: : Mercedes-Benz Owners : :

November 2009 News

		Milestone M-Class Mercedes Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, its only manufacturing facility in North America, has produced its one millionth M-Class. Initially, the M-Class was the only vehicle produced at the site with more than 570,000 examples built during the original models life cycle from 1997 to 2004. Following expansion, the plant now produces the second-generation M-Class, along with the R- and GL-Class. It is the only facility building these three models and, in total, has produced more than 1.2 million vehicles.

		Help for heroes Mercedes-Benz of Swindon proved to be in a league of its own when it put a footballing tour in aid of Help 4 Heroes on the road to its fund-raising goal. A trio of RAF personnel from Lyneham is visiting all 20 Premiership clubs in 24 hours to collect memorabilia that will be auctioned for the military charity at a black tie dinner. Corporal Johnny Carberry-Rogers and Corporal Gareth Owens, both from 70 Squadron Operations and Flight Lieutenant Ben Hanson, a Captain on the Hercules C130K, are undertaking their tour in a GL-Class supplied by Mercedes-Benz of Swindon and driven by David Harries, the retailers General Sales Manager. Travelling from Portsmouths Fratton Park to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, the group will cover 1,200 miles - returning to Wiltshire with an array of much sought-after items including autographed shirts, footballs and match tickets.

		New Scalextric record A Mercedes SLR McLaren played a prominent part in the setting of a new world record. Top Gear presenter James May achieved a new mark for the longest Scalextric track ever constructed and an SLR was one of the two car models chosen to race around the completed circuit. More than 300 volunteers helped May put the track together at the Brooklands circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, which is now home to the Brooklands Museum and Mercedes-Benz World. The 2.75-mile route was constructed using approximately 20,000 separate sections of track, beating the previous best of 1.59 miles achieved in Berlin in 2007. "To recreate the Brooklands circuit, the birth of motor racing, was a dream for James and Scalextric fans in general," commented Paul Chandler, Scalextric marketing manager. "This shattered the previous world record and a lot of hard work went on behind the scenes to make this all possible."

		Silver Arrows at Pebble Beach The 75th anniversary of Mercedes legendary Silver Arrows was celebrated at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance. In the largest display of Silver Arrows ever seen in the US, five original race cars were showcased over the course of the event, which is held annually at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. A W 25, two W 154s, a W 194 and a W 196 R Streamliner were the Silver Arrows that featured at the concours, along with a number of other notable Mercedes vehicles, including the Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling Moss and nine generations of the E-Class.

		Auction result The enduring appeal of classic Mercedes cars was once again highlighted by the appearance at auction of a 1961 Mercedes 300 SL Roadster. This car was sold at the recent Quail Lodge auction for an amazing £488,700. It is one of the most original 300 SL roadsters in existence, having covered barely 7,600 miles from new, and is finished in dark grey, with immaculate red leather interior. It is one of the late, disk brake roadsters, has a white hard top in addition to the regular convertible top, and is equipped with radio and original tools.

		Art in your smart Smart is adding a large splash of colour to its cars with the smart BRABUS tailor made concept. This enables owners to design their own car from an array of special colours and bespoke interiors that will create thousands of combinations to choose from. As part of the service, customers will be able to specify their cars body panels and tridion safety cell from a palette of 18 vivid colours, each with a supercar/heritage theme. These include the vibrant Campbell Blue, which pays homage to the Bluebird land speed record cars built and tested at Brooklands, now the home of Mercedes-Benz World. Interior detailing on items such as the door handles, instrument cluster, dials and light/wiper lever will also reflect the exterior colour chosen. The service will be available this winter and offered at the point of purchase by smart retailers nationwide.

		Mercedes world tour A specially adapted Mercedes motorhome is the vehicle of choice on a world trip of 200,000 miles, which could easily last for 10 years. Martin & Jill MacFarlane are seasoned travellers, their last big trip being around Europe on a motorbike which lasted 6 months. During this odyssey they decided that travelling was something they wanted to do all the time, but ideally on four wheels and with a certain amount of luxury. They sold their house, bought a second hand Mercedes 814 DA 4x4 truck in Germany, shipped it back to the UK, removed the body, extended the wheelbase and had it converted for living in. The end result is a rugged, go-anywhere vehicle that sleeps 4 and is complete with integral garage, raised floor for additional storage, kitchen/lounge, bedroom & shower room. A washing machine, satellite dish and solar panels are all part of the specification. The world tour will take in dozens of countries including USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Russia & Europe.

		Charity push Employees from Mercedes-Benz of Bristol gave new meaning to the term fund-raising push when they put their backs into a stamina-sapping charity challenge. Seven teams of staff shoved a 1,050kg smart car around a course at the dealership, clocking up eight miles between them, their efforts raising hundreds of pounds for a childrens charity. Each team was given 15 minutes to clock up as many laps as they could, with the winners pushing their fitness to the limits by notching an impressive 14 laps. Despite a few aches and pains, everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the event.

