Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-new S-Class

This is it, folks. An all-new avatar of what’s widely regarded as the best car in the world has just been unveiled. Say hello to the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class!

This is a significant unveiling for more than one reason. Firstly, the S-Class is the world's best-selling full-size luxury sedan. Mercedes-Benz's flagship is also the gold standard against which rivals measure themselves. More crucially, Daimler believes this is the car that is going to bring Mercedes-Benz back to profitability as it battles a demand slump inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as disruptions in the form of Electric Vehicles.

So, what's new in the all-new S-Class? Let’s dig into the details and find out. 

Elegance personified. As always. 

Right from the W116 series in the seventies to the outgoing W222 series, S-Class has always been the very definition of automotive elegance. The new model is no different. 

Up front, the trapezoidal grille has grown in size but, thankfully, not as much to intimidate onlookers like in some of it's rivals. The long, sculpted hood, the cab-rearward stance, the stretched wheelbase and the short, stubby rear give the car proportions to die for. Exquisitely-detailed LED headlights, triangular two-section LED taillights, door handles that sit flush with the body and subdued character lines on either side further add to the appeal.

Despite its size, the S-Class continues to be a wind-cheater with a co-efficient of drag of just 0.22, making it one of the world's most aerodynamic cars.  

High on tech. High on luxury.

Those two statements could be short but they pretty much sum up the cabin of the all-new S-Class. The technologically-advanced cabin screams opulence any which way you look at and will leave no room for owners to complain. 

The dashboard embraces minimalism with a huge 12.8-inch OLED infotainment screen dominating the proceedings. While the driver gets a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster providing him with vital information, the rear passengers get their own touchscreens mounted on each of the two front seat backs as well as an armrest-mounted tablet. Mercedes-Benz's second-generation MBUX infotainment system powers these screens with more emphasis placed on voice and gesture controls rather than physical buttons. The car uses fingerprint, face and voice recognition to authenticate the occupants and adjust settings automatically. The screens can be personalized with a choice of four display styles (Discreet, Sporty, Exclusive, Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

The seats - or rather plush thrones - don't just score on the luxury factor. Each of them have loads of tech inside. For instance, the driver's seat has up to 19 motors and actuators, four airbags and two exciters (resonance transmitters) incorporated within. Apart from every possible way of adjustment, there is a choice of 10 massage programs to choose from. Imagine winding up on this after a long and tiring day. Bliss, isn't it?

The equipment list include an active ambient lighting system which employs 263 LEDs, a 31-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system, Air Balance active fragrancing and ionization package and an Energizing Comfort function that detects stress level of occupants from linked smart devices and recommends one of the many available fitness or wellness programs. 

V12 is gone but engine options are aplenty 

The mainstay of the new S-Class' power-train lineup is a pair of 3.0-liter, in-line six-cylinder engines. The petrol is available in two states of tune - 367 horsepower and 500 Nm in the S450 and 435 horsepower and 520 Nm in the S500 - both assisted by a 48-volt 'EQ Boost' mild-hybrid system. The diesel also has two states of tune - 286 horsepower and 600 Nm in the S350d and 330 horsepower and 700 Nm in the S400d. A 9-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line-up while all variants except the S350d get the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system as standard.

Five drive modes are on offer - ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and INDIVIDUAL - that lets the driver modify the power-train, suspension, steering and ESP characteristics.

A V8 engine option would join the line-up shortly afterwards as will a plug-in hybrid version with an electric-only range of 100 km. For the first-time ever, the S-Class would also spawn an all-electric version - the EQS - a ground-up luxury electric sedan that will rival the Tesla Model S. 

The S-Class also has a party trick - a steerable rear axle that allows the rear wheels to turn as much as 10 degrees. At parking speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels for added maneuverability while at speeds in excess of 60 km/h, they turn in the same direction as the front wheels for added stability. The E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension works in tandem with ROAD SURFACE SCAN and CURVE functions to predict surface undulations and adjust settings accordingly.

Top-notch safety guaranteed

One of the hallmarks of the S-Class over the years has been the way it kept pushing the safety envelope. What you see in the S-Class today is what you'll get in cars like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic five years down the line. The new S-Class does the same thing. Yet again.

