Mercedes-Benz is one of many good things in the automotive landscape. It is defined by its innovations, resiliency as a brand, and the performance of its cars, especially in racing. It also has the bragging rights of having a founder who invented the first automobile. Some claim, however, about Mercedes-Benz losing its prestige as a luxury car brand over the years.

A short documentary from CNBC in 2021 explains why Mercedes may already be losing its shine. The factors attributing to this, include:

1. Quality Control Issues

One of its contentions is that the brand has suffered quality control issues over the years as it struggled with its electronic components and its predisposition to cut production costs. We would like to add that this still happens based on the frequent recalls it has announced in the past couple of years.

2. Dilution of Exclusivity Due to Aggressive Market Expansion

Another is that over the years, the efforts of the company were mainly focused on boosting the volume of its products to capture more market share. With that, Merc has been enticing younger buyers by making less expensive vehicles with lesser luxury features. However, such a strategy was not always successful as with the case of the C-Class Sport Coupe in 2002, which failed miserably in the market resulting to its discontinuation in 2006. It should be noted that the same thing happened when the brand dipped into the luxury pickup truck segment through the short-lived Mercedes-Benz X-Class. These and the presence of so many vehicles in its lineup tend to dilute its exclusivity as a brand, too.

3. SUVs Don’t Inspire the Same Level of Interest as Its Cars

Moreover, the source stated that its SUVs don’t inspire the same level of interest as its passenger cars. This may be attributed to the presence of formidable rivals in the industry, including BMW, Audi, and Lexus, not to mention that some of the said brands sometimes have products that are almost alike design-wise such as the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5, BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Lexus RX. Add the fact that Merc has initially held back from introducing its hottest SUVs from Europe into the US like in the case of the GLC so it missed out on its huge demand there.

4. Losing Ground in the US Luxury Vehicle Market

CNBC further cited Benz lagging in the third position in terms of the number of luxury vehicles sold in the U.S. Citing 2020 data, BMW was on the top of the list selling 278.9K units, Lexus on second with 275K sold, and Merc on the third spot with 274.9K sales. Nevertheless, it should be recalled that Mercedes remains the top-selling luxury vehicle brand in the world.

5. Fall in Profits

Next, the presenter took into account a time in 2019 when Daimler, the then-parent of Mercedes, saw its profits fall by $5 billion due to its involvement in the Dieselgate scandal and electrification R&D. If its EV investments fail to produce favorable results in the years to come, it could threaten the confidence of its shareholders.

6. Strong Competition in the EV Market

Speaking of electrification, the brand has to struggle amid strong competition in the EV market. One of which is Tesla, and the entry of many other brands in the segment, particularly the cheaper Chinese EVs.

Based on McKinsey’s Electric Vehicle Index, Tesla holds a 16% global market share EV. Mercedes is not even in the top 10 list of the data as of 2019. Its traditional rival, BMW, made it but most entries came from Chinese EV makers. When it comes to China, which has the largest demand for EV nowadays, Merc also has to watch out for its local EV brands.

7. The Tesla Threat

An interesting fact that was pointed out by the video was the tendency of the top German luxury automakers (Mercedes, BMW, and Audi who own a 60% slice of the Chinese market) to drop their overall market share advantage whenever Tesla opens up a new store in a location. From the looks of it, Tesla is aiming to maximize its exposure by opening up more international dealerships in the years to come, thus, if the trend continues, it will be one hell of a ride for the German luxury brands.

Furthermore, Merc takes more time to develop its EV models due to its high standard and efforts to make it right the first time, which are not exactly a bad thing. However, competitors like Tesla are moving quicker and more adventurous when it comes to exploring tech that other automakers are reluctant to adopt. The state-of-the-art tech is usually what attracts younger buyers to the American brand.

Nonetheless, Tesla is far from secure in the American market because EVs still comprise a small percentage of total vehicle sales in the US.

