Auf Wiedersehen: Daimler to Pull the Plug on Maybach Brand

During the past decade or so, many carmakers have looked into their past to shape their future: the BMW Group's new Mini, the Fiat Group's 500 and the Volkswagen Group's Beetle are among the most well-known examples. But as Mercedes-Benz found out the hard way, not all second comings prove successful.

And now, only a decade after resuscitating Maybach, Daimler is ready to accept defeat and stop producing the $350,000 luxury limousine when the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class hits the market in 2013.

“It would not make sense to develop a successor model”, Daimler Dieter Zetsche said in an interview with German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. “The coming S-Class is in such a way a superior vehicle that it can replace the Maybach.”

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SPIED: Big Daddy 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Draws Closer

Once almost a lone player in the luxury segment, Mercedes-Benz and its S-Class have been challenged directly over the past years by numerous rivals ranging from the Lexus LS and the Audi A8 to the rejuvenated Jaguar XJ and even the Porsche Panamera.

But the Stuttgart-based automaker is holding on and is now readying a new and improved successor to its S-Class limousine that will also be known under its internal codename, W222.

Scheduled to arrive in the market in the 2013 calendar year, the W222 is based on a new platform architecture and will be offered in both short- and long-wheebase derivatives as well as with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

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10 Luxury Cars of the Past You Can Afford to Buy Today

No matter what car you buy, its price will start depreciating from the moment you turn the ignition key and roll out of the showroom. Of course, not all models lose value at the same rate. But there are some cars that stand out more than others and Popular Mechanics has compiled a list with some of the most heavily depreciated vehicles in the luxury car segment.

And while this may not be the kind of news a seller wants to hear, it's music to the ears of buyers in the market for snazzy set of wheels. Just remember that regardless if the car is new or used, running costs remain the same, and when it comes to luxury models, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.

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Polk Reports BMW, Mercedes and Lexus Losing Large Luxury Sedan Market Share to Audi, Jaguar and Porsche

In the large luxury sedan stakes, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus have been the long-time leaders. Five years ago, each brand’s flagship model – the 7-Series, the S-Class and the LS – collectively owned 82% of the U.S. market and Merc’s offering could claim 30% of that.

Between June 2010 and May of this year, however, their collective market share has dwindled some 68% while that of three newer models have grown.

There’s the Audi A8, up 5% and the Jaguar XJ, up 12%. Both of these models could claim next to nothing of the market when they were launched but now look at them.

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Brabus Works its Styling Touch on the Mercedes E-Class and S-Class Models

More often than not, Brabus’ aftermarket offerings include some heavy performance modifications, but this time, the German tuning firm decided to focus solely on improving the styling of the Mercedes E-Class and S-Class premium sedans with the release of two new aerodynamic packages. Read more »

Brabus Boosts Output of New V8 BiTurbo in Mercedes S500 and CL500 and S63 and CL63 AMG Models

Longtime Mercedes-Benz tuner has released a performance package for the latest S500 and CL500 as well as the S63 and CL63 AMG models, which are fitted with Stuttgart’s new V8 bi-turbocharged engines. In addition to the powerplant enhancements, the German tuning firm has also developed a range of cosmetic and handling upgrades.

Starting with the S500 and CL500 models, Brabus offers two different engine tunes for the 4.7-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The first kit includes a new ECU priced at €4,900 (~US$7,160), which bumps output from 435HP and 700Nm to 482HP and 780 Nm (575 lb-ft).

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Mercedes-Benz Launches 125th Anniversary Scale Models and Merchandise

Mercedes-Benz announced the introduction of new collection with special scale models and branded products to mark the 125th birthday of the motor car. The lineup includes a dedicated range of scale models of legendary vehicles produced over the years by the Stuttgart-based carmaker. Read more »

New ECO Start/Stop System Lowers Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC's Fuel Consumption to 6.2 lt/100 km (37.9MPG)

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the S 350 BlueTEC will be offered from now on with a standard ECO start/stop function. As a result, average fuel economy is rated at 6.2 liters/100 km (37.93 mpg US), down 9 percent from an already impressive –for the size and type of car- 6.8 liters/100 km (34.59 mpg US). Read more »

Brabus 800 iBusiness 2.0 is the World's Fastest Office on Four Wheels

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus is the first company to develop a multimedia system based on the new Apple iPad 2. The tuning house integrated the new tablet computer in the rear compartment of the Brabus 800, which is a heavily modified V12-powered S-Class sporting 800 ponies and supercar-humiliating performance numbers.

