Few vehicles define Mercedes-Benz in the modern era as clearly as the GLC. Long the brand’s global bestseller, it has embodied versatility, design, and everyday luxury. Now, with the all-new electric GLC arriving in 2026, Mercedes-Benz is not just refreshing a customer favorite. It is reimagining what a midsize SUV can be in an electrified age.

The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology.

Electric-First, Luxury-Always

The new GLC has been designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle. The payoff is clear: improved performance, generous space, and benchmark efficiency. A longer wheelbase brings more room inside, with up to 47 millimeters of additional rear legroom, while a front trunk adds another 128 liters of storage. Despite its refinement, this is no delicate EV. With a towing capacity of up to 2.4 tonnes, the GLC 400 4MATIC is equally at home pulling a boat to the coast as it is gliding down the autobahn.

A Smarter Kind of Intelligence

At the heart of the new GLC is MB.OS, the AI-driven “superbrain” that orchestrates every element of the vehicle. It handles infotainment, driver assistance, charging, and comfort with real-time adaptability. With computing power measured at 254 trillion operations per second and seamless over-the-air updates, this is a vehicle designed not just for today but for the decade ahead.

MB.OS does more than process data. It interacts naturally. The new MBUX Virtual Assistant, powered by Microsoft and Google AI, can field questions, provide detailed responses, and hold follow-up conversations without losing context. Pair that with the MBUX Hyperscreen, now a seamless 39.1-inch sweep of glass across the dash, and the interior feels less like a cockpit and more like a living, evolving digital lounge.

The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology.

Design That Redefines the Familiar

The new GLC does not abandon its iconic silhouette. Instead, it evolves with confidence. The redefined Mercedes-Benz face now features an illuminated, chromed grille that makes an unmistakable statement of presence and prestige. Inside, Sensual Purity reaches new heights with floating digital displays, ambient lighting, and a SKY CONTROL panoramic roof that projects 162 illuminated stars into the night sky.

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is also offering a certified vegan interior package. It makes the company the first automaker to achieve independent certification for a fully animal-free cabin. It is a subtle but significant detail that aligns luxury with progressive values.

Performance Without Compromise

Mercedes-Benz has equipped the new GLC with an 800-volt battery architecture that enables up to 303 kilometers of range added in just ten minutes of charging. The GLC 400 4MATIC leads the lineup with 360 kilowatts of power and up to 713 kilometers of range (WLTP). Bidirectional charging capability allows the SUV to power your home or feed electricity back into the grid, a reminder that the GLC is not only a vehicle but also an energy hub.

On the road, S-Class technology ensures the ride remains unmistakably Mercedes. Adaptive air suspension, rear-axle steering, and the new One-Box braking system combine smoothness with agility. The result is a midsize SUV that can devour highway miles with ease while still feeling nimble in tighter city streets.

Der neue Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC mit EQ Technologie.
Energieverbrauch kombiniert: 14,9-18,8 kWh/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 0 g/km | CO₂-Klasse: A [1]
Interieur: Leder, beech brown/schwarz
[1] Die Angaben sind vorläufig. Es liegen bislang weder bestätigte Werte von einer amtlich anerkannten Prüforganisation noch eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich.
Inhalt des Displays kann vom Serienstand abweichen.;Energieverbrauch kombiniert: 14,9-18,8 kWh/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 0 g/km | CO₂-Klasse: A [1] [1] Die Angaben sind vorläufig. Es liegen bislang weder bestätigte Werte von einer amtlich anerkannten Prüforganisation noch eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich.
The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology
Energy consumption combined: 14,9-18,8 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A [1]
Interior: leather, beech brown/black
[1] The information is provisional. Neither confirmed values from an officially recognised testing organisation nor an EC type approval nor a certificate of conformity with official values are available to date. Deviations between the data and the official values are possible.
Display content may differ from series status.;Energy consumption combined: 14,9-18,8 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A [1] [1] The information is provisional. Neither confirmed values from an officially recognised testing organisation nor an EC type approval nor a certificate of conformity with official values are available to date. Deviations between the data and the official values are possible.

