per piece!) wrapped around 19-inch 5-spoke wheels, as opposed to the GLC 250's 255/45 series rubber with a larger 20-inch multi-spoke AMG rim. As you can see from the photo above, the GLC 200 lost out on perforated disc brakes as fitted on the GLC 250, settling instead with solid disc brakes.

Exterior



The GLC 200 Exclusive is dressed in Off-Road exterior kit. Visual cues include the absence of the twin horizontal slat on the lower side air intake. Another visible cue is the chrome surround for the lower central air intake, chrome underguard and side steps. Lighting wise, out goes the Intelligent Light System and in goes the LED high performance headlight instead. 


At the back, the thicker chrome surround for the rear apron sets the GLC 200 Exclusive apart from the more upscale AMG Line GLC 250, whose rear apron is decked out by thinner chrome strip. 

Interior



Step inside the GLC 200 Exclusive, a round three-spoke multi-function steering wheel sits between the driver seat and instrument cluster instead of the AMG Line flat-bottomed steering wheel as found on the more expensive GLC 250. You'll also make do with lighter wood trim and rubber pedals over the AMG Line's darker wood trim and sports pedals.



The lighter wood trim also extends to the door panel, in place of darker wood found on the AMG Line GLC 250.

Despite the deletion of the AMG Line package, the Audio 20 CD infotainment system and 7-inch freestanding central display are still retained on the cheaper GLC, but without a 13-speaker 590 W sound system.


The entry level GLC 200 still comes with keyless start just like on the GLC 250. The start-stop button had been removed on the test car which gave this writer an exposure to the clever fail-safe mechanism in the event the start-stop button malfunctions. There are two ways to start the engine; either you hit the button as usual, or pull the button out and insert a conventional key fob. The latter can come in handy if the start-stop button is out of commission. Having a manual backup can save the day!

Buyers of the GLC 200 do miss out on features such as panoramic sunroof, surround view camera and keyless entry though.


Electronic Parking Brake can be disengaged automatically by the car after you have locked the car in either Reverse or Drive. Put the car in Park and the Parking Brake will engage by itself. This is unlike on majority of newer cars with Electronic Parking Brake that still requires the driver to manually pull the Parking Brake switch to engage and disengage it. 

More importantly, in an event of system fault, a manual Parking Brake switch is available as pictured above. The switch is located closer to the door and below the light switch. 



Standard features include brown, black or white man-made Artico leather upholstery, leather dashboard with three contrast topstitching colours, reverse camera, Thermotronic 3-zone automatic climate control, rear air-con vents, Parking Pilot with Parktronic, powered tailgate and powered adjustable front seats with lumbar support sans memory function.

Safety


In terms of safety features, much remains identical to the GLC 250, which includes seven airbags (including one for the driver's knee), Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Hill Hold Assist, Attention Assist, Pre-Safe system and ISOFIX rear child seat mounting.

Driving Experience

So, how does the on the budget GLC 200 feel behind the wheel? Does the shortage of kits neuter its talent? Well, since it's no fire breathing AMG, it isn't really an adrenaline pumping practice, but neither is it a boring piece of jacked up C Class-based SUV. I would say it hits the middle ground with appropriate dispatch.

Utilising the Dynamic Select - which lets you choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual - enables me to distinguish the SUV's behaviour. I started off in Comfort mode and it doesn't really blunt engine response in any way. Pick up is brisk from idling speed. There's no hint of turbo lag, which translates to a linear, smooth engine response and in turn, an unflagging turn of speed.



Sport mode turns up the ante, sharpening the turbo 4 cylinder for greater forward thrust. However, the party officially begins in Sport+ though. Flick the Dynamic Select switch to Sport+ and every light prod of the throttle pedal is translated into a shoved-back-to-the-seat thrust. Further cranking up the powertrain proceedings, Sport+ holds onto the lower gear longer for even more potent acceleration.

I didn't try out Individual mode, but it basically lets you personalise the car's performance characteristics to tailor to your driving style. I didn't try out Eco mode, but as befitting the namesake, it turns down engine response to keep you from being a regular patron of gas station.

The 9G-Tronic transmission impeccably swaps through the 9 forward ratios with aplomb. There's no hesitation before it grabs the next ratio. Shifting with the paddles doesn't really make much difference to be honest, as the transmission's control unit does a superb job in ensuring a clean and timely gear change. I would personally let the computer takes care of the shifting duty.

Steering feel is not the GLC 200 forte; the Electronic Power Steering did a perfect job in blocking out the road texture from the thumb, endowing the steering with lighter effort, but numb feel. 

