M-class sport package

Hi everyone. I saw the Y2K M-class with the new sports package today. With the two intergrated fog lights on the front bumper, fender flares really give the M-class an aggressive look.

I would like to take the oppurtunity to mention something about the forthcoming new SLR. Why is that Mercedes has to use a supercharger again? Why has to be the 5.5 AMG V8 ?( probably an account's decision) Why with an automatic transmission ? ( correct me if I am wrong )
Mercedes claims that the SLR project was suppose to challange Ferraris and Lamborghinis. According to my knowledge, both ferrari and Laborghini use engines without any force inductions. What I am trying to say is that the project really doesn't match with the original idea by "cheating".I am no saying using a supercharger is bad,actually it might provide better fuel efficiency, but it just doesn't match with the ferrari challanger idea, and a supercharger is more like a after market product. Why isn't Mercedes consider to use the 4 valve V12, port it out to 7.4 ( as someone mentioned eariler on the list )or develop a new super performance V12 with 5-6 hundred hp?
Cost problem probably? But Honda's NSX project never made any profit, but as a symbol of technology. Why not make the three point star shine.
Mercedes has a share in every class, but the only thing that is missing is a real suprem performance car that has the ability to kick some butt. ( Ferrari,Lambo,Aston,and Lotus)The CLK GT-R is too expensive, and it is not that praticle. Bascially the car was force to put together and it is nothing compare to the real version. I mean you can buy a MClaren F1, or Porsche GT1 with a much lower price, and the interior of the CLK-GTR street version looks pretty bad! Especially the seats.( Are they made by Recaro? )
Pete regards

[akry]

Cheyun,

Yes, Ferrari and Lambo doesn't use any force induct stuffs(Turbo, Supercharger), however, they have 4 more cylinders. Also, Supercharger is not like Turbo; Turbo is driven by exhaust, and only if there is enough exhaust. Supercharger is driven by belt, though sacrifice little engine HP, it has no "lag" what so ever.

Use a supercharged 5.5L AMG V8 is more logical. Since E55, C55, ML55 already use the same engine, why not supercharge it?? It saves tons of money, and the save of developement costs can passed on to customers and/or use the money to develope something new....Do you really want to pay twice more of what SLR would cost?? Even at 1/4 million a piece, Diablo "only" has aluminum body(shouldn't a car costs that much should at at least have carbon fiber fenders??).

Also, Mercedes uses the same AMG V8, since the V8 has better fuel consumption than most other V8s(or even the good old DOHC V8s). And since the V8's on the road already, Mercedes may want to use it so the SLR will be more driver/traffic friendly(Ferrari/Lambo/Mclaren does over-heat if you stay in traffic too long after abusive driving).

As for Auto Tranny, personally, I like to shift by myself, but technology has advanced so quickly, occasionally, you will see a Auto Tranny beat the hell out of a Manual(SLK230 Auto is FASTER than SLK230 Manual). Also, the 5-speed tranny is already coupled with the 5.5L V8, why spend more money develope another one when they can spend little money by just modified the tranny??

You want something extreme?? Get a E500/500E, it will kick the 996/933's asses(Lotus Esprit V8 is too old, and needs a major update ). E55 is a car with split personality. You can hit the gas, and run it like it's the end of the world, or drive it smoothly when you have to impress your mother-in-law or boss. And now, most of the Y2K Mercedes get the Touch Shift, there should be as many complaints as before....

Yes, NSX is never a money maker for Honda, but consider how many car Honday sells each year world-wide?? Then compare it to Mercedes' sale figure, then you would know why Mercedes wants to build a supercar that's easy to drive, fast and comfortable at the same time......

P.S. I will keep my Viper R/T10 for sunny days....
I still like Mercedes after driven all those cars, and yes, Ferrari is not as nice as most of you might think, except 456GT, 550, 355. Haven't had a chance to put my hands on 360....yet
Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  
• AMG Shocks/Springs
  

[This message has been edited by akry (edited 11-05-1999).]

[Lee Scheeler]

cheyun/Peter,
In addition to what akry said, (all good points I might add) the supercharged SOHC V8 is much easier to package in the body of the car itself. Since a V8 is much shorter than the somewhat bulky DOHC V12's you can get a smaller/more compact package. Cut the weight and you don't need as many HP. Not to mention the gains in handling/braking from cutting mass of the vehicle. We all know that if MB wanted it could build a worldbeater that nobody else could touch. But the days of the engineers running the show 100% are gone. At least for now they get 98% of the results with plenty of common sense added as well. Why make something overly expensive or complex? There is also the less frictional losses from SOHC vs DOHC, the easier packaging of the smaller cyl heads, etc that go along with the blown E55 power-plant. As far as automatic vs manual. Since most MB clients are used to automatics it makes sense that they would use a tranny that is familiar to most of their core customers. Besides, MB does have a 6-speed in the corporate parts bin, it may make it into the SLR yet. They will surely sell as many as they make, why cater to their non core customers? They are trying to make a supercar that is still MB friendly. Tempermental supercars are actually quite common, a supercar that is daily-driver friendly is not. MB is probably one of the few companies that could actually build that.

Hope this helps...Lee

PS If you want esoteric technology, wild maintenance bills, and gonzo performance buy a used F1 or CART car and go HSR racing.

[jpenix]

I'd say using the AMG 5.5 is good from a PR point of view - just think the feelings E55/M55/whatever55 owners (or prospective owners) will have when they see that the engine in their car is capable of powering such a supercar.