First and foremost, we'd like to wish you a very happy new year, and we hope that you all had a very special Christmas (and any other holiday you may have celebrated).

You might be wondering why there's been such a noticeable absence of Mercedes-Benz news around these parts of late, and the answer is for a variety of reasons (a marriage for one staff member; the birth of a first child for another; etc).  But the singular greatest reason for the hiatus is that we've been working on a new version of eMercedesBenz that will vastly improve both the amount of content we offer as well as the overall usability of the site.  In addition, you'll finally be able to comment directly on all the stories we publish – one of the main features that's been missing since we launched back in 2006.

The new site has been in the works for some time now, but we finally realized that unless we scaled back posting to focus on launching the new site, we'd never get to where we needed to be.  Hence, we cut back on postings and have taken on roles as designers and programmers.  You'll see the result in the coming weeks, and hopefully, you'll think it was worth the wait.

To each and every one of you:  thanks for reading eMercedesBenz – if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here.  And stay tuned, because we can't wait to show you eMercedesBenz 2.0.

Thanks again for reading.

Mercedes-Benz insurance premiums can be kept to a minimum by comparison shopping, maintaining a strong credit score and ensuring that you are receiving credit for all discounts you qualify for.  A number of the factors that determine your Mercedes-Benz insurance premiums are well within your control.  Protect yourself by comparison shopping for the cheapest Mercedes-Benz insurance premiums available. 

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Insurance Premiums: Insuring Your Mercedes Luxury Car"

With a top speed of 322.3 km/h (200.3 mph) the BRABUS GLK V12 has set a new speed record for street-legal SUVs on the Italian high-speed test track on October 19th, 2009. The exclusive special model, powered by a twelve-cylinder twin turbo engine with 750 hp (740 bhp) / 552 kW, celebrates its world debut at the DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW. BRABUS builds this high-performance automobile based on the Mercedes GLK-Class. The BRABUS GLK V12 starts at 397,000 Euros MSRP...

Keep Reading "The BRABUS GLK V12:  The World's Fastest Street-Legal SUV"

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate is the best business class car, while the Gullwing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the best newcomer in the "luxury" category - this is according to a top-class panel of international motoring journalists which has voted both Mercedes-Benz models the top cars of 2010 in their respective categories...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Receives Two Accolades In 'TOPauto 2010' Awards"

The last examples of the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss are currently being built, bringing the active era of the SLR super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and McLaren to an end. In 2004, with the swing-wing Coupé, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren jointly set out to continue the story of the legendary SLR racing sports cars of the 1950s. Five exciting variants in the SLR family have been produced – two coupés, two roadster versions and finally the uncompromisingly purist SLR Stirling Moss. This breathtaking, high-speed racer is a limited edition of 75 examples, and is the final chapter in the modern SLR story. Overall 2000 SLR models have been produced – substantially more than any other sports car in this elite category. An SLR also represents a membership ticket to the SLR. CLUB. The spirit of the SLR will live on in this exclusive community of gentleman-drivers even after production ceases...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz SLR Production Coming To A Close"

Even more power and exclusive accessories for the latest top-of-the-line E-Class model, the E 63 AMG: With BRABUS B63 S engine tuning, power output of both sedan and wagon jumps to 555 hp (547 bhp) / 408 kW and their top speed jumps to 320 km/h (200 mph). BRABUS also offers exclusive accessories such as sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement components, custom-tailored tire/wheel combinations up to 20 inches in diameter and custom interior options...

Keep Reading "BRABUS Tunes The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG"

With Thanksgiving only days away, it's time to make final preparations as to what gifts to give this Christmas.  For the Mercedes fans in your household, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled their newest Christmas Collection, offering a variety of items aimed at making your gift selections a little easier.

Highlights include fleece-lined real nappa leather gloves (79.90 euros), a high-quality manicure set (89 euros), a stylish SLR money clip (34.90 euros) and an SLR card wallet (23.90 euros).  For the kids, the Mercedes Christmas Collection also includes a highly detailed white miniature 230 SL (32.90 euros), crystal heart mobile phone charms (11.90 euros), stainless steel charm bracelet/necklace (bracelet 49 euros, necklace 79 euros), and the ultimate gift:  an adjustable children's bike, which can be converted from a push-along bike to a ride-on bike (299 euros)...

Keep Reading "The Mercedes-Benz Christmas Collection Unveiled For 2009"

The readers of the Diners Club Magazine have elected the Mercedes E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY as the "Car of the year with the best power-to-economy ratio". Thanks to its state-of-the-art diesel technology, the 150-kW/204-hp engine burns just 5.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres on the combined NEDC cycle. This equates to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz E-Class Awarded Best Power-To-Economy Ratio By Diners Club Magazine"

Mercedes-Benz will enter the Formula 1 World Championship with its own team, beginning with the 2010 season, and Daimler AG and McLaren Group will change their form of cooperation with effect as of 13 November 2009. This was announced by Daimler AG today.