The SUV's suspension is well setup to absorb surface imperfection. I don't ever recall feeling unsettled as the compact SUV traversed the bump-riddled road. Seems like the Agility Control suspension is up to the task. The smaller 19-inch rim and higher profile sidewall may play a part in ensuring a jolt-free ride over the wave of bumps thrown in your path.



The boot space is decent at best, which can be further enlarged thanks to the 40:20:40 split rear seat. The setup, in this writer's humble opinion, creates a versatile boot space where Ikea shopping is concerned. If you're shopping for long-length furniture and still need at least 2 people sitting in the back in relative comfort, just fold up the two outer rear seats, but fold down the central seat and the long-length furniture easily slips through without compromising rear seating.

There's also a snap-in partitioning bracket which you can easily position along the outer edges of the luggage compartment, as illustrated in the picture above. 



If you need more boot space, but without having to fully fold down the rear seats, this rear seat stopper pictured above can take care of your needs.

Located underneath the rear seat latch to the extreme side of the boot, it will come into view after you have unlatched the rear seats. It is as simple as pulling up the latch until it's parallel with the seat latch.

With the stopper in the way, the rear seats will rest against the stopper instead of fully catching the seat latch. This will make the rear seats lean slightly forward instead of all the way back, netting an extra space for luggage while still allowing rear passengers to be seated comfortably. A clever trick indeed by Mercedes.

Conclusion

Should you put your money down on the GLC 200 Exclusive? In my humble opinion, you have nothing to lose despite the pared down equipment lists. Despite lacking the bells and whistles of the higher spec GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line, it's in no way a deal breaker.

From my initial impression of the short test drive, the lower power output doesn't adversely affect daily usable performance. Ride quality is also friendly to your back. Plus, its clever implementation of boot spacing gives you a flexible approach in managing your luggage needs. 

This writer believes the removal of equipment found on the GLC 250 is a welcomed compromise in this trying economic environment where netizens wrestle with the skyrocketing cost of living. Overall, the GLC 200 Exclusive ticks all the right boxes.




   










  





  




  

29 Oct 2017

Mercedes GLC 200 - a GLC 250 4Matic on the budget



At times of dire economic situation with rising cost of living rearing its ugly head, it is perfectly understandable to adopt a pragmatic approach to keep expenditure to a minimum. The ideology comes in handy if you're currently shopping around for a new car. It may be tempting to put the money down on posher stuff, but you can't have everything in life. Want to keep your bank account happy? Then some sacrifices are to be made.

Retailing at RM288,888 (OTR without insurance), the recently launched Mercedes Benz GLC 200 saves you RM37,000 over the GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line and more importantly, keeps you from draining an extra RM250,000 over the hardline AMG GLC 43 4Matic. As you may have guessed from the variant name, the cheaper variant makes do without the proprietary all wheel drive, the 2.0 litre M274 turbo 4 pot feeding its 184 hp and 300 Nm grunt exclusively to the rear wheels mediated by the Tristar's 9 speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

Personally, I wouldn't mind the removal of all wheel drive as it makes the compact SUV mechanically simpler. With less parts to worry about, maintenance should be less of a chore financial wise.



The minimalistic approach also divests the AMG Line styling kit that graces the GLC 250 4Matic, so outgoes accoutrements such as 20-inch AMG multispoke wheel, in its stead a 19-inch five-spoke wheel that wraps around a 235/55 run-flat tyres. Other than that, other sacrificial kit includes perforated front disc brakes, panoramic sunroof, AMG sports suspension and surround view camera. 



Though life outside seems dearth of knick-knack, life inside is quite a different story. There is still abundance of luxury, with the freestanding touch screen display taking centre stage and a healthy dose of leather upholstery. The GLC 200 makes do without flat-bottomed steering wheel as found in the more expensive GLC 250 4Matic and a brown wooden centre console trim instead of dark in the latter.  


Despite being an on the budget SUV, Mercedes still retains rear air-con vents, Thermotronic triple-zone auto climate control, reverse camera and powered front seats with lumbar support.








4 Dec 2016

Artistic-looking Mercedes A200 AMG Line


Saw this baby at last month My Auto Fest car show which ran from 10-13 November 2016 at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC). This very artistic-looking Mercedes A200 AMG Line seems to have the element of an eye-catcher.

Is this car for sale? Nope, it's not I am afraid, though I kinda wish it was. The paintwork is just nothing short of bizarre.   

7 Nov 2016

Mercedes recalls new E300 sedan for stalling out with...oh, okay kiddos get off the rear seat!

