New Mercedes-Benz CSC Officially Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has dropped official information and a full set of photos of its Concept Style Coupé (or CSC for short) ahead of the study's brief stint at the Avant/Garde Diaries event in Los Angeles on April 20 and its world premiere at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing on April 23. The sleek looking sedan concept is a precursor of the production model that will follow next year and which Mercedes will build at its new manufacturing facility in Hungary. Sources state that it will likely be named CLC or CLA.
Judging by the spy shots we've shown you over the past few months, while the production model will be closely based on the concept, it won't be so aggressive in the details.
In essence, the CSC is a CLS-style four-door coupe based on the latest A-Class with which it shares an elongated version of the MFA modular platform, its running gear, interior and driveline. Some of its potential rivals in the premium market include next year's Audi A3 sedan and possibly, a similar model from BMW based on the 1-Series.
The CSC is 4,637mm (182.6 inches) long, 1,891mm (74.5 inches) wide and 1,398mm (55 inches) tall, which makes it 46mm longer (1.8-in.), 121mm (4.8-in.) wider and 49mm (1.9-in.) lower than the C-Class sedan. It rides on the same 2,699mm wheelbase as the A-Class hatch.
For its motivation, the concept is fitted with a 2.0-liter direct-injection and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 208hp (211PS) and which is available on the production A25 hatchback. However, in the CSC, it is linked to Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.
The production variant of the CSC will likely be offered with a similar engine lineup to the A-Class in both front- and all-whee drive versions. Aside from the 208hp 2.0L Turbo found on the prototype, the range in Europe will also include a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol with 121hp (122PS) and 154hp (156PS) and two diesels, a 1.8-liter unit with 134hp (136PS) and a 2.2-liter engine with 168hp (170PS).
There will also be an AMG version powered by a specially tuned version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol, possibly delivering over 320-horses. This model will come with AWD as standard.
Unlike the A-Class five-door hatchback, the production CSC will be sold in North America, where it will likely be offered with the 2.0L Turbo, the most powerful diesel and in AMG guise.

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Mercedes-Benz AMG SL with Special Edition in New York

This year marks the AMG brand's 45th birthday and to commemorate the milestone at the New York Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz introduced a special anniversary edition of the V12-powered SL 65 AMG roadster, of which only 45 will be produced worldwide with first deliveries in the U.S. planned for November. What makes the SL 65 AMG "45th ANNIVERSARY" stand out from its lesser sibling is a host of bespoke features and parts starting with the unique matte grey finish called "designo magno graphite".
The exterior package continues with a carbon fiber kit that includes the cross strut in the front apron, the exterior mirrors and the spoiler lip, while the engine cover is also made from the same material.
The look is rounded out by the black chrome plating of the quad tailpipes and the special forged wheels painted in titanium grey with high-sheen rim flange and matt finish that are shod in tires size 255/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 20 at the rear.
There's more going on inside where AMG designers fitted the top SL with a two-tone leather interior in titanium grey pearl and ginger beige. The center sections of the seats, door panels and roof lining feature a diamond pattern theme, while other highlights include the matt carbon fibre trim and the "45th Anniversary" badge on the ashtray.
The special edition version of the SL comes with an extensive range of standard-fit appointments including but not limited to, the Driving Assistance package Plus, AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake system and a higher end audio system.
Power is provided by the same 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine with 621hp (630PS) and a peak torque of 1,000Nm (737 lb-ft) that you'll find under the hood of the regular SL 65 AMG.

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