Our Take

We agree with most of the arguments presented by CNBC about Mercedes-Benz losing its prestige over the years because several of them have been manifesting within the brand already. Then again, it’s worth mentioning that the data offered from several sources were two or three years from the present, and since then, Mercedes has made big leaps in its marketing, particularly in its EV development.

So far, the German automaker is enjoying success in its Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV with 51,805 units sold in 2021, and 16,910 units sold in the first quarter of 2022 and is about to roll out its next-generation model for the range in dealerships.

Lastly, the three-pointed star marque just made big strides in its electrification via the triumphant demonstration of the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX, which recently displayed an actual range of 747 miles on a single charge. The said car serves as a preview of what the brand has in store for its EV units going forward.

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After a remarkable journey that saw the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX running up to 747 miles on a single charge from Germany all the way to the UK, we now get a tour of the car’s key features and driving efficiency in a new video by the famous vlogger Supercar Blondie.

So far, the information regarding the powertrain of the EQXX remains scarce. All we know is that it promises around 750 miles on a single charge of its 100 kWh battery, which is just 3 miles short of its recent demo from Stuttgart to Silverstone. We also know that it has a drag coefficient of cd 0.17.

With the new video from Supercar Blondie, we get to explore more about the EV’s exterior, interior, and driving dynamics. Starting off, she shows us how the car’s weight reduction measures and aerodynamic design have contributed to its amazing electric range. The presenter points to the solar roof of the car as well as its regenerative braking, too, which further add to its energy efficiency despite having the same wheelbase as the C-Class and being heavier by around 220 lbs because of its battery pack.

Along the way, we get a closer look at the materials utilized in the cabin of the car to save weight and keep its environmentally-friendly theme like the usage of light but sturdy recycled materials and plant-based elements like the mats made of bamboo strands, cactus leather, and mushroom fabric.

We get to experience what it’s like to be on the front passenger seat of the EQXX also where we get to see its hyperscreen showing EQ-specific graphics upon start plus indicators showing the energy gain, consumption, and efficiency calculations of the car that are of great help in determining how far it can go during actual drives.

Pay more attention and you’ll see Mercedes’ flagship EV, the EQS 580, filming the EQXX by the end of the video. That’s just how special it is!

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The Mercedes-AMG One recently proved why it’s worth its $2.8 million price tag. During the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the hypercar demonstrated its performance at the traditional hill climb of the event, and it sure left quite an impression on the audience.

The AMG One is highlighted by its Formula 1-inspired build from the design down to the power specs. It uses a 1.6-liter turbo V6 partnered with four electric motors for a hybrid setup. That provides it 1,063 hp which lets it rip from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds and attain a max speed of up to 219 mph.

The video goes straight to the car launching itself on track only to suddenly go to a halt. We admit that it got us worried there in some way because we thought it just broke down, and it appeared some of the audience got puzzled there too. Well, that would have been a shame, right?

However, it turned out that the driver only shifted to race mode wherein the AMG One noticeably lowered its ride height, activated its vents, and brought out its rear wing. Now, it looks like it does mean business, and that’s just exactly what happened.

The AMG One propelled itself like an F1 car on track, and even its engine note sounded similar to that of the Silver Arrows. No signs of hesitation were seen during the climb as it maintained its power all the way up to the finish line.

Check out the video of the Mercedes-AMG One during the historic hill climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed below to see for yourself:

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The Goodwood Festival of Speed played host to the 55 years of AMG celebration showcasing the cars of the high-performance brand from the past and into the future. In addition to the classic vehicles of the three-pointed star marque, the event was also graced by the Mercedes-AMG One, Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX, and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance.

Mercedes-AMG One

After years of delay, the production version of the AMG One was finally greenlit for delivery to buyers who pre-ordered it. The Goodwood Festival of Speed became the stage for its public debut where it demonstrated its power in the iconic Goodwood hill climb.

