Spy photos of the forthcoming 2010 Mercedes E-Class continue to emerge, with Auto Bild today publishing a fresh look at the 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG. Like prior spy shots, both the headlights and taillights of the next E-Class remain heavily disguised, while the side contours are again relatively distinguishable despite the heavier camouflage over both the front and rear wheel arches. As for the technical details of the 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG, power is expected to be supplied courtesy of the 6.2-Liter AMG V8 featured in the current variant, while 0-62 mph time should remain consistent with the outgoing model (4.5 seconds). Completing the package will most likely be the usual array of AMG-tuned goodness, including a high performance braking system, sport suspension system, etc.

The automotive legend of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a never-ending story is. Whereas the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” introduced in 1954 was able to enjoy direct benefits from the success of the 300 SL racing sports car, things were not quite so easy for the new Type 230 SL of the 113 series. After all it had to replace two highly successful models from the current sales range – the 300 SL and the 190 SL. The eagerly awaited successor appeared in spring 1963 at the Geneva Motor Show and early reactions to this new breed of sports car, which seemed to have nothing at all in common with its lively predecessors, ranged from unconcealed rejection to muted approbation.

Although up until now we've yet to mention them here at eMercedesBenz, in the UK, Mercedes-Benz has a fantastic series of television commercials under the motto "I am Mercedes-Benz." Distinctly film-like, the ads each center around a single theme, such as "Presence" and "Attraction," with the third and final ad unveiled earlier this week focusing on the subject of "Ambition." While I won't give too many details of the ad away, as I recommend instead simply viewing it for yourself, I can tell you that the commercial was shot in Romania and Suffolk and features actor David Leon (who'll be appearing in Guy Ritchie's forthcoming RocknRolla), while the soundtrack is Nick Cave's "Queenie's Suite" from The Proposition soundtrack.

Daimler AG is reporting today that worldwide sales at its Mercedes-Benz Cars division have risen slightly to 105,100 new units in July, a 1.4 percent increase when compared to the prior year (July 2007: 103,700 units). As a result, sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands now total 773,200 new units through the first seven months of the year, a 7.2 percent increase over 2007's seven month year-to-date total (January - July 2007: 721,400 units). Individually, sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles noted a small drop in July, with the luxury car division delivering 92,700 new units worldwide (down 1.1 percent from the prior year). As for smart, the compact brand continued its impressive sales momentum, with deliveries of the new fortwo model jumping to 12,400 new units (up 25.5 percent over last July).

Early motor racing in Mercedes cars is closely associated with the name Ralph de Palma. One of the highlights in his career was February 26, 1914. At the wheel of a Mercedes racing car named "Gray Ghost", the American of Italian origin competed for the Vanderbilt Cup staged in Santa Monica, California/USA in that year – a thrilling race which he won, as he had done already in 1912, in a 140 hp Mercedes Grand Prix racing car. This, however, had not been foreseeable after the start. The trade journal "Automobile Quarterly" reported that Ralph de Palma was not to be discovered among the leading cars in the early stages of the race – much in contrast to his main competitor, Barney Oldfield, who really put his foot down, at the expense of his tires. Even in those days, driving skill was not everything that counted; the tactical approach to fuel quantities, tires and pit stops also played a role – and this was one of Ralph de Palma's strengths. Unlike the others, he didn’t drive recklessly but nevertheless moved closer to the leading pack bit by bit. When Oldfield turned off into the pits for a change of tires on the thirteenth lap, de Palma had pushed his 37/95 hp Mercedes into second position. Five laps later, he was out in the lead. Oldfield, running on fresh tires, caught up with de Palma quickly and overtook him. All other competitors had long since fallen behind – this had become a duel among two cars.

