On the runway at this week’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) unveiled a version of its E320 BLUETEC, a diesel sedan that will immediately be available in limited numbers to California customers through a special two-year/24,000-mile lease.

California’s stringent emissions requirements have kept new diesel automobiles models off the California market for the better part of a decade.  The new E320 BLUETEC – distinguished as “2007 World Green Car” by an international panel of journalists earlier this year – changes all that.

BLUETEC denotes state-of-the-art engine and exhaust technology which produces the cleanest diesels available on the market today.  Utilizing this technology, the V6-powered E320 BLUETEC diesel is able to provide the powerful torque of a large V8 engine with the low fuel consumption of a four-cylinder compact.

This September marks the ten-year anniversary of the M-Class, the first SUV built by Mercedes-Benz in the U.S.  To help celebrate this important milestone, Mercedes-Benz is launching a special limited edition of its popular M-Class sport utility that’s appropriately badged “Edition 10.” The V6-powered ML350 Edition 10 model features a unique Birch Wood and Macadamia and Black leather interior with an aluminum instrument cluster and sport pedals.  With 1,000 vehicles scheduled to be offered in the U.S., the limited-production Edition 10 comes in a choice of Obsidian Black or Arctic White paint with eye-catching black headlight surrounds, tinted tail lights and a chrome shadow finish on the grille as well as the front and rear skid plates.  Its exterior and interior are finished with aluminum “Edition 10” badging and floor mats.

Muscular fender flares front and back, giant 23-inch wheels and a striking face with large air dams and four auxiliary headlights: In a world premiere BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet http://www.brabus.com) presents the 2007 WIDESTAR wide version for the Mercedes GL-Class at the Frankfurt International Auto Show IAA 2007.

The elegant sweeping lines of the fender flares add five centimeters (two inches) to the width of the large SUV. The corresponding rocker panels have more than just visual effect; they also facilitate entering and exiting of the vehicle in the dark with their integrated entrance lights.

The BRABUS WIDESTAR front apron maximizes the supply of cooling air for radiators and front brakes. It also improves active safety with auxiliary high beams and fog lamps as well as by reducing aerodynamic lift.

The Ultimate Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing with V12 Biturbo Engine, 730 PS (720 hp) / 537 kW, 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft) of Torque and a Top Speed of More than 360 km/h (224 mph)

Over the past three decades BRABUS has perfected the art of transplanting large and extremely powerful engines into the bodies of small cars. That path led to numerous world records and entries into the Guinness Book of World Records. The BRABUS BULLIT, built in small-series production based on the new Mercedes C-Class sedan, celebrates its world debut at the IAA 2007 as the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing.

At the heart of this supercar BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet http://www.brabus.com) placed the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo displacement engine. It was originally designed for the world’s fastest sedan, the BRABUS ROCKET. The implantation of the 6.3-liter (385 cu. in.) engine into the confines of the W 204 series body is yet more proof for the superiority of BRABUS know-how.

Mercedes-Benz took two of the top rankings in Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research’s second quarter consumer automotive perceptions research study, Brand Watch.  The report, which surveys thousands of new car shoppers, ranked Mercedes-Benz as “Best Overall Prestige Brand/Luxury/Sophistication.” The study also gave Mercedes-Benz the top ranking for “Best Exterior Styling in the Luxury SUV Segment.”

“With a motorcar heritage dating back more than a century and technology that is as new as tomorrow, Mercedes-Benz has cemented its image as the foremost luxury brand among U.S. consumers,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.  “Mercedes-Benz’ record of ongoing innovation in vital areas like design, safety and creature-comforts continues to reinforce its elite standing with the buying public, as our research attests.”

An increase in maximum power output from standard 170 PS (168 hp) / 125 kW to 220 PS (217 hp) / 162 kW, a jump in torque from 400 Nm to 480 Nm (295 to 354 lb-ft), combined with maximum environmental friendliness in accordance with Euro IV emission limits, and all that backed by the one-of-a-kind BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers (see BRABUS warranty conditions): For the new Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet http://www.brabus.com) presents the new BRABUS POWER XTRA D3 S power kit.

The processor-controlled BRABUS auxiliary control unit with integrated injector drive module comes with a ready-to-connect wire harness and detailed installation instructions. It can be installed quickly and easily by any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. The BRABUS POWER XTRA D3 S tuning kit works flawlessly in conjunction with the standard particulate filter of the C 220 CDI and increases maximum power output by 50 PS (49 hp) / 36.8 kW and peak torque by 80 Nm (59 lb-ft). Despite the increased performance emissions of the turbodiesel engine remain on the low level of the production car: Even with BRABUS performance tuning the car meets stringent EURO IV emission standards.

