2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Sports Saloon Snagged Completely Undisguised!

We were supposed to see the next iteration of the Mercedes-Benz CLS for the first time at this fall's Paris Motor Show, however, thanks to an eagle-eyed reader of the Brazilian website Noticiasautomotivas, we now have pictures of the sporty four-door saloon without a hint of camouflage. Believe it or not, the reader caught the 2011 CLS lurking around the German firm's Stuttgart Museum. We assume the car was there for a photo shoot.

The new CLS blends the "banana shaped" body of the outgoing model with styling elements Mercedes-Benz's latest cars such as the E-Class Coupe's heavily shouldered rear wheel arches and the more dramatic front-end design, all previewed on the CLS Shooting Brake Concept.

There are no photos of the interior, but don't expect to see something entirely different the concept study.

»»  READMORE...

SPIED: New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Caught Testing

Our spy photographers have snagged a lightly camouflaged prototype of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe that is set to hit showrooms along with the facelifted versions of C-Class sedan and Estate early next year. It has been suggested that the arrival of the C-Class Coupe will mean the end of the CLC sport hatch.

Unlike the CLC which is based off the previous generation C-Class, the new coupe is built on the existing C-Class. The newcomer appears to feature a much simpler design than the larger and more expensive E-Class Coupe. Aside from losing two doors, the coupe version of the C-Class gains a more rakish roofline and a redesigned rear end. Don't expect any significant changes over the sedan model inside.

»»  READMORE...

SEMA: Mercedes-Benz GLK Speedster

*Updated With New High-Resolution Image Gallery

One of the most extreme concepts at this year's Las Vegas SEMA Show is the Urban Whip from Boulevard Customs. The Florida-based coach builder took the new Mercedes-GLK and transformed into a four-door, crossover speedster -that sounds even weirder than it looks... The crew over at Boulevard Customs removed the GLK's rooftop, chopped the windscreen and added the usual bling-bling accessories that SEMA is so famous for like the massive 26-inch alloy wheels and tires, the wide-body kit and more chrome than meets the eye. -Continued








RELATES STORIES:

• Mercedes-Benz to Bring Four Custom-Made GLKs at SEMA
  

»»  READMORE...

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 'Black Saphir' by Inden Design

The crew from Inden Design have launched a new (and very expensive) widebody treatment along with some performance upgrades for the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG hardtop roadster.

According to the tuner, the basic wide body kit is priced at €19,000, but to complete the look you'll have to dig out another €3,500 for the bonnet, €800 for the rear diffuser in carbon fiber and €999 for the front apron. And oh, did we mention that the assembly of the kit costs €8,000 and the lacquer finish an extra €7,500? Add them all up and you're already in €38,800.

»»  READMORE...

Smart Announces First All-Electric Carsharing Fleet in the US

Daimler’s Car2go subsidiary has announced the introduction of the first all-electric carsharing fleet in North America. According to company, the plan calls for 300 zero-emission Smart ForTwo electric cars to arrive in the city of San Diego by the end of the year.

»»  READMORE...

Buying a New Car? Why Not Bundle A European Holiday

Did you know that there are holiday packages that bundle airfares, accommodation and cosmetic surgery? It’s a sort of incentive program for women (and some men) to have their surgery done overseas and is especially popular in Britain and Australia. Well, as some of you may already know, there are similar programs for people who want to buy a new car.
These so-called, “European Delivery Programs” are offered by companies as diverse as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo. Effectively you’re bundling a discount European vacation with your new car purchase.

»»  READMORE...

Video: Mercedes Benz’s Silver Suits Burn Some Rubber

The Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows display team has released a new promotional video exhibiting the power-sliding capabilities of its drivers to attract fans to the Mercedes-Benz World at the Brooklands motor racing circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, UK.

»»  READMORE...

Mercedes Keeps 2012 M-Class SUV Prices Unchanged from 2011MY

Good news for those looking to shop Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation M-Class SUV as the German firm has kept pricing for the two available models at launch unchanged over the respective versions of the outgoing ML, despite the new design, improved engines and upgraded standard equipment.

»»  READMORE...

China Hopes To Poach Overseas Automotive Engineering Talent

China has a problem. Although it has the financial and material resources to compete with the world’s automakers, it lacks the design and engineering knowhow.
The solution – to companies such as BAIC, Dongfeng, Chang’an and others – is to seek talent abroad; in Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and USA. Research and development centres are popping up in Nottingham and Detroit and recruitment fairs are being held in Munich, Stuttgart and Aachen.

»»  READMORE...

Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers, Lincoln Places Last in Luxury Segment

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 “secret shoppers” and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car’s features to closing a deal.
This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper’s study.