For those of you wishing to expand your in-car channel surfing horizons well beyond the relatively limited scope of channels available to you via analog radio, Mercedes-Benz USA has announced that they will be offering HD Radio technology on several model year 2009 vehicles. The free digital AM/FM radio service is part of Mercedes' completely new generation of entertainment systems developed for the M-, R-, GL- and G-Class SUV's as well as the E-Class model lineup. According to Rasheq Zarif, Assistant Product Manager - Technology Planning at Mercedes-Benz USA: "HD Radio technology serves to enhance our digital information and entertainment system today and has the potential to significantly expand the options available to consumers in the future. Mercedes-Benz is committed to providing our customers with the latest, next-generation in-vehicle entertainment technology."

Eternal youth is a miracle bestowed on only a small number of cars, and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe is one of this elite group. The Stuttgart-based brand unveiled its new sports car in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York, and in so doing lit the fuse for an icon of the automotive world. With its flat, graceful body, the 300 SL had lost nothing of its freshness even as the millennium drew to a close and was voted “Sports car of the Century” in 1999. “Gullwing” doors provided that essential touch of inspiration, opening up towards the sky to reveal a tightly sculptured interior. The history of the 300 SL is inextricably linked with the life of an influential admirer. American importer Maximilian E. Hoffman it was who urged Mercedes-Benz to build a road car in the image of its racing coupe, the start of production in 1954 providing a sweet fruit for his endeavors. The assembly lines may have waved goodbye to the last of the only 1,400 units of the 300 SL coupe ever made in 1957, but the spirit of this extraordinary car most certainly lives on.

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all took advantage of the tropical temperatures blanketing much of the country and had an absolutely fantastic Saturday and Sunday. It was a race weekend, so to kick things off this morning we have a recap of how the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team fared at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. As usual, if you have the race TIVO'd and plan on catching it later, then read no further; otherwise, keep scrolling for the full details of what transpired at the event.

Looking for the top stories of the past week on eMercedesBenz? Here they are, all in one convenient, clickable location. Scroll, click and enjoy.

Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting today that for the month of July, sales of new Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles totaled 20,733 units - an impressive 11.6 percent jump over last July (July 2007: 18,586 new units). This figure brings MBUSA's year-to-date sales to 140,012 new units, a total that both surpasses 2007's seven-month ytd sales by 2.3 percent and marks a new ytd sales record for the company. As for the models helping MBUSA achieve such impressive gains, leading the way is the highly publicized E-Class, with the sedan range noting a 53.0 percent increase in sales with 4,938 units sold (July 2007: 3,227 new units). The volume-leading C-Class also continued its positive momentum, with sales of the model jumping 45.4 percent to 6,241 units (July 2007: 4,291 new units). And last but not least, the final two Mercedes models that bear mention for their July performance begin with the letter G, with the GL-Class and G-Class increasing sales 28.1 percent (1,989 new units) and 25.5 percent (64 new units), respectively.

After its official sales launch on June 30th the new Mercedes GLK has already received a tremendous response from customers, with a total of 10,000 orders being placed for the new SUV in Western Europe alone. One particular variant of the GLK that's been especially popular with those purchasing the model is the exclusive GLK "Edition 1," with Mercedes already receiving 1,000 orders for the special SUV. Commenting on the Mercedes GLK's successful sales launch, Dr. Klaus Maier, head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, had this to say: "Apparently the GLK-Class perfectly meets the current trends. The GLK is a compact SUV that has everything that is typical for a Mercedes-Benz: an expressive design, extensive safety features, and the typical Mercedes-Benz driving comfort. Moreover, it impresses customers with its outstanding performance in both on and off-road applications."

After capturing spy shots of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class testing in the California desert last week, spy photographer extraordinaire Rich Truesdell is back, this time bringing you a new look at the 2010 Mercedes CLK. The model is still heavily disguised, wearing about the same amount of camouflage it was a year ago, but the shots still provide a fresh look at how development of the model is coming. As for when we can expect to see the next CLK's official unveiling, the next generation of the coupe is expected to be unveiled this fall at the Paris Motor Show, with deliveries rumored to be commencing in Europe at the end of the year (or early 2009 for those of you residing in the U.S.). Power is expected to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, which includes your choice of either a 3.5-Liter V6 (CLK350), 5.5-Liter V8 (CLK550) or the AMG built 6.3-Liter V8 (CLK63 AMG).

