Safety wise, the Mercedes CLS 550 and 63AMG and equipped stability control, an anti lock brake system, the Lower anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system, front head restraints and the only place I didn’t see an airbag was the floor.

Another thing is that if and when the sensors detect an imminent collision, the seat belts tighten, passenger seats revert to a safer/optimal position to maximize airbag protection and the sunroof closes.

For security, a panic button or alarm, an anti theft alarm system, vehicle theft tracking and notification system, keyless entry and remote trunk release to mention a few are standard for the CLS class.

After seeing, feeling, driving and riding in the Mercedes CLS 550, my final verdict on the car and for that matter the entire class is that like a foreign, exotic cuisine, it’s an acquired taste.

Or perhaps I can also say that like some people you meet, at first you don’t like them but they grow on you.

Same thing with this car; at first sight you think to yourself “okay, what is it?”

Then you take a tentative step closer, admiring the fine lines and its “unique fastback profile” (I didn’t want to use the word coupé).

Then you look inside and take in the wood trims, the fine leather upholstery and the advanced electronics.

Suddenly you forgive the fact that there isn’t much headroom at the back or the doors aren’t that wide brushing these off as” minor concerns”.

After all, you’ll be behind the wheel and that is all that matters.

And to get behind the wheel for a test drive, the swing by the Mercedes Dealership in Dallas.

Mercedes C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition
The Mercedes C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition is a limited edition of only 5000 units. The Prime Edition comes equipped with a new 2.2-Liter diesel power plant which is capable of propelling the C-Class from 0-62 mph in just 7.0 seconds and hitting a top speed of 155 mph. But what really is different and unique about this new C250/engine is that it consumes only 45mpg or 5.2 liters/100km. Some of the highlights of this new engine are:
• 200 bar maximum ignition pressure;
• Dual stage Supercharging;
• A variable water pump and larger, variable oil spray nozzles;
• The camshaft drive is positioned at the rear;
• A fourth-generation common-rail technology with a rail pressure increased by 400 bar to 2000 bar;
• A new piezo-injector concept with direct nozzle needle control for greater flexibility in injection timing, which leads to smoother running of the engine.
Another thing is that it can be installed either lengthways or sideways in the other model series, and several power rating variants will be made available. Considering its impressive output/performance data, the new engine could quite possibly replace higher-displacement engines in the heavier vehicles thus effectively reducing fuel consumption. Incidentally, this new engine will indeed replace four of Mercedes’ existing diesel power plants and will be/is installed in E, GLK Class and the much awaited E-Class Coupé.
In order to further improve on consumption, the C 250 has:
• A newly developed gearshift display on the dashboard that informs him of the optimum time to shift gears in order to better save on fuel;
• An instrument cluster that shows the precise current rate of fuel consumption;
• Smooth under body cladding;
• Airflow enhancing exterior mirror housings;
• Newly developed tires that reduce rolling resistance by as much as10 percent;
• An effective energy management system with adaptive power steering which, with the help of an additional valve, shuts the flow of the power steering pump when not needed.

CHeck in with you rDallas Mercedes Dealer for more details.

The Mercedes S 600 Guard is the perfect marriage between luxury, comfort and security that can only come from an armored vehicle.

Handmade on a dedicated production line, the S 600 Guard is the newest addition of special protection vehicles, something that Mercedes has been doing for the past 80 years.

Not surprisingly, the result is a vehicle that provides both superior comfort and the highest level of protection as well.

Here are some of the items that the S 600 has for protection and safety:

• A fire-extinguishing system that can be triggered either automatically or manually. 12 nozzles are strategically located and are fed by two cylinders containing extinguishing agents;
• A camera at the rear that provides passengers a view of any trailing vehicles;
• An optional emergency fresh-air system which is capable of counteracting dangerous gaseous substances;
• An independent pneumatic emergency control system for the power windows;
• Sensors that detect smoke and/or tear gas. If and when detected, the air conditioning system automatically blocks or cuts off fresh air coming from the outside;
• A special protected fuel tank that re-seals itself if perforated by bullets or shrapnel;
• Michelin PAX run flat-tire system;
• An optional Panic Alarm System which can be activated from anywhere inside the vehicle. It will automatically lock the doors, creating a protected “bubble” and at the same time, activates both visual and audible alarms;
• An emergency opening facility located in the trunk (or boot). It allows passengers to free themselves or exit the car via the trunk;
• Armor with a level IV or B7 protection rating capable of withstanding anything from 9mm,5.56mm to armor piercing 7.62 X 51 NATO rounds striking the car to grenade shrapnel and other explosive devices underneath the vehicle.

The wealthy, rich and famous and infamous and/or the just plain paranoid now have a new toy: the Mercedes E Guard. Just like its bigger brother, the Mercedes S 600 Guard, the E Guard is part of a line that continues Mercedes’ 80 years tradition of providing special protection vehicles while at the same time maintaining the level of excellence and comfort that its’ customers have learned to expect.
It appears that early on, Mercedes recognized the need for a special protection vehicle but not as heavily armored as the S 600. Understandably, diplomats and royalty who are subject to acts of terrorism need a vehicle that can withstand armor piercing, automatic weapons fire. Hence the S 600 Guard with B7 armor.
For the wealthy businessman, the S 600 even if he could afford it, would seem a bit of an overkill. The major threat to the rich would be pistol wielding muggers or carjackers. The Mercedes E-Guard has a VR4 (formerly B4) Protection Level rating appears to fit this need. This means that for example, the polycarbonate windows can withstand fire from 9mm, .357, and .44 Magnum and 12 Gauge Slug ammunition rounds and the metal plates that form a protective cage can put up with DM 51 hand grenades. Again like its bigger brother, the E Guard looks practically identical to its unprotected version. Like the S Guard model (Incidentally, a G-Class Guard is also available) the E Guard is also built on its own assembly line, which lets Mercedes armor up the car as part of the original production process.
There are currently 2 E Guard trims available: the E 320 CDI and the E 550. The E 320 CDI has a V6, 24 valve, 224 hp engine and has a top speed of 140 mph. Not bad considering that the E 320 Guard is 800lbs heavier than the standard E320 which has a curb weight of 3,858 and a top speed of 153mph.
More to follow…

In an earlier post we listed down the items that were not included in the MSRP. Those costs were transportation to the dealership, registration, miscellaneous fees and taxes. Haggling or trying to get a discount only affects the MSRP which if you are successful only lowers the cost of the vehicle to its actual market value. Nowadays, the dealer may give in but the above costs are fixed and will add those on to the agreed price/MSRP.
Total Cost to Own or TCO is the more realistic price. This takes in several factors such as cost of fuel, insurance, financing, maintenance and the like over a span of 5 years. It may be that you may be able to buy the car but you can’t afford to run it.
Also earlier we compared the 2009 Mercedes CLK550 Cabriolet and the Mercedes SLK55 AMG Roadster and checked their TCOs. The CLK550 has an MSRP of $64,800 while the SLK 55 is at $65,700. The Roadster is $900 higher yet the TCO for the AMG is $85,929 and the CLK 550 is $95,972 or $10,043 more than the “pricier” ($900) SLK 55. So what gives? Because it costs more to maintain and operate CLK than the Roadster. The CLK 550 has a bigger engine. Not by much –by .1liters actually but fact is cost per mile is 13 cents higher. Multiply over the years and the miles and you’ll get the picture. Depreciation is probably the biggest difference. Depreciation cost of the Roadster in five years will be at $42,482 while the CLK will be around $46,468.
So again make sure to ask what is the TCO of the car you’re interest