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Inden Design Turns 2009MY Mercedes-Benz S500 into 2011MY S65 AMG Lookalike

If you happen to own a pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz S500 W221 and want to spiff it up both cosmetically and mechanically, German tuning firm Inden Design has presented a new package for Stuttgart’s premium sedan. The styling concept is to bring the S500 in line with the refreshed S65 AMG, which was revealed in the spring of 2009.

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Brabus Presents the World’s First Euro 6 Compliant Performance Kit for Diesel Models

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has presented a new ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit for the S350 BlueTec, and by doing so, the company claims to have created the world’s first tuned diesel-powered car that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, scheduled to go into effect in 2014. Available for both rear-while drive and 4MATIC four-wheel drive variants, the kit delivers an additional 55HP and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) of torque, for a total of 313HP and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft).

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VIDEO: 2011 Audi A8 Commercial Mocks the Mercedes S-Class

With its new commercial for the 2011 A8, Audi of America is opening a fresh chapter in the advertisement wars. Taking inspiration from the 1947 children’s book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, the ad portrays S-Class owners as gluttonous people with an excessive lifestyle, representing the age of “old luxury”. The 60 second clip is said to be a prelude to the upcoming Super Bowl TV spot, set to air in the first break on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, 2011. Hit the jump to watch the video.

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BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 Claims the Title of World’s Most Powerful Luxury Sedan

This here is the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class-based Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800. With 800 hp (597 kW) and 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) on tap, the R800 sets a new milestone in the luxury segment, while dwarfing the S65 AMG in the process.

This luxo-barge-on-steroids uses the same V12 engine that originally came with the BRABUS E V12. That means that the displacement has been increased from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 385 cui), by using a special crankshaft with longer stroke, larger pistons and corresponding larger bore.

A new air intake is also used, alongside high-performance manifolds and water-to-air intercoolers.

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New Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG gets Bi-Turbocharged

The new and improved for 2011, Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG made its online debut a week after the presentation of the facelifted CL63 AMG luxury coupe. The two cars share the same AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo, which replaces the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 unit, albeit with different output numbers.

In the 2011 S63 AMG, the hand-built 5.5-liter V8, which combines direct petrol injection with bi-turbocharging and a start/stop system, pushes out 544HP at 5,500 rpm and 800Nm /590 lb-ft of peak torque between 2,000 and 5,500rpm. If you opt for the AMG Performance package, these figures are increased to 571HP and 900 Nm / 663.8 lb-ft.

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Rare Sbarro Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 116 6.9 found on eBay

Swiss coachbuilder Franco Sbarro is known all over the world for its extreme production and concept cars like the wacky Autobau supercar. However, it's not often that we find the firm's creations on eBay so we were surprised to see that one of its production cars from the 1980s is up for grabs on the auction site.

The Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 116 6.9 - we're not entirely sure about the name- is a odd-looking two-door Grand Tourer with gullwing-style doors.

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Mercedes-Benz Considering to make Next S-Class a Hybrid-Only Lineup, U.S. Dealers Say 'Nein'

The next-generation of Mercedes-Benz's S-Class flagship limo -including the high-performance AMG models- which is due to go on sale in Europe in 2012 and in North America the following year, could be offered exclusively with hybrid powertrains if the company's bosses get their way.

According to a report from Autonews citing inside sources, the premium automaker's board is considering the shift to hybrids and the elimination of models with only internal-combustion engines for a number of reasons.

These include to help meet tightening European CO2 emission and tougher corporate average fuel economy standards in the United States, as well as to highlight the company's hybrid technology and to compete against Lexus which is considered the leader in premium hybrid vehicle sales.

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Mercedes-Benz Showcases New 5.5-liter Bi-Turbo V8 on Retro-Dressed S63 AMG

It's time for Mercedes-Benz's naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V8 that powered an array of AMG models over the years including the S63 AMG to give its place to a newly developed AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine that's more powerful yet significantly more fuel efficient.

