MAGIC SKY CONTROL Tinting Tech Could Be Coming to Windows

At Smith Motor Sales, we love the technology that Mercedes-Benz comes up with, and one of the innovations we like the most is MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which utilizes electrochromatic glass technology to dim a window with the flip of a switch. MAGIC SKY CONTROL is currently limited to sunroofs in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but we’re happy to say that the technology might soon be controlling more than just the sky.

Motor Trend magazine reports that officials from Mercedes-Benz are looking into expanding the tinting tech to windows, which could help eliminate the need for screens and curtains used to enhance cabin privacy. For safety reasons, the technology would only be used in rear and rear-side windows, and it would have to clear numerous legal hurdles before it could become a reality in U.S. Mercedes-Benz models. Window-tinting laws vary by state, and clearing the feature with regulators could prove difficult for the German automaker. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t given a timeline for when we could expect MAGIC SKY CONTROL in rear windows, but it’s safe to say that it won’t be available at our Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz dealership in the near future.

You can already find MAGIC SKY CONTROL in the sunroofs of Mercedes-Benz SLK- and SL-Class vehicles though, and there’s a lot that we like about it. We like the privacy it affords our customers, as well as the ability to let light in without subjecting our scalps to harsh rays. Stop by our dealership today and we’ll show you how to control the sky – it’s not magic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t remarkable.

Three Mercedes-Benz Models Earn Nods for Posh Interiors

 

Although the amount of horsepower under a vehicle’s hood has been a favorite topic of car enthusiasts for decades, a poorly designed cabin can make even the hottest of hot rods fall flat. Three Mercedes-Benz models, however, are in the running to prove that what they offer on the inside counts for a lot: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, M-Class and SLK-Class were recently nominated for inclusion on the 2012 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors list.

In the past, reporters at WardsAuto determined the top interiors within each vehicle segment, but starting last year they began ranking interiors head-to-head across all classes. The freshly named Ward’s 10 Best Interiors list now allows the publication to recognize multiple vehicles within a segment, or completely ignore a segment if there are no contenders up to snuff. For 2012, 17 out of the 39 total nominees are luxury or near-luxury vehicles, and the three premium nominees found at Mercedes-Benz dealerships are the most of any luxury brand.

“While it’s no surprise that premium classes are dominating the field of 10 Best Interiors nominees, buyers should be comforted that luxury vehicles are still living up to their name when it comes to their interior features,” said James Buckley, general manager of Haverhill, Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz dealer Smith Motor Sales. “With a Mercedes-Benz though, there is a higher standard of build quality that you won’t get from other luxury brands, as well as a very long list of standard features that other automakers won’t even offer as options.”

WardsAuto editors have posted video reviews of nominated vehicles before they announce the winners at the end of April. In the video for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, WardsAuto praises the convertible for its supportive leather seats with a durable sun-reflective coating, as well as its headrest-mounted Airscarf feature, which blows warm air onto passengers during colder open-air driving. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC SUV is lauded in its video for temperature-regulating features like heated and cooled front seats and cup holders. Meanwhile, the entry-level 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe received a nod for its brushed-aluminum trim and its power-activated driver’s seat, which eases the comings and goings of rear passengers.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class models led the brand’s U.S. sales in March, moving 6,342 units and helping the automaker cap off a record first quarter. The popular Mercedes-Benz C250 Sport Sedan houses a 201-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a powerful complement to its feature-packed interior. The C300, meanwhile, taps a 228-horsepower V6 and provides Massachusetts drivers with the added traction and peace of mind that comes with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

As Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling SUV, the M-Class also saw strong March sales, up 45.8 percent compared to the same month last year. The Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC offers 240 horsepower and an impressive 455 pound-feet of torque delivered by a clean-diesel engine. All that power makes the SUV ideal for towing loads of up to 7,200 pounds with the optional trailer hitch equipped.

“Whether you are talking about comfort or capability, Mercedes-Benz is delivering inside and out,” added Buckley. “The M-Class is available with monstrous torque, yet it is a Ward’s Best Interiors nominee, and the C-Class attracts a ton of new luxury buyers by having its interior be just as impressive as what’s under the hood.”

 

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatch Confirmed for U.S.

Twitter feeds may not be the most reliable source for news, but when Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon tweets, we’ll take it. Cannon recently confirmed via Twitter that the production model of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week, will be coming across the pond to entice drivers in the U.S. That means our own Haverhill, Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz dealership will be receiving stock of this brand-new hatchback, and we can’t wait.

Dressed to the nines in Geneva, three Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchbacks showcased upper-level trim options to show-goers. Mercedes-Benz fans may recognize the “diamond” grille treatment inspired by the bolder A-Class Concept we saw in April 2011, which serves to complement the car’s two-box profile. Inside, the A-Classes featured upscale elements like carbon-fiber-look trim and round HVAC vents similar to those of the SLS AMG.

