Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz GLK Production Version

We've already seen Mercedes' GLK Freeside and Townside concepts, so there's not much left to the imagination. Set to go on sale later this year, the GLK, caught here during winter testing, keeps design of the concepts.

The differences are in the details. The tester displays a less ornate grille and foglight setup, and the roof rack is also less complex.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz GLK Production Version Spy Shots

Ralf Schumacher Joins Mercedes As DTM Driver

After he ended his F1 career, German driver Ralf Schumacher decided to join Trilux AMG Mercedes, the DTM team of Daimler, to drive the C-Class for this season. He will be seen first behind the wheel on the 13th April at Hockenheim.

"Of course I know that neither the media nor the spectators consider me the greatest race driver of all times and this is not what I’m aiming for,” Ralf said at the announcement.

The former F1 driver is now looking forward to a fresh new start in his new formula, having won 6 F1 races out of the 180 he started.

Ssangyong Chairman Revealed

The Chinese-owned Korean automaker Ssangyong has just revealed the new Chairman W, which revives the automaker's luxury Chairman nameplate. The original Chairman was based on the W124 E-Class Mercedes platform and looks like an S-Class.

Based on the WZ concept shown at Frankfurt, the car will be offered with a choice of a 3.6-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 (which comes with a seven-speed automatic from Mercedes-Benz).

Aston Martin And Mercedes Looking To Collaborate

It's hard to be an independent automaker in today's wild world. As an independent automaker Aston Martin is proving with the Rapide that it is trying to rebuild the British marque with plenty of good models to come. Surely such a small company cannot do much alone. For this reason Aston Martin is looking to collaborate with Mercedes.

Autocar reports that Aston and Mercedes could collaborate on various technologies, from sharing engines to producing all new models. Manufacturing parts such engines, climate control units, and electrical architectures individually would be costly, which is why a deal with Mercedes for this purpose would be just right.

The Aston engines still comes from its former parent Ford, and borrowing engines from Mercedes in the near future could help the automaker. It is interesting to see this legendary brand evolving independently through various ventures like this.

Spy Shots: New Mercedes CLK-Class

The next CLK-Class was snapped testing in Sweden. The car has certainly spotted before testing in Stuttgart.

The car is based on the C-Class saloon. Engines to be used on the new CLK will originate in the C-Class production line, including a 380+ horsepower V8 for a forthcoming CLK 500. A CLK 460 with a 270+ horsepower V6 is rumored to be on the way, as well as a 500+ horsepower CLK 63 AMG.

The CLK will be probably rear wheel drive, with 4Matic available as an option. The CLK may feature some technologies like adaptive cruise control, night vision, and the Pre-Safe 2 system.

Gallery: Next Mercedes CLK-Class

Officially Unveiled: Mercedes-Benz SL

Mercedes-Benz officially released details of the 2009 SL-class, photos of which leaked on to the web last week. In addition to its updated exterior styling, the droptop adds a new entry model for Europe, the 231-horsepower SL 280.

On top of that, the SL 350 gains power (now 316 horses) while improving overall fuel economy. The other engines are same - the 388-horse V8 in the SL 500 and the 517-HP twin-turbo V12 in the SL 600. Both get a slight improvement in fuel economy, too. The flagship is the 600 and it's distinguishable from its lesser kin via unique 18" wheels and the matte-finish "gills" aft of the front wheel well.

Also new for the SL is MB's direct-steer system, which was introduced on the new SLK and the CLC. Improved lighting is standard and the optional Intelligent Light System offers drivers five different light settings to handle varying road conditions. There are no words about the SL 63 AMG yet. But we show you its photo above. The SL will make its debut At Geneva Show in March.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SL

Rejected Renderings Of Mercedes-Benz CLC

The new Mercedes-Benz CLC, the newest coupe offering of the Stuttgart based company, officially unveiled last week. Though Mercedes claims it has 1,100 improvements, the new CLC don't go far from being a restyled version of the old C-Class Sportcoupe.