Bodo Buschmann founded BRABUS back in 1977. On occasion of its 30th anniversary BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet http://www.brabus.com ) presents an automotive ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing” at the Frankfurt International Auto Show IAA 2007 that will redefine this fascinating vehicle segment. The debut will be accompanied by the launch of the newly designed BRABUS website at http://www.brabus.com.

BRABUS is the world’s largest independent automobile tuner and is considered a car manufacturer by the German Federal Motor Vehicle Registration Agency (Kraftfahrtbundesamt). The BRABUS tradition of building legendary special models is as long as it is successful. What started back in 1984 with a Mercedes 190 equipped with a V8 engine, led eventually to the BRABUS E V12 that in 1996 set a new world record for fastest street-legal sedan in the Guinness Book of World Records with a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). Today that same record is held by the BRABUS ROCKET with a top speed of 365.7 km/h (227.2 mph). 

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported sales of 19,589 new vehicles for June 2007, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 118,240 units, a 2.9 percent increase over the first half of last year, marking the best first-half sales in the company’s history.

Highlights for the month include a 12.4 percent increase (4,776 vs. 4,250 units) in sales for the company’s volume-leading C-Class.  The retail launch of the all-new 2008 C-Class is scheduled for early August.  The high-end luxury CL-Class coupe also recorded impressive gains with a 322.2 percent (266 vs. 63 units) jump in sales compared to June of last year.  Other highlights for the month include a 24.9 percent increase for the CLK-Class coupes and cabriolets (1,170 vs. 937 units).

Compared to the first-half of 2006, the same period this year marked increases across the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, from the gateway to the brand – the C-Class – which recorded a 20.9 percent gain (27,328 vs. 22,596 units), to the highly acclaimed E-Class which rose 7.4 percent (22,246 vs. 20,720 units).  Mercedes-Benz’s light truck offerings posted a year-to-date increase of 15.6 percent, from 29,540 SUVs sold in the first six months of 2007 compared to 34,154 SUVs sold in the same period in 2006.

Mercedes-Benz announced today that the bold new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup will begin at $31,975 for the new C300 Sport Sedan (228 hp, 221 lb-ft. of torque).  The all-new C300 Luxury Sedan (228 hp, 221 lb-ft. of torque) will be priced at $33,675, followed by the C350 Sport Sedan (268 hp, 258 lb-ft. of torque) at $37,275.  All prices include a $775 destination fee.

Set to arrive in U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships on August 7, the next-generation 2008 C-Class sedan is larger than its highly successful predecessor, with a greater emphasis on driving dynamics, comfort and safety.  The C300 Sport and Luxury models will be available with an all new 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission starting in September.  An impressive list of standard equipment includes a power sunroof, eight-way power front seats with lumbar support, two-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, a central controller, and an LCD display screen.

With three awards for the highest ranked in segment vehicle quality, Mercedes-Benz was one of the most successful car brands in this year’s J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study (IQS). The brand also demonstrated one of the most dramatic increases in ranking of any manufacturer in the study, ranking fifth.  J.D. Power and Associates indicated that all Mercedes-Benz models in the study improved substantially, and the breadth and speed of these improvements demonstrates the Mercedes-Benz commitment to quality.

This year, the E-, S- and SL-Classes were recipients of the J.D. Power and Associates Award for highest ranked initial quality. These Mercedes models ranked highest for initial quality in their competitive segments, Midsize Premium Car, Large Premium Car (in a tie) and Premium Sporty Car, respectively.
In particular, the most important factors for Mercedes-Benz’s excellent overall performance were the launches of the new S-Class, the M-Class, and the new generations of the E-Class and SL-Class.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today announced the names of 62 college-bound teenagers who will join the ranks of nearly 1,000 other students nationwide as recipients of Mercedes-Benz ’s DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarships.  The scholarships are awarded to students who are the first in their families to attend college and who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and a commitment to helping others.  The DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Scholarship Program was developed by Mercedes-Benz USA in 2004 to help alleviate some of the financial pressures of first-generation college-bound students – many of whom would be unable to pursue a post-secondary education due to the enormous financial burden. In the competitive application process, nearly 5,000 students nationwide applied for scholarships, 62 of whom were selected based on academic performance, leadership, involvement in school and community activities and financial need.  Each of the college-bound graduating high school seniors will receive a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500 per year over 4 years) to help offset rising college tuition costs.

Mercedes-Benz announced today that it will offer the SLR McLaren super sports car in the form of a roadster.  Showcasing the latest in Formula 1 technology, the SLR McLaren is constructed almost entirely of carbon fiber, providing a very high degree of safety as well as extreme torsional rigidity for outstanding handling characteristics.  Powered by a supercharged (Kompressor) 5.5-liter, 617-hp AMG V8 engine, the SLR McLaren Roadster can achieve a top speed of 207 mph. Thanks to its fully retractable top, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure at the highest level, providing occupants with a comfortable open-air experience suitable for everyday use.  U.S. deliveries of this new model will begin in Fall 2007.