While as of late, some of you may spend your time worrying about trivial things, such as the fact that the value of what you once considered to be a well diversified portfolio has since evaporated into seemingly thin air, the truth of the matter is that for some, the word recession simply isn't part of their vocabulary.  Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that the money that you thought you once had somehow managed to migrate into their pockets, but let's forget about that, shall we?  For this group of recession-proof individuals, it's time to shop, because let's be honest – what else is there to do after running your multi-billion dollar corporation into the ground and taking a lucrative compensation package?

To you, my greedy elitist friends, may I present the Maybach Zeppelin – a reincarnation of the classic Maybach Zeppelin that's set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.  It's features are abundant.  Built on either the Maybach 57 S or the long-wheelbase 62 S, the Maybach Zeppelin is the most powerful Maybach built.  In both lengths, the Zeppelin is powered by a 6.0 litre V12 biturbo engine, which now delivers 471 kW/640 hp (an additional 28 hp) and a peak torque of 1000 Newton metres...

Keep Reading "The New Maybach Zeppelin Set To Debut At The Geneva Motor Show This March"

Spy photos of forthcoming Mercedes models continue to pour in, as the industrious gentlemen of GlobalMotors.net have captured pictures of not one but two yet to be unveiled models:  a revised Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and a GLK featuring LED daytime running lights – one that in all probability is a hybrid variant of the new SUV.  

On the S63 AMG, changes are said to be largely cosmetic, with a revised rear bumper and taillights, new side mirrors, a slightly altered grille and LED daytime lamps some of the areas the new model will differ from the outgoing variant (for comparison, here's some photos of the current S63 AMG).  Engines in both the S63 AMG and S65 AMG are expected to remain unchanged, although fuel efficiency is said to be improving thanks to the use of lighter materials, direct-injection technology and engine stop-start system...

Keep Reading "Spy Photos Of Revised Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG And GLK Models Emerge"

Now that the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has made its world debut, it's time for some special variants of the model, starting with the special protection Guard model.  Although on the surface it looks virtually identical to a traditional E-Class sedan, the E-Class Guard boasts a wealth of "intelligently conceived protective features."  Highlights include a passenger cell constructed of high-strength steels and aramide components, all-around polycarbonate glazing, an optional emergency alarm system and optional underbody armour.  As a result, the Mercedes E-Class Guard meets the protection class of VR4 (formerly B4) – enough to withstand handgun bullets of up to .44 Magnum in caliber.  With the optional underbody armor, the entire underfloor area of the passenger cell is resistant to attack with a DM51 hand-grenade...

Keep Reading "World Premier Of The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Guard Special Protection Model"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had an absolutely fantastic weekend.  On Friday, AutoWeek, published a fresh batch of Mercedes-Benz Gullwing spy photos, but an increasingly hectic behind-the-scenes schedule here at eMercedesBenz prevented us from telling you about them.  Better late than never is my mantra, so if you missed them, here they are, in all their camouflaged glory.

Despite the masking, this is by far the best look yet at what will be the new Mercedes Gullwing.  Visible is a single louvre grille, reminiscent of the original 300SL Gullwing, as is a moveable spoiler in the rear.   The overall contours of the model are also much more visible, due to the removal of the false body panels seen in the past...

Keep Reading "New Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Sports Coupe Spied In A Slightly More Revealing Outfit"

Another milestone for the Mercedes bus and coach range: the first Mercedes-Benz Travego with the multiple-award-winning Active Brake Assist (ABA) safety assistant was recently handed over to travel operator "Glauch Reisen" at the Mannheim bus and coach plant. The vehicle in question was a Travego L of the latest generation. "We're very proud to see this Travego entering service so soon", said Henri Paccalin, Senior Manager Export Sales, Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit, as he presented the symbolic Travego key to Tobias Glauch, General Manager of Glauch Reisen GmbH & Co. KG. During the 2009 travel season, the new Travego will be the exclusive coach model used for the ADAC "Yellow Dream Tour" programme (yellow being the signature colour of the ADAC, the German automobile club)...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Travego With Active Brake Assist To Be Exclusive Coach Of The ADAC 'Yellow Dream Tour'"

Due to the ongoing downturn on almost all markets and the upcoming model changeover for the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold a total of 62,200 Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart and Maybach brand vehicles in January (January 2008: 90,400, minus 31 percent). A total of 53,900 customers opted to purchase a vehicle of the Mercedes-Benz brand in January (January 2008: 82,300, minus 35 percent).

The smart fortwo deliveries increased by four percent worldwide to 8,300 units (January 2008: 8,000). Following its market success in the U.S. in 2008, the innovative two-seater will be introduced to China, Brazil and Denmark this year. The smart fortwo is currently available in 37 markets on five continents...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 31.2 Percent In January 2009"

Yet another round of spy photos have emerged today showcasing the likely-to-arrive-in-2011 Mercedes-Benz  CLS-Class.  As has been the case with all prior 2011 CLS spy shots, the model is still heavily disguised, with little design traits revealed about the next four door coupe.  However, a few key areas to take note of include the somewhat visible front grille, similar to the one found on the current CLS, as well as the rear exhaust which features a rectangular design similar to that of the new E-Class...

