Information about New Cars

Fresh from winning the 2007 SUOTY competition, the Mercedes-Benz GL450 has already become a major player in each other automobile segment — so it was only a matter of time before Mercedes-Benz decided to venture into the full-size luxury sport/utility market.

Measuring 200 inches long makes the GL450 as the largest automobile in the Mercedes range. The extra inches make the third row spacious enough for occupants over six feet tall to actually stretch their legs, which is quite remarkable for such automobile in this class. Despite the measurement of the GL450, it is quite surprising to note that it doesn’t feel that huge and just what many editors observed, “It drives small.”

The are lots of acquirable options for this automobile starting with the whopper premium package which includes Parktronic, a power tailgate, DVD navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, premium sound with rear controls, power tilt/telescoping steering, and Bluetooth hands-free communication for $4500. Additional options are the rear-seat DVD entertainment which is priced at $2650, an off-road package with adaptive damping, two lock differentials, and front/rear skidplates for $2200, twin sunroofs costing $1500, three regularize climate control priced at $1320, metallic Barolo Red paint that is worth $900, Macadamia leather for $1650, a rearview backup camera for $500, a wood and leather steering wheel at $540 and a Bi-Xenon headlamps that turn with the steering wheel $900—totaling in all to $72,135. Add-ons like for instance a Mercedes cargo liner and the likes will also cost additional fee.

The price of the fully loaded GL450 might reach $79,195 which include over $24,000 for options added. The GL450 has country features too which includes two-stage front airbags for driver and passengers, side bags in the front and second row seats, and a curtain bag that spans all three rows of seats. And combining such features with a steel unit body and high-strength occupant cell and you get yourself one very innocuous vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz GL450 2007 Motor Trend of the Year Award Winner

It is important to note that GL450 was chosen as the winner of the 2007 Motor Trend of the Year Award. Mercedes-Benz tuned the GL’s chassis to near perfection starting with its tight and linear steering down to the robust four-wheel vented disc brakes up to the standard adjustable air suspension. With the GL, Mercedes-Benz has proven that beyond doubt knows how to place the “sport” in sport utility.

The GL450 exudes exemplary driving performance, the front end bites through turns while its rear end never falters. Depending on the driving experience that you want simply depress the dash-mounted button to adjust the dampers from comfort to sport. The respectable skidpad with number 0.76 g of the GL is superior than any of the four GM full-size ‘utes and much superior than the lateral grip of the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator.

The GL450 records the seventh-heaviest curb weight of 5468 pounds and the fifth-highest power rating of 335 horsepower. It also revs up the third quickest 0 to 60 mph sprint in a matter of 6.5 seconds and the fastest quarter mile time of 14.9 seconds at 93 mph which makes its rivals to wonder how can such a huge automobile to get so quick? The answer is under the hood. It has a powertrain as sleek and as powerful as those found on Rolls-Royce turbofan.

The engine of the GL450 is a member of the all-new four-valve M273 engine family stuffed with dual-overhead camshafts, two-stage metal intake manifold, and variable valve timing on exhaust valves and on intake. The GL’s all-aluminum 335 hp V8, 4.7 liter, together with its faultless, 7-cog 7G-Tronic partner distributes power effortlessly and smoothly through the full-time 4Matic AWD system that results to an acceleration that is not only fast but quiet.

Volvo maker of the famous Volvo parts have unveiled their XC60 concept automobile at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The XC60 has showed the world what Swede design is all about. According to Volvo Chief Designer Steve Mattin, “If this day you can see that it’s a Volvo from 50 meters, I want to make that figure twice as big.”

The XC60 was the product of the designing team headed by Steve Mattin. He said, “In current years we have successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless, functional elegance. Now we’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars’ visual volume. With more expressive, emotive shapes, it will be a magnet for the viewer’s eyes. If a Volvo is recognizable from 100 feet away today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot it from twice that distance in the future.”

The design concept for the XC60 is daring and emotional. The dashing Tin Bronze livery has combined two distinct automobiles designs, “Down below, the unmistakable and capable XC muscles pump up the vehicle, giving it a purposeful stance with high ground clearance on massive wheels. Above the waistline, the dashing lines trace the profile and sporty charisma of an elegant, sexy coupe,” explained Mattin.

The XC60 was given notable exterior features such as the following:

• Enlarged iron mark in the grille- this basically pertains to the classic Volvo iron mark which the XC60 has given a new meaning signaling the dawn of Volvo’s future design direction.

• New gate design- as explained by Mattin, “At the rear, the expressive, sculptured shapes wage additional hints of the direction our design DNA is set to take. The contours of the tall cut lamps highlight the muscular shoulders and the tailgate’s trapezoidal shape is a further development of the glass gate in the Volvo C30.”

• Elegant, high-tech interior- according to Mattin, “The white iPod-inspired surface is nearly like a smooth surround of snow, surrounded by a metal frame that emphasizes the asymmetrical shape. Buttons and controls are entirely integrated into the surface and the “invisible” screen for information and navigation appears only when it is switched on, starting up with a spectacular pulsating sequence. The screen image is back projected, which makes the center stack one of the innovative highlights of the interior.”

• Slim seats- as always Volvo is world-renowned for its comfortable and ergonomically designed seats. The XC60 concept according to Mattin, “By turning his head, the driver can see all the way through his or her own seat, through the rear seat’s backrest and through the transparent panel at the lower corner of the tailgate. This promotes added country in a automobile type whose height might otherwise limit rearward vision.”