New Mercedes-Benz CLS PHOTO GALLERY

When Mercedes-Benz presented the first generation of the CLS in 2004, nobody expected that it would virtually reestablished the so-called four-door coupe segment and go on to sell some 170,000 examples throughout the world.

Now, the Stuttgart-based automaker is getting ready to bring the shooting brake category into the limelight with a new variant of the second generation of the CLS.

The company not only acknowledged the production of the Shooting Brake model a few months after the presentation of a concept study at the Auto China motorshow in 2010, but even announced that sales will start in 2012.

Our spy photographers caught up with a very thinly camouflaged prototype, in which only parts of the rear end were hidden.

The shape of the production CLS Shooting Brake remains more or less faithful to the concept with the only visible change being the slightly higher roofline that should improve interior space for both passengers and their luggage.

Don't expect any surprises under the hood as the powertrain lineup will be directly sourced from the sedan model and range from the entry-level 2.2-liter turbo diesel with 204HP (for Europe) to the ferocious 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 with up to 557-horsepower and 800 Nm of torque in the CLS 63 AMG.

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Steve Jobs, AMG, gadgets, Mercedes, Mercedes SL, Offbeat News

Steve Jobs, the charismatic founder of Apple and Pixar, was a man who changed not only the way computers are made and marketed, but also popularized a number of novel products, such as the iPhone and the iPad, which made buyers form long lines outside Apple stores and the competition always play catch-up.

Sadly, Jobs passed away on October 5 at the age of 56. After his death, one of the rumors circulating the web was that of his car’s number plate – or rather its absence.

Some said that he didn’t care about paying the fines, as he surely could afford to, while others claimed that he had somehow obtained a special permit to drive without one.

Jon Callas, who had worked in various security positions at Apple, dismissed all those rumors and revealed the truth to iTWire.

Despite his ingenious inventions, in his personal life, Jobs liked to stick with certain things, like his famous black turtleneck, jeans and sneakers. The same thing applied to his ride: he was always seen driving a silver Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG with no number plates.

Callas said that either Jobs himself or someone close to him discovered a loophole in the California law that gave anyone with a brand-new car a period of six months to put the number plate on the vehicle.

Apparently, Jobs had made an arrangement with the leasing company in which he would change cars every six months, giving back the silver SL 55 AMG and receiving an identical new one.

In classic Jobs style, no one knew the truth or noticed the difference. Presumably, it was a sweet deal for the leasing company as well: every six months, it could put up for sale a barely used silver SL 55 AMG that had been owned by none other than Steve Jobs himself.

So hats off to Steve Jobs who discovered another clever solution even though, he didn’t give it any publicity. May he rest in peace.

Brabus-Prepped Mercedes-Benz SLK200 AMG PHOTO GALLERY

If you ever wondered what a factory-tuned vehicle like a Mercedes SLK 200 [R172] would look after two independent tuners got their hands on it, Project Kahn has you covered.

You see, British designer Afzal Kahn took a Mercedes SLK 200 that had already been fitted with an extensive AMG sport package and then further honed by Brabus and added his own personal touch.

Among other new parts, the SLK 200 benefits from a flat black accent on the hood and the side air vents, carbon-fiber grille pieces and front splitters, red calipers, a Kahn sport exhaust system and new 20-inch matt black RS600 Kahn alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet, the SLK 200's engine gains an extra 56-horses, while the roadster model rides on a lowered sport suspension.

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Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen Common EV Charging Protocol

ACEA, the European car manufacturers’ association, recently called for a common electric vehicle charging standard to be adopted by all automakers. This would be the ideal solution for a unified infrastructure, which in turn, would further boost EV sales.

No sooner had the association’s call been published and seven major manufacturers from Europe and the U.S. but oddly enough, not from Japan, namely Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, announced an agreement to support “a harmonized single-port fast charging approach” for electric vehicles in Europe and North America.

The seven companies agreed to use the "HomePlug Green Phy" as the common communication protocol for charging their EVs, as it will facilitate easy integration in future “smart” grid applications.

The carmakers say that their decision was based on analysis of existing charging strategies, ergonomics of the connector and preferences of US and European customers.

This charging solution is backwards compatible both with the J1772 connector that is standard in the US and the European IEC 62196 Type 2.

Cadillac Challenges Mercedes-Benz by Pitting the Escalade Against the C-Class [Video]

We think most of you will agree with us when we say that, for the same reasons the Cadillac Escalade is extremely profitable, it also doesn't quite fit the brand's current image being sort of a throwback to the glory days of the classic American cruiserships.

But this didn't stop General Motors from raising the ante in yet another provocative commercial for Cadillac that follows the CTS-V spot featuring the Ferrari 458 Italia.

This time, the General took the Escalade and pointed its ammo towards Mercedes-Benz and its C-Class sedan. The video spot shows the big Caddy V8 beating the C300 on a straight line duel, and then…hauling back the Merc.

