Fl, 1 Owner, P1, Navi, Pano, Blk/blk, 7 Pass- Flawless! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 offers the plutocratic life for $189,350*

Mercedes-Benz has officially announced pricing on its ultra-luxurious Maybach S600, and just as we feared, you'll probably need to be a Saudi oil sheikh to afford one. Prices start at $189,350, excluding a paltry $925 destination charge. That princely sum does not, however, make the Maybach version of the latest S-Class the company's most expensive sedan. That honor still goes to the ridiculously powerful and absurdly priced S65 AMG, which starts at $222,000. The new model's price easily surpasses that of the vehicle it's based on, though. Mercedes old flagship sedan, the S600, starts at $166,900. Of course, you do get quite a lot of kit for spending an extra $23,000, besides the C-pillar-mounted Maybach badges and the extra 7.9 inches of wheelbase. Upgrades include a re-engineered interior that should be quieter than even the tomb-silent standard S-Class. Even the seats, which are lined in extremely supple leather, are noise insulated. Speaking of those seats and leather, the Maybach trim should include a fairly extensive range of different woods and leathers, for that personal touch. Beyond that, Maybach-exclusive features include a new fragrance for Mercedes' silly Air-Balance system, as well as a pair of silver-plated champagne flutes. What are your thoughts? Does the Maybach S600's extravagant price tag seem worth it (we're leaning towards yes)? Have your say in Comments. Mercedes-Benz Announces Pricing On All-New 2016MY Mercedes-Maybach S600 Segment-Leading Flagship to Start at $189,350* January 16, 2015 - MONTVALE, NJ The S-Class range has a long established tradition of setting the benchmark in the luxury segment, and the launch of the highly-anticipated new Mercedes-Maybach S600 in April will further assert its leadership position in the U.S. market. Priced from USD $189,350, this exceptional addition to the product lineup offers more than 8 inches in total length when compared to the standard S-Class and features a suite of intelligent safety technologies and exclusive appointments that complete the opulent package. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class seamlessly melds the perfection of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the incredible heritage and prestige of the Maybach nameplate. Mercedes-Maybach is not an equipment line. It is a sub-brand that introduces Mercedes-Benz vehicles in an even more exclusive form.

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.

Recharge Wrap-up: Venturi seeks funding for speed record, Kia partners on V2G

Venturi Automobiles has started a crowdfunding campaign to help break an EV speed record. Venturi's goal, with the help of The Ohio State University, is to set a new FIA World Speed Record for Battery Powered Electric Vehicles of over 7000 pounds with its VBB-3. Venturi set the current record at 307 miles per hour, but wants to exceed that this September at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Funders can score merchandise like T-shirts, miniature models, and even their name on the side of the car. Learn more at Venturi Automobiles' Kickstarter page. Kia is providing six Soul EVs to UC Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP). APEP is using the electric vehicles for the development of vehicle-to-grid technology and smart charging systems. Kia says the collaboration is helpful in its goals of expanding EVs over the next five years. "Grid-connected electric vehicles offer tremendous potential in terms of energy storage and dispersion during high-demand periods," says Kia VP of Product Planning Orth Hedrick, "and Kia is excited to collaborate with APEP in the study and development of advanced smart grid technologies." Read more from Kia, or at Green Car Congress. Daimler is launching its Mercedes-Benz Energy brand for stationary energy storage. Taking on the likes of Tesla with its Powerwall, Daimler began shipping battery packs for residential energy storage in Germany in April, with an eye toward solar systems. Now, with its new brand, the company looks to expand to the global market. "By founding Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, we are underscoring our ambition to be a technological and market leader in the field of highly efficient storage systems," says Daimler's Harald Kroger. "With our unique combination of high standards of quality and safety and positive economies of scale, we are supporting the success of the new energy era while helping to make electromobility affordable." Read more in the press release below. Daimler Establishes Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH for Stationary Energy Storage Daimler AG is continuing to expand its network of expertise in the field of lithium-ion battery applications. Within this innovative line of business, the newly established Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH is assuming the development and global sale of Mercedes-Benz brand stationary energy storage with immediate effect. Thus, Daimler is focusing even more on the growing market for stationary batteries.