Cobasys, which has ties to Chevron Corp., is refusing to fulfil its commitment to produce the battery pack, a local newspaper said, citing the lawsuit. Mercedes alleges that the owners of Cobasys have been seeking to sell the company, without telling Mercedes about it, it said.

“Without a reliable source for this critical part, (Mercedes) will be unable to produce the hybrid vehicle in accordance with its scheduled launch date, and will likely be forced to either cancel the vehicle entirely, or delay the launch for an extended period in order to identify and develop a substitute battery, and to redesign other portions of the vehicle to accommodate it,” the newspaper cited the filing as saying.

Daimler earlier this year announced plans to launch the ML450 hybrid SUV, and it aims to start selling the car in June 2009.

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Mercedes Daimler AG are one of the few automakers who has had a head start on hybrid vehicles and keeps them coming. Which is why they have unveiled 18 alternative-fuel vehicles at the Frankfurt auto show, 17 of which will go into production by 2010. A half dozen or more of them will come to the United States.

Hybrid versions of the Mercedes ML 450 and S 400 will go on sale in the United States in 2009, Klaus Maier said. He is executive vice president of sales and marketing at the Mercedes Car Group. Mercedes will launch clean-diesel versions of the GL and ML SUVs and the R-class crossover next year. Those light trucks will meet emissions requirements in all 50 states.

Currently, the E 320 Bluetec passenger car’s diesel engine is sold in 42 states. When that car is redesigned in 2010, it will be eligible for sale in all 50 states. Alternative-power versions of the Smart city car also could cross the Atlantic. A trial with 100 electric Smart ForTwo cars has begun in London. Roger Penske, CEO of Penske Automotive Group, wants the experiment extended to the United States. His company is Smart’s U.S. distributor. “We think it is the next step for Smart,” said Penske, who has driven the electric car.

Europe will get a Smart hybrid this fall, as well as diesel hybrid versions of the E and S class in 2010. The unveiling of the 18 alternative-fuel vehicles came at a DaimlerChrysler extravaganza. Said CEO Dieter Zetsche: Every one of the cars “demonstrates breathtaking design, driving pleasure, safety, dynamism and responsibility for the environment – all of which belong together at Mercedes-Benz across our entire model range.” Maier says Mercedes put on the extravaganza to demonstrate that “we want to be in the forefront with the environment.”

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The new model was a major milestone in the Mercedes-Benz product drive. The highly comfortable M-Class, featuring a chassis with a separate box-section frame, was designed for both road and off-road operation. Auxiliary frames for the front and rear wheel suspension and ten rubber mounts dampened the transfer of road bumps and noise to the bodywork. Independent wheel suspension all round was a special feature of this chassis unique in this vehicle category.

The powertrain was specially designed for permanent four-wheel drive, with a modified variant of the electronic traction system, ETS, being used instead of conventional differential locks in the M-Class. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) was equally adapted to offroad operation. The result of this innovative vehicle concept was a car which combined the comfort and handling safety of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car with the all-terrain mobility and robustness of an offroader and the spaciousness and variability of a Sport Utility Vehicle.

‘The enthusiasm for the new car was so great that Mercedes-Benz initially had difficulties in satisfying the demand,’ said Johannes Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Middle East. ‘The new model was marketed in North America from September 1997, in Europe from March 1998 and the Middle East a few months later.’ The ML 320 with a V6 engine developing 218 hp was available throughout the world. The top model was the ML 430 (270 hp) launched in 1998 before AMG presented the ML 55 AMG with an output of 347 hp in 1999.

In 1999, the M-Class received the ‘World Car Award’, a distinction for the ideal car on a global scale. Numerous other awards followed. As early as 1999, some 100,000 units of this series had already been sold. In August 2000, DaimlerChrysler invested more than US$600 million in the plant to raise annual production capacity to some 160,000 cars. Today, M-Class sells in 135 countries.

After the model refinement in 2001, the ML 500 with an output of 292 hp replaced the ML 430. Production of the ML 230 was discontinued. Overall, more than 570,000 units of the first M-Class generation were built in Tuscaloosa. Between 1999 and 2002, another 77,100 M-Class units for the European market were produced at Magna Steyr in Graz/Austria. In 2005, the M-Class replaced the first generation of this successful SUV in Tuscaloosa. The Sport Utility Vehicle comes in a decidedly sporty design with a flat windshield, distinctive fenders and an upward-sweeping shoulder line.

The new model also boasts ultra-modern engineering, including the standard 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission which transfers engine power to the road via an even higher-performance 4MATIC four-wheel drive. AIRMATIC air suspension is equally included in the standard specifications while the PRE-SAFE occupant protection system is optionally available.

