For those of you craving the latest in Mercedes reviews, we've got a fresh batch, with a total of three publications weighing in on the brand spanking new GLK350 4MATIC and ML320 BlueTEC.  As with each and every one of our Mercedes Review Roundup installments, you can find an excerpt from the first review below as well as the full collection of articles immediately after the jump.


Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC (via Automobile)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"We've just finished two weeks with Mercedes-Benz's brand-new GLK350, which goes on sale January 5, 2009, as a 2010 model. Prices have already been announced, and they are quite competitive: $34,775 for a rear-wheel-drive model and $36,775 for the GLK350 4Matic with all-wheel drive. This compares with $40,225 for a BMW X3 xDrive30i, the GLK's most obvious competitor. Mercedes-Benz will also be going up against the all-new Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60, both of which go on sale in March and both of which, arguably, are better-looking vehicles. However, we expect the Q5 to cost a bit more than the GLK, but Audi of America has some time to try to wring a better deal out of its German parent..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup: The Mercedes GLK350 4MATIC And ML320 BlueTEC"

Mercedes has announced today that starting in the summer of 2009, S-Class models will feature a new technology they're calling SPLITVIEW.  Developed in collaboration with Bosch, SPLITVIEW will allow both the driver and passenger to view two separate programs via the same COMAND display.  For example, let's say the vehicle's operator is in the process of viewing navigation directions, the front passenger can simultaneously watch a film on the exact same 8-inch display.

You may be wondering what magic lies behind the SPLITVIEW system, and the answer lies in pixel placement.  The COMAND screen shows two different images simultaneously by placing pixels adjacent to one another, after which a filter masking the display divides this mixed image so that depending on seating position, either one image or the other can be seen. As with current S-Class models, the driver has access to the full suite of COMAND functions, while the passenger uses a separate remote control to choose either a DVD, TV channel or music video to watch (all of which can be used in conjunction with headphones, should the passenger desire)...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Introduces New SPLITVIEW COMAND Display For The S-Class"

They're being called "leaked photos," but judging by the number of publications that ran this story nearly instantaneously, I'd surmise they're more of a viral marketing attempt by the ingenious marketing minds at Daimler.  Whatever they are, the first photos of the forthcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are here, and the new model looks pretty much exactly as we expected it to.

Concept FASCINATION headlights up front; a relatively bland, and I hate to say it, somewhat Japanese-inspired rear end.  Will it get better with time?  Of course.  But as for initial impressions, i'd expect the 2010 Mercedes E-Class' rear styling will be anything but adored...

Keep Reading "First Official Photos Of The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Make Their Way Onto The Web"

Looking for the perfect way to say "Merry Christmas" and/or "Happy Holidays" to that special someone in your life but don't feel like ponying up $5 for a Hallmark card?  Take a look at Mercedes AMG's free card creator, an ideal way to let your friends and family know you're thinking about them this holiday season while at the same time letting each of them know your affinity for fine German engineering.

This year, Mercedes AMG card creator lets you create a unique snowflake from various AMG components, then let's you add a personalized message that eventually finds it way onto a SL65 AMG Black Series hood (see photo above).  While it likely won't be enough to appease immediately family and relieve you entirely of your Christmas card obligations, for those individuals who you must, by obligation, send a card to (bosses, third cousins, etc.), it's a viable alternative to the more common overpriced paper products...

Keep Reading "Mercedes AMG Unveils 2008 Christmas Card Creator"

We're not in Hustler territory yet, but we're easily in Maxim land, as the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has revealed itself in all but the tiniest of body cladding.  Why we need to wait until next year for the model's official unveiling is a mystery, as renderings, spy photos and the Concept FASCINATION study have revealed both its outward and inner appearance in remarkably clear detail, but alas, we do, and as such, you still have a fair amount of time to wait until the E-Class makes its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show...

Keep Reading "2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Spied Nearly Naked"

In their latest assessments, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class one of their Top Safety Picks for 2009.  The news comes after the IIHS examined the C-Class in three categories – frontal offset, side impact and rear crash protection/head restraint – after which the sedan achieved top marks  of "Good" in each.