S-Class' armoury include a lightweight aluminium hybrid body-shell, hardened high-strength steel safety cell, MULTIBEAM LED headlights with 84 individual diodes, Digital Light system capable of projecting guidelines and warning symbols onto the road ahead, the first-ever frontal airbags for rear seat occupants in addition to the driver, passenger, curtain and belt airbags, Mercedes-Benz's standard PRE-SAFE suite with an innovative Impulse Side feature that raises the vehicle body by up to 80 mm when it detects an impending side impact and a new URBAN GUARD suite for all-round monitoring of the vehicle when parked. It even has the ability to locate and recover the vehicle in case of a theft.

With hardware comprising of LiDAR, 4 multi-mode radar sensors, 1 long-range radar sensor, 1 multi-purpose camera up front, 4 close-range cameras for 360-degree vision and 12 ultrasonic sensors, the S-Class gets every conceivable driving assistance system out there. If the regulations permit, the S-Class also has a DRIVE PILOT feature that bestows the car with a SAE Level-3 autonomous driving capability.

MBUX is improved and smarter

Debuting in the new S-Class is the new and improved version of Mercedes-Benz User Experience - MBUX in short.

From the brilliant Head-Up Display with augmented reality tech to the INTERIOR ASSIST function that uses cameras to track occupant movements and proactively trigger certain functions and everything in-between including the infotainment system for every occupant of the car, the MBUX has every damn thing the S-Class offers in its control. As one of the images above suggest, it's a freaking computer inside!

Unmatched legacy

Though the brand's association with luxury saloons date back to early 20th century, it wasn't until the 1956 220 S 'Ponton' Mercedes-Benz started using the letter 'S' on its luxury offerings. The S-Class nomenclature came into existence much later when the W116 series debuted in 1972.

Since then, the S-Class has been pushing the boundaries of luxury, technology and safety with each successive generation. 

The all-new S-Class, code-named W223 (short wheelbase) and V223 (long wheelbase) internally, is now assigned with the unenviable task of building on the rich legacy while staying true to the heritage carefully built over decades. At first glance, the new S-Class seems more than prepared for it.

Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-new CLA

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a weird place to stage the world premiere of a car. But that’s exactly what Mercedes-Benz did when the all-new CLA made its first appearance at Las Vegas last week. Currently in its second generation, this four-door coupe sits alongside the A-Class sedan this time around as a pricier and, of course, sexier option in the brand’s compact lineup. 

We dug deep to see what’s good and what’s not with the new CLA. Here’s what we found.

Good: MFA family keeps growing

When Mercedes-Benz debuted the Modular Front Architecture (MFA) – the inexpensive platform that drives the front wheels and underpins all compact cars in the family – traditional customers and brand loyalists cried hoarse that the brand’s purity is being diluted. Fast forward to 2018, every fourth Mercedes-Benz model sold was a compact car spun off the MFA. Yes, 609,000 out of 2.31 million customers that bought a Mercedes-Benz last year drove home a new A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA. That’s not insignificant!

Mercedes-Benz is obviously taking note. In just over a year, the German luxury car-maker has bolstered its compact line-up with a new-generation A- and B-Class, an all-new A-Class sedan that sits alongside the hatchback and now the new CLA. There’s more, a new CLA Shooting Brake and a new GLA are reportedly in the works. With more and more customers responding with their wallets for one of these and Mercedes-Benz paying them back handsomely with newer models boasting superior styling and latest tech, the compact line-up from Stuttgart is emerging as a force to reckon with. Audi and BMW have a lot of catching up to do.  

Good: New CLA’s styling is spot-on

Let’s make a confession here. We at Anything-On-Wheels love the outgoing CLA from the day we saw the images of the Compact Sport Coupe Concept that previewed it. But, we know there are many that loathed the current car's bulbous and - cruelly, in their eyes - disjointed rear. Thankfully, the new CLA won’t polarize opinions.

The design team at Mercedes-Benz have been dishing out great looking cars the last few years and the new CLA is no exception. Be it the aggressive 'shark-nosed' fascia, the prominent power domes on the hood, the compact and flowing coupe-ish greenhouse, those frameless doors or the distinct Coke-bottle shoulder leading up to the familiar 'GT' rear end, the CLA is designed to turn heads. And it does, convincingly. If the sedan looks this good, can you imagine how the Shooting Brake would look like? We can't wait. Just ignore the cheesy orange accents dotting the launch edition.

Good: The revolutionary MBUX is even better now

Mercedes-Benz created quite a flutter at the 2018 edition of the CES bringing along it’s new-age infotainment system – the ‘MBUX’. With snazzy big screens, high-definition graphics, a customizable display, a full-colour Head-up Display, built-in navigation with augmented reality and voice control that activates on hearing "Hey Mercedes" and comes equipped with software that can actually learn, the MBUX is a technological tour de force. The new CLA, Mercedes claims, has the latest and improved version of that. 