European Mercedes-Benz A-Class shoppers will be able to pick from a number of engine options, all of which take advantage of turbocharging and direct-injection technology. All the engines feature four cylinders and vary in displacement from 1.6-liters to 2.0-liters, running on gasoline or diesel fuel. When the A-Class drops, drivers will have their choice of mating the engine to a seven-speed dual-clutch or a six-speed manual gearbox. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed which engines we’ll see at our Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz showroom.

We’ll have more on the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class in the future when information becomes available. If you can’t wait for the new hatchback to arrive, stop by our Haverhill, MA Mercedes-Benz dealership to see our current selection of expertly crafted Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Patience is a virtue, but you don’t have to wait to get behind the wheel of a finely built German luxury car.

Redesigned Mercedes-Benz M-Class Rewards Customers with Value

 

 While luxury-car buyers are willing to pay more for their ride, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to get more value out of their purchase. According to editors at Kiplinger, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class rewards owners beyond its luxurious looks as one of the finance publication’s 10 Best Values in New Car Models for 2012. Topping the Midsize and Large Crossover category, the new M-Class available at Mercedes-Benz dealerships combines improved performance and new technology to give buyers a return on their investment.

For its 10 Best Values list, Kiplinger rated vehicles based on performance, value, safety and judges’ overall impressions during a road test. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class impressed Kiplinger judges with its rugged redesigned exterior and sleek interior, as well as tech features like a backseat iPad docking station and its Attention Assist driver-alert system.

“The M-Class has all of the cargo room, passenger space and amenities that a family could need, so the fact that it has won an award for value is no surprise,” said James Buckley, general manager of Haverhill, Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz dealer Smith Motor Sales. “When Mercedes-Benz redesigned the M-Class, they made it more powerful, fuel efficient and luxurious than ever before. You’d be hard-pressed to name something it’s missing.”

In addition to its facelift and technological upgrades, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class features changes to its drivetrain lineup as well. A BlueTEC V6 engine is available for fans of fuel-efficient clean-diesel technology, while performance junkies can opt for a new gas-powered 302-horsepower V6 unit that simultaneously boosts power and fuel economy over the former V6. Standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive ensures that New England residents maintain the best possible grip on icy roads, while luxury accents like Eucalyptus wood trim create an interior that is completely removed from the elements.

Mercedes-Benz sold 4,002 M-Class SUVs in the United States last month, a jump of 61.1 percent compared with January 2011. Those numbers contributed to record January sales for the overall brand, with 21,726 Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold for a 25.8-percent sales increase year-over-year.

While the M-Class saw a large sales leap percentage-wise in January, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the automaker’s sales leader in terms of volume. Demand for the sporty gateway Mercedes-Benz moved 6,525 units, an increase of 54.6 percent year-over. Also popular last month were the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which sold 4,097 units, and the premium CLS four-door coupe, which was up 290.6 percent compared to last January.

“Each Mercedes-Benz model refresh, redesign or update brings an increase in features, as well as an increase in demand from buyers,” added Buckley. “The automaker is constantly striving toward a complete package of aesthetics, power, versatility and value, and those efforts have certainly played a major role in the impressive sales we’ve been seeing.”

Mercedes-Benz Reveals 2013 SL Ahead of Detroit Auto Show

Mercedes-Benz has finally released official photos and information about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL that will debut at the Detroit auto show next week, which has our Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz showroom buzzing with talk of convertibles despite the single digit temperatures outside.

Featuring a wide grill that showcases the iconic tri-pointed star, the new SL shares several styling cues with the SLS supercar, including vented front fenders and a long hood that houses some of the most exciting news of all: When it’s launched, the SL550 will feature a direct-injected V8 that produces 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, which should make the roadster just as fast as it is handsome. Mercedes-Benz says the new car will accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds, but will return better fuel economy than the previous model thanks to an advanced seven-speed automatic transmission and stop/start technology.

The engine isn’t the only area to receive some attention from Mercedes-Benz engineers, though. The SL’s body shell is made of aluminum and weighs 242 pounds less than the previous car’s steel shell. Efforts to reduce weight also include a magnesium cover panel for the folding hardtop, which helps keep the center of gravity low to improve handling. When all is said and done, the 2013 SL will weigh up to 308 pounds less than the outgoing model. Now that’s progress!

Look for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL to reach our Mercedes-Benz dealership this spring, just in time for an early season cruise down to the Cape!

Sales of Mercedes-Benz C-Class Soar in November

Last month, Mercedes-Benz dealers watched their luxury vehicles roll off the lots in record numbers, according to the German automaker’s recently released sales figures. Mercedes-Benz reported its best November to date thanks to the popularity of models like the all-new 2012 C-Class and the Mercedes Benz E-Class.

Mercedes-Benz moved 28,255 units in November, representing a 55.2-percent increase compared to the 18,208 vehicles sold in November 2010. Leading in sales last month was the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the automaker’s recently refreshed sports sedan aimed at luring younger drivers to the brand. With 8,358 units sold, the C-Class saw a 112.7-percent increase compared to the same month last year, hinting that buyers are taking to its upgraded interior and two new powerful yet efficient engines.

“The C-Class has proven very popular since its refresh was released at the end of the summer, and now it’s helped Mercedes-Benz post three record months in a row,” said James Buckley, general manager of Haverhill, Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz dealer Smith Motor Sales. “Buyers are now getting a quality interior in the C-Class that rivals the one found in the pricier E-Class, which is more than holding its own in sales as well.”

As the luxury automaker’s second-best selling vehicle last month, the E-Class sold 5,095 units, a 2.2-percent increase compared with the November 2010 total of 4,986 units. So far in 2011, Mercedes-Benz E-Class sales are up 3.9 percent with 57,435 units sold, an increase of more than 2,000 units compared to the same period in 2010.

The versatility of the E-Class has helped it appeal to a variety of age brackets, as it is available as a sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon. Designed for those who want to inject as much power and performance into their daily lives as possible, the E-Class is available with a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that can deliver up to 402 horsepower. Meanwhile, standard paddle shifters and an Agility Control 4-wheel multilink suspension provide performance-oriented handling.

Year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz has sold 219,491 cars and SUVs, bringing it to within 1,600 vehicles of taking the U.S. luxury lead away from BMW for the year. Mercedes-Benz outsold its Munich-based rival by more than 5,000 units in the United States last month.

“Mercedes-Benz has simply has had more to offer than BMW across its lineup in recent months, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a C-Class, an E-Class or an M-Class at the top of the charts,” added Buckley. “Some customers prefer sporty models and others prefer the luxury-focused rides, but increasingly they are putting their trust in Mercedes-Benz over its rivals.”

 

Mercedes-Benz Zooms Past BMW in October Sales

Luxury car buyers in the United States opted to purchase more Mercedes-Benz vehicles than any other luxury make last month, according to sales figures from the German automaker. Led by sales of its new 2012 C-Class, Mercedes-Benz surpassed its chief competitor BMW in October despite a 35-percent increase in new vehicle incentives from its rival.

Mercedes-Benz also reported that its performance last month amounted to its best October U.S. sales ever, selling 24,449 vehicles and increasing U.S. deliveries by 28.2 percent compared to October of 2010. The automaker is now up 12 percent in overall sales year-to-date against the same period last year, moving 206,632 units from Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the United States thus far in 2011.

“Last month Mercedes-Benz just had more to offer to consumers than the competition did, and the result was a huge jump in sales,” said James Buckley, general manager of Haverhill, Massachusetts Mercedes-Benz dealer Smith Motor Sales. “The E-Class and M-Class did very well, and the C-Class, not surprisingly, attracted a host of new luxury fans thanks to its redesign for 2012.”

With an impressive 87.9 percent sales increase compared with October 2010, the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the leading contributor to the automaker’s record sales last month. As Mercedes-Benz’s gateway sports sedan marketed toward younger luxury auto buyers, the C-Class sold 7,084 units with the help of its upgraded interior and two new powerful yet fuel-efficient engines.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class also performed very well in October, achieving a 192.3 percent increase compared with its sales from the same month last year. The powerful four-door coupe showed off its aftermarket potential earlier this month at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Customized by Japanese tuning company Wald International, a bold Black Bison Edition of the CLS-Class showed up at SEMA with a bright yellow-orange matte paint job, black Forgiato wheels with contrasting orange brake calipers and other sporty upgrades.

Wald International also featured a Black Bison Edition of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class roadster at the SEMA Show this year. Like the Black Bison CLS-Class, the modified SL-Class featured side skirts and a rear spoiler while adding an aero kit available in fiber-reinforced plastic, wet carbon or a hybrid material. New bumpers, 20-inch wheels, wheel-arch extensions and a new exhaust system also contributed to the aggressive look of the tricked-out Mercedes-Benz.

“Most auto shows reveal totally new concept cars, and many of those don’t make it to production, but SEMA gives consumers ideas of how they can customize vehicles that are already on sale,” added Buckley. “Most of our customers enjoy the classic Mercedes-Benz look too much to ever modify their cars, but it’s always fun to see what other people have done.”