Mercedes-Benz Vehicles, Concept Cars, and the Mercedes Lifestyle

When you buy a Mercedes, you’re not just buying a Mercedes. You are buying a lifestyle. Even before Mercedes became Mercedes-Benz in 1927, the car was synonymous with entry into an exclusive club filled with romance and intrigue and allure. It was exciting enough when it was a metaphorical club. Then came the real club.

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America

Not content with the club being members of a club only in their minds, excited Mercedes-Benz owners took it one step further and created a real flesh and bones club with parties, events, even a Mercedes store.

Special Access to Mercedes-Benz Plant in Germany

Members of the MBCA take special trips to Stuttgart, Germany, to visit the manufacturing plant and delivery centers. No stone is left unturned on these trips, and visitors get access to places not open to the public. Attendees visit the Carl Benz Museum, the Classic Center, the Daimler memorial, the Stuttgart Brand Center, and the “new” Mercedes-Benz Museum. They get to spend time and share stories with other Mercedes-Benz owners and enthusiasts from around the country and take the trip of a lifetime.

Scenic Drives and Excursions

For those not wanting to travel so far from home, the Mercedes-Benz Club of America has local chapters and events as well. Members can join in a cavalcade of other enthusiasts and visit some of the most beautiful drives in the country, staying in luxury accommodations and eating the region’s finest foods.

Fun and Educational

When not gallivanting across the country in their luxury vehicles, Mercedes-Benz owners have the chance to attend exclusive auto sessions on topics specifically of interest to them. Many chapters meet monthly for seminars and educational events intended to make the MBCA membership experience complete.

But What About Shopping?

After a tiring day of driving, learning, and meeting new friends, at last comes the shopping. The MBCA website has a full retail store, offering anything the Mercedes-Benz owner and fan could want. And we’re not talking just key chains here — from Mercedes-Benz fashion and accessories to luxury car accessories, even branded Christmas ornaments, beach towels and dog capes, the MBCA store is a shopper’s dream come true.

When you buy a Mercedes, you’re never just buying a Mercedes. You are buying a lifestyle. Even before Mercedes became Mercedes-Benz in 1927, the car was synonymous with entry into an exclusive club filled with romance and intrigue and allure. It was exciting enough when it was a metaphorical club. Then came the real club.

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America

Not content with the club being members of a club only in their minds, excited Mercedez-Benz dealers and owners took it one step further and created a real flesh and bones club with parties, events, even a Mercedes store.

Special Access to Mercedes-Benz Plant in Germany

Members of the MBCA take special trips to Stuttgart, Germany, to visit the manufacturing plant and delivery centers. No stone is left unturned on these trips, and visitors get access to places not open to the public. Attendees visit the Carl Benz Museum, the Classic Center, the Daimler memorial, the Stuttgart Brand Center, and the “new” Mercedes-Benz Museum. They get to spend time and share stories with other Mercedes-Benz owners and enthusiasts from around the country and take the trip of a lifetime.

Scenic Drives and Excursions

For those not wanting to travel so far from home, the Mercedes-Benz Club of America has local chapters and events as well. Members can join in a cavalcade of other enthusiasts and visit some of the most beautiful drives in the country, staying in luxury accommodations and eating the region’s finest foods.

Fun and Educational

When not gallivanting across the country in their luxury vehicles, Mercedes-Benz owners have the chance to attend exclusive auto sessions on topics specifically of interest to them. Many chapters meet monthly for seminars and educational events intended to make the MBCA membership experience complete.

But What About Shopping?

After a tiring day of driving, learning, and meeting new friends, at last comes the shopping. The MBCA website has a full retail store, offering anything the Mercedes-Benz owner and fan could want. And we’re not talking just key chains here — from Mercedes-Benz fashion and accessories to luxury car accessories, even branded Christmas ornaments, beach towels and dog capes, the MBCA store is a shopper’s dream come true.

A few months ago, I detailed the new Popemobile , an open-top Mercedes G Class painted Vatican White. The new vehicle is used for the Pope’s official Wednesday public appearances at the Vatican.