Said to be intuitive and innovative at the same time, the MBUX promises to redefine in-car entertainment experience. For instance, the Interior Assist feature has a host of functions that could just be controlled via gestures. There's even a "Personal Favourites" feature that can be accessed by holding a hand over the center console with the index and middle fingers spread in a V-shape. The idea is to store frequently used MBUX functions in one place for quick access any time. Cars are getting intelligent and the MBUX serves as a strong reminder.       

Good: You pay more and you get more

When initial reports suggested the new CLA would have the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder under the hood like the A-Class, we were put off for obvious reasons. But, Mercedes-Benz has been smart enough to offer a higher state of tune in the CLA. With 221 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, the CLA is more powerful and torquey than the A-Class sedan. 

If that’s not enough, Mercedes-Benz says there will be a host of petrol and diesel engines on offer when the CLA goes on sale later this year depending on the country you’re in. If none of that would do, wait for the bonkers AMG variant that should be in the pipeline. If the current CLA45 AMG is anything to go by, this would be well worth the wait!

Good & Bad: Interiors are fabulous but look all the same

If you've been in a Mercedes-Benz of late, you know that the cabins look and feel fabulous. It's more of the same with every new-generation or an all-new model coming in. The new CLA treads the same line too. A big free-standing monolithic screen stretches across the dashboard with two functional sections - one for instrumentation and the other for infotainment. Funky circular air-conditioning knobs are there, of course, like every other Mercedes model. A slew of top-notch driver assist functions, safety features and creature comforts - some straight off the E- and S-Class - are part of the kit too. 

Problem is, you've been in the CLA if you've been in the A-Class. You've seen the A-Class if you've seen the C-Class and so on. It's a good problem to have, no doubt. But, ask if an S-Class owner who paid five times as much as an A-Class owner feels the same way.    

Bad: A-Class Sedan or CLA? What's your pick?

Despite the “four-door coupe” tag that Mercedes-Benz bestowed on it, the CLA was always the sedan equivalent of the A-Class. Or so we thought until the second-generation model premiered. In addition to the hatchback that we’ve had for three generations, the new A-Class also had a sedan counterpart making the CLA’s positioning in the lineup a bit more difficult and confusing. Of course, the product planners at Mercedes wouldn’t agree with that statement. 

The CLA is sexier and likely to be priced and positioned higher than the A-Class sedan. It’s also a bit more powerful and expected to deliver the look and feel of a mini CLS, which it really is. In the end though, it all boils down to the rear headroom on the A-Class sedan versus the oomph factor of the CLA. Really. But, will a potential customer understand these differences? And even if he or she does, isn't this too much of an overlap within the brand?

All said and done, the new CLA has a lot going for it and is sure to be a success story it's maker expects it to be. Just bring out the Shooting Brake already, please!

2018 Geneva - Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe makes its debut

It was exactly a year back, at the same event to be specific, the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept was unveiled. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show that's ending this Sunday, the car returned, this time in production form, as the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Developed completely by the team at Affalterbach who make fast cars go faster, this 4-Door Coupe is being pitched as a more roomy and practical sibling to the manic Mercedes-AMG GT. In other words, this is Mercedes' challenger to the Porsche Panamera.

Mercedes-Benz has always been smart enough to identify and fill non-existent niches in the market and the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is one such effort. In an ideal scenario, there is no reason for the GT 4-Door to exist with the CLS taking up the role of a quasi-coupe in the lineup. But then, we aren't living in an ideal world and the demand for faster, more expensive cars shows no signs of slowing down. The AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, as we understand, would sit above the CLS with the most-affordable version expected to retail at prices higher than the most-expensive CLS.

Up front, the aggressive Pan Americana grille with bold vertical slats takes center stage. Regardless of the variant or trim level, the car gets a slick aero package that includes an air panel in the front bumper and a retractable spoiler at the rear. While the CLS stays true to the original CLS that pioneered the segment, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe gets a swoopy greenhouse that's inspired by the AMG GT halo coupe. Having said that, the silhouette also bears more than a passing resemblance to the Porsche Panamera, likely to be the car's arch rival when it goes on sale.

