VIDEO: Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher Meet up in New Mercedes Ad

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has released many TV ads featuring two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and other renowned pilots, most ending with a funny twist. The Stuttgart-based automaker's latest commercial to hit the web, called “Sunday Driver”, follows a similar recipe. This time, Mercedes chose a hilarious way to promote its 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. To shake things up, Michael Schumacher also makes an appearance, alongside a good-looking female driver.

We’ve also included the “Third man” commercial from a few years back, in which the “New Flying Finn” trumps the younger Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. You can watch both videos after the jump.

By Csaba Daradicss

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VIDEO: Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher Meet up in New Mercedes Ad

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has released many TV ads featuring two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and other renowned pilots, most ending with a funny twist. The Stuttgart-based automaker's latest commercial to hit the web, called “Sunday Driver”, follows a similar recipe. This time, Mercedes chose a hilarious way to promote its 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. To shake things up, Michael Schumacher also makes an appearance, alongside a good-looking female driver.

We’ve also included the “Third man” commercial from a few years back, in which the “New Flying Finn” trumps the younger Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. You can watch both videos after the jump.

By Csaba Daradicss

_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________

VIDEO: Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher Meet up in New Mercedes Ad

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has released many TV ads featuring two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and other renowned pilots, most ending with a funny twist. The Stuttgart-based automaker's latest commercial to hit the web, called “Sunday Driver”, follows a similar recipe. This time, Mercedes chose a hilarious way to promote its 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. To shake things up, Michael Schumacher also makes an appearance, alongside a good-looking female driver.

We’ve also included the “Third man” commercial from a few years back, in which the “New Flying Finn” trumps the younger Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. You can watch both videos after the jump.

By Csaba Daradicss

_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________

Saudi Arabia King Greenlights Gazal 1 for Production

Remember the Saudi Arabian SUV concept called the 'Gazal 1' from this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March? Well, it's officially going into production. The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah himself during a special ceremony earlier this week.

The original Gazal 1 concept study was created by the students of Saud University in Riyadh with some help from Magna Steyr and Studiotorino. Despite the deign similarities with Toyota's FJ Cruiser, the Gazal 1 is actually based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and is powered by a V8 engine.

Its makers told Arab News that the Gazal 1 "is designed to match the climate of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries" and that there are plans to build up to 20,000 examples a year.

Source: Arab News , Via: Autoblog.com

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Returns to the UK Market, Available in Three Flavors

After a ten year absence from the UK, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class will return to the German firm's biggest right hand drive market this Autumn. The oldest model in Merc's lineup that recently celebrated 30th birthday will be offered with a choice of diesel or supercharged petrol engines.

In particular, UK drivers be able to choose between the diesel-powered G 350 CDI which produces 221HP and returns 25.7 mpg UK, and the range topping G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR, which produces 500HP and reaches 0-62 mph (100km/h) in just 5.5 seconds.

Both the G 350 CDI and the G 55 AMG will come with automatic climate control; automatic transmission, with high and low gear ratios; Bi-Xenon headlamps, heated seats with memory, leather upholstery (including the dashboard) as well as COMAND, a reverse parking aid and a Harman Kardon Logic 7 Sound system, fitted as standard.

In addition to these two models, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a diesel-powered commercial version called the G 300 CDI Professional.

All three variants will be exclusively available through the Mercedes-Benz World dealerships at Brooklands, with prices set at £57,975 OTR for the G 300 CDI Professional, £79,975 OTR for the G 350 GDI and £114,975 OTR for the 500HP G 55 AMG.

VÄTH G55 AMG: A 680HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class at Your Service

There's something about the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's timeless G-Class that makes tuners go haywire. This time, it's Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, Vath, that has presented a fully tricked-out G55 AMG.

In stock form, the über G-Class is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 churning out a completely respectable 500HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. After Vath gets its way with the V8 engine, output is lifted to 680HP and 800Nm (590 lb-ft) allowing the G55 AMG to reach a top speed of 265km/h or 165mph.

The German tuner has also fiddled around with the suspension adding new shock absorbers and lowering the 4x4's ride height by 35mm.

A new sports braking system with 390 mm discs and 22-inch alloy wheels shod in 295/35R22 Yokohama ADV ST tires round off the performance upgrades.

On the outside, Vath modified the G55 AMGH's looks by adding a hood scoop, a new front bumper with larger air-intakes, LED daylight lamps and Xenon units, a roof spoiler and a new pair of exhaust pipes under the rocker panels.

The vehicle's interior has been decked-out with leather, alcantara and carbon fiber applications along with a new sports steering wheel and revised instrument gauges.

Geneva Show: Gazal-1 Leaps Straight out of Saudi Arabia

This right here is the Gazal-1. It's based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and was built by engineering students at King Saud University. Here's where I'd usually bore you with the project's mission as read in a press release, but let's keep this one simple.

The Gazal is named after gazelles (I see it!), apparently a creature commonly found living in Saudi Arabia. It kind of looks like a G-Class at an FJ Cruiser. Can't you just see this thing bounding over dunes and through malls?

Eh, me neither. I can't say I'm a fan of modified G-Wagens in the least (any of them, Mansory), but credit where credit's due. As a school project, it's pretty cool.

- By Phil Alex

Dubai Show: Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Kompressor "Edition 79" Special

This year's Dubai Motor Show appears to be all about special edition models aimed at wealthy Middle Eastern buyers. Together with the SLS AMG Desert Gold that we told you about in an earlier post, Mercedes-Benz also staged the premiere of the G55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79", which like the trio of Bugatti Veyron specials, is exclusively destined for the Middle East.

Named in reference to the sales start of the G series in 1979, the G55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" will be built in a limited run of only 70 units.

Special features include the "designo magno alanite grey" matt paint finish which has been borrowed from the SLS AMG and is not normally available on the G-Class, crash bar at the front, carbon-look side trim strips, 19-inch AMG rims in a titanium finish and chromed protective grilles for the front indicators, tail lights and the underguard.

Inside, the limited run G55 AMG sports two-tone designo leather seats, carbon-fibre trim and the Edition logo "1 out of 79" positioned in front of the selector lever.