Source: https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class-E/model-E300W

Who would have thought an engine can stall out not due to a faulty ignition system or flat battery, but by...rear passengers? Apparently, according to Car & Driver, Mercedes discovered the problem while conducting an internal test on the new E300 and E300 4MATIC sedan in July. The recall affects models manufactured between 10th December 2015 to 30th June 2016. Thankfully, the 3100 affected vehicles have not been sold yet.

So, how can having rear passengers possibly kill the engine? According to NHTSA, the problem could possibly be caused by a faulty fuel-pump wiring located under the rear seat. The weight of passengers compressing the rear seat could have damaged the wiring, which Car & Driver reported can shut off the fuel pump, fuel tank pressure sensor and fuel gauge-or all three of them, stalling the engine.

The recall was initiated at the end of October, where the fuel-pump wiring was rerouted by dealers free of charge.

As much as infuriating the problem is, seems like this is a great excuse not to have rear passengers onboard. Weight reduction anybody? 

31 Oct 2016

W213 Mercedes-AMG E63 4MATIC+, E63 S 4MATIC+ launched!

Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2017-mercedes-amg-e-63-officially-revealed
Say you are a family man. Your daily grind involves dropping your kids off at school, a trip to your office, or taking your family on a nice vacation. Having a sedan is most likely in your bucket list to transport yourself and family in great comfort. But, does it have to be a boring endeavour? Is the sedan's sole purpose to be a comfortable, family-carrying cruiser? If fun is what you want, but you still need the extra room to carry your family, Mercedes got you cover: say hello to the W213 Mercedes-AMG E63 4MATIC+ and E63 S 4MATIC+!

Yes, you have 2 variants to choose from, with the E63 S 4MATIC+ the obvious hardcore version. Regardless of which variants you choose, both will be fitted with AMG's 4.0 litre twin turbo V8. The E63 4MATIC+ makes 563 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque, while the hotter E63 S 4MATIC+ makes 603 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque. As a result, the E63 4MATIC+ will hit 62 mph from standstill in 3.5 seconds (3.4 seconds for the E63 S 4MATIC+). Furthermore, the potent E63 S 4MATIC+ is equipped with a dynamic engine mount which strikes the balance between soft and firm mount to ensure comfortable ride quality, but without sacrificing handling dynamic.

On the transmission front, both variants will receive the AMG Speedshift MCT nine speed transmission, utilising a wet start-off clutch in place of torque converter to improve throttle response. Feeling like a budding racing star? You can play around with a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter.

Living up to its name, both E63 variants will channel twin turbo V8 grunt to AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all wheel drive system. It features an electronically-controlled coupling that varies the torque distribution between the rear and front axle to optimise handling dynamic. Pick the base E63 4MATIC+, you make do with a mechanical differential lock; the potent E63 S 4MATIC+ will come with an electronically-controlled differential lock.

Thinking you are the next Keichii Tsuchiya? Mercedes AMG has you covered thanks to the addition of drift mode. You heard that right. This new W213 generation E63 lets you have your sideway fun (unless if your spouse thinks otherwise). To engage the drift mode, select Race mode, pull the paddle shifter (don't forget to turn off ESP!) and put the transmission in manual mode. Congratulations, you are a new drift hero! Drift mode remains engaged until you deactivate the mode.

Speaking of driving mode, both E63 variants offer AMG Dynamic Select. There are four driving modes - Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. The E63 S 4MATIC+ adds a fifth mode, the Race mode for track use. Launch Control function is also available. To engage it, select Sport, Sport Plus or Race mode (assuming you have the E63 S 4MATIC+), left foot on the brake and floor the throttle pedal, and enjoy a nice, clean launch.

Worry about fuel? Again, AMG has you covered. Just select Comfort mode, drive at partial throttle and the AMG Cylinder Management will shut off the second, third, fifth and eighth cylinder.

Onto the braking system, both variants will be stopped by AMG high-performance braking system. Go with the E63 4MATIC+, you will have 360 mm discs front and rear; the E63 S 4MATIC+ sports a larger 390 mm front discs with no change in diameter to the rear discs. If you go with the E63 S 4MATIC+, you have the option of speccing it with the optional AMG Carbon Ceramic brakes, which measures 402 mm front and 360 mm rear.

As for suspension, both variants will sit on the Air Body Control air suspension. To further keep the car glued on the tarmac, Mercedes AMG dials in higher negative camber.

Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2017-mercedes-amg-e-63-officially-revealed

















2017 Mercedes-AMG E 63 officially revealed
Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2017-mercedes-amg-e-63-officially-revealed 














Sporty performance has to be accommodated by sporty looks. Wheel arches are menacingly wide as a result of wider track width. AMG lettering is conspicuous between the twin silver chrome front radiator grille. At the rear, boot spoiler decks out the back end along with the lovely quad trapezoidal exhaust pipes with chrome-surround. Large 19-inch wheel is standard fitment on the E63 4MATIC+ (E63 S 4MATIC+ will get a much larger 20-inch wheel).






