The New Mercedes Benz Vito

The New Mercedes Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz has brought its compact and stylish Vito van range bang up to date with the launch of a new generation model range. Mercedes-Benz has brought its compact and stylish Vito van range bang up to date with the launch of a new generation model range. A smart new design has brought a fresher, more modern look to the exterior 聳 and tough new moulded bumper sections bring added practicality 聳 but the really important changes are under the skin. New generation Vitos are powered by an all-new range of EU5-compliant four-and six-cylinder engines that not only meet the latest emissions standards but deliver significant improvements in fuel economy as well as welcome boosts in power and torque. Model designation: The naming of individual models has changed to reflect their increased power outputs. The range now begins with the 95hp 110CDI which, along with the 136hp 113CDI and the 163hp 116CDI, is driven by a new four-cylinder engine. Efficient transmission: Manual variants now feature a new gearbox designed specifically for van applications 聳 the six-speed ECO Gear. This improves flexibility and maximises fuel economy, as well as being smoother and quieter to operate and able to handle higher torque inputs. Increased economy: Impressive improvements in fuel consumption have been achieved across the new range. Raising standards: The standard specification of all models has been enhanced and now includes features such as a new radio/CD player with integrated Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility, a multi-function steering wheel with Trip Computer, and a Speedtronic variable speed limiter. Revised switchgear, door handles and seat fabrics also help to provide a stylish, yet practical and hardwearing environment. Economic ownership: All Mercedes Vito vans models enjoy a three-year unlimited mileage warranty as standard, as well as a 12-year anti-perforation bodywork warranty. Service intervals are optimised by the ASSYST on-board service computer, which can extend maintenance requirements according to the vehicles operational pattern. And as with previous Vito models, strong residual value is likely to contribute to competitive ownership costs. Pricing: Full pricing will be available in due course.

One of Maybach鈥檚 most important tasks between October 1882 and the summer of 1884 was to evaluate patents for engine ignition systems. He analyzed several thousand patents, most of which had been taken out by German, English, or American engineers. At an early stage, he and Daimler ruled out an electrical ignition system because of the unreliability of such systems at the time. Finally, the designer came across a series of designs for controlled hot-tube ignition systems. These featured a hot tube that was connected with the engine combustion chamber with a slide. Wilhelm Maybach realized that these controls (just as with the slide control in the Otto flame ignition system) would limit the speed of the engine. He found his inspiration in a drawing by the British engineer Watson, who had also mainly worked on controlled hot-tube ignition systems. However, Maybach discovered a drawing in Watson鈥檚 4608/1881 patent specifications without an ignition seal, and used this as the basis to develop his unregulated hot-tube system. Drawings from the foundry show that the engine delivered to Daimler in August 1883 by Kurtz had a cylinder diameter of 42 millimeters and a stroke of 72 millimeters.

Maybach and Daimler continued experimenting with the engine into the winter, until they had it working reliably in December of that year. In addition to hot-tube ignition, the prototype also had a new type of valve control featuring a curved groove valve. The patent principle is based on joint control of the intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder head using a single rod. The foot of this rod has a pin in the groove, allowing it to operate a control valve installed at the end of the crankshaft. The groove is cut into the disc and performs two intersecting curves, whose movement is traced by the pin and transferred to the control rod at the same time as the cylinder stroke. The pin moves completely through the dual curve over the course of two revolutions of the crankshaft at speeds of up to 600 rpm, opening the entry and exhaust valves in accordance with the four-stroke principle. However, if the engine speed exceeds this value, flyweights rotate a flap installed at the intersection of the two grooves. This deflects the rotor pin, so that the valves remain closed during the next revolution of the crankshaft. This was the principle of the intermittent control system that controlled the speed of the early Daimler engines. In the final version, however, Daimler activated only the exhaust valve with a curved groove control, while the intake valve (pressure relief valve, or 鈥渟nifting valve鈥? was automatically controlled by a vacuum. The two patents applied for in 1883 as a result of the work on the horizontal test engine were granted to Daimler on August 4 and 27, 1884, respectively, as DRP Nos.

Mercedes-AMG presented the E 63 AMG for the first time at the New York International Auto Show. The E 63 AMG also benefits from all the model enhancements which make the new-generation E-Class stand out, for example the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, the new Intelligent Light System or the new adaptive brake lights. Developed completely independently by AMG, this 6-3-litre V8-engine is the world鈥檚 only power unit to combine the high-revving concept with a large displacement - the result is around 20 percent more torque than from comparable engines in this output class. In line with Mercedes-AMG tradition, the new powerpack is hand-built in the AMG engine workshops on the "one man, one engine" principle. Thus equipped, the E 63 AMG Saloon accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (Estate: 4.6 s). The maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. The AMG sports suspension based on the semi-active air suspension system AIRMATIC DC includes the Adaptive Damping System ADS II and allows the driver to choose between more comfortable or very sporty handling characteristics.

The shock absorbers and springs instantly adapt to the current driving situation, but can also be manually modified in three stages at the touch of a button. The new AMG wheels are not the only distinguishing feature of the E 63 AMG. A lasting impression is also created by the new, heavily contoured AMG front apron, large air dams and round foglamps with chrome surrounds. Heat from the integral, additional engine oil cooler integrated into the front bumper is able to dissipate via air vents in the sides. This top-of-the-line E-Class model is also immediately identifiable by the "6.3 AMG" lettering on the front wings. Dynamic side skirts, tinted rear light clusters in a new design and a redesigned AMG rear apron for the Saloon impressively round off the visual impact. The new AMG breakaway edge (Saloon only) reduces lift at the rear axle by up to 30 percent. Both visually and acoustically, the AMG sports exhaust system with its two twin chrome tailpipes underlines the dynamic character of the E 63 AMG. The driver is kept well informed by the new AMG instrument cluster with attractive dial instruments, a speedometer graduated to 320 km/h and red needles.