Mercedes-Benz News

MERCEDES-BENZ - What's New For Model Year 2009

SLK-Class Coupe/Roadster (on sale May 1)

Restyled front grille, front and rear fascias, side mirrors, taillights, trapezoidal exhaust pipes, new three-spoke steering wheel and other interior appointments

New variable-ratio Direct Steering System

New head unit (described below)

V6-powered SLK300 (228 hp, 221 lb-ft) replaces SLK280, new 17-inch 6-twin-spoke wheel.

SLK350 receives exclusive "sport" engine with 300 hp, 265 lb-ft of torque and a red accent on the engine cover.  New 17-inch, 5-twin-spoke wheel.

The supercharged V8-powered SLK55 AMG (355 hp, 376 lb-ft) with its AMG SPEEDSHIFT® transmission continues.

New Palladium Silver and Hampton Sands paint

New optional Gullwing Red and Natural Beige leather interiors and Burl Walnut trim


C-Class Sedan (on sale July 16)

V6-powered C300 (228 hp, 221 lb-ft) continues in both Sport and Luxury models with available 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.  C350 Sport Sedan (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) and the V8-powered C63 AMG (451 hp, 443 lb-ft) models continue.

Driver's side memory seat and power steering column standard on C350, optional on C300 models.
C300 Luxury receives Comfort Suspension

New optional Grey/Black and Almond/Mocha interiors and Burl Walnut trim now available on sport sedans

Technological upgrades include an available integrated compass in the rear-view mirror and models equipped with navigation receive a larger 40 gigabyte hard drive with more space reserved for music (6 gigabytes) and Zagat Restaurant Survey®.

Total of eight airbags including two new Pelvic airbags for front passengers
 

E-Class Sedan/Wagon (on sale July 16)

V6-powered E320 BlueTEC (turbodiesel, 210 hp, 400 lb-ft), E350 Sport and Luxury models (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) and all-wheel-drive E350 4MATIC Sedan and Wagon (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) continue.

V8-powered E550 Sport sedan (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) and E550 4MATIC continue.

High-performance E63 Sedan and Wagon (507 hp, 465 lb-ft) continue.

E350 and E550 Sport Sedans receive AMG Sport Package as standard equipment including new 18-inch AMG 5-spoke wheel

Luxury sedans/wagons receive new 17-inch 7-spoke wheel.

No-charge 4MATIC all-wheel-drive on sedans.

New head unit (described below) plus available HD Radio and SIRIUS Real-Time Traffic.
 

CLK-Class Coupe and Cabriolet (on sale July 16)

CLK350 (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) and CLK550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) continue in both coupe and cabriolet models

All models receive Heated Seats and 6-disc CD Changer as standard equipment

New 18-inch 6-twin-spoke wheel for CLK350 with AMG Sport Package

Grand Edition planned (500 units each) includes 18-inch AMG wheels and styling:

- CLK350 Coupe –  Palladium Silver, Tobacco Brown leather interior w/beige stitching and aluminum trim

- CLK350 Cabriolet – Diamond White, Tobacco Brown leather interior w/beige stitching and dark brown ash trim


R-Class Crossover (on sale July 22)

New R320 BlueTEC (V6 turbodiesel, 210 hp, 398 lb-ft) replaces R320 CDI – available in all 50 states (on sale in October)

All-wheel-drive R350 4MATIC (268 hp, 258 lb-ft) continues

PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system debuts in this line as standard equipment
Standard Sunroof

New available Class II trailer hitch and head unit (described below) plus available HD Radio and SIRIUS Real-Time Traffic.

Available rear-seat entertainment system with two eight-inch screens, wireless headphones and an integrated DVD player with dual-source capability.
 

M-Class SUV (on sale July 22)

Exterior restyling of the model-line features a larger grille and modified headlights, new stainless steel skid plates, larger side mirrors and a wider rear bumper with inset reflectors.  Interior changes include a sportier seating design with four-stage power lumbar support for the driver, a four-spoke steering wheel with gearshift paddles, new door trim and head unit (described below) plus available HD Radio and SIRIUS Real-Time Traffic.

PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system debuts in this line as standard equipment

New ML320 BlueTEC (V6 turbodiesel, 210 hp, 398 lb-ft) replaces ML320 CDI - available in all 50 states (on sale in October)

All-wheel-drive ML350 (268 hp, 258 lb-ft), ML550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) and high-performance ML63 AMG (503 hp, 465 lb-ft) models continue.

New 19-inch 5-spoke wheels for most models, ML63 AMG receives 20-inch 5-spoke wheel

Available rear-seat entertainment system with two eight-inch screens, wireless headphones and an integrated DVD player with dual-source capability.
 

