You are currently viewing eMercedesBenz' past articles published in August, 2005.  Our latest stories can be found here.

Next time you're in McDonald's eyeing up the Big Mac Super Value Meal with super-sized everything, remember this story.  In Germany, a legal battle took place between Mercedes and the leasee of a S-320 CDI.  A dispute arose when Frank S., an insurance salesman, took possession of his new vehicle.  According to Frank, who weighs a mere 352 pounds, "I could hardly fit behind the steering wheel...Then I had to take the car back to the shop for repairs 13 times for 21 different malfunctions in the first 20,000 km."  When Frank finally got fed up and wanted to return the vehicle, Mercedes refused to release him from the lease contract, stating his weight was insufficient grounds to break the deal.  The courts ruled in favor of good old Frank, presumably on the grounds the car should have been able to handle his weight.

Here's the spot I'd normally insert some type of stupid joke, but I sympathize with Frank. It's not his fault he weighs as much as a baby elephant.

Sorry, old habits die hard.  Please send disgruntled emails to me here. ;)

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Although the International Auto Show doesn't start until next month, a team of 650 employees have been working on creating the show's largest exhibit.  According to the press release, "Approximately 700 tons of steel and 150,000 meters of cable will be used to bring the show's largest stand to life."  At its opening on September 12, the stand will have taken 56 days to complete, and is expected to receive an estimated 150,000 visitors per day.

Unfortunately we're not going to make it to the IAA this year, but we'll make sure to bring you plenty photos from the show.  If you're going to be there, takes some pictures and send them to us - we'll make sure to give you the credit.  For more info about Mercedes' exhibit, click below.

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If you're an Iranian government official and can't wait to get your hands on a shiny new E-Class built in your home country, you'll have to wait a little longer.  Production of the vehicles, which was supposed to begin in September, has now been delayed until winter due to contract related problems.

Mercedes, in cooperation with Iran Khodro Diesel, has invested $5 million euros to establish Mercedes-Benz Iran.  In recent months, 50 Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been imported to Iran, and due to rising oil prices, another 2,500 vehicles are predicted to arrive by March of 2006.  That number could even go up thanks to Hurricane Katrina.

Now, before I get thousands of emails saying this is completely unfounded, I ask you this - who in Iran really is buying these vehicles?  To find out what I think, keep reading.

[Update:  In this story, we state that the per capita income of Iran is $2,000.  The actual per capita income is $8,000.  Thanks Ali.]

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Last week at the RM Monterrey Sports and Classic Car Auction, Maybach auctioned off its first 57 S.  John O'Sullivan, a Texan lawyer and car collector, had the highest bid at $500,000.  During the auction, Jay Leno renounced his auctioneer's fee and personally accepted the $500,000 bid.  Maybach and Jay Leno donated the auction proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club of America.

There's nothing better than helping the kids.  For the press release, click below.

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Mercedes has officially announced the cars it will be featuring at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt next month.  New offerings include a European version of the R-Class, the ML 63 AMG, and of course, the 2007 S-Class.  In case you've missed it, the new S-Class has been completely redesigned from the ground up.  Mercedes has introduced a host of safety features, including Brake-Assist plus, which monitor's the driver's braking and applies added brake pressure if necessary, and Night Vision, which uses infrared lighting and a camera to view the road and sends the video to a screen behind the steering wheel.  In addition to a host of safety features, three of the four engines in the new S-Class are new as well, including a 517 horsepower V12, which propels the new S600 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.  Nice.  For the full press release, click below.

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After posting yesterday that I expect a hybrid SUV that gets 35+ mpg (see diesel Mercedes SUV story below), Daimler Chrysler has since heeded my advice.  Today, under pressure from me, Daimler Chrysler announced they will be partnering with GM to develop a new line of hybrid engines.  The engines will debut in 2007 in the Tahoe and Yukon models for GM, and the Dodge Durango model for Daimler Chrysler.  Remember Daimler Chrysler and GM, I want 35+ mpg.  I'll be watching.

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The Maybach is king of the world, or at least king of Germany's luxury brands.  In a recent ranking commissioned by Wirtschaftswoche, a German business weekly, Maybach scored 247 points out of a possible 300, placing it well ahead of other luxury brands from the automotive, furniture and kitchens, watches, fashion, leather goods, and chinaware industries.  Researchers studied, among other things, the brand appeal of Maybach versus other luxury brands.

I think it's a little strange to compare a car brand to a furniture or fashion brand.  If given the choice who wouldn't prefer a Maybach over a new couch?  For the full press release, click below.

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Soccer moms, mark your calendars.  Starting this week, the new R-Class is going on a 60-date concert tour with, drum-roll please, the Rolling Stones.  Mercedes has also commissioned a special "signature" edition of the four-wheel drive minivan, which will be signed by each member of the band.

According to Carol Groll, Mercedes' general manager of brand experience marketing, "This initiative partners the energy and creativity of the world's most legendary band with the automotive industry's most legendary brand."  That's funny, I remember hearing about another band from England, what was their name again?  Oh yeah, The Beatles.  Check out the full story below.

