Eco-motoring just got a little more exciting thanks to Brabus' new performance package for the Mercedes CGI BlueEFFICIENCY lineup. The processor-controlled plug & play BRABUS ECO PowerXtra CGI auxiliary control unit can be installed by any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer in less than an hour. The unit is designed to monitor all engine sensors and will only activate the power mapping once the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature and all sensor readings are in the green. This eliminates any chances that the increase in performance might result in a shorter engine life. Equipped with the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra CGI kit the four-valve four-cylinder direct-injection engines in the C 200 and E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY models produce an additional 26 hp (25 bhp) / 19 kW and an increase in torque by 30 Nm (22 lb-ft). Rated power output of the Mercedes C 250 and E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY models with BRABUS ECO PowerXtra ...

As part of the newly formed alliance between Renault-Nissan and Daimler, the new Infiniti G series will receive a Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder engine. Earlier this week when Mercedes parent company Daimler and Renault/Nissan announced a new partnership, the deal included the use of both 4-cylinder and V6 Mercedes powerplants in Infiniti models. Ghosn did not say which Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder engine would be used in the Infiniti G car. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t currently import any four-cylinder-powered cars to the United States, but has said that it may. The shared four-cylinder engine may also be sold in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to save money. The C-Class will be built in Alabama starting in 2014. A more interesting choice might be the 2.1-liter 4-cylinder diesel available in European E-Class models. With direct injection and a two-stage turbocharger, the diesel produces 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, as marketed in Britain. It is not known whether that engine could ...

Mercedes-Benz is studying building a new high-tech small car to rival the BMW Mega City Vehicle. The effort is named Project 50. Insiders describe the car as having the dimensions of the original Mercedes-Benz A-class, about 138 inches long, with extensive use of carbon fiber and an electric drivetrain. However, it won't use the old A-class platform, as it would be too heavy and too expensive to re-engineer for future crash test regs. It could use the rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive platform from the Project Edison Smart ForFour.Related posts: Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class: 2.5 millionth compact vehicle delivered Mercedes Shooting Break concept car

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin is to produce a new generation of transmission-integrated electric engines for Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles from 2012 onwards. Investment in future technologies A hall with a surface area of 4,000 m² is currently being converted for the new scope of production at the Berlin plant. The company is to invest around EUR 40 million in total in the development and production of the new engine. The necessary machinery and equipment is to be set up in the new production buildings by early 2011. A total of 50 employees will be involved in the development and production of these electric engines at the site. The engines are expected to be used in Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles from 2012 onwards. The electric engine is a transmission-integrated version, i.e. the electric engine is built in as part of the automatic transmission and can develop an engine power of 15 kW and more. It ...

Chinese battery and vehicle maker BYD said Thursday it will set up an R&D center in Shenzhen to jointly develop a new brand electric vehicle with German auto giant Daimler. The two carmakers have signed a preliminary agreement to jointly build an electric car that will be sold in the Chinese market under a new brand. BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu said there was no detailed timetable for the cooperation, but with substantive support from the Shenzhen government, the R&D center may possibly be built in the southern Chinese city. There are not enough charging stations for electric vehicles in China, and BYD hopes to work with the local government there to improve the after-sale services for electric car drivers.Related posts: Daimler and BYD announce DENZA Brand for New Battery-Electric Vehicle Daimler plays down talk it could sell Maybach brand Daimler aims to outsell BMW in China this year