Kelley Blue Book has officially announced their choices for this year's best environmentally friendly vehicles, naming the Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC one of their "Top 10 Green Cars" of 2008. Although the majority of other vehicles making the list were of the hybrid variant, the E320 BlueTEC is a clear testament to the fact that Mercedes' clean diesel technology is a viable alternative to traditional gasoline powerplants, with the luxury sedan boasting fuel consumption of 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway (as well as a cruising range of up to 675 miles).

The compact wedge in bright orange, a shade internally called “weissherbst”, expressed power, elegance and speed. C 111 was the designation of the futuristic study displayed by Mercedes-Benz in September 1969 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA). The car broke new ground in terms of both engineering and design. Motor show visitors crowded around the sports car, marveling at its intriguing – as well as polarizing – design. Was this the worthy successor to the famous 300 SL Gullwing? The car’s style, dynamic lines and classic gullwing doors promised just that to lovers of refined cars with the three-pointed star on the hood. This happened 35 years ago, at the C 111’s presentation in Frankfurt. In the spring of 1970, an even more elegantly clad C 111-II made its appearance at the Geneva Motor Show, prompting interested parties to send blank checks to Stuttgart to secure one of these cars for themselves.

Yet another batch of Mercedes reviews have managed to infiltrate the eMercedesBenz offices today, with a grand total of three distinct Mercedes variants being put through their paces for your reading enjoyment. The Mercedes SL550, the complete SL range, the C180K, the C220 CDI Sport and the C350 Estate - these are the chosen models, so for those of you contemplating the purchase of any, keep reading to find out what reviewers thought of each. As always, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back to the full articles immediately after the jump.

As you may remember, last month we brought you a rendering of the not-yet-released Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, sent to us by the talented artist Jonathan Sibal. As it turns out, when the SL65 AMG Black Series was unveiled a couple weeks later, the rendering was remarkably close to the finished product - a clear testament to Jon's artistic prowess. But the story doesn't end there, ladies and gentlemen. Today Jon's back, this time unveiling a rendering of the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Speedster, and it is indeed a stunning creature. If the photo is any indication, the final SLR produced will without question go down in the history books as the most covetable of any modern-day SLR variant produced.

There's been rumors circulating for some time now that Mercedes-Benz is in the process of resurrecting the legendary Gullwing, but up until now, photographic evidence has revealed little about the model. Today, however, that's all about to change, as we have some incredible shots showcasing the model from a number of different angles. To my knowledge, it's the fist time the new Gullwing doors have been caught on camera. Aside from the photos, facts about the Mercedes SLC remain scarce. Most speculate the model will be priced above the next SL range but well below the current SLR (somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000), with power expected to come from AMG's 6.3-Liter V8 boasting an enhanced output of around 600 horsepower.

According to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2008 China Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Study released today, Mercedes-Benz ranks higher than any other automotive brand in customer satisfaction for authorized dealer after-sales service in China. Although it was Mercedes' first time being included in the rankings, the company scored a total of 854 points on a 1,000 point scale, performing particularly well in six of the seven scoring factors: service initiation, service advisor, in-service experience, service delivery, user-friendly service and problems experienced. Equally as impressive, nearly 40 percent of Mercedes-Benz customers said they received at least 21 of 24 services measured in the study - a rate twice that of the industry average (20 percent). In addition, forty-four percent of Mercedes customers say they “definitely would” recommend their service dealers, compared to an industry average of 23 percent for other automakers’ customers.

Mercedes-Benz USA has announced today that for the sixth consecutive year, they along with the EIF Women's Cancer Research Fund and Saks Fifth Avenue will be teaming up for the KEY TO THE CURE initiative. As part of their support, MBUSA will be offering 1,000 special edition 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 models, with proceeds raised expected to total $1 million. This figure will bring the company's total contributions in the field of women's cancer research to $6 million. Although photos of the special edition S-Class have yet to be released, its details have, with highlights including an exclusive Diamond White metallic exterior paint color, Sahara beige and black interior, 20-inch AMG 5-spoke wheels with high performance tires, and of course, the extensive plethora of features already found on the impeccable luxury sedan.

