Mercedes's Metrosexual Appeal

The 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet is shown in this
undated handout photo. The car, made by Mercedes-Benz,
is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine with 70 horsepower
and has a base price of $16,590.
Source: Smart USA via Bloomberg News

Forget the Lamborghinis and Bentleys. The hot car of the moment? The one that has people shouting at you on street, asking about price and top speed? The 9-foot-long Smart. The answer to those shouted questions is that it costs $11,590 to $16,590 and has a top speed of 90 miles per hour. The Smart is a car for an era when less is more and good gas mileage is suddenly sexy. By that calculation, it's one of the biggest, sexiest rides on the road.

To answer the next questions, it holds 8.7 gallons and gets 33 mpg in town, 41 highway. Happy times. Made by Mercedes-Benz, the Smart has been sold in Europe since 1998. Its very tardy arrival stateside coincides with our petrol blues. Just over 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, the pug-nosed dimensions are unique, and with its dent-resistant plastic siding, there's a certain clown quality to it. No wonder people do double takes and break into smiles.

The Fortwo, available as a coupe or cabriolet, does indeed seat two, and it's easy to get in and out of, with long doors spanning the front and back 15-inch wheels. Seats are big and, even in the convertible version I tested (called the Fortwo Passion Cabriolet), there's ample headroom. My knees ran up against the dashboard's knee pad, though, which is part of the steel safety cell designed to absorb energy in a crash. Otherwise, even with a 6-foot passenger alongside, it's plenty roomy.
Four Air Bags : The Smart has done well in crash tests, with four air bags and standard electronic stability control. The brakes also pull the 1,852-pound convertible to a surprisingly assured stop. For an urban dweller, it's hard not to focus on the potential dividends, the ability to slip into itty-bitty parking spots being the major one. So I put it to the ultimate test: On a day with a dozen errands to do all around New York City, I take the car.

Let's start by saying this: A tiny auto -- the Smart is 3 feet shorter than BMW's Mini -- means you'll have to sacrifice some things. Powered by a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine good for 70 horsepower, it's maybe one-fourth as powerful as most cars I test. So that sudden punch of acceleration you may be used to? Scotch that. At times, the engine seems to suffer from narcolepsy.

The bigger issue is the transmission, which is so lousy it verges on being a deal breaker. A five-speed automated manual with an internal clutch, it can be left in automatic mode or manually controlled via wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Similar systems are often found in sport cars like the Audi R8.

Pregnant Pause : While other manufacturers talk about shifts that take 10ths of seconds, this one feels like tens of seconds. As it transfers from second to third, there's a long, pregnant pause as all power ceases -- causing the car to pitch forward -- and upon finally shifting (hallelujah!) the weight pitches violently back.

With practice I find some workarounds to this issue, mostly by getting on the gas early and pegging it to the floor. Or sometimes winding the engine up near the redline in first gear and holding it there as I drive between stoplights. This doesn't do the gas mileage any favors, however. The steering is good; direct and linear. And with no nose up front, you can thread through city traffic creatively. You've got to watch out for taxis and delivery trucks, though. The Smart has tons of charisma, but it isn't intimidating.

For an extra $3,000, the convertible is a great option. Fully automated, it pulls back like a sunroof, then accordions along the back. Best of all, it can be operated at highway speeds, and the rear window is glass. For storage, the back is accessed through a hatch that folds down like a pickup truck (and which you can actually sit on). With finesse you can wedge two golf bags there, or enough groceries for your fridge. The passenger seat also folds down flush.
No Hecklers : I find my first parking spot in front of a fire hydrant on the Upper East Side and am approached by construction workers. I'm expecting to get heckled, but no, they're just curious. The Smart makes you approachable in a way that belies every New York City instinct.

So it goes all day. I find spots on Madison Avenue, the Lower East Side, even Soho. As I pull into one cramped nook, a woman says, ``Lucky you.'' A youth with baseball cap pulled down low yells out, ``That's hot!''

One last test: The highway. Merging into traffic among tractor trailers, I feel like a minnow joining a pod of whales, though I am soon up to 70 mph with the top down. It's noisy and I wouldn't want to drive cross-country in a Smart, but you could probably withstand a daily 30-mile commute.

And yes, it really does go up to 90 mph. It takes a bit of nerve and two hands on the wheel, though the reaction on other drivers' faces as you pass them is worth every penny.

The 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet at a Glance

Engine: 1.0-liter, three-cylinder with 70 horsepower.
Transmission: Five-speed automated manual.

Speed: 0 to 60 in 12.8 seconds.

Gas mileage per gallon: 33 city, 41 highway.

Price as tested: $17,110.

Best features: Maneuverability in city; ability to squeeze it into tiny parking spots.
Worst feature: The abysmal transmission.

Target buyer: The urban traveler, or the driver looking for a non-hybrid that gets more than 30 mpg.

