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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.

Daimler says straight up it doesn't cheat on emissions tests

Distancing itself from VW and its diesel emissions scandal, Daimler has put out a statement saying that it has never installed devices on their vehicles that would artificially reduce emissions during a testing process. The company added that it "actively" supports European regulators' efforts to improve emissions-testing methods to better measure emissions during "real" driving conditions. BMW put out a similar statement last week, saying that its diesels are programmed to be tested properly. While Mercedes-Benz diesels were a fixture on US roads in past decades, the company's diesel sales are now concentrated overseas. "We categorically deny the accusation of manipulating emission tests regarding our vehicles," Daimler said in Friday's statement. "A defeat device, a function which illegitimately reduces emissions during testing, has never been and will never be used at Daimler." There's a reason for that sort of straightforward statement. Namely, heads continue to roll at VW after the automaker admitted it manipulated software in its diesel vehicles to pass US emissions testing. VW followed up by saying that as may as 11 million vehicles worldwide may contain that software and has set aside $7.3 billion to address the issue. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn stepped down as well. Take a look at Daimler's press release below. Daimler AG categorically denies any and all allegations of manipulation Stuttgart, Sep 25, 2015 In light of the ongoing assertions from the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), a non-government organisation, and the related speculation, Daimler AG once again clearly states that: We categorically deny the accusation of manipulating emission tests regarding our vehicles. A defeat device, a function which illegitimately reduces emissions during testing, has never been and will never be used at Daimler. This holds true for both diesel and petrol engines. Our engines meet and adhere to every legal requirement. In light of the written request by the DUH, which was sent to us this morning with a deadline to respond by 3:00 pm (CET), and the seven questions they posed, we can confirm that none of the allegations apply to our vehicles. The technical programming of our engines adheres to all legal requirements. We have no knowledge of measurements that indicate our vehicles did not meet legally required standards.

Clark Gable's 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing doesn't sell, then does sell for $1.85 million [UPDATE: w/video]

How much extra value does previous celebrity ownership add to of a car? Really, there's no way to know until the car in question hits the auction block and bidders start raising their hands. In the case of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing you see above, the celebrity owner is none other than Clark Gable, who purchased it new. After Gable's death in 1960, the car changed hands a few times before settling with Charles Wood in 1975.
A high-dollar restoration was performed in 1989, and period accessories added by Gable himself were kept in place, including the Rudge knock-off wheels and Nardi steering wheel. Any Mercedes-Benz 300SL is worth a big chunk of money. In the case of Clark Gable's old Gullwing, the bidding stalled at $1.9 million here at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale. As one of the 5000-series cars, this 300SL carried a reserve, and a bit of after-the-fact dealmaking saw the car change hands for $1.85 million.
You can see our high-res image gallery above, and the car's official auction description below.