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Our spy photographers have gotten a first look at the latest Mercedes-Benz convertible, a car that is likely to be known as the E-Class convertible rather than a CLK convertible.

Longer and roomier than the current CLK droptop, this E-Class will share engine choices with the rest of the range, meaning everything from four-cylinder diesels to stonking AMG-tuned V-8s. The new car will be big enough to offer four real-people sized seats, with the front chairs said to have been redesigned to offer more leg room to rear passengers. With the newly named E-Class coupe expected to be entering the market in May of next year, it’s a good bet that the convertible variant will appear some bit later in 2009.
 
Click through our gallery above to explore the E-Class convertible in more detail or read on below for the spy shooter’s own words.

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Mercedes-Benz and AMG are out and working on the next generation of one of that company’s oddest, and most exciting products; the totally bananas E63 AMG wagon.

Just the thing for sports car lovers who’ve a few kids, dogs, or loveseats to haul around, the radical E-Class is said to be sporting a 6.2-liter V-8 capable of more than 500 horsepower. The package will also feature huge cross-drilled brakes, a large set of quad exhaust pipes, lowered ride height (natch), and a new bumper with huge air intakes. We are still scratching our heads about the rear light clusters seen in these photos—a treatment that looks as much like a triple set of Maglites and some bicycle reflectors as anything right now—but we’ve no doubt that Mercedes will get the car all prettied up before launch.

Take a closer look at the AMG wagon in our gallery above and read on below for the spy shooter’s own comments.
 

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A source within Mercedes-Benz has confirmed rumors that the next SLK roadster—due to debut in the spring of 2010—will offer an optional diesel engine. The redesigned SLK will likely sport the newest of Mercedes’ diesel offerings, a 2.2-liter twin-turbo four that produces 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The BlueEfficiency diesel mill is capable of attaining 54.3 miles per gallon when used in the C250 CDI.

The source maintains that the diesel engine is “perfect” for the new SLK, providing enough power to make the car involving, while being economical enough with fuel to raise a few eyebrows in today’s marketplace.

We’re salivating at the proposed combination of a car we love, with an engine we admire, though there’s not a great chance that this one will be coming state-side.

+ Automotive News Europe: Next Mercedes SLK to offer a diesel

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Caption:

GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer

With its GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer, RENNtech from Lake Park, Florida has created a motorsport vehicle inspired by the unlimited class of the legendary Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado. The drivetrain of the RENNtech GLK is complemented by a hybrid module that guarantees excellent acceleration figures.

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Mercedes-Benz continues to try to shed its sometimes stodgy image, through liberal use of its rather funky GLK small SUV, some imaginative tuning houses, and everyone’s favorite Animal House-style auto show, SEMA.

We tend to believe that this sort of thing is only acceptable in Las Vegas, where bigger and brasher almost always overpowers good taste and sense. How else can you explain a GLK decked out like the Pike’s Peak Suzuki Escudo, or another chopped into a speedster that Lil John might find a bit obscene? All in good tuner fun we suppose. Click through the gallery above for the official M-B line on each concept or find the rest of the press release below.

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Just when the world thought that the square box of style known as the Mercedes-Benz GLK couldn't get any cooler, tuner Brabus has gone and has its brutal way with the small SUV. 

The styling changes are obvious, with a number of added aero components: modified front and rear bumpers, new Brabus rocker panels, and to top it all off a new rear spoiler. As for the wheels, a wide selection is available with sizes ranging from 17 to 21 inches.

The powerplants come in a two varieties, with the ECO PowerXtra D6 (III) for the GLK 320 CDI that churns out an additional 48 horsepower, and the BRABUS B7 power kit for the GLK 350 that delivers an added 15 horsepower versus the stock engine. Each selection also includes a stainless steel Brabus exhaust system, as well as a three-year or 100,000 kilometer (62,137 mile) warranty from the tuner.

Interior improvements are not skimped on, with additions of stainless steel scuff plates, a sport steering wheel, a multimedia system with integrated monitors and DVD-player, and various trim packages in either carbon or wood.

The Brabus GLK may end up being a car that people will either really love, or really hate. For those that think of the stock GLK as a thing of beauty, then a more exclusive version is eagerly waiting. For those that see it as a mongrel, then apologies. You can make up your mind with a look at our gallery above.

Join production and test fleet manager Steven J. Ewing as he takes us on a short tour of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic, answering some of our readers' questions along the way.

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When Mercedes-Benz unveiled its ConceptFascination shooting break to the crowd at Paris, it immediately added another member to the strange cadre of concept cars whose planners feel compelled to equip with yacht-like interior features, and booze.

While we were well aware of what the M-B wagon would look like ahead of the show – getting early word from the company that some elements of the car could make an impression on the next E-Class – we were mildly baffled at the inclusion of champagne, cigars, and expensive wooden decking hiding in the business end of the concept car. It’s not that there’s anything particularly bad about using these kinds of touches to convey the “opulence” of a show car, but the boats ‘n booze angle is getting to be a little played. Designers take note.

Check out our full gallery of Mercedes-Benz ConceptFascination images above. 

In our last round of Ask It, we featured the newest addition to the American muscle coupe segment. This week, we feature one of Europe's entries into the big, luxury coupe category -- the Mercedes-Benz CL550.

New for 2009, the CL550 benefits from Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, as opposed to the standard rear-wheel drive of last year's CL. This is indeed one elegant car. We love that there isn't a traditional B-pillar and think the flowing lines of this car make it much more beautiful than the competing BMW 6-Series. However, our test car's as-tested price of $120,110 doesn't put it into everybody's price range, though we do enjoy the feeling of exclusivity while driving the CL.