While it looks similar, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe does not share its underpinnings with the trans-axle setup of the 2-Door GT. Instead, it shares the midsize rear wheel drive platform that underpins the E-Class, the CLS and their many variations. Under that classic long hood lies two power monsters. The range-toppers get a 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 that churns out 630 horsepower in the GT 63 S and 577 horsepower in the GT 63 while the entry-level GT 53 gets the familiar 3.0-liter inline six making 429 horsepower. All three engines are mated to an AMG Speedshift 9-speed automatic transmission that transmits power to all four wheels with AMG's 4Matic All Wheel Drive system. There's more, the GT 63 variants can be had with a Drift Mode as well. 

Depending on the variant, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe sprints from 0 to 100 km/h anywhere between 3.1 to 4.4 seconds with top speeds ranging between 280 to 314 km/h. 

The interiors share a lot more with the E-Class and the CLS, at least in the way it looks. That's no bad thing as the E-Class pioneered an interior design that's classy, plush and desirable. Be it the illuminated air-conditioner vents that look like mini turbines or the dual 12.3-inch screens housing the instrument cluster and the infotainment system or the AMG Performance Steering Wheel featuring Touch Control pads, the cabin is a work of art that leaves no room to complain. Top notch tech and safety are a given, given the expected prices the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe would retail in. 

Prices have not been announced yet but expect the AMG GT 4-Door Coupes to sit atop the line up when it goes on sale early 2019. Those with deep pockets and a family to tow on cross-continental tours ought to take notice!

Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-new A-Class

Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off the all-new, fourth-generation A-Class at an exclusive event held in Amsterdam, Netherlands last evening.

Despite still being the least expensive model in the portfolio, the new A-Class is a crucial launch for the German luxury car-maker, packing in several ‘firsts’ for the brand. Spearheading an all-new expanded compact car range that’s set to grow to eight models over the next three years, the new A is a sign of things to come at the lower end of the Mercedes-Benz spectrum. Add to that the current A-Class and its derivatives – the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA and B-Class – accounted for one in four of all Mercedes-Benz models sold last year, it’s not hard to fathom why the top honchos at the car-maker went all out to ensure the new A-Class gets all the attention.

When it first debuted in 1997, the A-Class didn’t look like the rest of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. To put it bluntly, its styling did not convey a sense of class and luxury you would expect from a Merc. Over the years though, the diminutive hatchback grew in stature as well as proportions. The third-generation A-Class that debuted in 2012, for instance, was significantly bigger compared to its predecessors and looked a million bucks.

The new A is no different. Sporting the brand’s new fascia that debuted in the CLS recently, this car is a looker. Sharp triangular headlights sit on either side of an inverted trapezoidal grille adorned with the trademark 'jewel-effect' pins. A muscular hood with prominent V-shaped ridges and a sporty bumper sandwich the grille. The profile has been cleaned up and is now characterized by a prominent shoulder line that runs the length of the car. The bold swoosh-shaped crease of the outgoing A-Class has been done away with. Thick C-pillars, the integrated roof spoiler and the beefy rear bumper complete with air curtains and built-in exhaust tips look swell. The taillights match the profile of the headlights. 

That said, there is no escaping the fact the new A-Class has been toned down a fair bit in what Mercedes-Benz calls "Sensual Purity". 

The official press release from Mercedes-Benz had a statement that said 'There's not much entry-level in the entry-level A-Class anymore'. Nothing reaffirms that statement as much as the interiors of the new A-Class do. Not only does the cabin looks like that of its more expensive siblings, it also debuts the car-maker's newest infotainment system. Dubbed MBUX, in short for Mercedes-Benz User Experience, this contemporary next-generation user interface finally replaces the outdated COMMAND system and is set to find its way to all Mercedes-Benz models. 

With a high-resolution widescreen cockpit that grabs eyeballs with its two 10.25-inch touchscreens, the system can be awoken by just saying 'Hey Mercedes'. With Artificial Intelligence finding its way in, indirect speech - the way we talk to fellow humans for example - can also be used to control the car's various functions. The rotary COMMAND controller has been replaced by a touchpad that functions in tandem with touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. The center console itself has been redesigned and feature contemporary rocker switches for the climate control.

The initial lineup of engines include two petrol mills - a 1.4-liter unit producing 163 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque and a 2.0-liter unit that churns out 224 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque - and a 1.5-liter diesel engine that makes 116 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque. Mated to this trio of inline 4-cylinder engines is a 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

As you would expect from a car of this class, a full suite of active and passive safety features are standard on every A-Class, irrespective of the variant and trim level being chosen. In what comes as a knock-out punch, the new A-Class is also being offered with a semi-autonomous drive feature called 'Intelligent Drive', a staple of the S-Class segment not so long ago.