GL-Class SUV (on sale July 22)

New GL320 BlueTEC (V6 turbodiesel, 210 hp, 398 lb-ft) replaces GL320 CDI – available in all 50 states (on sale in October)

V8-powered GL450 (335 hp, 339 lb-ft) and GL550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) continue. GL550 receives Keyless-Go as standard equipment

PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system debuts in this line as standard equipment

Available rear-seat entertainment system with two eight-inch screens, wireless headphones and an integrated DVD player with dual-source capability.

New head unit (described below) plus available HD Radio and SIRIUS Real-Time Traffic.
 

CLS-Class Four Door Coupe (on sale May 15)

Stylish update includes a new two-bar grille, larger side-mirrors, restyled taillights, rear bumper and trapezoidal tailpipes. Updates to the interior include a three-spoke steering wheel with shift paddles, sportier instrument cluster with white gauges and a new head unit (described below).

CLS550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) continues with a new 18-inch 5-split-spoke wheel

High-performance CLS63 AMG (507hp, 465 lb-ft) continues with new 19-inch 5-triple-spoke wheel.
New standard equipment: Hard Disk Drive-based Navigation system
 

S-Class Sedan (on sale July 16)

Parking Guidance - identifies parallel parking spaces and shows steering directions (available with Distronic Plus)

Blind Spot Assist - monitors the vehicle's blind-spot and gives the driver visual and audible warnings (available with Distronic Plus)

All models receive new gear shift paddles which replace gear shift buttons, new push/pull-style window switches and a "Hold" convenience braking function.

S550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) and all-wheel-drive S550 4MATIC receive Premium 1 Package and Wood/Leather steering wheel added at no additional charge plus new 18-inch 7-twin-spoke wheel.
Flagship V12-powered S600 (510 hp, 612 lb-ft) continues with new 19-inch 9-twin-spoke wheel.
High-performance V8-powered S63 AMG (518 hp, 465 lb-ft) and V12-powered S65 AMG (604 hp, 738 lb-ft) continue.
 

CL-Class Coupe (on sale July 16)

Debut of 4MATIC all-wheel-drive in the CL-Class line

Parking Guidance - identifies parallel parking spaces and shows steering directions (available with Distronic Plus)

Blind Spot Assist - monitors the vehicle's blind-spot and gives the driver visual and audible warnings (available with Distronic Plus)

All models receive new gear shift paddles which replace gear shift buttons, new push/pull-style window switches and a "Hold" convenience braking function.

V8-powered CL550 4MATIC (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) with new 18-inch 7-twin-spoke wheel replaces two-wheel-drive CL550. 4MATIC all-wheel-drive and Premium 1 package added at no extra charge.

V12-powered CL600 (510 hp, 612 lb-ft) continues.

High-performance V8-powered CL63 AMG (518 hp, 465 lb-ft) and V12-powered CL65 AMG (604 hp, 738 lb-ft) models continue.
 

SL-Class Coupe/Roadster (on sale April 28)

Aggressive restyling includes a new single bar grille and more angular headlights, twin power domes on the hood, louvered side-gills and new 18-inch 5-spoke wheels. The rear features a pronounced diffuser and trapezoidal tailpipes. Interior updates include the debut of AIRSCARF in this line, a three-spoke steering wheel with shift paddles and a modified instrument cluster.

V8-powered SL550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) and V12-powered SL600 (510 hp, 612 lb-ft) models continue.

High-performance SL63 AMG (518 hp, 465 lb-ft) debuts with all-new Multi Clutch Transmission (MCT). V12-powered SL65 AMG (604 hp, 738 lb-ft) continues.

New Standard Equipment: Panorama Roof and Parktronic

New head unit (described below) and Palladium Silver paint
 

G-Class SUV (on sale mid-October)

30th Anniversary of the model line

 Both models feature a new, three-lamella grille with grille guard and new interior appointments including heated and ventilated front seats, multi-contour front passenger seat and rear-

passenger reading lamps.

V8-powered G550 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft) replaces G500, new 18-inch 5-twin-spoke wheels

Supercharged G55 AMG engine boosted to 500 hp, receives new, larger 19-inch 5-spoke wheels and an Alcantara leather headliner.

New head unit (described below) plus available HD Radio and SIRIUS Real-Time Traffic.


SLR McLaren (on sale October 15)

AMG V8-powered Roadster (617 hp, 575 lb-ft) with semi-automatic convertible roof continues.


New Head Unit: Indicated models above receive an advanced new multimedia head unit which includes a more colorful display, in-dash 6-disc CD and/or DVD changer and Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity. Numerous new optional features/packages include an iPod®/MP3 Media Interface, a hard-disk drive for the navigation system and storage for four gigabytes of music, harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround sound system with Dolby® digital and DTS® 5.1 surround sound capabilities, Zagat Restaurant Survey® and advanced voice-control for audio, navigation and phone systems.