The three boats that once belonged to Bernie Madoff generated more than a million dollars for victims of his $65 billion Ponzi scheme on Tuesday. Seventy bidders registered with National Liquidators to chase after the boats, along with a Mercedes and another yacht owned by Madoff's CFO, Frak DiPascali.

"Bull," which was Madoff's 55-foot yacht, sold for $700,000, with the 38-foot "Sitting Bull" following at $320,000 and the 24-foot "Little Bull" fetching a mere $21,000. His 1999 Mercedes Benz CLK 320 convertible was good for $30,000, despite the fact that it has only 12,827 miles on it. The top seller was DiPasclai's 61-foot 2003 Viking sport fishing yacht, which sold for $950,000 at the auction.

The sales were helped along by the fact that Madoff took excellent care of his yachts. Bob Toney, president of National Liquidators, told Bloomberg News, "Mr. Madoff has taken better care of his yachts than anyone else I know," continuing, "they were crew-maintained all the time."

Question: What's hotter than a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG? Well, that would be the new C63 AMG with Performance Package Plus, of course. The new super sedan from Daimler gets a 30-horsepower injection over the standard AMG model, pushing the pony count all the way to 487 – just a baker's dozen shy of the race-spec C-Class DTM model. Watch out, Caddy.

Modifications to the 6.3-liter V8 engine include new forged alloy pistons borrowed from the SLS AMG supercar and a new set of crank rods coupled with a lightweight crankshaft. A titanium-colored intake manifold and recalibrated computer module complete the package. Performance? How about zero to 62 in just 4.4 seconds and naught to 125 in under 14? Yeah, that'll do nicely.

An upgraded brake package with composite rotors is included to help the driver reign in all that speed, and Mercedes says the new PPP will be available on both the sedan and – get this – wagon bodystyles. Exterior modifications are limited to a carbon fiber spoiler for the sedan, and the interior is upgraded with an AMG steering wheel in nappa leather and seats swathed in Alcantara. No word yet on whether this beast is headed Stateside, but sales are scheduled to start in Europe before the end of the year. Hit the jump for the official press release and check out the two high-res images in our gallery below.



[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have a long-standing relationship. The two outfits have won Formula One championships together, and collaborated on the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But while the two continue their collaboration in F1, their road-car programs have gone separate ways. McLaren recently unveiled the new MP4-12C supercar online, and what you see above is Mercedes' answer.

Like arch-rival BMW's now-defunct Z8, the SLS AMG takes its retro cues from the company's history – in this case the iconic Gullwing 300 SL. The SLS has been developed entirely in-house by the German automaker's AMG performance division, and packs the company's ubiquitous 6.3-liter 563hp V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show for the first time, the SLS AMG sits atop the Mercedes range with a quarter-million-dollar price tag.

Who said driving a hybrid had to mean ugly Japanese hatchbacks built with the same quality as a lunch box? Certainly not Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker already offers a hybrid version of its top-of-the-line S-Class luxury sedan. But it's not about to stop there. Building upon the existing S400 Hybrid, Mercedes unveiled the S500 Vision Plug-In Hybrid concept at its home-ground Frankfurt Auto Show last week.

While the conventional S500 sedan uses a V8 engine, the S500 Vision hybrid concept uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as the existing S400 Hybrid, only paired to a larger battery that enables the big limousine to accelerate to 60 in only 5.5 seconds while offering nearly 20 miles of electric motoring before the gasoline engine needs to even kick in. At the moment it's just a concept car, but it's fully functional and hints at the next development from Mercedes. See for yourself in the high-resolution photo galleries below.

It's been a long time in the making, but the first details and images of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG have finally emerged in advance of its scheduled debut next week at the Frankfurt auto show.

Slotting in above the SL63 AMG Black Series and effectively replacing the SLR supercar which Daimler made in conjunction with its Formula One racing partner McLaren, the new SLS AMG sits at the pinnacle of the Silver Star's performance range. The gull-winged supercar packs the company's signature 6.3-liter V8 engine offering up 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving the 3500-lb supercar an anticipated 3.7-second sprint to 60 with a top speed just under 200 miles per hour. Available carbon-ceramic discs keep all that speed in check, packed into a retro design evocative of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

It's available in any color you want, as long as it's silver: the catalog includes two shades of grey, silver and red for the truly extroverted, with a price tag in the neighborhood of $250,000. Tune in next week to see what it looks like from the floor of the Frankfurt show.

There's been a horsepower war being waged between German automakers for years, and Mercedes has been one of the biggest armies on the front line. An endless succession of big V8 and twin-turbo V12 engines have seen to Benz's dominance, housed in everything from station wagons to sportscars. Following the likes of the SLR McLaren and SL65 Black Series, the latest of the latter is almost here. But while the SLS "gullwing" will shout the battle cry of the horsepower wars with typical zeal, confirmed reports now indicate that it will also offer a more peaceful solution in the form of an all-electric version.

While the conventional SLS will be powered by a 6.3-liter V8 producing 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, the electric version will produce the equivalent of 526hp and 649 lb-ft, offering potential buyers no excuse for sticking to the fossil-fuel-burning version once the electric model makes its debut. The electric Mercedes supercar promises to accelerate to sixty in four seconds flat, that motivation being delivered courtesy of four individual electric motors and a 48 kWh lithium ion battery pack. Given Mercedes parent company Daimler's recent investment of $50 million in Tesla, it's safe to say that the California startup will be helping out in the development, but while a launch date for the electric SLS hasn't been revealed, sources expect to see it on the road by 2015.

