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The 63rd International Motor Show kicked off in Frankfurt, Germany today, and with it comes the debut of several new Mercedes models including the Mercedes SLS AMG, the Vision S500 Plug-in HYBRID, the E-Class Estate, the GLK220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and GLK250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 4MATIC. Due to the large amount of press content and photos, we’re going to publish straight press releases to get you caught up on the new model information as quickly as possible. Regular posting will commence, however, immediately following our 2009 IAA coverage.

First up: another look at the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing.

Just when you thought BRABUS had reached the limit of how much power they could squeeze into a Mercedes, the company has unveiled the latest in a long line of exceptionally high powered models. BRABUS’ newest endeavor is entitled the E V12, and as you’ve probably surmised, it’s based on the 2010 Mercedes E-Class, with one key difference: it’s packing an 800 horsepower V12. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, BRABUS has packed shoehorned their newly developed BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 twelve-cylinder powerplant into the 2010 E-Class ? one that boasts 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW and1,420 Nm of torque ? and one that subsequently propels the model from 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds before helping it reach a final top speed of more than 230 mph.

New spy photos have emerged showcasing the next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class undergoing a bit of fair weather testing. Unfortunately, the four door coupe is heavily masked with plenty of false panelling, so distinguishing its various design elements is still an impossible task. Parts of the front grille, headlights and tail lights, are however, a little more clear than they’ve been in the past, revealing a few subtle hints about what lies in store for the model.

Shortly after the successful market launch of the S 400 HYBRID, currently the most fuel-efficient luxury-segment saloon with a petrol engine, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting the first ?three-litre car? in the premium class – the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID – at the 63rd IAA in Frankfurt. The technology vehicle will display the future of Mercedes-Benz? modular set of hybrid systems. The Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID can drive for up to 30 kilometres solely on electricity and therefore without producing any local emissions. The efficient drive system combined with the CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode enables the vehicle to achieve a certified consumption of only 3.2 litres of petrol per 100 kilometers. With CO2 emissions of only 74 grams per kilometre in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), the experimental vehicle developed in Sindelfingen demonstrates the long-term viability of future S-Class generations…

While one car boasts outstanding driving performance and high fuel efficiency, the other offers high fuel efficiency and good handling. What is the difference between the two? The sporty handling dynamics set the tone in the all-wheel drive GLK 250 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY: The modern, four-cylinder diesel with 150 kW (204 hp) and an impressive 500 Nm of torque guarantees top acceleration and flexibility. In fact, this model has the most powerful four-cylinder diesel engine in the SUV world. The rear-wheel drive GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with the familiar 125 kW (170 hp) diesel engine, on the other hand, impresses with even better fuel economy (consumption as low as 6.0 l/100 km) while at the same time delivering great performance.

If the small sampling of photos we brought you yesterday highlighting the forthcoming Mercedes SLS AMG wasn’t enough to satisfy your desire to see the new Gullwing, today we can do you one better. Mercedes AMG has launched a webspecial for the model displaying the SLS AMG in all its unmasked glory, in vastly higher quality than the small pictures we brought you yesterday.

I won’t detail again the Mercedes SLS AMG’s various features, as you should already be familiar with them from our prior articles on the topic. I will, however, bring you the high resolution photos from the site, giving you a quick snapshot of what the webspecial offers.

Continuing their tradition of developing the most powerful Mercedes models in existence, BRABUS has just unveiled the latest member of their high powered luxury sedan family. It’s titled the BRABUS SV12 R, and it’s based on the recently face lifted Mercedes-Benz S600. So how powerful is it? In total, the BRABUS SV12 R boasts a staggering 750 hp (740 bhp) / 552 kW at 5,500 rpm, while peak torque comes in at 1,350 Nm at 2,100 (electronically limited to 1,100 Nm). All of this is made possible through a displacement increase from 5.5 to 6.3 liters, four new camshafts, larger turbochargers and a more efficient intercooling system (among other things), with the end result being a 0-62 mph time of 4 seconds flat along with an electronically limited top speed of 211 mph. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you heard that right: an electronically limited top speed of 211 mph.

Daimler AG is reporting today that worldwide sales at its Mercedes-Benz Cars division dropped 13.2 percent in August 2009 to 73,200 new units ? this compared to 84,400 new units in August 2008. As a result, sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands now total 711,300 new units through the first eight months of the year, a decrease of 17.1 percent.