Diana Mercedes Crash -Police delayed by paparazzi

Paparazzi who took photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales, dying in a car wreck stopped police from getting to the scene, her inquest has heard.

Eyewitness Clifford Goorovadoo said: "It is true that when the first police officers arrived the journalists would not let them through. They were pushing."

Mr Goorovadoo, a chauffeur who was parked down the road from the 1997 Alma Tunnel crash in Paris, later recognised photographer David Odekerken from a picture line-up.

He told police: "He was taking photographs of the victims and the vehicle. He was also one of those who ran away when the police arrived. He therefore can not be one of those photographers who hindered the police."

Alerted by the "roar of a Mercedes car engine" Mr Goorovadoo looked up and spotted a motorcycle in hot pursuit of a Mercedes Benz which was carrying Diana.

The pillion passenger on the motorbike was taking photographs just before the Mercedes Benz crashed, according to Mr Goorovadoo. He was not certain if a flash gun was being used.

There was "a tremendous noise" moments later and Mr Goorovadoo rushed to help the victims. He was quickly identified as a key witness by the press, the inquest heard.

It is believed that Mr Goorovadoo has refused to appear at the central London inquest, but the hearing heard evidence from his police statements made at the time.

Tom de la Mare, for the Ritz Hotel, raised the possibility that Mr Goorovadoo may have been "got at" by the paparazzi to change his account so as not to paint them in such a bad light.

Mr Goorovadoo made six police statements, the first at 2.30am on August 31 1997 just two hours after Paris crash which killed Diana, her lover Dodi Fayed and mercedes driver Henri Paul. His statements, including variations on the possible distance of the motorbike to the Mercedes, were read out to the jury.

Mercedes Benz and Kumho Tire

Kumho Tire, the nation's second-largest tire maker, will supply tires for Daimler AG's luxury multi-purpose vehicle Mercedes-Benz Viano.

The company will supply the German automaker with 10,000 KU19 tires that will be installed on the new Viano X-Clusive sedans. The luxury model will be sold in Europe as a special edition. The tires are designed to be fit for ultra high-speed driving at up to 360 km/h while guaranteeing the comfort of drivers and reducing noise.

Kumho Tire said the supply contract proves the excellence of its technology and product quality, which were strictly tested by one of the world's top carmakers. It expects the supply to improve its brand image and increase sales. A Kumho Tire press release said one of the company's five major business goals for 2015 is to tap overseas markets and to increase supplies to global automakers.

The Korean tire maker has supplied tires for Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedans since last year and is negotiating with Daimler AG to supply products for the carmaker's other luxury models. It is also a supplier for Chrysler and Volkswagen.

Hilton Bro and Black Mercedes E350

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Officer Steve Whitmore said Barron Hilton's bail was upped to $20,000 from the previous $5,000 because he is now facing a felony charge of possessing a forged California driver's license in addition to misdemeanor DUI.

The third of Kathy and Rick Hilton's four offspring has been ordered to appear Apr. 14 at the Malibu courthouse.

After spending the better part of the day behind bars since being booked on suspicion of driving under the influence Tuesday morning, Barron Hilton posted $20,000 bail at around 5:45 p.m.

And Barron Hilton's rap sheet could get meatier still if charges are filed in connection to the smashup the hotel heir was involved in shortly before his arrest.

Not long before Paris Hilton's 18-year-old brother was arrested, witnesses saw his black Mercedes E350—with an unidentified woman at the wheel—sideswipe a grey Ford Ranger pickup truck on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and continue on its merry way.

The other vehicle's presumably peeved driver followed Hilton, who at some point returned to the driver's seat, and his cruising partner to a gas station on PCH, where authorities eventually caught up with them—although not before, according to eyewitness accounts, Hilton had a run-in with a station employee's leg.

Per the L.A. County Sheriff's report summing up Hilton's arrest at 8:05 a.m. for alleged DUI, the California Highway Patrol was investigating a possible collision that occurred while the unnamed woman was driving.

CHP Public Information Officer Leon Hines said the Mercedes bumped into the Ford at 6:10 a.m. while heading north on PCH just above Sunset Boulevard.

The driver of the Ford continued to follow the Mercedes to Coral Canyon at PCH, and that's where CHP responded to the call and began the preliminary collision report, Hines said. Neither of the drivers involved appeared to be under the influence.

As for the man whose leg got in the way of Hilton's car, he told the New York Post and TMZ that, after the impact knocked him over, leaving him with some bruises, two men jumped out of a Ford with a dented left side and grabbed the keys out of the Mercedes to prevent the car's occupants from driving away again.

The driver of the truck had called the police en route to the gas station, and he had Hilton wait it out on a bus bench until authorities arrived.

Hilton, who blew a 0.14 percent on a Breathalyzer test and was found to be carrying the fake ID, was booked into custody at the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station at 8:35 a.m.

