mb230s

The new 550 engine will make it into the G chassis.

Release date set for 10/15/2008.

I'm 90% sure I'll get one. Finally something worth upgrading for.

I couldn't find out about the AMG motor but I suspect if they went with the G550 the G63 would also make sense. Will continue checking.

No mention of diesel for MY09. Will update if I hear anything different. Still preliminary.

N'AWLINS

Any updates on diesel availability in U.S.?

DUTCH

They won't be. Daimler in Stuttgart wanted to sell them in the US. MBUSA nixed it.

emayer

2009 update absolutely worth waiting for!
550 engine and 7-speed is an excellent combo- we have this in our GL and the thing hauls....

The other major update pertains to the COMMAND which is in-line with the current C-class

The AMG driveline gets a 7 hp boost

I'm sure you guys are familiar with the styling changes.

I have a dealer ordering guide (prelim version) avail which I can fax if needed.

No word on pricing. Has anyone else heard?

jimmyg

Anyone have any pics of the updated interior?

emayer

I do but only in print form. I'll see if I can somehow post here. The COMMAND is similar to the current C-class and has same functionality. The info I have shows that several different interior colors can be ordered as well with G55 using the designo palate (no charge). Headliner in G55 is alacantra.

There have been some modifications to available exterior colors. Pewter and Blue will not be available. Verde brook and Mystic white have been substituted. Hope this helps!

Untertürkheim

What is wrong with MBUSA? I am convinced that MBUSA is the most incompetent organization in the world.

emayer

Agreed! In addition to the absence of a diesel variant G in the US, I've had the pleasure of driving as few others that would be great to have here:

A-class (though US safety specs may be an issue with this one)
C class sedan 350 4-matic (Yes this car does exist!)
C class wagon -great car
E class wagon 550 4-matic (Have the E500 wagon presently and would replace in an instant if this variant were available here)

Feel free to add to the list! The argument against wagons has always been that the demand in the US is low, but with present gas prices I suspect many of us would consider these over SUVs IMO...

Mrkhan347

im really excited for the 09 g class. Ive always had a keen taste for the specific vehicle. Chose a RR over the older G due to the weak HP in the g500, only 292 i believe.

Untertürkheim

I hate the A-class, so I can live without it in the US, or anywhere for that matter.

In every other case, I would like it if the model lineup were expanded. Specifically, I would like to see here

CLS 320CDI
S420L CDI
E420 CDI
I would like MB to make a CL420CDI (and CLS for that matter) and sell it here.

All that aside, my most humble request would be for more available options for the E320 Bluetec. It is, and always has been (back to the 2005 E320CDI) the most limited of its series in optional equipment. For example:

Airmatic
Distronic (was special order option, I am told not available at all now)
4-Zone Climate (available on the CDI, not on Bluetec)
AMG High Performance Sound System
Ventilated Seats (CDI, no Bluetec)
Drive-Dynamic Seats (CDI, no bluetec)
Heated Rear Seats
Designo (killed for 2009)
Sport Package (in conjunction with airmatic, not in place of)

All these options are available for any other market with this model, except the US. Even more confusing is why they removed options, it is not as though they removed standard equipment to save money.

Germancar1

I've been thinking that MBUSA should open the order books and offer a lot more models here for just one year, just to see if sales would pick up or be worth the trouble. More designo options, that C350 Luxury, a C350 4Matic, a SL350 with the 314hp V6 from Europe, ditto for a CLS350.

Somehow though I don't see enough demand for a CL or CLS diesel when the more useful diesel models don't exactly light the sales charts afire. Especially a V8 diesel, they're being phased out anyway.


M

Untertürkheim

Keep in mind that the diesel models are kept out of all the most important US markets (CA, NY, etc), but as far as I know, the diesel E is quite successful despite the efforts of MBUSA to disinterest buyers.

Another thing to remember, the MB diesel buyer is not the "usual" US diesel buyer, meaning what you think of as the most "useful" diesel models are in fact the least desirable to the MB diesel customer. They are not buying SUVs to tow something, they want a luxury car to rake up the miles and last forever. The only model here is, again, the E, now a 42 state car. Actually, if you look at sales figures for only those states where the diesel is sold, it is the best selling of the E classes by a good margin, from what I remember, it accounts for about one-third of all E sales.

This is exactly why I would think a CLS and S diesel would be welcome, since these commuting executives would like more of a selection.

Also, if you look at the used car market, the old diesel S classes sell for unbelievable prices. Remember that the last 50 state diesel S class sold in 1987.

emayer

I certainly agree with the previous comments.

I'm not a great fan of the A or B class, but as I suggested to some MB execs last time I was in Stuttgart, if the redesigns are US safety compliant I think there would be a market here given gas prices. One thought I had would be to badge these under the SMART label for the US which may help in keeping the "luxury" marketing impression that MBUSA is likely most concerned about. In fact, this partly explains why the other vehicles we've mentioned aren't available.

Germancar1

Sounds good, but I can't see it. The numbers wouldn't justify the cost in making a CLS or S-Class diesel compliant for the U.S. market IMO. When you look at the sales numbers for the CLS it is clear that a diesel would be pointless. The CLS is already a niche product, a diesel version would be aimed at an every smaller niche. Ditto for the CL. Most diesel buyers tend to be more practical than those who would consider something like a CL or CLS anyway IMO. Also there is no way the E320 Bluetec is the bestselling version of the E in the states that its sold in. The E350 is by far the bestselling E-Class variant by a country mile, in any and every state. In IL I hardly ever see an E320, but I see E350's lined up like Camrys at the dealer. Now what Mercedes should be selling is an E320 Bluetec with 4Matic and possibly a wagon version.


What did I miss about the E320, why is it a 42 state car now when the new GL, ML, and R Bluetecs are now 50-State????


M

Untertürkheim

I will try to find the sales number for the E class, but I remember being very suprised at the diesel sales numbers. First, the CL is my own personal dream.

A couple things I should explain: my reasoning for bringing the CLS and S are completely different. I suggested the CLS because it would be able to come right in, it is basically a reskinned E class, same engine and all, so it would be a free extra model. Also, by offering a diesel CLS, they are able to help the image of diesels in general, just by having it sold in such a niche model.

The S on the other hand would cost money to bring over, and be much more difficult, but if it could be sold as a 50 state car, I believe it would be extremely successful. Like I have said before, anyone who drives a 420CDI against a 550 will choose the diesel hands down. The downfall of the diesel S post 87 was that they were never 50 state again, but they have such a strong following it seems strange that MB would not even try to sell a new one to capture some of that. Remember, with the 220 there was the S430 and even 350 for a couple of years. The 420 diesel has torque more like a 600.

Untertürkheim

Oh, and it's 42 now because some other states went insane, and the SUV's now get Urea for 2009 if I'm not mistaken.

Germancar1

Very passionate about diesels I see. Nothing wrong with that.

Yes I'd be very interested in seeing the breakout by model of the E-Class' sales. I just can't see the diesel being that popular when I never see them. I the U.S. I think Mercedes will get far more pop out of the upcoming S400 Hybrid.

M

DUTCH

Only 292?

The only time you might need more is for drag racing.

Untertürkheim

+1, this is a truck. Unless you live in Germany, you will never be able to put that much power to use in any car.

Untertürkheim

So what is going on here? MBUSA still has 2008 models on BYO, and only 2008s so far on the lots, even though the 2009 G brochure is out.