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Mansory Gronos P850 Looks Like a Posh Military Vehicle With a Very Minty Interior

Every once in a while, Mansory surprises us with a project that’s not too flashy. Don’t take this the wrong way, the pictured Mercedes-AMG G 63 is far from being a pretty proposal, but it’s not a kitschy one either.

Named the Gronos P850 by the controversial tuner, it stands out thanks to the wild body kit. This comprises new front and rear bumpers, fender flares, roof attachments at the front and rear, with LED lights above the windscreen, additional lights below the main clusters, custom grille, and bulging hood.

Forged carbon details are visible, and the tuned Mercedes-AMG G 63 sports a dual-tone finish, combining gray and black that mix together in the middle. Mansory’s badges bedeck the exterior, and they can be seen on the aftermarket wheels, and on the brake calipers too. And speaking of the latter, they have a very lively finish that was replicated on a much larger scale inside.

The interior is very minty. Turquoise leather was applied to the seats, dashboard panel, center console, door cards, steering wheel, pillars, and so on. Mansory-branded seatbelts are visible, and this G 63 sports something normally found in vehicles made by Rolls-Royce: a starlight headliner. Elsewhere, you get the same typical carbon fiber accents and a generous variety of comfort and technology gizmos.

Since it was dubbed the Gronos P850, you might be tempted to think that it has 850 horsepower, right? Wrong, because it actually has 900 horsepower, which are metric, or 887 bhp / 662 kW, and 1,200 Nm (885 lb-ft) of torque. The naught to 100 kph (0-62 mph) sprint has been improved by about one second over the stock G 63, which can do it in 4.5 seconds, aided by the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that develops 585 ps (577 hp / 430 kW) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft).

Article Credits: Cristian Gnaticov
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mansory-gronos-p850-looks-like-a-posh-military-vehicle-with-a-very-minty-interior-200042.html

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Who Cares That Winter Is Coming? Not This Convertible Mercedes G 550, That’s for Sure!

The story behind the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, like most legendary off-road vehicles, has been long and arduous. And riddled with an astonishing number of variants.

The tale began in 1979 with a vehicle developed for military needs, but it soon turned into a civilian four-wheel drive automobile that both looked and acted unstoppable. Over the years, its cult status has risen to all-new heights, in tune with its transformation into a luxury object of adoration that could still travel to the Moon and back over any type of terrain.

Naturally, Mercedes was keen to capitalize on the G-Class success with countless versions, from armored guardians to high-performance AMGs and from Maybach Landaulets to the upcoming battery-powered EQG. Of course, many have their favorites, and we could easily say the G-Class 4×4 squared is at the top of many bucket lists.

Well, here is your chance to own the modified Mercedes-Benz G 550 as a 2017 model year example currently resides proudly in the inventory of San Diego, California-based Champion Motoring. A provider of exotics to athletes and affluent connoisseurs, the dealership recently prepared this fashionably lifted G-Class for sale. Alas, as always, there are some interesting twists added into the mix to help it stand out in any posh AWD crowd.

For starters, this alleged one-of-one example has all the great makings of a Halloween companion, mostly thanks to its dark and menacing Matte Black appearance and exposed carbon fiber elements. Plus, it’s a real party starter because it will not care about the incoming winter too much, all while playing above any terrain in Convertible mode.

Anyway, if these highlights are not enough, we could also mention the stunningly outrageous two-tone Forgiato wheels or the fact that it only has some 12k miles (a little more than 19.300 km) on the odometer. Well, that needs to suffice because the most ardent detail – the asking price – is traditionally tucked behind the eternal “DM for pricing” hashtag!

Article Credit: Aurel Niculescu 
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/who-cares-that-winter-is-coming-not-this-convertible-mercedes-g-550-for-sure-202786.html
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Mercedes-Benz Is Still the World’s Most Valuable Luxury Car Brand

Mercedes-Benz announces that it remains in the top ten of Interbrand’s 100 “Best Global Brands.” The German carmaker occupies the eighth spot for four years in a row now, but its reputation is currently worth more than one year ago. Here’s why this thing matters.

A brand is usually defined as an intangible reputational asset. Companies want their names or their products’ designations to be associated with success, reliability, or any other powerful or relevant traits. This customer perception is what helps some businesses thrive in various environments. In the case of Mercedes-Benz, the value growth shows that it is heading in the right direction. Even though it has not advanced in Interbrand’s top ten, the marque is still perceived as one of the most important companies out there.