»»  READMORE...

New Photo Gallery of U.S.-Spec 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Mercedes-Benz’s all-new 2012 M-Class (or ML) makes its on-the-road debut in the U.S. this week so the German company decided to drop a new batch of images for our viewing pleasure.
The Stuttgart firm’s new luxury SUV enters the 2012 model year in the U.S. with a choice of two models. First up is the diesel-powered ML350 BlueTEC delivering 240 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, while averaging 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway.

»»  READMORE...

Video: F1 Racing Cars Launching at Goodwood Festival

OK, so a highly-tuned Toyota Celica with the innards of a Corolla WRC (and then some) may have posted the fastest time at the Goodwood hill climb. And yes, it beat a handful of Formula 1 cars to achieve this win.
But we’re pretty sure that the sounds and sights of an array of F1 cars ranging from a 1939 Mercedes-Benz W165 to 2010 editions of Ferrari, Lotus and Red Bull, will make the back of your hair stand up. To find out if that’s true, just watch the video after the jump.

»»  READMORE...

Mercedes-Benz Outlines the New 2012 B-Class Small MPV Ahead of Frankfurt Show

We’ll know all the ins and outs of the new 2012 B-Class in about two months time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Mercedes today provided us with the first official teaser photos and initial specifications of its small MPV that will go on sale in Europe in November.
While the shape and styling of the new B-Class won’t surprise anyone given the close proximity to the current model, there’s more than meets the eye about the Mercedes-Benz model.

»»  READMORE...

New Badass Brabus 800 E V12 is the World’s Fastest 4-Seat Convertible

Well, given Brabus’ history with the sedan and coupe variants of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it was only a matter of time before the German tuner would give the Convertible model its acclaimed “800” treatment.

And what a treatment it is: a 6.3-liter V12 biturbo with 800 hp (hence the name) that makes this car not only the most powerful, but, with a top speed of 370 km/h (231 mph), also the fastest four-seater cabriolet in the world.

»»  READMORE...

Lexus Loses Top Spot in US After a Decade, Says it Doesn't Care

Lexus has been the top-selling luxury brand in the US for the last 11 years. But in 2011 the luxury division of Toyota looks bound to lose the top spot to both BMW and Mercedes-Benz and be relegated to third place.
The earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan in March and disrupted production is one of the reasons, as Lexus manufactures all bar one of its models (the RX) in its homeland. However, the production problems aren’t the sole reason for Lexus’ declining sales.

»»  READMORE...

British GP Practice: Massa Shines in the Rain

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa set the quickest time in Friday’s afternoon practice session of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at Silverstone. Just minutes before the beginning of the session, heavy rain started to fall, with all cars staying in the pits for half an hour because of the condition of the track.

»»  READMORE...

Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe Black Series Coming on July 24

*Regular Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Pictured Above

At the press launch of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, selected members of the media got a sneak preview of the all-new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. And some of them, managed to capture a few photographs of the car but the pictures were hastily removed on most sites after Mercedes’ intervened.
This was supposed to be a secret preview, since the car isn’t scheduled to be unveiled before the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring at the 24th of July. Therefore, you can guess that Mercedes’ people aren’t too happy about the leak.

»»  READMORE...

Jay Leno Visits Mercedes’ AMG HQ, Drives SLS Roadster and E-Cell

As we all know, Jay Leno is a car fanatic. So when he had the chance to visit the AMG division of Mercedes-Benz at Affalterbach and drive two of its most exclusive models in its test track, he couldn’t resist. The Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH himself, Ola Kallenius, accompanied Leno on his factory tour.

»»  READMORE...

Сбоить: Russian President Medvedev’s Mega Driving Gaffe Caught on Video

The man behind the “Forward Russia!” movement, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, took his campaign motto a smidgen too seriously when he almost...forwarded a Mercedes M-Class he was driving into a crowd of people cheerfully waiting for him on the side of the road.
While we can’t be 100 percent sure, from the video it looks like Medvedev either forgot to put the SUV’s handbrake on or even worse, didn’t shift out of drive and into park before jumping out of the vehicle to meet his voters.
Fortunately, Medvedev’s security was alert and managed to stop the Mercedes before it hit the crowd. The incident allegedly occurred in the city of Kazan on Monday. The video, which you can watch after the break, went viral and has already more than 200,000 views on Youtube in less than 24 hours.

»»  READMORE...

Daimler Signs US$2.87 billion Deal with BAIC

The picture may seem familiar: Chinese and German businesspersons on the same table signing some papers, while German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, standing behind them with their country flags are floating in the background.
Only this time the Germans are Daimler’s executives, not Volkswagen’s, and the other signatory is BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation).

»»  READMORE...