In a recent study conducted by engineers at Mercedes-Benz, it was found that with the help of the company's DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS, twenty percent of rear-end collisions could have been prevented in Germany alone.  Even more noteworthy, the findings also revealed that on motorways, rear-end collisions could have been reduced even further, by an average of 36 percent.

The findings were based on a new procedure developed by Mercedes engineers - one that for the first time makes possible a predictive calculation of the usefulness of new safety technologies. Factors taken into account during the research included both official statistics and the analysis of the approximately 16,000 traffic accidents which have so far been studied within the framework GIDAS (German In-Depth Accident Study), as well as the reconstruction of more than 800 rear-end collisions...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Accident Study Shows 20 Percent Of Rear End Collisions Can Be Avoided With DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS"

If you've seen Alanis Morissette's new video "Underneath" recently, the first off her new album entitled Flavors of Entanglement, you may have noticed that making a cameo is the Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC.  Mercedes and the seven-time Grammy-winning artist teamed up to promote environmental awareness in the video, as Alanis is a strong supporter of environmental causes and organizations.

According to Miss Morissette:  "Making green choices on a local level is important in creating global change."  She adds: "I'm glad that Mercedes-Benz is introducing a great option with the new E320 BlueTEC, and thrilled to include it in the video for my new song ‘Underneath’ as it fits right in with the concept..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz And Alanis Morissette Partner To Produce 'Underneath' Video For Mixed Tape"

I have a confession to make.  Back in March, Brabus announced they'd be unveiling a special variant of their C-Class Bullit titled the Brabus Bullit Black Arrow at the Geneva Motor Show, but at the time, I along with several members of our normal staff were on vacation and our guest editors missed it.  As a result, you won't find any mention of the Brabus Bullit Black Arrow on our site, at least not up until now anyways. Today, however, that's all about change, as Brabus has sent us a plethora of new photos showcasing the model along with a lengthy press release outlining what you can expect from the 730-horsepower model...

Keep Reading "An In-Depth Look At The Brabus Bullit Black Arrow"

For those of you craving the latest Mercedes reviews all in one convenient location, we've got 'em, all neatly packaged in yet another Review Roundup installment.  In this episode, four Mercedes models are put through their paces - the new GLK-Class, the C63 AMG, the C350 and the new SLK-Class - with the reviews hopefully helping shed some insight as to what to expect from each.  As is the case with all our Review Roundups, you can find an excerpt from the first review below as well as the full collection of articles immediately after the jump.


Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (via Motor Trend)
Reviewer's rating: Unspecified

"Mercedes engineers provided Motor Trend with an early introduction to their new BMW X3 rival at the SIP off-road test center in the Pyrenees mountains about two hours outside of Barcelona, Spain. Though the drive wasn't optimal (the special off-road package on the test vehicle won't be offered in the states), it did provide an early and revealing glimpse at this newest and smallest of Benz SUVs, headed our way in January..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup:  GLK-Class, C350, C63 AMG And SLK-Class"

In the battle for horsepower supremacy, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG holds a distinct advantage over BMW's M3.  But for some, winning simply isn't enough - instead, only supreme dominion over the legions of M3 owners will suffice.  If you find yourself in this camp, MKB has a tuning package aimed at making the already consummate C63 AMG even more authoritative. 

Titled the MKB 63/8, the tuning package increases power in your beloved AMG C-Class from its standard 336 kW/457 hp and 600 Nm of torque to a staggering 417 kW/567 hp and 673Nm of torque. The result is a 0-62 mph time of just 4.2 seconds (standard C63 AMG 0-62  mph time is 4.5 seconds) while top speed comes in at 183 mph (standard C63 AMG is limited to 155 mph).  Despite the added power, MKB assures the C63 AMG will maintain its exemplary reliability, offering a two year warranty on the whole drive train and TÜV-regulation in Germany...

Keep Reading "MKB Unveils 567 HP Tuning Package For The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG And The CLK63 AMG"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a marvelous, marvelous weekend.  As many of you already know, yesterday marked the seventh F1 race of the season - the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal - but what made the race even more unique was the fact that it was the first race of the season broadcast in the U.S. on FOX (as opposed to SPEED TV).  As a result, even those of you without cable were able to witness the carnage of Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for yourself.  What carnage am I referring to?  If you missed the race, keep reading to find out.

Keep Reading "Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Race Recap:  Montreal"

Daimler AG is reporting today that worldwide sales at its Mercedes-Benz Cars division dropped 4.2 percent for the month of May, with deliveries of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands decreasing to 111,100 new units (compared to 116,000 in May 2007). Despite the decrease, year-to-date deliveries at Mercedes-Benz Cars are up ten percent, reaching a record 548,800 new units (compared to 2007's five-month ytd total of 500,500 units).

Individually, sales of the Mercedes-Benz brand dropped to 98,100 units, a decrease of 5.1 percent when compared to May 2007's 103,400 new units. This figure brings MB's year-to-date total to 493,200 new units - up 5.3 percent over the same period last year...

Keep Reading "Worldwide Sales At Mercedes-Benz Cars Drop 4.2 Percent In May"

First there was our exclusive first look at the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.  Then, Mercedes officially unveiled the non-AMG G variants.  Today, the cycle is complete, as Mercedes has finally unveiled the last remaining G-Class:  the G55 AMG.   Of course, if you caught our first article, you already know what to expect from the classic and consummately powered SUV.  But if you missed our earlier story, here's a quick rundown.

