Category Archives: News

News

The last produced Mercedes E 500 is the star of the show

In the pantheon of stealth performance sedans, few loom as large as the Mercedes-Benz E500—a car that perfected the art of looking like a company car while moving like something far more sinister. Now, one of the most pristine survivors has resurfaced, taking center stage at Mercedes-Benz’s “Youngtimer” exhibition in Stuttgart. And this one hasn’t just aged gracefully—it’s practically frozen in time, showing a scarcely believable 422 kilometers on the odometer.

This particular example represents the final chapter of one of the most fascinating collaborations in German performance lore: the unlikely but brilliant partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Long before AMG became the in-house powerhouse we know today, Mercedes needed a rapid response to the second-generation BMW M5 (E34). The solution? Outsource the muscle—and some of the magic—to Stuttgart’s other sports-car icon.

The story reads like an automotive relay race. Standard W124 bodies began life at Mercedes before being shipped across town to Porsche’s Zuffenhausen facility. There, technicians widened the fenders by hand, reinforced the chassis, and reworked the suspension to handle what was coming next. The reason for the detour wasn’t romantic—it was practical. Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant simply didn’t have the space to perform the modifications on its own assembly lines. So the shells traveled back to Mercedes for paint, then returned yet again to Porsche for final assembly. It was a logistical ballet that took 18 days to complete a single car.

What justified the effort sat under the hood: Mercedes’ 5.0-liter naturally aspirated M119 V8, massaged with Porsche’s input and good for 320 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque. Power flowed through a four-speed automatic to the rear wheels, launching the discreet sedan from 0–100 km/h in 6.1 seconds—serious speed for the early ’90s—and on to an electronically limited 250 km/h. Not bad for something that looked ready to pick up groceries.

The result was the ultimate “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Aside from subtly flared arches and a slightly more purposeful stance, the 500 E—later renamed E500—blended seamlessly into traffic. But those who knew, knew. And those who didn’t were left staring at taillights.

Production ran from 1991 to spring 1995, yielding just 10,479 examples. Today, even well-kept cars command around €60,000, but a virtually untouched final-year example like this? That’s more museum artifact than used car. It’s a reminder of a time when two rival German giants joined forces to build a super sedan the hard way—by hand, across town, and with just enough subtlety to keep things interesting.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

News

Geely Builds a European Brain: New Tech Hub Aims to Shrink the China-to-Showroom Gap

Global expansion in the auto industry usually means more factories, more dealers, and more marketing muscle. But Geely is betting that brains—not bricks—are what it needs most right now. The Chinese automaker has merged its engineering operations in Sweden and Germany into a single entity called Geely Technology Europe, and the goal is simple: build cars for the world from day one, not retrofit them later.

This new hub consolidates research and development talent across the continent, effectively turning Europe into a central node in Geely’s global engineering network. The move builds on a foundation laid back in 2013, when the company partnered with Volvo to establish an R&D foothold in Gothenburg. What started as a collaborative engineering outpost has now evolved into a full-blown European brain trust—one designed to accelerate model launches and harmonize development across markets.

Geely Technology Europe won’t operate in isolation. Instead, it will function as a bridge between European expertise and the company’s main development center in China. The idea is to create vehicle platforms that meet global standards right out of the gate, rather than undergoing lengthy—and costly—regional adaptations later. That’s a subtle shift in strategy, but it has major implications for how quickly new models can travel from Chinese unveilings to international showrooms.

According to CEO Giovanni Lanfranchi, Europe isn’t just another market—it’s the benchmark. By creating what he calls a “borderless” R&D structure, Geely aims not only to meet regulatory and technical standards, but to help define them. That’s particularly important for the group’s expanding portfolio of brands, including premium EV players and globally minded sub-brands that need credibility in demanding Western markets.

One of the clearest performance targets underscores the urgency. Historically, Geely vehicles introduced in China could take years to reach overseas customers, slowed by certification requirements and technical tweaks. The new engineering setup is designed to slash that delay to less than six months. If achieved, it would dramatically compress development timelines and allow Geely to compete more directly with established global automakers.