The Future, Wrapped in Familiar Luxury

For customers who know and love the GLC, this new chapter feels both radical and reassuring. It is still versatile, still luxurious, and still unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. With its AI-driven intelligence, expansive range, and bold design, it signals something greater: a turning point for the brand and for the midsize luxury SUV itself.

When the all-new GLC arrives in 2026, it will not just continue a legacy. It will define the next one.

It was only a matter of time. The all-electric Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ, stately, silent, and dripping with clean German engineering, has officially been kidnapped by Mansory, blindfolded with forged carbon fiber, and dragged into a luxury rave somewhere between Monaco and Mars. And you know what? It kind of slaps.

This marks Mansory’s first venture into electrifying the iconically boxy G-Class, and true to form, the tuner has thrown absolutely no chill at it. Gone are the modest, whisper-soft aesthetics of Mercedes-Benz’s $168K green giant. In their place? A brutalist fever dream sculpted in exposed forged carbon, layered like a flexing black diamond, and bolted onto 24-inch fully forged FC.5 rims that look like they were plucked off a Batmobile prototype.

This isn’t just a glow-up. It’s a voltage-fueled transformation.

MANSORY: The House That Extra Built

If you’re new to Mansory, let’s be clear: this is the fashion house of carbon chaos. The brand doesn’t tune so much as detonate. Based in Germany, Mansory has built its reputation on flipping the world’s most luxurious cars inside out, Ferraris, Lambos, Bentleys, and turning them into rolling statements of wealth, power, and unapologetic taste.

Think oligarch meets Gotham villain. Oil baron meets fashion week. You don’t buy a Mansory. You announce it.

So when the G580 EQ, a fully electric 579-hp, 6,800-pound techno-brick, rolled onto the scene, you knew it wouldn’t stay factory-stock for long.

The Build: Subtle as a Bomb

Let’s get into it. Mansory’s first G580 EQ doesn’t so much drive as swagger. The forged carbon bodywork wraps around the original lines like a bespoke armored suit. The widebody fender flares are signed, sealed, and delivered straight from the Mansory playbook. The redesigned grille? Gone is the humble Benz star. In comes the Mansory logo, standing dead-center like it owns the Autobahn.

There’s a revised bumper with added LED DRLs, an aggressive chin spoiler, and extra roof lights like you’re about to blast through a jungle at midnight… or, more likely, the parking lot of The Dubai Mall. Out back, it’s equally wild: quad roof spoilers, a multi-fin diffuser that belongs in Le Mans, and enough logo badging to remind you who really birthed this beast.

And those wheels. The FC.5s are 24-inch, lightweight, forged art pieces that could double as dinner plates for Poseidon himself. Blue brake calipers peek through, hinting at the electric soul beneath all that brute muscle.

No shots of the interior yet, but knowing Mansory, expect either royal-blue ostrich leather, illuminated quilted Alcantara, or an entire galaxy-themed headliner. Maybe all three.

The Base: G-Wagen, But Make It Electric

Underneath the chaos is still a Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ, and that’s no joke. We’re talking four electric motors, one per wheel, for a brainy torque vectoring system capable of climbing boulders or doing parking-lot pirouettes. That’s 579 hp and a Titanic-pulling 859 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 in 4.7 seconds. Wading depth? A wild 33.5 inches.

Despite weighing nearly 7,000 pounds, it handles off-road terrain like a caffeinated goat. Thanks to a 116-kWh battery lifted from the EQS and rapid charging up to 200 kW, the G580 EQ gets roughly 240 miles of range. More if you coast downhill in Davos.

Why It Works (and Why It Shouldn’t)

On paper, this car is a contradiction. A brutally extravagant EV? A carbon-bodied tank built for silent off-roading? A tuner best known for V12 fury now building toys for the age of electrons?

And yet it works. The G580 EQ by Mansory feels like the future winking at the past. It’s excessive, it’s impractical, it’s possibly illegal in three jurisdictions. But it’s also what makes the car world exciting again.

While others chase minimalist EV serenity, Mansory just crashed through the wall with a forged-carbon fist and said: “Nah, let’s make it glorious.”

Final Word

The first Mansory G580 EQ is not for the quiet type. It’s not for the eco-warrior who wants to save the planet in stealth mode. This is for the person who wants to be seen from orbit. Who craves silence but demands spectacle. Who drinks oat milk and champagne. Who wants to know they’re riding in the only all-electric G-Wagen that could double as a Bond villain’s getaway car.