Individually, sales at Mercedes-Benz were slightly better than that of the group for the month of August, with the luxury brand noting sales of 66,200 new units ? a decrease of 12.0 percent. At smart, the picture was somewhat more bleak, with sales of the compact fortwo dropping 23.8 percent to 7,000 new units. Through the first eight months of the year, sales at Mercedes-Benz are off 17.5 percent with 632,700 units sold, while smart sales are off 13.2 percent with 78,600 units sold.

Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting that for the month of August 2009, sales were off 7.5 percent with 17,112 units sold ? MBUSA’s best performance so far this year. As a result, sales at Mercedes-Benz USA now total 158,519 new units through the first eight months of the year, down 25.3 percent compared to 2008′s eight month YTD total.

Mercedes-Benz today has again detailed one member of their modularly constructed electric car family? the Mercedes BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS. Based on the BlueZERO E-CELL (one of the models unveiled late last year that’s driven only by a battery-powered electric drive), the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS features the same battery powered electric motor but adds a compact 50kW three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. As a result, the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS boasts an operating range of up to 600 km, whereas the BlueZERO E-CELL notes an operating range of 200 km.

PopularMechanics.com - Automotive: Motorsports

A series of successful rocket tests in the Mojave desert recently marks another step in the development of a car built to reach 1000 mph. The British team Bloodhound Supersonic Car (SSC) is comprised of some legendary land speed experience.

PopularMechanics.com - Automotive: Motorsports

As soon as Karl Benz took his 1886 Patent Motorwagon for its first walking-pace drive, the race for faster cars was on. In this primordial phase of the auto industry, speed was a selling point, an easily identifiable way to establish a car’s prowess.

The evidence is now clear: drivers of Mercedes vehicles are safer on the road than drivers of other car brands. This is the result of a study of Mercedes accident research based on official, anonymous data samples from the Federal Office of Statistics. Having looked at 18,748 accidents resulting in personal injury during the period from 2003 to 2007, the study found that the risk of being seriously or fatally injured as the driver of a E-Class, is 10.4 percent lower than for comparable vehicles of other brands.

Mercedes-Benz is launching its first series-produced fuel cell car on the road: the new B-Class F-CELL. The environmentally friendly electric car has better a performance similar to than a 2,0-litre petrol car and is fully suited for everyday driving. The zero-emission drive system consumes the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Production of the B-Class F-CELL will commence in late 2009 with a small lot. The first of around 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA at the beginning of next year.

If you’re in the market for a new smart fortwo, the Daimler has announced today that coming this fall is a special edition of the compact model called the smart fortwo edition highstyle. The model boasts exclusive chocolate brown metallic paintwork along with 12-spoke 15″ alloy wheels, while inside, metallic leather seats mixed with different colored fabrics and brown stitching are present. Other highlights include a kneepad and instrument panel with leather look, a leather covered 3-spoke sports steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift, and various trim elements in a matte silver color.

While its true Mercedes’ partnership with McLaren in regards to producing the SLR has ended, that hasn’t stopped FAB DESIGN from taking aim at tuning the model. FAB has finally released details of a model that made its debut in Geneva ? one that they’re calling the SLR “Desire.”

From a design standpoint, it’s clear FAB’s SLR is anything but an ordinary SLR McLaren. A vastly different front and rear apron are present, as are additional widened body panels in both the front and back. New side skirts have also been added, while a rear spoiler completes the exterior enhancements.

Last week we brought you spy photos of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Convertible, and today we’ve got another slightly more revealing look at the model. The retractable roof is still heavily masked, leaving us to speculate about both its exact contours and construction, but up front we now have a much clearer view of the front apron. The rear is also still heavily masked; however, with a little imagination you can probably surmise fairly well what the back is going to look like.

It’s been extremely slow the past week for any new Mercedes news, but today we’ve finally managed to find a story worth posting thanks to our friends at Autoblog.nl. They managed to grab some spy photos of the forthcoming 2010 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, and as you can see, the model is nearly unmasked.

PopularMechanics.com - Automotive: Motorsports

They say Bonneville is so flat that when you’re there, you can see the curvature of the Earth. It’s also the place to see some of the planet’s wildest and fastest hot rods. Here are some of our favorite cars and bikes so far from the Bonneville salt flats.

Daimler is reporting today that worldwide sales at its Mercedes-Benz Cars division were down 10.7 in the month of July, with new sales totaling 93,900 units (July 2008: 105,100 units). As a result of this figure, sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands are now down 17.5 percent through the first seven months of the year with 638,100 units sold.

Individually, Mercedes-Benz posted a 10 percent dip in sales, with the luxury division noting sales of 83,500 units (July 2008: 92,700 units). To date, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger are down 18.1 percent, with 566,600 units sold.