Many rich people would definitely argue that driving is a lifestyle. Well, that’s only true for those who don’t feel the rising cost of gas burn a large hole in their wallets. You definitely can’t complain about price at the pump if you roll up in a Mercedes-Benz, right? So what do these people concern themselves with? Why, time pieces (and other accessories) to match their cars of course.

Like this latest release from Merc - an IWC edition of the SL 63 AMG. So what does the Swiss watch maker have anything to do with cars? Well, you can ask, say Ferragamo what does his luggages have to do with Maserati. Still, if this is an excuse to create a spiffy version of an already great car, then why not.

The IWC SL63 AMG sports the magno Kashmir white finish with the AMG carbon kit with matte finish. Powering the car is the AMG-tuned 6.3L V8 dishing out 535 horses. The car sits on titanium gray double-spoke wheels. Stopping it are internally ventilated, perforated composite disc brakes as part of a multi-disc LSD.

And perhaps the best part (*cough*) is that buyers would also get a limited edition of IWC’s “Grosser Ingenieur” watch that features stainless steel housing measuring 45.5 mm in diameter. The wristband perfectly complements the vehicle’s concept.

Orders will be taken in by fall this year and deliveries will start in November. How limited is this limited edition? 200 units.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Watch out folks, Mercedes has gone bonkers yet again. With the end of the Merc-McLaren tie up spelling the demise of the SLR, Mercedes probably decided to pursue a car that could readily fill in the void through this car (among other possibilities, of course) - the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series. Why that opinion? It’s because this car generates 20 more horsepower than the SLR, that’s why. Why build a car which can be arguably better than your flagship?

The SL65 AMG Black Series is powered by the same 6.0L twin-turbo V12 engine found in the SL65 AMG but is refined and tuned to generate an increased output of 670 hp. It will also be mated to the same tranny found in the SL65 AMG but gets two sport modes with one featuring gear shift times of 250 milliseconds. So pretty much your gear changes are as fast as you can flick your hand.

0 to 60 is achieved in sub-4 seconds and it can reach a top speed of 198 mph. Still quick, even without breaking the 200 mph barrier. One of the factors contributing to its quickness is the use of carbon fiber to trim it 570 pounds less.

The SL65 AMG Black Series will debut next year with a price starting from $200,000.

All good things must come to an end. When it comes to combined luxury and performance, the Mercedes McLaren SLR might just be one of the cars that fully epitomizes both. But alas, the SLR production comes to an end next year which also signifies the end of the Mercedes-Benz and McLaren tie-up.

Now, unconfirmed reports that this end might also be the beginning of another interesting affair between Merc and another luxury car maker - this time around, it’s with Aston Martin. News already had it that Aston Martin has looked into sourcing technology from Mercedes. Apparently this doesn’t simply end there and it might even be as big as Aston exec might be buying stakes from Daimler AG (Merc’s parent company). A future co-production between the two is highly possible.

I am undeniably an Aston Martin fan but I always thought of Mercedes-Benz as some cheesy brand that screams of smugness. Still, it can’t be denied that Merc has some amazing technology. It will be interesting to see a car that has Aston Martin’s style and personality packed with Mec’s technology.

Source: Autocar

When news first came out that Aston Martin was looking into tapping some of Mercedes-Benz’s hardware, some were hoping that it’d be some engine that Aston could source and slap on to one of their machines. Let’s face it, Merc makes some pretty good power plants and Aston leaves some still to be desired from the power department. News, now, has it that we could drop hopes of having an AMG-tuned engine inside the DBS or Vantage because Aston is interested in… *drum roll* Mercs’s hybrid technology.

*Boos all around* Hehe. The whole going green ga-ga has prompted even swanky sports car makers like Aston to consider offering fitting hybrids to their cars. And since we know how expensive it is to research and develop hybrid systems, it is quite a wise move for Aston to just license the technology from another reputable source. Merc seems to be a good source. Seems like Aston is looking at V6 and V8 hybrids. A hybrid Vantage or Rapide perhaps?

Now this would be another interesting news to follow. This is just a testament how everyone is starting to become environmentally responsible. Even Ferrari tried its hand out on an E85 ethanol car so why not other automakers like Aston Martin. Could this be a start of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Aston? We’ll see.