We're not going to say that we didn't enjoy the video nor that we don't get Cadillac's point, but it's somewhat an unfair comparo when the Escalade starts at $63,200, or about $25k more than the C300. Heck, even the almighty C63 AMG with is 451HP V8 is $5k cheaper than the basic Escalade…

F1, Ferrari, Mercedes, Racing, Red Bull, Reports PHOTO GALLERY

And then they were two… Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are now officially out of the race for the world championship. After the end of the Singapore Grand Prix, only Jenson Button can, mathematically at least, challenge the reigning Formula 1 world champion, Sebastian Vettel in the remaining races.

For most of the Singapore GP Vettel cruised into another easy victory, his ninth this season, as he led from the start and started to build an early lead by being over a second faster on each lap than his rivals in the early part of the race.

On lap 27, his advantage was seriously diminished as the safety car came out due to a collision between Michal Schumacher and Sergio Perez. The two made contact and the German’s Mercedes-Benz racecar went airborne and ended up hitting the barriers, thankfully without any further consequences.

Vettel, however, was able to fend off the ensuing challenge from Button’s McLaren and he crossed the finish line first ahead of the Brit, Webber, Alonso and Hamilton.

Story sources: F1 & ESPN

RESULTS

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Land Rover Scores 54% of the Vote in MSN Cars’ Poll of Best 4x4 Brands

In a recent online poll, MSN Cars asked its readers a simple question: “Which firm makes the best '4x4' type cars?” The winner, with an astonishing 54% of the 39,663 votes is Indian British automaker Land Rover.

The brand’s winning combination of aggressive yet attractive styling, “go anywhere” off-road ability, ruggedness and comfort have made Land Rover the powerhouse brand it is today – and a deserved winner. Land Rover UK managing director Colin Green is understandably over the moon:

“We are thrilled that MSN users have voted Land Rover their favourite 4x4 brand. We know that Land Rover has some of the best brand loyalty figures in the industry and this poll is testament to that. Taking over half the votes is a great achievement and goes to prove that Land Rover really does make the world's most authentic 4x4s. Thank you to everyone who voted for us!”

Second place was snatched by Toyota (9%) and Audi took a surprising third (8%). Jeep claimed an equally surprising sixth (3%), bested by the likes of BMW (6%), Mitsubishi (5%) and Subaru (4%). Mercedes-Benz shared 7th place with Jeep while Lexus, Volkswagen and Volvo scored 2% a piece.

With a history stretching back 63 years, there have been many noteworthy Land Rovers. It seems every model the company has released – from the Range Rover of the 1970s to the Discovery and Freelander models of the ‘90s – has ignited the public’s imagination and fuelled much debate.

So tell us, readers: what is your favourite Land Rover? Do you go with the traditionalist Series I of the ‘40s, the radical Evoque or the flawed yet brilliant Range Rover? You tell us.

By Tristan Hankins

Story source: MSN Cars

SLS AMG GT3, Perhaps Even the E-Cell, But will get the Black Series

If the standard SLS AMG with its 6.3-liter engine and 571-horses is not hot enough for you, you’ll be happy to learn that Mercedes-Benz has told Motor Trend that the company will launch not one, but two hotter versions of its supercar.

“We absolutely have to do a Black Series SLS AMG”, said Tobias Moers who is a member of the board of directors and head of vehicle development at AMG. Although he declined to provide further details, judging from recent Black Series versions such as the C 63 Coupe, we can expect more power and, of course, an impressive aero-kit and race-inspired interior.

The Black Series, however, will look tame compared to the road-legal version of the SLS AMG GT3 racer, which will be created to homologate it for Europe.

Unfortunately, it won't be heading over to this side of the Atlantic due to the massive cost of re-certifying it for the States. “AMG does not make money losing projects. We can’t afford to,” said Moers.

The 2013 SLS E-Cell electric version may be another SLS that may not cross the Atlantic. Mercedes hasn’t yet ruled out bringing the 525HP pure electric supercar to the US, but once again, the company officials are contemplating whether or not the sales volume will justify the cost of the re-certification.

Story Source: Motor Trend

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Mercedes F125,Official detailsMercedes F125,

We don't know if we were supposed to see Mercedes-Benz's new concept car before the grand opening of the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13, but whatever the case, an Italian website has unleashed a gallery of photos along with some initial information on the hydrogen-powered model.

It is named the Mercedes F125, with the number apparently representing the German firm's 125th birthday. The impressive study with the gigantic Gullwing-style doors sports a futuristic design that follows on from the F800 Concept sports saloon shown at last year's Geneva Salon.

The experimental model is said to be powered by four electric motors with a combined output of 231-horsepower that draw energy generated by fuel cells. The coupe model completes the standard 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 220km/h (137mph), while it has a driving range of 1,000km (622 miles).

Official details are expected to be released soon.

Story sources: Omniauto via Jalopnik

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