And honestly? Respect.

Welcome to the electric future, Mansory-style. Bring sunglasses.

Remember when sports cars came in canary yellow and transformed like magic at the push of a button? Long before Teslas and touchscreen dashboards, the Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor rolled onto the scene in 1996 as a gleaming symbol of fun, freedom, and smart engineering. Today, nearly 30 years later, it’s parked proudly in the “Youngtimer”exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, a reminder that some icons never lose their shine.

This isn’t just a car. It’s a time capsule.

The Coolest Car of 1996?

In an era of dial-up internet and Discmans, the SLK 230 felt like something out of the future. With its sleek vario-roof, an electro-hydraulic folding hardtop that transformed the car from coupe to convertible in seconds, it turned heads and dropped jaws. It wasn’t just about style; it was about transformation, freedom, and the thrill of engineering that worked with a single button.

Painted in a now-iconic yellowstone (Mercedes-Benz colour code 685), the SLK didn’t whisper onto the scene. It shouted. The launch color was deliberately bold, intended to disrupt the brand’s reputation for quiet conservatism. It worked. The SLK wasn’t just a new model; it was a new mood.

Mercedes-Benz

Why the SLK 230 Still Turns Heads Today

In a sea of grayscale SUVs and sedans, the bright yellow SLK feels like joy incarnate. Its design remains timeless… fluid, minimal, unmistakably Mercedes. The signature grille, low-slung stance, and compact frame offered a kind of approachable luxury. It didn’t scream wealth; it winked at it.

Under the hood? A four-cylinder engine with a mechanical supercharger, delivering 193 hp. It wasn’t the fastest car on the road, but it was quick, punchy, and satisfying, especially with the top down and the stereo up.

Today, the SLK 230’s appeal goes beyond specs. It’s about vibe. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to chase sunsets, not lap times.

Mercedes-Benz

What Makes a ‘Youngtimer’ Special?

The Youngtimer exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum (open until November 2, 2025) celebrates vehicles from the 1990s and early 2000s. These are cars old enough to be collectible, but young enough to still feel relevant. Think of them as the analog darlings of a digital world.

The SLK 230 Kompressor leads the “Easy Life” theme, joined by nine other vibrant, era-defining models. The exhibition includes interactive stations, generative art powered by AI, and a retro gaming corner, blending nostalgia with tech in a way that feels perfectly now.

Back Then, Ahead of Its Time

Before the SLK, Mercedes was known for luxury sedans and stately presence. This little roadster was flirty, playful, and unpretentious. It still carried the brand’s DNA, safety, engineering, elegance, but wore it like a leather jacket instead of a three-piece suit.

The SLK concept was teased at the 1994 motor shows in Turin and Paris. By 1996, the production model had launched to overwhelming demand. More than 310,000 units were built by the time production ended in 2004.

It was, in every way, the gateway Benz.

A New Generation’s Poster Car

For millennials growing up in the 90s, the SLK was the kind of car you cut out of magazines and taped to your bedroom wall. It was less about prestige and more about possibility. A Mercedes you could actually imagine yourself driving, maybe even owning.

It had weekend energy. Convertible energy. The kind of car that made you want to roll the windows down and take the long way home.

Yellowstone Dreams: A Visit Worth Making

The SLK 230 Kompressor in yellowstone now sits on display in Collection Room 5 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. It feels less like a museum piece and more like a memory made physical. It’s surrounded by pink design elements and digital installations, radiating the same light it did nearly three decades ago.

Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a design nerd, or just someone who remembers how it felt to dream of driving something fun, the SLK is worth seeing up close.

Because some cars weren’t just built to be driven.
They were built to be remembered.

Planning a visit? The Youngtimer exhibition runs until November 2, 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Ten vehicles. One era. A thousand memories.

If quarterly earnings reports were red carpet looks, most automakers would show up in wrinkled khakis and half-hearted grins. Mercedes-Benz?  They’re stepping out in tailored cashmere and patent-leather patience, holding a glass of vintage Dom, unfazed by the storm behind them.

