In racing news, today marked the final race of the record-long 19 race season.  The stage was set in Shanghai for the final battle of the year.  The prize?  The Constructor's World Championship.

For race fans, the scene was a familiar one. From the onset, a battle between Renault's Fernando Alonso and McLaren Mercedes' Kimi Raikkonen ensued.  Raikkonen trailed Alonso as well as Renault's other driver, Giancarlo Fisichella, for much of the race.  After an accident and a round of pit stops, Raikkonen set the fastest lap time of the day on Lap 56; but in the end, Kimi came up just short, finishing in second place behind Renault's Fernando Alonso...

Keep Reading "Raikkonen Finishes Second In Shanghai"

In racing news, tomorrow will mark the final race of the record-long F1 season in Shanghai, China.  Although Fernando Alonso has already captured the coveted F1 crown, the team championship is still up for grabs, with the McLaren Mercedes team trailing Renault by only two points. 

To capture the constructor's title, Mercedes will need to finish at least two points ahead of Renault; however, in the even that the two teams tie, Mercedes' will still take the championship, due to the fact they hold a greater number of wins this season...

Keep Reading "F1 Race Preview: Shanghai"

In an article published today, Autospies is reporting that a redesigned SL model may be closer than we think.  According to the story, the new SL will feature a new nose to match the current SLK and SLR models, and will also be availabe in a new "350" model, which will feature a 270 horsepower V6 as well as Mercedes' new 7 speed transmission.  The story, which draws its inspiration from the fact that Mercedes recently discounted the SL by as much as $8,750 in the UK, says that we could see the debut of the new SL as early as the 2006 Geneva Auto Show...

Keep Reading "Is A New Mercedes SL Coming?"

In keeping with our AMG theme for the day, Mercedes has released more photographs of it's upcoming ML 63 AMG.  As we told you earlier, the ML 63 will feature an 510 horsepower AMG 6.3-Liter V8, Mercedes' new 7G-Tronic 7 speed automatic transmission, and full AMG styling, including front and rear aprons, flared wheel arches, running boards, and an AMG radiator grille.

But enough tech specs - you want to see pictures, so pictures are what I will give you...

Keep Reading "Eye Candy Of The Day:  Photos Of Mercedes' Upcoming ML 63 AMG"

I have a question for all the Mercedes history buffs out there:  "What year did Mercedes and AMG sign a cooperation agreement allowing AMG vehicles to be sold through Mercedes' dealerships around the world?"

The year was 1990, and Mercedes has never been the same since. Mercedes, a name synonymous with luxury and quality, could now add performance and power to their extensive list of qualities...

Keep Reading "The History Of Mercedes And AMG"

Have you ever wondered what the future of automobiles holds?  Do imagine yourself in a car that can fly, like in Back to the Future; or maybe a car that can drive itself, like in Minority Report?

Edmund's Inside Line recently talked to Hans Multhaupt, Mercedes' program manager in charge of large cars, and Professor Raymond Freymann, managing director of BMW's Research and Technology division.  Although the article initially pits the two companies against one another, in the end the article actually provides an interesting look at the direction each of the companies is headed in the next 30 years...

Keep Reading "Mercedes and BMW:  A Look Into The Future"

Listen up soccer moms (and dads, to be politically correct), I know you've had your eye on the Mercedes R-Class for a while now, but you still can't decide whether you should go the minivan route or stick to the giant gas-guzzling monster trucks known as full size SUV's that all the other moms drive.

You're in luck, because CNN recently reviewed the new R-Class to help shed some light on this arduous decision.  But as you know, I'm not content giving you only one review - who knows, maybe the reviewer was paid to write a nice review about the car, or more commonly, maybe the reviewer is just an idiot that has no idea how to review a vehicle.  To avoid being misled by only one singular review, I have taken it upon myself to bring you a collection of reviews, much like I did for the ML-Class, which I believe will help you make a more accurate and informed decision regarding your purchase...

Keep Reading "Mercedes R-Class Review Roundup"

As you've probably noticed, it's been a pretty busy day for Mercedes news - the confirmation of the F600 Hygenius, details on the new GL-Class...  I know, I know, you still want more.

You're in luck, my dear readers.  Today, AutoWeek has captured photographs of what it is calling a hybrid S-Class.  Although the hybrid S-Class is nothing new (it was unveiled at the International Auto Show earlier this year), what is interesting is the fact it's been seen testing in public.  Does this mean we can expect to see a hybrid S-Class made available for purchase in the near future?

