10 Luxury Cars of the Past You Can Afford to Buy Today

No matter what car you buy, its price will start depreciating from the moment you turn the ignition key and roll out of the showroom. Of course, not all models lose value at the same rate. But there are some cars that stand out more than others and Popular Mechanics has compiled a list with some of the most heavily depreciated vehicles in the luxury car segment.

And while this may not be the kind of news a seller wants to hear, it's music to the ears of buyers in the market for snazzy set of wheels. Just remember that regardless if the car is new or used, running costs remain the same, and when it comes to luxury models, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.

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Mercedes-Benz Launches 125th Anniversary Scale Models and Merchandise

Mercedes-Benz announced the introduction of new collection with special scale models and branded products to mark the 125th birthday of the motor car. The lineup includes a dedicated range of scale models of legendary vehicles produced over the years by the Stuttgart-based carmaker.

The 1:43 miniature models have been chosen to celebrate milestones in the company's history. The selection includes the 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car - the first motor car in history, the 1902 Mercedes Simplex – a car that featured the essential components of a modern car, and the superb 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster. Post World War II models included in the collection are the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe, the 1972 S-Class and the contemporary CLS.

The models are all available in a limited edition of 1,250 units and come in a special packaging along with a booklet on the history of the model and a metal badge featuring a serial number. Each car model retails for €49.90 ($71.95).

Other anniversary products from Mercedes' collection include a polo shirt, cap, silver-plated key ring, umbrella and a bag, all featuring the black, white and silver color scheme and the “125! Years of innovation” lettering. The products also feature the silhouettes of the Patent Motor Car, the 300 SL and the CLS.

By Dan Mihalascu

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New ECO Start/Stop System Lowers Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC's Fuel Consumption to 6.2 lt/100 km (37.9MPG)

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the S 350 BlueTEC will be offered from now on with a standard ECO start/stop function. As a result, average fuel economy is rated at 6.2 liters/100 km (37.93 mpg US), down 9 percent from an already impressive –for the size and type of car- 6.8 liters/100 km (34.59 mpg US).

The 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine develops 258 horsepower and 620 Nm of torque (457.3 lb-ft). This unit already complies with the Euro 6 emissions standard that goes into effect from 2014 onwards, thanks to BlueTEC technology with AdBlue exhaust treatment. The start/stop system helps improving the efficiency of the S-Class even further, with CO2 emissions dropping from 177 to 164 grams per kilometer.

The ECO start/stop technology switches the engine off when the vehicle comes to a halt and starts it again as soon as the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal. Even with the engine stopped, all of the car's functions and comfort systems continue to operate thanks to the intelligent control system.

Mercedes has managed to make the V6 diesel engine more fuel-efficient through the use of TWAS (twin-wire-arc-sprayed) coating technology. Pioneered by AMG on the 6.3-liter V8 petrol engine, this solution has now been applied to the diesel engine in the S 350 BlueTEC, with interesting results: this technology alone contributes to a 3 percent lower fuel consumption, while also reducing the engine weight by 4.3 kilograms.

The price of the updated S 350 BlueTEC model remains unchanged at €76,517 or $110,445 at current exchange rates, including 19% VAT in Germany..

By Dan Mihalascu

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Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus is the first company to develop a multimedia system based on the new Apple iPad 2

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus is the first company to develop a multimedia system based on the new Apple iPad 2. The tuning house integrated the new tablet computer in the rear compartment of the Brabus 800, which is a heavily modified V12-powered S-Class sporting 800 ponies and supercar-humiliating performance numbers.

The iPad2 controls the on-board entertainment system and allows the rear passengers to access all functions of the S-Class' Comand system, with the iBusiness 2.0 also being capable of video conferences, thanks to the integrated cameras.

Brabus engineers devised a way to integrate one or two tablet computers by creating a custom-tailored table that can be folded into the backrest of the front seat. The iPad 2 is connected via a WiFi network to a Mini Mac located in the car's trunk that serves as the central computer.

Tablet computers aside, the Brabus iBusiness 2.0 is fitted with a 15.2-inch TFT display, fixed on the ceiling between the front seats, as well as with two screens mounted in the back of the front seats. The screens can be used for watching TV or other program sources. The car also gets a 64GB Apple iPod touch that can store more than 14,000 songs. The interior is decorated with Brabus Yachting wood-trim and two-tone leather all around for a luxurious atmosphere.

The iBusiness 2.0 multimedia package can be installed in any S-Class model, from the S 350 to the S 65 AMG. The latter and the S 600 can also be upgraded to Brabus 800 V12 Biturbo spec, with the engine developing 800 horsepower and 1,420 Nm of torque (1,047 lb-ft). These figures allow for a 350 km/h (217 mph) top speed and a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of just 3.9 seconds.

By Dan Mihalascu

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