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Mercedes mulling Renault-based entry-level X-Class?

Somewhere in between the Smart brand and the all-new A-Class (pictured above), Daimler is said to be readying a smaller entry-level product for the Mercedes-Benz brand to compete with models like the Audi A1. According to AutoBild, Mercedes-Benz will get a new hatchback based on a platform from its recent partnership with Renault-Nissan, and it could be called the X-Class.
Expected to debut by 2018, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class could be offered in sedan, hatchback and crossover variants, and it would likely have a starting price below the $20,000-euro mark. Power would come from either a 1.0-liter inline three-cylinder engine or a 1.5-liter inline-four, and the car would likely be built in a low-cost nation in order to make the financials work. Wearing the Mercedes-Benz name, the X-Class would have to exhibit more distinguishable luxury and styling to set itself apart from the models that helped provide its underpinnings.

The 2016 Spanish Grand Prix flipped all the scripts

The Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and the Hungaroring fly the flag for processional races, yet Spain's Circuit de Catalunya is arguably as bad. Before this weekend, the pole-sitter won the race 19 times out of the last 25 years. The front row of the grid produced 23 winners in the past 25 years. The racing gods edited that script this year, when a first-lap crash and two mid-race strategy changes kept things open until the end of the 66-lap race. It started when Mercedes-AMG Petronas teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton took each other out on Lap 1. After Rosberg passed pole-sitter Hamilton into Turn 1, Rosberg's car slowed through Turn 3, somehow in the wrong mode. Hamilton closed in on Rosberg so quickly that once the Brit ducked inside for the pass, he couldn't back out. Rosberg, however, closed the door so suddenly that Hamilton had no choice but to drive onto the grass. When Hamilton spun, he collected Rosberg and both Mercedes' ended up in the gravel trap. The stewards deemed it a racing incident. The crash put Red Bull teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen in the lead, followed by Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz and the Ferrari duo of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Both Ferraris cleared Sainz by Lap 10, leaving 56 laps for them to haul in the Red Bulls. Ferrari loosely followed Red Bull's pit strategies. Ricciardo pitted on Laps 11 and 28, Vettel pitted on Laps 15 and 37. Verstappen pitted on Laps 12 and 35, Raikkonen pitted on Laps 13 and 36. Pirelli predicted a three-stop race as the fastest and that the medium tire could only go about 23 laps. Verstappen and Raikkonen didn't get those memos. So while Ricciardo and Vettel came in for third stops the Dutchman and the Finn stayed out, with Verstappen ahead of Raikkonen at the front of the race as of Lap 43. That's when Verstappen – 18 years and 227 days old – proved how good a driver he is, lapping perfectly as second-place Raikkonen closed the gap to a little more than half a second. The Finn still couldn't get past the Dutchman down the pit straight even with the help of DRS, nor under braking at the only real passing opportunity into Turn 1. At the end of Lap 66 Verstappen crossed the line ahead of Raikkonen, a victorious end to Verstappen's first race weekend after being promoted to Red Bull. Further back, Vettel and Ricciardo fought for scraps, the German staying ahead to finish third.

Mercedes-Benz Museum introduces classic car sales

Mercedes is aiming to take the guesswork out of buying a classic car with its latest initiative. Instead of buying a classic Benz from a private owner, the public can now purchase directly from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. The program is called "All Time Stars," and is split into three categories. Vehicles in the Premium Edition are in pristine condition, with low mileage, and fully restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic division. Collectors Edition cars are guaranteed to be in tip-top shape both technically and aesthetically, but have some miles on the odometer and the patina to go with them. Finally the Drivers Edition are meant for everyday driving – fixer-uppers that "still offer potential for further restoration work." Regardless of their category, each vehicle that passes through the program is subject to an extensive 160-point inspection. The process identifies any issues, and any modifications to the vehicle's original condition that may have been carried out over the course of its history. At the moment, the museum is highlighting three examples up for sale. The oldest is a Type 630 Kompressor from 1929. The newest is an E320 convertible from 1995 with 31,000 miles on the odometer. In between is also a 280 SE sedan of 1973 vintage. Head to the program's website and you can also see examples like a '79 450 SEL, a '94 E60 AMG, a '92 500 SL, and a rare CLK-LM racer from 1998. There are several more that have already been sold through the program, and more to be added to the catalog in the near future. Mercedes-Benz Museum selling classic cars directly: 'All Time Stars': modern classics and vintage greats from Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart, Nov 05, 2015 The Mercedes-Benz Museum is now selling classic cars from all periods under the name All Time Stars. The complete range can be seen on the website alltime-stars.com. You can also view the vehicles in person at the Mercedes-Benz Museum and arrange the purchase there too. A team of sales consultants are on hand to provide detailed information and extensive descriptions of the vehicles in order to offer as much transparency as possible. Buying a classic car is a matter of trust. It has to be. Otherwise what is often supposed to be a dream come true may in fact turn sour. The All Time Stars by Mercedes-Benz aim to extend the brand's extensive quality commitment to the purchase of classic cars. The focus is on vehicles that are suitable for everyday driving.