		Worthy cause Around £2,000 was raised for the Air Ambulance Service by brothers Larry and Royston Piper at a car show held at their car trimming business at Sparkford near Yeovil. This is the second show in aid of this charity and it attracted over 250 classic vehicles. Pictured is a 1968 Mercedes 230 belonging to Peter and Enid Sag, which had previously been off the road for eight years and was found with its gearbox on the ground. Photos James Clevett

		Mercedes and Brawn Mercedes has agreed to take a 75 per cent stake in Formula One leaders Brawn GP within the next three years, according to reports. It is rumoured that the partners have reached an oral agreement and a contract will be signed soon. The deal is likely to give the German car-maker, who own 40 per cent of McLaren and also supply Brawn and Force India with engines, control of a Formula One team for the first time in the modern era. British-based Brawn emerged from the former Honda team earlier this year after a management buyout led by former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn. Honda had announced in December that they were quitting the sport for financial reasons. The team won six of the seasons first seven races with Britains Jenson Button.

		Cholmondeley pageant Lord Cholmondeley held his Pageant of Power for the second time in the grounds of his magnificent castle in Cheshire. The organizers kept to the formula that proved so popular with the crowds last year, featuring iconic racing cars, bikes, powerboats and aircraft roaring round the parkland. A highlight was a performance by the world-famous JCB dancing diggers, and for Mercedes enthusiasts there was the sight of the Gullwing of Stuart Graham being put through its paces.

		Colourful car This graffiti-painted 1988 Mercedes 300 C was recently raffled for charity by Bognor Regis garage proprietor Gavin Cramp. He understands that the colourful paintwork was carried out by a well-known graffiti artists. Check out those wheels. Photo by James Clevitt.

		Stellar SLS After celebrating its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show the new Mercedes SLS AMG super sports car hits the road early next year, reinterpreting the legendary 1950s 300 SL classic but coming with the latest aerospace and racetrack credentials. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine develops 420 kW/ 571 hp peak output with acceleration from zero to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically regulated at 197 mph. Mercedes describes the fuel consumption as being at the front of the competitive field, mainly because of lightweight materials and a spaceframe body. According to Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener, the gullwing doors are set to pave the way for the design philosophy of forthcoming Mercedes sports cars. Other distinctive features are the almost two metre long bonnet, short rear and wide radiator grille with the large Mercedes star and the wing-shaped cross fins. While some of the design cues may be classic, other features are all 21st century and taken from the latest aircraft and racetrack know-how. The interior brings to mind an aircraft cockpit. Integrated into the dashboard are galvanised air vents with adjustable, cruciform nozzles and Silver Shadow finish, reminiscent of jet engines. The concave inner panels of the gullwing doors, the high beltline and the powerful side sill panels round off the cockpit-like impression. Despite a low sitting position, the wide-opening gullwing doors make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The opening angle is a full 70 degrees. The door is opened from inside by a handle finished in Silver Shadow. The grip section of the armrest moulded into the interior door panel ensures problem-free door closing. Interior appointments come in designo leather. Other standard items are an electric parking brake, anti-theft warning system, headlamp assist, a keyless-go start function and rain sensor. Among the extras that can be ordered are a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround sound system and an alarm system with tow-away protection and interior monitoring. Breaking the speed limit Mercedes and Audi have officially, but rather indirectly announced they're going to break the 155 mph top speed pact they both agreed on back in 1988. Both companies, with their most recent models, the Mercedes SLS AMG and the Audi R8 V10 have dropped the 155 mph top speed limiters. The Audi R8 V10 is powered by a V10 5.2 litre FSI engine that develops 525 hp and can take the German supercar to a top speed of195 mph. On the other hand, the Mercedes SLS AMG is powered by a 6.3 litre engine that develops 571 hp and can take the new Gullwing to a top speed of197mph. Mercedes says the top speed of the SLS AMG is limited, but not longer to the usual155 mph. BMW and Porsche are still obeying the 155 mph top speed agreement for now.

		Entertaining Revival This years Goodwood Revival in September featured a host of attractions appealing to all ages and sexes, whether keen motor racing fans, lovers of nostalgia or dedicated followers of cool 1950s and 1960s fashion. In addition to the regular Revival buildings, lovingly restored since the circuit was closed in 1966, a number of set dressed recreations were prominent, along the lines of the Earls Court Motor Show with its period Art-Deco façade. Greeting spectators this year as they entered Goodwood was a Carnaby Street-inspired Swinging Sixties street scene, adorned with Minis, taxis and buses, plus people shopping in the their finest 1960s fashions. Near this was a sympathetic recreation of the famous Mike Hawthorn TT garage, with various bits of paraphernalia dotted around. The nostalgic appeal of that most British of authentic historic motor race meetings got a distinctive continental flavour, with part of the paddock area turned into a traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest bar, serving authentic German beer and hearty fare, such as white pork sausages, pretzels and mustard. Car enthusiast Rowan Atkinson thrilled the crowds when he made his first live public appearance as Mr Bean. His star turn formed part of a celebration of 50 years of the Mini, the car used by the TV character. Mr Bean drove the car while sitting on top of the roof in an armchair, controlling the steering and pedals with a mop and string. Stirling Moss 80th birthday was celebrated with a parade of eighty of the cars he has raced throughout his glittering career. The sight of race-goers smartly dressed in their finest 1950s and 1960s-inspired fashions is one of the vital ingredients that makes this meeting so entertaining. The Revival remains the only motor sport event in the world to hold a dedicated Ladies Day, with spot prizes of champagne being awarded to the best dressed women by an expert panel of fashion judges.