Mercedes Benz Growth , bring Daimler to Profit

Daimler AG Thursday said that fourth-quarter net income jumped to €1.7 billion ($2.47 billion) from a net loss of €12 million in the same period of 2006, driven by revived earnings momentum at its core Mercedes-Benz cars division.

Daimler's closely watched earnings before interest and tax, or EBIT, more than doubled to €1.39 billion in the fourth quarter from €550 million a year earlier. Analysts had expected fourth-quarter EBIT of €2.17 billion.

Mercedes ` Gullwing' supercar

Snapped has prototype of has new Mercedes supercar that will become the successor to the company's, famous the 1950s Mercedes 300SL.

It may look like has Dodge Viper, New prototype Mercedes supercar that will become the successor to the car maker's famous Mercedes Gullwing 300SL of the 1950s. Mercedes has commissioned German company HWA - has spin-off of the car maker's Mercedes AMG tuning division to develop has rival for the Audi R8 supercar.

The car will wear the Mercedes SLC badge and could beginning have has concept At March's Geneva motor show - possibly including top spin-up doors that mimic the 1955 Mercedes 300SL crosses. It is expected to compact, be more and lighter than the Mercedes-McLaren SLR supercar when it goes one salts in 2009.

HWC will save significant weight by making the two-seater Mercedes SLC the first Mercedes to Be built from aluminium rather than steel. Mercedes engineers visited the British car maker's seedling production in 2006 to study how Jaguar assembled its all-aluminium XJ sedan. Details of the Mercedes SLC supercar remain secret signal - even within Mercedes - although speculation says the likely engine to sit in the elongated nose is the Mercedes AMG-tweaked V8 6.2-liter. Torque The V8 currently has power and outputs of up to 386kW and 630Nm respectively, although has turbocharger gold supercharger could be added to send even more power to the Mercedes SLC' S rear wheels.

Mercedes 460kW 5.4-liter supercharged V8 SLR supercar was produced in conjunction with the car maker's, English Formulated One partner Mercedes McLaren. Dirty Disappointing and has less-than-smooth gestation period for the circa-$1 million SLR, encouraged Mercedes to abandonment its co-operation with Mercedes McLaren one has new, smaller supercar.

Mercedes McLaren is now working one its own supercar project while HWA builds the SLC. HWA was formed in 1999 by Mercedes AMG founder Hans-werner Aufrecht (hence the company name), and is based in Mercedes home city of Stuttgart.

The company is spending butt $8 million to expand its production facilities for the new Mercedes SLC. Original The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is one of the most collectible Mercedes ever built.

C-class of Mercedes Benz qualified with the finales

The C-class of Mercedes-Benz of luxury sharpened out of Mazda2 and Ford Mondeo to gain the coveted car of store of wheels of the year.

The others qualified with the finales were BMW M3, Volkswagen EOS and Skoda Roomster. Newest Mercedes gained of a lineup of 20 called.

The writer Ged Bulmer of wheels said that the Mercedes C-class was a car of stand-out, guiding the criticism which it Mercedes, which starts to $57.000, is inaccessible for much. The model of level of entry of Mercedes C-class is about the price of a top-of-the-line commodore thus it is certainly accessible to a greater proportion the Australian ones than the Mercedes S-class, which twice gained the car of the reward of the year.

Daimler AG recalls.

Daimler AG, the manufacturer in the second place largest of the world of the vehicles of luxury, recalls more than 9.000 cars of diesel-engine of the UNITED STATES model for Year 2007 Mercedes-Benz, because a potential problem of probe could make lose the cars power.

In certain cars, the wire could separated from the reinforcement of probe of crankshaft, causing an interruption in electric connection with the piece holding the probe, the national administration of road safety of road of the UNITED STATES said in a report/ratio on its site of Web of recall. Consequently, the car cannot be restarted after failure of electric connection in the probe, increasing the risk of an accident, according to the report/ratio. Cars in the classes of E, GL, M and R are affected, and the retailers will start to replace the probe the next month, the agency known as.

The spokesman Robert Moran of Mercedes and the horn of Christoph immediately did not return a call or messages of E-mail seeking the comment. The newspaper of Wall Street brought back the first time the recall earlier today. Daimler fell 3.50 euros, or 6.6 percent, with 49.78 euros today in Frankfurt. The shares decreased 25 percent this month.

Paparazzi of pursuit of Britney outside on bar

Paparazzi of pursuit of Britney outside on bar 1 hour makes paparazzi the four arrested for the drive reckless while it chases the buds of Britney has been freed on bar, the police in California has said. Roberto Maciel, 31; Leandro Gomes, 30; Filipi Teixeira, 27; and Eduardo Ravalah, 34; they have been interrogates to you and freed 5,000 dollar(£2,500) on bar everyone, shelters of Jason of the official of the megaphone of unit of the police de Los Angeles has said. The situation has begun on the evening of Wednesday in which the officials they have observed several automobiles to follow benz a white man of Mercedes in the district de Los Angeles of mission hills. The automobiles were following too much a lot carefully the automobile, travelling to the dangerous speed and have rendered vary the dangerous changes of the alley, said authorities. The officials have arrested Mercedes, have interviewed the buds and have freed the singer of crack after the verification of its authorization. It was not immediately clear for who the photographers have worked.

