YourMercedes-Benz Dealer Blog

If you are looking for something new to do, why not consider loading up your Certified Mercedes and heading out on a spontaneous road trip? Every year, millions of people travel to thousands of destinations in the family car. However, most of these trips are well-planned. A spur of the moment road trip is an entirely different experience. Here is how to pull it off.

Decide How to Decide
Some people choose a destination for their spontaneous road trip. Others believe that simply making this decision makes the road trip no longer spontaneous. Yet without a bit of direction, your road trip could easily sputter out. Ideas for choosing a direction vary widely, from “only left turns,” to “generally heading west.”

If you do choose a specific destination, it is worth making a quick call ahead to make sure it is practical. On one of my spontaneous road trips, I drove overnight with two friends from Orlando to Atlanta to visit Six Flags Over Georgia. Imagine our shock and consternation when the park turned out to be closed for the season!

Pack Light
By definition, on a spur of the moment road trip you should be footloose and fancy free. It is difficult to maintain this lighthearted, free spirited attitude when dragging around heavy suitcases. One lightweight dress outfit, one casual outfit and a bathing suit are plenty for a short spur of the moment road trip.

Choose Your Companions Carefully
Not everyone is a good candidate for a spontaneous road trip companion. With absolutely nothing planned in advance, you and your travel companions must be able to make decisions together on the fly. You must also be comfortable spending significant time together in close quarters, and able to handle each other when you are tired and cranky.

Relax
It seems to be an unwritten rule of the road that strange things will happen. From missed turns to stormy weather, expect the unexpected on an unplanned trip. Maintain a positive attitude by remembering that your other option was to sit at home. Where’s the fun in that?

A spur of the moment road trip in your Certified Mercedes can be a great way to reconnect with your family, get away with your friends or even spend some quality time alone. Maintain patience and a sense of humor, and you may just have the time of your life.

If it has been a few years since your last new car purchase, you may be slightly overwhelmed and surprised at all the new gadgets that have flooded the market. While the sheer number of technological marvels is staggering, the Boston Globe has rounded up a list of the most popular and useful. Here is a look at part of that list.

Adaptive Headlights
Mercedes-Benz is one of the pioneers of this useful new safety feature. Adaptive headlights monitor road conditions to provide the best possible lighting conditions automatically. A particularly useful tool is the swiveling function, which allows the driver to better see into turns and curves.

Integrated Navigation Systems
Mercedes COMAND interface is an excellent example of a system that seamlessly blends turn by turn GPS with other important controls. GPS systems are growing increasingly high-tech with larger hard drives, clearer displays and the ability to monitor traffic patterns and suggest alternate routes.

Adaptive Cruise Control
Tired of constantly readjusting your cruise control to account for changing traffic flow? Adaptive cruise control allows you to set a following distance as well as speed. The system takes over to automatically maintain your following distance within your designated top speed.

Precollision Systems
Although car accidents are still best avoided, a precollision system can minimize the damaging effects of a crash. Mercedes new PreSafe system optimizes the car in the seconds before a collision, closing windows, setting seat positions to optimum and pre-tightening seat belts, among other features.

Above are just a few of the new technological enhancements that are making headlines today. To discover Mercedes full line of safety and luxury enhancements, why not stop by our convenient local dealership? All of our Mercedes-Benz vehicles show a true dedication to safety, luxury and functionality.

If you are a fan of bridges, why not check out the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on your next trip through Virginia? Opened on April 15, 1964, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel quickly became one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World.

A series of bridges and tunnels connect Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia to the Virginia Eastern Shore. Four man-made islands act as portals for the bridge-tunnel. The route is said to take 95 miles and an hour and a half off the total drive time from New York to Virginia Beach/Norfolk.

Although the one-way toll of $12 is charged at either end, cars making a return trip within 24 hours are charged only $5 for the return fare. Higher tolls apply to oversize vehicles and cars that are towing trailers.