For the last several years Mercedes-Benz has been collaborating with its Formula One partner to produce the SLR supercar. The half million dollar 617 hp SLR has been a popular ride with celebutantes such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. However the SLR is coming to the end of its production run and with that Mercedes is building a special edition that probably won't appeal much to those who prefer to keep their hair in order.

The SLR Stirling Moss is named for the British driver who conquered the Mille Miglia in 1955 in the original 300 SLR. Like that famous racing car the new Stirling Moss has no top or even a windshield for that matter. What it does have is even more power than before with 650 hp. For those with deep pockets and no fear of mussing their hair, Mercedes will only be building 75 examples of the SLR Stirling Moss before shutting down the line permanently. For those looking for serious speed and wind in the hair, the last 75 SLRs will be priced at €750,000.


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

The principle of supply and demand has led to a throttling of production in many places. This week Daimler announced that it is reducing the working week at its largest Mercedes-Benz factory, the Sindelfingen factory near Stuttgart, Germany. BBC News reports that the factory will implement a four-day working week from January 12 until at least the end of March and there may even be some three-day weeks in the mix.

The AP says that Daimler has also announced a reduced work week at the Rastatt plant in southern Germany. Workers there will be facing four-day work weeks and occasional three-day work weeks from January 12 until the end of February. Daimler already expanded their Christmas wokr stoppage for all 14 German production lines. Although production has slowed, the workers have a labor deal that protects them from layoffs until 2011.

Carlsson of Germany is premiering the CK63 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG this month. The list of exterior features includes a front grille insert, rear spoiler, and Carlsson stainless steel exhaust system while the interior boasts a Carlsson sport steering wheel, enhanced multi-media, and fully customizable trim options. That's all well and good (it does look awesome!) but the best part is how they've improved the vehicle's performance, giving it 565hp and the ability to go from 0-60mph in just 3.8 secs. The engine is capable of moving the car much faster but (to protect us all from the crazies out there) it's electronically limited to a mere 186 mph. Even so the whole deal sounds (and looks) pretty sweet.

3G iPhone, check. Mercedes GLK, check. How to merge the two? Enter a new exclusive "pouch" (more like a Birkin for your cell phone), crafted from white napa leather and glittering in Swarovski crystals to stash your phone. Currently even trickier to come by than an iPhone last Friday, the pouch has been released in a group of just 40 limited editions to be raffled off during this week's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. But they'll come to market in October 2008, along with the GLK, the "compact SUV" (oxymoron, anyone?) that made its stylish debut driving Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall to her first Berlin fashion show.

Mercedes-Benz is launching a new emissions-free way to travel: the Folding Bike. It's obviously not their first bike, but it it is a unique bike in that it's designed to fold up all handy and fit in your vehicle's trunk in just two swift moves. Designed to be folded not only quickly but also cleanly (no grease or dirt on your hands!) and measuring just 800x800x220mm, it will not only take up practically no space in your garage but will fit comfortably in the boot of your Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet -- ready for a quick ride anytime. Available in April 2008.



Via Treehugger

Having a celebrity girlfriend who can pretty much buy herself whatever she wants could have posed a challenge for hockey player Mike Comry when sweetheart Hilary Duff's birthday came around, but if it did he managed not to show it and pulled off a wonderful gift with flying colors. He surprised her with a week-early birthday present of a Mercedes-Benz G-class SUV sitting in her garage. Apparently she had been talking about getting a new vehicle for awhile beforehand, but she never suspected the $100,000+ gift. He actually had her thinking she was getting shoes, of all things.

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to combining technology and luxury vehicles is doing it in a way that is user-friendly, because it's about convenience, fun, and safety -- not frustration. These luxury cars can do everything from play your mp3s and DVDs to adjust automatically to treacherous driving conditions and off-road terrain. And perhaps best of all, they look good doing it.

• Audi TT Roadster 3.2 Quattro $44,500
• BMW 335i Sedan $39,675
• Cadillac CTS $32,500
• Ferrari 430 Scuderia
• Infinity G37 $32,000
• Lexus LS600h L $104,765
• Land Rover LR3 $49,300
• Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport $37,275
• Porsche 911 GT2
• Volvo XC70

Mercedes-Benz is trying something new, and they're jumping in with both feet. In collaboration with Allison SpA, they've come up with designs for 40 different eyeglass and sunglass frames. They unveiled the new endeavor at the recently concluded Fashion Week in Berlin, and I have to say that I think they've really gotten it right. The designs look hip and modern, but not so trendy that they're not versatile enough for everyday wear. Prices range from $233-$330 for the Mercedes-Benz eyeglass frames and $220-$357 for the sunglasses.

A Frada is nowhere near a Prada, but a Binz is not so far from a Benz. German company Binz makes a variety of speciality automobiles including limos based on the Mercedes-Benz chassis. They have created a new S-Class limousine concept vehicle which will be available as a custom design. The six door S-Class has options including video screens in the rear of each headrest and privacy blinds.