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Another Mercedes has made the news for its gas mileage. This time it's the Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI. The vehicle set a new record during a fuel consumption test drive to Tallahassee, Florida, which was conducted by the United States Auto Club (USAC).  In the test, three identical CDI models traveled 1,039 miles without having to refuel.  This translates into 4.75 liters per 100 kilometers (or 1.25 gallons per 62 miles for us American folks).

I'm not gong to bore you with another epilogue about my views on gas mileage.  If you want those, check out my story on the Diesel Mercedes SUV below.  To read more about the test, click the link below.

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In a cross-country test conducted by Auto Bild, a German car magazine, the Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI diesel consumed 10% less fuel than the Lexus RX 400h hybrid.  The test, which was comprised of both city and highway driving (with an emphasis on highway), tested the vehicles fuel consumption on a 3,232 mile trip from New York to San Francisco.  According to the test, the diesel Mercedes consumed 25.6 mpg, while the Lexus consumed 23 mpg.

I'm sure many of you are thinking "Of course the Mercedes can beat the Lexus on the highway, but in the city, the Lexus would easily outperform the Mercedes."  Hybrid fans and diesel fans could debate on this topic forever.  However, looking at it from an outside point of view, I don't think either Mercedes or Lexus should be happy with these results.  It's 2005, and gas is over $2.50 a gallon - I think it's time for an SUV that gets 35+ mpg.  And when did city driving and highway driving become mutually exclusive?  I drive in both the city and highway every day, and I want an SUV that performs well in both areas, not just one or the other.  Mercedes and Lexus, take note:  25 mpg is not enough.  We, the consumers, deserve more.

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If you want to be one of the first 20 people to own the new 2007 Mercedes-Benz S600, you'll have to buy one from the Saks Fifth Avenue catalogue.  According to the press release, Mercedes will be offering a special Signature Edition model that will only be available through Saks' "The Gift" holiday catalogue.  Priced at $145,775, including delivery, it's a small price to pay to be first.

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If you've got some extra cash to burn, you're in luck.  The new Maybach 57 Special is set to go on sale at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt next month.  So what makes this Maybach special?  AMG has tuned the 6-Liter V12 engine to produce a mere 612 horsepower.  They've also added firmer suspension, a new monochromatic paint scheme, and a modified front section that includes an enhanced grill and lights.  It all sounds wonderful.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sell my house so I can afford one.  Click below for photos and the press release.

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I normally don't get to bring you entertainment news, but today is a rare exception.  Let me preface by saying I'm a huge Scarlett Johansson fan.  Maybe it's her amazing green eyes, or her soft, delicate skin... I'm kidding, I'm kidding.  I am, however, a huge fan of the movie Lost in Translation, starring her and Bill Murray, so if you haven't seen it, go rent it.  Now, on with the story.  Today, Scarlett Johansson left her Hollywood home via her Mercedes when she noticed four paparazzi were following her.  In an effort to evade them, Johansson paid $10 to escape into a parking lot at Disneyland.  After seeing the paparazzi were still following her, my future wife, I mean Scarlett, accidentally hit another car carrying a woman and her two young children.  The paparazzi, being the classy gentlemen they are, jumped out of their vehicles, and of course, started taking pictures of the accident.

I'm not a genius, but I think it's time somebody does something about the paparazzi.  If I was a celebrity, I'd just pay a few ex-Navy Seals to kick some paparazzi ass.  But that's just me.

P.S. I'm happily engaged to a wonderful woman, so honey, I'm sorry about any comments you may have found offensive in this story.  And Scarlett, if you're reading this, I love you.  

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According to a new study released by Mercedes-Benz, when driving long distances, drivers experience less stress in the new S-Class than in other vehicles.  Mercedes attributes the findings to the technical innovations found in the new model.  Including a smoother running engine, intelligent vehicle control and operating system, spacious interior, and twelve-way adjustable seats.

I'm pretty excited about all the new features of the S-Class, but I think one of the best has to be the new infrared lighting system.  If you haven't heard about it yet, basically the new S-Class uses infrared lighting to illuminate the road, and then a camera sends the infrared view back to screen located behind the steering wheel, showing drivers potential hazards well before  normal headlights would (see below for photos).  And the best part is the infrared doesn't affect oncoming traffic, so you always have a better view of the road.  I don't know about you, but this will definitely help reduce my stress when driving at night.  Now if only I could do something about Chicago's rush hour traffic...

For the full press release and photos, click below.

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In management news, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, currently head of the Chrysler Group, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Management at DaimlerChrysler AG, beginning January 1, 2006.  He will also become the head of the Mercedes Car Group as of September 1, 2005.  Dr. Eckhard Cordes, the current head of the Mercedes Group, will be stepping down August 31, 2005, probably because he wanted Zetsche's job (pure speculation on our part).  In Chrysler news, Thomas W. LaSorda has been named the new head of the Chrysler Group. We wondered where Tommy went after leaving the Dodgers - oh wait, wrong Lasorda.  For the full fun-filled press release, including each executive's age, which I'm sure your just dying to know, click below.

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