A few weeks ago, we told you about Mercedes' idiotic move to extend their exclusive contract with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Today, Mercedes is announcing that SIRIUS will now be offered as a standard feature on all 2007 model-year SL-Class and CL-Class vehicles, as well as all AMG and 600 model vehicles.

In addition, Mercedes has stated they plan to extend SIRIUS as standard equipment to more models in the future, as well as continue to offer the satellite radio service as optional equipment in all Mercedes models.  According to Paul Halata, president of Mercedes-Benz USA, "Mercedes-Benz is committed to providing its customers with the very best features in a luxury performance automobile, so it is only natural that we would want to continue to make SIRIUS available...

Keep Reading "Sirius To Come Standard On Select Mercedes Models"

Rumor has it Dieter Zetsche, head of the Mercedes Car Group, is considering selling the smart car division, despite his repeated denial of this claim.

Forbes is reporting today that Zetsche may be considering selling the troubled car unit either as a whole or in parts, but says he favors selling it as a complete entity.

So who's the most likely candidate to take over smart? I can't confirm this, but word on the street is that The Smurfs may have their eye on the mini-carmaker...

Keep Reading "Zetsche To Sell Smart?"

The Mercedes bionic vehicle based on a boxfish made headlines again this past weekend.

The bionic car completed the first official lap at a new track at the Mercedes-Benz World site in Brooklands.  The inaugural lap came some 98 years after Ethel Locke-King led a procession of cars around the opening launch party of the Mercedes-Benz World site on 17 June 1907. According to Peter O’Halloran, Mercedes-Benz World Director: "The Bionic Car perfectly embodies the enduring pioneering spirit of Mercedes-Benz, so it was the ideal vehicle to complete the first lap today... its revolutionary design and construction shows what the future of motoring could hold, which is why it was chosen for the inaugural lap of our new track..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes Bionic Car Makes Headlines Again"

In a press release published today, it's been reported that The Star, the Mercedes-Benz Club of America's bi-monthly magazine, has earned four International Automotive Media Association (IAMA) awards at the company's annual awards presentation.

The IAMA awards, which are considered by many to be the Academy Awards of the automotive industry, take time to honor writers, publishers and media relations professionals in the automotive industry. 

This year, The Star was able to capture two gold awards in the event, one in the "writing" category for Frank Barrett's 1939 G4 article, and another in the "design" category for Ken Grasman's G55 story.  The Star also took home two silver awards in the "photography" and "writing" categories, one for a 250 CE photograph by Ken Stidwell and another for the March 2005 total issue...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Club Of America Wins IAMA Awards"

While browsing Autoblog.it today, I stumbled upon a new S-Class story that gave me a good laugh.

As you probably know, the new S-Class features a host of safety features not found on any other vehicles, one of which is a new Brake Assist Plus feature.  If you're unfamiliar with Brake Assist Plus, it's a system that uses radar to detect traffic that may or may not be visible to the driver, and in the event that braking force is needed to prevent an accident, the Brake Assist system kicks in and supplies the necessary stopping power.

Mercedes recently decided to demonstrate this safety feature for Germany's Star TV, but unfortunately for the donor S-Class, all didn't go as planned...

Keep Reading "New Mercedes S-Class Fails Crash Test"

For the first time in a while, Mercedes hasn't put out any press releases this morning.  So, seing as how I had a little free time on my hands, I decided to browse Google Videos to pass the time a bit.

While there, I stumbled upon a few Mercedes videos from Top Gear, a great European car show that used to air on the Discovery Channel (I think it's now been cancelled).  There's a video of them testing the CLS, SLR, and there's also a video of them racing a powerboat against the SLR.  Be sure to check out the SLR review, in which the brakes actually catch on fire...

Keep Reading "Time Waster Of The Day: Top Gear Videos"

You know, the guys over at Motor Trend are pretty damn lucky.  It seems like every other day they test drive a Mercedes and some other car, write about it, and on top of it all, they get paid to do it.

Guess what?  They're at it again, this time comparing Mercedes' redesigned ML500 and the 2006 Range Rover Sport.  Although on paper the two cars are considered in the same class, I personally find the two very different. 

On one hand, you have the ML.  The Mercedes is more of what you'd expect from a typical Benz SUV - luxury, subdued looks, probably more of a family vehicle...

Keep Reading "Mercedes ML500 Vs. Range Rover Sport"

In DTM racing news, Mika Hakkinen will extend his contract with the AMG Mercedes team and race again in the 2006 season. 