Keep Reading "New Spy Photos Of The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class"

Mercedes-Benz USA has announced today that they'll be launching a new exclusive hotel and resorts program known as Destinations – one that will allow Mercedes-Benz owners staying at select properties exclusive benefits, including complimentary use of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, welcome gifts and room upgrades.  Destinations available in the program include Calistoga Ranch, CA; Encantado, NM; The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, SC; The Montage Beverly Hills, CA; Rancho Valencia, CA; Stowe Mountain Lodge, VT; The St. Regis Aspen, CO; and Winvian, CT; and Trump International Hotel & Tower, IL...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA Launches Destinations Exclusive Hotel And Resort Program"

Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig, by far the most successful ever DTM touring car racing drivers, have been appointed as brand ambassadors, instructors and test drivers for AMG and Mercedes-Benz. With these appointments, which take immediate effect, Mercedes-Benz and the high-performance brand AMG have succeeded in securing the extensive wealth of experience and expertise of two of motorsport’s greatest professionals.

Bernd Schneider, who competed in his last DTM race at the season's finale on 26 October 2008 at the Hockenheimring circuit, will now provide support to the AMGdevelopment team as a test driver and will also pass on his know-how as an expert instructor at the AMG Driving Academy. The record-breaking DTM champion will also be much in demand as a conversation partner at both customer and press events. His duties with AMG began officially on 1 January 2009...

Keep Reading "DTM Drivers Bernd Schneider And Klaus Ludwig Begin Roles As Brand Ambassadors For AMG And Mercedes-Benz"

The smart fortwo, pioneer of intelligent micro cars, masterfully plays the leading automotive role in the sequel to the successful cinema blockbuster "The Pink Panther". In Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’/Columbia Pictures’ "The Pink Panther 2" to be released February 6 in the US and 12 March in Germany, the two-seater demonstrates the advantages of its compact dimensions and its superior agility with a twinkle as the police car of the fearless, although somewhat clumsy Inspector Clouseau in a breakneck dash through the Paris city jungle...

Keep Reading "The Smart ForTwo Set To Star In The New Pink Panther 2 Movie In Paris"

Mercedes-AMG GmbH is celebrating the most successful year in its company history. AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, succeeded in increasing unit sales worldwide by 19 percent, selling 24,200 vehicles (previous year 20,300) and bucking the market trend in extremely difficult conditions. As in previous years, the USA was the strongest market for AMG with a share of 38 per cent of total sales. Germany came in second place (13 per cent), followed by Japan (8 per cent). The German market has developed very positively with a clear increase of 34 per cent compared with the previous year. The greatest growth markets of 2008 include amongst others China and Brazil with rates of increase of 260 per cent and 565 per cent respectively. With these figures AMG confirms its leading position amongst high-performance vehicle brands and at the same time further expands its market share in the high-performance segment...

Keep Reading " Mercedes-AMG GmbH Notes Their Best Year Ever With Record Sales In 2008"

Like the herd of possessed swine cast off the cliff by Jesus Himself, so too went the way of Mercedes-Benz USA's sales in January.  They went down.  Down, down, down.  Specifically, the U.S. division of the luxury brand managed to achieve what some would have before considered impossible – shipping exactly 42.9 percent fewer vehicles than they did only a year ago.  In total, MBUSA delivered 10,433, compared to 18,275 units in January 2008.

What makes the decline even more interesting is that this January marked the beginning of a U.S. advertising blitz for the new GLK-Class, with television spots and print ads for the new SUV popping up on a nearly daily basis.  Even with the new ad bombardment, a quick scan of the other top luxury automakers January figures reveals that MBUSA outdid them all, with Lexus being the only brand coming close to Mercedes-Benz USA's catastrophic decline (-37.7 percent).

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 42.9 Percent In January 2009"

If you're looking for a way to spice up your somewhat conservative Mercedes C-Class, German tuning firm Väth has unveiled a new series of enhancements for the model under the moniker V18K.  I know, the prospect of altering your traditional C-Class may sound somewhat daunting for those of you already fond of your standard C, but not to worry, as the V18K is by all accounts a relatively minor tuning program when compared to the vast number of other Mercedes tuning programs available...

Keep Reading "First Look At The Väth V18K Mercedes-Benz C-Class With Sport Package"

As you may remember, back in October we brought you word of Carlsson's foray into the field of Mercedes C63 AMG tuning, with a model they called the CK63 S.  Its figures were impressive – 565 hp/415 kW and 685 Nm of torque, 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph.  But with any tuning program of this nature, one must beg the question:  "Is it really necessary to add extra power to the already supremely capable Mercedes C63 AMG?"

To find out, Autoblog.nl spent some time with Carlson CK63 S, analyzing both its performance and all around value relative to a standard C63 AMG.  Thankfully, they documented superbly the process, offering both a written review and HD video covering their time with the model...

Keep Reading "Autoblog.nl Tests The Carlsson CK63 S Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. If you're in the mood for a little boasting on the part of Daimler, then you're in luck my friends, as the company today has announced that their Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles are Germany's most popular commercial vehicle brand.  The news comes after an Emnid study commissioned by the weekly specialist magazine Verkehrs-Rundschau, during which Mercedes-Benz took top place in three of the seven categories:  "Trucks," "Vans," and "Hire/Leasing..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Named Germany's Most Popular Commercial Vehicle Brand By German Magazine Verkehrs-Rundschau"