Mercedes-Benz News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

A silver Mercedes-Benz station wagon glides along a winding mountain road under a clear blue sky, with lush green hills in the background, just as Mercedes-AMG reveals pricing for the new E 53 HYBRID Wagon.

By Khris Bharath – September 12, 2025

Mercedes-AMG Reveals Pricing for the 2026 E 53 HYBRID Wagon

There is a new long-roof performance car coming to America, and it is not a crossover or an SUV. For those who thought the era of high-performance luxury wagons was over, AMG is making the case that there is still room for one done right. This is the 2026 Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon, set to arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year. We first reported on the (W214) E 53 AMG Wagon, back in April this year, but Mercedes has finally announced U.S. pricing for the performance wagon variant, a starting MSRP of $93,350, which is about $15k more than the E-450 4Matic All-Terrain wagon and $5k more than the E 53 AMG sedan. For that sub-100k price tag, what you’re getting is truly a unique blend of big power, efficiency, practicality, and top-rated dynamics that most SUVs simply can’t match, a format that few brands are even attempting in the American market in 2025. Under the skin is where this car earns its AMG badge. Now unlike the outgoing E 53, this new model is a plug-in hybrid and at its core sits a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, now tuned to 443 horsepower up from 429 horsepower in the previous generation. Paired with a permanently excited synchronous electric motor, the system generates 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Engage RACE START, and output climbs to 604 horsepower, dropping the 0-60 mph run to as quick as 3.8 seconds. For perspective, those numbers put it in the ball park of most high performance sports cars and on par with the last-gen V8-powered E 63 S Wagon. Clearly, then, Mercedes hasn’t held back on the hardware. Standard across the range are active rear-axle steering and adaptive damping, both designed to make a 4,800-pound wagon feel far more nimble than its size suggests. Braking comes courtesy of AMG composite discs, and the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package swaps in larger units, red callipers, active engine mounts, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Top speed in typical German fashion is capped at that gentleman’s agreement figure of 155 mph. But opt for that Performance Package and the limiter can be lifted, for a 171 mph top speed. Interestingly, considering this is a hybrid, the E 53 can reach speeds of up to 87 mph on electric power alone. Speaking of the hybrid, the system employs a 28.6 kWh (21.2 kWh usable) battery, giving this wagon up to 41 miles of all-electric range. DC fast charging at 60 kW and AC charging at 9.6 kW make topping off straightforward, whether at home or on the road. What that means is daily commutes can be handled without ever having to wake the inline-six, but you still have AMG firepower on tap when you want it. Visually, the E 53 looks every bit a modern AMG. Classic E-Class proportions are enhanced by wider arches, an illuminated grille, and quad exhaust tips that strike a balance between refinement and aggression. Inside, the E 53 Wagon delivers the level of luxury you would expect at this price point. Heated power front seats, a Nappa leather AMG steering wheel with integrated controls, and the 17-speaker Burmester 4D system come standard. The Edition 1 model for 2026 raises exclusivity further with MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey paint, AMG graphics, 21-inch forged wheels, and unique interior details. Also, this E Wagon's biggest appeal is the trunk volume, coming in at 16.2 cubic feet of space ( about three cubic-feet more than the sedan), with all seats in place, comparable to most large SUVs. The hybrid's battery pack eats into an otherwise capacious trunk, that would other wide offer 21 cubic-feet. This launch wont replace the fire-breathing V8-powered E 63 Wagon as the competition Stateside, is still alive with Audi’s revamped RS6 Avant and the (G60) BMW M5 Touring. Also, Porsche has already stepped away from gas wagons, leaving AMG free to carry the torch for performance estates in America. Now, whether you want the balance of electrification and performance now, or wait it out for the inevitable V8 powerhouse, the folks over at Affalterbach are ensuring that wagons remain firmly on the map for enthusiasts who want more than another SUV. View All Mercedes-Benz For Sale Images: Mercedes-AMG

A sleek silver Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID glides effortlessly through a curved tunnel, with light streaming in from the side openings.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 09, 2025

New Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon Revealed

The AMG wagon makes a triumphant return. While the love for station wagons is undoubtedly strong, it’s shared among a niche group of automotive enthusiasts, whose passion for the underrated body style is matched with lamentation that it is severely underrepresented within the market. However, a few European manufacturers have held up the station wagon genre, and even offered enthusiast-focused luxury performance wagons. With entries in the luxury performance wagon category from Audi and BMW, Mercedes-Benz discontinued its last luxury performance wagon, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 Wagon, a few years ago. However, Mercedes has brought back its performance-oriented luxury station wagon, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon. Now making use of the new AMG E-Class’s hybrid powertrain, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon blends luxury, performance, station wagon practicality, and hybrid innovation, evolving the niche genre. Teaming a 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 engine with its P2 plug-in hybrid system, the new AMG wagon develops a total of 604 horsepower with optional RACE START, and can drive with electric power only at speeds of up to 87 mph. Power going to all four wheels gives the new wagon even more performance dynamics, with 0-60 taking place in as little as 3.8 seconds and a top speed as high as 174 mph. For the 2026 model year, Mercedes-Benz will make the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon available with a limited “Edition 1” model, adding unique AMG graphics and colors, along with a specifically curated interior that provides a sportier look and commemorates the start of a new era of luxury performance wagons from Mercedes-AMG. View All Mercedes-AMG E 53s For Sale Image Source: Mercedes-Benz

A sleek Mercedes-AMG E 53 hybrid car glides along a mountain road, framed by snowy peaks under a clear blue sky, offering a glimpse into the future of 2025 motoring.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 01, 2024

New 577HP 2025 Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Starts At $88K

The new AMG hybrid combines performance with electric efficiency. Mercedes-AMG is known for its iconic lineup, combining Mercedes-Benz luxury with the high-performance engineering prowess of AMG, with motorsport-derived solutions, fine materials, and renowned luxury craftsmanship. However, AMG has recently expanded its lineup to include a host of new hybrid models, including the flagship E PERFORMANCE variants which use hybrid innovation to muster immense power, and now models like the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID. A new hybrid version of Mercedes-AMG’s luxury performance E-Class executive sedan, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID pairs a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine with an electric motor for a whopping total 577 horsepower and 553 lb/ft of torque. With the optional RACE START, that number increases to 604 hp. With 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, the luxury performance sedan will impressively accelerate from 0-60 in just 3.7 seconds with RACE START. The optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package includes stopping power from 15.4-inch brakes with 6-piston calipers, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, dynamic engine mounts, RACE START, a higher top speed (from 155 mph to 174 mph), and a Nappa leather AMG Performance steering wheel. 12 paint colors are available, including four from MANUFAKTUR, along with 21 or 22-inch wheels, and three optional design packages: AMG Night Package, AMG Night Package Plus, and AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package. Arriving at United States Mercedes-Benz dealerships this fall, the new 2025 Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID carries a starting MSRP of $88,000. Upgrading to the Exclusive trim brings the price to $90,450, with a Burmester 4D Surround Sound system, Active Ambient lighting, and more. The flagship Pinnacle trim’s MSRP is $92,150, adding four-zone climate control, MBUX Interior Assistant and more to the Exclusive trim’s amenities. If you want a luxurious sedan with 577 horsepower and an estimated 42 miles of electric range alike, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID is a vehicle that’s able to deliver. View All Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale Image Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 03, 2022

The New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Night Edition Adds Darkness...

When the sun sets, this new edition of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class rises. A timeless way of making something look timelessly sleek, elegant, and modern is to add black, and this trick certainly works on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as Mercedes-Benz has introduced a “Night Edition” package that is available on all body styles and all trims of the car except the AMG models. What it does is give the E-Class an effortlessly dark and luxurious look with black wheels, black trim pieces, and a black soft top for the Cabriolet, along with an all-black interior complemented by open-pore ash wood. MUST READ: will.i.am And Mercedes-AMG Team Up On A Strange New Coupe The package is already available for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet, and it will be available on the Sedan and Wagon soon. To further signify the Night Edition, a “Night Edition” badge made out of polished aluminum with high-gloss black lettering is also placed on the center console, with “Night Edition” embroidered floor mats doing the same. Dealers will start to receive Night Edition E-Class cars in July. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Interior Offers Unparalleled L...

Loaded with amenities first seen on the new S-Class for sale, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior offers unparalleled luxury. Vitamin E plays a major part in the health of your skin, eyes, and brain. As the E-Class family represents their most popular models, nothing was left to chance. If you haven't experienced the latest S-Class, it defines a new experience for all occupants. Starting with the steering wheel, touchpads make the systems easy to navigate. The massive screen is able to be reconfigured while keeping important gauges in sight. Energizing Package + learns your moods, and it adjusts every aspect to keep you alert and happy. Taking considerations from weather, sunlight, and time of day, the car tunes the audio, driving mode, and climate to your tastes. The seat kinetics prevent a sore back on long drives, and its constant motion is slow and imperceptible while literally working in the background. If we were to compile how much innovation arrives in every E-Class this post would be 637 pages long. Take a look at the exterior styling in detail then you won't want anything less. Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale Image (C) Daimler A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA & EQS Are Ready For Launch

