Mercedes-Benz CLS350 2009 News

One has two turbochargers, an eight-speed auto and a sub-5 second sprint time — but it isn't a sports car.The other has a 3.5-litre petrol V6 mated to an electric motor and, at 7.9 litres/100km, will be the cleanest, greenest luxury saloon to hit Australia.The bi-turbo car is BMW's new 7-Series luxury flagship, the 760Li, which arrives here in September with an expected $375,000 pricetag.The flagship gets a new all-aluminium 6-litre V12 engine with direct petrol injection and variable-valve timing and lift — all enough for 400kW at 5250rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1500rpm.BMW claims 13 litres/100km.But Mercedes-Benz almost cuts that consumption in half — and CO2 emissions to a mere 186g/km — with its S-Class hybrid, the S400 Hybrid.This car, one of 10 new S-Class models that may start coming into Australia in September, is the world's first standard production hybrid drive with a lithium-ion battery.The S400 Hybrid's modified 3.5-litre petrol engine has 205kW and the electric motor produces 15kW and has starting torque of 160Nm.Mercedes-Benz claims the major advantages of the lithium-ion batteries over conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density, greater electrical efficiency, compact dimensions and a low battery weight.The S400's boot space remains the same shape and size as that of the S350 donor car.The S-Class range also includes S350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, S350 CDI 4MATIC all-wheel drive; the 4-litre V8 S450 CDI; S350 and S350 4MATIC; the 4.7-litre V8 petrol S450/S450 4MATIC; the S500/S500 4MATIC with 5.5-litre V8s; S600 bi-turbo 5.5-litre V12; and the two AMG versions, the 386kW 6.2-litre V8 S63 AMG and the 450kW 6-litre V12 S65 AMG.Further details of the S-Class range will be revealed next month. 

It says everything about the ubiquity of such things that the authorities in Baghdad are holding one. What better way to present the image that all's well in this most dangerous of cities than to stick a bunch of cars on stands and charge admission?The realisation that these things are becoming a bit of a yawn has not been lost on the organisers of the British International Motor Show, which has kicked off in London's Docklands.It started with the most memorable pre-launch stunt in recent history, Opel's new Insignia being lowered by a massive crane from atop Tower Bridge. Cute as these things go, but counting for nothing if the show lacked stars and substance.Unlike some other international motor shows, the Brit edition has plenty of both. There are 600 cars running the alphabetical gamut from Alfa Romeo to ZEV (that'd be Zero Emission Vehicles) worth some $100 million.While Britain's biggest consumer exhibition comes close to being all things to all people, it's the 23 models making their debut that is the chief draw for the anticipated 550,000 punters.The show-stealer is undoubtedly the Lotus Evora. The Norfolk marque's first all-new model in 12 years is a mid-engined 2+2 V6, intended to give Porsche something to think about, especially if _ as anticipated _ it combines the brand's trademark lightweight build (just 1350kg) with razor handling.While the Evora represents a significant step forward for Lotus, Jaguar has looked to the past for the XK60, a captivating special edition of the current production coupe to commemorate the unveiling of legendary XK120 sporters in 1948.Powered by the atmo version of the 4.2 V8, the Jag cops enhancements such as 20-inch Senta alloy wheels, alloy gear knob and selector-gate surround, new front spoiler, chrome-finished side vents and special tailpipe finishers. Which is nice.Performance with an eco-conscience? Why not? Mercedes-Benz is showcasing its BlueTEC version of the stylish CLS. Reassuringly for the rev-hungry, there's a Brabus-built Bullit Black Arrow, their V12-engined C-Class.The show's green tinge is evident in the Lightning Car Company's Lightning, a 100 per cent electric GT sports car, and Allied Vehicles' E7 electric taxi, whose lithium-ion batteries imbue the seven-seater with a range of 160km and top speed of 100km/h. Other green gambits include the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic with carbon dioxide emissions of less than 100g/km.While the British blowout is not spoken of in the same breath as the biennial Frankfurt or Paris salons, the lesson for organisers of Australian events are salient.Not least of these is making `events' singular _ just as we have too much government for 21 million people, there are too many annual shows. Oh, and staging it in a venue that's spacious and accessible isn't a bad idea, either.