The Popemobile is steeped in historical tradition. In ancient times, popes were carried on mobile thrones. Since the advent of motor vehicles, it has been a tradition for popes to appear in open-top vehicles. Recent security concerns have resulted in specially designed, bullet-proof vehicles, but the open-top tradition remains.

Pope Benedict XVI is currently in the midst of his first visit to the United States since taking office. Though the official new Popemobile remains at the Vatican, Pope Benedict also owns a pair of specially designed Mercedes-Benz ML430 SUVs. One of these vehicles has been shipped to the United States and will serve as the Popemobile during his stay in the United States.

While the official Popemobile has a fully open top, the ML430s feature a nod to increased security in the form of a bulletproof transparent capsule on top. The vehicles also feature steps leading up into the passenger compartment and a handrail for the Pope to balance against.

As part of his tour, the Pope plans to give a public Mass at historic Yankee Stadium. A special podium was built over second base for his appearance. However, even the Pope is not permitted to break a basic rule: No driving on the grass. Instead, he will make a lap around the field’s edges.

While the Popemobile and related vehicles are custom-designed, one of a kind items, they are based on readily available Mercedes-Benz vehicle models. If you would like to own your own version of one of the Pope’s cars, why not stop by our convenient local dealership? We would be happy to help you find the best vehicle for you.

If you are looking for something different for your next get-together, why not consider an auto scavenger hunt. This grown-up version of the scavenger hunts we all remember from childhood is a great way to break the ice between strangers, create bonding moments with friends and family, or just show off your Certified Mercedes to your friends. Here’s how it works:

You will need to create a list of finds. In an auto scavenger hunt, it’s often easiest to have your friends take Polaroid pictures of different tasks rather than manually collecting a bunch of items. Create a list of tasks that will take the groups all over town – a photo at the food court of the local mall; someone in the group sitting in a shopping cart at the supermarket; a photo of a billboard on the highway…let your imagination go. You might want to set some alternative tasks for differing point levels – for example, a picture of a stranger’s red shoes might be worth 5 points, but if those shoes are sneakers, it’s worth 10. This allows people to hunt around for the highest point items, but remain in the game if they can’t find an exact item.

You will also need to set ground rules. A common rule is that each teammate must appear in at least one photo. This helps to draw in the shyer members of the group and makes them feel like an important part of the game. You will also need to set a realistic time limit that takes into account driving time but does not allow the game to drag.

The final location on the list should be the actual party location. Providing small prizes for the winners is always appreciated, though the real fun will be in sharing the photos. If you would like the prize to be a bit nicer, consider charging each person a couple of dollars, which can be pooled to buy the prizes.

So the next time you are looking for an unusual theme for your next party, why not consider putting your Certified Mercedes to use in an auto scavenger hunt? You and your friends might be surprised just how much fun this can be.

As winter gives way to spring, your thoughts may turn to your next road trip. Cruising down the open road, wind blowing in your hair…what a wonderful image after a long, dark, cold winter. Reviewing basic safety practices is always a good idea before you set out, as no one wants to think of their perfect road trip being ruined by a collision. However, in today’s internet age, bad advice tends to flow even more freely than good advice. From Drive and Stay Alive, here is a roundup of some recently spread bad driving advice.

Holding the Wheel
For decades, the 10 and 2 position has been recommended by safety experts. However, new advice that is making its way around the internet claims that this position is dangerous, as it could increase the chances of having the arms broken by the airbag.

Drive and Stay Alive points out that utilizing the 10 and 2 position provides the most control over the vehicle, thereby minimizing the chances of an accident occurring in the first place. According to the site, arms are more likely to be broken if they are crossed during steering, not simply by being held at 10 and 2.

Following Distance
Throughout recent decades, there has been quite a bit of confusion regarding recommended following distances, which are sometimes quoted in car lengths and sometimes in seconds. This can lead to confusion, as in a piece mentioned on the site. This piece recommends, when driving on winter roads, that drivers maintain at least six to eight seconds following distance, or at least two car lengths. Driving two car lengths does not take anywhere near six seconds, making the advice confusing to say the least.

