All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Mercedes will continue to develop ICE and hybrid cars after 2030

Although the EU has ordered manufacturers to switch to full electrification by the end of the decade, the latest information suggests that Mercedes may continue to develop ICE and hybrid cars after 2030. The reason lies in the decline in demand for electric cars in Europe, but also in the high prices of electric vehicles.

According to data for January, the demand for electric cars on the German market dropped by 54.9 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Some of the reasons are the decision of the German authorities to temporarily suspend subsidies for the purchase of new EVs, current state of the German economy, geopolitical tensions in the region, inflation, but also the bad infrastructure of charging stations. This led buyers to turn to proven options, gasoline and diesel cars. In January, 9.1 percent more gasoline cars were sold compared to the same period in 2023, while demand for diesels increased by 9.5 percent.

Chairman of the management board of Mercedes-Benz Ola Källenius said that PHEV cars will remain in use for years to come, regardless of the fact that plug-in hybrids were the first to be removed from the list of state subsidies.

Mercedes had high expectations when it comes to electric vehicles, but now plans and predictions are changing. Källenius believes that only 50% of cars sold by 2030 will be EVs.

Is this the only way for European manufacturers to counter the conquest of Chinese electric cars that are arriving in large numbers on the European market, or are manufacturers finally realizing that electrification is going too fast and that currently “green energy” is not green? The future will show.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Auctions

1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL is up for auction

At the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented a very safe and fast sports car with high performance, which despite its sports characteristics, provides a very high degree of traveling comfort, the Mercedes-Benz 230SL. It was produced until 1967, and over 40,000 cars left the production line. One of them, a 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL is up for auction.

The Mercedes-Benz 230SL is powered by a 2.3-liter M127 inline-six engine with a factory 148 hp (110 kW) and 145 lb-ft (196 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The car sits on 14″ steel wheels wrapped in 205/70 Michelin Defender tires.

This car is finished in green, and the chassis was based on the W 111 sedan platform. It is equipped with a black soft top, a removable hardtop, a retractable antenna, a driver-side mirror, US-specification headlights, turn signals mounted on the front fenders, a third brake light on the decklid, power steering, and brakes with power assisted front discs. and rear drums.

Inside, the bucket seats are upholstered in tan leather that also covers the door panels, dashboard and rear seat. In front of the driver are a two-spoke steering wheel and a five-digit odometer showing 11,236 miles (total mileage unknown). Additional equipment includes a Sony CD stereo wired to a Sirius satellite radio receiver along with an analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, three-point seatbelts, and a heater.

In 2019, the car was serviced which included the replacement of steering dampers, king pins, control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, and wheel bearings along with the front brake pads and rotors. In 2020, the shock absorbers were replaced, and a year later, the rear brake shoes, cylinders, and hoses were replaced.

The auction ends on February 29 and the highest bid at the time of writing was $46,000 USD.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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Auctions

2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is for sale

Between 2000 and 2001, Ferrari produced 448 examples of a limited roadster edition of the 550 Maranello model, the Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina. One of them number #92, 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is for sale.

Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is powered by a 5.5L Tipo F133C quad-cam V12 engine with 485 hp (357 kW) and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. It is mounted on multi-piece 18″ Speedline wheels wrapped in 255/40 front and 295/35 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

This 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is finished in Argento Nurburgring, well maintained and in excellent condition. It is equipped with xenon headlights, fog lights, a hood scoop, Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, quad-exit exhaust, and cross-drilled and ventilated rotors at all four corners. In the 2000s, the car was owned by singer Rod Stewart.

The cabin is equipped with adjustable carbon-fiber-backed seats trimmed in Nero leather, which also covers the console, lower dashboard, door panels, and roll hoops. In front of the driver is a leather-wrapped steering wheel and suede-trimmed instrument panel with a six-digit odometer showing 9,241 miles. Additional equipment includes a gated shifter, a CD stereo, automatic climate control. On the carbon-fiber center console is a badge with the number #92 and the signature of Sergio Pininfarina.

The car has a clean Carfax report that shows no accidents or other damage. It comes with the owner’s manual, service records, spare parts, a car cover, a clean New Jersey title, a pair of factory-supplied helmets, manufacturer’s literature, tools, and a cardboard cutout of Rod Stewart.

The auction ends on March 2 and the highest bid at the time of writing was $269,069 USD.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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