February 2009 - Luxury Vehicle Sales

Entry SUV
1. Mercedes-Benz GLK - 1,918
2. Infiniti EX - 880
3. Acura RDX - 709
4. Audi Q5 - 627
5. BMW X3 - 267
6. Volvo XC60 - 235

Pre-Entry-Level
1. Acura TSX - 2,293
2. BMW 1 Series - 853
3. Volvo C30/S40/V50 - 819
4. Audi A3 - 192

Entry-Level
1. BMW 3 Series - 6,414
2. Mercedes-Benz C-Class - 3,990
3. Cadillac CTS - 3,259
4. Infiniti G - 3,045
5. Audi A4/5 - 2,696
6. Lexus ES - 2,575
7. Acura TL - 2,490
8. Lexus IS - 2,147
9. Lincoln MKZ - 1,145
10. Saab 9-3 - 414
11. Volvo S60 - 273

Mid-Level
1. BMW 5 Series - 3,191
2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class - 2,104
3. Lincoln MKS - 1,346
4. Infiniti M - 1,107
5. Volvo S80 - 671
6. Lexus GS - 595
7. Audi A6 - 445
8. Cadillac STS - 357
9. Acura RL - 186
10. Saab 9-5 - 68

Flagship
1. Mercedes-Benz S-Class - 985
2. Lexus LS - 700
3. Audi A8/S8 - 75
4. BMW 7 Series - 10

 

End Of Year's Hardest-To-Get Cars
1. MINI Cooper
Base MSRP: $18,550
Avg. Day Supply: 16
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 11 days
EPA Combined Est.: 29 mpg

2. Audi R8
Base MSRP: $114,200
Avg. Day Supply: 16
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 14 days
EPA Combined Est.: 15 mpg

3. Audi S5
Base MSRP: $40,700
Avg. Day Supply: 17
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 20 days
EPA Combined Est.: 17 mpg

4. Honda Fit
Base MSRP: $14,550
Avg. Day Supply: 42
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 15 days
EPA Combined Est.: 29 mpg

5. BMW X6
Base MSRP: $55,500
Avg. Day Supply: 40 days
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 13 days
EPA Combined Est.: 17 mpg

6. Toyota Prius
Base MSRP: $22,000
Avg. Day Supply: 48
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 12 days
EPA Combined Est.: 46 mpg

7. Nissan GT-R
Base MSRP: $76,840
Avg. Day Supply: 42
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 17 days
EPA Combined Est.: 18 mpg

8. Dodge Challenger
Base MSRP: $21,820
Avg. Day Supply: 53
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 20 days
EPA Combined Est.: 20 mpg

9. Audi S6
Base MSRP: $72,350
Avg. Day Supply: 39
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 31 days
EPA Combined Est.: 16 mpg

10. Scion xD
Base MSRP: $14,650
Avg. Day Supply: 68
J.D. Power Retail Turn Rate: 28 days
EPA Combined Est.: 28 mpg

 

Costliest Vehicles To Own
To find the costliest vehicles to own (over 5 years), we used data from Vincentric to calculate the costs of depreciation; interest on the loan; fuel; maintenance and repairs; taxes and fees; and insurance over five years, then divided the results into 11 segments (excluding low-production vehicles from the likes of Aston Martin and Bugatti) to find the most expensive models in each class.

What we found is common sense: Cars with high sticker prices tend to cost the most over the long haul. German automaker Mercedes-Benz, in particular, dominated our list, with five segment winners, including the $194,950 S65 AMG sedan and $88,500 E63 AMG wagon.

But exceptions do occur. At $53,460, the Chevrolet Suburban is priced less than the $55,340 Lincoln Navigator SUV but has a higher ownership cost due to its higher depreciation rates and poor fuel economy.

Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG (Luxury Coupe)
MSRP: $199,700
Depreciation: $133,090
Insurance: $29,489
Repairs: $1,541
Maintenance: $4,172
Fuel: $13,881
Total Ownership Cost: $251,172

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Roadster (Convertible)
MSRP: $190,700
Depreciation: $123,637
Insurance: $28,440
Repairs: $1,541
Maintenance: $4,418
Fuel: $13,614
Total Ownership Cost: $238,831

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG (Luxury Sedan)
MSRP: $194,950
Depreciation: $121,293
Insurance: $28,936
Repairs: $1,541
Maintenance: $4,438
Fuel: $13,881
Total Ownership Cost: $235,535

Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG (Luxury SUV)
MSRP: $119,450
Depreciation: $66,752
Insurance: $20,137
Repairs: $1,641
Maintenance: $3,798
Fuel: $15,359
Total Ownership Cost: $142,677

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon (Station Wagon)
MSRP: $88,500
Depreciation: $54,716
Insurance: $16,530
Repairs: $1,641
Maintenance: $4,871
Fuel: $12,857
Total Ownership Cost: $123,538

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 4WD (Hybrid)
MSRP: $73,285
Depreciation: $52,281
Insurance: $15,606
Repairs: $969
Maintenance: $2,716
Fuel: $8,139
Total Ownership Cost: $100,925

Ford F450 Harley Davidson Edition Crew Cab (Truck)
MSRP: $59,450
Depreciation: $35,466
Insurance: $8,966
Repairs: $1,294
Maintenance: $4,451
Fuel: $16,066
Total Ownership Cost: $85,176

Infiniti FX50 AWD (Small SUV/Crossover)
MSRP: $58,400
Depreciation: $41,500
Insurance: $9,749
Repairs: $907
Maintenance: $2,867
Fuel: $11,215
Total Ownership Cost: $85,152

Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ 4WD (SUV)
MSRP: $53,460
Depreciation: $37,977
Insurance: $7,002
Repairs: $907
Maintenance: $2,506
Fuel: $14,139
Total Ownership Cost: $78,918

Chrysler 300 SRT8 (Sedan)
MSRP: $43,860
Depreciation: $27,627
Insurance: $11,310
Repairs: $869
Maintenance: $3,766
Fuel: $11,979
Total Ownership Cost: $72,064

Dodge Challenger SRT8 (Coupe)
MSRP: $39,820
Depreciation: $23,329
Insurance: $12,087
Repairs: $869
Maintenance: $3,777
Fuel: $11,979
Total Ownership Cost: $68,020

 

So a Lambo or a Ferrari is not costly to own? Great, I will get one of each in the second half of 09! LOL!!

 

Mercedes-Benz Updates Mercedesmagazine With New Look
Mercedes-Benz has updated the website for their Mercedesmagazine website with a new design – one that offers "emotionally appealing photos, typography with a light touch and high-quality." Check it out at www.mercedes-magazine.com

 

John,
In all honesty, where do you find this crap.
(and I'm not trying to kill the messanger here )
According to this "data from Vincentric", AMG division should close asap, shamefully admitting spending other people's money...
Thank God for people with few bucks (and brains to make it).

Should I say - Long Live the King - for AMG and V12TT
or start to sing - Kumbaya -for Prius driving TreeHuggers.
Mark

 

Forbes.com or BusinessWeek.com... Don't agree with everything I find, but post nonetheless. And if I could afford an S65 AMG, would definitely purchase one.

 

Mercedes-Benz Releases Free iPhone App - "Top Trumps"
Search “Mercedes” in the iPhone App Store and you’ll find it along with a description.

 

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Spied
Here's a look at the upcoming standard S-Class Coupe.

"Standard" as opposed to the AMG version we've previously had a sneak peek at.

New in the S-Class Coupe (besides the name, as it replaces the CL) will be the redesigned headlights, the addition of LED-day driving lights, a different grill that slants much less, full LED tail lights, new front and rear bumpers and a new set of pipes for the exhaust.

Engines expected are the same range as seen in the S-Class series, likely coming with improvements in fuel economy and upped performance output through engine management techniques that Mercedes-Benz is constantly developing.

An S-Class Coupe 400 BlueHybrid may also be in the works as the S-Class sedan version is already expected this May. The 400 BlueHybrid features a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 279 hp coupled with an electric motor of 20 hp and a combined torque reading of 385 Nm. With the addition of stop-start technology, the 400 BlueHybrid rates an impressive fuel economy of 7.9 liters per 100 km (30mpg US) for the full-sized S-Class.

 

FAB Design Mercedes-Benz S-Class
We’ve seen a couple of tuning kits made by Fab Design but the most recent one which was designed for the Mercedes Benz S-Class is probably the best looking and the most exciting tuning package from FAB Design. The new body kit is more aerodynamic and it consists of a front spoiler with large air intakes which cuts through the air stream and gives a new face to this S-Class. The new side skirts installed by Fab Design make the car look longer and lower and the rear side of the car received an attractive rear bumper which has an integrated quadruple pipes sports exhaust system made from stainless steel. The car’s stylish look is also accentuated with new 6 hole spoke design, forged Fab Design type 6 Evoline alloy wheels sized 9Jx 20″ x 32 with 255/35 ZR tires at the front axle and 10J x 20″ x 36 with 285/30 ZR 20 high performance tires from Dunlop.

