2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG: First Look

• Competes with: BMW M3 convertible, Audi TTS roadster
• Looks like: AMG name is again a part of the SLK lineup
• Drivetrain: 415-hp, 5.5-liter V-8 engine with a seven-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Early 2012

Mercedes-Benz has revived its high-performance AMG trim (absent for the 2011 model year) for the redesigned 2012 SLK-Class.

The 2012 SLK55 AMG features the only V-8 powertrain offered on the roadster. Like the four-cylinder and six-cylinder, which feature new fuel economy measures, the new V-8 is also more fuel efficient and powerful than its predecessor.

The 415-horsepower 5.5-liter V-8 produces 60 hp more than the last generation’s 5.4-liter V-8. That’s achieved through a high-pressured fuel-injection system and high compression ratio compared with the outgoing model. The 2012 model can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds (three-tenths of a second faster than the previous generation) and can reach a top speed of 155 mph.

Movers and Losers: July 2011

Despite some pessimistic reporting earlier last month, July turned out to be a good recovery month for the auto industry. More than 1 million new vehicles were sold, and sales were up 4.7% from a year ago. Despite the rosy sales figures, the average time it took a model to sell increased slightly in July to 58.8 days from June's 58 days.

This month’s Movers and Losers list shows that many of the fastest-selling vehicles once again come from Hyundai. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra remained one of the fastest-selling volume vehicles in July, taking just six days to sell. You could say everything at Hyundai is a fast-seller: The 2012 Sonata and Tucson also took six days to sell. The new 2012 Hyundai Accent sedan (10 days) and hatchback (seven days) also sold like hotcakes. Overall, the Tucson, Accent, Sonata and Elantra represent roughly 80% of Hyundai’s sales for the month.

This month’s Losers list includes the addition of two hybrids — the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid (159 days) and 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (150 days). The Toyota Yaris sedan (165 days) also merged on to the slow lane, though that model is due to be replaced.

Convertibles and Gas Mileage: What Does it Cost to Put the Top Down?

Jealous of that top-down roadster in the next lane? Take heart: Its driver will probably pay for it at the pump. Put the top down in a convertible and gas mileage takes a hit at cruising speeds — the result of an open cabin that’s anything but aerodynamic. The exact reduction is open for debate: One test found a slight mileage improvement at low speeds with the top down, followed by a mileage decrease at medium and high speeds.

I logged 100 miles of steady highway cruising in one of our test cars, a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, to investigate. According to the trip computer, losing the SLK’s folding hardtop cost 4.4 mpg — 27.3 versus 31.7 mpg. That’s significant, but probably not enough to deter any SLK driver from going topless on a nice day. (With the car, that is.)

Still, a 14% hit in gas mileage seems significant. I consulted James Smith, former president of the Society of Automotive Engineers, to find out why. Smith currently teaches mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of West Virginia.

“The [auto] designers are making every attempt they can to make the air flow smoothly up the windshield, across the roof and down the back deck,” Smith told me. “And when you remove that roofline you have more area there; more room for the air to get recirculated back in.”

Not every top-down scenario is created equal.

New Mercedes V-8 Increases Power, Efficiency

A new Mercedes-Benz V-8 debuting in the 2012 SLK55 AMG later this year will be a prime example of having your cake and eating it too. Power is up significantly over the preceding V-8, and thanks to new gas-saving technologies, Mercedes says mileage increases by around 30% over the 2010 SLK55 AMG. That car returned mileage of 14/22 mpg city/highway.
 
The 5.5-liter V-8 has 60 more horsepower than the previous SLK55 AMG for a total of 415 hp. It’s similar to the 518-hp, twin-turbo V-8 found in the 2012 CLS63 AMG, but loses those turbochargers in favor of natural aspiration.
 
Cylinder deactivation and direct injection are two added features used to increase gas mileage on the new engine. Mercedes calls its cylinder deactivation "AMG Cylinder Management," though the feature is used elsewhere in the industry under different names. During light driving conditions, four of the eight cylinders are shut down by closing the valves and cutting the cylinders’ fuel and ignition supply. The feature in the SLK55 will only activate if the efficient Controlled Efficiency (C) driving mode is turned on by the driver.
 