Paparazzi di inseguimento di Britney fuori su barra

Paparazzi di inseguimento di Britney fuori su barra 1 ora fa Il paparazzi quattro arrestato per l'azionamento reckless mentre insegue i germogli di Britney è stato liberato su barra, la polizia nella California ha detto. Roberto Maciel, 31; Leandro Gomes, 30; Filipi Teixeira, 27; ed Eduardo Ravalah, 34; sono stati interrogati e liberato 5.000 dollar(£2,500) su barra ciascuno, rifugi di Jason dell'ufficiale del portavoce di reparto della polizia de Los Angeles ha detto. La situazione ha cominciato sulla sera di mercoledì in cui gli ufficiali hanno osservato parecchi automobili seguire un benz bianco di Mercedes nel distretto de Los Angeles delle colline di missione. Gli automobili stavano seguendo troppo molto attentamente l'automobile, viaggiando alla velocità pericolosa ed hanno reso vari i cambiamenti pericolosi del vicolo, autorità dette. Gli ufficiali hanno arrestato il Mercedes, hanno intervistato i germogli ed hanno liberato il cantante di schiocco dopo la verificazione della sua autorizzazione. Non era immediatamente chiara per chi i photographers hanno lavorato.

’89 Mercedes Benz Sauber C9

Now of course, most every design has some sort of inspiration and when it comes to Italian wonder, the general design concept was inspired by that which is the Mercedes-Benz "Sauber C9" (a Group-C racer) of the late 1980's. It’s the beautiful 89’ Sauber-Mercedes C9.

Why borrowing inspiration from 1987 C9 was such an important thing to Horacio Pagani and his vision of the "Fangio F1". The reason for such was that Pagani's long-time childhood idol had been the 5-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, possibly the greatest racing driver that has ever lived. After successfully designing a Renault Formula 3 car in Argentina - Pagani's place of birth - the young Horacio was eventually afforded the chance to meet his idol and from there on, Fangio befriended his young fan and introduced him to Modena where he would later take a position at Lamborghini Automobili, and later still opening his own design/industry supply company under the name "Modena Design". Shortly thereafter, it was all history - wanting to create a supercar in Fangio's name, Horacio set off with the goal of drawing inspiration from Fangio's favourite company, Mercedes-Benz.

Additionally, Horacio tells the great story that Fangio said to Pagani that if he was going to create his own supercar in Fangio’s image, "it must have a Mercedes-Benz engine; I'm a Mercedes-Benz man". So it goes without saying then, after that wonderful anecdote, that implementing Mercedes-Benz style into his supercar was a big priority.

The Sauber Mercedes was also quite dominant in 1990, although Le Mans was the missing crown jewel from the season as the Saubers were withdrawn from the event. In 1991, Sauber's silver cars were not as fast nor reliable as the new Cosworth-powered Jaguars. Peter Sauber withdrew from the WEC at the end of 1991 to concentrate on his Formula One entry for 1993.

The Sauber Mercedes C9, driven by German sports-car aces Jochen Mass, Manuel Reuter, and Sweden's Stanley Dickens were the winners of the 1989 LeMans 24 hour endurance race. The Sauber Mercedes combination was the dominant car during the 1989 FIA World Endurance Prototype series, following up on a strong 1988 season by long-time sports car entrant Peter Sauber. Although Mercedes-powered Group C cars were entered by Suber since 1985, Mercedes-Benz did not offer official factory support until '88, in which the team grew stronger against the TWR-entered Jaguars.

During practice that year it attained the incredible speed of 245 miles per hour on the Mulsanne Straight. That record caused the administrative body to take drastic action for the 1990 race in the name of safety by placing two chicanes on the straight.

Actress Kim Cattrall considers a new SUV from Mercedes-Benz to be a perfect fit for her "Sex in the City" character, Samantha Jones.

Cattrall helped Daimler AG introduce the Mercedes-Benz GLK Freeside Concept during a reception Saturday night in advance of the North American International Auto Show.

"Very passionate people make Mercedes and they're very smart and I've always considered both of those things right down Samantha's alley," Cattrall said. "It's a cutting-edge car."

The compact sport utility vehicle will be driven by Cattrall's sex-obsessed character in the upcoming "Sex in the City" movie, which is expected in theaters on May 20. Cattrall said the vehicle "speaks more about where in her life and her lifestyle."

"We are sure that every time we launch a new Mercedes we get the attention," said Dieter Zetsche, Daimler AG's chief executive. "With Kim at our side, we don't know whether it's the product or whether it's her — but that's even better."