In addition to the IIHS award, the Mercedes C-Class was also awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP (the European New Car Assessment Programme), making it one of the safest cars on the market...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz C-Class Named Top Safety Pick By The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety"

The 4MATIC drive system in the GLK is among the most powerful all-wheel-drive systems there is; its control systems break new ground. Advantages over other systems with a transversely installed drive unit are achieved thanks to the basic compact, light and friction-loss-optimised design with its longitudinally positioned engine and integrated main and transfer case. Fuel consumption, for example, is at the same level as that of a comparable, conventionally driven vehicle, whilst noise and vibration levels are on a par with those in higher vehicle categories...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz GLK Special Feature:  4MATIC Technology In Detail"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had an absolutely fantastic weekend.  Just in time for winter, Mercedes-Benz today has published a series of press releases highlighting the prowess of their new GLK in snowy conditions – conditions that are all already being felt across certain parts of the United States.  If you're not in the market for a new GLK, not to worry, as the information details largely Mercedes' 4MATIC system – the same system used on 51 individual Mercedes models...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz GLK Special Feature:  Winter Driving Fun In Mercedes' Newest SUV"

Last month's sales figures are in, and as expected, things didn't look for Daimler's Mercedes-Benz Cars division this November.  In total, worldwide sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands dropped 25.2 percent to 84,500 new units, bringing the division's year-to-date total to 1,158,200 new units (down 1.0 percent from the prior year). 

Leading the downward march, Mercedes-Benz noted a 27.6 decrease in sales with 74,400 units sold.  This figure brings the luxury car maker's eleven month year-to-date total to 1,034,700 new units, down 4.1 percent when compared to 2007...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 25.2 Percent In November 2008 To 84,500 New Units"

It appears no one is safe from what's now officially being called a recession, as even Kim Kardashian & Co. have resorted to pawning off their pre-owned goods off via the trusty eBay auction block.  In addition to a host of garments and fashion accessories that in their prior life managed to adorn one of the finest asses in existence, another item especially noteworthy is the ASMA Design Mercedes CLS Shark II owned by Kim's boyfriend and New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush – the very same model that achieved worldwide notoriety when it made its debut in April of 2006...

Keep Reading "The Reggie Bush Mercedes-Benz CLS ASMA Design Shark II Up For Grabs On eBay"

Now that we've managed to get caught up on the press releases we missed over the last couple weeks, it's time to turn our attention to third party Mercedes news.  First up, Carlsson has introduced a new tuning package for the Mercedes S-Class, and they're calling it the Noble RS-design kit.  Highlights of the package include a new front apron with corresponding front spoiler lips, side skirts, a new rear apron with matching diffuser and a rear spoiler, most of which can be had in your choice of either real carbon or polyurethane.

Accenting the aerodynamic enhancements, a four-pipe exhaust system, a Carlsson front emblem and four additional fog lights are present, as are Carlsson's light alloy 21-inch rims...

Keep Reading "Carlsson Unveils The Noble RS-Design Kit For The Mercedes-Benz S-Class"

The all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is making its on-road debut in the U.S. this week as U.S. journalists test-drive the new car on the wide, scenic roads of Santa Barbara. Set to arrive at U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships in January, the new GLK350, with standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, will be priced at $35,900, plus an $875 destination fee. Arriving in dealerships in April, the GLK350 with rear-wheel-drive will be priced at $33,900 with a plus the $875 delivery fee. The GLK350 is impressively powered by 268-horsepower, a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 258 lb-ft of torque. As the newest member of the renowned Mercedes-Benz SUV family, the GLK350 offers the perfect balance of style, versatility, and performance...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Pricing Set To Start At $33,900 In The U.S."

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported a 38.2 percent decrease in November sales with 14,102 vehicles sold, bringing the company’s year-to-date volume to 206,396 new units – an 8.6 percent decrease over the year-to-date record set last year. Sales highlights for Mercedes-Benz USA include a 16.9 percent increase in C-Class sales and a 5.5 percent increase M-Class SUV sales for the year-to-date.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 5,312 vehicles in November, an increase of 46.7 percent over November 2007, bringing its certified pre-owned sales to 58,065 units year-to-date – a 24 percent jump over the same period last year (46,844 units)...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA Notes 38 Percent Sales Decrease In November 2008"

AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, is establishing 175 new AMG Performance Centers worldwide by the end of next year thus offering a more personalized service to customers. A commitment to first-class service quality at every stage in the customer relationship is one of the key elements of the AMG brand promise of “Performance”. This focus on developing an even closer relationship with customers extends to a total of 15 countries. A very special brand experience is also delivered by the AMG Performance Roadshow.

The redesigned sales showrooms of the AMG Performance Centers are characterized by a consistently applied and unique AMG brand identity. Highquality materials, exclusive furnishings and a palette of colours that is representative of AMG create an exclusive atmosphere for sales discussions...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Announces Plan For 175 New AMG Performance Centers Worldwide"