On the outside, the G-Class' styling changes match those bestowed upon its non-AMG siblings, meaning an updated grille and new wheels.  Nothing revolutionary, but still tasteful nonetheless.  Inside, the latest COMAND APS system is standard, which features a high-definition 6.5-inch color display, rapid HDD navigation with aerial view, LINGUATRONIC for controlling audio, navigation and phone systems, a 4 GB memory for music files and a slot for SD memory cards...

Keep Reading "A Second Look At The 2009 Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG"

In the latest customer survey conducted by U.S. market research institute J.D. Power, Mercedes-Benz has become the beneficiary of not one... not two... but three accolades.  Receiving two gold awards for the highest vehicle quality in their respective market segments are the E-Class and CLK-Class, while the Platinum Award was bestowed upon Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant (making it the assembly facility with the best delivered quality worldwide). Overall, Mercedes improved one place over last year - ranking fourth in overall quality - and it was also the only European brand to garner an individual model award.

As to how J.D. Power arrived at the results, market researchers investigated the satisfaction of American customers within the first 90 days of their vehicle purchases, evaluating the quality of both the concept and execution of the vehicle. This year, the opinions of some 80,000 verified owners were tabulated, all of whom owned 2008 model year vehicles...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Receives Three Awards In Latest J.D. Power Quality Study"

For the history aficionados among you, Mercedes has published a press release today taking a look back at Camille Jenatzy and his 1903 Gordon Bennett Trophy win aboard a Mercedes Simplex.  It was a significant race for the company, with Jenatzy's victory the first major international success for the Mercedes brand, but what makes the story even more unique is the series of events leading up to the race - most notably, a fire at DMG's Cannstatt plant that destroyed the three Simplex race cars to be used in the event...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz History:  A Look Back At Camille Jenatzy And The 1903 Gordon Bennett Trophy"

In financial news, Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting today that for the month of May, sales at the U.S. division were up 0.1 percent to 21,875 new units (compared to 21,771 new units in May 2007).  This figure brings MBUSA's year-to-date total to 99,703 new units, a 1.1 percent increase over 2007's five-month ytd total of 98,651 new units.

As for the models making headlines, the C-Class was again the volume leader for the brand, with sales of the sedan totaling 7,394 new units (up 43.9 percent over May 2007's total of 5,139 units).   The new-generation SL-Class - the first 2009 model to hit dealerships - also noted strong May sales, with deliveries of the legendary roadster totaling 1,083 new units - up 60.4 percent over the 675 SL's delivered in May 2007...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA Notes Highest May Sales On Record With 21,875 New Vehicles Sold"

Our second Mercedes Review Roundup of the day is of a distinctly more compact flavor, with the recently revised Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class models again being critiqued for your reading pleasure.  As is the case with all our Review Roundups, you can find an excerpt from the first review below as well as the full collection of featured reviews immediately after the jump.


Mercedes-Benz A-Class (via MSN Cars)
Reviewer's rating: 

"Visually, the 2008 facelift is a candidate for a seriously tricky spot the difference contest. There are distinctions - new three louvered grill, redesigned lights and bumpers - but they are very subtle. The A-Class has never been an exciting car, and it isn't about to get you all hot and bothered now..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup:  A-Class And B180 CDI"

Just when you thought you had your fill of Mercedes reviews, we're bringing you not one but two installments of our Review Roundup segment this morning.  In total, three models - the CLS 350 CGI, the E550 and the C-Class Estate - are all tested, thus giving those of you considering the purchase of any a small taste of what to expect from each.  As always, you can find a portion of the first review below as well as the collection of full articles immediately after the jump.


Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CGI (via Auto Express)
Reviewer's rating: 

"Benefiting from cutting-edge direct injection, the CLS has diesel-like thrust and petrol levels of refinement. The engine is whisper quiet and never feels underpowered, although this wasn’t evident at the test track. In the 0-60mph sprint, the Merc was slower than all its rivals bar the X6, with a time of 6.7 seconds. This is partly due to the seven-speed auto, which makes the car slower off the line; the trade-off is that the box is great at maximising the V6’s 365Nm of torque at speed..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup: CLS 350 CGI, E550 And C-Class Estate"

This weekend's Mercedes reviews are in, and despite the fact that two of the models tested were recently the beneficiaries of mid-life updates, both were still given less-than-stellar endorsements from those that tested them.  Although the Mercedes S320 CDI managed to capture four out of a possible five stars, the A-Class and B-Class models tested were ranked with three stars and two stars (again out of a possible five), respectively. 

As for why the models were ranked as they were, that you'll have to read the rest of our Review Roundup to find out.  As always, you can find excerpts from the first review below as well as the full collection of articles immediately after the jump.


Mercedes-Benz S320 CDI (via Carpoint.com.au)
Reviewer's rating: 

"The S 320 CDI is Mercedes-Benz's first diesel offering for the S-Class range in Australia; the sole oiler alongside the petrol V6, V8 and V12 S models. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine lines up with its petrol equivalent at the slightly-more affordable end of the range and takes to six the total number of engine options for the S-Class..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup:  S320 CDI, A-Class And B180 CDI"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a marvelous weekend.  To kick things off this balmy June morning, Mercedes has taken a moment to bask in the glory of the C-Class -- a model that since debuting on March 31, 2007, has since gone on to sell more than 300,000 units in one year's time.  As a result, the Mercedes C-Class has become the worldwide leader in its market segment since the beginning of 2008...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Delivers 300,000 Units Of The C-Class In the Model's First Sales Year"