Car enthusiasts should clear space in their diaries for the Mercedes-Benz Classic Day event.
Mercedes-Benz World will host the big day on September 6th when over 250 vehicles will be showcased at the brand experience centre in Weybridge, Surrey.
Admission is free to all visitors and the cars present will have been selected by the heads of various Mercedes-Benz clubs worldwide to reflect the best examples of Mercedes-Benz cars from the past century.
Peter O’Halloran, managing director of Mercedes-Benz World, said: "We are extremely privileged to host such a prestigious event, and are looking forward to welcoming some of the finest examples of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in existence today.
"Classic Days will offer car enthusiasts and the general public alike a chance to see the finest cars from the past century, some of which have been transported from across the globe to appear at out event."
But why wait till September? Mercedes-Benz World is open daily from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week.
Mercedes-Benz has devised a new game which will offer online browsers a chance to race its new CLC-Class coupe around the streets of a virtual London.
People who log on to the new CLCdreamtestdrive.com website will also get the chance to win a fabulous prize if they manage to record the top time over the three summer months.
No, sadly this isn’t a gift-wrapped new CLC, but the chance to enter a prize draw with the overall winner receiving a real driving experience at Mercedes-Benz World, at Brooklands, Surrey – a mecca for all Merc lovers.
Even if you don’t win at least you can use the website to customise a CLC 350 Sport – the range’s flagship model – before hitting the virtual road.
Ian Dutfield, marketing director Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "CLC drivers are often choosing their first executive car, and are searching online for information. CLCdreamtestdrive adds an enjoyable element to that investigative process.
"Our online racers can then go on to book a real world test drive with their retailer."
The CLC’s range’s prices start from less than £20,000.
Mercedes-Benz has spent the past three years refining its design of the B-Class, in order to deliver improved comfort, better fuel economy and lower carbon emissions.
The result of the overhaul is a four cylinder engine that uses seven per cent less fuel, as well as exhaust emissions that undercut EU limits by as much as 90 per cent.
New features include a stop/start function for the powerful B 150 and B 170 models, which cuts off the engine while the car is stationary, delivering further fuel savings of up to nine per cent.
An active parking assist also promises to help drivers not only track down a suitable space, but also manoeuvre neatly into it.
Designers at Mercedes-Benz have remodelled the sports tourer’s bumper to emphasise the large air intake, with three chromed cross fins fronting the radiator grille and a less prominent bonnet.
The company insists that the new design has crisper lines than the original, making the car appear more "athletic" and "powerful".
A new fabric will be used to upholster the seat cushions and interior, while the sports package will offer ARTICO man-made leather trims. The seating position is also higher than before to enhance the spaciousness of the interior.
The new B-Class will be available with a choice of two direct-injection diesel engines – 109hp or 140hp – which boast fuel consumption of up to 54.3mpg and 52.3mpg respectively.
Four petrol versions will be rolled out between now and the autumn, including two BlueEFFICIENCY models with the optional stop/start function, offering fuel consumption figures between 34.9mpg and 42.8mpg.
Since the launch of the B-Class in 2005, more than 325,000 have been sold worldwide.
New figures show that Mercedes-Benz has improved its sales performance over 2007.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that there was a 1.5 per cent increase in registrations over the 12-month period compared to 2006, with 82,321 vehicles sold.
The company’s green credentials were strengthened by the SMMT statistics, which show that 57 per cent of the models sold had diesel engines.
In addition, its new C-Class Saloon has sold 11,725 units since it was released in the summer.
Dermot Kelly, managing director of the firm, commented on the versatility of the brand.
"When people buy a Mercedes-Benz they expect prestige, performance and safety as standard – of course. But we also offer the largest range of cars in the market," he said.
Meanwhile, the C-Class vehicle has reportedly won the ADAC motoring group vote to find Germany’s most popular car.
The model was presented with the firm’s Yellow Angel 2008 badge, according to Auto Spectator.
A classic car from Mercedes has come top of a poll for attracting the most attention on the road.
The survey by Eve Cars found that the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, made famous when it was driven by Grace Kelly in the film High Society, turned men’s heads more than any other.
Built between 1955 and 1963, a woman buying the car and driving it well would attract the best kind of attention from men, the poll suggested.
Website editor Alex Jenner-Fust said: "’The vintage Mercedes SL Roadster is undeniably a beautiful car, which oozes style and class.