The expansion of the Tuscaloosa plant prepared the location for the production of the new M-Class, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class (since 2005) and the GL-Class (since 2006). In 2006, a third series was added to the product range in Tuscaloosa, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. In the ten years since the official inauguration of the plant, the production location in Tuscaloosa has established itself with products of a high standard of quality.

‘Mercedes Quality, made in the USA’ has become a trademark for the Mercedes-Benz cars from Alabama. The relationship between the old and the new world is also demonstrated by the fact that Tuscaloosa is the twin town of Schorndorf in Germany, where Gottlieb Daimler was born.

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Fuel economy is expected to be around 40 mpg (we’re assuming this measurement is in the UK’s larger Imperial gallon) and CO2 emissions would likely be under 200g/km. That would help cancel out some of the anti-SUV sentiment toward such a vehicle in UK and European markets.

While Mercedes wouldn’t confirm that any plans for a green powertrain like this exist, We are confident that the news is not just rumor. Hopefully, assuming this comes to fruition, the system would comply with US standards and regulations as well, and help lead the way towards more fuel-stingy yet powerful diesel hybrid systems in the future.

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The design is highlighted by the extra wide fender flares that give the Widestar its name and also make room for large 23-inch Brabus Monoblock E wheels. The German tuner also provides new front and rear fascias that look different but equally as good as the stock fascias. We especially like how the body kit is colored in a matte grey finish that contrasts with the glossy black finish of the vehicle underneath.

Of course, all of that eye candy only serves to back up what Brabus does best, which is tune Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The Widestar is fitted with the company’s B63 S performance kit that adds freer flowing air filters, new engine management software and other detail-oriented performance upgrades to boost power from 510 hp to 550 hp. That’s enough to get this big ute to 62 mph in only 4.9 seconds.

Likewise, Brabus upgraded the brakes to scrub off all that extra speed. Up front the stock brake system is replaced with mighty 12-piston calipers, while the rears make do with six pots, all clamping down on larger discs.

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The compact MLK will only be built in Europe, where Mercedes expects to find more consumers because of the new SUV’s tidy size. Small, elegant SUVs look like the Next Big Thing in the Old World. Because of its C-Class roots, we can expect the MLK to come with the new four-valve 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter V-6s in the U.S. as well as a supercharged four and turbodiesel for the home market.

If Mercedes continues its rampant proliferation of AMG marketing, an MLK55 AMG isn’t out of the question. As for the name, it makes sense in Europe, with the connection to SLK-Class and CLK-Class. But here, those initials are the same as those of the late civil-rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Another rumored name, “X-Class,” is out because of the BMW X3 and X5.

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There are two new variants for 2007 that are polar opposites: One is the fuel-efficient, diesel-powered ML320 CDI, and the other is a high-performance ML63 AMG that packs a 503-hp V8 engine. A less-powerful V8 is offered in the ML500 and a V6 in the ML350.

Although the M-Class has full-time all-wheel drive with traction and stability control, the vehicle isn’t optimized for hardcore off-road driving. The interior is roomy and richly appointed. A height-adjustable air suspension is optional.

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Brabus offers the world’s most extensive engine tuning program for Mercedes-Benz automobiles, which naturally also includes the new M-Class. For the CDI Turbodiesel models the Brabus powerplant engineers have developed the Brabus PowerXtra performance kits, which are TÜV-certified even for vehicles equipped with a particulate filter. Models tuned with PowerXtra performance kits meet the same stringent emission limits as their production counterparts.

For the top-of-the-line diesel model ML 320 CDI Brabus designed the performance kit D6 (III). It provides a maximum power output of 272 bhp and an enormous peak torque of 435 lb-ft at just 1,600 rpm. The BRABUS engine tuning program for the gasoline models ranges from the B7 performance kit, which boosts power of the ML 350 to 287 bhp, to the 445-bhp BRABUS 6.1 S displacement engine for the ML 500.

For customizing the appearance of the new M-Class and to add further exclusivity Brabus offers an innovative and attractive appearance package. The front bumper is refined with the Brabus off-road molding, whose high-gloss chromed elements can be combined either with a chrome-like surface or with body color painting. The 4×4 gains further character with custom-tailored auxiliary Brabus high beams and fog lamps.

The sill areas can be optimized aerodynamically with Brabus side sills. Entrance lights integrated into the sills combine elegant design and added safety: The entrance lights are activated by pulling on a door handle or by using the standard keyless-entry remote.

The rear of the M-Class is refined with the Brabus off-road molding, which is available in the same color combinations as the front molding. It creates the perfect backdrop for the Brabus exhaust system with four tailpipes.

The largest wheels from Brabus for the M-Class are king-size Brabus Monoblock VI 10Jx22 light-alloy wheels. The fully polished one-piece wheels feature six striking powerful double spokes and offer maximum strength and durability. Brabus technology partners Pirelli and Yokohama provide the optimal tires up to size 265/35 ZR 22 in front and size 295/30 ZR 22 on the rear axle.