This year marked the first year back for Hakkinen after retiring in 2001.  During his career, Mika 20 has won Grand Prix with Team McLaren Mercedes, achieved 26 Pole Positions, 25 fastest race laps and scored 420 World Championship points. In 1998 and 1999 he clinched the Drivers' titles and finished runner-up in 2000.

Keep Reading "Mika Häkkinen Extends Contract With AMG Mercedes DTM Team"

It's been a slow day for Mercedes news, so I decided to visit Jalopnik to check up on the rest of the automotive industry.  While browsing their site, I stumbled a story they ran about the Mercedes CL.

In an article published by Forbes today, the Mercedes CL was named one of their "turkeys," a word they use to refer to the cars that have noted the biggest declines in the first 10 months of 2005 compared to the same time last year.

If you follow the Mercedes sales figures, there's no doubt you've noticed the same decline in the CL that Forbes has noted.   It pains me to say this, but Forbes is right. the CL sales are low, low, low... this, of course, is largely due to the fact that a redesigned CL is on the horizon...

Keep Reading "Mercedes CL-Class Voted Forbes Turkey"

If you've been waiting to buy a Mercedes R-Class, but wanted to add that sporty AMG touch, you're in luck.  Mercedes has announced today that their mom (and dad) friendly R-Class is now available with their trademark AMG styling.

The AMG styling, which is based on the Vision R63 model that debuted in Frankfurt a few months back, is comprised of the typical Mercedes fare.  A new front and rear apron, as well as AMG side skirts give the R-Class a slightly sportier touch.  Add to that AMG 19" light alloy wheels, and all the other soccer moms are sure to take notice.

Keep Reading "Mercedes Debuts AMG Styling For R-Class"

Of all the 400+ horsepower vehicles in existence, none represent frivolity better than the two vehicles pictured above.

What purpose is there in creating a 469 horsepower Mercedes station wagon that can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.1 seconds?  Is that even legal?  Could a small child even survive the G-force excerted by the wicked V8 on his helpless little body?

Who am I kidding?   Screw rationalism, America is a frivolous society bathing in decadence, and these two vehicles are what make us great...

Keep Reading "Mercedes E55 AMG Wagon Vs. Dodge Magnum SRT8"

Earlier this year, Kleemann introduced an aerodynamic body kit for the AMG version of the Mercedes SLK.

Unfortunately, the SLK AMG's siblings were left out shivering in the cold, while big brother enjoyed the fame and aesthetically pleasing good looks that only the Danish tuner could provide.

Finally, after months of waiting, the baby SLK's have been recognized, and now they too will be able to share in the SLK AMG's good fortune.

Kleemann has announced today they have developed a new aerodynamic body kit for the SLK280 and SLK350. The kit consists of a new front spoiler that reduces negative lift on the front axle at high speeds while providing additional cooling for the front brakes...

Keep Reading "Kleemann Releases New Tuning Package For Your SLK"

DaimlerChrysler has announced today they will be selling their remaining equity interest in the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

DaimlerChrysler, who currently owns a 12.4% stake in the company, expects an increase of EUR 500 million (about $600 million) on their financial statement.  The proceeds of the sale and impact on financial income will be published after closing, which will take place "by the end of November at the latest..."

Keep Reading "DaimlerChrysler Agrees To Sell Mitsubishi Stock"

Despite earlier rumors that Mercedes may be replacing the legendary G-Wagon with the upcoming GL-Class, DaimlerChrysler has officially announced today that they will continue producing the G-Class in coming years.

The legendary G-Wagon has remained virtually unchanged in it's design since 1979, except for various safety and technology upgrades.  According to Dieter Zetsche, head of the Mercedes Car Group, "Mercedes-Benz wrote automotive history by always ensuring that the G-Class remained state of-the-art over the past 26 years, and it will continue to offer its customers the very latest technology in the future...”

Keep Reading "Mercedes To Continue Producing G-Class"

If the automotive tuning world was a boxing match, the undisputed heavyweight champion would have to be Brabus, hands down.  There is not another Mercedes-Benz tuner on the planet that can squeeze as much raw power into a luxury vehicle.

What, you don't believe me?  Take a gander at the photo above.  On the outside, the black 2007 S600 looks calm and subdued.  A few small hints of Brabus are noticeable - a sportier front and rear apron, new side skirts, and Brabus Monoblock light alloy wheels available in up to 21 inches (yes, 21 inches).  But judging the Brabus S-Class on its looks is like judging Mike Tyson in a beauty pageant. You ain't paying for them to look pretty, you're paying to watch their sheer power unleashed...

Keep Reading "Brabus Set To Unleash Tuning Package For The Mercedes S600"