Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Sir Stirling Moss knows first-hand how much more perilous auto racing used to be. He competed in the Mille Miglia race back in 1955 behind the wheel of the open-top Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.
Tuners, such as Weistec and Renntech, think high-end sports cars, including the 503-horsepower 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S, can be even more exhilarating than they already are.
The Tesla Model S P85D’s instant 686 lb.-ft. of torque makes it able to get the jump on a Mercedes-AMG GT S in the following video. That’s no reason to count the internal combustion engine out, though.
You probably have a long list of the Mercedes-Benz models you’d like to get. To help you better visualize your dream collection, I present to you this property for sale on Craigslist, which would help you store a good deal of your fantasy cars.
Humorist and automotive writer Doug DeMuro has the money to buy fancy cars, such as a Ferrari and a Range Rover, but he won’t spend the cash to buy a new Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Why would he when a 1987 240GD cabriolet is so close to being the same vehicle?
It may not be as crazy as the G63 6X6, but the 2016 Mercedes-AMG G65 is still bonkers. It’s a twin-turbo 12-cylinder, four-wheel-drive SUV that looks like a giant safe. You can get one of your own and go just as nuts for a starting price of $217,900.