Although it won't make its official debut to the general public until the International Commercial Vehicle Show (IAA) this September, Mercedes-Benz today has officially unveiled their new generation Travego, and with it, an industry first: Active Brake Assist will make its world premier on a coach. Already utilized on select Mercedes passenger and commercial vehicles, the emergency braking system operates by offering a series of graduated warnings when the risk of a rear end collision is severe, and subsequently carries out emergency braking maneuvers if the driver fails to react.

July 4, 1954 was a golden day for German sport. Whilst the national football team was lifting the World Cup in Bern, Switzerland, over the border in France Mercedes-Benz was celebrating its return to Grand Prix racing in equally majestic fashion. The Silver Arrows sealed a one-two victory on the Reims circuit, the streamlined speed machines finishing a full lap ahead of their pursuers. The rivals were stunned. The automotive world had come to expect the unexpected from Mercedes. However, the team’s scarcely believable performance after fifteen years away from the Grand Prix arena was era-defining stuff. The secret was an obsessive pleasure in achieving perfection, reflected in the team’s preparation, the technical make-up of the cars and the performance of the overall package in the race itself.

It's that time of the week again when gather the latest and greatest Mercedes reviews circulating the internet and assemble them all in one convenient, easily readable location. In this, our newest Review Roundup installment, three Mercedes models - the GLK350, the C63 AMG and the ML280 CDI - are all tested, giving those of you contemplating the purchase of any a small idea of what to expect from each. As is the case with all our Mercedes Review Roundups, you can find excerpts from each review as well links back to the full articles immediately after the jump.

When the Schloss Dyck Classic Days 2008 kicks off August 2nd, on hand as the event's principal sponsor will be none other than Mercedes-Benz. As part of the event, visitors will be able to witness firsthand a variety of racing cars from Mercedes' illustrious history take a 2.8-kilometer tour of the elegant castle grounds, with highlights including a 120 hp Benz that will be driven by Jochen Mass, a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R monoposto that will be driven by Hans Herrmann, a McLaren-Mercedes MP4-13 that will be driven by Bernd Schneider and a Mercedes-Benz Safety Car that will be driven by Dieter Glemser. In addition, a range of other vehicles will be on display in the coach houses and around the castle grounds as well, including an exhibition version of the Mercedes-Benz McLaren MP4-23 Formula One car, a reconstruction of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886 and the new Maybach Landaulet.

Adding to the exceptionally comprehensive look at the Europe-bound Mercedes GLK we brought you earlier this month, Mercedes-Benz USA today has unveiled an equally extensive look at the variant that will make its way to the states:  The 2010 Mercedes GLK350 4MATIC. Nearly every facet of the model is covered, ranging from its design to its various technical and safety features, so if you've been contemplating whether or not the new SUV is worthy of you hard-earned income, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and get ready for a gargantuan portion of pure, unadulterated GLK-themed goodness.

Amid the searing heat of the California desert, spy photographers over the weekend captured yet another batch of photos showcasing the forthcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In the pictures, the future E-Class still remains heavily disguised, although its form-fitting camouflage does afford a relatively clear look at the distinguished side contours of the model (as has been the case with most of the prior E-Class spy photos). Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer to see either the headlights or taillights of the model, as both still remain masked under a cloak of secrecy. Nevertheless, I think I speak for the majority of E-Class owners when I say the development of the new sedan seems to be coming along splendidly.

There's been speculation for some time now as to whether or not Mercedes will opt to bring their compact A-Class and B-Class models to the United States, after initial plans to do so were abandoned back in 2005. Now, amid rising fuel costs and the increasing popularity of fuel efficient, smaller models, the topic continues to be a point of debate in countless automotive and financial articles - enough so that Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche during a conference call last week commented on the matter. According to Zetsche, the company is likely to bring the compact models to the U.S., but not until the new-generation versions of each are released (which should be in 2011).