Despite geopolitical chaos, tariff tantrums, and a global EV market doing the automotive version of the cha-cha slide, the brand with the three-pointed star just delivered Q1 results that whispered cool confidence. Not flashy, not desperate. Just… composed. Like a billionaire silently buying your favorite restaurant.

The Headlines (for Those Who Don’t Read Footnotes)

• Group revenue: €33.2 billion. Down 7.4%, but don’t panic — the foundation is rock solid.
• Free cash flow: €2.4 billion. That’s what we call walking around money.
• Net liquidity: €33.3 billion. Yes, billion with a “b”. They’ve got runway for days.
• Adjusted return on sales: 7.3% for Cars, 11.6% for Vans. Not a fluke — just the math of a disciplined empire.

Basically, Mercedes isn’t trying to wow with volume. They’re curating. Think less big-box store, more limited-edition drop.

CLA Leads the Charge, Literally

You know that moment in the movie when the camera pans to the new protagonist and everything changes?
Enter: the all-new CLA.
It premiered in Q1 and instantly became the visual thesis for Mercedes’ next chapter — smart, electric, digital-first, and looking like it just stepped off the set of a sci-fi romance directed by Luca Guadagnino.

The CLA isn’t just a car. It’s a statement: We’re not chasing Tesla. We’re building the car your grandkids will brag about.

And if you missed the concept reveal of the Vision V, a top-end van that feels like Mercedes looked at luxury hotels and said, “What if this had wheels?” — don’t worry. You’ll see it again when every VIP airport transfer in 2027 starts looking suspiciously… couture.

Top-End Still Reigns

While mass-market brands are slashing prices and padding features, Mercedes is still selling desire.

• AMG? Up 17%.
• G-Class? Up 18%.

They’re not trying to appeal to everyone. They’re appealing to the few who make “everyone” turn their heads at traffic lights.

Top-End Vehicles (TEVs) now make up 15% of the car business. That’s not an accident. That’s positioning. That’s saying, We’re not your ride — we’re your résumé.

Electrification: Quietly Making Noise

Sure, global EV demand is wobbling, and yes, BEV sales dipped 14%. But Mercedes isn’t flinching. Why?
Because 37% of their European sales are electrified, and PHEVs are up 8%. The Van division’s BEV sales? Up a wild 59%, thanks to the eSprinter — which, let’s be honest, is what you’d drive if you were delivering oat-milk lattes to the set of a Wes Anderson film.

Electrification is a long game, and Mercedes is playing it like Bobby Fischer with a charging cable.

Tariffs, Trade Drama, and That Global Tension You Feel in Your Bones

Yes, there’s caution in the air. Tariff policies are shifting faster than TikTok trends, and customer behavior can be as volatile as Elon’s Twitter feed. Mercedes is staying cool — issuing guidance that basically says, We see the storm. We’re not panicking. We’re just not pretending we can predict it.

Translation: if tariffs stay, margins might dip. But Mercedes has €33 billion in the vault, lean cost structures, and product desirability that runs deeper than your ex’s need for validation. They’ll be fine.

Mobility and Money: Still Making It Look Easy

Mercedes-Benz Mobility continues to print respectable numbers. RoE is at 8.6%, steady and intentional. Contract volumes dipped, but average per-customer financing went up. This is what happens when you’re not trying to sell more — you’re selling better.

The division also made “further investments in charging activities,” which in corporate speak means, we’re laying the infrastructure now so your life doesn’t suck later.

So What’s the Vibe?

Q1’s mood is matte black, liquidity-rich, and unbothered.
Mercedes-Benz isn’t out here chasing trends. They’re designing the future with one hand and sipping espresso with the other. Revenues are down slightly, yes. But the fundamentals? Strong. The vision? Focused. The confidence? Quiet but undeniable.

If you’re looking for a company sprinting toward relevance, look elsewhere.
Mercedes-Benz is already parked there, engine off, door open — waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.

There are collaborations, and then there are moments.  The latest from Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Berlin’s cult eyewear house ic! berlin is absolutely the latter — a mic-drop of a collection that’s not just about glasses.  It’s about showing up in the world looking like you know something everyone else doesn’t.

Eight new styles, zero apologies, and one thing very clear: whether you’re stepping out of a matte-black AMG GT or catching an Uber in a vintage trench, these frames are here to upgrade the story you’re telling.