In what has now become a Mercedes-Benz regular, the new A-Class would be available in an exclusive 'Edition 1' to commemorate its launch. The exterior gets AMG add-ons, a diamond grille with black-coloured pins and green-coloured highlights. The same 'Edition Green' colour has also been used in the seats and the dashboard to set this model apart.

With over 3 million units sold thus far and a youthful brand image, the A-Class has been a significant volume-puller and image-builder for Mercedes-Benz. When it goes on sale later this year, the new A-Class is all set to carry the legacy forward. Given the form Mercedes-Benz India has been in, we wouldn't be surprised if the new A gets to our shores this year.

2018 Detroit - Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-new G-Class

In an industry where change is inevitable, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class had defied all odds being in production for far too long without significant changes in the sheet metal. Yes, the G-Class’ shape and dimensions hardly changed since 1979, the year it was introduced. As legendary as the G is, the fact that it was too old and, dare we say, outdated to comply with the current safety and tech norms was more than obvious. 

As a result, out went the G-Class to be replaced by this all-new version. Well, wait, where’s the all-new version, you ask? Believe us, this really is the new second-generation G-Class that just debuted at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show!

Much to the relief of thousands of fans and loyalists worldwide, the all-new G-Class looks pretty much like the outgoing G-Class. The iconic shape has been left untouched with subtle changes here and there to bring the G-Class up-to-date. Up front, the circular headlights are bigger and incorporate integrated LED accent lights. The panels on which the lights are placed are angled ever-so-slightly to the sides, getting rid of the cardboard box-like angles of the older model. The signature ‘clam-shell’ hood and the prominent indicators on top of the front fenders have been carried over to the new model as are the exposed door hinges, the old-school door handles, the flat windscreen and the boxy appearance. Changes in the rear are, again, minimal with the bodywork around the slim horizontal taillights being the most significant.

Crucially, the G-Class has now grown in size over its predecessor. The new model is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider, giving the occupants much-needed improvement in leg room and shoulder room. The rear legroom, G’s traditional weak point, is now up by a whopping 150 mm!

The interiors have been sufficiently spruced up so as to not turn down a potential G-Class buyer who walks into a Mercedes-Benz showroom and happens to look at the cabin of an E-Class or S-Class sharing the floor. An all-new, customizable Digital Cockpit integrates two 12.3-inch screens that form the instrument panel and the central display. A touchpad with controller is housed in the center console, allowing drivers to operate stuff without taking their eyes off the road. The steering wheel has been redesigned as well incorporating more functions than before. Circular air-conditioner vents, like the ones on every other Mercedes-Benz car out there, are in there as well. Playing an ode to the old G-Class are the grab handle for the front passenger and three prominent, chrome-highlighted differential lock switches in the dashboard.

For its second-generation, the G-Class has gone through significant mechanical changes as well. Most importantly, the solid front axle has been shown the door, replaced by modern double wishbones that are sure to improve the on-road handling and ride quality. The ladder-on-frame construction, selectable four-wheel drive with low range and the front, center and rear locking differentials have been carried over, essentially making sure the G loses none of its competence off-road. With specs that read 270 mm ground clearance, 31° approach angle, 30° approach angle and 26° break-over angle, there is no reason to think twice before venturing off-road.

Powering this boxy brute is a 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 422 horsepower and a peak torque of 610 Nm. The bi-turbo engine is mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission that’s been specifically adapted to suit the off-roading needs of the vehicle. 

The new G goes on sale later this year with the United States of America, Germany and China expected to be amongst the first markets. As they say, the legend lives on!

2017 Los Angeles - Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-new CLS, the original 4-door coupe

When Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off the Vision CLS Concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, the term 4-door coupe was unheard of in the automotive industry. The reception for the gorgeous coupe-styled sedan was overwhelmingly positive and the CLS went on to pioneer an entire segment, forcing rivals BMW and Audi to follow. After two successful iterations, the German luxury car-maker debuted the third-generation CLS at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show last Friday.

In the CLS, form has always taken precedence over function and the all-new model is no different. Sporting a silhouette similar to its predecessors but with much cleaner and sharper lines, the new CLS is now in line with the brand's 'Sensual Purity' design language. The forward-slanting front end is characterized by the trademark radiator grille that widens towards the base and a pair of low-set triangular headlights. The profile is as sleek and sexy as ever with an arching roofline, flat shoulder line and flared wheel arches. At the rear, a pair of two-piece taillights pushes the license plate down to the rear bumper, offering a more mature take on the design Mercedes-Benz has been applying to its coupes and coupe-crossovers of late. 