Mercedes will be unloading a lot of stuff on us come next month at the Geneva Motor Show. They’ll be showcasing not just one or two new models. They’ll be showing us five new ones. Those that will be on the stands: the new SL, SLK, CLC, CLS and CL. Now that’s a lot of new cars.

No doubt that it’s the new SL that would be the highlight for Mercedes. A new entry-level SL 280. It’s got a 231hp 6-cylinder engine that propels the car from 0-62 in 7.8 seconds. Pretty respectable especially since this is an entry-level car.

Another car to be shown is the new SLK (which technically debuted in Detroit last month), making its European debut. The new SLK sports a new front and rear design and sports a more poerful V6 SLK 350 engine. Joining it is the new CLC Sports Coupe which is a total redesign, offering performance upgrades for handling, an uprated engine that now dishes out 184hp and fuel-efficiency bump of 10.8%.

The last two would be a CLS 280 with a facelifted front fascia that sports a few tweaks inside and is now powered by a 3.0L V6 producing 231 horses. Finally, we will get to see the CL500 4MATIC that features a 388 hp V8 engine.

Source: Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz is at it again, revealing this entry-level CLC class sports coupe. It’s designed to target young drivers looking for an athletic looking car with the pedigree of the Merc badge.

The engines for the new CLC-class are designed to give at least 10% more fuel efficiency. Choices come in four four-cylinder and two six-cylinder engines that can dish horses starting from 122hp up to 272hp depending on the variant. Any choice from the wide range of engines can come with a choice between trannies. A six-speed manual is standard to all models but a five-speed automatic is available for the for the four-cylinder units, and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic can be slapped on for the V6. A sports choice also offers flappy-paddles.

The new CLC includes a new direct-steer system that promises to proper the car with a quick step on the corners. For comforts synonymous to the Merc badge, you get a state-of-the-art infotainment systems featuring a color display with DVD or hard disk navigation.

Source: Mercedes

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is fast approaching and the Germans have decided to invade North America again. With cars, that is.

What you see here is the Mercedes-Benz GLK Freeside concept - the preproduction version of the GLK SUV. And that’s when you realize the rationale why this thing should be unveiled in North America. While not really the one that’s going to roll out the production facility, this gives us a pretty good look at what this thing’s going to look like. Earlier, the GLK totally undressed was caught by car spies on the set of the Sex and the City movie.

Few of the numbers are available but this one will be powered by a turbo-diesel 2.2L four-cylinder engine dishing out quite a feeble 168 horses (is this really an SUV?). The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic.

Source: Left Lane

Frankfurt will make Mercedes-Benz very busy especially since they will be showcasing 19 cars in 15 minutes. Not all 19 cars are exactly new production or concept cars, most are updates and improved versions of existing ones. But one new addition to Merc’s fray is the mommy-magnet 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate of which they’ve recently pulled the wraps off.

I’ve always viewed wagons as boring pieces of machinery fit for those with three yappy kids whose purposes are to stain car upholstery with ice cream and dirt from their soccer cleats. And the C-Class would definitely serve the purpose of ferrying the kids and doing the groceries but boring? Maybe not so.

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Holy crap, is this real? I must get hold of the Road & Track Magazine next month then.

Road & Track tried to answer which supercar will perform best in the standing mile with, technically, a super car drag race, first to hit the 0-200mph. Out came the six supercars - the Lamborghini Murciélago, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the Ruf Rt 12, the Lingenfelter Corvette, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Hennessey Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper.

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Who wouldn’t love the way gasoline burns and economical diesel is? But until now it’s always a matter of choice. Whether you opt for a gas engine or a diesel is all up to you together with the woes that go with your choice. Mercedes, however, offers a new way at looking at the diesel-gasoline debate with its DiesOtto engine.

The DiesOtto will come inside the F700 that will be featured in the Fankfurt Motor Show this year. The F700 will be powered by a 1.8L four cylinder turbocharged engine that uses a combination of diesel automatic ignition and gasoline spark plug for start-up and under heavy acceleration producing 238 hp.

The DiesOtto in an S-class is reported to do very respectable 39MPG. Imagine what this engine can do when integrated with hybrid technology.

Source: ZER Customs