Thus, we're offering up the CL550 as this week's Ask It contender, so leave a comment and ask us whatever it is that you're dying to know about the big Benz coupe. Be sure to stay tuned for our video response next week, too.

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After spending some time with Mercedes’ hot-burning C63 AMG, we thought it apt to give the rest of the C-Class range a shot to see if the new Benz C can all-around top other premium sport sedans like the BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS. While we did enjoy our C300 Sport, we found the $45,000 as-tested price a little high, especially when a BMW 335i offers better performance for a more reasonable price. Still, much of the blame for the hefty price tag is down to heavy treading on the options list...

(Click through the post to read our editors’ full notes on the C300 Sport.)

Recent reports indicate that Mercedes-Benz may be ready to change its naming system in the near future, with model designations that will actually spell out if the car is a coupe or a convertible. The CLK name will be the first to drop off the list, becoming the E-Class coupe or convertible in 2009. Other models will most likely follow suit, such as the CL which would be renamed as the S-Class Coupe.

With the current M-B nomenclature rather well-accepted within the car buying public as far as we know, the move towards a brand new system would seem to fly in the face of any equity the old names have built over the years. That said, the revised naming scheme isn't heading into bold new territory – a decade earlier, the old CLs were known as the S-coupe and before that, the SEC.

+ Benz Insider: Mercedes-Benz dropping the CLK and CL names

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For 2009, Mercedes-Benz has outfitted all of its diesel vehicles with the latest in Bluetec technology. First pioneered in the E320, the ML-, GL-, and R-Class now get the cleanest version of Benz’s oil-burning 3.0-liter V-6. This engine is good for 210 horsepower and an extremely useful 398 pound-feet of torque. However, we were rather skeptical if this would be enough power to move the large R-Class family hauler with enough spirit to keep our enthusiast hearts beating. What we found was a rather pleasant people mover with ample power and a comfortable, luxurious interior perfect for long drives.

Click through the post to read all of our editors’ notes on the R320 Bluetec.

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Some weeks are just better than others.

The NextAutos staff is lucky enough to have access to a rotating weekly fleet of press vehicles that run the gamut from entry-level budget wheels, to hyper-expensive exotic sports cars. And while on most weeks there are a few cars whose keys could cause a scuffle, every now and again the fates align to make us truly spoiled for choice.

Falling somewhere in between the worst of late 1980’s hair metal and the best of Inspirational Rock, this powerful music video from Mercedes-Benz may be the best piece of corporate propaganda we’ve ever seen. In addition to extolling the virtues of M-B’s whole product line to U2-inspired guitar riffs that would make Chinese product developers cringe, these hard-working rockers manage to insult a fair number of luxury automakers (and the Japanese) in this four-minute bonanza.

It’s only fair to point out that we have no idea of this masterwork actually came from minds at Mercedes, but we have a hard time imagining such depth of purpose for a send-up. Genius either way.

+YouTube: One Goal

It's Friday afternoon, which means it's time for another round of Ask It. This week, we feature the Mercedes-Benz CLS550 four-door coupe sedan. The CLS's exterior and interior were slightly tweaked for 2009, but it's no news that the CLS is still a sleek, beautiful Mercedes-Benz.

So, what do you want to know about the '09 CLS550? Leave your questions in the comments section and stay tuned for our video response next week.

New spy shots have cropped up of the hybrid-powered car that Honda will eventually pit against Toyota’s Prius. The car also happens to look, uh, just a little like its mortal enemy.

+ Autoblog: Spy Shots: Honda's hybrid Prius-fighter caught

Jalopnik’s calling out high priced gas as a good thing for driving enthusiasts. They probably prefer hubcaps to alloys too.

+ Jalopnik: Five Reasons High Gas Prices Are Good For Real Drivers

Sebastian Vettel is making the move to the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team for the 2009 season.

+ F1-Live: Vettel to join Red Bull Racing

Brilliance sends the first ever batch of Chinese sedans to Germany for European sale. The Chinese company is hoping to sell 200,000 units per year in 10 years time.

+ Automotive News Europe: China's Brilliance ships first BS4 sedans to Germany

Looking to improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, Mercedes-Benz says that it will have only turbocharged vehicles by 2010. Get your blowoff valve on.

+ Automotive News: All Mercedes cars to be turbocharged by 2010

Moment of zen

Boris Becker, a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany, and singer/song writer Amy Winehouse were just two among the many celebrities that autographed a brand new Mercedes C350 that will go up for auction to benefit the Nelsen Mandela's 46664 foundation .

Other famous names that left their mark include Quincy Jones, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, and the very famous driver Lewis Hamilton. The car was donated to the foundation to celebrate the anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday. The festivities, held over the weekend, took place in London's Hyde Parl. The auction's proceeds will go to Mandela's 46664 campaign against HIV/AIDS.

The 46664 campaign began in 2003 with a goal to raise awareness and educate to younger and older generations alike about the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. The number 46664 originates from Mandela's prisoner number during his detainment in 1964.

+ Edmunds Inside Line: Mercedes-Benz C350 Autographed by Amy Winehouse Hits the Auction Block

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—Seville, Spain

The F700 was the crown jewel in Mercedes’ “Road to Tomorrow” fashion show of cars at last September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Following on the wheels of the F600 Hygenius research car at the 2005 Tokyo show, the F700 carries on the F tradition of shedding light on future technologies that could be readily adopted by all companies within a few years. It also continues a sea life theme.