As you may have noticed, problems with our internet connection have prevented us from posting any stories this delightful November morning.  It appears, however, that we're back online, so I will now attempt to quickly cover anything I've missed today.

First up are spy photos published by Winding Road which depict the undisguised back end of the upcoming 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.  Revealed for the first time are the new model's tail lights, bumper, trunk and both doors; and I have to say, I think it looks pretty damn good...

Keep Reading "Put Some Clothes On: Photos Of The 2008 Mercedes C-Class' Naked Back End"

Before I begin this story I must first take a moment to thank the two gentlemen responsible for sending us MB reviews on a seemingly daily basis: Jinx and Shiv.  It's because of these astute chaps that we bring you the majority of the Mercedes model reviews that we do, so to both of you, thank you, we truly appreciate it.

So why, you ask, have I chosen to deliver this brief note of thanks now?  Because over the past few days, these two gentlemen have taken the time to direct us to a number of Mercedes reviews, including the Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon, ML63 AMG and GL500 - none of which I was able to run due to limited time constraints.  Now that a free moment has befallen me, however, I've taken the liberty of compiling these aforementioned reviews into a singular easy-to-read article which contains each and every MB test I missed.

To see how your favorite Mercedes fared, hit the jump for the list of reviews, categorized by model for your viewing pleasure...

Keep Reading "Review Roundup:  Numerous Mercedes Models Put To The Test"

While going through our inbox this early afternoon we received an email from an astute reader by the name of Michael, directing us to a story he found on GermanCarScene which showcases the incredibly-sexy CLS55 AMG pictured before you.

Created by AI Design for DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block, the custom-tuned CLS features a matte-black paint finish; a Brabus K8 tuning package outputting an impressive 575 horsepower; a full Brabus aerodynamics body package; a Brabus electronic suspension lowering module; Radenergie 20" wheels; and Brembo 8-piston racing brake calipers mated to 15-inch discs up front and 4-piston calipers mated to 13.6-inch discs in the rear...

Keep Reading "Pure Evil:  AI Design's Mercedes CLS55 AMG"

This month's second round of financials have come rolling in, and unfortunately, worldwide sales of the Mercedes Car Group have declined for the second straight month.  In total, global sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands amounted to 102,500 new units for October, a decrease of 3.5%. 

But despite the decline, sales of the Mercedes-Benz brand have remained strong, with the luxury division noting sales of 94,200 passenger cars in October - matching the high levels achieved in October 2005. The most significant factor helping sales was strong market performance across the globe, including a 13% increase in October sales here in the U.S. and a 17% ytd increase in the Asia/Pacific region...

Keep Reading "This Just In:  Mercedes Car Group's Worldwide Sales Drop 3.5% In October"

While browsing our good friend Vincent's website Autoblog.nl this morning we stumbled upon photos that appear to display the new 2007 smart fortwo without any body-cladding, masking, or other forms of stealthery.

Although I can't vouch for their validity, the vehicle pictured is indeed strikingly similar to smart sand sculpture; everything from its modified tridion safety cell to its simplified rear tail lights. Of course, the possibility that the photos have been touched up or modified in some way still remains, so if the production version looks slightly different than the vehicle pictured before you, consider yourself warned...

Keep Reading "First Photos Of The New Smart ForTwo?"

It's been talked about for some time now, but here are the latest spy shots of the X3-slaying Mercedes GLK-Class.  Built on the upcoming C-Class platform, the GLK features styling reminiscent of its big GL brother, and will likely be powered by a 3.5-Liter V6 paired with Mercedes' new seven-speed automatic transmission.  4MATIC is also expected to come standard on the new model.

As for when the GLK will actually hit dealerships? Production is rumored to be starting in early 2008, with the model likely debuting later that year as a 2009 model...

Keep Reading "Edmunds Grabs Spy Shots Of The Mercedes GLK"

Welcome, welcome, welcome ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a spectacular weekend.  To kick things off this lovely November morning, Maybach has introduced a "special" version of its consummate 62 model, a vehicle that up until now was already the flagship of the Maybach model range.

So how did Maybach manage to take such an impressive automobile and improve upon it?  Click through to find out...

Keep Reading "Start Saving Now:  Maybach Introduces 62 S Model, The World's Most Powerful Chauffer-Driven Saloon"

As you may remember, back in June we brought word that Mercedes may be working on a potential convertible version of its illustrious S-Class; a story that at the time lacked any factual basis and was quite simply nothing more than conjecture.

