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As consumer demand for thirsty vehicles continues to wane, Mercedes-Benz is being forced to slow production at the Alabama plant which manufactures their GL- and ML-Class SUVs and the R-Class crossover. Sales of Mercedes domestic trucks fell to 5,090 vehicles in June, representing an 11.9 percent decline from the same period last year. The move marks the first time in more than a decade of U.S. production, that the German automaker has reduced output due to market and economic conditions. The cuts will affect more than 4,000 of the plant's employees, and unfortunately will trickle-down to hurt the countless other companies who provide just-in-time components to support Mercedes production.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Click either image to view high-res galleries

Mercedes-Benz has taken a chisel to its original SUV and updated both the M-Class and the high-performance ML 63 AMG model. The M-Class has come a long way since it first debuted as a competent albeit small SUV with doughy styling. It's grown into a much larger shape that's crisper and more expensive looking, and MB has augmented that this year with tweaks to both the front and rear ends. The headlight shape is completely new and dips down toward the grille now, while a new radiator opening between the widely set fog lamps is particularly dominant. A faux undergaurd completes the look of manufactured manliness, while a new rear bumper, tweaked rear taillights and larger side view mirrors round out the exterior upgrades. The interior also gets updated with richer materials and a four-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel. MB has also added a host of infotainment options to the order list, as well.

The ML 63 AMG also gets the exterior tweaks, but adds a meaner front bumper with an even larger radiator grille, bigger fog lamps and a corrugated chromed undergaurd that trumps the base model's in both its inability to guard anything level of gaudiness. The grille also features just two horizontal cross bars rather than the cheese grader effect on standard MLs. The chrome undergaurd also appears on the new rear apron through which two pairs of chrome tailpipes peek out. New 20-inch 5-spoke AMG wheels look nice, but MB also has 21-inchers available for the ballers out there. The engine, however, is where it's at. The 6.3L AMG V8 produces 510 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, which gets fed through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission into the SUV's permanent all-wheel-drive system that's split 40:60 front to rear. The suspension and brakes have also been AMG-ified. Clearly, you want to move to the right lane when this thing appears in your rearview mirror.



[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

click above image to see many additional high-res images of the BRABUS Widestar Concept

BRABUS has taken the wraps off of a special M-Class that goes one step beyond the comparatively staid models offered by Mercedes-Benz. Though based on the range-topping ML63, all that you see on what BRABUS calls the Widestar Concept is available for any model in the range. The transformation begins with new body kit pieces that add a healthy does of aggression to the M-Class, but don't go overboard with cartoonish proportions. The design is highlighted by the extra wide fender flares that give the Widestar its name and also make room for large 23-inch BRABUS Monoblock E wheels. The German tuner also provides new front and rear fascias that look different but equally as good as the stock fascias. We especially like how the body kit is colored in a matte grey finish that contrasts with the glossy black finish of the vehicle underneath.

Of course, all of that eye candy only serves to back up what BRABUS does best, which is tune Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The Widestar is fitted with the company's B63 S performance kit that adds freer flowing air filters, new engine management software and other detail-oriented performance upgrades to boost power from 510 hp to 550 hp. That's enough to get this big ute to 62 mph in only 4.9 seconds. Likewise, BRABUS upgraded the brakes to scrub off all that extra speed. Up front the stock brake system is replaced with mighty 12-piston calipers, while the rears make do with six pots, all clamping down on larger discs.

Check out additional angles of the BRABUS Widestar in our high-resolution gallery and more impressions along with the official press release after the jump.

[Source: BRABUS]