Skid Control
Conventional wisdom states that if a driver enters a skid, it is best to steer in the direction of the skid. This will help to regain steering control, after which the driver can bring the vehicle to a safe stop. However, bad advice on this is all over the map. Some people suggest that those with front wheel drive steer in the opposite direction from the skid, while others suggest that the driver remove a hand from the wheel to drop the car into neutral. Both of these suggestions may, at best, do absolutely nothing to help or, at worst, make an already dangerous situation worse.

Above are just a few examples of bad driving advice. If you want to brush up on safety before taking your Certified Mercedes out on your next road trip, make sure that you gather tips only from a quality source. Bad advice is everywhere, so make sure that you can trust your source.

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its luxury, power and performance. Now Mercedes is eager to draw in a new legion of drivers with a line of youthful new coupes. From an article in The Financial, here is a look at these fresh and innovative new vehicles.

CLC Sports Coupe
The CLC is the youngster in the Mercedes family, priced at entry-level yet loaded with features. The CLC Sports Coupe seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, offering a distinctive exterior style and a comfortable, endlessly functional yet high-tech interior.

Standard on the CLC Sports package are such innovations as sports suspension and a brand new direct steer system. The direct steer system utilizes speed-sensitive power steering and variable-ratio steering, which provide amazing maneuverability even when cornering at high speeds.

CLS Coupe
The CLS is the world’s first four-door coupe. Designed for mid-range buyers, the CLS has long blended style, power and comfort. The 2008 version has undergone a minimal but dramatic restyling. The new look is understated, fresh and forward-thinking. New safety features and an increased range of engine sizes prove that the CLS is always moving forward in technology as well as look.

CL 500 4MATIC
The CL coupe is the granddaddy of them all. Powerful, luxurious and filled with features, the CL has always been a terrific choice for the most discriminating coupe purchasers. Yet discriminating does not mean old and stodgy. The CL500 4MATIC offers all-wheel drive and a host of features designed to improve traction and stability in snow and ice driving. Electronic stability protection, Mercedes’ new PRE-SAFE program and, of course, the all-wheel drive work together to enhance the rugged durability of the new CL.

If you would like to learn more about these youthful new Mercedes-Benz vehicles, why not drop by Fort Washington Mercedes, your West Chester Mercedes, or Mercedes Benz of Wilmington.? We would be happy to discuss the features of each coupe, and allow you to test drive the vehicles of your choice.

If you are a Mercedes fan, you may have noticed a recent trend. An explosion of new technology has been added at breakneck speed to Mercedes vehicles. Unlike many car manufacturers, however, Mercedes does not just debut its latest features in its highest-end vehicles. An interesting article in the Canyon News explores the phenomenon.

According to that article, this trend is not new. In the 1980s, Mercedes chose the popular 190E, affectionately referred to as the “Baby Benz,” to debut its new 5-link rear suspension system. The system was an immediate success, and was quickly added to the mid-size E Class and the full-size S Class.

This year’s new addition is not quite so dramatic, but is head-turning nonetheless. Mercedes has chosen the popular and affordable C Class as the test model for its brand new Multimedia Package. The system is not yet available for any other class in the Mercedes line. The Multimedia Package has significantly upgraded the onboard audio and navigation systems by dramatically increasing the voice recognition capabilities. Additionally, the system now allows drivers to burn CDs. It also features a media card reader.

The new C Class is also loaded with additional technological enhancements, which are available in other Mercedes classes as well. On the flip side, some former high-tech enhancements have been replaced with their solid, more traditional counterparts. The focus of this latest redesign seems to be on building a solid yet fashionable vehicle that is loaded with useful features rather than fluff.

If you would like to learn more about the latest C Class enhancements, and perhaps test drive one of these popular and affordable Mercedes-Benz vehicles for yourself, why not stop by our convenient local dealership? You might just find the car of your dreams!

Remember the old days, when beach bums and beach bunnies loaded up the surfboards in the convertible and headed out to catch some waves? Classic beach parties films captured the phenomenon in the early 1960s, when ingénues Annette Funicello and Sandra Dee fell in love with such screen idols as Troy Donahue and Frankie Avalon. Times were innocent, the weather was perfect and no matter what, the surf was always up.