The work ahead focuses on three core pillars: shared global architectures, market-specific product optimization, and AI-driven digital systems. That last category includes smart cockpit technologies and advanced driver-assistance features—areas where software development speed increasingly defines competitiveness. The recent certification of the company’s G-ASD driver assistance system for European use signals that Geely is already pushing forward on this front.

Meanwhile, the company’s broader ambitions extend beyond Europe. A massive new safety testing center in Hangzhou Bay—scheduled to open in late 2025—will feed data and development into the global pipeline. Built with lessons learned from Volvo’s safety heritage, the facility highlights Geely’s intent to compete not just on volume, but on engineering credibility.

Put it all together, and Geely Technology Europe looks less like a regional office and more like a strategic nerve center. If it succeeds, future Geely products may arrive in international markets faster, smarter, and more tailored from the outset. And in an industry where timing is everything, shaving years down to months could be the difference between chasing trends and setting them.

Source: Geely

News

Jeep Leverages Snow League to Showcase Electrified Off-Roading

The slopes aren’t the first place you’d expect a carmaker to go hunting for credibility—but then again, neither is a muddy trailhead at sunrise. That hasn’t stopped Jeep from planting its seven-slot grille firmly in the snow, aligning itself with the newly minted The Snow League—a globe-spanning halfpipe showdown that trades asphalt apexes for frozen vert.

Jeep Finds Its Grip in the Halfpipe

If there’s a through-line between lockers, lift kits, and lofty airs, Jeep thinks it’s adventure. The brand’s partnership with The Snow League—founded by snowboarding icon Shaun White—leans heavily on the same marketing DNA that once sold the idea of driving beyond the pavement. White now serves as a global ambassador, a move that feels less like a celebrity cameo and more like a continuation of Jeep’s long-standing courtship with outdoor culture.

The league itself is ambitious: a four-event global circuit stretching from Aspen to China’s Yunding Snow Park and culminating in the alpine playground of LAAX. Think Formula 1’s traveling circus, but with more corked spins and fewer tire blankets. The inaugural 2025–26 season crowned champions including Sena Tomita, Yuto Totsuka, Eileen Gu, and Luke Harrold—a lineup that reads like a who’s who of gravity-defying talent.

The Biggest Air, Sponsored by Torque

Jeep didn’t just show up with banners and branded beanies. It introduced the “Badge for Biggest Air,” a side quest rewarding athletes who deliver the most jaw-dropping amplitude regardless of podium placement. Winners such as Kaishu Hirano and Brooke D’Hondt embodied the kind of go-for-broke mentality Jeep has spent decades trying to bottle. It’s a clever move: celebrate boldness, and by extension, sell vehicles that promise to reach the same untamed terrain.

A Compact SUV Takes Center Stage

But make no mistake—the real star of Jeep’s alpine cameo wasn’t a snowboarder. It was the new Jeep Compass 4xe, parked front and center at LAAX like a basecamp on wheels. The refreshed C-SUV arrives with a buffet of powertrains: mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full battery-electric options, including dual-motor all-wheel drive variants boasting up to 375 horsepower and a claimed 650 kilometers of range.

Jeep insists the Compass retains its off-road credibility even in two-wheel-drive form, while the 4xe promises electrified traction for slippery conditions. Inside, practicality remains the pitch—34 liters of cabin storage, a 550-liter cargo area, and a digital cockpit featuring a 10-inch cluster paired with a 16-inch infotainment display. Level 2 driver assistance and over-the-air updates round out the tech, signaling that Jeep wants this Compass to handle weekday commutes as confidently as weekend powder runs.

From Trailhead to Terrain Park

There’s a certain logic here. Winter sports culture thrives on exploration, independence, and a willingness to chase remote locations—values Jeep has long marketed as its own. By aligning with a new league that spans continents and broadcasts to more than 175 countries, the brand isn’t just selling SUVs; it’s selling the idea that adventure doesn’t end when the road disappears under fresh snow.

Whether that message resonates with buyers remains to be seen. But as automotive partnerships go, this one feels less forced than most. After all, both Jeeps and halfpipes reward commitment. Back out too early, and you never reach the top.

Source: Stellantis