After coming off a wave of stellar reviews as well as winning numerous large SUV comparison tests, it should come as little surprise that Motor Trend has just named the Mercedes GL450 the 2007 sport utility vehicle of the year.

The decision was made after the publication evaluated a number of vehicles in three specific areas:  significance in engineering, technology and features; superiority in performance and quality; and value; after which they found the GL to be the undisputed leader in the aforementioned fields...

Keep Reading "Motor Trend Names Mercedes GL450 2007 SUV Of The Year"

This weekend kicked off the much-hyped and highly-anticipated Mercedes E-Class Experience, and despite our invitation apparently being lost somewhere between here and Stuttgart, we still have coverage from the inaugural day of the event.

As evidenced by the above photograph, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche was on hand for the start of the journey, bidding a fond farewell to 36 Mercedes E-Class diesel models sojourning from Paris, France to Beijing China.  The approximately 8,500 mile excursion will be completed in five stages, with the fleet expected to arrive at its final destination on November 17th...

Keep Reading "The E-Class Experience From Paris To Beijing Gets Underway"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.  While were away, the boys of Team McLaren Mercedes were hard at work, taking part in the final F1 race of the season in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  As usual, if you have it TIVO'd and plan on catching it later, read no further; if not, click through where you can catch the full race recap including both driver and team interviews...

Keep Reading "Team McLaren Mercedes F1 Race Recap: Brazil"

In crash test news, the Mercedes B-Class recently took part in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), passing the test with top honors when it received the maximum five star rating from the independent examiners.

This is just the latest of many studies that demonstrates the effectiveness of Mercedes' sandwich concept, a safety element utilized by the B-Class.  By arranging the engine and transmission in a tilted positions partly in front and partly under the passenger compartments, Mercedes engineers discovered that in the event of a collision, these drive systems move down the pedal floor panel as opposed to directly into the interior.  This in turn creates a larger crumple zone than other passenger vehicles in its class and also raises the B-Class' occupants interior driving height by approximately 200mm - above the impact zone - which just so happens to be a substantial advantage in the event of a side collision...

Keep Reading "Mercedes B-Class Awarded Five Stars In Euro NCAP Crash Test"

To anyone worried how sales of the new Mercedes E-Class have been faring lately, we're pleased to inform you that the recently-updated model has taken over the lead in the upper-range segment worldwide, selling over 21,000 vehicles in the month of September.

According to Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President of the Mercedes Car Group and the man responsible for sales and marketing: "The outstanding sales development underscores the successful launch of the new generation E-Class.  With its pioneering innovations, the car remains the undisputed leader in the field of safety and receives an enthusiastic response from our customers worldwide..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes E-Class Selling Well In All Markets"

If our previous articles detailing the Mercedes E-Class Experience from Paris to Beijing weren't enough to convince you what a tremendous trip you'll be missing, Mercedes today has published yet another press release - this time even more comprehensive - detailing at length the history and highlights of the epic journey.

The vehicles being used; the exact route specifications; how the original race was born- these are just of the topics covered in Mercedes' extensive press kit...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes E-Class Experience:  Yet Another Overview Of Mercedes' Epic Journey"

As you may remember, back in June we told you that on October 21st, 33 Mercedes E-Class vehicles featuring clean diesel technology would be setting out on a remarkable journey, tracing the route of the world's first intercontinental race by travelling from Paris to Beijing.  We also told you that the event, scheduled to take 26 days, would be completed by 330 participants from 35 nations, many of whom would be selected by registering through an online application found on Mercedes' international website.

With the application process now closed, the participants chosen and the event beginning drawing nigh, Mercedes today has re-published its earlier press release detailing many of the highlights those fortunate to be embarking on Paris to Beijing trip will experience; or for those of you who didn't make the cut, many of the highlights you'll undoubtedly wish you were you experiencing...

Keep Reading "Another Look At Mercedes' Journey From Paris To Beijing"

While browsing our good friend Vincent's website Autoblog.nl this morning we stumbled upon spy photos of what may be the next Mercedes CL65 AMG.  Although there's no visible badging on the vehicle, it's the only CL variant that hasn't been officially announced by Mercedes, so in all likelihood it probably is the V12-powered model.