As a recap, the hypercar produces a combined output of 1,063 hp from its 1.6-liter V6 hybrid turbocharged engine composed of an ICE and four electric motors. The technology used in the product was sourced from the winning Formula One race cars of Mercedes. It also utilizes the latest leaps in aerodynamics and carbon-fiber chassis technologies to make it as agile as possible.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX

After making a journey from Stuttgart in Germany to Silverstone in the UK on a single charge, the Mercedes EQXX proved that it is capable of delivering 747 miles from full charge translating to an energy consumption of 8.7 kWh/62 miles. The car participated in the Goodwood hill climb as well.

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance

The AMG GT 63 S E is equipped with an “always on” hybrid power coming from its V8 powertrain generating 843 hp and 1,033 lb-ft of torque. The car provides a sneak peek of what Mercedes has in store for its AMG cars in the future. The car is a culmination of Mercedes’ years of experience in GT3 and GT4.

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A new generation of the Mercedes-Benz GLC was just released early this month following up its success as the best-selling vehicle of the three-pointed star brand. The new model of the SUV features a lot of performance and cosmetic overhaul compared to the outgoing model.

Among the notable changes in its look include the more refined surfaces on its exterior with subtler body lines, new light designs, and a larger body overall. There are six versions of the vehicle available for European buyers while US buyers will just have to contend with two.

In the US, the GLC 300 RWD and AWD are the only available options and it is not yet clear whether or not it is getting the GLC 400e plug-in hybrid variant. However, buyers can further customize their rides with the AMG Line package to make them stand out from the standard or Avant Garde version.

With that, the video here explores what you stand to get when you go for the GLC fitted with the AMG Line package. The AMG Line GLC here is side-by-side with the standard version to give viewers a better way of comparing the two.

In a nutshell, the AMG Line Mercedes-Benz GLC is highlighted by its scattered star pattern on the front radiator grille, wheel fender liners, upsized the wheels from the standard 18 inches to 20 inches, and AMG-specific trims on the interior.

For power, the GLC is equipped with a 2.0-liter mild-hybrid inline-four. The unit produces 258 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with an EQ boost of 23 hp and 148 lb-ft from the get-go. The output is managed via a nine-speed automatic transmission going to either the rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive system. That’s good for 6.2 seconds acceleration time from 0 to 60 mph and a top speed of 130 mph.

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Gene Ponder, a Texan tycoon and car collector, is about to put up for auction over 120 vintage European sports cars that he bought over the years. These include Mercedes, Ferraris, Bugattis, MGs, and some replicas of ultra-rare cars.

According to Ponder, he passionately built his collection over 15 years because European sports cars happened to be his “true love”. Among them is a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, which he regularly brought to car shows. It also includes an all-stock 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC, one of the 14 1935 MG PB Airline Coupes that were ever made, and a replica of a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic built with authentic parts from Switzerland that only has three units in production.

The auction shall be handled by RM Sotheby’s, the company that notably sold the 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR 300 Uhlenhaut which is considered to be the most expensive car in the world with a staggering price tag of $142.9 million. The event will run from September 22 to 24 at Ponder’s own facility in Marshall, Texas. Overall, the owner is expected to get around $20 million from the sale.

The event will be the second time for Ponder to auction his entire collection. He sold his first batch of 60 cars in 2007 after he had a major heart attack earning him around $15 million. The Texan said he decided to sell 120 of his cars months from now because he no longer finds them important after losing his son four years ago followed by the loss of his wife a few months ago. Nevertheless, he hopes that the buyers of his collection will share the same “love and appreciation of the beauty of the cars” that he once had.

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The gradual electrification of all Mercedes-Benz models has led to the phase-out of some V8 and V12-bearing units. One of the casualties is the Mercedes-AMG C63, which is about to ditch its V8 powertrain in favor of a smaller engine partnered with an electric motor to produce a plug-in hybrid setup.

As a last salute to the outgoing AMG C63’s V8, Performmaster recently unveiled its project called the “C63 V8 Final Edition”. The key feature of the car is the bump in its V8 engine by 102 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque to bring up its total output to 612 hp and 620 lb-ft.

The power-up cuts the 0 to 62 mph acceleration time of the auto by 0.2 seconds to achieve that feat in only 3.8 seconds. The upgrade also makes the top speed go up to 192 mph.