Mercedes-Benz Eyewear: Retro Done Right

Let’s start with the Mercedes-Benz side, which channels retro sophistication the way only a brand that practically invented aspirational living can.
There’s something unmistakably cinematic about these frames — like they belong in grainy paparazzi shots of you exiting a hotel in Rome, coffee in one hand, oversized tote in the other.

Smooth curves, minimalist precision, and whisper-quiet flexes like the signature star pattern tucked along the temples. And yes — photochromic lenses that adapt to light conditions so seamlessly, it’s like they read your mind (or at least your calendar).

The MB 21 prescription frames and the MB 24 sunglasses in deep maroon are both instant classics — bold enough to start conversations, clean enough to end them.

Mercedes-AMG Eyewear: Power Moves Only

On the AMG side, it’s all kinetic energy and unapologetic swagger — frames built like they just rolled off the Nürburgring and decided to crash Paris Fashion Week on the way home.

FLEXARBON® is the secret weapon here — a carbon-fiber material light enough to feel like you’re wearing nothing, but engineered tough enough to survive the life you actually live. (Late nights, early flights, sudden rooftop dance floors.)

The colors? Fearless. Venice Green, Yellow, Aubergine Orange — shades that tell the world you didn’t just show up, you arrived.

If you’re serious about leaving a wake behind you, the AMG 19 SHIELD sunglasses — all mirrored lenses and futuristic ambition — are not optional. They’re essential.

Hand-Forged Cool, Zero Screws Given

Every frame is handcrafted in ic! berlin’s Berlin workshop — famous for creating glasses with no screws, no nonsense, and no patience for mediocrity.
It’s minimalist engineering, tuned like a race car, worn like a second skin.

These aren’t the glasses you have to wear.
They’re the ones you get to wear.
And trust: whether it’s a private dinner in Berlin, a balcony party in Brooklyn, or a 6 a.m. red-eye with a side of regret, these frames will keep you sharp, even when everything else is blurry.

Where to Get Them

The collection is available now at the ic! berlin flagship store in Berlin-Mitte, and at select authorized opticians worldwide. Meaning: a global takeover is imminent. Plan accordingly.

The Final Word:

• Mercedes-Benz styles: Cinematic, sculptural, impossibly polished
• Mercedes-AMG styles: Sharp, kinetic, built for maximum impact
• ic! berlin craftsmanship: Lightweight, handcrafted, effortlessly elite

Because at the end of the day, eyewear isn’t just an accessory.
It’s a message.
And this collection? It says exactly what Tori would want it to:
“I know where I’m going. I just look better getting there.”

If you thought German engineering was all serious brows and soul-crushing efficiency, Mercedes-Benz is here to politely suggest you expand your cultural references.

Last night in Manhattan, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a freshly renovated dealership, a freshly reinvented CLA, and, apparently, a freshly minted plan to conquer both TikTok and the Met Gala guest list in one fell swoop. The star of the evening? None other than Ice Spice, aka the “Princess of Rap,” aka the woman currently responsible for half the trending sounds on your little cousin’s For You Page.

Welcome to the “Class of Creators” — Mercedes-Benz’s new galaxy-brain move to make luxury cars less “finance bro weekend toy” and more “cultural artifact you’ll see on A$AP Rocky’s mood board.”

Mercedes-Benz launches the all-new CLA during a pulsating event at Villa Miani

From Rome to Rap Royalty

The new CLA had its world premiere in Rome last month — because of course it did — but Mercedes clearly understood that to win hearts (and wallets) in 2025, you need more than just gorgeous bodywork and absurdly efficient electric range. You need vibe.

Enter Ice Spice, who was handed the keys to the all-new CLA and immediately did what anyone would do if given full creative control: she dipped the thing in molten chrome and bedazzled it like it was auditioning for a Renaissance World Tour. Signature diamond chains, pastel color pops, and a whole capsule fashion collection (hoodies and tees incoming) — all straight from the mind of the artist who once rhymed “baddie” with “maddie” and made it sound like Shakespeare.

The molten CLA was unveiled at Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan’s grand reopening, in an event that mashed together Broadway (shoutout to the Hell’s Kitchen cast), Brooklyn DJs, and enough slices of NYC pizza to fuel a small art collective. Mercedes called it “Stars, Sounds & Slices” because, sure, why not lean fully into the chaos.

