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2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED has 87-mile range, 84 MPGe

Well, that extra weight had to be felt somewhere. With Mercedes-Benz getting ready to start US sales of its B-Class Electric drive this summer, the big question was how well its range would stack up against other electric vehicles sold in the States. Turns out, the Benz is a bit of a juice hog. Let's say up front that the 87-mile single-charge range of the Mercedes-Benz actually stacks up nicely against its competition, since that distance puts the new model right in line with the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 (we'll ignore the Tesla Model S for a second, here). You can find the numbers at the US Department of Energy's FuelEconomy website. As far as miles per gallon equivalent ratings, though, the Benz's steel frame makes it come up short, as it's about 1,300 pounds heavier than the carbon-fiber-body i3 and about 600 pounds heavier than the Leaf. The B-Class EV has a bigger battery than the i3 or the Leaf (36 kWh compared to 22 kWh for the i3 and 24 kWh for the Leaf) and that's one reason the car gets an 84 MPGe rating, which is about 26 percent less than the Leaf's and 32 percent less than the i3's. But at least the local utility companies will be happy. Mercedes-Benz priced the 177-horsepower B-Class ED in April at $41,450, or $100 more than the i3. Check out Autoblog's First Drive impressions here.

Elephant with an itch to scratch uses cars for relief

Sometimes in life you, get an itch in a place that you need some help to scratch it. That feeling apparently goes for elephants as well as humans. A pachyderm at the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand recently had some serious comfort in its rump. Unfortunately, the giant animal chose several passing vehicles to alleviate the problem. Things start out rather cute with the elephant rubbing its enormous behind on a Mercedes-Benz. However, another vehicle apparently doesn't provide the same level of relief. The animal seems to grow annoyed and starts taking the sedan apart with at least one person inside. The experience must have been mammothly terrifying. According to BBC News, no one was injured, and the odd behavior is being blamed on a result of the elephant's mating season. Male elephants, as well as other male pachyderms, go through a period called the musth, when testosterone levels rise to several times greater than normal in preparation for the mating season. It makes the elephant aggressive, irritable and yes, itchy.

Brabus tunes new Mercedes GLE Coupe up to 700 horsepower

With 576 horsepower on tap, the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe would be more than enough machine for most. For the rest, there's Brabus. Now the Benz tuner extraordinaire has revealed its own tuning program for the performance fastback crossover, turning the dial way past 11 to a massive 690 hp. Since the engine is already turbocharged, the 114-horse boost comes courtesy of modifications to the intake, charge-air pipes, engine control unit, and exhaust. Brabus also upgraded the turbo spools themselves, boosting torque up to 708 pound-feet. The result, according to the tuner, is a 0-62 time of 4.0 seconds flat and a top speed of 186 miles per hour. Those would have been considered supercar figures not that long ago. But this is a luxury crossover, for crying out loud. Still not enough? Brabus will further tune your GLE to 838 horsepower and a mind-blowing 1,069 lb-ft for a 3.8-second 0-62 sprint and a 200-mph top speed. In either state of tune, the aftermarket modifier will also gladly fit its aero kit, rolling stock, air-suspension control unit, and fully refit the interior to the buyer's specifications. The example you see here is making its world premier this week at the Dubai Motor Show. Brabus is also unveiling the Rocket 900 Desert Gold edition based on the Mercedes-AMG S65 sedan at the same show. They're being showcased alongside a number of regional debuts as well as a couple from its non-Benz brand, Startech. World premiere at the DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 2015 BRABUS 700 Coupe 515 kW / 700 HP, 960 Nm, 300 km/h top speed, carbon and 23-inch forged wheels for the brand-new Mercedes GLE 63 S Coupe Brand-new on the market and already exclusively and professionally refined: BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com) presents the BRABUS 700 Coupe based on the new Mercedes GLE 63 S in a world premiere at the DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 2015. This high-performance SUV capable of reaching a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) includes a 5.5-liter twin-turbo engine uprated to 515 kW / 700 HP (690 bhp) and 960 Nm (708 lb-ft), sporty carbon aerodynamic-enhancement components and 23-inch high-tech forged king-sized wheels. The BRABUS fine leather interior with quilted azure-blue seats and door panel elements creates an especially luxurious atmosphere.