The car tuning company also offers the FAB Design FK 5.0K Supercharged Engine which can deliver 540 HP at 5500 rpm. It’s basically the 5L V8 engine equipped with a supercharger made by FAB Design which found its place between the cylinder banks. The car could reach its maximum torque of 750 Nm at just 4,000 rpm and it has incredible performances: an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 296 km/h.

 

This is a great thread, thank for posting all that interesting information!

 

15 Vehicles Americans Are Buying
Audi A5/S5 Coupe
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $40,700
February 2009 sales: 494
February 2008 sales: 384
Increase: 28.6%

BMW M3 Convertible
MSRP: $66,500
February 2009 sales: 240
February 2008 sales: 1
*Increase: 999.9%
*Autodata does not compute percentage increases more than 1,000%. Actual increase is 23,900%.

Hyundai Accent
MSRP: $9,970
February 2009 sales: 4,334
February 2008 sales: 3,335
Increase: 30.0%

Hyundai Elantra
MSRP: $14,120
February 2009 sales: 8,978
February 2008 sales: 6,750
Increase: 33.0%

Kia Amanti
MSRP: $26,045
February 2009 sales: 1,360
February 2008 sales: 184
Increase: 639.1%

Mercedes-Benz CLK
MSRP: $48,100
February 2009 sales: 1,134
February 2008 sales: 983
Increase: 15.4%

Mercedes-Benz SL
MSRP: $98,500
February 2009 sales: 462
February 2008 sales: 365
Increase: 26.6%

Mercedes-Benz SLR
MSRP: $495,000
February 2009 sales: 10
February 2008 sales: 10
Increase: 0.0%

Mercury Sable/Montego
MSRP: $25,120
February 2009 sales: 1,271
February 2008 sales: 938
Increase: 35.5%

Nissan 350Z/370Z
MSRP: $29,930
February 2009 sales: 1,452
February 2008 sales: 1,092
Increase: 33.0%

Porsche 911 Carrera/GT3
MSRP: $112,200
February 2009 sales: 457
February 2008 sales: 388
Increase: 17.8%

Porsche Boxster
MSRP: $46,600
February 2009 sales: 282
February 2008 sales: 124
Increase: 127.4%

Porsche Cayman
MSRP: $50,300
February 2009 sales: 235
February 2008 sales: 234
Increase: 0.4%

Saturn Astra
MSRP: $16,495
February 2009 sales: 706
February 2008 sales: 542
Increase: 30.3%

Smart Fortwo
MSRP: $11,990
February 2009 sales: 1,415
February 2008 sales: 1,101
Increase: 28.5%

 

Mercedes-Benz to Build Hybrid R&D Center in Michigan
Mercedes-Benz reports they will expand their hybrid technologies by building an R&D center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The focus of the operation, called The Mercedes-Benz Engineering Center for Powertrains USA, will be developing hybrid transmissions, electric motor technology, software, and power electronics.

Mercedes-Benz is looking at a 65,000 square-foot facility, which should house the R&D center and employ 223 new workers in the coming 10 years. It’s an investment worth nearly $10 million. California and South Carolina were also considered for the R&D center, but it seems Michigan gave them the best tax break, nearly $7.5 million over the next ten years.

 

Kelly Blue Book 2009 Brand Image Award Winners
BMW Perceived as Cool, Mercedes-Benz, Most Prestigious

Coolest Brand: BMW
Best Performance Brand: BMW
Best Exterior Design Brand - Luxury: BMW
Best Prestige Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Best Comfort Brand: Cadillac
Best Interior Design Brand: Cadillac
Most Rugged Truck Brand: Ford
Best Exterior Design Brand - Non-Luxury: Nissan
Best Value Brand: Toyota
Most Family-Friendly Brand: Toyota

 

Do you guys like the original W221 grille or the new designed pointed grille (at the bottom)?
I like the original the best.

 

The original W221 grill and rear view mirrors will always look classy to my eye.

