Most of the times, we think that buckling up is only for those seated on the front seats. If you’re seating at the back, and you are used to buckling up, then that’s great. However, surely, you are encountering one problem, the belts are difficult to look for as they tend to be hidden in the gaps under the upholstery.

That’s what Mercedes-Benz is trying to address when they made the active seat-belt buckle. This new system features a buckle that emerges from the upholstery once the rear doors are opened. This is made possible by an electric motor that activates and extends the seat belt buckle by 70cm.

Another great feature is the glowing insertion slot that can attract the passenger’s attention, which can encourage them and remind them to buckle up. The buckles are also easy to detach, so in case of emergency, the passengers can easily get out of the car.

It is expected that the active seat-belt buckle will be in production for Mercedes’ luxury models soon.

In the Auto Blogger Award 2012, the SLS AMG Roadster Convertible was voted as the best car in the convertible category.

About 27 auto bloggers casted their vote on the Merc with the 571HP output, giving out a total score of 72 points, which also happens to be the highest point that a car has received in the awards. It was followed by the Audi R8 Spyder with 42 points, then the Porsche 911 in the third.

The other categories are mini cars, small cars, compact cars, middle class, luxury, sports, convertibles, SUVs and cans. In which the Mercedes A Class won 2nd for the compact category, the Mercedes C-Class 2nd, for the middle class. The E-Class in the upper middle class, Mercedes G-Class for SUV, Mercedes Viano for vans placed 2nd too. Over-all, Mercedes-Benz brand won the 2nd place for the Manufacturer’s Championship.

Source: Blogger Auto Award

We all know that the Mercedes McLaren is a super cool car. Well, in fact, all Mercedes cars are way too cool that’s why lots of tuners are getting interested in making them look and perform even better.

Wheelsandmore for example, has targeted the Mercedes McLaren SLR 722 recently. The tuner lowered the suspension and added Dunlop Sportmaxx Tires in a huge 20-inch forged wheels. Under the hood, they empowered the McLaren car more by tuning it to have 950 Nm of torque and 727HP. On the other hand, the interior was made more gorgeous with generous helpings of nappa leather and some carbon fiber.

Here are more pictures of the tuned Mercedes McLaren SLR 722 by Wheelsandmore.

The 46-year old executive was pulled over because his rental car did not have tags, and then he was not able to show identifications other than his German ID card. He was released after an associate presented his visa, passport and German driver’s license, which he left at the hotel.

The report from Tuscaloosa News also said that as soon as Gov. Robert Bentley heard about the arrest, he contacted State Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier to get information. Collier said that the call was not prompted by a Mercedes executive being arrested but it was a routine call to check on how the law is being implemented.

Tuscaloosa is where a Mercedes-Benz plant is, with the ML-, GL- and R-Class being manufactured there.

Photo: Daimler

As you will see, what these master craftsmen strive for is perfection in all aspects of a restoration. Whether it is in the exact tolerances of the mechanical parts, or the authenticity of the look or even in the way it’s put together. Because of this goal towards authenticity, the cars that come out of the shop don’t look restored but are instead presented as timeless pieces of automotive history.

In Austria, Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT trucks are being tapped to replace from 20 to 30 diesel trucks used by the Magna Steyr company. Magna Steyr, despite the worldwide economic downturn, still needed to operate at two shifts, but with improved economic activity, the company needs to go back to a three-shift schedule.

The decision to use Econic NGT trucks stems from the results of the “Environmentally Friendly Commercial Vehicle” research project. Although multiple facets of the research results were factored into the decision, a major factor in favor of Mercedes’ Econic NGT trucks was its ability to run on biogas with few, if any, technical or mechanical modifications. Produced from bio-waste, this source of renewable energy conserves considerable resources as well as generates jobs.