Complementing the tuning package is a body kit composed of an extended front splitter, aero flics, redesigned front grille, side skirts, rear diffuser, and lip spoiler all made of carbon fiber. Topping them off is a set of forged wheels wrapped in performance tires. There was no mention of any interior upgrades in the AMG C63 so we presume that it’s all stock on that part.

The new AMG C63 is expected to make its debut by the last quarter of 2022 with a 2023 model year badge. That means it will likely go on sale next year, too. It will be powered by the same 2.0-liter hybrid inline-four engine found in the AMG CLA 45 to keep its output over 500 hp.

There’s no word yet as to when Mercedes will completely discontinue all its V8 units, but judging by the developments so far, the countdown has already begun.

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Mansory is one of the wildest tuners for Mercedes-Benz out there that never fail to surprise us for better or worse. It’s just hard to predict what its specialists will do to a car bearing the three-pointed star mark once they get their hands on one. Their mods can range from wow to downright weird. Sometimes they hit the jackpot like what they did to a certain V-Class last year or sometimes they just go bananas over an auto.

Recently, Mansory released its new project for the Mercedes-Maybach GLS where it raised the output of the ultra-luxury SUV’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with EQ boost from its original 550 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque to a whopping 809 hp and 722 lb-ft. The new numbers allow the vehicle to reach a top speed of up to 186 miles and sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Realizing maybe that the exterior of the Maybach has plenty more room for improvement, Mansory also offers optional cosmetic upgrades for it. These include new bull bars for the front and rear, front lip spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser, carbon-clad mirror caps, bumpers, vented fender extensions, carbon mesh for the bumper intakes, carbon fiber front grille, revised exhaust tips, and a set of 24-inch wheels. Even the interior gets a new leather-carbon steering wheel as well as carbon trims for the upholstery.

Mansory didn’t reveal the pricing of its new Mercedes-Maybach GLS tuning package so interested buyers will just have to request for a quotation through the company’s official website.

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“100% Emotions, 0% Emission” is how Mercedes-Benz defines its new EQS. The car showcases a very refined exterior with smoother and cleaner surfaces almost free of body lines, except on the lower sides and the hood for adornment of those key areas. It is indeed a worthy electric counterpart of the flagship S-Class. But as for the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53, is it really a “proper AMG”?

The AMG EQS 53 may not be in the same vein as the range-topping AMG S65 or the other AMG cars that we know of because all that Mercedes did was put a faux Panamericana front grille, sportier wheels, and a more defined rear diffuser into it and just lined it up under the AMG brand, but it does produce a mind-blowing amount of output. The EV is rated at 649 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque with 0-62 mph acceleration of 3.8 seconds. The numbers can be raised to 751 hp and 752 lb-ft with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus for a good 0-62 mph run in just 3.4 seconds. So, performance-wise, the car is an AMG in a sense.

In the new video below by Mr. Benz, we can further explore the AMG EQS 53, particularly its motor sound and interior features. It starts by introducing the car where we get a closer look at its frontal design, intakes, sides, multi-spoke wheels, ceramic brakes obscured by the rims, charging port, and rear spoiler. Then the presenter proceeds to open the EV where we get to appreciate its pop-up door handles that are integrated flawlessly into the doors.

Upon entry into its cockpit, we get to see the amazing AMG animation on the Hyperscreen and other graphics. Overall, the Dinamica, illuminated strips over the seats and side panels, and the thicker steering wheels are a nice touch but we are really worried about the seats of this one.

As the presenter noticed, the seats have already developed ugly creases, which is quite a letdown considering that the car only had 6,000 kilometers on its clock as of the shooting of the video. Moreover, it ditched the panoramic sunroof. Nevertheless, it does deliver a nice sound when started, and it gives a nice AR animation upon turning off its motor.

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Mercedes-Benz just announced a major milestone in its EV series. The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX finally proved to be the most energy-efficient car bearing the three-pointed star logo with a new record-breaking 1,202 km (747 miles) trip on a single charge.