This weekend marked the seventh DTM race of the season at the Nürburgring, and after a rain-soaked qualifying session that was eventually red flagged gave Audi drivers the top three starting positions on the grid, the AMG Mercedes C-Class drivers faced an uphill battle from the onset of the event. Here's a recap of what transpired next... The start: Gary Paffett started fourth; Bernd Schneider was sixth on the gird followed by Ralf Schumacher and Maro Engel. After the start, Gary Paffett overtook Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Tom Kristensen at the Mercedes-Arena and was first after the opening lap, followd by six C-Class drivers: Paul Di Resta –started 12th on the grid - , Bernd Schneider, Ralf Schumacher, Jamie Green, Bruno Spengler –started 16th – and Susie Stoddart.

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Kicking things off this morning comes the genius that can only exist when you infuse the Mercedes-Benz brand with a healthy dose of '80's power ballad goodness. While I'm going to surmise the video was meant to boost team moral at the company by tapping into one of the greatest musical genres ever invented, the end result is pure comedic gold. "Gone is the Beemer and to Audi bye bye..." Brilliant. The full video after the jump.

Looking for the top stories of the past week on eMercedesBenz? Here they are, all in one convenient, clickable location. Scroll, click and enjoy.

The Mercedes S-Class is a vehicle worthy of adoration, even in its standard, pure, luxurious form. Put a V12 in it, and the level of fondness the S-Class is capable of generating could in all probability rival the fondness most feel towards water, air or their firstborn child. For some, however, a factory-produced S-Class just isn't enough. Standard is substandard, pure is just filthy and luxurious isn't luxurious unless it's two-tone with white Alcantara interior accents. For this elitist market segment, there is German tuner Carlsson - a company that's taken a V12-laden S-Class and turned it into what they call the Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont.

Whether you're among the many that have already been smitten by the sheer loveliness of the new Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series or whether you're still in the early stages of adoration towards the winsome model, in either case, the new Mercedes AMG SL65 AMG Black Series webspecial will no doubt provide you with even more reason to covet the latest AMG rocket to make its way out of Affalterbach. There's technical specifications, interactive looks at the SL65 AMG Black Series' various components and a 360-degree tour of the model, all of which provide a perfect escape from the toils of your Friday workday. In addition, there's also a host of new wallpapers showcasing the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series from a number of different angles, all of which I've included below, and all of which are formatted for viewing on the most prevalent screen resolutions (including the Apple iPhone).

Oprah Winfrey - media mogul, life counselor and purveyor of all that is good in the world - has announced that she'll be auctioning off three vehicles from her private collection: a red 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing formerly owned by the DuPont family, a 1988 Rolls-Royce Corniche II Convertible given to her by John Travolta and a 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the annual Arts and Culture Workshop at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa, adding to the $40 million she's already personally donated to the cause.

New spy photos showcasing the Mercedes SLK equipped with a panoramic glass roof have emerged today, courtesy of the fine gentlemen of Auto Motor und Sport. In the photos, the darkened glass roof is clearly visible, as is a significant bulge over the rear wheel of the model that's hidden by light camouflage. Rumor has it the bulge is simply testing equipment as opposed to any actual exterior changes, while further speculation has suggested that the panoramic roof won't make it's way onto the SLK until 2011, when the next-generation SLK is revealed. Pricing for the roof is expected to be about EUR 1,800.

The W 201 marked Mercedes-Benz's return to motor sport at the end of the eighties after a break of over 20 years: AMG took part in the German Touring Car Championship in Mercedes' name. In order to maximise its chances, Mercedes-Benz produced in 1989 an Evolution series of the 190 E 2.5-16 which conformed to Group A regulations. The four-cylinder engine of this car that was to serve as the basis for Mercedes-Benz's new venture into motor sport has a shorter stroke (82.8 mm) than the standard 2.5-16 model (87.2 mm) to boost the engine speed. The Evolution's chassis has self-leveling suspension front and back (back only in the production version) and eight-inch instead of seven-inch wheels.