And honestly? It worked.

Mercedes-Benz launches the all-new CLA during a pulsating event at Villa Miani

So What Exactly Is the “Class of Creators”?

Think of it like Mercedes throwing a wild dinner party where they invite Ice Spice, Swedish pastel king Gustaf Westman, KidSuper (Colm Dillane, your favorite designer’s favorite designer), Hot Wheels (yes, the toy cars), and League of Legends (because gamers have wallets too, apparently).

Each creator will take the CLA and reimagine it through their own artistic lens — part car design, part fashion drop, part Gen Z marketing fever dream. And yes, there will be merch. Because if you can’t drive the molten CLA to brunch, at least you can show up in a hoodie and quietly flex on everyone.

Upcoming events will see Gustaf Westman drop his vision on May 22, KidSuper on June 28, and Hot Wheels and League of Legends later this year. (No word yet on whether the League of Legends collab will involve actual dragons or just NFTs shaped like steering wheels, but stay tuned.)

Mercedes-Benz launches the all-new CLA during a pulsating event at Villa Miani

Mercedes-Benz: From Autobahn to Algorithm

Mercedes isn’t just selling a car anymore. They’re selling cultural currency. They’re selling the idea that driving a CLA puts you closer to the center of the conversation — whether that conversation is happening on Broadway, Discord, or a pastel-themed art exhibit in Stockholm.

And it’s a smart move. Because in an era where Tesla is fumbling the bag faster than a JV football team and BMW keeps making their cars look like angry whales, Mercedes-Benz is quietly rewriting the luxury playbook: less “old money yacht club,” more “young money internet royalty.”

Is it a little chaotic? Sure. But it’s also brilliant.

They’re not just dropping cars anymore,  they’re dropping culture.

There are auto shows, and then there’s whatever Mercedes-Benz just pulled off at Auto Shanghai 2025: a dazzling spectacle of luxury, tech wizardry, and enough future-forward flexing to make a Silicon Valley founder quietly weep into his kombucha.

First, let’s set the scene. Mercedes-Benz isn’t just showing up in China—they’re planting a flag. Twenty years after setting up shop in the world’s biggest car market, they’re treating Shanghai like a homecoming and a coronation rolled into one. (The only thing missing was a soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and a light show visible from space.)

And in the center ring? Two major debuts: the CLA Long Wheelbase (finally, a car for those who think legroom is a human right) and the Vision V show car—a sci-fi luxury van so sleek it could double as Bruce Wayne’s Uber Black.

Mercedes-Benz VISION V

The Vision V: Luxury Van, Rebranded for the 1%

Mercedes calls it a “chauffeur-driven limousine,” but let’s be honest: it’s a van. A wildly gorgeous, cocoon-like, yacht-on-wheels van.

Imagine stepping into something where the walls whisper, the seats hug you like a Scandinavian life coach, and the entire thing glides along like it’s allergic to potholes. They’ve thrown analog craftsmanship and immersive digital experiences into a blender—and what poured out is the Vision V.

The exterior? All swooping elegance and soft menace. The interior? It’s basically a luxury penthouse that got shrink-wrapped onto four wheels. Mercedes wants you to feel cocooned, important, and maybe a little bit smug. Mission accomplished.

Also, a warning: if you currently drive a 10-year-old crossover, looking at the Vision V for too long may cause feelings of profound inadequacy. Consult your therapist.

Enter: The CLA Long Wheelbase — Because Size Does Matter

Meanwhile, for their Chinese customers who like their sedans long and their tech cutting-edge, Mercedes rolled out the new CLA Long Wheelbase. It’s based on their new MMA platform, which sounds like it should involve cage fighting but actually refers to a Modular Mercedes Architecture that’s scalable, efficient, and built to host a battalion of smart features.

The CLA LWB is the first vehicle rocking Mercedes’ homegrown MB.OS operating system—meaning your car is now basically a smartphone that happens to have an 800-kilometer electric range and a gorgeously aerodynamic body. (Take that, TikTok.)

Electric purists will love the specs: a rear-mounted motor, a two-speed transmission, 800-volt fast-charging architecture, and enough distance on a single charge to make range anxiety a quaint 2010s concept. Oh, and it can recover 325 km of range in just 10 minutes. Time to rebrand your Starbucks pit stop as a “strategic charging session.”