The Journey of a Single Charge

According to Mercedes-Benz Group Media, the new record was achieved in April when the research vehicle, at full charge, traveled from Stuttgart in Germany to Silverstone in the UK. It involved the closure of the autobahn and cross-country diversion near Stuttgart to cross the northern French border near Strasbourg.

From there, it cruised on highway speeds to Calais where it boarded the Eurotunnel. After that, it resumed its drive along the M25 around London on its way to the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix in Brackley where it was greeted by the Formula 1 and Formula E experts who helped develop its drivetrain.

The journey carried on to Silverstone where Nyck de Vries pushed its remaining charge to the limit. The track run of the EQXX until its last charge resulted in 11 laps with max speed displayed at 140 km/h (87 mph).

Overall, the average consumption derived from the research vehicle was 8.3 kWh/100 km. That’s thanks to its innovative thermal management system that allowed it to remain energy-efficient despite the heavy traffic and summer temperatures from Germany to the UK.

Longest EV Range to Beat

Prior to this, the longest electric range belonged to the top trim of the 2022 Lucid Air EV with a 520-mile EPA estimate. That’s 115 miles more than the claimed 405 miles electric range and 172 miles more than the EPA estimate of the 2022 Tesla Model S. So if Mercedes does indeed end up adopting the tech presented by the EQXX in its production cars, we may see it trumping the competition by a wide margin.

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The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is considered the flagship EV SUV of the three-pointed star marque. After its unveiling last year, it is already expected to spawn the Mercedes-AMG EQS SUV. Now, we are yet to see the spy shots of the AMG EQS SUV but it seems the folks at TopElectricSUV have already beaten everyone to it by releasing a render of the upcoming EV recently.

The AMG EQS SUV here takes the design cues found on the Benz version of the EQS SUV and combines them with the distinct AMG elements found in the high-performance EQS sedan. With that, the AMG EQS SUV here is sporting an all-black faux front grille lined with chrome struts inspired by the signature Panamericana grille of AMG. It also benefits from the A-wing design on the panel above the front spoiler plus enclosed side sills with a dark background.

Furthermore, the AMG EQS SUV takes a set of 23-inch wheels hugged by performance tires. According to the graphic artist of the site, there should be colorful brake calipers behind the rims but it’s actually hard to spot them since the multiple spokes are closely knit. Going around, expect the back to be highlighted by a rear diffuser, lengthwise fins, and a rear spoiler.

The AMG EQS SUV is expected to mirror the same tech and powertrain found in its sedan counterpart. It will likely come with over 700 hp and an electric range of up to 478 miles on a single charge like the promised output of the AMG EQS sedan.

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Right after the unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV, people are now on the lookout for the arrival of its AMG models. Recently, the crossover coupe and high-performance variants of the compact SUV were already unofficially confirmed via spy shots. According to sources, along the line will be the range-topping trim Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 with plug-in hybrid tech.

It’s still hard to tell whether one of the AMG GLC SUVs we have been seeing lately in some of the spy shots is the GLC 43 or the GLC 63 due to the level of camouflage covering their key exterior areas. However, thanks to a rendering from TopElectricSUV, we now get a clearer picture of what to expect from it.

This rendering takes cues from spy shots, the general recipe of AMG for high-performance SUVs, and the exterior features of the recently unveiled GLC to come up with the concept art for the AMG GLC 63 PHEV. With that, it is envisioned that the range-topping SUV will sport the signature Panamericana front grille of AMG with a gloss black background on its nose as shown here. Then, it will also be accentuated by its A-shaped lower grille that’s flanked by large vents on the sides with the same darkened mesh. Completing the model are multi-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in performance tires showing hints of chunky red brake calipers within.

The AMG GLC 63 is expected to go on sale by the fall of 2022. Powering it will be an M139 2.0-liter engine with a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing a total output of over 500 hp.