Spears' White Mercedes Car in Police Impound

Britney Spears will be forced to pay a minimum of $136 in towing fees if she wants to get her car back, after police impounded the vehicle on Monday night.

The troubled star brought Los Angeles traffic to a standstill on Monday after one of the tires on her Mercedes burst while she was driving along a busy road in Brentwood.

Cops insisted Spears abandon her white Mercedes on the hard shoulder in a bid to get traffic moving again following the incident, but it has now ended up at the Quicksilver Towing car impound, according to People.com.

Lieutenant David Grimes of the Los Angeles Police Department, West L.A. station, confirms, "Ms. Spears' car was impounded.

"Officers on the scene told me it was blocking the roadway, and that it was unsafe enough to leave at the location.

"(The car) was towed by a private company that's contracted with the city. Her car is being held at the official police garage tow yard."

But Grimes claims Spears will not be hit with any more legal woes relating to the incident, adding: "She won't get any citations or fines."

The singer, 26, was given a lift home by a member of the paparazzi after the breakdown, but she will have to fork out $104 to pay for the towing of the car, plus a further $32 for each day the Mercedes stays in the yard, if she wants it released.

Daimler's Mercedes Full-Year Sales Rise 2% on C-Class

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Cars division, the world's second-largest maker of luxury vehicles, said 2007 sales rose 2 percent on demand for a new C-Class sedan and updated versions of its sport-utility vehicles.

Deliveries by the division, which includes the Mercedes- Benz, Smart and Maybach brands, increased to 1.29 million cars and SUVs from 1.26 million a year earlier, Stuttgart, Germany- based Daimler said in a statement today.

Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche aims to raise the division's earnings as a proportion of sales to ``at least'' 10 percent by 2010, potentially surpassing competitor Bayerische Motoren Werke AG in profitability. The Mercedes-Benz brand has eliminated more than 9,000 assembly-line jobs and is reducing the number of parts in models such as the S-Class, its largest sedan.

Mercedes-Benz brand sales rose 3.2 percent to 1.19 million cars and SUVs last year. Deliveries of Smart cars fell 10 percent to 100,600 vehicles after Mercedes scaled back the lineup to a single, two-seat model. Maybach sales were unchanged at 400 cars.

Deliveries of the entry-level C-Class surged 57 percent to 261,500 vehicles. The company began selling new versions of the car in March, replacing a model dating from 2000, and added a station wagon last month. Sales of Mercedes-Benz SUVs gained 6.3 percent to 180,100 units.

Mercedes-Benz Cars' sales in Asia rose 9.7 percent last year to 142,700 vehicles and increased 2.2 percent in the U.S. to 253,400. In Germany, the company's largest market, sales fell 3.5 percent to 341,800 vehicles.

Mercedes' New SLK

Due out in April, the 2008 SLK roadster offers more power, improved steering and a redesigned interior and exterior

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Mercedes-Benz has released details of its new SLK roadster models ahead of an April 2008 release. With around 650 newly developed parts in all, the latest line-up is marked by new-look front and rear sections -- the redesigned front bumper with a modified air-dam arrangement enhances the two-seater's distinctive arrow shape while at the rear, a diffuser-style lower section, trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes and the AMG-inspired darkened tail lights have been added. Interior modifications include a new instrument cluster, three-spoke sports steering wheel and improved audio and telematics systems while under the hood the supercharged four-cylinder and V6 engine options have been boosted in terms of output and fuel economy with the 265 kW/360 hp, 5.5-litre V8 powerplant retained for the SLK 55 AMG .

The four-cylinder powerplant in the SLK 200 Kompressor and the six-cylinder sports engine in the SLK 350 both offer substantially more power and torque according to Mercedes. The most notable change is the introduction of the fast-running V6 sports engine that develops 224 kW/305 hp at 6500 rpm -- 24 kW (33 hp) more than its predecessor -- and peak torque of 360 Nm at 4900 rpm -- a jump of 10 Nm. The performance enhancements are the result of a higher compression ratio, a new intake manifold and an extensively modified valve train with the engine speed limit raised to 6800 rpm (though 7200 rpm is possible in short bursts with oil temperature and other engine parameters permitting). Attention has also been paid to the engine acoustics with an emotive, sporty note promised -- particularly when decelerating. The SLK 350 also consumes less fuel than its predecessor -- 29.7 mpg running and 30.7 mpg if the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission is fitted. This also translates to reduced CO2 emissions, down 23 g/km to 219 g/km in the automatic version and dropping by 28 g/km to 227 g/km in the manual version.

Standard equipment for the three new SLK models includes a precise six-speed manual gearshift, while the SLK 55 AMG still comes with the 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard. Optional extras available include a five-speed automatic transmission for the SLK 200 and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission or, alternatively, the 7G-TRONIC Sport with shift paddles on the steering wheel for the six-cylinder SLK 280 and SLK 350 models.