A stop/start function like that found in the CLS63 AMG is paired with the 5.5-liter on the new SLK55 AMG. It automatically shuts off the engine when the car is stopped to save gas. The feature is most common in hybrids and rarer in non-hybrids. It’s especially rare in performance cars like the SLK55 and CLS63.

The SLK55 AMG with 5.5-liter V-8 debuts this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

What Does This Button Do?

 
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 hardtop convertible hides its controls for the top’s operation in a nifty command pod on the center console. Opening the pod reveals two buttons. One button’s duty is clear — to open and close the top — while the other button looks like a window control. But there are window switches on the armrests already, so what does this one do?
 
Could this flying windows symbol be for the built-in Microsoft Windows 3.1? That would be sweet. I haven’t played Minesweeper in years. 

MotherProof.com Car Seat Check Recap

You might think the rakish looks of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS would mean it would be inhospitable to families with children of child-safety-seat age … but you’d be wrong. MotherProof discovers that the redesigned luxury sport sedan/coupe — whatever you call it — has some of the best Latch access on the market, making installing car seats a breeze. Getting the kids in and out might not be as easy, though.

My 3-year-old son had a tough time climbing into his seat during a recent test because there was so little room between the front and rear seats. Though I was pleasantly surprised he wasn’t kicking my seat that often. Check out the full report on the CLS63 and one well-heeled transport probably not used that often for kids.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: Car Seat Check
2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Car Seat Check
2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost: Car Seat Check

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Priced at $48,990

When the redesigned 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class goes on sale this fall, it will have the exact same pricing as last year’s model, said Dan Barile, Mercedes-Benz spokesman. The 2012 ML350 4matic has a starting price of $48,990, and the diesel ML350 Bluetec starts at $50,490, not including an $875 destination charge. Both trims come with a standard permanent all-wheel-drive system with adjustable controls. Mercedes hasn’t announced whether there will be a rear-wheel-drive-only base model as there was for the 2011 model year.

Overall, the 2012 trims offer more value and better fuel economy compared to their predecessors. The 2012 M-Class has nine airbags, including a new knee airbag, and there’s a new standard drowsiness detection system that monitors driver attentiveness. There’s also a new active damping suspension system standard on both trims. Check out our First Look to learn more about what has changed on the model.

MotherProof.com's Car Seat Check Recap

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class would make for one expensive family hauler. But can a two-door coupe carry child-safety seats? Yes, according to MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check series. Installing them can be awkward depending on the car seat, but two can fit in the rear. To learn more about the CL-Class and how well car seats fit in the Chevrolet Camaro convertible, continue reading below:

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: Car Seat Check 
2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible: Car Seat Check

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class: First Look

• Competes with: Lexus RX, BMW X5, Audi Q5
• Looks like: A more domesticated M-Class
• Drivetrain: 302-hp V-6; 240-hp, turbocharged diesel V-6; seven-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: September

The M-Class SUV has been one of Mercedes-Benz's best-selling models over the past decade despite just modest changes. For 2012, the model has been redesigned with an all-new exterior, interior, chassis and powertrains. The ML350 4matic and ML350 Bluetec trims will go on sale in September. Both trims come with a standard, permanent all-wheel drive system with special off-road controls.

The new model follows the company's updates to its cars with more creases and bodylines to create a "busier" design along with de-emphasizing the once gigantic logo that sat in the middle of the grille.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

If you arrange cars in a pecking order, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class would be near the top. The CL is a coupe variant of Mercedes’ S-Class luxury sedan, but don’t let the two-door body style fool you. This beast is as big as a full-size SUV and sucks down gas just like one — did we mention the base CL550 costs as much as some summer homes? Restyled for the 2011 model year, the CL550 is sleek and built with good-looking (and expensive) materials, says Cars.com editor Bill Jackson. But can its charm justify the steep cost?

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Review