 

Daimler Sells Aabar a 9.1% Stake for $2.7 Billion
March 22, 2009 -- Daimler AG, the world’s second- largest maker of luxury cars, will sell 1.95 billion euros ($2.7 billion) of shares to Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments PJSC, raising cash as it grapples with the deepening global recession and gaining a long-term shareholder.

Aabar will buy 96.4 million new Daimler shares for 20.27 euros apiece, the Stuttgart, Germany-based automaker said in a statement today. The price equates to a 5 percent discount to Friday’s close of 21.34 euros.

“It’s a win-win situation for both companies,” said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen. “It’s an attractive price for Abu Dhabi, and it’s good for Daimler to raise cash and get a long-term investor, because the next two years will be very hard.”

In the span of a few months, Daimler has gone from a buyer of its shares to a seller, reflecting the sharp turnaround in the auto industry. The automaker announced plans to buy 6 billion euros of its own stock on June 17. At the time, its stock traded at 45 euros. The company then halted the program in October, as financial crisis began to stifle demand.

Daimler, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks, is countering the worst auto-industry crisis in decades by cutting car production in Germany and closing truck plants in North America. The company, also the world’s largest truck maker, lost 1.53 billion euros in the fourth quarter, burdened by declining sales and expenses related to former U.S. arm Chrysler LLC.

Major Shareholder
"We are delighted to welcome Aabar as a new major shareholder that is supportive of our corporate strategy,” Daimler Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche said in the statement. “We look forward to working together to pursue joint strategic initiatives.”

Daimler has underperformed its nearest competitor Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the No. 1 luxury carmaker. Daimler’s shares have fallen 20 percent this year, while BMW rose 1.7 percent.

Aabar’s stake will total 9.1 percent after the capital increase, exceeding Kuwait’s stake of 6.9 percent and making it the largest shareholder, Daimler said. The investment fund’s biggest stakeholder is International Petroleum Investment Co., owned by the government of Abu Dhabi. Aabar approached Daimler about the investment, said Thomas Froehlich, a spokesman for the automaker in Stuttgart.

Iconic Brand
"Daimler is an iconic brand and a financially strong company,” said Aabar Chairman Khadem al-Qubaisi in the statement. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to make this investment and are excited by the commercial potential of our partnership.”

Daimler and Aabar intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles and new materials for auto production as well as establish a training center in Abu Dhabi.

Aabar agreed in December to pay 307 million Swiss francs ($272 million) and assume 100 million francs in debt to take over the Swiss-based private banking unit of American International Group Inc. Aabar was advised on the Daimler investment by Goldman Sachs, spokesman Ben Burton said.

 

Lucky 7… Vehicles with Seven-speed Transmissions: The AutoWeek List

BMW M3
Base price: $54,175
Our take: Driving doesn’t get much sweeter

BMW M5
Base price: $85,825
Our take: The six-speed manual is the better choice

Infiniti FX
Base price: $43,015
Our take: An SUV that handles like a car

Infiniti M35
Base price: $46,615
Our take: Great value, and nearly invisible in the marketplace

Mercedes-Benz C-class
Base price: $33,775
Our take: All new just last year, sportier than ever

Mercedes-Benz CL-class
Base price: $108,775
Our take: One of the best luxo coupes on the market

Mercedes-Benz CLK
Base price: $56,975
Our take: The E-class coupe is about to replace it

Mercedes-Benz CLS
Base price: $71,575
Our take: One of the sexier sedans available

Mercedes-Benz E-class
Base price: $55,075
Our take: The quintessential midsize luxury car

Mercedes-Benz G550
Base price: $101,125
Our take: A military vehicle meets the luxury car

Mercedes-Benz GL
Base price: $59,075
Our take: One of the best full-size utes you can get

Mercedes-Benz ML
Base price: $45,475
Our take: Go for the wild AMG version

Mercedes-Benz R-class
Base price: $48,525
Our take: Literally the Mercedes of minivans

Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Base price: $90,225
Our take: One of the best luxury cars available

Mercedes-Benz SL
Base price: $99,375
Our take: Like the ML, the AMG version is the most fun

Mercedes-Benz SLK
Base price: $46,825
Our take: One of the better deals in a retractable hardtop

Nissan 370Z
Base price: $31,925
Our take: A bargain for sports-car shoppers

Porsche 911
Base price: $76,300
Our take: Still the iconic sports car

Porsche Boxster and Cayman
Base price: $46,600
Our take: Coupe or convertible, you can’t go wrong