A newly developed, mechanical direct steering system with variable steering assistance is also available as an optional extra (standard for the SLK 55 AMG). The system is designed to ensure that the steering gear ratio changes in tune with the steering angle. The ratio is indirect when the steering is in or around the central position so as to ensure excellent straight-line stability and, therefore, a high degree of assuredness when travelling at high speed. At a steering angle of just 5 degrees, the ratio starts to increase extremely rapidly and the steering feels much more direct. As a result, the number of steering wheel revolutions from lock to lock is reduced by around 25 percent if the new direct steering is fitted.

Along with sharper handling characteristics and swifter gear changes offered by the improved AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission, the new SLK 55 AMG -- which is still the only V8 in its class -- features a new apron with a black-painted cross strut and side air outlets as well as darkened projection-beam headlamps and larger exterior mirrors.

The vario-roof that transforms the roadster into a coupé in 22 seconds is retained throughout the line-up and standard-safety equipment includes head/thorax sidebags, adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt-force limiters. The roadster also comes with the option of the unique AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which allows open-top driving pleasure all year round, even in winter.

All models include hands-free radio control with Bluetooth technology and a new media interface added to the glove compartment for integration of personal media players into the the vehicle's audio system's user interface. Mercedes-Benz is also offering the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system as an optional extra in the SLK-Class for the first time. A harman kardon® Logic7® sound system is also optionally available which promises a surround sound boost regardless of whether the vario-roof is open or closed.

Full pricing for the new-generation SLK will be confirmed early in 2008 but the SLK 55 AMG is can now be pre-ordered with a price tag set at 69,049.75 Euro (incl. 19 % VAT).

Mercedes-Benz Championship

Kapalua, HI (Sports Network) - Nick Watney posted a five-under-par 68 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort.

Daniel Chopra shot a four-under 69 to grab second place, followed by U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, Aaron Baddeley and Jonathan Byrd, who carded matching rounds of 70 on Thursday.

Brandt Snedeker held the lead on the back nine Thursday, but a driver malfunction cost him three shots over the final two holes. He finished with a two-under 71 and is tied for sixth with former Masters champion Mike Weir.

This first tournament of 2008 is only for winners of PGA Tour events in 2007, but not all victors came. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have skipped the event for years now, but two more names, British Open champion Padraig Harrington and last year's runner-up Adam Scott, also passed on Kapalua.

Despite the star power missing this week, it's hard to imagine anyone playing better than Watney on Thursday. The round featured heavy winds that are commonplace at Kapalua and consistent rainfall.

Watney broke into red figures with a birdie at three, then rolled in a 13- footer for birdie at four. The young American birdied the fifth for three in a row. A poor drive at the seventh cost Watney a bogey, but he reclaimed the lost stroke with a nine-foot birdie putt at the ninth.

Watney parred his first five holes on the back, but gave himself a good look at birdie at 14. His 13-footer stayed above ground, but at three-under, he was still near the top of the leaderboard.

At the par-five 15th, Watney's drive hit a golf cart and bounced back into the fairway. It was a great break for last year's winner in New Orleans since his drive was destined for the woods. Watney sank a seven-foot birdie putt on the hole to tie Chopra for the lead.

The 17th was one of the most difficult holes on Thursday with several players needing woods into the green. Watney, one of the longest hitters in the field, roped a solid drive down the fairway, but he got mud on his ball. Watney hit a spectacular second 30 feet short of the hole, then drained the long birdie putt for the outright lead.

He made a four-footer to save par at the last.

"I putted very well and I kept it really simple," said Watney. "I hit to the middle of greens and tried to take what they gave me. It was a very steady day."

Chopra, who won one of the final events of 2007, the Ginn sur Mer Classic at Tesoro, started well with back-to-back birdies from the second. He parred his next five, then closed his front nine with a three-footer for birdie at the par-five ninth.

He birdied the par-three 11th to reach four-under par for the championship. Chopra lost a ball at 14, but still saved bogey thanks to a 25-footer from short of the stick.

Chopra punched a smart approach into the wind at 16. His ball spun back to four feet and he converted the birdie putt to once again get to minus-four, which tied him for the lead at the time with Snedeker.

At the par-four 17th, Chopra hit a driver, but due to the wind, left himself with almost 280 yards for his second shot. He played a three-wood well right of the flag, but lagged his birdie putt to inches and tapped in for par.

"That's unbelievable," said Chopra. "You can hit a short nine-iron or pitching-wedge when it's downwind and the ball's rolling out."

Chopra could not reach the par-five closing hole in two, but left himself a 12-foot birdie look. He missed the putt, but is second, which is a continuation of momentum from last season.

Along with the win at the Ginn sur Mer Classic at Tesoro, Chopra lost a playoff in November to Baddeley at the MasterCard Masters on the European Tour.

"I was playing really well through the middle of the year," said Chopra. "I felt like every part of my game was fine. I felt I needed to take advantage of that and I started pressing.

"Toward the end of the year, Mitch Knox came back on the bag again. I got excited and played more patient golf and allowed things to happen."