The bridge-tunnel traverses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Seagulls are especially common in this area, and can occasionally be seen keeping pace with the traveling vehicles. Fishing boats and ships of all kinds can also be seen from the bridge portions.

Those who wish to stop and rest, eat or simply take in the view will find a cafeteria and gift shop three and a half miles from Virginia Beach on the manmade Sea Gull Island.

A major expansion and upgrade project was completed on the bridge portions in 1999 at a cost of approximately $217 million. An estimated $900 million expansion to the tunnel portions was postponed indefinitely in 2005.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an unusual system that offers breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay. If you are a bridge fan or a nature lover, consider this unique means of traveling between the Northeast and Southeast on your next road trip in your Certified Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz has provided a first look at the 2009 redesign of the popular CLS. As is generally the case with mid-cycle redesigns, the enhancements appear to be tweaks rather than full system rebuilds. Nonetheless, there is a lot to love about the upcoming CLS, particularly the flagship CLS63 AMG.

Under the Hood
The CLS63 AMG receives the biggest changes under the hood, bringing in a 6.2 liter V8 engine with an astonishing 514 horsepower. Mercedes claims that the new engine will power the CLS63 AMG from zero to 62 in 4.5 seconds. The speed maxes out at 155 mph.

Exterior
The flagship CLS63 AMG receives the most changes here, introducing a black grille with two louvers. The 19 inch light alloy wheels also feature a new three-spoke design.

However, all the vehicles in this class have also received an exterior makeover. Changes have been made to the exterior mirrors, rear apron, tailpipes and taillights.

Interior
Inside the cabin, tweaks to the interior design and upgraded telematics keep the CLS looking and feeling fresh. No major enhancements have yet been reported, however.

The new CLS line is expected to debut in the United States in May. We will bring you more complete information as it becomes available. In the meantime, why not stop by our local dealership? Our wide variety of Mercedes-Benz vehicles offers something for everyone.

Before you know it, hurricane season will be upon us once again. If you live or will be traveling in a hurricane-prone area, there are some things that you should know.

Hurricane Evacuation Routes
Every city and state in a hurricane-prone area has developed a hurricane evacuation plan, including a series of evacuation routes. Depending on where you are located, these routes may be extremely limited and clogged with traffic. For example, the 2004 evacuation of New Orleans for Hurricane Ivan was plagued with difficulties. New Orleans is geographically isolated, surrounded by water. Within hours of the evacuation announcement, traffic on the Causeway Bridge had gridlocked, taking well over four hours to traverse the 24 mile span. A six-hour trip to Southeastern Arkansas wound up taking over 14 hours.

Plan Ahead
Be sure that you know in advance where you will go and how you will get there. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the immediate story was of the people who were stranded in the city. Thousands more, however, had evacuated to various areas all across the country, believing that they would be gone for only a day or two. Weeks and months later, families continued to have trouble reuniting.

Be Prepared
After Hurricane Katrina, many Gulf Coast families started packing a hurricane preparation kit at the start of storm season. Important papers and small valuables can go into the kit, which should be easy to grab in the event of an evacuation. Also be sure that your insurance is adequate and that you have some emergency cash. Gas can be difficult to obtain in the days before and after a storm, so be sure to keep at least half a tank in your Certified Mercedes at all times.

The Bottom Line
Hurricane Katrina is considered a 100 year storm. However, the lessons that were learned should never be forgotten. Whether you live in a hurricane-prone area or plan to visit one during your vacation, a bit of preparation can go a long way.

The Mercedes SLK was originally introduced in 1998 as an entry-level sports car. The first generation SLKs were popular, but some critics felt that the vehicles were a bit too cute and soft to be highly competitive. A massive redesign in 2005 proved that the SLK could compete with the best.

The latest redesign has upped the ante in both power and looks, proving once and for all that the SLK is here to stay. Popular Mechanics brings us a road test from the French Riveria.

Exterior
The redesigned body is both bold and elegant. A bigger Mercedes star, aggressive air dams and wider fog lamps command power and respect.