While real life is seldom as perfect as the movies, many of us can remember that rare day when the fates aligned and everything was perfect for a beach vacation. Whether your memories are from personal experience or just old movies, there is no better way to inject both nostalgia and style into your next beach vacation. You may not be able to control the weather, but you can ensure that you arrive in style. So on your next vacation, why not load up the old surfboards into the convertible and make your own beach party?

If your Certified Mercedes doesn’t happen to be a convertible, there is no need to worry. Fashionable and luxurious beach towns on both sides of the United States are happy to provide. For the right price, you can choose from a fully-loaded modern Mercedes or a vintage classic. Some of the rentals are also available for sale, allowing a weekend-long test drive for those who are considering a purchase.

Whichever you choose, you can live out your beach bum nostalgia in high style. Think how much fun it will be to cruise down A1A in a classic Mercedes-Benz, wind in your hair and surfboards in the back. Bring along a video camera and you just might wind up creating the next beach party film craze!

To purchase a new or used Mercedes convertible, why not visit your Mercedes Benz – Fort Washington, your  Philadelphia Mercedes dealership, or Mercedes Benz – Wilmington.

Drive-in movie theaters have been a part of American culture for decades. According to driveintheater.com, the very first drive-in opened on June 6, 1933 in Camden, NJ. Other theaters quickly followed, and by the time the car culture of the 1950s hit the scene, the drive-in was nearly ubiquitous.

During the 1950s, the drive-in became not just a place to see a movie, but an entire evening experience. Many theaters opened as much as three hours before the film was scheduled to start. This gave parents the opportunity to take their kids to the mini-amusement parks that were beginning to spring up at drive-ins everywhere. Many theaters offered boxed dinners, some of which could be ordered from a car hop and enjoyed in the comfort of the car. Theaters often hosted double features, and elaborate intermission films were created, many of which amounted to giant advertisements for the concession stand. From families to dating teenagers, the drive-in was a great place to spend the evening.

Drive-ins began to slowly die out over the decades that followed. By the end of the 1980s, only a small fraction of America’s drive-ins remained. It appeared that the drive-in had officially become an anachronism.

American tastes tend to run in cycles, however. By the 1990s, drive-in nostalgia had set in. Slowly, gradually, the few drive-ins that had remained began to see an increase in business. By the end of decade, drive-ins that had set empty for decades began to reopen, while those that held out actually added additional screens.

Today, drive-ins have not yet regained anything close to the popularity that they enjoyed in the 1950s. However, they are experiencing a definite renaissance. The majority of audiences appear to be families with children, a far cry from the rough and seedy places drive-ins became in the 1960s and 1970s. So the next time you are in the mood for a family night out, why not pack the family in your Certified Mercedes and catch a double feature at the local drive-in?

The Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black is expected to debut in 2010. The much anticipated and highly limited edition successor to the CLK63 Black was recently spotted by Car and Driver magazine.

According to the story, the new vehicle is expected to be patterned after the modified SL 65 AMG that was used as the Formula 1 safety car this year, just as the CLK63 Black was before it. Combining this precedent with information from the spy shots gives a fairly complete projection of the final design.

It appears that the new vehicle, which is a hardtop and features a largely carbon fiber body, will weigh in at approximately 500 lbs lighter than the convertible original. The engine is rumored to be a higher performance version of the 6 liter, twin-turbocharged V12 of the original SL 65 AMG. Rumor has it that the engine will deliver nearly 700 horsepower and close to 740 pound feet of torque.

The vehicle is built for power in every way, and the body is designed to reflect that power. Other than the switch to a fixed hardtop, nothing has been radically overhauled. Yet the relatively subtle changes add up to an overall beefier, more muscular feel.

Although expected to be somewhat similar, this vehicle is not the same as the also highly anticipated Mercedes SLC. That vehicle is expected to debut at the 2009 Geneva auto show.

Only 500 units of the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black are expected to be available next year. If you would like to learn more about this supercharged new vehicle, or any of our other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, why not stop by Mercedes Benz of Ft Washington, your West Chester Mercedes, or Mercedes of Wilmington? We would be happy to provide you with more information.