It's been a long road - one paved with rumors, spy photos, a leaked brochure and a magazine article published a day early; but today, finally, Mercedes has officially unveiled to the world the 2008 C-Class.

In the interest of time, I'm going to limit my narrative of the 2008 C-Class in an effort to get the new model lineup's info out as quickly as possible; so I apologize in advance for the lack of my usual literary wit you'll be experiencing for the next several press releases.  Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the info; stay tuned and I'll publish the complete details of the 2008 C-Class as they're released, starting with the following photo collection and overview of the new model lineup...

Keep Reading "It's Official Ladies And Gentlemen:  Mercedes Finally Unveils The 2008 C-Class"

If the previous leaked brochure wasn't enough to hold you over until the 2008 Mercedes C-Class makes its official debut (which is set to occur in the next couple hours), maybe these W204 shots published by Autoblog.it will do the trick.

As you can see, the next C-Class is prominently displayed in numerous poses, removing virtually any remaining questions as to what we can all expect from the upcoming model...

Keep Reading "The Worst Kept Secret In Automotive Premier History:  More Photos Of The 2008 Mercedes C-Class Emerge"

In awards news, the German automobile club ADAC recently bestowed the Mercedes-Benz brand with two of its illustrious "Yellow Angel 2007" awards, further highlighting MB's unmistakable dominance in the premium car segment by naming the company Germany's best-performing automobile brand as well as the most innovative in the field of mobility.  This marks the eighth time Mercedes has managed to capture the coveted spot of being named Germany's top automobile brand, a tremendous honor when factoring in the admirable level of competition they face on a daily basis.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the Yellow Angel presentation, each year a series of awards (named after ADAC's friendly roadside break-down crew) are given for outstanding performance in the automotive industry...

Keep Reading "ADAC Bestows Mercedes-Benz With Two "Yellow Angel 2007" Awards"

After heading out of the office a bit early this afternoon to take care of a few errands, I returned to find a email from an astute reader by the name of Rob and an official DaimlerChrysler press release, both of which have confirmed the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be launching live on the internet tomorrow January 18th.

The premier will take place at the Mercedes-Benz World (surprise, surprise), and will be broadcast live from 7:00 to 7:40pm (CET) at the Mercedes-Benz World main site...

Keep Reading "Less Than A Day Away:  2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class To Launch Live On The Internet Thursday, January 18th"

While visiting the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart recently, our friend Grady captured photos of construction that is currently underway next to the C-Class section of the facility - construction of what is likely the stage for the premier of the 2008 Mercedes C-Class this Friday.

And while nothing would have made us happier than to see a line of W204's performing a few test runs on the trademark Mercedes silver catwalk, the photos are still a superb reminder that the official launch of next C-Class is imminent...

Keep Reading "It's Getting Closer:  Stage Being Set For The 2008 Mercedes C-Class' Official Unveiling"

Auto Express today has taken a moment to publish their first look at Mercedes' 510 horsepower part-minivan, part-SUV R63 AMG; and not surprisingly, the reviewers found that it accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do:  it gives beautiful, silicone-breasted soccer moms around the world a ride second only to the one given to them by their well-endowed pool boys.

It's powerful; it's expensive; it's self-assured; it's subdued; yet most of all, it can take control when it needs to - it's the embodiment of what women crave, all wrapped into a shiny, candy-coated, six-passenger-carrying shell...

Keep Reading "First Drive:  Auto Express Rates The Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG"

What happens when you take the roughly $450,000 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, place it head-to-head against the roughly $480,000 Porsche Carrera GT, and record the entire encounter for legions of German car aficionados around the globe?

You get eight minutes of pure, unadulterated auto erotica.

Hit play, sit back and enjoy.

Keep Reading "Mercedes SLR McLaren Vs. Porsche Carrera GT = German Car Aficionado's Wet Dream"

In Valencia, Spain yesterday, the newly-sponsored Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team officially launched the new season, with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton along with test drivers Gary Paffett and Pedro de la Rosa unveiling the team's new MP4-22 to a crowd of more than 150,000.

Excitement was running rampant at the event, with current reigning F1 world champion Fernando Alonso having this to say about racing for the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team: "This is a fantastic day for me - I am really proud to be introducing myself as a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver in my home country, and of course to help present my new team to the Spanish fans.  Although this is my first public event with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I have already spent a lot of time with the team and my fellow drivers Lewis, Pedro and Gary, at the McLaren Technology Centre. It is a great team and I am excited about this new beginning. My fans are such an inspiration and it is great to bring the team so close to them. I hope they enjoy watching Lewis and myself drive the cars in their new livery around the streets of Valencia..."

Keep Reading "Get Ready For A New Season:  Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Team Launches In Valencia, Spain"

While going through our inbox this afternoon we received two simultaneous emails, both of of which alerted us to the fact that the world's first photos of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have emerged, showcased via the next C's official brochure.