 

Future Luxury Cars

Audi Q7 TDI diesel
Why it's special: It's one of Audi's first clean diesels (TDI) to be offered in the U.S., and is part of Audi's push to see more diesel vehicles in North America.
Notable specs: Audi says the vehicle will average roughly 28 miles per gallon. TDI engines consume about 30% less fuel than gasoline engines of equivalent power, and they produce roughly 25% less CO2 emissions.
Due: April 2009
Estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price: TBA. Expect to pay somewhere between the conventional V6 ($43,500) and V8 ($59,220) prices

Bentley Continental Supersports
Why it's special: The Supersports is the first Bentley capable of running on gasoline or E85 biofuel.
Notable specs: Zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph from the 621-horsepower W12 engine.
Due: Late 2009 globally; summer 2010 North America.
Estimated MSRP: $245,000

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Why it's special: BMW says the "progressive activity sedan" is the first of its kind, combining the looks of a sporty sedan, the convenience of an SUV and the comfort of a classic Gran Turismo.
Notable specs: Push-button rear seats fold down completely to create almost 58 cubic feet of cargo space. Its length is shorter than the 7 Series sedan, but the GT is the tallest of any of BMW's cars. It comes with a panoramic glass roof and "bi-modal" trunk that opens in two places.
Due: 2010
Estimated MSRP: TBA. The 5 Series xDrive Sports Wagon starts at $55,800.

BMW 7-Series Active-Hybrid
Why it's special: Along with the X6 Active Hybrid, it will be the first production hybrid offered from BMW.
Notable specs: The 7-Series Active-Hybrid uses a V8 gasoline engine and an electric motor with lithium-ion battery to reduce fuel consumption by 15%, vs. a combustion engine.
Due: Unconfirmed
Estimated MSRP: TBA. The conventional 7-Series starts at $80,300.

BMW X6 Active Hybrid
Why it's special: Along with the 7-Series Active-Hybrid, it could be the first production hybrid offered from BMW.
Notable specs: BMW says the X6 hybrid will reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%, vs. a combustion engine of the same size.
Due: Unconfirmed
Estimated MSRP: TBA. The conventional X6 starts at $55,900.

Fisker Karma
Why it's special: Henrik Fisker's Karma is the first four-door plug-in hybrid sports sedan. The first Fisker dealership was announced recently, slated for Portland, Ore.
Notable specs: It can cover 50 miles on one charge and has a top speed of 125 mph, hitting up to 95 mph while still in its electric mode. Initial production is set for 15,000 units annually.
Due: Pre-orders accepted now. Deliveries slated for 2010.
Estimated MSRP: $87,900

Mercedes-Benz E Class Coupe
Why it's special: It's the first E-Class coupe, and is replacing the CLK coupe, which will be slowly phased out.
Notable specs: The car will make its North American debut April 8 at the New York International Auto Show. It'll come as a V6 or V8, with up to 382 horsepower in the V8.
Due: June in North America.
Estimated MSRP: TBA in May. The CLK coupe starts at $48,100.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
Why it's special: This will be the first hybrid offering from Porsche.
Notable specs: The 333-horsepower engine is paired with a 52-hp electric motor. The car will run on a nickel metal hydride battery and will emit 20% less C02 than the conventional Cayenne.
Due: 2010 in North America.
Estimated MSRP: TBA. The current Cayenne starts at $45,000. Expect to pay a couple thousand more than that.

Porsche Panamera
Why it's special: This will be the first four-door sedan from Porsche. The Germany-based company has said it will release a hybrid version as well.
Notable specs: All Panamera variations will be either six or eight cylinders, with a power range from 300 to 500 horsepower.
Due: Late 2009 in North America.
Estimated MSRP: $89,800, with the Panamera Turbo edition reaching $132,600.

Rolls-Royce 200EX
Why it's special: At just over 212 inches, this "baby Rolls" is unusually diminutive--it's just inches longer than several mainline full-sized sedans.
Notable specs: The V12 sedan features frosted lamps and chrome door handles, violin key switches, black leather trim, corn-silk carpets, a cashmere headliner and a Santos Palissander wood veneer. While Rolls is officially calling this a concept, no one expects much to change when it goes to production under the name RR4.
Due: 2010
Estimated MSRP: $280,000

 

Mercedes-Benz Club of America
If you’re a fan of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, you might be interested in joining the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (www.mbca.org). The club has more than 20,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. Formed in 1956, this is the national club for Mercedes enthusiasts. The club is also sanctioned by Mercedes-Benz USA, and has the support of a liason from Mercedes.