That's why when the story crept up again, this time on Car and Driver, we gave little weight to the subject and quickly dismissed it, waiting for a bit more substantial proof, i.e., spy shots, leaked corporate memo, so on and so forth.

But as days passed, reader tips directing us to the story kept trickling in, eventually motivating me to run the story once again for any of you that missed our earlier post on the subject...

Keep Reading "S-Class Gone Wild:  Mercedes In Uncensored Topless Action"

In a follow-up to their original CL "First Drive" article - one that looked at the V8-propelled CL550 - Inside Line today has published a second CL "First Drive", this time analyzing the even more covetable V12-powered CL600.

As with their initial CL first drive impressions, reviewers found the higher-horsepowered variant to be everything you'd expect from a Mercedes luxury coupe.  Opulent, powerful, stunning, sensuous - these are just some of the words the author used to describe the CL600...

Keep Reading "First Drive:  Inside Line Rates The New Mercedes CL600"

Unfortunately I had to head out of the office a bit early yesterday causing me to miss the first round of financials published by our very own Mercedes-Benz USA, and for this I sincerely apologize; if you missed them yesterday, however, here they are - a day late, but exciting nonetheless.

In October, sales at Mercedes' U.S. division rose an impressive 12.3 percent to 20,598 new units, the highest ever October on record for the company. This number brings Mercedes-Benz USA's year-to-date total to 197,599 units, an increase of 13.2% over the 2005's ten month ytd total...

Keep Reading "It's Raining Money:  Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Jump 12.3 Percent In October"

In U.S. smart-related news, Ulrich Walker, president of smart, and Roger Penske, chairman of UnitedAuto Group (UAG), agreed on terms and conditions for bringing the smart fortwo to the United States, both signing a General Distributor Agreement (GDA) yesterday.  The GDA, which outlines the allocation of functions, market launch, sales activities, after sales, service and communications of the mini-car comes just four months after it was announced the smart would be coming to the states...

Keep Reading "They're Coming To America:  Smart And UnitedAuto Group Agree To General Distributor Agreement... Today!"

While going through our inbox this rather dismal November morning our good friend and tipster Dan sent us word of one of several stories we missed yesterday during our strictly-SEMA coverage.

In his email, Dan directed us to a recent article originally published by The Independent of London in which automotive reviewer Richard Lofthouse takes a ride in the pavement-scorching V12-powered Brabus CLS Rocket...

Keep Reading "An Inside Look At The World's Fastest Sedan By Brabus"

Today, ladies and gentlemen, marks a momentous occasion.  An occasion so special; so monumental; so immense; that since the dawning of time, it's happened on less than thirty instances.

This event, ladies and gentlemen, is the birthday of our fearless leader; the sovereign, omnipotent and yes, incredibly-sexy mastermind behind what has now become the world's preeminent online Mercedes-Benz publication.

Ashley, Ashley, Ashley, what more can I say about you that hasn't already been said? You're without question one of the most intelligent, caring and beautiful individuals I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and it's both a pleasure and an honor that I have the opportunity to labor with you on a daily basis.

So happy birthday, sweetheart; enjoy your day.  You know I as well as the rest of the eMercedesBenz team love you; we're thinking about you; and yes, our presents are awaiting you when you return :)

Happy birthday!

If you still haven't had your fill of Mercedes on display at the SEMA Show, here's a few more photos showcasing the plethora of MB tuner goodness you're missing.

Click through for full picture collection...

Keep Reading "Aftermarket Eye Candy:  Mercedes At The SEMA Show, Part III"

In part two of today's Mercedes SEMA show coverage we stop by the booth of a company that year in and year out possesses some of the most covetable cars known to man - WTW Corporation.

Their vehicle range is diverse, but as you'll see in the photos, their display of custom Mercedes is second to none...

Keep Reading "Aftermarket Eye Candy:  Mercedes At The SEMA Show, Part II"

As you may have already heard, this week kicked off the always-popular SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and with it a flood of new concept cars, custom show vehicles and of course, automotive blingery for virtually every car in existence. 

And while it's true I love a mid-80's Caprice rockin' insanely-huge dubs and quad scissor doors as much as the next guy, we decided to focus our attention once again solely on the Mercedes brand, scouting the show in an effort to bring you all the MB-related goodness we could find.

The result? 

Photos, and lots of 'em...

Keep Reading "Aftermarket Eye Candy:  Mercedes At The SEMA Show, Part I"