Mercedes-Benz GLK Underprices BMW X3

The small new Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUV is just the thing for a lousy economy, with technology necessities such as Bluetooth included standard, and a base price that undercuts the BMW X3 by $5,000. The GLK gives Mercedes-Benz a competitor in the fast-growing compact, or entry-premium, SUV segment. The GLK stands out with its navigation system, wide range of entertainment options, and the ability to omit all-wheel-drive and save $2,000. You can drive off in a reasonably equipped GLK350 for less than $40,000. Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Slideshow: Click Here In a test drive in and around Santa Barbara, Calif., the GLK350 with its 268-hp V6 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission was a pleasant vehicle to drive no matter how twisty the back road. Actually, Santa Barbara makes it pleasant to be driving in most any vehicle with a valid inspection sticker. But the GLK is really at home anywhere as a comfortable place for four to travel around town or cross country and be nicely entertained while under way. Mercedes-Benz is also doing its best to undermine the longstanding reputation of German automakers for sticking us with lousy navigation systems by reaching out to Mitsubishi for a very nice navigation system that uses both the Comand controller (their version of iDrive) and voice input. This system debuted in 2007 on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and was rated third best among 79 vehicles in the 2008 J.D. Power Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study. The GLK-Class SUV is based on the C-Class chassis and shares common traits ranging from the navigation system to the cramped location of the Comand controller on the center console (and hard for the passenger to access if bottles are in the cupholders) and the placement of the Comand function buttons (radio, navigation, phone) on the center stack rather than next to the controller.

 

BRABUS Mercedes GLK WIDESTAR

The presidential elections in the US will take place on November 4, 2008. At the same time voting starts for the best customized version of the new Mercedes GLK-Class at the SEMA Show 2008 in Las Vegas. BRABUS is the only German company to participate in this competition sponsored by Mercedes-Benz USA.

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Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series dyno'd [w/VIDEO]

When Mercedes picked an engine to motivate the SL65 AMG Black Series, the German automaker didn't fool around. A V12 powerplant carries more than enough punch for most supercars, but Mercedes strapped on a pair of turbochargers to ensure that the Black Series was ridiculous enough to justify its price tag. The net result is 670 hp and 738 lb-ft, or enough muscle to propel a two-ton vehicle to 60 in 3.8 seconds. Armed with a dyno, some spare time and a healthy dose of curiosity, Automobile decided to test for themselves the power of the mighty Benz. The Black Series didn't disappoint, pulling down 573 hp @ 5300 rpm and 682 lb-ft @ 3620 rpm at the rear wheels. The Black Series SL65 showed its superiority over the S65 AMG, as the more spartan AMG Benz put down 36 fewer ponies and 61 fewer lb-ft. At 5500 rpm, the Black Series' beefier turbos out-muscled the the S65 by 100 hp and 100 lb-ft. Hit the jump to view video of the SL65 AMG Black Series as it went through the paces on the dynometer and set the speakers to 11. [Source: Automobile Magazine]

 

SLR Stirling Moss won't be offered in North America (w/VIDEO)

the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss With the exhibitors' roster for the upcoming 2009 Detroit Auto Show dwindling, you'd think that any cars being unveiled there might actually, you know, be available in North America. But according to reports, you'd be wrong. Mercedes-Benz is anticipated to unveil the million-dollar Stirling Moss edition SLR McLaren, but sources indicate that the limited-production topless supercar won't even be offered in the market in which it's being unveiled. No worries for Mercedes, which will likely have sold the full run of 75 SLR speedsters being offered exclusively to current SLR owners before the show concludes. Bad news for supercar owners in the U.S,, who'll just have to blow their extra million on another Veyron, Reventon or Koenigsegg instead. Now, for your viewing enjoyment, we invite you to follow the jump for video footage of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, the longest-named open-air sportscar since the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder. Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss [Source: Inside Line]

 

Mercedes-Benz SL65 ‘means business’

review of the Mercedes-Benz SL Black Series in the Daily Telegraph by Andrew English states that the vehicle offers motorists some "magnificent" engineering. The vehicle includes a 670bhp, twin-turbocharged V12 engine, capable of hitting a top speed of 199mph. A racing style splitter at the front of the two-seater helps the vehicle's engine gain some air, while "gigantic vents" help extract the heat developed through the large steel brakes. The rear seats have been removed, when compared with other AMG vehicles, to help lower weight, stated to be around 250kg. Also, the hydraulic folding roof, present in the standard model, has been removed and replaced with a roll bar and a carbon-fibre panel. More carbon fibre also exists in the underlining of the bonnet and boot lid, with Mr English stating that from one glimpse of the car, a motorist can tell that the vehicle "means business". See the current road-going models in the AMG showroom

 

Current E-Class breaks 1.5 million units barrier

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has proved itself to be one of the best selling models worldwide in the upper range car market, after selling 1.5 million units. Mercedes-Benz has stated that 1.5 million units of the current E-Class have been delivered to customers worldwide since the vehicle's launch onto the market six years ago. Some 230,000 customers have decided to opt for the Estate version of the E-Class, while the bulk have found more delight in the Saloon. Dr Klaus Maier, executive vice-president of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "The current E-Class and its predecessor models have been the 'heart' of Mercedes-Benz for more than 60 years now. "With its typical brand attributes that include safety, comfort, innovation, economy, and quality, the E-Class has delighted around 12 million customers worldwide across eight model generations." Four in every ten E-Class buyers globally opt to purchase the vehicle with a diesel engine. Emissions were significantly reduced in the E-Class in 2006 thanks to the introduction of BlueTEC diesel technology in the US, which was launched in 2007 across mainland Europe in the Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC. Premium luxury can be discovered in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon

 

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes clean sweep awards

McLaren Mercedes will be celebrating the results of a new survey which found they are world's favourite team and have the most loved driver. A survey from ING/F1 Racing Formula One found that of the 70,000 fans polled, 29 per cent voted Vodafone McLaren Mercedes as their top team, enough to claim victory in the poll by one per cent. In terms of drivers, world champion Lewis Hamilton reigned supreme, earning 27 per cent of all votes, more than ten per cent ahead of any of his fellow drivers. Hamilton said: "I think the standard of drivers currently racing in formula one is higher than it's been for years so I'm humbled to have earned the fans' support. "The icing on the cake is the popularity of the team. I know just how hard everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes works – they've done an unbelievable job this year and every single member of the team deserves this honour." Hamilton also recently came second in the race for BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second year in a row.