The Econic is a special-purpose vehicle intended for municipal, collection and distribution applications. It can be utilized as a waste disposal truck , a fire truck or airport ground service vehicle and also as a tanker, furniture delivery truck, milk collection truck or heating oil delivery vehicle. Available in five wheelbases as a two-axle (4×2) unit, a three-axle (6×2) unit and a three-axle unit with two rear-driven axles (6×4), the Econic is also available in a 32-ton four-axle variant, which makes it suitable for very heavy-duty use.

52,640 customers from around the globe opted to buy the current B-Class since January, posting a 26.8% increase from last year in which Germany got 1/3 of the sale, next is China then Italy. Despite the coming of the new B-Class just months from now, sales continues to soar.

These results put a lot more pressure for the German company as it needs to make sure that the 2012 B-Class will be better. Thus, Mercedes-Benz’ Dr. Schmidt says that, “We also want to tap new customer groups and additional markets. In the process, we will demonstrate that premium status is not a matter of external dimensions; it is primarily a question of perceived value, quality, and style. We will also be setting new benchmarks in the premium compact segment when it comes to safety. The new B-Class, for example, will be fitted with an emergency braking assistant as standard.” the company assures that the new version of B-Class is equipped with “an extremely effective and appealing range of engine and transmission variants”.

A report from German auto magazine, Auto Bild says that a fighter using a twin-turbo V6 will be launched by the company, this car will rival the Porsche 911 but with a better edge. Aside from the twin-turbo engine, it will be in various tunes from 350HP to 500HP. Unfortunately, this car will not have the same gullwing doors as its larger counterpart because Mercedes-Benz plan to sell it at a lower price, the 350HP model to be sold at €100,000.

There’s still no confirmed date of launch but reports say that it depends on what’s the situation. If Mercedes build it as a replacement, it will be launched in 2016 but if it will be based on the SLS, it will be released earlier, which is anticipated on 2014.

Photo from: Mercedes-Benz.

Because of the Sprinter van’s sales performance in North America, Mercedes-Benz is looking at the market for introducing a smaller van that will complement its full-sized cargo and people mover.

The Vito has been Mercedes staple van in other worldwide markets, being marketed since 1996. It is available with different engine configurations, and has been tested recently with an all-electric powertrain, the E-Cell in Mercedes parlance.

Internal configurations for the Vito include both cargo and passenger-carrying  layouts, with the total capacity being dependent on the dimensions of the Vito, which, in its markets worldwide is available in three lengths and two roof heights. Customers have a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. At this point, the idea of importing the Vito is still in the study stage and it remains to be seen if Mercedes will indeed make the decision to bring the Vito to America.

In Geneva, Eurocopter has taken the occassion of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition to unwrap its Mercedes-Benz Style EC145 helicopter. Styled for business and luxury private travel, the interior of this EC145 was inspired by the distinctively-styled luxury sedans from Stuttgart.

In keeping with the Mercedes luxury theme, the interior of this Eurocopter has been clad in deluxe materials, burnished wood trim and adjustable ambient lighting that owners of E- and S-Class sedans will find familiar. Since the cabin of the helicopter is a bit more spacious, various multifunction enclosures that can be fitted with customer-specific equipment are distributed throughout the cabin. Additionally, seat configuration can be varied due to a rail system, which allows from 4-8 passengers to be seated, or the seats can be removed entirely to outfit the chopper for a cargo configuration. Says Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s SVP for Sales and Customer Relations, “Only one year after Eurocopter presented the EC145 ‘Mercedes-Benz Style’ concept at EBACE 2010, we now are unveiling the first aircraft and can already announce the initial sale to a European corporate operator. These achievements confirm Eurocopter’s successful approach in developing products that meet the demanding expectations of executive and private customers worldwide.”

Mercedes design head Dr. Gorden Wagener confirmed that, “We are very pleased to have realized the first product of ‘Mercedes-Benz Style’ with Eurocopter. The interior design of the EC145 ‘Mercedes-Benz Style’ helicopter represents the classic passion of the Mercedes-Benz design language and fulfils the very highest expectations in terms of elegance, luxury and comfort.”