I was a little worried that the 2014 S550 Steering Wheel was going to be complicated…

Then I saw a close-up of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Steering Wheel! Monaco this weekend!

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 will arrive this September and if you have not already placed your order you are running behind schedule! Hopefully this post will help you pick out your perfect S-Class!

Standard Equipment:

• ECO Start/Stop System
• Rearview Camera
• Auto-dimming Mirrors
• Power Front Seats with Memory
• COMAND® System with Navigation
• Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
• COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
• ATTENTION ASSIST®
• Panorama Sunroof
• MAGIC VISION CONTROL
• mbrace2™
• iPod/MP3 Media Interface
• Power Rear Window Sunshade
• Soft-Close Doors
• Electronic Trunk Closer
• Ambient Lighting
• Heated Front Seats
• Burmester Sound System
• LED Intelligent Light System
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• 7-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Illuminated Door Sills
• Leather Upholstery
• Sirius XM Satellite Radio
• 18″ Wheel

S550 Specifications:

• 455 horsepower
• 516 lb/ft of torque
• 0-60 in 4.8 seconds
• Top Speed 130mph

Paint Colors:

• Black
• Obsidian Black
• Iridium Silver
• Palladium Silver
• Magnetite Black
• Verde Brook
• Diamond Silver
• Ruby Black
• Anthracite Blue

Trim Options:

• Burl Walnut Wood Trim
• Black Poplar Wood Trim (very similar to Black Birdseye Maple)
• Myrtle Sunburst Wood Trim (starts dark in the center and lightens around the sides)
• Metalized Ash Wood trim

Interior Colors:

• Black – Standard and Nappa ($2290)
• Silk Beige/Espresso Brown – Standard and Nappa ($2290)
• Crystal Grey/Seashell Grey – Standard and Nappa ($2290)
• Nut Brown/Black – Standard and Nappa ($2290)
• Porcelain/Black – Nappa ($2290)
• designo Exclusive Nappa Leather – Deep Sea Blue/Silk Beige ($TBD)

Packages:

Premium 1 Package $4500:

• Parktronic with Active Parking Assist
• Power Rear Window Sunblinds
• Heated and Active Ventilated Front Seats
• Active Multicontour Seats with Massage
• Keyless GO
• Front Heated Seats PLUS

Surround View Camera $800 (requires Premium 1):

• Rear View Camera
• Side View Camera
• Front View Camera

Driver Assistance Package $2800 (requires Premium 1):

• Distronic PLUS with Steering Assist
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assisy
• Pre-Safe Brake Plus

Rear Seat Package $3000:

• 4 zone Climate Control
• Pre-Safe Rear Belt Buckle
• Easy Adjust Headrests
• Rear Seatbelt Airbags

Rear Seat Package PLUS Special Order $3500 (requires Rear Seat Package):

• Multicontour rear seats with Massage
• Executive Rear Seats

Executive Rear Seat Package Special Order $1950 (requires both Rear Seat Packages):

• Two Place Rear Seating
• Folding Tables in Rear

Warmth & Comfort Package $2350 (requires Premium 1 Package):

• Front & Rear Heated Armrests
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Rear Variable Heated Seats
• Heated and Ventilated Rear Seats
• Power Rear Seats
• Memory Rear Seats

Sport Package $5900:

• 19″ AMG Twin Spoke Wheel
• Sport Body Styling

Sport Package Plus One $6650:

• 20″ AMG Multiple Spoke Wheel
• Sport Body Styling

Air Balance Package $350

• Ionization
• Purfume
• Filtration

Stand Alone Options:

• Magic Body Control $4450 – Road Surface Scan using Stereo Cameras!
• Night View Assist Plus $2260
• Burmester Reference Sound System $6400
• Splitview $710
• Heated Steering Wheel $490
• Heated Rear Seats $620
• Power Rear Seats With Memory $1515
• 19″ Twin 5-Spoke Wheel $1270

• 20″ 5-Spoke Wheel $2200

P88 Edition 1 Package – Limited Availability!

• Designo Mocha Black
• Brown/Black Premium Leather
• Black Poplar Woood Trim
• Equipment not yet announced

All of this information is preliminary and subject to change before launch.

There are dozens of standard features and upgrades to the 2014 S550 that I did not mention, some that I can’t even explain yet! The 2014 S550 is going to be a huge leap forward in vehicle technology, safety and luxury. I can hardly wait!