Mercedes new engines detailed

Mercedes has unveiled a new family of engines at Mercedes Benz TecDay event. The new engine features both petrol and diesel fuel, ranging from four-cylinder motor to V8 motor. All engines feature 500 cc per cylinder displacement, so do expect displacement ranging from 2.0-4.0 litre.

For more details on the new engines, keep on reading this post to find out.

M256 inline six petrol

A 48V electrical system dispenses of the need for engine belt-driven ancillaries. For instance, the water pump and air-cond compressor are no longer driven by the engine, allowing for belt-free engine block. Powering the said ancillaries is the new 48V electrical system. The upshot? It gives the block a much cleaner, clutter-free appearance and allows the ancillaries to be placed anywhere within the engine bay. Also, this can theoretically improve engine efficiency thanks to the reduction in parasitic losses.

The 48V electrical system also drives the turbochargers, dubbed as electric auxiliary compressor (eZV) to reduce turbo lag. Also, an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) is sandwiched between the engine and transmission to provide hybrid function, such as electrically-assisted power boost and energy recovery.

Over 408 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque is expected from the M256, along with 15 percent reduction in CO2 emission over the outgoing V6.

A particulate filter (typically featured on diesel) is added, with cordierite the material used in place of silicon carbide on diesel particulate filter to take advantage of its good heat resistant property.

The M256 will make its first appearance in the facelifted W222 S-Class next year.

OM656 inline six diesel

Expected to output 313 horsepower, in contrast to 258 horsepower outputted by the outgoing diesel engine, with 7 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

Utilises stepped-bowl combustion (named after the piston head's bowl shape), Nanoslide technology (coating the cylinder wall with low-friction coating), two-stage turbocharging and CAMTRONIC variable valve timing.

M176 twin turbo V8 petrol

Displacing 4.0 litres, it is expected to output 476 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque.

Utilises closed deck block to increase the block's rigidity, cylinder deactivation to shut down four of its cylinders on light loads up until 3250 rpm made possible my the CAMTRONIC. Just like the M256 inline six petrol engine, the M176 is equipped with a particulate filter.

This engine will debut in the facelifted W222 S-Class.

M264 four cylinder petrol

Just like the M256, the M264 will be equipped with a 48V electrical system. Unlike the M256, a belt-driven starter-alternator (BSA) will draw power from the 48V electrical system instead of the M256 ISG. The BSA hangs off where a conventional alternator sits. Mercedes claims such setup improves the smoothness of the auto start/stop, sharpens acceleration from electric power up to 2500 rpm, energy recovery up to 12.5 kW and cuts off the engine when coasting to reduce fuel consumption and emission.

The engine rams air into all four cylinders via a twin scroll turbo. Exhaust emission is further reduced with the addition of a particulate filter.

21 Jan 2016

Mercedes Benz 500 E


                                                           
1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E (W124.036), front right.jpg
Source: wikipedia.com
Somewhere in the northern suburbs of Stuttgart, lies the manufacturing complex known as the Rossle Bau factory, famous for belonging to a certain company called Porsche. 

At times of tight financial, Porsche faced a conundrum: drop in sales. What Mercedes got anything to do with it? Well, it had nothing to do with the drop in sales, but rather Porsche knocked at Mercedes door to strike a deal to help them in manufacturing the performance version of Mercedes W124 sedan, known as the 500E. Though still bearing the 3 pointed-star badge, this sleeper is essentially a Mercedes with Porsche's fingerprint.

Though Mercedes had a say on what had to be done to the car, it was Porsche who worked their magic in assembling the mechanical bits.

Plonked under the bonnet was a 5 litre naturally aspirated V8 which was fished out from the 500SL roadster and dropped off at Rossle Bau for Porsche to plonk it into the 500E engine bay; the rear suspension received upgrade from Porsche. While the gaffes at Rossle Bau busied themselves with the technicals, Mercedes dealt their deft touch with a coat of paint. Finally, the car was shuttled back to Porsche for the final assembly.

The result? A bonkers fast performance sedan that can rip off the tarmac with aplomb (well, not literally) to satisfy the need for speed amongst the testosterone-laden hamfisted hooligans (326 worth of ponies, not bad sir!), while its leather-trimmed seats made for a comfortable cruiser (good for a family day out, or for excursion to a fancy restaurant with your significant others).

Luxurious from the outside, a fire-breathing dragon sleeping underneath waiting to unleash its wrath, a dragon in tuxedo skin.