The interiors borrow heavily from the E-Class, the model with which the CLS shares its platform and underpinnings. Featuring a flowing layout that extends from the dashboard to the front doors, the CLS's cabin is more opulent and luxurious than ever. Exquisitely-designed air-con vents, a Mercedes trademark these days, grab eyeballs while the standard 12.3-inch instrument cluster couples with a 12.3-inch infotainment display for a really 'w-i-d-e' monolith screen. While a full suite of creature comforts, driver-assist and safety features are standard on the new CLS, the Edition 1 that commemorates the launch gets exclusive features like black pearl Nappa leather, copper interior accents, ambient-lighting package and black 20-inch AMG alloys amongst others.

In-line 6-cylinder engines make a comeback in the Mercedes lineup under the hood of the CLS. While the 3.0-liter petrol mill in the CLS 450 produces 362 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, the 2.9-liter diesel engine is available in two states of tune. In the CLS 350d guise, it generates 282 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. The same mill is tuned to deliver 335 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque in the CLS 400d. Both the engines are turbocharged and paired with a 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox which transmits the power to all four wheels through the standard 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

Supplementing the petrol engine is a mild-hybrid system that generates an additional 21 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque for short durations. Dubbed 'EQ Boost', the 48-volt electrical system consists of a 1 kW-hr lithium battery placed under the hood and aids 'sailing' wherein lifting off the throttle shuts off the engine and the electric motor re-fires the engine upon pressing the throttle pedal again. There is no EV-only mode though and the IC Engine runs at all times.

The new CLS goes on sale in 2018 with the United States of America, Europe and China expected to be its first markets. Now that the original 4-door coupe is reborn, it's the turn of BMW and Audi to up their game in this all-important show-off segment.

2017 Frankfurt - Mercedes-AMG brings F1 technology to the roads with the Project ONE

If you have been following Formula One, you don't have to be told who the reigning constructor's world champions are. For those who don't, know that Team Mercedes-AMG has been ruling the roost of what's being called the 'Turbo V6' era, helping Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg drive away to their world championship victories. With such levels of dominance at the top tier of motor racing, it was just a question of when and not if Mercedes-Benz would be coming up with a hyper car of their own. 

That question was answered when the curtains went up for the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show when Lewis Hamilton drove in the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE on stage!

First up, let's get our heads around the stagerring F1-derived technology associated with this automobile. 

Mounted between the front and rear wheels is a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid engine, the very same unit that powers the team's Formula 1 race cars. Spinning at 11,000 rpm with a claimed 40% thermal efficiency, the tiny unit produces an incredible 1,000 horsepower. When all those horses are unleashed, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE can rocket from 0 to 200 km/h in just six seconds. That's faster than the Bugatti Chiron, widely regarded as the world's fastest production car! The car can reach speeds beyond 350 km/h, says Mercedes-Benz.

Paired with the internal combustion engine are a total of four electric motors, one integrated into the turbocharger and another directly installed on the engine with a link to the crankcase. The two remaining 120 kW motors, where rotor revolutions can go up to a staggering 50,000 rpm, drive the front wheels. Its no wonder then that Mercedes-AMG wants these cars to come back to the factory after 31,000 miles for an engine overhaul.  

The battery cells are stacked on the floor right behind the front axle while their arrangement and the cooling system are the same as the ones used in Formula 1 race cars. The EQ Power+ drive system operates at 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts. With that, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE can be your zero emission vehicle with a pure electric driving range of 25 km!

The light-weight, high-strength carbon-fibre monocoque body, the multi-link suspension with innovative pushrod design, the 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels with carbon-fibre semi-cover, the weight-optimized ceramic compound braking system and the 8-speed manual transmission with hydraulic actuation and shift paddles are all exclusively developed by Mercedes-AMG for the Project ONE. 

With such performance and tech credentials, who cares how the car looks? Clearly, its a case of function over form as a slew of air inlets, wings, splitters and fins illustrate the wind-cheating capabilities of this hyper car. That said, the car does seem to evoke memories of a certain McLaren F1, a legend in its own right.

Now that we know the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is stuff our wet dreams are made of, there are two choices ahead of us. Take the next flight to Frankfurt and catch a glimpse before the curtains come down on the 2017 edition of the Motor Show or rob a bank or two and have $2.5 million or thereabouts ready. Which of these are you upto?