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For expensive and complex vehicles such as a Mercedes-Benz, it’s always a good decision to shop around for the best auto insurance policy that will go with it. With this, any repairs stemming from unforeseen incidents involving your car will be covered by the insurance. It also saves you from the legal repercussions of such events.

When choosing which auto insurance to avail of, it is important to keep in mind the following to get the most out of it:

1. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

When doing an auto insurance comparison, be sure that you are comparing the same coverage types and limits. It does you no good to compare a quote for liability-only coverage to one that includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Make sure you know what is included in each quote before making a final decision.

2. Compare rates from multiple companies.

Don’t just take the first auto insurance quote you receive. Be sure to get quotes from multiple companies so that you can compare rates and shop around for the best deal possible.

3. Consider all discounts when comparing rates.

Be sure to ask each company about any discounts they offer that could help lower your premium. Some common auto insurance discounts include those for good drivers, multi-policy holders, and safety features to protect yourself and others.

4. Don’t sacrifice coverage for the price.

It is important to find a policy that fits both your needs and your budget, but don’t sacrifice coverage in order to save a few dollars. Make sure you have the coverage you need in case of an accident or other unforeseen event.

5. Read the fine print before buying a policy.

Be sure to read the entire policy before buying it so that you understand what is and is not covered. You don’t want to be caught off guard by something that is not covered by your policy.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible deal on your auto insurance. Be sure to compare rates and coverage options before making a final decision.

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Mercedes-Benz has been at the forefront of automotive innovation for many years since the invention of the first automobile by Karl Benz. Fast-forward to the present, the company’s advances in automation are just one example of how it is revolutionizing the car industry. Automation has already had a major impact on production and design, and it is only going to become more important in the coming years.

As we move into the future, Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way in automated technology. Here are ways the company is driving the future of the automotive landscape:

Robotics in Assembly Lines

Mercedes is looking to fully automate its assembly line for its new vehicles. This means that robots will be responsible for tasks like welding, bonding, and painting. Robots can also be assigned to work that can be risky for human workers, thus, mitigating the chances of accidents in the Mercedes plants.

Self-Driving Cars

Mercedes continues the development of a more advanced autonomous driving system that will eventually be available in all Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This system uses a combination of sensors, cameras, and GPS to navigate roads without the need for human input.

To date, the company has successfully equipped the S-Class with a Level 3 system that allows the car to drive itself in most conditions without human intervention. However, emergency measures will still be implemented. There will be times when the vehicle will request for the driver’s input during critical situations.

Auto-Parking Cars

Mercedes has forged a partnership with Bosch to create an electric car that can drive itself up to 62 miles per hour. This vehicle will be able to park itself and recharge its batteries without any intervention from the driver. The utility of this technology is virtually vast, and businesses like a Mercedes car leasing company stand to benefit greatly from it.

As these trends continue, it is clear that automation is going to play an increasingly important role in the automotive industry. Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront of this revolution, and its innovations will shape the future of the industry for many years to come.

The post How Automation is Shaping Up Mercedes and the Entire Automotive Industry in the Past Decade appeared first on BenzInsider.com - A Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog.

The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC compact SUV just made its debut this June. Without missing a beat, the three-pointed star marque is looking to follow it up right away with the GLC Coupe crossover.

Recently, a spy video of the GLC Coupe surfaced, thanks to the ever-reliable walkoARTvideos channel on YouTube. Despite the partial camouflage covering its back and some portions in front, the crossover coupe is looking as gorgeous as ever.

Like its big brother, the GLC Coupe features more refined and cleaner surfaces that ditch the stiff body lines in accentuating some of its key areas. Instead, its lines are now subtler and organically integrated into its body, which also complements the visually alluring placement of the artistic dents on the sides.

From the exposed areas, we can see that the crossover coupe is sporting a panoramic roof, distinct body lines just above the wheel arches, and multi-spoke alloy wheels. Meanwhile, peeking from the camo are thinner LED lights in the front and rear.

The GLC Coupe shares the same MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform found in the GLC SUV. The main difference displayed by the coupe variant though, aside from its curvier backside, is that it is lighter due to its increased use of aluminum over steel.

