Mercedes-Benz today unveiled two new engines for the 2011 CL-Class. The first of two all-new direct injection biturbo V8 engines is for the 2011 CL550 4MATIC. According to Mercedes, the 4.6-liter V8 engine has 20 percent smaller displacement than its predecessor, but delivers 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, which is 12 percent more horsepower and 32 percent more torque. It also has an improved fuel economy of about 10 percent. The CL550 4MATIC will have an MSRP of $114,025. The second engine making its debut is the hand-assembled high-performance 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine, featuring the use of stop/start technology as well as twin turbochargers and direct injection. This new engine produces 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque while at the same time achieving an estimated 20 percent improvement in fuel economy. Mated to the award-winning 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission, this new engine is available in the 2011 CL63 AMG ...

Mercedes has a new $298 accessory available now that adds another level of smartphone compatibility to its existing in-vehicle controls of iPods and aux audio. The Media Interface Plus allows the car to stream audio from an iPhone, BlackBerry, or any other compatible Bluetooth music player (we're guessing A2DP, though Mercedes doesn't specify). The MIP can also control the Pandora app on the iPhone and BlackBerry, and other features like SMS and email reading / writing are forthcoming. There are iPod / iPhone and Mini-USB plugs for charging, and an optional cable can pull video from your iPhone as well and display it on your in-dash screen -- when the car is at a standstill, of course. Related posts:Mercedes-Benz collects $2.5 million via its Iphone app

The COMAND APS multimedia system from Mercedes-Benz features a Europe-wide navigation system with special capabilities. As the data are stored on a hard disc (40 gigabytes), the system is able to access the navigation information much faster than a DVD-based system, and calculate the route more rapidly. Thanks to the new map update-programme the current map data are automatically uploaded during a regular workshop service visit. Mercedes-Benz will also use its web pages to inform customers when a new update is available. On customer request, updates can also be provided by a Mercedes-Benz partner outside the normal service intervals. In addition to a high-grade navigation function and a high-resolution colour display, COMAND APS features a DVD player for audio and video plus a Music Register for around 1000 compressed music files in the MP3 or WMA format, which can be transferred to the register from memory cards. Mercedes-Benz combines COMAND APS ...

Daimler, the inventor of the automobile, will participate in various activities at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, which will be held from May 1 until October 31. In line with the world exposition’s motto of “better city, better life,” the focus of Daimler’s participation will be on presenting future-oriented drive technologies and mobility concepts fulfilling the specific requirements of urban mobility. There will be Daimler exhibitions on various presentation platforms at the Shanghai Expo. In the Urban Planet Pavilion for example, the company will offer visitors the possibility to experience a smart electric drive model in the context of the “Road of Solution” exhibition. The smart electric drive is powered by an electric motor in combination with a lithium-ion battery, and with this technology represents a major step towards sustainable mobility. In addition to the smart electric drive, there will also exhibitions about Mike Horn’s Pangaea Expedition and the car2go project ...

Daimler Trucks North America has announced that it has secured more than 10,000 orders for new vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) emissions technology. SCR is an exhaust aftertreatment system that brings the vehicles in compliance with stringent EPA2010 emissions standards. The system practically eliminates NOx emissions and the manufacturer says it also improves fuel economy by up to 5% compared to previous designs. Every new Freightliner Cascadia, Coronado and line of M2 business-class medium-duty vehicles are now available with Detroit Diesel BlueTec or Cummins SCR emissions equipment. "SCR is the industry's premier solution for meeting the 2010 emission requirements, and our customers are already benefitting from the technology," said David Hames, general manager, marketing and strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. Related posts:Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) secures two new major orders for a total of 825 BlueTec trucks Daimler to expand Brazilian truck production Daimler participates in Shanghai World Expo 2010