Under the Hood
The engines on most models remain unchanged. However, the SLK 350 now features a dramatically enhanced engine block. The car now boasts a 3.5 liter V6 engine that provides a solid 300 horsepower. The engine has been tweaked to provide maximum performance, trading the old variable air intake for a sleek single stage design. A revised piston and valve system has pushed the redline to 7200 rpm, although 97 percent of torque is delivered at 2000 rpm, which ensures the low-end power for which the old SLK was known. Surprisingly, the new system is actually more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The Style
Speed-sensitive power assist ensures stability at high speeds, while the direct-steer system enhances safety in turns and curves. The 7G-TRONIC transmission glides through the gears, although testers noted that the shifting is not quite as responsive as desired at racing speeds. For true speed lovers, the SLK 300 provides a six-speed manual transmission option, while the SLK 55 AMG offers an enhanced version of the 7G-TRONIC system.

The Bottom Line
The SLK offers numerous standard luxury features. However, the tweaks in performance and power have ensured that the SLK is a leader in powerful sports cars as well. To discover the SLK or other powerful Mercedes-Benz vehicles for yourself, drop by our local dealership.

If you are a fan of bridges, why not check out the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on your next trip to New Orleans? The 24 mile Causeway spans Lake Pontchartrain, the second largest saltwater lake in the United States, and is the longest bridge in the world.

Technically speaking, the bridge is not in New Orleans at all. The Causeway runs from the New Orleans suburb of Metairie to the town of Mandeville, in the Northshore suburban area. However, Metairie is easily accessible from New Orleans via a range of major roads.

The original Causeway was a two-lane span that opened in 1959. Prior to the Causeway’s construction, Northshore residents were forced to drive around the lake, a 50 minute detour through Slidell to the east or Manchac to the west. The instant success of the new bridge led to the construction of a second two-lane span in 1969.

Because of New Orleans’ geographical positioning, the Causeway plays a critical role in hurricane evacuation. When an evacuation is ordered, tolls are suspended and eventually both spans are opened only to northbound traffic. Despite a serious hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the bridge was not seriously damaged. It was reopened first to rescue workers, and then to all travelers on September 19, 2005.

Driving on the Causeway is an adventure worthy of the time investment. From the midpoint of the bridge, it is impossible to see land in either direction. There is a $3 toll to cross south from Mandeville (higher for oversize vehicles), but there is no toll heading north from Metairie.

To make a day trip out of it, cross the bridge north to Mandeville and stop for lunch at one of the many excellent seafood restaurants in Historic Mandeville, just off the lake. Instead of turning around and heading back after lunch, veer east on Highway 190. This will take you to the town of Slidell. Take 190 to Highway 11. This old bridge will take you back to New Orleans by way of the bayou, where Hurricane Katrina devastated homes and fishing communities in 2005.

Next time you are in New Orleans, you will doubtless have plenty of things to do. For a taste of Cajun life combined with a drive on the longest bridge in the world, however, why not spend a day in your Certified Mercedes? You will be amazed at the cultural and lifestyle differences just outside New Orleans’ borders.

The new CL-class from Mercedes-Benz has been turning heads everywhere. Marc Bouchard of Auto123.com recently put the 2007 CL 550 to the test. Here are his results.

Exterior
The new CL 550 is largely based on the Mercedes S-class. With only two doors and a sharply arched roofline, however, the exterior is reminiscent of the CLS vehicles. The front end is bold, with a prominent grille displaying the trademark logo.

Interior
Although there are only two doors, passenger access to the rear seats is easy. The B pillars have been removed, providing a wider entry. Additionally, the front seats are equipped with a power slide feature.

The interior is well-appointed, offering plush seats and luxurious trim. Technology fans will not be disappointed, with a list of standard and optional gadgets. COMAND system technology provides a seamless interface for the six-CD changer, GPS navigation and radio, along with additional add-ons. The LCD screen is large, clear and easy to read.