Daimler AG together with Aabar Investments PJSC will take over 75.1 per cent of the Brawn GP team, with Daimler taking 45.1 per cent and Aabar 30 per cent. The rest of the 24.9 per cent will remain with the current stakeholders. With 9.1 per cent, Aabar is the biggest single shareholder of Daimler AG. This transaction is subject to the approval of the EU and the Swiss cartel authorities...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz And McLaren To Part Ways In Formula 1 World Championship"

At EuroCarBody, the world's largest car body benchmarking conference, a jury made up of about 400 conference delegates and board members voted the E-Class as the car with the best bodyshell. A total of nine new series-production bodies were presented in detail and scrutinised at the EuroCarBody event held in Bad Nauheim, Germany at the end of October. The candidates included the Jaguar XJ, Audi R8 spyder and BMW 5 Series GT...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wins EuroCarBody Award 2009"

In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Increase 4.1 Percent In October 2009"

The motor sports derived technology to be found everywhere in the powertrain of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is also evident in the suspension and braking system. The aluminium suspension with double-wishbone axles is designed for uncompromising lightweight construction and outstanding handling dynamics. On request the AMG high-performance braking system is also available in a newly developed, highly stress-resistant ceramic version, with composite brake discs all-round...

Keep Reading "2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing In-Depth:  Chassis And Braking System"

Eight cylinders and a displacement of 6.3 litres in a front-mid-engine arrangement, a high-revving concept, dry sump lubrication and a performance-oriented intake and exhaust system: opening the almost two-metre long bonnet of the SLS AMG affords a view of an outstanding high-performance engine spefically developed by AMG for the new Gullwing model. With a peak output of 420 kW/571 hp at 6800 rpm and 650 newton metres of torque at 4750 rpm, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 unit sets new standards and is also the world's most powerful naturally aspirated series production engine. The SLS accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 317 km/h (electronically limited). The DIN kerb weight of 1620 kilograms produces an extremely favourable power-to-weight ratio of only 2.84 kilograms per hp...

Keep Reading "2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing In-Depth:  Engine And Power Transfer"

The distinctive styling of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG enthrals with its passionate sportiness and reinterprets the breathtaking lines of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – one of the outstanding design icons of the Mercedes-Benz brand. With its purist design the new SLS AMG reflects the philosophy of contemporary sports car engineering: the bonnet which measures just under two metres, the low greenhouse positioned well to the rear and the short rear end with an extendable aerofoil are just as powerful a reminder of the superlative dynamism as the long wheelbase, the wide track and the large wheels. The short overhangs feed through into the proportions, just as does the design of the super sports car with its low-slung front-mid-engine set well back and dual-clutch transmission in transaxle configuration. An undoubted styling highlight comes courtesy of the gullwing doors, which lend the SLS AMG its incomparable charisma – making a unique statement in this vehicle segment...

Keep Reading "2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing In-Depth:  Design"

Automotive fascination and high-tech at the highest level: the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which is due to be launched in spring 2010. This Gullwing model captivates with a purist design, intelligent lightweight construction and superior handling dynamics, and is bound to cause a sensation in the super sports car segment. The new SLS AMG is nothing short of a masterpiece by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. As the first independently developed vehicle, the super sports car is the highlight in the company's more than 40-year history. It not only takes AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, into a new era, but also demonstrates development expertise of the very highest order...

Keep Reading "2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing In-Depth:  General Overview"

If you plan on visiting the Mercedes-Benz Museum this winter, two special exhibitions will be on hand, depending on when you go.  The first takes place from November 2009 through March 2010, and is entitled "A Journey of Innovations." A total of nine vehicles will be featured in this exhibit, including the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL of 1955, the E 250 CDI of 2009 and the S 400 HYBRID, all of which highlight how the concept of mobility has been redefined over the course of time...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Museum To Present Two Special Winter Exhibitions"

After returning to profitability in the third quarter of 2009, Daimler AG (stock-exchange abbreviation DAI) anticipates positive EBIT from its ongoing business also in the fourth quarter. However, general economic developments and their effects on dealerships and suppliers could lead to an impact on fourth-quarter earnings.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “In recent months, we have increasingly mastered the crisis. Daimler has been able to maintain its financial flexibility and has intensified the actions taken to enhance efficiency, while pushing forward with the development of new products and markets. We are now very well positioned and can look with confidence to the coming year, which will remain challenging due to the still-difficult situation of automobile markets worldwide...”

