2006 Mercedes-benz R350 4matic Wagon 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC250 First Drive [w/video]

There's nothing wrong with the Mercedes-Benz GLK other than old age, having first sold here in 2009. But with creased, off-road themed styling, a naturally aspirated V6, and a smallish interior, it's out of step with the company's growing line of sport utility vehicles. Even its name is a harsh-sounding outlier. Enter the 2016 GLC. Mercedes calls this model the second generation of the GLK, but it's closer to a total reboot. The new look follows the smooth design of contemporary Benzes. The spotlight engine is now a spunky turbocharged four cylinder, and yes, the GLC is bigger inside and out. As for the name change, that's part of the latest badge realignment, and the "C" indicates the GLC's position as the crossover counterpart to the C-Class sedan. Now firmly integrated into the Mercedes SUV family, the GLC takes a seat at the table between the entry-level GLA and the larger GLE. The GLC's fresh appearance has all of the tenets of modern Mercedes design. We've come to the Alsace region of France to sample this familiar yet evolved utility vehicle. Driving along route A35, we're immediately struck by the turbo four-cylinder's prowess. It's strong from launches when we mash the gas, returns a subtle but pleasing exhaust note, and it's more than capable of picking off slower moving traffic as we dash through the French countryside. We're driving the European-spec GLC250 model, which has the same 2.0-liter engine Americans will get in the GLC300, though the Euro model has 30 fewer horsepower. The US version will be rated at 241 hp and 273 pound feet of torque, the same output as the C300 sedan. The turbo has big shoes to fill, as it gives up 61 hp to the 302-hp V6 used in the GLK. Mercedes is banking consumers won't miss this raw power, as the GLC's inline-four offers the same amount of torque as the GLK's V6, but much sooner in the rev band. Even in its detuned European state, the I4 demonstrates the kind of urgency that Americans prefer for their grocery-getting people haulers. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, upgraded from the GLK's seven-speed. There are paddle shifters, though most Americans won't have reason to use them. Sometimes we grab them and lay on the throttle just for fun, and the GLC responds with bursts of speed. Even in its detuned European state, the I4 demonstrates the kind of urgency that Americans prefer for their grocery-getting people haulers.

Brabus luxes up new Mercedes V-Class

Looking for a luxury coach to get you around town in style and comfort, but don't need anything as big as a Sprinter? Mercedes will gladly point you towards the smaller V-Class, trading Stateside as the Metris. And now Brabus has released a full array of customization options for the van as well. The list of modifications available from the venerable Benz tuner include an aero kit to give the van a sleeker look while reducing front-end lift, a full complement of 18- and 19-inch wheel options, a retuned suspension, engine enhancements, exhaust upgrade, and a fully refitted interior. The first-class cabin on this show vehicle has been reupholstered in leather and Alcantara, offset by wood and carbon-fiber trim, and a complete entertainment system. It includes a pair of 15.6-inch LCD screens that drop from the headliner and WiFi. Finally, there's a touchpad integrated into the interior C-pillars to operate the system as well as the lamps, heated seats, power windows and curtains, and the sliding doors. Accommodation is clearly the emphasis here. But Brabus being Brabus, it has also optimized the BlueTec four-cylinder turbo diesel engine to produce 44 more horsepower and 52 pound-feet more torque. With output now up to 232 hp and 376 lb-ft, the van will reach 62 miles per hour from a standstill in 8.8 seconds and top out at 130 mph – and look that much slicker in the process. Related Video: Engine tuning, exclusive looks and entertainment: BRABUS Exclusive Program for the new Mercedes V-Class The new Mercedes V-Class as a sporty-elegant jack-of-all-trades: in a world premiere, BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, internet www.brabus.com) presents the exclusive refinement program for the new Mercedes V-Class. BRABUS upgrades the people mover with powerful engine tuning, an exclusive appearance package, tailor-made wheels and an individual entertainment concept. A sporty-elegant design is the trademark of the BRABUS aerodynamic-enhancement kit for the new Mercedes V-Class and Vito. All components are manufactured from PUR in OEM quality, giving them a precise fit and making them easy to paint. To give the vehicle an even more distinctive face, the BRABUS designers have developed attachments for the side air intakes, which can be complemented with auxiliary LED side markers, and a front spoiler that attaches to the lower section of the bumper.

Hamilton wins at Monza, takes Formula One lead from Vettel

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton won the Italian Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday with an utterly dominant drive that sent the Briton clear at the top of the Formula One world championship for the first time in a year. The triple champion, who started the last race of the European season from a record 69th career pole position, led Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas to a runaway one-two finish at Ferrari's home track. "I love it here in Italy and I love the passion of the fans," Hamilton declared on the podium jutting out over a sea of red-shirted Ferrari fans, with plenty of boos coming his way amid the cheers. "We did a great job, the team did an exceptional job this weekend," he added. "Mercedes power is definitely better than Ferrari power." Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who had led the standings since he won the Australian season-opener in March, finished third in the final race of the European season and 36.3 seconds behind the winner. Bottas was 4.4 adrift of Hamilton. "It was a difficult day, a difficult start," said Vettel. "My race was fairly isolated, we tried to keep as close as possible but we simply didn't have the pace... You could say it's a bad day but I know the team is on the right way... so I am in a very positive mood despite the numbers." Hamilton is now three points clear of the German, with seven races remaining. Mercedes are 62 points clear of Ferrari in the constructors' standings. The first driver to win two races in a row this season, with Monza following on from Belgium a week ago, Hamilton now leads Vettel 6-4 on victories in 2017. He has 238 points to Vettel's 235. The last time Hamilton led the standings on his own was at Monza a year ago, with now-retired team mate Nico Rosberg emerging as the eventual champion. FEW THRILLS Hamilton and four-times champion Vettel were level on points this year after China in April, with one win and one second place each. If Sunday's race was a dull affair, there was at least plenty of sunshine in marked contrast to the steady rain that drenched fans and delayed qualifying for hours on Saturday. Hamilton pulled away cleanly from his historic pole, and fourth in a row at Monza, and was never challenged as he drove to the chequered flag with the minimum of fuss. It was his third Italian Grand Prix win in four years and 59th career victory – only Michael Schumacher, whose pole record he beat, can boast more – and few have been more straightforward.