Snedeker was in the lead at five-under par until a horrendous drive at 17 led to a double-bogey. He hit three-wood off the tee at the ridiculously-long 18th and that cost him a bogey at the par-five final hole.

The reason for Snedeker's late collapse was pretty simple. He broke his driver somewhere around the 16th.

"I guess it finally said 'mercy,'" joked Snedeker, the 2007 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. "I cracked the top of it. I hit a good drive on 17 and it went about 180 yards. Bad timing."

Rory Sabbatini, whose last appearance in the golf world was a mysterious withdrawal from the Target World Challenge, shot a one-under 72 and is tied for eighth place with Stephen Ames and Steve Flesch.

Defending champion Vijay Singh struggled to a one-over 74 and is part of a group tied for 16th place.

Mercedes-Benz wins award for DIESOTTO engine

The DIESOTTO drive system is combined with a hybrid module and was featured in the Mercedes-Benz F 700 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007. It demonstrates that a large touring saloon is capable of returning a fuel-consumption figure of just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres, enabling a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions without compromising on performance.
For example, the four-cylinder drive system with two-stage turbocharging fitted in the F 700 achieves the same level of performance as the current S-Class with a 3.5-litre V6 naturally-aspirated petrol engine.

Mercedes-Benz has created no fewer than 20 research cars since the Auto 2000 was introduced in 1981, but rarely has it revealed such a surprising glimpse of the future as the Mercedes-Benz F 700 Research Car. It's making its debut in this new luxury sedan. To refresh your memory, that engine produces 238hp and 295ft-lb. of torque from just 1.8 liters of displacement using some new technology known to many as homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI, which "operates in compression ignition mode under light loads and spark ignition at other times" according to our own Sam Abuelsamid. The fuel mileage of the car with the DiesOtto engine is expected to be almost 40 miles per gallon, which is excellent for such a large vehicle.

The new F700 concept is just one of 18 vehicles that Mercedes is expected to showcase, including new Bluetec diesels and hybrids with both gasoline and diesel engines.

Mercedes-Benz has struck gold

Mercedes-Benz has struck gold with "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," the Nicolas Cage action-adventure that opens December 21.

Two of the automaker's models were used in high-profile chase scenes for the Disney sequel, and the company did not have to pay anything for the exposure. By contrast, General Motors spent millions on TV spots and other media to support its vehicles' starring roles in "Transformers" during the summer.

Mercedes' newly designed 2008 C-Class sedan, which went on sale in the U.S. in August, is featured in the film's main chase scene, with Nicolas Cage behind the wheel. Its GL-Class SUV is used in a Washington chase scene. Combined, Mercedes believes its vehicles will get screen time of five to seven minutes.

Lisa Holladay, manager of brand experience marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA, said the integration stemmed from the automaker's long-term relationship with the film's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, who owns several Mercedes vehicles.

However, once Mercedes saw footage of its vehicles in the film at an early screening, it decided to sponsor a game on the "National Treasure" Web site titled "The World's Biggest Treasure Hunt" and to provide the game's grand prize, a C-Class sports sedan signed by Bruckheimer and Cage. It also signed on to sponsor the film's New York premiere Thursday, providing Mercedes vehicles to transport the talent.

Mercedes also paid the costs of transporting and outfitting six C-Class and two GL-Class vehicles for filming -- all eight of which were destroyed during production.

"When we did see the placement -- which is really what we call 'hero placement' of the vehicle because the placement is so good -- we decided to go forward with a full-scale marketing activation program against the movie," Holladay said.

Holladay declined comment on how much Mercedes is spending on its online game and other sponsorships but it is believed to be far less than what most major promotional partners spend on TV ads and other marketing support for tentpole films. Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films also declined comment.

By Gail Schiller

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Brabus

mercedes insurance

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BRABUS, founded 1977 in Bottrop near Düsseldorf, Germany by Klaus Brackmann and Bodo Buschmann, is a high-performance aftermarket tuning company which specializes in Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach vehicles.

Owned by Bodo Buschmann, Brabus has since become the largest Mercedes tuner, other than Mercedes-AMG who became a DaimlerChrysler affiliate in the 1990s. Its competitors include Lorinser, Carlsson, Kleemann, and RENNtech.

Brabus's primary focus is to achieve maximum engine performance through the increase of both horsepower and torque. Customers can either buy cars straight from Brabus or send in their Mercedes to be customized and/or overhauled. If a customer orders a car from Brabus, Brabus buys the particular car from Mercedes and then modifies it in-house according to the customer's requests.

Brabus offers simple upgrades such as low profile spoilers, bodykits, carbon fiber splitters, and multi-piece alloy wheels. More serious upgrades include racing LSD's, open racing exhaust systems, twelve-piston disc brakes, and engine remapping. However, most customers pay for complete engine overhauls that Brabus has become famous for. The company typically orders crate engines from AMG and completely redesigns them to the level where Brabus is now officially considered its own auto manufacturer as opposed to a tuning company.

