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If you live in Arizona, you don't have worry about how your Mercedes handles in a winter wonderland. Some aren't so blessed, and that means they'll have to consider the weather when they buy their Mercedes car and when they drive it. Mercedes Benz cars are generally a rear-wheel drive outfit, and that sends chills down the spines of people who have to drive in snow and ice. Fortunately, there's nothing to fear if equip your Mercedes car correctly when your buy it. Buying right is pretty easy. If you need serious snow and ice handling for a good part of the year, you might consider a 4MATIC all wheel drive model. You'll find these in several body styles, like sedans (C-Class, E-Class and S-Class), light trucks and SUVs (G-Class, GL-Class and M-Class) and the R-Class and E-Class crossovers and wagons. By most accounts from owners living in heavy winter areas like Alaska, the roadsters are poor winter cars, but that's probably obvious to most prospective b...

Based on the new 2010 Mercedes E-Class W 212, the E V12 features a 6.0-liter V12 biturbo bored out to 6.3-liters producing 800 hp and 1420 Nm of torque (it's electronically limited to 1,100 Nm). While details are limited, Brabus outfitted the engine with a ram-air system, a quad-exhaust, and revised engine electronics. To keep the beast under control, the company added a fully adjustable sports suspension, new stabilizers, a high performance braking system, and black 19-inch alloy wheels outfitted with 255/35 (front) and 285/35 (rear) tires. In terms of styling, Brabus made major modifications to improve aerodynamics, engine ventilation, and brake cooling. Changes include a revised front bumper, new front quarter panels, aggressive side sills, and rear wheel covers. Out back, the car features a trunk-mounted spoiler and a carbon fiber rear diffuser. Thanks to all these tweaks, the E V12 rockets from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 se...

Lorinser has unveiled a modified Mercedes GLK 280 V6 to highlight their expansion into the world of custom paintwork. Boasting a "fiery opal" paint job, the GLK is outfitted with a body kit that features new front and rear aprons, larger fog lights, and aggressive side sills. Other touches include a quad stainless steel exhaust system and matte black 9 x 22 inch Lorinser RS 9 light-alloy wheels outfitted with Yokohama tires. While details are limited, the custom paintwork will be available from the Lorinser Collection. This is an odd choice since the department normally deals in merchandise such as Lorinser branded shirts, hats, and umbrellas (etc).

Based on the Mercedes C 63 AMG, the Supersport features carbon fiber pieces added to the grille, front bumper, mirrors, and engine cover. Other styling updates include aggressive side sills, LED daytime driving lights, and a carbon fiber rear diffuser. Inside, the cabin receives minor updates in the form of new floormats and an ergonomic sports steering wheel with carbon fiber inserts. Under the hood, Kicherer removes the "senseless" electronic limiters which allow the engine to produce 550 PS and 630 Nm of torque. More importantly, the company adds an adjustable coil over suspension and a high performance limited slip differential. To keep the car glued to the road, Kicherer equips Supersport with 20-inch RS-1 forged wheels (that measure 245 front and 275 rear) and an advanced Brembo braking system.

Brabus has announced plans to introduce the insane SV12 R at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the facelifted Mercedes S 600, the SV12 R features a biturbo twelve-cylinder engine that has been outfitted with a special crankshaft, forged pistons, revised camshafts, optimized cylinder heads, and a 0.8 liter increase in displacement (5.5 to 6.3 liters). Brabus also added larger turbochargers, a more efficient intercooling system, a high-performance stainless-steel exhaust, and new engine electronics. Thanks to all these improvements, the engine produces an unfathomable 750 hp (740 bhp / 552 kW) (20bhp more than the previous SV12 S version) and an electronically limited 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) of torque. As you would expect, the performance is mind boggling. 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes 4.0 seconds, while the dash from 0-200 km/h (124 mph) takes 11.9 seconds. Hold your foot down and you'll eventually hit the electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph). To keep the ...

Lorinser is not a tuner that goes out of its way to create cars that scare other motorists off the freeway. Subtle but effective is how they do it over at Lorinser. Occasionally though, they present something like this which is called the Lorinser LV8. It's based on the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG and instead of pushing out 332kW (451hp) it delivers 368kW (500hp). Maximum torque is also increased to 630Nm. Subsequently the 0 - 100km/h dash can be achieved in 4.3 seconds while top speed goes up to 320km/h. The LV8 comes fitted with 255/35 18 Continental tyres and a special Lorinser exhaust unit. The aerodynamic kit includes spoiler bumpers and side sills. Lorinser General Manager Marcus Lorinser says the car meets all the registration requirements put on road vehicles. Look out for the LV8 at the Tuner Grand Prix on the Hockenheimring between the 26th and 27th of June.

Cover your eyes and hide the children, Hamann has unveiled their new Mercedes G55 AMG-based Typhoon. Set to compete with the 700 hp Brabus G V12 S Biturbo, the Hamann Typhoon features 600 hp (441 kW) and 782 Nm (576 lb-ft) of torque thanks to a high performance HM600 power kit that includes new engine electronics, a beefier belt pulley set, and a revised transmission with its own oil cooler. The net result of all these changes is a 0-100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 261 km/h (162 mph). Hamann's engineers have also tweaked the legendary Geländewagen's styling by adding carbon fiber mirrors, door handles, fender vents, and a massive front grille. Other exterior design changes include a front spoiler with LED-daytime running lights, a revised rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, a six tailpipe exhaust system, 24-inch wheels, and a roof-mounted spoiler. The unique sporting theme continues in the cabin as the Typhoon features a Hamann steering wheel, aluminum pe...