Behind the Scenes: Nerd Heaven

If you thought Mercedes was stopping at pretty cars and luxurious cocooning, you’ve clearly underestimated Stuttgart’s finest. They’re busy inventing the future like it’s a team sport.

• Steer-by-Wire: From 2026, Mercedes will ditch the mechanical link between your steering wheel and your wheels. Translation? Turning your car will feel more like slicing through butter with a heated knife. Low-speed parking becomes effortless, and high-speed maneuvers feel sharper than your ex’s last text.
• Solar Paint: Because solar panels are so last year. Mercedes is cooking up paint that actually generates electricity. Paint your car, charge your battery, and maybe even save the planet a little while you’re at it.
• Neuromorphic Computing: In short, your next car might think more like a brain than a calculator. Mercedes is researching how to make AI inside your vehicle faster, smarter, and about 90% more efficient. Cool. Also, mildly terrifying.
• Urban Futures: Mercedes isn’t just dreaming up cars—they’re dreaming up entire cities, partnering with futurologists, artists, and probably a few friendly robots to imagine life in 2040+. Fun fact: future Shenzhen looks like a cross between a sci-fi utopia and a very upscale Instagram feed.

What This All Means

Here’s the real headline: Mercedes-Benz isn’t just trying to keep up with the future—they’re grabbing it by the lapels and tailoring it to fit. Where some brands dabble in tech like a kid toeing the water at a chilly pool, Mercedes is cannonballing into the deep end—emerging with luxury vans, gamer-grade operating systems, and solar paint, because why the hell not.

And sure, some of these features might seem over-the-top today. (Steer-by-wire gaming? Solar power from my paint job?) But remember: when Mercedes put a computer in a car 20 years ago, people thought that was unnecessary too. Now, if your car can’t tell you which Whole Foods has the best parking lot, you feel personally victimized.

Bottom line? If this is the future Mercedes-Benz is betting on, you might want to start saving now. Because once you see a Vision V or glide effortlessly into a tight parking spot without moving your hands, there’s no going back.

And let’s be honest—you wouldn’t want to.

Mercedes-Benz has conducted a lifecycle assessment of its new C-Class C 300 e plug-in hybrid sedan, taking into account production and charging processes. The production of additional drivetrain components for the vehicle requires greater use of material and energy resources, but during the operating phase, the car benefits from the high efficiency of the electrified powertrain. With a usable energy capacity of approximately 25 kWh and an electric output of 95 kW, the car can cover distances of up to 116 km in all-electric mode without using the combustion engine.

Mercedes-Benz analyzed the charging of the high-voltage battery based on two different energy sources: renewable sources (electricity from hydropower) and the European power mix. The results showed that if renewable power is used to charge the C 300 e, lifecycle CO2 emissions can be almost halved. Mercedes-Benz is also building a battery recycling plant in Germany with a process that will achieve a recovery rate of over 96%. The company-owned Mercedes-Benz car and van plants worldwide have operated on a net carbon-neutral basis since 2022, and since 2021, the company has ensured a subsequent offset with green electricity when customers use Mercedes me Charge public charging stations in Europe, the USA, and Canada.

Mercedes-Benz C 300 e (combined fuel consumption weighted (WLTP): 0.8-0.6 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions weighted (WLTP): 17-13 g/km; combined energy consumption weighted (WLTP): 23.3-20.8 kWh/100 km); designo selenite grey magno ; Nappa leather sienna brown/black; AMG Line + Nightpaket; Comfort suspension; DC charging;(combined fuel consumption weighted (WLTP): 0.8-0.6 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions weighted (WLTP): 17-13 g/km; combined energy consumption weighted (WLTP): 23.3-20.8 kWh/100 km)*

Mercedes-Benz C 300 e (combined fuel consumption weighted (WLTP): 0.8-0.6 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions weighted (WLTP): 17-13 g/km; combined energy consumption weighted (WLTP): 23.3-20.8 kWh/100 km); designo selenite grey magno ; Nappa leather sienna brown/black; AMG Line + Nightpaket; Comfort suspension; DC charging;(combined fuel consumption weighted (WLTP): 0.8-0.6 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions weighted (WLTP): 17-13 g/km; combined energy consumption weighted (WLTP): 23.3-20.8 kWh/100 km)*

