Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental. Volkswagen announced it will build the Passat together with partner company DRB Hicom in Malaysia from late 2011 onwards. One year later, the Jetta will be added. It’s a smart move: The Malaysian market is fascinating, with over half a million cars sold in 2010 and incredible enthusiasm for the automobile. A few years back, VW almost teamed up with the dominating local manufacturer Proton. Back then, VW and PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) were competing to partner with Proton, with PSA’s proposal arguably being the more sensible one. But Proton’s preference for a VW partnership was so obvious that PSA bailed out. At that point, according to my sources, VW’s offer for Proton shares dropped substantially. Moreover, VW wanted to place Proton in the grand scheme of things where the brand belonged: below Škoda. The Malaysians (with their 1970s, U.K.-informed misconception of Škoda) were shocked, the deal fell through, and Proton is still looking for a partner. Negotiations could have gone better . . . Ford is aggressively pricing the new Focus in Europe. The entry-level Focus is about $2000 cheaper than a comparable VW Golf, the class standard here. Considering the Golf’s incredible level of engineering, the Ford probably needs to be. Coolness at Mercedes The B-class is my least-favorite Mercedes-Benz product, but the example which apprentices in the company’s Rastatt, Germany, plant have put together could change my mind. A sporty B-class was the goal—what else to stuff into its stubby front end but a glorious V-8? The 382-hp engine powers the rear wheels, but while it is a neat project, the B55 will remain a one-off vehicle. It brings back memories of former AMG chief Ulrich Bruhnke’s twin-engined A-class—an equally crazy project that wasn’t met with universal enthusiasm at Daimler, although it was not only fun but helped gather insight for EV and hybrid projects. Unimog U4000/U5000 A few weeks ago, I
raved about the Mercedes Geländewagen , a vehicle that is perhaps only topped in burliness by Benz’s Unimog. Production of this awesome off-road vehicle started in the late 1940s and moved to Mercedes-Benz in 1951. Today, there are three different series: the U300–500 “semi-forward implement carrier,” which now celebrates its 10th birthday; the cheaper and lighter U20; and the extreme off-roader U4000–5000. The U4000/U5000 will get you virtually anywhere, but it’s a real truck and drives like one. You’ll get everyone’s attention, and if you don’t find an actual parking spot in the city, just park wherever you want: It’s going to be mighty difficult for the authorities to tow you or slap on a boot. Brave New World Winter is a good time to think about electric vehicles. Mitsubishi informs us that the range of its i-MiEV electric car drops by almost half in the cold, to not much more than 50 miles. Better bring warm blankets and hot drinks along, in case you find yourself stuck. Matthias Wissmann On that note, Matthias Wissmann, head of Germany’s auto manufacturer association VDA, recently called for state subsidies for electric mobility in an interview with Stuttgarter Zeitung . Without making direct recommendations, he complains about Germany’s relative lack of “incentives” and brings up different means of distorting the market, such as direct cash incentives and tax breaks, as well as changes to the infrastructure and the legal framework, which I can only interpret as excluding cars with internal-combustion engines from certain roads, lanes, or city areas. “Whatever it takes” is his attitude; my attitude is somewhat different. Related posts: 2009
Mercedes-Benz G550 / G55 AMG / G-Wagen / G-Class Get a Facelift and the 382-hp V-8 – Car News The Continental: E-cars for the Elderly, Mercedes A-class and VW Amarok for the U.S., and a Case for the Autobahn The Continental: Focus on China, Audi’s Lightweight Progress, Woes in Sweden and Japan, Dusting Off the Old Maserati
Mercedes Benz G500 Pictures
Mercedes Benz G500 Pictures
Mercedes Benz G500 Pictures
