: : Mercedes-Benz Owners : :

May 04 News

Master class
As an existing or prospective M-class owner you have the exclusive opportunity to visit the Master-Class off-road training facility. The training centre, based near Chester, features a large lake that the vehicles can cross, with care. Leading away from this is a veritable 'Lost World' of wild tracks to explore. For those wishing to explore further afield there is the ŒMountain Safari Route', up to a thousand miles of remote and inaccessible mountain tracks that feature some of the most breathtaking scenery and driving in Europe. The content of the day is hands on with maximum driving time - the best way to enjoy the M-class. For details of the Master-Class training day call 01978 721205.

DTM Excitement
Mercedes introduced their eight DTM drivers for the 2004 season during the championship's presentation in Hamburg. Together with their sporting rivals from Audi and Opel, the Mercedes DTM drivers were the stars of an action-packed show. An enthusiastic crowd of 10,000 packed Hamburg's square in front of the city hall, and along a temporary track in the centre of the city, to experience the DTM racing atmosphere with pit stop competitions, acceleration demonstrations and driving activities. The 2004 DTM is the fifth season after the series' re-launch.

SLK accessories
The customised boot bag and garment bag are highlights of the new Mercedes SLK. The bags make good use of space and suit the style of the sports car. Other accessories available include the limited-edition watch set and roadster cap and key chain. When the original SLK made its debut, the matching watch became a cult object almost as quickly as the car itself. Today¹s limited-edition watch set comprises a reproduction of the long sold-out SLK watch from 1996 with a new SLK watch of 2004. Appropriate to the year in which the new SLK is being launched, the edition is limited to just 2,004 sets.

SL, SLK & CLK Portfolio
An exciting new publication from Brooklands Books is now available from the MBO club shop. Mercedes-Benz SL, SLK, CLK Portfolio 1990-2003 includes road tests, model introductions, driving impressions, comparisons, performance data, specifications & long term reports. 44 articles are sourced from Road & Track & Track Specials and include 'Roadster revolution - SLK', ŒMercedes flies a new coupe: the CLK¹ & Œ2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 600'. Printed on art paper with b/w and full colour photographs, this book is excellent value @ £13.95.

Classic caricatures
A caricature of you and your Mercedes, now that's a great idea for a birthday or Christmas present! In an age of mass production, here¹s a chance for you and your car to be immortalised in colour by artist Peter Entwistle. Peter worked for many years in the advertising and design industry as an art director. More recently he has developed an interest in the illustration and cartoon field and now offers a caricature service to vehicle owners. He uses pantone marker inks and works to an A3 format, the usual price is £95 but this may vary according to the individual illustrative content. Customers provide him with a good quality longish format colour photo of their face and car with preferred number plate, and a brief description of clothing style. The finished illustration is posted in a tube. Contact Peter on 01606 350922 or email info@cartooncaricatures.co.uk

Fitness bikes
Mercedes is offering two fitness bikes, which combine the advantages of a mountain bike with those of a racing bike. The front suspension fork and robust frame are a big advantage in easy off-road operation, while the fast 28-inch wheels and 27-speed gearshift bring the rider up to speed on the road. Reliable stopping power in all situations is provided by powerful hydraulic disc brakes. The principle behind fitness bikes is to offer an alternative to jogging. They are designed for those looking to improve physical fitness, to lose weight, fight stress or simply to enjoy the feel-good factor, which comes from riding these bikes. The aluminium frames are light in weight but robust, while the straight handlebars with an adjustable stem allow users to adopt a relaxed riding posture.

New Grand Prix season
Both McLaren Mercedes F1 drivers have implored their team to up its game after a disappointing start to the Grand prix season. The first 3 races have yielded few championship points. Last year's Australian GP winner David Coulthard, who qualified 12th and finished a lowly eighth this year said: ³The other guys just disappeared into the distance. This is where you judge if you are fast and reliable. We've had a 50 per cent reliability result here, but obviously we're not fast enough." Kimi Raikkonen, who qualified 10th then retired with engine trouble after only 10 laps, added: "Of course it¹s very disappointing. I wasn't expecting to be racing around in 10th place. We shouldn¹t be there. We should be fighting for first." Meanwhile, former F1 racer and current Mercedes DTM star, Jean Alesi, drove Juan Manuel Fangio¹s Mercedes W196 during the opening ceremony of Bahrain¹s GP circuit. During the programme, which included a visit of Bahrain¹s King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Jean Alesi also drove the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports car.

New Bromley premises
Mercedes' £3.2m, state-of-the-art showroom and service centre in Bromley was recently opened by Charlton Manager and S-class owner Alan Curbishley, at an exclusive customer opening. The purpose built, 1600 square foot premises is located just off the Wickham Road and has an increased sales and service team of 24. Customers visiting the outlet can also look forward to reduced servicing lead times, which have been cut from two weeks to just three days. For further information on Mercedes-Benz Bromley, please call 0208 663 9800.

Smart Sweet Chariot
Following England's historic victory in the Rugby World Cup, smart of Nottingham and Derby have come up with their own version of the Sweet Chariot. The light white smart city coupé features signatures sealed on the panels including coach Sir Clive Woodward, Captain Martin Johnson and fly half Jonny Wilkinson who secured the game for England with a last-gasp drop goal in extra-time. The vehicle is being used to promote the two retailers as well as appearing at shows and shopping centres across the region. Philip J. Deacon, Group Marketing Manager, commented ³since we placed the vehicle in one of our showrooms the response has been phenomenal and we've already received enquiries from Bonham's the auctioneers and Terry Wogan who wants it for his Radio 2 Children in Need "Things that money can't buy auction".