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Today, as Mercedes sells its new, second-generation M-Class, a lot has changed. The 2006 M-Class is bigger, faster and has a more refined interior than its predecessor. It’s restyled on the outside and uses unibody construction. It’s also the first SUV in the country to offer the Mercedes Pre-Safe system that helps prepare the vehicle and passengers if it senses an impending crash. And about a year after its spring 2005 launch, the new-generation M-Class will add a new “off-road pro” package that provides new off-road capability.

But there are no expectations for sales to top 50,000. Citing the fact there are more than two dozen upscale SUVs now competing for buyers, Mercedes officials said they project some 30,000 to 40,000 sales of the new M-Class a year in the U.S. This would be an increase over the 25,681 sold in the last year of the old M-Class, in calendar 2004.

Arguably, consumers may notice the new M-Class looks more like the luxury SUV segment leader, the Lexus RX 330, than ever. This is especially true from the front, in M-Classes that include a silver-colored grille. The Lexus RX outsold the M-Class in calendar 2004 by a 4-to-1 margin.

Final pricing was due to be announced closer to the M-Class on-sale date. But officials said the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the base V6 model, the ML350 with cloth seats and black grille, will be less than $40,000, while the up-level ML500 with V8 and standard leather-trimmed seats will be in the high $40,000s.

Third-row seating, an option that was priced around $1,000 on earlier M-Classes, is gone for 2006. For one thing, the smallish rearmost seats weren’t a big draw for buyers. For another, Mercedes wants to differentiate the upcoming R-Class, which comes standard with three rows of seats, from the M-Class.

M-Class fans may already know the original vehicle featured the first V6 in a Mercedes. But where the V6 was a 232-horsepower 3.7-liter power plant, the new one is a 268-horse 3.5-liter V6. Torque is improved from 254 lb-ft between 3000 to 4500 rpm to 258 lb-ft that comes in as low as 2400 rpm. This is the same power plant that’s in the 2005 Mercedes SLK.

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Rather than the sedan-style unibody construction used by many of the new-generation SUVs, the M-Class has a separate body on a reinforced frame. It has far more off-road capability than the typical SUV owner will ever use, and it can tow 5,000 pounds.

Moreover, the M-Class has the safe, solid, bank-vault feel that has been a Mercedes hallmark almost since the beginning of automotive time. It comes loaded with the latest safety technology, and more standard airbags than some high-end luxury sedans. Of course, you’ll pay a premium for these Mercedes values.

You could buy a comparably sized, equally powerful luxury SUV from Acura, Lexus or Volvo with more equipment for less money. However, to millions around the world, the Mercedes brand and values are worth every penny.

The current M-Class is much more refined than it was when it was first introduced. The M-Class got a facelift for 2002 and a more powerful base engine in 2003, so there isn’t much changed for 2004. The ML55 AMG, which was once the pavement-burning performance leader of all SUVS, has been eliminated. The DVD-based, satellite-guided navigation system introduced last year on the up-level ML500 is now available in the ML350.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is available in two models. The ML350 ($37,300) uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 232 horsepower. The ML500 ($45,700) gets a 288-horsepower V8. These prices represent a modest increase of $350 compared to 2003. As one might expect, the M-Class delivers luxury accommodations.

Standard equipment on both models includes climate control with dust and pollen filtration, burl walnut trim, a leather steering wheel and gearshift knob, cruise control, rear wiper, dual heated power side mirrors, an outside temperature gauge, a universal garage door opener and four-way head restraints. Ambient lights illuminate the foot wells on both the driver and passenger side.

The ML’s most popular option is the Comfort Package ($2,975), which adds leather upholstery to the ML350, along with remote-linked memory for the front seats, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors and retractable outside mirrors. The ML500 Comfort Package ($800) includes memory front seats, rain-sensing wipers and power folding mirrors.

Last year, Mercedes introduced a new appearance package called the Inspiration Edition ($2,540 on ML350, $1,200 on ML500), which includes sport seats with silver cross-stitched Anthracite leather, dark poplar wood trim, charcoal velour floor mats, six-spoke wheels and a silver-painted grille.

It’s attractive and we really liked it, though we weren’t sure we needed the “Inspiration” badges and floor mats. Other similarly priced appearance packages with their own color and trim combos include the Anthracite, Ash, Borneo and Java Editions.

Stand-alone options that will be important for some buyers include bi-xenon headlights ($875) and a power sunroof ($1,350). Leather upholstery ($1,700) and the GPS system ($995) are optional on the ML350. All 2004 Mercedes-Benz models come with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty, which includes tires, batteries and adjustments for the full coverage period. The purchase price includes scheduled maintenance during the warranty period, and 24-hour Roadside Assistance for the duration of ownership.

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