Achieving light color which is as close as possible to daylight is one of the biggest safety benefits in the field of headlamp technology. Mercedes-Benz is now one of the first automotive manufacturers to offer xenon headlamps boasting a significantly brighter light output.

In the great city of Chicago, it is currently pouring down rain and in the mid 30’s, not exactly what you want for the first few days of spring. So, when the press release from MEC Design came in and I saw the beautfiul E-Class Cabrio, I have to admit I sat fantasized about driving with the top down with the summer sun beating down for a few minutes. The Berlin based Mercedes-Benz tuning company MEC Design are ahead of the weather and have already tuned an E-Class E350 CDI Cabriolet with their new mecxtremeIII. Though they have only made minor changes, one piece wheels, lowering springs and exhaust system, they have embodied summer in their design.

Speedriven released recently released the details of their latest Mercedes projects, called the EV12. The EV12 is based on an older version of the Mercedes E-Class and is powered by a V12 engine. As you can see in the photos, the new Speedriven Mercedes-Benz E-Class has undergone an extensive engine modification, it now outputs 700 hp at the rear wheels. They tested the Mercedes EV12 on ALSA’s dyno.

The latest Mercedes AMG model to get the new 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 replacing the naturally-aspirated 6.3 liter V8 is the all new E63 AMG. With the new unit, the power output is increased from 386 kW (525 hp) to 410 kW (557 hp), and offers an impressive reduction in fuel consumption. The E 63 AMG consumes 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres (Estate 10.0 litres) according to NEDC combined, in other words 22 percent less than its predecessor with the AMG 6.3-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine.

New petrol engines and an optimised powertrain make the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class the standard for efficiency in its segment. With a combined fuel consumption of only 6.8-7.0 litres and 8.9 litres * of premium petrol per 100 kilometres, the E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY excel as the most economical models in their respective performance classes. Following the introduction of the new BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 models, all petrol and diesel engines in the E-Class now feature direct injection. The reduction in fuel consumption by up to 20 percent is also due to the standard ECO start/stop function and the improved 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, which is now also available for the four-cylinder variants**.

Most 2012 models are equipped with a more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission and more powerful direct-injection gasoline engines, including a new turbo four-cylinder, a normally aspirated V6 and bi-turbo V8s – some with ECO Stop/Start technology.

Back in December, we brought you the latest E-Class Coupe tuning package from Prior Design, and today, we have their latest offering for the coupe (which includes a unique set of matte gold wheels). Prior Design’s upgrade package for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is more than just a visual upgrade, it also provides an extra 75 hp.

More than a dozen driver assistance systems in the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG help to avoid traffic accidents or mitigate the severity of an accident.

The Active Blind Spot Assist system, for example, warns the driver if the short-range radar sensors detect that there is a risk of collision should the vehicle change lanes.

"If the driver ignores these warnings and comes dangerously close to the vehicle in the next lane, Active Blind Spot Assist will intervene," Mercedes-Benz explained.

New power plant comes fitted with a stop/start system that now delivers 22 percent better fuel-economy than the previous 6.3 liter unit

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is the latest AMG model to get the new 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 replacing the naturally-aspirated 6.3 liter V8.

The M 157 unit produces 386 kW (525 PS / 518 bhp) in its standard configuration but with the AMG Performance Package can be dialed up to 410 kW (557 PS / 550 bhp). Torque is rated at 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) series, 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) with the performance pack.

With high-performance injectors and a stop/start system, the new power plant is good for a 22 percent improvement in fuel-economy over the previous 6.3 liter unit. The E63 sedan is now rated at 9.8 liters/100 km while the wagon comes in at an even 10 liters/100 km.

Mercedes-Benz will be adding its 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 to the 2012 E63 AMG with a performance package that take total output up to 557 PS (410 kW / 549 bhp).

In its standard configuration, the new power plant makes for 525 PS (386 kW / 518 bhp) - same as on the old 6.3 liter unit.

But this new engine is far more efficient than that large, naturally-aspirated 6.3 liter, shaving 2.8 liters/100 km off of its fuel-economy rating - now down to 9.8 liters/100 km for the 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8.