New 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Interior

It wasn’t exactly the world's best-kept secret, and now, what appears to be the first (official) exterior photo of Mercedes-Benz's upcoming second generation B-Class, is also doing the internet rounds. The new B-class will be seen by the public for the first time at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show next month, before sales roll out next year. With this model, Mercedes is targeting buyers who are mostly interested in versatility and comfort. The German automaker recently published official photos of the interior while also detailing the mini MPV's specifications. Dubbed internally the W246, the new B-Class has grown in size measuring 4,359mm long (+86mm), 1,786mm wide (+9mm) and 1,557mm (-43mm) tall. Unlike the upcoming A-Class, the new B-Class continues to use the outgoing model's modular sandwich floor.

The new B-Class' rear seat backrest can be divided and folded according to the ratio 60:40 as standard. As an option, there's the “EASY-VARIO-PLUS” system, which amongst other things, allows the rear seats to be positioned differently along the longitudinal axis by up to 140 mm. The five seat model will be offered with a new 1.6-liter gasoline engine delivering 122HP and 200Nm (147.5 lb-ft) in the B180 and 156HP and 250Nm (184.4 lb-ft) in the B200. Diesel options at launch include a 1.8-liter turbocharged unit rated at 109HP and 250Nm (184.4 lb-ft) in the B180 CDi and 136HP and 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) in the B200 CDi. Given that the Frankfurt Motor Show is just around the corner, it shouldn't be long before Mercedes-Benz fully reveals the new B-Class.

All-New 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

The most powerful version of Mercedes-Benz's small hardtop roadster, the 2012 SLK 55 AMG, will receive its world premiere at this year's edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, but the first photos of the V8-powered model have already sprung up on the German car site Autobild. Visually, the AMG treatment adds a new aero kit with bespoke parts up front and at the back along with a smoked out lights and larger set of light alloy wheels finished in black. Inside, you'll find a pair of sports seats and plenty of surfaces covered in stitched leather. And while this is the first time we get to see the new SLK 55 AMG in the flesh and without camouflage, Mercedes-Benz recently shared details on the roadster model's mechanical hardware. Power for the roadster comes from a new naturally-aspirated AMG 5.5-liter V8 engine that delivers 62 more horses and 30Nm more torque than the previous model's eight-cylinder unit, at 422-horses and 540Nm in European-spec, and 415-horses at 6,800 rpm and 398 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm in North American-flavor.

The aluminum V8 engine also features the AMG Cylinder Management system that can shut off four-cylinders from 800 to 3,600 rpm to improve fuel efficiency. A 7-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission featuring three modes (sport, manual and efficiency) transfers power to the rear wheels. According to the Mercedes, the new SLK 55 AMG completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph). The roadster returns a combined fuel consumption of 8.5 lt/100 km, which is 3.5lt or 30% less than that of the preceding model with the 360HP V8.