Showcased here on a cosmetically upgraded and sported-up S63 AMG sedan that pays tribute to the 1971 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, the new 5.5-liter V8 features direct injection with spray-guided combustion and twin turbocharging.

In standard form, the V8 biturbo engine develops a peak output of 544HP and maximum torque of 800Nm or 590 lb-ft. In conjunction with the AMG Performance package these figures are increased to 571HP and 900Nm or 663.8 lb-ft.

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VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes ML Prototype and AMG S-Class Pull Out CL-Class AMG Test Car from Snow Ditch

Now here's an incident that you don't get to see very often - let alone capture on film. But these spy photographers got lucky when, while they were tailing a camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML SUV prototype on a snow covered road, the driver of the SUV led them straight to a CL-Class AMG facelift test car that was trapped in a ditch!

At first, the Mercedes-Benz team tried to pull out the CL-Class AMG coupe only with the all-wheel drive ML.

When that didn't work, they then employed the help of an S-Class AMG sedan equipped with snow chains. The combined pulling power of the two Mercs did the job. Enjoy the video after the break.

Via: Youtube / AMS

2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and S65 AMG: High-Res Photos and Official Details

The Shanghai Auto Show hosted the world premiere of the top-of-the-line 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, the S63 AMG and S65 AMG. While retaining the same powertrains as the pre-facelift models, both AMG cars have received a series of subtle cosmetic and mechanical tweaks. The S63 AMG comes with a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 525HP and 630Nm or 465 lb/ft of torque, and is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62mph) from standstill in 4.6 seconds while the S65 AMG that features a 6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine producing 612HP and 1000Nm or 737 lb/ft, accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 4.4 sec.

Mercedes-Benz claims that in the S65 AMG, it has improved fuel economy and decreased CO2 emissions by around three per cent by retuning the car's engine management system.

A new feature for the 2010 S-Class AMG models is the Torque Vectoring Brake system that briefly applies the brakes on the vehicle's inner rear wheel during cornering. Merc's supports that this feature not only improves responsiveness but also active handling safety.

Furthermore, the AMGsports suspension which is based on the Active Body Control (ABC) and provides crosswind stabilisation has been added to the standard equipment for the first time.

In terms of styling, aside from the general revisions that were made to the entire S-Class range, the differences between the 2009MY and the 2010MY AMGs concern the new front bumper that incorporates a pair of LED daytime running lights, the restyled rear apron and the new, more pronounced arrow-shaped radiator grille, which in the case of the S65 AMG, features twin chrome-plated louvres.

Likewise, changes to the interior are limited to new infotainment systems, including COMAND APSwith new SPLITVIEW display, which shows different images for driver and front passenger simultaneously.

Both top-of-the-line AMG models will have their market launches in June 2009, with the S 63 AMG being available in both short or long-wheelbase versions and the S 65 AMG exclusively as a long-wheelbase version.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG V8

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2010 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG V12

New AMG Sports Package for Mercedes S-Class Facelift and CL-Class Coupe

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is offering an AMG Sports Package for its top-of-the-line models, the just facelifted S-Class sedan and the CL-Class Coupe. The German automaker's new optional package includes various sporty and dynamic features as well as additional equipment, some of which are not available individually. And no, there aren't any changes under the hood of either model.

Visually, both the S-Class sedan and CL-Class coupe are enhanced with an AMG designed bodykit that includes a front apron with large air intakes, side sill panels and a rear apron with a black insert and integrated, rectangular tailpipe trim in polished stainless steel.

The perforated brake discs and silver-painted brake callipers along with the 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design shod with 255/40 (front) and 275/40 (rear) tires round off the exterior changes. For those that want more, AMG also offers 20-inch alloys in a twin-spoke design as an option.

Inside, wood trim and the wood/leather steering wheel in black ash plus velour floor mats with AMG lettering and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs complete the package.

The AMG Sports package will be available for order from this June for all S-Class models with a short or long wheelbase, as well as for the CL 500 and CL 500 4MATIC. Depending on the model, the price for the packages ranges between €5,831 and €7973 (including 19% VAT).