The club sponsors hundreds of local and regional events every year. There are social gatherings, car shows, driving events and even tech sessions. The club also recieves direct support in the form of tech and historical information from Mercedes-Benz and Daimler-Benz.

The club is headquartered in Colorado Springs, and employs a national business office staff to help link members and the club. If you want to meet other Mercedes enthusiasts and get all sorts of inside Mercedes information, consider joining the MBCA.

 

World's Most Beautiful Cars
1937 8C Alfa Romeo
Recommended by: Rob Myers
Expert take: "The car has scalloped rear fender skirts. It's killer. It's one of the most beautiful things on earth," Myers says.

1937 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi
Recommended by: Rob Myers
Expert take: "They were a real high-performance car," Myers says.

Ferrari 250 GT SWB
Recommended by: Quentin Willson, Rob Myers
Expert take: "It's so beautiful and so delicate that you want to pick it up between four fingers and thumb and run it along the top of a table," Willson says. "It's balance. Everything's right about it. The cockpit flows into the rear haunches, the bonnet just flows beautifully into the windshield, yet it has this kind of really muscle stance. It fills its wheel arches very convincingly, very athletically."

1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa Pontoon Fender
Recommended by: Gil Dezer, Rob Myers
Expert take: "The Ferrari Testarossa is a classic," Dezer says. "That is a classic beauty."

Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC
Recommended by: Quentin Willson
Expert take: "For me there is no more flowing, no more triumph of form over function than the E-Type," Willson says. "It ranks as just the most cohesive design, I think, ever."

2008 Koenigsegg CCX
Recommended by: Gil Dezer
Expert take: "The CCX is really beautiful because the entire body is made out of carbon fiber," Dezer says. "You see the carbon fiber texture in the body. And there's no paint in the body. It has a grayish woven look, and it's beautiful. It costs a fortune to do it."

McLaren F1
Recommended by: Quentin Willson
Expert take: "The F1, apart from being really one of the very best cars in the world, has this tremendous flow, this tremendous muscular stance, but it's like a jewel," Willson says. "There's a flow to it: the front haunches, the low cockpit and the three seats across. And when you look at it, it doesn't take up that much space."

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster
Recommended by: Rob Myers
Expert take: "The Mercedes is just sex on wheels," Myers says.

Bugatti Type 41 Royale
Recommended by: Eric Minoff
Expert take: "It's kind of the epitome of a grand old limousine," Minoff says. "It's got a hood that goes on for miles, and it's got an open driver's compartment and a very luxurious passenger area. It's the kind of car Cruella De Vil would be driving--with a Dalmatian-skin interior."

1938 Talbot-Lago T150 CSS Tear Drop Figoni et Falaschi
Recommended by: Gil Dezer, Rob Myers
Expert take: "It's a classic," Dezer says. "The tear-drop car in the '30s was a beautiful car back then, and it's still a beautiful car today. You see it and you're like, 'Wow!' It definitely takes your attention."

Porsche 911
Recommended by: Gil Dezer
Expert take: "The form of the car follows the perfect contours for the driver and the engine and the whole symphony of how you drive that car," Dezer says. "To have made the car and not changed the body style for 40 years, they made little variations and variations and variations, but if you put a 1963 next to a 2009, it has the same silhouette. That to me means they did it right out of the box, and it's still a great-selling car. No other car has been like that."

 

Mercedes-Benz Adds HD Radio In More Models
Mercedes-Benz has expanded its commitment to HD Radio, adding six new models for 2010. The automaker originally announced that HD Radio would be available in M-, R-, GL, G-Class SUVs, and E-Class vehicles, and now it says it will add six more: Its CL, CLS, E-Coupe, S-Class, SL, and SLK-Class vehicles will now also have available HD.

"The adoption of HD Radio technology in vehicles is on the rise. and the expanded commitment from Mercedes-Benz demonstrates their recognition of consumer demand for this next-generation entertainment technology," said Jeff Jury, COO of HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital. "Devoted Mercedes-Benz drivers will experience the ultimate luxury in driving with the upgraded infotainment system."

Mercedes is one of 12 automakers that have committed to factory-installed HD Radio; the others are Audi, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mercury MIMI, Scion, and Volvo.

