Autoblog

If you'd suspected that Mercedes' F700 show car was a preview of cues we'd soon see on production cars, there's a Schulte Design rendering to bolster your theory. The current S-Class debuted in 2005, so we won't see its replacement for a couple of years, but there's already lots of development underway. The new sheetmetal will be a full redesign, not a freshening, and the rendering depicts a car that takes inspiration from the F700, but tones the cues down a bit. The shape of the front end is very similar, with the headlights and grille echoing what Mercedes showed us in Frankfurt. Along the flanks, the arcing line at the base of the windows has been toned down. Of course, while it's a good rendering, it's still an unofficial composite image, so we should just wait and see.

Solid word on powertrains has come down from on high, though. Mercedes is looking at a hybrid version of the S-Class to compete with the Lexus LS600hL. Our current S-Class will get a mild hybrid for 2009, and there's a Bluetec Hybrid under development packing 224 horsepower/560Nm and returning 44mpg. The engines we know and love in the current S-Class will largely carry over, though we'd expect that attention to efficiency and the hybrid powertrains will be more important because of the new CAFE standards.

[Source: eGMCarTech, Rendering: Schulte Design]

Germany has the fifth largest GDP in the world. It also has a thriving rap industry. And a huge pool of absurdly wealthy sports figures. What does that mean? Money, bling, and athletes. The perfect environment for a tuner like ASMA to grow in. It is somehow comforting to know that the country that gives us the understated Audi can also go where no Unique Whip has gone before. It is not exactly comforting, however, to lay eyes on the ASMA Eagle II Sport Edition. It was once an S-Class. It could be a Funny Car. If Morris Day and the Time were still in action, and on crack, and headed to a sonic battle with Prince in order to steal Apollonia away, this is what they would drive there. While wearing matching Stacy Adams'.

It cannot be argued, however, that the Eagle II has presence. And a nice set of 21" wheels. It means business. Exactly what business is up for a guess or two. And it will sell like mad. And for those of you who will be purchasing the new C Class, ASMA's kit for that comes out later this year. You can say it like the German rappers do: "Ja ja!"

[Source: eMercedes Benz]

We've heard tales of people cooking on engine blocks or exhaust manifolds, but Peyton Manning has been paying attention to the elaborate setups that tailgaters bring to his games. This car has some nicely integrated features that make long distance trips even easier than they usually would be in a Mercedes S-Class, including an in-dash toaster oven, butler's pantry in the trunk, and deeply bolstered toilet seats. They didn't even need to invoke AMG to create a Benz that will roast your loaf. And since this is a Saturday Night Live production, don't expect it to be anything but tongue-in-cheek.

Check out the video for yourself after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]


http://jalopnik.com/cars/ad-watch/ad-watch-the-peyton-manning-meatloaf-mercedes-550-247039.php

We've been reporting on rumors of Mercedes' plan to lop the roof off an S-class and fit it with a ragtop for too long. Finally, it's been confirmed that M-B will be dropping the top of its four-door convertible at the Detroit auto show next month.

Based off the V12-powered S-class, the cabrio version will assuredly come equipped with a cloth roof, along with a pricy premium that would add an additional $10-15k to the sticker of the S600. Considering that a base S600 comes in at just over $140,000 (not including the gas guzzler tax), buyers will certainly appreciate the exclusivity that a cabrio Merc will afford them.

According to sources close to the project, production is highly likely.

[Source: Automotive News -– Sub. Req.]

We've already shown you the possible abomination that Mercedes plans on performing to an otherwise beautiful car, in the form of the S-Class convertible. However, the photoshop gurus over at Brenda Priddy and Co. have taken the speculation to the next level with a front, three-quarters rendering of the 4-door drop top.

Although much prettier than the previous photo, we think its unlikely that the new convertible will go beyond its show car debut, supposedly in Detroit, and make it to a dealership near you.

[Source: The Car Connection]