The Driving Experience
The CL 550 is powered by a 382 hp 5.5L V8 engine, offering smooth and quick acceleration. The suspension is designed to monitor road speeds and respond accordingly, offering a tight, aerodynamic ride at higher speeds. The seven-speed automatic transmission is seamless and highly responsive, providing just the right boost for any driving conditions.

The Bottom Line
The new CL-class is a wonderful blend of form, function and fun. Plush and elegant yet highly responsive, the CL 550 is both comfortable and fun to drive. Mercedes’ commitment to safety is apparent throughout as well. To test drive the CL 550 or other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, drop by our convenient local dealership.

The sheer number of waterways in the United States and around the world has created the need for ferries to shuttle people and automobiles from one side to the other. Although thousands of people use these ferries as part of their daily commute, the process is fun and exciting to those who see it as a novelty.

Getting onto the ferry can be an adventure in itself. Posted schedules are usually available online, though if you are on vacation it can be more fun to simply show up and wait. By ferry time, there will be a long line of cars parked, often stretching down the street through neighborhoods, all waiting for the ferry to arrive.

In the modern world, it appears that our national security threat level changes constantly. Ferry ports generally post information on the current threat level. When security levels are low, getting onto the ferry generally requires no special procedures. At times of high alert, however, your ID may be checked and your car searched. Armed guards are generally plentiful at the port.

It is truly amazing how many vehicles can pack onto a ferry. Port workers are extremely proficient at helping people park tightly, bumper to bumper in multiple rows. You may feel slightly claustrophobic.

Once parked, turn off the engine and enjoy the ride. Some ferries allow drivers to get out of their cars, and may even offer viewing platforms. Others prefer that you remain seated in the vehicle. When in doubt, look around to see what local drivers are doing.

Crossing a body of water in your car can be momentarily disorienting, but offers amazing views of locales that might otherwise be missed. The travel time also builds a relaxing break into the day.

Just be sure that you are back in your vehicle before the ferry docks. Commuters tend to become impatient when it is time to move again. The cars are unloaded one row at a time, and you are on your way again.

Crossing on a ferry is a relaxing and novel way to spend some time on vacation or in your local area. So the next time you are near water and looking for something to do, why not load up your Certified Mercedes and go for a ferry ride?

The Mercedes R-class vehicles are officially known as “sports tourer” vehicles. Not quite a mini-van, not quite an SUV, the R-class seamlessly merges luxury with spaciousness and utility. With comfortable seating for six and more cargo room than the Cadillac Escalade, the R-class fills a unique market niche. Kelley Blue Book recently took the R320 CDI for a spin. Here is what they found.

Road Testing
Driving is pleasant, with plenty of low-end torque to provide power. The seven speed automatic transmission is smooth and highly responsive. The turning ratio is better than that of most SUVs, making handling easy. Suspension is available in either Comfort or Sport design, allowing drivers to customize their experience.

Interior
Inside, the R-class does not lack for features. At nearly six feet, the panoramic sun roof offers a feeling of spaciousness that is hard to match. Comfortable Captain Chair seating makes the second row just as comfortable as the first. Adding to the comfort is the vast array of features in the second row seating, from reading lights to cup holders to a middle console.

Exterior
The shaping of the windshield and hood give the R-class vehicles a van-like appearance. However, this shaping dramatically improves aerodynamics, giving the R-class a decided advantage over boxy SUVs.

Safety Equipment
The R-class vehicles are packed with Mercedes safety features. Seat belt force limiters and pre-tensioners combine with side curtain airbags for all three rows. The Electronic Stability Program, tire pressure sensors and rollover sensor provide additional protection.

The Bottom Line
The Mercedes Benz R-class fills a unique niche in the luxury market. Not quite an SUV and not quite a mini-van, the vehicles merge functionality and spaciousness with Mercedes’ commitment to luxury and safety. Why not come by our local dealership to test drive the R-class or other Mercedes vehicles for yourself?