Two Mercedes Debuts

The redesigned 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class just went on sale, but it is already going to get some elite company. Making its North American debut is the high-performance C63 AMG that represents the top-of-the-line model for the C-Class family.

Whenever AMG is involved, expect aggressive styling, performance and an excess of power. And this new C63 AMG is fits in perfectly with its 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension and a high-performance brake system.

Powered by a 6.3-liter V8 engine that produces 451 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, the rear-wheel-drive C63 AMG can reach 60 mph in a mere 4.3 seconds. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission with Formula-1-style shift paddles on the steering wheel.

If the standard setting isn't exciting enough, shoppers can opt for the AMG performance package, which adds a limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension, composite (two-piece) perforated and ventilated front disc brakes and an AMG performance steering wheel wrapped in nappa leather.

Inside the sedan are newly developed AMG leather sport seats, an AMG three-spoke sport steering wheel with distinctive aluminum shift paddles and a central display that shows various information depending on which mode is chosen.

Mercedes-Benz has been selling diesels cars in the United States for more than 40 years and that's not about to change. The difference is that these cars won't be slow, smelly or cause much pollution.

Diesels can yield a significant increase in fuel-efficiency without sacrificing performance or interior room. A good example is the existing E320 BLUETEC diesel sedan, which can drive nearly 700 highway miles before needing a fill-up, and also be clean enough to meet most emission requirements.

"BLUETEC is the most promising technology for customers who want to get up to 20-40 percent higher fuel efficiency without sacrificing the performance and the driving characteristics they're used to," said Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of MBUSA.

With BLUETEC technology already established, Mercedes-Benz is looking to increase efficiency with the introduction of the S400 BLUETEC HYBRID sedan to North America for the first time. By combining a V6 BLUETEC diesel engine and an electric motor, the concept will have the performance of a V8 with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder.

To put it in perspective, the engine puts out a total of 265 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque with 0 to 60 mph time of about 7.2 seconds while maintaining an average of about 40 mpg-all very impressive numbers for a full-size luxury sedan.

This combination diesel and hybrid will be so clean that it will be legal to California drivers. But consumers will have to wait a few more years, since the S400 BLUETEC HYBRID won't be arriving until after 2010.