"Buying one isn’t cheap, but proves the owner appreciates the finer things in life."
Other top cars included the Porsche 911, Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza and, apparently the Queen’s favourite vehicle, the Land Rover Defender.
Women themselves said they felt "most fabulous" in two-seater convertibles.
The SL Roadster was recently redesigned for the 21st century, according to Mercedes.
Various changes to the SLK 55 AMG have made the roadster appear "even more striking" and athletic, according to Mercedes-Benz.
The carmaker said changes such as a new front apron with a "more pronounced arrow-shape" and headlamps with a dark tint serve to enhance the looks of the vehicle.
According to Mercedes, the car has a "distinctly muscular aura" thanks to new features such as a modified Mercedes star, larger air dams and a black-painted transverse fins.
In addition, direct steering with variable servo assistance has resulted in "sharpened" handling dynamics, while faster gear-changes are made possible through improvements to the AMG Speedshift 7G-tronic transmission.
"The appearance of the sporty roadster now reinforces the car’s claim to special status even more emphatically," Mercedes stated.
On its website, the German automaker says the vehicle is regarded by some as the most beautiful car in the world.
It adds that the roadster is "a masterpiece of high-quality Mercedes-Benz technology".
The Euro New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) organisation has branded the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class one of the safest cars available on the market.
This comes after the saloon has received five stars for passing the European NCAP crash tests "with flying colours", the car maker has said.
Euro NCAP’s website states as the organisation’s aim the provision of "a realistic and independent assessment" of a vehicle’s safety performance to consumers and the automotive industry.
According to Mercedes, there is a high level of protection in case of an accident, thanks to seven airbags, belt-force limiters and seatbelt tensioners.
These features, along with Neck Pro crash-responsive head restraints which are fitted as standard, further serve to improve the vehicle’s safety rating.
Bodywork and structure also work together to protect passengers in the event of a collision, with 70 per cent of panels made from steel alloys that minimise weight and maximise safety, Mercedes said.
The manufacturer adds: "The C-Class safety systems are based on a tried-and-trusted Mercedes concept that takes a holistic approach towards passenger-car safety, with the emphasis firmly on accident avoidance and anticipatory occupant protection."
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the prices for which consumers can get behind the wheel of its C-Class flagship models.
The firm is now taking orders for the saloon and estate models for £51,317 and £52,567 respectively, with costs up by four and 4.5 per cent on its previous generation of cars.
Motorists can pay extra to improve the model, with top speed increased by the AMG driver’s package and front brake disc and suspension upgrades available in the performance package.
"The latest AMG models are more clearly differentiated than ever before, with a wide road hugging stance accentuated by flared wheel arches and two prominent power domes on the bonnet signalling the cars’ latent power," the company commented.
Mercedes-Benz was founded in 1871 and develops cars, coaches, buses and trucks.
Its headquarters is located in Stuttgart in the Baden-Wurttemberg region of Germany.
Mercedes-Benz World is to celebrate its first birthday later this month.
The complex in Weybridge, Surrey, which features a museum, hotel and spa (from 2008) and a kids zone, was opened by the German car manufacturer in October 2006.
In order to celebrate the achievement, the company will be hosting a weekend of partying, including competitions, chances to drive Mercedes cars and plenty of birthday cake.
Stirling Moss, the race car legend, will be on hand to kick-off the festivities on November 3rd, signing autographs and meeting fans.
"We really recognise and value the support from all of our 306,698 guests to date. The birthday celebrations and particularly the prize draws are our way of saying thank you," commented Peter O’Halloran, managing director of the company.
Mr O’Halloran added that the first year of operation for the site is "only a taster of things to come".
A special edition of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon has been developed by the group exclusively for use by the business world.
All types of workers in the corporate sector may be tempted by the E-Class Executive, which has been designed to ensure time behind the wheel is a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Special features in the vehicle include a six-disc CD player with mp3-playing ability, while telephone pre-wiring means executives can make and receive important calls by controlling their mobile with buttons on the steering wheel.
Climate control and electronically-adjustable seats ensure increased comfort, while Mercedes-Benz also claims that the stylish interior is aimed at creating a "strong sense of wellbeing".
Optional features include heated front seats and the Parktronic system – developed to provide an audible and visual warning when parking to avoid a collision.
Prices for the E-Class Executive start at £28,515 on the road.
Production of the first-ever E-Class models began in the mid 1990s.
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