The GLC Coupe will likely share the same powertrain as the GLC SUV and the C-Class sedan. With that, its AMG model will most likely top at 644 hp.

Expect the official debut of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe to happen later this year.

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In line with the 55^th anniversary of AMG, the high-performance division of the three-pointed star marque once again unveiled a limited-edition model for the Mercedes-AMG GLE SUV and Coupe.

Aptly named the Mercedes-AMG GLE Edition 55, this version is available in six trims in the European market. Four of which will be offered in the U.S. with slightly tweaked outputs.

According to MBUSA, the Edition 55 models will be offered in its dealerships later this year. In keeping up with the theme and to maintain its exclusivity, the limited series will only be offered in 55 units for each model.

The Edition 55 models benefit from the AMG Night Package which offers a high-gloss black paint all over the exterior, including the front grille, the mesh in the bumper vents, front splitter, tailpipes, rear diffuser, and other parts that were used to be highlighted in chrome. In addition, it features a special contrasting foil strip on the sides and 22-inch forged wheels in matte grey. As a bonus, the company is also throwing in an AMG Indoor Car Cover with breathable, tear-resistant, antistatic synthetic fiber.

Meanwhile, the same package gives a two-tone finish for the interior upholstery that’s clad in black Nappa and classic red. Furthermore, the cabin is decorated with stainless steel door sill trims with red illuminated “AMG” lettering to welcome the driver and passengers, black floor mats with red stitching, matte carbon black elements, and “Edition 55” badges here and there.

The Mercedes-AMG GLE Edition 55 variants heading in the US are the following:

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV and Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 S Coupe

The two trims have similar engines, being a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild hybrid system and electric auxiliary compressor. It is capable of producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque while the ISG provides a boost of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. All that goes to an all-wheel-drive system and is distributed via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The configuration allows the SUV and Coupe to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds while its top speed is electronically capped at 155 mph.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S SUV and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe

The top trims share the same drive configuration as their corresponding lower-trim units. However, both utilize a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to produce 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque with the same level of boost provided by the ISG as the AMG GLE 53. Due to the higher output, the SUV and Coupe under this trim are capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds and can achieve an electronically-capped max speed of 174 mph.

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It’s been 35 years since the legendary Andy Warhol, the leading figure in the visual art movement, passed on. However, his legacy lives on through his pop art, and through the original model of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing that he used as a model for his timeless “Cars” series.

The “Cars” series was commissioned by then Daimler-Benz AG in 1986 to mark the centenary of the invention of the modern automobile by Karl Benz. It aims to showcase 80 pictures documenting the colorful history of the automobile from the Daimler Motorized Carriage and the Benz Patent-Motorwagen (Patent-Motorcar) in 1886 up to the cars available in 1986. Unfortunately, Warhol only completed a total of 36 paintings and 13 large-scale drawings comprised of eight different models until his untimely death. Thirty of the silkscreen arts are currently in the possession of the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection, which will be on display at the atrium of the Mercedes-Benz Museum starting June 21 to 26, 2022.

On a very rare occasion, the same Mercedes 300 SL used as a model at the beginning of the “Cars” series will be presented jointly with the artworks. The car will be provided by Brabus GmbH, Bottrop.

The 300 SL model was acquired by Brabus in 2020. It underwent a six-star restoration to bring it back to its pristine condition, which also involved 4,500 hours of meticulous labor. All new car parts used as a replacement were procured while those that can still be salvaged were returned to their mint condition.

Upon the completion of the project, the leading car expert organization, Classic Data, appraised the 300 SL and gave it a grade of “A”. Meanwhile, the Classic division of Mercedes confirmed its authenticity as the same model used by Warhol in his final set of artworks.

The post Icon Meets Icon: Presenting the Mercedes 300 SL Used by Andy Warhol in “Cars” Series appeared first on BenzInsider.com - A Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog.