It basically looks like the first-gen model with the nose of the new C-Class. But there were of course other designs being considered. These renderings show what the new CLC could been. Nearly all of the renderings feature more dynamic designs than the one that unveiled. Perhaps if the 2009 CLC looks like one of these renderings, there would be more interest in Mercedes' newest hatch.

Gallery: Rejected Mercedes-Benz CLC Renderings

Video: Mercedes Benz CLC Driving Footage

The CLC new is the new coupé of Mercedes. The car is the youngest coupé in German marque's coupé line-up. A sporty and exciting model. With an attractive design, reliable safety, tried-and-trusted technology and functionality. And with a base price less than EUR 30,000, CLC is aprice tag of less than EUR 30,000 offers an entry route into the coupé line-up of this prestige brand.

Officially Unveiled: Mercedes-Benz CLC

The official pictures of the Mercedes CLC were revealed. Even the new front and rear lights can't really mask the fact this is the same car as the old C Class coupe. It is still based on a platform that was introduced for 2001.

The engine offerings were updated to match the current C class'.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLC

Leaked: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL

Lots of high-res images which show the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL have leaked onto web. These pictures give us a sneak peek at what Mercedes has changed on its hard-top convertible, which includes among other things an entirely new front end.

The new face on the SL incorporates headlights with a more modern shape. There's a new grille with just one crossbar. New fender vents have also been added, the design of which has been aped from the more hyperbolic vents found on the McLaren SLR. A new rear apron can also be seen out back where the SL's buttocks has been freshened, as well.

Inside we see the new three-spoke steering wheel and white gauges that Mercedes showed us in the updated CLS last week. The center console has also been updated and an oversized screen for the nav system sits front and center.

There's no info about the engines yet. We can say that the SL55 AMG model is due to be replaced by the SL63 with a 500+ hp, 6.3L V8. There also seems to be a new V6 of some sort in the works based on the number of pics referencing such a motor in the gallery below. This engine will be probably the 3.0L V6 that debuted in the new CLS 280 with 231 HP and 221 ft.-lb. of torque.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL

Officially Unveiled: Mercedes-Benz CLS

Mercedes-Benz has released official information about its changed four-door coupe, the CLS. But there's just a little thing changed. The grille now features two bars instead of four, the sideview mirrors are 32% larger and feature integrated turn signals, and the rear of the car gets new LED taillights, a redesigned rear apron and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. New wheels are also available in 17-inch and 18-inch diameters.

The changes inside are minor as well, and include a new three-spoke steering wheel and black-on-white instrument cluster. -Continued after the jump...

Gallery: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS

Three engines will be possible, including a new entry level engine in the CLS 280. It's a 3.0L V6 producing 231 HP and 221 ft.-lb. of torque, good for hitting 62 mph in 7.7 seconds. The second engine is the 3.5L V6 in the CLS 350 CGI, which produces 292 HP. Finally, there's the CLS 500 with the familiar 5.5L V8 producing a stout 388 HP. A diesel model, the CLS 320 CDI, is also available with 224 HP and nearly 400 ft.-lb. of torque on tap.



The top model will be the new CLS 63 AMG with a 6.3L V8 making 514 HP and 464 ft.-lb. of torque. Mercedes has also reworked the car's 7G-TRONIC transmission to automatically blip the throttle for downshifts. The CLS 63 AMG also gets the new two-bar grille, as well as a pair of new oval tailpipes. Its wheels have also grown an inch to 19 in diameter and feature a new triple-spoke design.

First Look: Mercedes CLC

Do you remember the old Mercedes C-Class Sportcoupe. The new version of the car will make its debut later this month in Europe.

Heavily facelifted and likely sporting an overhauled interior to bring it more in line with the current C-Class, the C-Class Sports Coupe gets a new name to boot: CLC.

Expect to see the rest of the car on January 27 when fashion week officially starts.

Gallery: Mercedes CLC