By Greg Kable, AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz revealed two E-class hybrids on Monday, ahead of their public debut in January at the Detroit auto show.

The gasoline-electric E400 will go on sale in North America later this year.

The first-ever hybrid model in the E-class lineup runs the widely used Mercedes-Benz 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, in combination with a brushless electric motor housed within the gearbox casing with 27 hp and 184 lb-ft.

This is sufficient to provide the E400 hybrid, which uses a modified version of the company's seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox to channel power to the rear wheels, with a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.7 seconds and top speed limited to 130 mph.

By Greg Kable, AutoWeek

Since the 1950s, the SL has served as a symbol of drama and presence for Mercedes-Benz, and the 2013 edition is updated with state-of-the-art aluminum construction, powerful engines and a range of technological innovations that will be revealed at the Detroit auto show.

The slinky roadster launches in North America with the choice of two engines: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 or a turbo-charged 4.7-liter V8. These will be joined by twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 and V12 engines to power the top models. A seven-speed automatic gearbox is standard, and fuel-saving measures include automatic stop/start and energy-recuperating brakes. Stylistically, the SL leans heavily on the look established with the smaller SLK, with more angles and a greater on-road presence than the previous model had. There's a long, contoured hood, sculpted flanks and an angular rear end. The three-pointed star mounted in the grille houses a radar-based cruise-control system, and the front is set off by headlamps with LED-enhanced internal graphics.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz is revealing its next-generation ML63 AMG at the Los Angeles auto show, bringing hot-rod attitude to its brawny SUV. The ute launches in early 2012, pumping out a beefy 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque from the biturbo V8 channeled via all-wheel drive.

And for the first time, enthusiasts can check the box for the performance pack, an AMG option that raises output by 32 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque, with visual features that include a performance steering wheel, a carbon-fiber engine cover and red brake calipers.

By Dave Guilford, AutoWeek

Here's a riddle for luxury automakers: How will big, high-powered cars fit into a world that's greener, more congested and more tightly regulated than today?

Mercedes-Benz rolled out one possible answer here last month with the F125! concept car.

The F125! checks off many of the boxes on automakers' future-think wish list: hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, high-priced materials, computer-assisted driving, advanced telematics. So it's tempting to see it as a science project.

But if you listen to Thomas Weber, r&d chief for Mercedes' parent company Daimler AG, you realize that the F125! addresses a serious concern -- the future of Mercedes' S-class vehicle line.



By Diana T. Kurylko, AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz's U.S. executives expect to add volume with a new range of front-wheel-drive compact cars that arrive starting in 2013 and new derivatives of the redesigned C-Class due in 2014 or 2015.

Around the world, Mercedes will introduce at least 10 new models by 2020 as part of a plan to become the world's top-selling luxury-vehicle brand by then.

But not all of those vehicles will come to the United States. For example, Mercedes-Benz USA won't take any more large station wagons--including the new CLS Shooting Brake or the freshened C-class wagon--because they don't sell well here.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

If you can't figure out my motivation for picking today's post topic, I'll make it easy. Yesterday was my thirty-something birthday, and this seemed like a nicer way to frame the general topic of dream cars. So what vehicle would you love to find wrapped in a cheesy red bow out in your driveway on your next birthday?

A modern exotic? A powerful pickup or sporty SUV? Convertible? Motorcycle? Jet? Rocket ship? Horse-drawn carriage?

Bing: Learn more about dream cars.

Despite driving plenty of fun, exciting six-digit sports and luxury cars over the years, I'd probably go for something a tad more subtle. A Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG lights all my fires, especially now that the interior's been fixed for 2012. It's just a hooligan's machine, and more fun to me than the equivalent cars from BMW and Audi.

By Greg Kable, AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler and its alliance partner Renault-Nissan have signed off on an extension to their existing part-sharing agreement that will see the Infiniti brand use the Mercedes-Benz MFA (modular front architecture) small-car platform that underpins the redesigned B-class as the basis of a new crossover vehicle scheduled to go on sale in 2014.

The platform-sharing agreement, expected to be made public at a joint Daimler and Renault-Nissan press conference planned for the Frankfurt motor show on Sept. 14, follows an earlier deal for four-cylinder and V6 diesel engines developed and produced by Mercedes-Benz to be used in the Infiniti M sedan.

By Greg Kable, AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz is seeking to make further inroads into Europe's burgeoning compact market with the second-generation B-class--the first model to sit on the company's latest front-wheel-drive platform also earmarked for the North America-bound CLC four-door coupe due out in 2013.

Revealed here officially for the first time ahead of a planned debut at the Frankfurt motor show, the B-class has been thoroughly re-engineered in a move the German carmaker says gives it added interior space, greater refinement, better economy and improved safety credentials.

Planned for European sale starting in November, the five-seater follows the same design path as its predecessor, using a conventional one-and-half box silhouette overlaid with distinctive detailing, including heavy creases along the flanks first hinted to on Mercedes-Benz's wide range of Blue Zero concept cars.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz is adding even more mojo to the SLK roadster for 2012, launching the most powerful version of its long-running sports car.

Dressed in AMG trim, the SLK gets an even angrier look and a slew of performance enhancements. But that’s all overshadowed by one omnipotent figure: the 415 hp derived from the naturally aspirated V8.

The SLK AMG arrives in dealerships early next year. It’s fortified with an AMG suspension and high-performance brakes. The athletic ethos is also evident in the spoiler, body treatments and chrome tailpipes.

By Mark Vaughn, AutoWeek

There is Mercedes-Benz, there is AMG, and then there is the Mercedes-Benz AMG Black Series. The last mentioned are so highly tuned and rare that AMG has slapped the Black label on only four models so far: the SLK55, the CLK63, the SL65 and now this, the C63 AMG Black Series coupe.

We did not get to drive a C63 Black Series--but AMG did let us stand next to one and look at it. The coupe starts with the already formidable C63 AMG and goes up from there. With forged pistons, con rods and crankshaft from the SLS AMG, the car's naturally aspirated output rises from 480 hp to 510 hp, while torque goes from 433 lb-ft to 457 lb-ft.