Mercedes Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, NJ, announced a new plan for a concept car that features airbags that extend both inside and outside the car.  According to an article by NY 1, “The doors contain air-filled ‘pillars’ that can quickly inflate like airbags right before a crash, to create more cushion even before the force of the impact is able to reach inside the cabin.’”  In case of events like rollovers, the car features an “air wall” that pops up between the driver and passenger for extra protection.  Click here to read more about these new airbags, or head over to NY 1 for their Mercedes Benz video report.

The Mercedes Benz Blog is always hooking us up with some incredible spy shots of the newest Mercedes Benz cars.  We couldn’t help but marvel at their latest photo roundup of the 2010 Mercedes Benz S 600 Coupe.  Check this shot out here, and a brief description of the new 2010 Mercedes Benz S 600 Coupe below, or head over to the Mercedes Benz Blog for more pictures and information.

“The version captured by the lens of the photo camera is the high-end S 600 Coupe, powered by the thirsty V12 unit, delivering a staggering 517 BHP. If rumors are to be believed, then by the next generation of the S-Class lineup, this engine will be phased out in favor of new V6 and V8 powerplants, which feature twin-turbocharging, direct injection and other clever technological solutions to improve efficiency and also boost performance figures”

What happens when you pit the Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster? Road and Track magazine recently staged this battle of epic proportions, and we could wait to find out the results! Check out what they had to say below, or head over to Road and Track’s website to read more!

“Both the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG were created for the open road. They possess a high level of comfort and refinement, with the option of going top down if the weather permitted…when in California, it usually does. The Vantage has the more communicative chassis of the two as each bump on the road is effectively relayed to the driver in a non-intrusive way. The car feels more nimble than the Mercedes, while still providing excellent ride quality. Although the SL63 AMG feels sturdier and heavier, it’s by no means sluggish; the M-B provided better high-speed stability than the Vantage Roadster and felt more like an Autobahn annihilator than it did a sprightly sports car.”

Victory!

We stumbled upon this video on the Mercedes-Benz Blog, and couldn’t wait to share it with you guys!  It’s an interesting look at how Mercedes Benz designers view the idea of the green automobile.  Follow the concept of Mercedes Benz environmentally efficient automobiles, which, according to the video does not come in place of, but in addition to the already amazing features each Mercedes Benz car has to offer.  Check out the video below, or head over to the Mercedes-Benz Blog for more information.

According to The New York Times, Jon Hamm, who plays Don Draper on AMC’s “Mad Men”, will become the new voice of Mercedes Benz USA commercials.  The actor, famous for his role as the 1960’s adman, will be featured on Mercedes Benz USA commercials set to air on ABC during this years Academy Awards.  After the awards ceremony, the commercial will air during shows like “CSI: Miami” and “American Idol” as well as on cable channels like Bravo, Discovery and HGTV.  We’ve been fans of “Mad Men” for quite some time now, and Jon Hamm is the perfect choice for this role! We’re really looking forward to seeing this commercial AND the Academy Awards this Sunday, March 7th, on ABC.

Mercedes Benz has officially confirmed that it will launch its first-ever diesel-electric hybrid in the form of the Mercedes Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid, according to EMGCarTech.com.  The Mercedes Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid, which will run on a 2.2 L, 4 cylinder twin turbocharged diesel engine is set to hit highways in 2011.  We’re so excited about green living these days, and couldn’t be happier that Mercedes Benz is paving the way in diesel-electric hybrid cars.  What do you guys think of going green in this car?

Fresh off the press this morning at 4wheelsnews is an announcement that Mercedes-Benz has  revealed today its latest version of the classic G-Class off-roader, now in its 31st year, features state-of-the-art BlueTEC technology.

For those who don’t know BlueTEC is a technology developed by the German manufacturer in order to reduce diesel vehicle emissions, especially nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The new G 350 BlueTEC uses AdBlue, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. This process releases ammonia, which means that 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides are converted into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter.

All of you know that the G-Class is used in remote areas of the world, this is one of its main purposes, and due to this the German engineers integrated an AdBlue filler cap in the vehicle’s outside tank recess. With this filter cap, the manufacturer says that one full tank of AdBlue is enough for around 12,000 kilometres.

Regarding the engine, the car uses a V6 diesel capable to deliver 155 kW (210 hp) at 3400 rpm and a torque of 540 Nm between 1600 and 2400 rpm. The engine delivers substantially fewer emissions than the previous G 350 CDI model and reduces NOx emissions by around 50 %. The Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC can be ordered in three body variants: a short-wheelbase Station Wagon, long-wheelbase Station Wagon and Convertible.

For those who don’t want a green car, they can always switch to the powerful powerful 5.5 litre V8 petrol engine developing 285 kW (388 hp) with a torque of 530 Nm or chose the powerful G55 AMG with its V8 supercharged engine developing 373 kW (507 hp) with an impressive peak torque of 700 Nm.

The standard specification of the G 350 BlueTEC includes includes the electronically controlled traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

I’m sure all of the other Mercedes Benz dealers in NJ will agree with this statement! Here at Ray Catena Mercedes Benz, we’re proud to be members of the Mercedes Benz USA team! That’s why it came as no shock when we read this press release on PR Newswire, which states that Mercedes Benz USA was named the best place to work in New Jersey! The article went on to feature this excellent quote from MBUSA CEO, Ernst Lieb, about his pride for MBUSA workers during the difficult economic climate.

“MBUSA has a long tradition of doing business in the Garden State and we thank our associates for their commitment and dedication that has led to continued success — both here at our headquarters in Bergen County and our regional offices in Parsippany and Robbinsville,” stated Ernst Lieb, President and CEO, MBUSA. “To achieve this accolade during one of the most challenging times in automotive history is a true statement of how unified we are, working together to inspire our entire organization and deliver the dream that customers associate with the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

We couldn’t agree more! Each and every day, we’re proud to be a part of MBUSA!

According to Automobile Mag, at the Geneva Motor Show next month, Mercedes Benz will unveil a sport accessory line for the 2010 E Class sedan, coupe and cabriolet.   The automotive blog featured the following information regarding the exterior elements of the sport accessory line:

“Buyers can opt for the new MercedesSport body kit, which includes an aggressive front fascia and matching side skirts. Rear trunk- and roof-mounted spoilers are also available, as is a diffuser insert for the rear valence panel. Two-tone 18-inch aluminum wheels, complete with the “Sport” logo on their center caps, are optional, and can be matched with a new suspension package that lowers the ride height by a half-inch. An upgraded brake system with cross-drilled rotors is also available.”

To find out more information about the 2010 E Class Sport Accessory line, including the interior elements, click here.

We’re constantly getting some great information from a number if different Mercedes Benz blogs out there, so we figured we’d do the honors of presenting our readers with a short little roundup of some of our favorites.  Check out these guys below for the latest in Mercedes Benz news and the most up-to-date information on Mercedes Benz cars.

BenzInsider: This blog has a team of writers who love all things associated with the Mercedes Benz Car Group (Mercedes, Smart and Maybach).  Daily posts keep this blog’s readers constantly coming back for more.

Mercedes-Benz-Blog: Here, we’ve found a great source for Mercedes Benz reviews, Mercedes Benz spy shots, and brief glances at the history of Mercedes Benz vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz TV: Whenever we want to watch some incredible videos about Mercedes Benz, this is our go-to source! Check it our for the incredible layout and impeccable video quality.

Check out each of these sites and we guarantee  you won’t regret it!