Keep Reading "Spy Shots Of The Hybrid Mercedes S-Class"

A little while back we brought you spy photos of the new GL-Class, Mercedes latest addition to the giant SUV market.  Today, Auto Motor und Sport has posted an official photo of the new model, as well additional details to wet the appetites of anyone in the market for a new gas-guzzling monstrosity.

According to the story, the GL will be based, to nobody's surprise, on the same platform and as the current ML and R-Class models. It will feature many of the same components as the aforementioned models, and will likewise be produced in sweet home Alabama...

Keep Reading "Additional Details Emerge On New Mercedes-Benz GL SUV"

It's not everyday I get to bring you political news, but today is a rare exception.  While browsing AllAfrica.com today, I found an interesting story detailing what may be one of Africa's largest problems (more on that at the end of the story).

According to the story, it seems that many of Africa's political leaders are infatuated with the Mercedes-Benz brand (we can understand this infatuation; we are, after all, a website dedicated entirely to Mercedes). This infatuation is well documented among the African people - musicians have written songs about it; the masses have written folk tales about it. The African people have even bestowed a title on their political leaders: the "WaBenzi!," or the Benz people.  In short, Mercedes has become one of Africa's largest status symbols...

Keep Reading "Africa's New Wabenzi Tribe"

Welcome, welcome, welcome ladies and gentleman.  How's everyone doing today?  I have to warn you, I'm in an exceptionally good mood, so I may banter on a little more than usual.

As we reported earlier, Mercedes is set to debut their latest F-Model Concept car, the F600 Hygenius, at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.  Today, only two days after we broke the story, Mercedes has officially announced details of their latest forray into the world of fuel cells.  Powered by a zero-emission fuel cell drive that produces a total of 115 horsepower, the Hygenius has a range in excess of 250 miles, and consumes the equivalent of 2.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (or .76 gallons per 62 miles for our American readers).

Keep Reading "Mercedes F600 Hygenius Officially Announced"

In what has been another slow day for Mercedes news, I decided to scour my resources to bring you some type of interesting Mercedes tidbit to make your day go a little bit quicker.  In my quest, I found some photos on one of Mercedes' websites that I think might just do the trick.

Anybody that has heard of Mercedes has no doubt heard of the SLR McLaren, Mercedes' 617 horsepower entry into the land of supercars.  But have you ever wondered how the $452,750 SLR is constructed?

Keep Reading "Time Waster Of The Day"

In a move that would make even Rosa Parks proud, New York City's transport services have placed the largest hybrid bus order in history, entering a contract to purchase 500 Orion VII hybrid buses.

This is the third order New York City has placed for the Orion buses, following orders of 200 units and 125 units respectively. Orion, Daimler Chrysler's North American city bus division, plans on starting deliveries of its hybrid buses in the second quarter of 2006.

Keep Reading "Everybody Move To The Back Of The (Hybrid) Bus"

If you're like me and live anywhere up north, you've probably noticed the temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing colors, and people are starting to bundle up a little more.  All of this can only mean one thing - winter is coming.

And as all you smart car owners lay awake at night, contemplating the impending winter doom, I'm sure there's only one question going through your head: "What would be the perfect winter accessory to compliment my little smart?"

Have no fear, oh smart ones, because the smart-store has you covered, literally, this winter...

Keep Reading "Smart Debuts Winter Accessories"

As many of you car fanatics already know, the Tokyo Motor Show is taking place later this month.  What you may not know, however, is that Mercedes has used the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil their last two F-Class Concept Cars (you can find more info on these at the end of the story).  In keeping with tradition, Auto Bild is reporting that Mercedes is once again set to debut their latest concept, dubbed the "F600 Hygenius," in Tokyo later this month.

Before I delve into specifics, I have to warn you - this information was taken from a roughly translated German page, so I may misinterpret some facts.  Now that that's out of the way, on with the car.  As you can see from the photos, the F600 looks similar to current production A and B-Class models.  That however, is where the similarities end.  The Hygenious, as it is so modestly titled, is the first Mercedes to utilize fuel cell technolgy in combination with an electric motor.  The result is a car that functions much like current hybrids, without the gas (or diesel).

Keep Reading "Details Emerge On Mercedes-Benz F600 Hygenius"