Initially posted by Vivaki at the German Car Zone, the brochure depicts the 2008 C-Class from several angles as well as a final view of what the C's new interior will look like...

Keep Reading "Unveiled And Oh-So-Pretty:  First Look At The 2008 Mercedes C-Class Brochure"

If you as a Mercedes-Benz aficionado have been searching for the utmost in exclusivity, this 1948 Mercedes W142 A 320 Cabriolet - believed to be the only one is existence, will undoubtedly make a welcome addition to your collection no matter how diverse it may already be.

Originally built around 1948 as a design study for a future luxury cabriolet model, the W142 A 320 Cabriolet employed a 58kW side-valve engine and a number of other mechanical components utilized by previous 142-inch wheelbase luxury models.  However, due to the development of a single overhead camshaft and numerous other technical innovations which were implemented on the 1950 A300 saloon, the W142 cabriolet design study was soon rendered redundant, sold to a Dutch businessman and shipped to Indonesia where it remained for the next 40 years...

Keep Reading "Exceptionally Rare 1948 Mercedes W142 A 320 Cabriolet To Be Auctioned At Melbourne International Motor Show"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic January weekend.  To kick things off on this bright Monday morning, our good friend Vlad sent us the photo pictured above - a photo taken at the Autosport International racing car show - that describes a Mercedes ML63 AMG which attempted to break the indoor speed record last month in Birmingham, England.

You may be wondering what exactly I'm talking about, so let me clarify a bit. On December 12th, Autocar magazine, in association with Autosport International, set out to break the current indoor speed record, a mark that at the time was an 81 mph run set by a Toyota F1 car.  To do so, Autocar compiled an impressive grouping of vehicles, some of which included a Caterham CSR, Autograss Special, supercharged Ariel Atom, Ford GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Mercedes ML63 AMG.  Although it didn't manage to set the record, the ML did perform admirably, beating out several of its rivals by delivering a 73 mph run.  The photo, shown above, describes the aforementioned record-breaking attempt...

Keep Reading "Autocar's Indoor Speed Record Attempting Mercedes ML63 AMG On Display At Autosport International"

Owners of either the Mercedes GL 420 CDI or ML 420 CDI looking to add a substantial boost in power to their SUV without sacrificing their diesel powerplant's trademark fuel efficiency and strong pulling power will be pleased to hear that Brabus recently debuted a new tuning package for the two aforementioned models, titled the PowerXtra D8 (III) tuning kit.

Boasting an increase in power of 44 hp / 32.4 kW and 100 Nm torque, the PowerXtra D8 kit boosts the two 420 CDI models from 306 hp / 225 kW to 350 hp / 257 kW at just
3,800 rpm, while peak torque grows from 700 Nm to 800 Nm. As a result, the ML 420 CDI's 0-62 mph time is reduced from 6.5 to 6.0 seconds, while the GL 420 CDI 0-62 mph drops from 7.6 to 7.1 seconds. On both models, top speed also increases 6.2 mph...

Keep Reading "More Diesel Power:  Brabus Debuts PowerXtra D8 Tuning Kit For Mercedes GL 420 CDI and ML 420 CDI Models"

Despite being unveiled only a few months ago at the 2006 Düsseldorf Caravan Show, the new Mercedes-Benz James Cook Westfalia Sprinter has already won an impressive award - being voted "Camper Van of the Year" by readers of promobil, Europe's leading camper van magazine.

In total, approximately 20,000 readers took part in the poll; and after tallying the votes, 46.9 percent chose the new James Cook. This marks the 17th category win to date for a James Cook model, meaning it has come first in its category every time it has taken part in the poll...

Keep Reading "An Instant Success:  Mercedes-Benz James Cook Westfalia Sprinter Voted "Camper Van Of The Year" By Readers Of Promobil"

To those of you eagerly anticipating the arrival of the next smart fortwo, your wait - at least to order the new model - is just about over.  DaimlerChrysler has announced today that ordering of the smart fortwo will commence this Monday, January 15th, with prices no higher than the previous model (the one pricing example given was the new smart fortwo coupe with 45kW / 61bhp, with pricing for the pure equipment line noted at EUR 9,490).  As for when you'll actually get your hands on the new smart, that day will be in April when the smart officially makes its market launch...

Keep Reading "Let The Ordering Commence:  New Smart ForTwo Pricing And Purchase Information Announced"

Although of little consequence to those of us that weren't able to partake in Mercedes' E-Class Experience - the record setting journey from Paris to Beijing - the company has announced today that numerous individuals that were able to take part in the event have chosen to purchase the E-Class model they operated during the record setting drive.

Among the individuals who purchase their vehicles: a gentleman by the name of Gerhard Schnürer from California, who purchased one of the three BLUETEC models that completed the epic route.  According to Gerhard:  "I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to own one of the marathon vehicles and to be able to say that I was part of this and helped to make history"...

Keep Reading "Homeward Bound:  Several Mercedes E-Class Experience Vehicles Take Up Permanent Residence With Their Former Drivers"