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2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 Quick Spin [w/video]

We car writers tend to have a occupationally limited focus. Autoblog's stock in trade is automotive news and new car reviews, which often steers us towards forgetting existing models about 17 minutes after we've driven it a second time. You guys like reading about the new hotness, too, so it tends to work out. But the wonderful fact is that every car sold today will have a rich/interesting/heroic/tragic life for years to come. And, occasionally, even obsolete makes and models stay interesting. That was my thinking when this 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 came into our fleet. Set to be replaced with the SLK300, with that car's 2.0-liter turbo'd engine, the 250 is already running out the clock in Mercedes dealerships. What's more, my test car came complete with – are you ready for this? – a six-speed manual transmission. I can't tell you the last exact model of Benz that I'd driven with a stick shift, but I can assure you that its engine was carbureted. Considering the odd spec and replacement timeline, my question, as I drove the SLK for a week: was this a unicorn destined to be a driver's dearest find? Driving Notes: Let me not bury the lede any more: the six-speed isn't a game changer for the SLK. Yeah, over the course of a few days I came to be comfortable with the slightly vague clutch and notchy shifter, but I didn't love it. I went blasting on a few back roads, and found the hand-shaker more involving to use than the standard auto, but it was long to throw and not overly precise when I moved up and down between second, third, and fourth. On the other hand, the old 1.8T under the SLK250's bonnet still felt well matched with the base SLK's boulevardier mission. Output of 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque doesn't give enough gumption to move the hardtop German lump with authority, but it was still enough to be quick off the line and offer easy highway passing. The turbo four didn't sound bad under full throttle, either, but it did rattle like old plumbing when idling in the driveway. Speaking of rattling: the adjustable and Airscarf-equipped seats did a lot of it. (Airscarf, you'll recall, is M-B's brand name for an in-seat fan that blows hot air on your neck; it's nice on a cold day.) Though comfortable and mildly bolstered, the driver's chair made all kinds of funny noises when I got in, got out, or cornered over 20 miles per hour. That's rough for a luxury car with 6,000 (or so) miles on it.

Continental Automotive recalls 5 million airbag control units

Takata isn't the only supplier having airbag problems. Rival manufacturer Continental Automotive Systems announced a recall of 5 million airbag control units fitted to vehicles from Honda, Fiat Chrysler Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, and even a certain Chrysler-based Volkswagen. This sweeping recall has actually been in progress for some time, although the exact scope is only now becoming evident. In October of 2015, Mercedes-Benz recalled 2008 and 2009 model year C- and GLK-Class vehicles because their Continental-made airbag control units could corrode. Such a condition could cause the airbags to deploy without cause or warning, or in the event of a crash, not deploy at all. You can read all about it in our post from last year. Now, Continental's recall is going wide. Alongside the already recalled C and GLK, you've already heard about the 2008 and 2009 Honda Accord airbag recall, which we reported on yesterday. Now, Fiat Chrysler is announcing the recall of the 2009 Dodge Journey, as well as the 2008 and 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, and their rebadged counterpart, the Volkswagen Routan. Yes, one manufacturer is recalling another manufacturer's vehicle. The models listed above only amount to about 580,000 vehicles out of 5 million bad airbag control units. And since Continental will notify manufacturers who will then issue their own recalls, it's extremely likely that more brands and vehicles will be ensnared. Stay tuned. Related Video: News Source: NHTSA via Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Fabian Bimmer / Reuters Recalls Chrysler Dodge Fiat Honda Mercedes-Benz Safety Crossover Minivan/Van Sedan FCA

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE priced from $52,025

Mercedes-Benz released its full 2016 model year lineup and pricing details, and we've learned that the M-Class-replacing GLE will start at $52,025, including $925 for destination. The German automaker confirmed a few changes to the rest of its lineup, as well. For the GLE, that $52,025 price gets you the base GLE350. The GLE350 with 4Matic all-wheel drive starts at $54,525. The rest of the GLE range consists of the diesel-powered GLE300d 4Matic at $53,425, the GLE400 4Matic at $65,525, the GLE63 AMG at $100,875, and the range-topping GLE63 S AMG at $108,025. Mercedes will also offer the GLE500e 4Matic plug-in hybrid, but exact pricing for that model has not been released as of this writing. The GLE models start hitting dealers in August. Pricing for the BMW X6-fighting GLE Coupe – available in GLE450 and GLE63 forms – is also unknown. Elsewhere in the range, Mercedes-Benz will offer a new, diesel-powered C300d 4Matic, which goes on sale in February 2016. We already know the C-Class gets a new C350e plug-in hybrid model this year, which will arrive in September. Finally, the C400 has been killed, replaced by the C450 AMG Sport. Pricing for these new C-Class models has not been released. The small SLK roadster will receive a refresh soon, where it will be renamed SLC. In the meantime, the base SLK250 is now the SLK300, and comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Finally, Mercedes confirms the CLA will get a special "Edition: Orange" model, available on the CLA250 and CLA250 4Matic, limited to just 750 units nationwide. A host of other, smaller updates are available across Mercedes' model range. Read all about them in the very detailed press release, below. Related Video: MERCEDES-BENZ ANNOUNCES 2016 MODEL YEAR PRICING AND PRODUCT UPDATES The unprecedented product offensive continues with a host of exciting new models June 12, 2015 - MONTVALE, NJ -- Mercedes-Benz USA today announced pricing and model year changes for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz product portfolio. The company continues to expand its highly desirable model range this year with the addition of the awe-inspiring new Mercedes-AMG GT S, the ultra-exclusive Mercedes-Maybach S600, the sporty and versatile GLE, the sleek and stylish new GLE Coupe and the highly anticipated new GLC that will succeed the popular GLK when it arrives in U.S. showrooms in late November. In addition, smart will also welcome a redesigned smart fortwo that will launch in the U.S. market in September.