Of course, the photos could also be older spy shots of the CL63 AMG, which looks identical; either way, I'm expecting to hear Mercedes' official CL65 announcement sometime in the very near future...

Keep Reading "Is This The Next Mercedes CL65 AMG?"

Hot on the heels of the announcement they'd be releasing the E320 BLUETEC this week, Mercedes-Benz USA today has launched an additional two CDI models - the ML320 CDI and R320 CDI.

Powered by a three-liter V6 producing 215 horsepower, both models offer impressive torque while maintaining the trademark fuel economy typically associated with diesel powerplants.  More specifically, the ML320 CDI's fuel consumption is rated at 21/27 mpg, an improvement of 26% over the comparable gas-powered model, while the R320 CDI's fuel consumption is rated at 21/28 mpg, a 32% improvement over its gas-fed counterpart.  As for how they'll perform during that cross country road-trip you've been planning, both models have a cruising range of over 600 miles before needing to be refueled...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA Launches Three New Diesel Models"

The final set of reviews in today's "Review Roundup" series covers the sumptuous Mercedes S63 AMG, the high-powered variant of what is already one of the world's most covetable luxury sedans.

In their reviews, Fifth Gear and AutoCar both found the S63 to be exactly what you'd expect - powerful, opulent... everything a 525 horsepower S-Class should be...

Keep Reading "Mercedes S63 AMG Review Roundup"

Next in our series of reader-submitted reviews comes three articles discussing Mercedes' newest flagship luxury coupe - the 2007 CL-Class. 

The first, conducted by The Truth About Cars, details the journey of an automotive reviewer along with a French sales associate as they embark on a test drive of the CL550 (or CL500 in France).  The second, conducted by Channel 4, details the CL-Class lineup as a whole, bestowing prospective CL-owners with an extensive look at the CL's many strengths and few weaknesses. The third, conducted by AutoWeek, analyzes the high-powered CL63 AMG, outlining a few differences of the enhanced model when compared to its non-tuned brethren...

Keep Reading "Mercedes CL-Class Review Roundup"

For the past week or so, we've been receiving emails from readers notifying us that they've been experiencing problems with our contact forms.  Over the weekend we set out to fix the problem, and I believe we have, so hopefully any and all of the forms will now work correctly.

Which brings me to this story.

While we were hard at work, attempting to discover exactly what the reader-reported problems were, two of our beloved informants - Shiv and Jinx - did their best to test our contact forms (albeit unknowingly), diligently searching out any Mercedes reviews they could find and in their usual benevolent manner, sending them to us. As a result, we have numerous Mercedes reviews to bring you today, all courtesy of the two aforementioned gentlemen...

Keep Reading "Mercedes E-Class Review Roundup"

In a follow-up to our last post, Mercedes today has released an in-depth look at the development, testing and production work that went in to creating the Mercedes S600 Guard.

While it's true most of us won't be in the market for a B6/B7 armored S-Class anytime soon, the article still provides an interesting look at what goes into the making of such a vehicle.

If you have some free time, click through to learn more...

Keep Reading "A Look At The Development And Production Of The Mercedes S600 Guard"

To the elite few of you looking for protection that only a well-armored vehicle can provide, Mercedes today has released details of their new S600 Guard, a model designed to meet even the most stringent standards of personal safety.

Boasting a Euro standard resistance level of B6/B7, the S600 Guard is capable of withstanding up to military-grade small-arms projectiles. As if that wasn't enough, Mercedes engineers then took the S600 Guard a step further, surpassing requirements not specified in any standards by adding additional protection from explosives and hand grenades...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Launches S600 Guard Special-Protection Model"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, I hope you all had a marvelous weekend. To kick things off this bright October morning, we have the first glimpse of two new tuning packages set to be released by the undeniably-audacious ASMA-Design.

The first, as I'm sure you've already seen, is for the recently-introduced 2007 Mercedes CL-Class, and in their typical fare, it features a number of enhancements over the coupe's standard styling. Changes include a new front apron, vented front and rear wheel arches, side skirts and a new rear bumper...

Keep Reading "ASMA Design Releases First Glimpse Of New Mercedes CL And S-Class Tuning Packages"