According to a press release that’s available in full at the end of this article, Mercedes-Benz believes its brand’s value has grown since last year mostly thanks to its involvement in making battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and software investments. As such, the company plans to focus even more on making luxury models, even though the economic climate is not looking like it could foster such ambitions. But since the health crisis, we have seen more expensive cars selling like hotcakes. Simultaneously, buyers showed they were ready to put up with longer delivery times.

The last two years prompted Mercedes-Benz to go on the EV route with full force. It has a generous portfolio of zero-tailpipe, zero-emission sedans and SUVs, and it plans on continuing with this strategy until its entire portfolio is made from just EVs by 2030. Some exceptions will apply, as more countries around the globe are anticipating they will not be ready to pull the trigger on having only BEVs or fuel-cell vehicles (FCEVs) in showrooms.

As a brand, Mercedes-Benz is now worth more than $56 billion. The company wants to continue this journey and says it will focus more on individual customers and partnerships with various personalities from different industries. That is why there were already established places like the G-Class Private Lounges, the Mercedes-AMG Store in the United Arab Emirates, and the Mercedes-Maybach Atelier in China.

Mercedes-Benz is the only European automaker that finds itself in the top ten of Interbrand’s 100 “Best Global Brands.” Toyota is in the sixth place, while Tesla takes the 12th spot. BMW comes in close, on the 13th place.

Finally, Interbrand makes the top 100 “Best Global Brands” by looking at financial performance, the role of the name in the decision process, and the ability of a certain company to continue securing earnings.

company to continue securing earnings.

Article Credit: Florin Amariei
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/the-mercedes-benz-star-continues-to-shine-bright-the-brand-s-value-grows-thanks-to-evs-202889.html

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Watch $260,000 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Get Pit Maneuvered by a Sheriff’s Dodge Charger

Abundance is a beautiful thing. It gives you the privilege of doing what many would do if they had a trillion dollars. However, some things are better off left to our imagination – especially if they are deemed wasteful or indirectly offensive to the have-nots.

Cody Detwiler, famous on YouTube as Whistlin Diesel, has built a reputation on the platform by being different. While other car influencers might take pleasure in showcasing the aesthetics and performance of a Lamborghini, Cody will take a mullet and break the rear window.

Despite how gnarly some of his stunts get, his theatrics have garnered an immense following on the platform of more than 4 million subscribers. On a previous upload, he crushed an R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R with an excavator, a stunt that potentially rubbed the rare 90s sports car fan base the wrong way.

On a recent upload, the YouTuber, with the help of the Dawson County Sheriff’s Department and Atlanta Motorsports Park, demonstrated what could happen if you got pit maneuvered by a Police car – in an off-roader.

Getting tipped over by a police car isn’t new on the internet. Thanks to Hollywood and Live News broadcasting, it’s not anything to lose sleep over. However, getting pit maneuvered in a $260,000 Mercedes-AMG G 63 is something you don’t see every day.

After a couple of durability tests on the G-Wagen that included ramming through a raceway barricade and a tag of war episode with a diesel tractor, Cody and a deputy in a police Dodge Charger took to an isolated section of the raceway for the pit maneuver stunt.

As cringe as it is watching the G-Class getting knocked down ‘just for show,’ it was impressive how easily the Police Charger took down the 6,000 lb (2,722 kgs) all-wheel-drive vehicle on the first attempt.

They also did a demonstration with the canine unit, and the YouTuber witnessed first-hand the brute force of a Belgian Malinois’ bite grip.

We need people to be safe in what they are doing. Find a safe place to have fun. Find a safe place to get an adrenaline rush. It’s not worth going to jail over. There’s plenty of fun to be had out on the track,” one deputy said after the demonstration.

Cody has had a couple of run ins with authorities in the past due to his stunts. The demonstration at the Atlanta Motorsports Park is a sure sign they’ve patched things up.