Keep Reading "Daimler Returns To Profitability In Third Quarter 2009 And Anticipates Positive Earnings Through End Of 2009"

For those seeking a little more output from the C63 AMG, Mercedes has announced the availability of a new Performance Package Plus which aims to make the model even more appealing.  Available ex factory, power in the C63 AMG is increased 22 kW/30 hp to 358 kW/487 hp, enough to help the model accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds and 0-124 mph in 13.9 seconds (standard C63 AMG:  0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and 0-124 mph in 15.2 seconds).  Top speed remains at 155 mph, electronically limited...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Unveils Performance Package Plus For C63 AMG"

I don't know about you, but nothing gets me hotter on a Monday morning than reading some juicy third-quarter cash flow figures.  Daimler's are in, and according to the company, cash flow and earnings are both better than expected.  In total, Group revenue amounted to €19.3 billion, while Group EBIT amounted to €470 million.  Furthermore, the industrial business generated a free cash flow of €2.3 billion in the first nine months of this year (Q3 2009: €2.0 billion).

Individually, Daimler's various divisions noted EBIT as follows...

Keep Reading "Daimler AG's Third-Quarter Cash Flow Better Than Expected"

Finally, after numerous spy photos showcasing the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class testing with a wealth of false paneling, new shots have emerged giving us the first glimpses of the 2011 CLS' actual styling traits.  In many ways, the overall shape of the four door coupe remains similar, with the most notable similarity being the same sloping roof line...

Keep Reading "2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Spied Testing With Less Camoflauge"

Mercedes-Benz’ fully Internet-based infotainment system, myCOMAND, has now passed its first on-road test. During the Nokia Siemens Networks Solutions Forum 2009 in Munich, myCOMAND was run for the first time on a 4G wireless high-speed LTE (Long Term Evolution) network. Driving the S-Class prototype on normal roads produced a shining outcome: all myCOMAND features prove smooth and enhanced performance, with high resolution and improved quality. The roll-out of wireless technologies such as LTE, is a necessary prerequisite for myCOMAND connectivity. This first trial is an important milestone on the way to product realization of myCOMAND features and applications...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Tests myCOMAND With 4G Wireless High-Speed Internet"

Daimler AG today announced that it selected the smart plant in Hambach, France, as the location for future series production of the smart fortwo electric drive. As of 2012, the highly innovative electric vehicle, equipped with the most modern lithium-ion-battery, will roll off the assembly line in large-scale production and will be offered to customers through the smart sales network. The announcement was made on the occasion of an official visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Hambach plant.....

Keep Reading "Smart ForTwo Electric Drive To Enter Series Production In 2012"

In September, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 114,300 (September 2008: 122,200) Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart, and Maybach brand vehicles worldwide (minus seven percent). Mercedes-Benz delivered 104,900 (September 2008: 110,700) passenger vehicles to customers (minus five percent). The smart brand sold 9,400 (September 2008: 11,500) units (minus 18 percent). With these results in September, Mercedes-Benz Cars recorded the highest sales total in any month this year. Contributing to this development were the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, but also strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China, and a stabilization of sales in Western Europe and the United States...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 6.5 Percent In September 2009"

Up until now, the  only spy photos of the forthcoming 2011 Mercedes CLS-Class have been of the non-AMG variant – that is, until today.  That's because the gentlemen over at SpeedLux.com have managed to capture the next-generation CLS63 AMG in action, providing those of you eager for the next high horsepowered four door coupe the first glimpses of what to expect from the model...

Keep Reading "2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Spy Photos Emerge"

The Stuttgart-based automobile manufacturer Daimler AG has won four first places in the Europe-wide survey to decide the 2009 Internet Auto Awards. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class was voted Europe's most popular van, for which it received the "Carolina" Trophy. The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG took first place in the online vote for the most popular new product at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show. The editors of AutoScout24 declared "e-mobility Berlin" with the smart electric drive to be the best environmental initiative – the first large-scale project for urban electro-mobility. The best innovation was the SPLITVIEW technology that now enables the driver and front passenger to see different displays on one and the same screen at the same time...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Takes Home Four First Places In Internet Auto Award 2009"

U.S. sales figures for the month of September are in, and Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting that for the month, sales hit their second highest level of the year with 16,985 units sold – a decrease of 9.6 percent when compared to September 2008.  As a result, sales at Mercedes-Benz USA now total 135,413 new units through the first nine months of the year, a 23.6 percent drop when compared to the year prior...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA September 2009 Sales Drop 9.6 Percent"