The successful ML 63 AMG will shortly be launched as the especially exclusive “10th Anniversary” variant. The 375-kW/510-hp top M-Class model fascinates with its striking appearance and extraordinary standard features. With the ML 63 AMG “10th Anniversary”, Mercedes AMG is celebrating ten years of high-performance SUVs. The ML 55 AMG with a 255-kW/347-hp AMG 5.5-l V8 engine, launched in 1999, is considered the trendsetter and founder of an entire vehicle segment.

The ML 63 AMG “10th Anniversary” jubilee model was developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO and showcases AMG’s expertise in catering to the wishes of individual customers. The experts at the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO were also responsible for developing the new SL 65 AMG Black Series, as well as Official F1™ Safety Car and Official F1™ Medical Car...

Keep Reading "Mercedes AMG Special Feature:  The Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 10th Anniversary"

A spectacular look, unique performance data, consistently lightweight design and the highest degree of exclusivity – these attributes sum up the new 65 AMG Black Series from Mercedes-Benz. The high-performance coupé features pure-bred motor sports technology, and introduces sports car fans to a whole new world in terms of dynamic performance. The AMG 6.0-l V12 biturbo engine, developing a maximum output of 493 kW/670 hp and maximum torque of 1,000 newton metres, guarantees the dynamic performance of a super sports car.

This high-performance two-seater was developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO by the same experts who were responsible for designing the Official F1™ Safety Car and Official F1™ Medical Car. The SL 65 AMG Black Series is a continuation of the successful Black Series strategy from Mercedes-AMG, the high-performance brand from Mercedes-Benz Cars. As the new AMG top model, the SL 65 AMG Black Series outstrips the other AMG SL models: both the SL 63 AMG with its 386-kW / 525-hp AMG 6.3-l V8 engine and the SL 65 AMG, powered by an AMG 6.0-l V12 biturbo engine, developing 450 kW/612 hp...

Keep Reading "Mercedes AMG Special Feature:  The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series"

Mercedes AMG today has taken the liberty of highlighting three of the latest models to make their way out of Affalterbach – one of which you're already familiar with, and two of which you aren't.  The first, as you may have already guessed, is the impeccable SL65 AMG Black Series, a finely tuned variant of the standard SL65 AMG that lacks a folding roof, has an output of 493 kW/670 hp and 1,000 Nm or torque, and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 198.8 miles per hour.  It's a beautiful automobile, and truly a testament to what phenomenal automobiles AMG is capable of producing...

Keep Reading "Mercedes AMG Special Feature:  Three High Performance Vehicles From Affalterbach"

If you still haven't had your fill of Mercedes tuning this week, not to worry ladies and gentlemen, because we've got plenty more to bring you.  First up comes a new wide body kit courtesy of the good folks at Japanese tuning firm Vitt Performance – a package that they call the Vitt Mercedes CL Super Wide Edition. 

As you'd expect from a wide body kit, the main highlights include new front and rear aprons, widened fenders in both the front and back, new side skirts, a roof and trunk spoiler and a new vented hood.  Another notable change is the presence of the always popular 20-inch wheels with performance tires, while a new stainless exhaust system completes Vitt's CL package...

Keep Reading "More Mercedes Tuning:  The Vitt Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Super Wide Edition"

In Germany, Bild am Sonntag (the country's best-selling Sunday newspaper) recently named Mercdes-Benz BlueTEC clean diesel technology the recipient of their "Green Steering Wheel" award.  This marks the second consecutive year the award has been handed out, with its intent being to recognize outstanding environmental innovation in the automotive sector.

To arrive at their decision, Bild am Sonntag first invited their readers to vote either by the Internet, SMS or mail which was the best eco-friendly automotive innovation.  A team of environmental experts including Germany's Environment Minister, Sigmar Gabriel; the Chair of Germany's Green parliamentary group, Renate Künast; and the President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, Matthias Wissmann were then called upon to assess the entries that received the most reader votes, after which Mercedes' BlueTEC technology was named the victor...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC Diesel Technology Receives 'Green Steering Wheel' Award From Bild am Sonntag"

Love it or hate it, the work ASMA Design performs on Mercedes is unmistakable.  The  ASMA S-Class Eagle I, the ASMA CLS Shark II, the ASMA Gladiator II M-Class – all are clear testaments to this fact.  Now, adding to this unique lineage, ASMA has worked their magic on a roadster, offering a complete styling package for the R230 Mercedes SL-Class.

As is the case with all of their designs, the first thing you'll undoubtedly notice is ASMA's newly redesigned grille and front apron.  While not quite as gargantuan as the grilles found on their other offerings, the SL's grille is still distinctly ASMA.  In the back, a new rear apron with a large integrated diffuser is present, as is an oddly shaped new exhaust.  And from the side, notable changes include your choice of 20 or 22-inch three-piece wheels, new side skirts, and a reduction in ride height of some 45 millimeters...

Keep Reading "ASMA Design Tunes The R230 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class"

While it's true we may not have mentioned the Mercedes GL-Class as of late, that's not to say we've forgotten about the monstrous seven-passenger SUV.  We still love the big guy, even if the smaller GLK has garnered the bulk of our attention the past couple months.  But we're not the only ones still fond of the GL.  ART Tuning – purveyor of a wide assortment of aftermarket Mercedes modifications – has just announced announced a new tuning program for the SUV, and they're calling it the "GL MAMMUT."

Outside, highlights of the GL MAMMUT include a new front and rear apron, side skirts, widened fenders and a new grille. Under the hood, power for the CDI variants of the GL is increased by some 20 percent, thanks to ART's electronic performance optimization.  And completing the package, monoART1 light-alloy rims, a stainless steel exhaust system, custom lighting throughout and ART interior appointments are all available, should you so desire them...

