All articles tagged with #mercedes benz
A 1979 Mercedes‑Benz 280TE wagon, untouched since being parked in an Italian garage for 38 years and now with under 3,800 miles, goes to Gooding & Christie’s at Pebble Beach with a no‑reserve estimate of $130k–$160k, potentially the most valuable W123 ever sold.
A reviewer spends a few days with a $160k electric G-Wagen, praising its ICE-like dash vibration and luxurious interior, but finds a significant gap between indicated (180 miles) and actual range (about 120 miles) on real roads, underscoring aero drag, heavy weight, and limited practicality (no 120V outlet) despite strong off-road capability.
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bipartisan Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026 to bar Chinese-linked automakers and tech from the U.S., but a 15% Chinese-ownership threshold could unintentionally exclude Mercedes-Benz since its two largest individual shareholders -- BAIC and Li Shufu -- together own about 20%. Mercedes would have until 2030 to comply or seek a waiver, while GM is accused of backing the provision to weaken MB; MB employs around 10,000 in the U.S. and runs plants in Alabama and South Carolina.
An Abu Dhabi royal known as the Rainbow Sheikh, with a reported $20 billion net worth, reportedly ordered a fleet of seven rainbow-colored Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans (plus an eighth rainbow-painted car), so large that Mercedes temporarily shut down part of a factory to fulfill it; the bespoke cars are displayed at the Emirates National Auto Museum.
Automakers are reviving inline-six engines for smoother operation and efficiency. Mazda launches a 3.3L turbo inline-six in the CX-90 (also in CX-60/70), Dodge/Jeep/Ram use a 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo for strong performance, Mercedes-Benz adds the M256 Evo 3.0L with up to 503 hp in PHEV form, and Land Rover offers the Ingenium 3.0L with 395–542 hp in mild-hybrid and PHEV variants. Benefits cited include simpler production (one head and exhaust manifold), smoother operation, and improved efficiency versus V6s.
A UK High Court ruling found that most claimed 'defeat devices' in diesel cars from Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Nissan, Ford and Peugeot-Citroën do not constitute prohibited defeat devices; only two isolated strategies were deemed illicit (a Mercedes software before 2015 and some Peugeot-Citroën calibrations). The decision narrows the allegations, while the 1.6 million motorists' wider case continues with further trials, including an October damages hearing; Mercedes said it may appeal on one vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz plans to bring three high-end electric vans to the US in 2028 (VLE, VLS, and VLS Maybach), built on a new luxury EV platform with a 115 kWh battery and 400+ mile range, and outfitted with ultra-premium interiors and highly configurable rear seating. Priced around $130k in tested trim, the VLE targets a premium niche, but Mercedes acknowledges that Americans may resist vans, making the market entry a strategic gamble for a brand known for sedans and SUVs.
Mercedes-Benz unveils the VLE 300 electric MPV, an 800V, eight-seat van that pairs limousine-level luxury with performance: four-wheel steering for sedan-like handling, AIRMATIC suspension, up to 700+ km (~435 miles) of range, and fast charging capable of adding up to ~355 km (~220 miles) in 15 minutes. Available in Grand Limousine and AMG Line trims, it offers configurable seating (including a center Grand Comfort Seat) and can switch between passenger and cargo configurations; Germany price starts around €82,260.
Mercedes-Benz’s 2028 VLE is a battery-electric Grand Limousine that transforms a van into a first-class, 8K-second-row retreat with a 31.3-inch ultra-wide display, 22-speaker Burmester Atmos sound, MBUX Superscreen trio, two powertrains (272 hp or 416 hp), a 115 kWh pack with an EPA estimate around 350 miles, 300 kW charging, and flexible seating up to eight (best as two captain’s chairs); it emphasizes comfort, tech, and safety rather than autonomy, with US arrival late 2027 and a premium price."
Mercedes-AMG updates the GLE 63 S Coupe and GLS 63 with a refined 4.0L twin-turbo V8 now making 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, aided by a 48V mild-hybrid system that adds up to 23 hp and 151 lb-ft. The GLE hits 0–60 in 3.6 seconds and the GLS in 3.9, both limited to 174 mph; standard AMG Ride Control+ with active roll stabilization and 4MATIC+ AWD improve handling, while exterior tweaks (grille, lighting, air intakes) and interior tech (MB.OS, MANUFAKTUR options) refresh the packages. Pricing remains unannounced.
A bipartisan House bill, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026, would bar automakers with any direct or indirect foreign-adversary government ownership from importing, manufacturing, or selling new vehicles in the U.S. If enacted, Mercedes-Benz could be excluded due to its ownership by BAIC (state-owned, ~9.98%) and Li Shufu’s Geely stake (~9.69%), totaling about 19.7%. The language is disputed and the bill has no Senate companion yet; exemptions exist for some China-backed firms but not for government-owned ownership. The legislation also intersects with other bills on connected-vehicle tech and could affect Volvo and other China-linked brands. The rule would take effect for five years after enactment.
Two 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupes in New Jersey present a price gap: a $43k GT53 with an inline-6 and 469 hp (21 mpg combined) versus a $69k GT63 with a V8 and 577 hp (590 lb-ft, 17 mpg), with the GT63 accelerating faster (0–60 in 3.3s vs 4.1s). While the GT63 is the more desirable and potentially better at holding value, the $26k premium invites weighing whether the extra performance justifies the cost.
The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles opens 'World-Class: 100 Years of Mercedes-Benz' on May 23, 2026, a 42-vehicle show spanning the brand’s 140-year history, plus advertising art and trivia. Loans from private collectors and a few Mercedes pieces highlight landmark designs from pre-merger era to modern icons, including prototypes like the Hobel and C112, and celebrity-owned classics (Disney’s Pagoda SL, Clark Gable’s 1956 300Sc). Highlights also include the 540K Cabriolet, 540K Stromlinienwagen, W154 Formula 1 car, 300SL family, and other race cars, with some items never seen in person by many visitors. The exhibit — housed in the Petersen’s largest hall — runs through April 25, 2027, and aims to condense a century of Mercedes engineering into a single, accessible display.
Mercedes-Benz unveils the AMG GT 4‑Door EV, a high‑performance sedan built on an 800‑volt platform with three axial‑flux motors delivering up to 1,153 hp and 1,475 lb‑ft, a Formula 1–inspired cooling system, and 600 kW ultra‑fast charging (10–80% in 11 minutes); it features MB.OS with the AMG Race Engineer Core, over 1,600 engine‑like sounds for the silent motor, and a claimed 0–60 time of about 2 seconds, with GT 55 arriving late 2026 and GT 63 in 2027.
Mercedes-Benz unveils the all-electric C 400 4MATIC, the first battery-powered C-Class built on an 800-volt architecture with up to 762 km (473 miles) WLTP range; Mercedes calls it the sportiest C-Class ever, yet smooth like an S-Class. It delivers ~483 hp, 0–100 km/h in about 4 seconds, and supports 330 kW fast charging to add ~325 km in 10 minutes, plus bidirectional charging. The car uses a two-speed rear axle, a front-motor disconnect for efficiency, and advanced suspension with Car-to-X data; Drive Assist Pro offers advanced navigation-assisted driving where permitted. Inside, a 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen runs on Unity, with AR HUD, a panoramic star roof, and AI features including a ChatGPT/Bing/Google Gemini assistant, OTA updates, and Google Maps with Electric Intelligence. Mercedes hints at a busy EV rollout but will continue to offer ICE and plug-in variants.