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Mercedes Pullman limo, C-Class Hybrid coming to Geneva

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to show the pinnacles of its engineering and luxury prowess at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March. Towering in physical size among these new vehicles is the long-awaited debut of the S-Class Pullman, according to Reuters. If you think the nearly $200,000 Mercedes-Maybach S600 (pictured above) is the ultimate in opulence available on Mercedes' flagship sedan, think again. The Pullman is the true top dog at a rumored 21-feet long and at a price of around $1 million for the armored version. Earlier patent photos suggest what this behemoth might look like. The driver reportedly sits in a partitioned cabin up front, and the plutocratic passengers are nestled in two facing rows of seats in the rest of the extremely long body. It's possible that Mercedes might not even build the Pullman in-house and leave the duty up to Brabus. However, there's also a rumor that the massive model might not be offered in the US. According to Reuters, the German company is also proving that it can be green by displaying the C-Class Plug-in Hybrid in Geneva. If Mercedes' display of luxury and efficiency don't strike your fancy, then the automaker is bringing some performance with its future Mercedes-AMG GT GT3 racer to the Swiss show.

2016 Mercedes-Benz G550 Quick Spin [w/video]

If there ever was an automotive embodiment of the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," that'd be the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The G-Wagen has carried on largely unchanged since the 1970s, with only small updates throughout the decades. Today, it's the halo vehicle for Mercedes' entire SUV range, and while it's more luxurious and efficient than ever, it'll still climb a mountain if asked. "Our legend has a bright future," says Dr. Gunnar Guthenke, Mercedes' G-Class boss. And for now, that means the addition of a new base engine for the 2016 model year, as well as other small updates. The powerplant in question is Merc's new twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 – you know, the one from the AMG GT – tuned to produce 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque in the G550. Compared to the outgoing, naturally aspirated, 5.5-liter V8, the new engine is stronger by 34 hp and 59 lb-ft. And while official fuel economy numbers are still pending, Mercedes says the G550 is 17-percent more fuel efficient with this smaller, more powerful engine. Win-win. As for the rest of the G-Class, the 2016 model year changes are limited to a new front bumper with more pronounced air intakes (and the removal of the cow catcher bars), wider wheel arches, a few new colors (including some seriously bright hues), and a redesigned instrument cluster. Those are all well and good, but the star of the show is that 4.0-liter V8. It's a honey in the AMG GT, and it's a perfect fit under the hood of the G550. Driving Notes I'm kicking myself for not taking video of the exhaust note, because holy crap, the G550 sounds amazing. Mercedes' engineers should be applauded for the exhaust tuning on the updated G-Class. The result is a low, burbly, throaty V8 noise that comes bellowing out the SUV's side pipes. The extra 59 lb-ft of torque is really noticeable off the line. And like in the AMG GT and C63, the 4.0-liter V8 provides linear power delivery with no noticeable turbo lag. Mercedes says the 2016 G550 will do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, compared to 6.0 seconds in the 2015 model. That's right, it's a 5,724-pound, box-shaped SUV that'll run nearly neck and neck with a base Porsche Boxster. In terms of on-road refinement, the G-Class is the same as it ever was. There's an optional, adjustable suspension for 2016, with Comfort and Sport modes, but the difference between the two settings is negligible.

Autoblog drives to the Arctic Circle

In Which Mercedes' Sprinter Becomes A Long-Distance Sherpa
In the wintery wilds of northern Alaska, even the cute little critters want to kill you.
As I am about to nod off on my long leg flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage ahead of driving to the Arctic Circle, the friendly twenty-something Alaskan knitting furiously in the seat next to me pauses and says, "When you're driving up there, don't open your windows." In the dead of winter? I hadn't planned on cruising alfresco, but her warning to keep the glazing snugged against the weatherstripping is one I would take to heart. She continues: "If you leave 'em open, a fox is liable to jump right in. There are lots of rabid foxes up there, and they leap into your car and just Go. To. Town." And here I was, thinking that a curious bear or maybe an ill-placed moose in the road was going to be my biggest potential four-legged threat. In the wintery wilds of northern Alaska, even the cute little critters want to kill you.