Article Credit:
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/watch-260000-mercedes-amg-g-63-g-wagen-get-pit-maneuvered-by-a-sheriff-s-dodge-charger-202266.html

 

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Lumma’s G Class Enhancements – Style and Luxury

While German-based and Mercedes-focused aftermarket company Lumma might not be a household name among casual auto enthusiasts (compared to, say, Brabus or Mansory), they’ve occupied a specific niche in the market for decades now that’s of a decidedly different nature than their competition. While providing parts and custom touches for the “Big Three” German automakers, they also offer the same for Jaguar, Land Rover, and Porsche, too. But today, just like most days, we’re going to be talking about what they can do to a G Wagon.

Here’s the breakdown; generally, with a very exclusive tuner such as Brabus or (especially) Mansory, you can expect to have every detail of an order bespoke to your liking. You’re looking at extensive custom upholstery and leather work, completely overhauled engines, and significant chassis modifications. This is all well and dandy, but generally tacks on several hundred thousand dollars over the base price of the donor vehicle. Or, perhaps you enjoy the styling from the factory, and don’t want a drastic change – just some relatively subtle enhancements. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a solution in between bone-stock, and having your entire car rebuilt? Well, this is where Lumma comes in, and their spin on the iconic Mercedes G Wagon should fit the bill perfectly.

In their own words, Lumma offers a vast array of parts and customization solutions for the G Class without “changing the basic form or limiting its suitability for everyday use.” What this translates to is a generally more street-focused G Wagon that still retains more than enough capability for a cruise down the beach or a quick jaunt down a forest road for a night of camping. While Lumma offers owners the flexibility of ordering their upgrades a-la-carte, they also provide a full-vehicle renovation, too. One such SUV is the Lumma CLR G770 R – try saying that three times fast.

The CLR G770 R

First things first – all of the talk above about practicality and some degree of moderation with the Lumma cars is not at all meant to undersell this vehicle. From an aesthetic and fit-and-finish point of view, it sits head and shoulders above anything coming out of the production Mercedes factory. There are generally three big things you’ll notice when walking around a CLR G770 R, and a bunch of littler things. The huge hood scoop with shark nose intakes is impossible to miss, and adds almost a muscle-car look to this German SUV. The large diffuser hanging down beneath the grille compliments the performance-inspired look, and is mirrored by a large Lumma diffuser on the rear of the car. Also notable are the custom Lumma wheels, which are usually finished in black with an aggressive redline trim; this colorway is carried up through the rub panels, the grille shell, and even into the interior. The spare tire cover is retained, unlike on some other G Class customizations, but the factory item is replaced by a custom Lumma piece, with their classy cursive logo.

The G770 R wears performance street tires that are offered in sizes up to 24 inches, so it’s worth considering how much off-road driving you’ll be doing and taking that into consideration when selecting wheels. 23” and 24” tires are getting might thin for all but the most recently-graded of dirt roads. That said, this choice in tires is consistent with the design intent and intended use-cases of the G770 R. Proprietary wheel spacers also increase the width of the stance, and help fill out the enlarged fender flares to add to the illusion of an aggressive stance.

On the inside, these Lumma G Wagons receive custom, branded floor and trunk mats, and a custom pedal set. Other than this, you can order a wide array of additional customizations from Lumma Parts Direct. The G770 R kits are available for the G 63, 350, 400, and 500 and start at just a hair over $21,000, which is quite the value for such an exclusive and uncommon vehicle.

The Value Proposition

While the CLR G770 R looks fantastic, perhaps it’s still not enough for you. Or, perhaps you might want to piece together your own package of enhancement to suit your exact preferences. In fact, they were selling parts for the G Wagon before the G770 even hit the market. Nearly every external trim piece is available in a beautiful carbon fiber finish – headlight surrounds, mirrors, door handles, C pillar trim, wheel wells – you name it.

Lumma also makes all manner of custom wheels, LED lighting solutions, and bespoke interior parts. Want a spoiler for your G Wagon? No problem, either. There’s far too much to cover in the scope of the article, but know that Lumma can provide you with a custom parts package to truly personalize your ride the exact way that you want.

The Value Proposition

Given the extreme rarity in the United States of anything Lumma and the tremendous value proposition offered by the CLR G770 R package, it’s safe to say Lumma doesn’t get the credit they deserve on this side of the pond. One thing’s for sure; any vehicle sporting the flowing Lumma logo on the hood and on the trunk will surely grab the attention of any serious German enthusiast at the next Cars & Coffee.