Press Release
Apr 6, 2023 – Stuttgart

Important factors for the lifecycle assessment of a plug-in hybrid vehicle include the resources consumed in production and the charging processes of the high voltage battery during vehicle operation. In production, the additional drivetrain components of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 e plug-in hybrid sedan (WLTP: combined fuel consumption, weighted: 0.7–0.5 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions, weighted: 16– 2 g/km, combined electrical power consumption, weighted: 19.8–17.8 kWh/100 km)[1] require a greater use of material and energy resources. However, an overall picture only emerges when the entire life cycle is considered: This is because during its operating phase, the C 300 e benefits from the high efficiency of the electrified powertrain.

Data, facts and figures: The lifecycle performance of the C 300e plug-in hybrid at a glance
Mercedes-Benz based its analysis of the charging of the high-voltage battery on two different energy sources: One scenario is based on power from renewable sources (electricity from hydropower)[2], and the other on the European power mix2. Both scenarios are based on a mileage of 200,000 km. The result: If renewable power (hydroelectric power) is used to charge the C 300 e, lifecycle CO2 emissions can be almost halved.

With the increased electric range (WLTP) brought about by the C 300 e battery and its usable energy capacity of approximately 25 kWh and an electric output of 95 kW, the car can cover distances of up to 116 km[3] in all-electric mode without using the combustion engine.

210 components with a total weight of 90.4 kg can be made in part with materials that result in lower consumption of resources (recycled plastics and renewable raw materials).

Mercedes-Benz is building a battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim in southern Germany with a process that will achieve a recovery rate of over 96%.

All company-owned Mercedes-Benz car and van plants worldwide have operated on a net carbon-neutral basis since 2022.

Since 2021, Mercedes-Benz has ensured a subsequent offset with green electricity when customers use Mercedes me Charge[4] public charging stations in Europe, the USA and Canada. Certificates of origin ensure that corresponding amounts of green electricity are fed into the grid for charged energy quantities after the charging process.

[1] The figures shown are the WLTP CO2 figures measured according to Article 2 No. 3 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures. Electrical consumption has been determined on the basis of Regulation (EC) No. 2017/1151/EU.

[2] The analysis used the GaBi software and database from 2022 (Version SP2022.01) by Sphera Solutions GmbH.

[3] The figures shown are the WLTP CO2 figures measured according to Article 2 No. 3 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures. Electrical consumption [and range] have been determined on the basis of Regulation No. 2017/1151/EU.

[4] In order to allow use of the Mercedes me connect service “Mercedes me Charge”, a separate charging contract with a selected third-party provider is required for charging payment and billing purposes. A personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the Terms of Use for the Mercedes me connect services are required for use of the Mercedes me connect services.

Mercedes‑Benz is returning to CES in Las Vegas the first week of 2023. At the forefront will be the theme of “Tech to Desire,” illustrating how technological developments from Mercedes‑Benz enrich the lives of its customers. The focus is on innovations that give back time, make life easier and generate excitement.

The highlight of Mercedes’ presence at CES will be the tech talks held in their booth 5041 inside the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 5 at 12:00 p.m., where Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer and Chief Software Officer Magnus Östberg will be joined by a number of collaboration partners. Together, they will announce news about the Mercedes‑Benz electrification strategy. They will also discuss automated driving features that give back time, and explain how new developments in in-car audio, streaming and entertainment will generate customer excitement. To round out the program, Mercedes will unveil an artistic collaboration with an innovative entertainment brand, reinventing an icon of pop culture.

By popular demand, we have compiled our favorite photos of the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class for your viewing pleasure.  The photo gallery includes the 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series, 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe, 2012 C63 AMG Sedan, 2012 C350 Sedan, 2012 C350 Coupe, 2012 C300 Luxury Sedan, 2012 C250 Coupe, 2012 C350 Coupe and lastly the 2012 C350 Coupe 4MATIC.

Head below to view all photos in the gallery or click the one of the linked models above to go directly to their corresponding photos.

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Tell us here.  Which is your favorite C-Class?