Rapper Lil Baby, who’s famous for his “In a Minute” song, just bagged the Best SUV award in the Certified Summer Car Show 2022 held by Whips by Wade, thanks to his Brabus Mercedes-AMG G63.

Lil Baby and his rides are no stranger to car shows because of the rapper’s close partnership with Atlanta’s Road Show International car dealership. The same company is responsible for his bespoke autos, including the Brabus G-Class with extra customizations shown here.

According to the information provided by Road Show International, the showcased SUV started off as a 2020 Mercedes G-Class with the Brabus G800 Widestar package. It features a Nipsey Satin Blue exterior and Drip Red interior finish. Overall, it packs 800 hp with its 0-62 mph acceleration pegged at 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph.

After that, it benefitted from the additional customizations of the tuning company’s aptly-named RS Edition Package providing a new lighter shade of blue with black accents. Among the other notable parts of the custom G-Wagen include a set of Forgiato wheels in gloss black, smoke lighting package, Mansory suspension lowering links, ceramic tint, ceramic coating, Exhaust Performance Package, gloss red powder brakes, and personalized logos, among others.

As seen in the photos and in an IG post, Lil Baby arrived at the car show with the Brabus G800 and a fleet consisting of a red Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Jeep Trackhawk RS Edition. However, only the Brabus Mercedes-AMG G63 ended up bagging an award.

The post Brabus Mercedes-AMG G63 of Lil Baby Wins in Summer Car Show appeared first on BenzInsider.com - A Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog.

The line-up of Mercedes-Benz has ballooned over the years, but the company later realized that having a wide array of spin-off cars doesn’t always translate to more sales. Let’s say, for example, the C-Class and E-Class coupe and convertible models aren’t exactly really doing well even during pre-pandemic times. So, their axing has been in discussion in the past few years. Now, the German automaker finally confirmed that the mentioned two-door units are about to be streamlined into a single car, the Mercedes CLE.

According to reports, MBUSA already informed its US dealerships about the matter. The decision came after the dwindling sales of the coupe and cabrio offshoots of the C-Class and E-Class range. The merging of the two into a single model, the CLE, could mean freeing up some areas in the production lines of Mercedes so that it could augment its efforts to meet the high demand for SUVs.

The CLE is a convertible that’s expected to have the same proportions as the C-Class mashed with little E-Class elements to distinguish itself from the said core models of Mercedes. It will likely come with a fabric roof and will use the same 2.0-liter mild-hybrid engine that’s set to debut with the incoming AMG C63.

The Mercedes CLE will probably have its world premiere in the latter part of 2022 or in the first half of 2023. Whether or not it will also get a coupe model remains to be seen.

The post Mercedes CLE Sets Out to Replace the C-Class and E-Class Coupes and Cabrios appeared first on BenzInsider.com - A Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog.

After complaining much about it, the Mercedes F1 team claims to have already solved the porpoising issues in its cars. The statement came after the encouraging win of the group at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend.

As a recap, Formula One defines the term “porpoising” as when an F1 car bounces up and down – a phenomenon caused by an increase, then a sudden decrease, of downforce. This is evident when the drivers’ heads are seen moving like bobbleheads while their cars are going full speed down the tracks.

Several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russel, and Kevin Magnussen, to name a few, have complained of serious physical pains after experiencing it on track.

In an interview during the aftermath of the race in Montreal, team boss Toto Wolff said they are already on top of the porpoising problem because they have fixed the aerodynamic elements that have been contributing to it. However, the solution came with a price.

Now, Mercedes drivers have to contend with stiffness in their cars because of their low ride setup. This could prove to be troublesome when the surface of the track is not smooth. So instead of the drivers’ heads bobbling, their cars now tend to bounce at curbs.

It seems that one problem just leads to another at the Mercedes F1 team. In addition to the new issue it is experiencing, its mechanics also have to focus on increasing the pace of the Silver Arrows to narrow the performance gap between its rivals Red Bull and Ferrari.

The post Mercedes F1 Solves Porpoising Issues But Faces A New Problem appeared first on BenzInsider.com - A Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog.