Mercedes-Benz Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Cars For Tomorrow, Today

Today more than ever, we have to consider our impact on the environment. While local laws can be great at giving a community incentive to focus on their impact, the leadership of global corporations such as Mercedes-Benz will be critical in the effort to take care of our planet. Mercedes-Benz is committed to being a leader in environmental responsibility and sustainability. Here are some of the initiatives that have already been put into place:

The E85 Compatible C300 Sedan

FlexFuel Vehicles: Flex fuel vehicles are an important step in the sustainability of our fuel consumption. By using E85 fuel, the C300 Sedan uses a fuel that is just 15% petroleum and 85% ethyl alcohol, which is a renewable fuel made from various plants, such as corn. By implementing E85 compatibility on the C300 luxury sedan, our highest volume vehicle is also our most flexible.

The S400 Hybrid Sedan

Hybrid Vehicles: Currently, Mercedes-Benz offers the most luxurious hybrid vehicles on the planet, with our ML450 Hybrid SUV, as well as our S400 Hybrid sedan. By determining a way to utilize a compact, lithium-ion battery, the Mercedes-Benz hybrid drive provides decreased emissions and increased fuel economy, while keeping the performance that is expected from a Mercedes-Benz. Additionally the S400 Hybrid incorporates stop/start technology, shutting down the motor completely at traffic lights. This commitment to a hybrid drive system on the S-Class, our flagship sedan, is a commitment that no other manufacturer has made.
 

The ML350 BlueTEC SUV

BlueTEC Clean Diesel Technology: With the creation of the BlueTEC clean diesel technology in 2008, gone is the era of loud and dirty diesel engines. By adding a measured about of a specially developed chemical called AdBlue, which converts nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water, chemicals already in the air we breath. These diesel engines achieve 20-30 percent better fuel efficiency than their gas counterparts, as well as being 50 states emission certified. From the company that invented the diesel engine over 100 years ago, comes a new generation of ultra clean engines.


 Fuel Cell Vehicles: Hydrogen technology might still be around the corner, but that doesn't mean it isn't at the front of our minds. With the release of the B-Class F-Cell vehicle in limited markets in 2010, Mercedes-Benz already has tomorrow's vehicles on the road today.

These vehicles not only represent our current commitment to clean vehicles, but our focus on the future. We recognize that there are issues we must face together, and the solutions cannot be short of the best, which is the same promise Mercedes-Benz makes to every customer: The Best or Nothing.

Our full range of alternative fuel vehicles can be viewed at Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City

2011 Mercedes-Benz Formula One Preview

Sunday is just around the corner, and it is time for the longest-ever Formula One season to begin. With this weekend's race in Australia, a season with much controversy will finally be underway. The opening race, canceled due to civil unrest in Bahrain, will go ahead as scheduled this weekend (assuming the Aussies don't have a similar uprising).

Rule Changes: With new rules in place allowing the manipulation of the rear-spoiler, teams have been given additional leverage to play with their cars. Additionally, the Kinetic Energy Retrieval System (KERS) has been augmented, allowing stored energy from braking to be applied in 7 second power boosts, presenting exciting new overtaking possibilities.

Lineup: This year will bring 5 World Champion title holders to the grid, making it the most champions ever to race in the same season ever. This promises to make for quite the exciting race season, with every driver a possible champion.

Mercedes GP-Petronas Team: With their title hopes fallen away in early 2010, Team Mercedes dedicated nearly all of the second half of 2010 in development of the 2011 car, and not on the vehicle they were racing that season. This gives them a definite leg-up against the competition, having months more development under their belts than the competition.

Tires: 2010 saw the end of Bridgestone's sponsorship of F1. Now, Pirelli, a tire maker with decades away from the sport, will return to supply the entire grid for this season. We are excited to see how this new vendor will turn out, but it's safe to say there will probably be a few hiccups along the way.

This year Formula One brings new and old to the table, but we suggest that everyone get on board now, as the Austin, TX circuit will be complete for the 2012 season, and you had better be caught up by then!

2011 Mercedes-Benz New Model Preview

2011 marks a very special year for Mercedes-Benz. 125 years ago, Karl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile. Now, one and a quarter century later, Mercedes-Benz has become the standard of excellence in the motoring world. To commemorate this landmark year, Mercedes-Benz is releasing several new models for the United States market.

2012 Mercedes SLK

Debuting in the beginning of May 2011, Mercedes-Benz will introduce the new SLK, our smallest convertible. Featuring an all-new design, as well as an array of new options, the 2012 SLK will provide the highest level of luxury, while offering the same thrill as every convertible bearing the Mercedes name. It will also feature an available panorama roof, that automatically tints itself at driver command.

2012 Mercedes CLS

Also coming out in May, the 2012 Mercedes CLS will be arriving. This second-generation vehicle is a redesign of the previous CLS, a car that set a world standard for design, and showed how a four door coupe is not only possible, but breathtaking.

2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe

Closer to Fall 2011, Mercedes-Benz will release the 2012 C-Class coupe, a two-door version of the popular Mercedes-Benz sedan. This new available feature combines all of the luxury and performance of the C-Class with the sporting ability and styling of a coupe.

Additionally, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class will be debuting in the Fall, offering a redesign of our most popular SUV. Combining versatility, luxury, and sportiness, the new M-Class will be the perfect vehicle for any situation.

Please check back with us for more information on these models and our plans for launching them.

2011 Auto Show Wrap-Up

It's finally over, and the cars have left the 2011 Kansas City Auto Show. We have been thrilled this year to see so many of our customers come visit us at the show, as well as so many new people becoming interested in the Mercedes-Benz, smart, Sprinter, and Airstream vehicles. This year we provided unparalleled coverage to our fans and followers, with up to the minute coverage on vehicle presentations, interviews, and even returning a few lost cell phones and cameras to our customers. You can check out all of our coverage on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Thanks to everyone who attended or helped make this a special event!

Auto Show 2011: QR Codes

QR code on a 2011 smart ForTwo Coupe

If you visit the Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City display here at the 2011 Kansas City Auto Show, you may notice some strange symbols on the driver's door of the cars. These strange shaped black and white patterns are QR Codes. A QR (Quick Reference Code) is a square bar code that uses unique patterns to store information. Any smart phone equipped with a QR Code Reader can decipher these in seconds, allowing the user to gain lots of information from a single image. In our case, the QR codes on the vehicles here at the Auto Show send the users smart phone directly to the website of the dealership the vehicle is located at, allowing you to find our more information, view other similar vehicles, and schedule an appointment to test-drive the very vehicle on the show floor. In the future we hope to use QR codes that link to information specific to the vehicle itself, as well as enriching the customer experience. This is just another way that Aristocrat Motors stays at the head of the class on customer satisfaction.

*QR code readers can be downloaded for free on the Android marketplace as well as the App Store.