When Bertha Benz learned her mother was ill, she took her husband's invention and drove across Germany. Since 1888, every Mercedes-Benz has been tested in the real world under the most demanding circumstance, and that is why the 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA & are ready for launch. In their latest upload, we see engineers pushing both models at their proving grounds. Choose between sedan or crossover and you will have two electric motors for All Wheel Drive. The range will be over 300 miles thanks to a modular battery design, and the power is mounted low for incredible handling. Our dealers have all the information and they can show you a new world for electric luxury. Click the button the learn more and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz news. Browse Mercedes-Benz For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 28, 2020

2021 E-Class Family Introduced by Mercedes Digital

From the steering wheel to the hybrid systems, Mercedes Benz has loaded their newest model with innovation. Perhaps the most tech-heavy launch in years, the 2021 E-Class family has been introduced by Mercedes Digital. This YouTube series aims to explain each system in action, by the engineers who developed them. Yesterday we outlined the AMG versions of the coupe and convertible, but not everyone wants Earth-shattering power. So without adieu, here are the aspects of the E-Class that appeal to all of us. Browse E-Class For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2020

New 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe and Cabriolet Revealed

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet and Coupe have been unveiled with a fresh new look that matches the already revealed E-Class models. It all starts with the completely new design for the front, this includes the AMG-specific grille that now has twelve vertical slats. Mercedes says the front end has an "A-shaped" design that is wider at the bottom than the top. In the rear, there are the round twin-tailpipes that can come in either chrome or high-gloss black if the AMG Night Package is picked. From the rear you can also see the new design for the rear wheel arches. In those wheel arches there are two different wheel options. First up are the standard new 19-inch alloy wheels with a 5-twin-spoke design. There's also the 20-inch light alloy 5-twin-spoke design wheels available as an option. The optional wheels can be finished in either matte black or high-gloss titanium grey. Mercedes has also added new exterior colors to the 2021 E 53 AMG's palette, including Graphite Grey Metallic and designo Brilliant Blue Magno. Each of these colors can be enhanced by the AMG Night Package. This package adds a high-gloss black finish to the mirror housings, window frames, and trim elements in the front and rear bumpers. If that's not dark enough, there's the AMG Carbon Fiber Package II that adds carbon fiber highlights to the mirror caps and a spoiler lip on the trunk. Inside the new E 53, the driver will be presented with two displays that act as the instrument cluster and multimedia screen. These screen can be swapped between three different AMG display styles, like the "Supersport" mode that places a central, round rev counter in the instrument cluster. Other special displays can be selected like engine data, g-meter, racetimer and more. All of this can be controlled via the new AMG Performance steering wheel that has a rounded twin-spoke design and a flat-bottom. This wheel is available in either leather, DINAMICA microfiber or a combination of DINAMICA and leather. As for the powertrain, there are no major changes here. It's still powered by the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine that produces 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. This power can be further enhanced by 21 hp and 184 lb-ft for a brief moment via the EQ Boost starter-generator. Mated to this engine is the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, which sends power to the all-wheel drive system. Mercedes notes that the Coupe version can sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds while the Cabriolet completes the sprint in 4.5 seconds. All E53 AMG for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 24, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Preview

As one of their most popular models, the every new Mercedes-Benz E-Class serves as the basis for a coupe, sedan, convertible, and even a wagon. That's why each new generation has to far surpass its predecessor. To build anticipation for their new midsize lineup, here is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class preview. It looks like the W213 is ready to beat up on Bavaria, and possibly add more jobs to their plant in Alabama. Tell us your favorite E-Class model in the comments below and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz updates. Browse All Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale Although they are speaking German, there are English subtitles activated by the Closed Caption button at the bottom right. " width="680"> Related: Sports Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2019

VINwiki Confirms New Cannonball Record

Records are meant to be broken, and that is why Brock Yates and his son decided to drive from NYC to LA as fast as possible. Their time of 40 hours and 51 minutes was a tribute to legendary racer "Cannonball Baker". Several more runs involved Dan Gurney, Richard Rawlings, Dennis Collins, Alex Roy, just to name a few. Our friend Ed Bolian was the first to do it under 29 hours, and given the modifications to his Mercedes-Benz, we assumed it could not be beaten. But as the founder of VINwiki, he has inspired another team that has crossed the nation in a much quicker time. Browse All Mercedes-AMG E63 For Sale A Mercedes-AMG E63 traveled 2,825 miles at triple-digit speeds without breaking a sweat, so click the button above to find one for yourself. " width="680"> P.S. We do not advocate speeding or reckless driving, so please obey all traffic laws. Related: Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six-Speed History by VINwiki VINwiki Finds Seized Supercars in Brazil

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