Keep Reading "ART Tuning Unveils The Mercedes-Benz GL MAMMUT"

By now you should all be intimately familiar with the Mercedes-Benz GLK "Urban Whip" – Boulevard Customs' entrant in the SEMA GLK design competition.  But for those of you who just can't get enough of the open-air GLK, ROBRADY design – the firm responsible for designing the Urban Whip – sent us some renderings showcasing the model during its initial design stages, all of which we're now passing on to you...

Keep Reading "Another Look At The Design Of The Mercedes-Benz GLK Urban Whip"

With Christmas and the holiday season right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what gifts to give those special somebody's in your life.  To help make the selection process a little easier, Mercedes has unveiled an exclusive range of gifts for the upcoming festivities, with the varied assortment of items perfect for children and adults of all ages.

For the kids, highlights include the Bobby Benz SLK AMG, the Bobby-Bob sledge, a bike, a Formula 1 cap and a driver overall.  Speaking from personal experience, any of the first three aforementioned items will be enough to elicit a bout of uncontrollable bliss from whatever child they're given to.  For the adults, there's plenty of equally exciting gift options, with highlights including a Comfort Edition mountain bike, a unisex Motorsports Collection rain jacket, a ladies' hooded sweatshirt, a set of ladies' woollies and a men's dress shirt, among other things...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Unveils New Gift Collection In Brilliant White For The Holidays"

I could tell you that October was a difficult month for Mercedes-Benz USA, but that, my friends, would be a gross understatement.  It was an abysmal month for the company, with MBUSA's new passenger car sales dropping a horrendous 34.3 percent to 14,996 new units (compared to 22,820 new units in October 2007).  As a result, MBUSA's year-to-date sales are now down 5.3 percent to 192,294 new units – this compared to 203,085 new units through the first ten months of 2007.

Individually, there was one model that didn't note a sales decline in October – the Mercedes M-Class.  The luxury SUV managed to gain 7.1 percent over last October with 3,150 new units sold, compared to 2,942 new units the prior year.  Every other model noted a substantial sales decrease, including the volume leading C-Class and E-Class models.  For the C-Class, sales dipped 39.9 percent to 4,594 new units (October 2007:  7,646 new units), while the E-Class fared even worse, dropping 49.8 percent to 2,098 new units sold (October 2007:  4,176 new units)...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 34 Percent In October 2008"

There was absolutely no doubt in the mind of Professor Bodo Buschmann, President of Mercedes customization specialist BRABUS, “Even in the face of the extreme rework that characterizes the vehicles at SEMA, we were going to stick firmly to our principles and go for a more practicable solution. Our GLKWidestar grabs attention with its stunning appearance, while at the same time, offering a high degree of everyday usability in all conditions.” And thus, it is fair to say that, among the four tuning competitors, the GLKWidestar represents the “European” solution. The SUV was conceived by development engineers on the basis of automotive pragmatism that stands by classic Mercedes-Benz characteristics. The Widestar is an interpretation of the GLKas an on-road machine with corner-hugging agility that also pays tribute to the high levels of refinement associated with Mercedes vehicles...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz GLK At SEMA:  The BRABUS GLK Widestar"

Regardless of your sport - snowboarding, wakeboarding, skateboarding or any other extreme discipline, the Rock Crawler from Legendary Motorcar Company (LMC) is designed to be the ultimate companion for those seeking an adrenaline fix.

What started out as a go-anywhere brief focused on the off-road prowess of the Mercedes-Benz GLK, quickly turned into a do-anything reality when avid skateboarder Ryan Klutt, the 14 year-old son of LMC founder Peter Klutt first heard about the GLK tuner competition.  “I thought right away that it would be great to put a rail on top to turn it into an interactive snowboarding car, and it kind of went from there,” he explains.

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz GLK At SEMA:  The Legendary Motorcar Company GLK Rock Crawler"

Inspired by the winged, unlimited-class rally cars of the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb, RENNtech set about creating a GLK that could master the pack and leave the rest chewing gravel. But, this wild GLK has a few surprises beneath its menacing exterior.

Hybrid powertrains are generally associated with fuel efficiency and lower emissions. However, RENNtech has taken one more benefit of the hybrid principle to turn the GLK into a formidable performer. By combining an electric motor in parallel with the 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine, RENNtech has been able to capture the impressive torque that characterises electric motor drives, adding 54 Nm to enhance the GLK’s performance off-the-line and out of corners. Using a hybrid drive in a hill climb setting has the added advantage of maintaining thrust at higher altitudes, when internal combustion engines - which depend on ambient air - start to wheeze...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz GLK At SEMA: The RENNTech GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer"

Just when you thought we couldn't bring you any more coverage of the four tuned Mercedes GLK models set to debut at this year's SEMA show, Mercedes-Benz USA has unveiled a raft of information and photos highlighting yet again the soon-to-be-unveiled creations.  You, of course, already know my opinions on each of the four GLK's, as I took the liberty of commenting on each last Friday, so I'll abstain from commenting again.  But for those of you who just can't get enough of the GLK's upcoming appearance at SEMA, get ready for an action-packed day full of press releases and high-res pics.

First up comes a look at the lone GLK roadster of the group:  Boulevard Customs' Urban Whip...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz GLK At SEMA:  Boulevard Customs' GLK Urban Whip"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had an absolutely marvelous weekend.  And speaking of the weekend, what a fantastic one it was for Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.  Amid partly rainy, partly dry conditions at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton managed to cement his place in Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest champion ever at the age of 23 years, nine months and 26 days.  Helping him earn the victory was the overtaking of Toyota's Timo Glock on the final corner, allowing him to secure fifth place and subsequently, the title. 

Here's the full recap of what transpired...

Keep Reading "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton Becomes The Youngest Champion In Formula 1 History"