Brabus engines range from small 200 horsepower K4 blocks for SLK roadsters and CLK-Class to 730 horsepower twin-turbo blocks for the CL-Class, CLS-Class, and S-Class. The company also provides improvements to the interior from custom upholstery, gauges, shiftknobs, pedals, and trim to various electronics such as wider LCD screens for the Maybach.Powerful, individual and exclusive: Concurrent with the start of sales of the new Mercedes S-Class BRABUS presents an extensive tuning and accessories program for the new luxury sedan.

BRABUS offers the world's most extensive engine tuning program for Mercedes-Benz automobiles which is also available for the new W 221 series. The lineup starts with the BRABUS PowerXtra D6 (III) performance kit for the S 320 CDI, which boosts power output of the V6 common-rail turbodiesel engine by 48 hp / 35.3 kW to 272 hp / 200 kW and increases peak torque to 590 Nm.

For the S 350 BRABUS offers the B7 performance kit for an additional 15 hp / 11 kW or the BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine. With it the V6 gasoline engine delivers a maximum power output of 332 hp / 244 kW. Peak torque grows to 420 Nm at 4,200 rpm.

A displacement increase to 6.1 liters is currently under development for the eight-cylinder engine of the S 500. It will be available shortly.

The twelve-cylinder engine of the top-of-the-line S 600 model can be upgraded in BRABUS four stages. The list starts with the BRABUS T12 performance kit, which increases power output of the 5.5-liter three-valve engine from standard 517 hp / 380 kW to 580 hp / 419 kW and peak torque to 900 Nm.

The pinnacle of BRABUS engine tuning is the BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo engine. Displacement of this engine is increased to 6,233 cc with the help of a special crankshaft, larger cylinder bore and forged pistons. The inner workings of the engine are further modified substantially: Among those measures is the optimization of the gas flow in intake and outlet manifolds of both cylinder heads and the installation of custom sport camshafts.

The BRABUS engine specialists further fit the engine with specially developed larger turbochargers, more efficient intercoolers and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four pipes and high-flow metal catalysts. Newly programmed engine electronics ensure the optimal interaction of all components for maximum power yield and for meeting all current emission limits.

The BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo engine develops 730 hp / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm. The peak torque of 1,320 Nm is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm and is available from a low 2,100 rpm.

Without sacrificing smoothness it transforms the luxury sedan into a serious challenger for the world's fastest sports cars: 0 - 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h after just 11.9 seconds and a top speed of electronically limited 340 km/h make the sedan with BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo displacement engine a unique driving experience.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission. The optionally available BRABUS locking differential optimizes traction. All BRABUS drivetrain components are operated with ARAL high-performance lubricants.

BRABUS sport exhaust systems and sport rear mufflers are available for all engine variants.

The BRABUS designers further developed a sporty yet elegant aerodynamics package for the new S-Class. The BRABUS carbon front spoiler lends the luxury sedan a more characteristic face and reduces aerodynamic lift at high speeds. In addition the front can be further upgraded with custom-tailored auxiliary headlight inserts for two fog lamps and two high beams.

The BRABUS side sills and rear apron with integrated LED lights are as attractive as they are useful. Upon activation by remote control or by pulling on an inside door handle five lights on either side and in the rear of the car illuminate the ground, making entering and exiting the vehicle or loading and unloading the trunk in the dark safer. The BRABUS rear apron further features custom-tailored cutouts for the BRABUS sport exhaust system with four tailpipes.

The exclusive BRABUS look for the new Mercedes S-Class is rounded out with one-piece or multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels with 17-, 18-, 19-, 20- or even 21-inch diameters. The largest tire/wheel combination features forged multi-piece highly polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels in size 9Jx21 on the front axle and size 10.5Jx21 in the rear. These wheels are fitted with Pirelli or Yokohama tires in size 255/30 ZR 21 in front and in size 285/30 ZR 21 on the rear axle.

Specifically matched to these sporty tire/wheel combinations are the BRABUS suspension

modules, which are available for vehicles with air or ABC suspension. They give the S-Class a somewhat sportier yet comfortable ride and lower the ride height by some 25 millimeter.

BRABUS also offers three different versions of its high-performance brake system for the new top-of-the-line Mercedes model. The largest version features 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380 x 36-millimeter vented and perforated discs on the front axle. The rear axle features 355 x 28-millimeter discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers. Special flex-steel brake lines ensure constantly high brake pressure.

Unadulterated luxury and individuality in the interior is another BRABUS specialty. The range of products for the new S-Class includes door sills with BRABUS logo, ergonomically shaped safety steering wheels with airbag and even an exclusive BRABUS interior crafted from especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and from the finest Alcantara. The new Mercedes S-Class can be further equipped with an exclusive and technically refined BRABUS multimedia package.