I don’t buy cars very often and tend to over-analyze the situation, when I do. I had been looking around, looking under the hood, and kicking tires at all major dealership of decent cars and finally showed up at Atlanta Classic Cars facility where I was introduced to Jesse. I like salespeople who know their stuff and can answer questions in detail and over the course of next couple days I posed all kind of queries and test drove all models, even the ones I knew I could not perhaps afford. Jesse was very patient and knowledgeable and helped me find a car that fits my needs perfectly.

@Ninad_M

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class debuted in Germany yesterday! There are now official pictures and the order banks are open!

See more about the 2014 S-Class on:

• Mercedes-Benz Facebook Page
• MBUSA.com Future models page
• Steve Cannon’s Twitter Page
• Mercedes-Benz TV
• Pretty much everywhere!

If you want a 2014 S-Class this year your should be ordering your vehicle now! It is a technological marvel and looks beautiful. Contact your local dealer for all of the ordering details.

Mercedes-Benz TV has posted a preview video for the 2014 Mercedes-benz S-Class! The official press launch will be this Wednesday!

Everyone is reviewing the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec right now! It is a great combination of efficiency, power and good looks. Here is a roundup:

My First GLK250 Bluetec Owner

“I did not expect to be this impressed! I knew I would like it…but this is even better than I hoped for!”

Autoguide

“After two hours on some of southern Michigan’s twisting rural roads the car topped 35 miles per gallon.”

Autoweek

“The engine is so refined and insulated from the cabin that it’s hard to detect  any “dieselness.” Brakes are responsive, the steering steady and sure, the body  control good. Nothing seems to upset the serenity of the driving experience,  much like the unwavering steadiness of its big brother GL.”

Edmunds

“Moving the GLK250 Bluetec at a fairly snappy pace is a new 2.1-liter, four-cylinder twin-turbodiesel mated to Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic transmission. The package delivers 200 horsepower and an impressive 369 pound-feet of torque and Mercedes estimates 0-60 acceleration at 7.9 seconds.”

Newsday

“The sophistication of the GLK’s ride and handling are impressive. The GLK handled southeast Michigan’s moonscape roads with amazing smoothness, damping out the majority of the cratered surfaces even at higher speeds.”

Crave Online

“The advantages of diesel engines are numerous, and most American drivers have no clue about the upsides. Such power-plants are more efficient than standard engines, improving mileage and overall energy output. They’re more reliable because they don’t need a high powered electrical ignition system. They run cooler, cleaner and longer – all while being easier to supercharge.”

Autoblog

“The GLK250 BlueTEC 4Matic starts at $38,590, which falls in the middle of the $37,090 GLK350 and $39,090 GLK350 4Matic. Our fully optioned tester rang in at $50,485, and before you guffaw, know that an Audi Q5 Hybrid starts at $50,900 – that’s without a single option box ticked.”

Me

“Please come drive the GLK250 yourself if you have doubts. It is amazing! I love it!”

European Delivery is a popular option for sedan and convertible buyers but my SUV owners don’t have that option because most SUVs are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Mercedes-Benz US International factory is award-winning, constantly expanding and world-class. Come on Mercedes-Benz, show it off! Give us an Alabama Delivery option!

I never really thought of myself as an AMG driver. Obviously they are amazing vehicles and I love to drive them on the track…I just couldn’t envision myself needing that much power on a daily basis. However, the CLA45 AMG seems to be calling my name! That is a LOT of look and a LOT of power for not a lot of money. It will arrive stateside later this year…I might be ready for an upgrade by then!

Check out these videos and let me know if you need to pre-order!

This weekend I hit the road in my 2012 Sprinter 3500! We put in over 2100 miles visiting family in Pennsylvania, attending a SprinterFest East and making a quick trip to New Jersey. We towed a pretty heavy trailer the whole way and spent some time sitting in traffic. I think 12 mpg overall isn’t too bad!

Special thanks to Sun Motor Cars for hosting all of these Sprinters!

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Classes started to arrive yesterday and today was my first chance to take a closer look and a test drive. The changes to the interior are subtle but noticeable. The ambient lighting, additional aluminum accents and central clock give it a richer look. There are changes to the steering and ride quality that make it more quiet and comfortable. The most noticeable changes are to the exterior and it looks great! The new nose reminds me a lot of the CLS-Class. Here are some side-by-side comparison pictures so you can judge for yourself!

• 2013 E350 Sport in Polar White with Almond/Black Interior
• 2014 E350 Sport in Polar White with Silk Beige Interior

And a close-up of the new nose!

Ok, Who found all 8,000 changes?