 

Once Around the Block with Mercedes Design Chief Gorden Wagener
When Gorden Wagener was made head of design of Mercedes-Benz in 2008, he was just 39 years old. His predecessor, Peter Pfieffer, began designing cars at Mercedes the year Wagener was born.

Wagener joined Mercedes-Benz in 1997. He became head of the exterior and interior styling two years later, and worked on the GL-, M- and R-Class models. In 2002, he was given responsibility for the A-, B-, C-, E-, CLK- and CLS-Class ranges, and then went on to head the company's advanced studios, where his team produced the F700 concept, a car so controversially styled even the official Mercedes-Benz press release announcing his appointment wryly describes it as "much-noted."

By any measure, Gorden Wagener's rise at Mercedes-Benz has been meteoric. But the wunderkind mantle rests easily; this is a man untroubled by doubt or uncertain doctrine. His goal is simple: to make Mercedes-Benz number one in terms of design. And he's utterly convinced he's already well on the way to achieving it.

Don't expect a radical shift in Mercedes-Benz's design direction
"I was very successful as a designer. The SLR, the S-class, E-class and E-class Coupe -- that's my handwriting. My role now is to oversee 18 models. You will see more stunning cars carrying my handwriting very soon. The BlueZERO [revealed at the Detroit Show] will be the first."

The new E-class is a 21st century Mercedes
"Every second E-class generation is a big change. We wanted to keep the four-eyed face, but didn't want to keep the round look; we wanted to bring it into the 21st century. The shape of the entire car changed from its predecessor to accommodate this. We think the "Ponton line" [the crease on the rear quarter panel that echoes the rear fender detail from the 1953 W120] is a very significant feature. It shows Mercedes is a rear wheel drive car. The E-class is our heartland car, and we wanted it to be outstanding in its class. Which it is."

Designing a good sedan is difficult
"We always wonder there will be three-box cars [sedans] 20 years from now. The answer is, yes, there will. For a designer, sports cars are always good to do -- I was a rookie when I did the SLR, and I would have done it for free. Coupes are easy. But a three-box sedan is the most challenging, and the smaller the sedan, the more difficult it is. Why? I don't know. But Mercedes-Benz's design philosophy is built on the three-box: the S-class starts any new design philosophy for the rest of the range."

At Mercedes-Benz, 60 is the new 40
"Someone who is 20 is drawing a very different car from someone who is 60. But they have a common link: they both want to drive young and fresh design. Especially the older group, although 60 now is not old. So it's important to have young and fresh design on every product, even though Mercedes-Benz is the most traditional luxury car brand. A German car needs to have nice volumes, and a Mercedes needs to have surfaces that reflect emotion, intellect, and execution. A Mercedes should be premium, in every segment."

 

Automobile Brand Advertising Slogans
“The ultimate driving machine" — BMW
"Grab life by the horns" — Dodge
"The power to surprise" — Hyundai
"We are driven" — Datsun
"The car that made good in a day" — Stutz
"You asked for it, you got it" — Toyota
"Inexpensive and built to stay that way" — Subaru
"Drive one" — Ford
"The standard of the world" — Cadillac
"Fahrvergnugen" — Volkswagen
"The heartbeat of America" — Chevrolet
"Ask the man who owns one" — Packard
"Engineered like no other car in the world" — Mercedes-Benz
"Zoom zoom" — Mazda
"The relentless pursuit of perfection" — Lexus

 

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Brochure Photos
With the new E-Class just released with more bells and whistles than one can possibly master during those brief years of actual ownership, Mercedes had to be sure the upcoming 2010 S-Class would live up to its reputation as the ultimate full-sized luxury sedan.

Now, thanks to a leak and a scan from a loyal German reader, we have a sneak peek at the brochure for the facelifted S-Class and all that it entails. The litany of technology is there, from Splitview-screen entertainment system, to the parking management assistant with a rear-view camera, to other driver aid tools like Pre-Safe braking, Lane-Departure warning system, LED parking lights and Adaptive Beam Assist.

The lineup of engines also remains another long list, though, it seems, the S320 CDI and the S420 CDI have been axed. The S400 Bluehybrid version has already been announced which rates a pretty impressive 7.9 liters/100 km fuel economy. The S400 Bluehybrid features a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 279 hp and 385 Nm of torque developed with the help of a 20 hp electric motor.