VIDEO: Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher Meet up in New Mercedes Ad

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has released many TV ads featuring two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and other renowned pilots, most ending with a funny twist. The Stuttgart-based automaker's latest commercial to hit the web, called “Sunday Driver”, follows a similar recipe. This time, Mercedes chose a hilarious way to promote its 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. To shake things up, Michael Schumacher also makes an appearance, alongside a good-looking female driver.

We’ve also included the “Third man” commercial from a few years back, in which the “New Flying Finn” trumps the younger Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. You can watch both videos after the jump.

By Csaba Daradicss

_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________

Saudi Arabia King Greenlights Gazal 1 for Production

Remember the Saudi Arabian SUV concept called the 'Gazal 1' from this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March? Well, it's officially going into production. The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah himself during a special ceremony earlier this week.

The original Gazal 1 concept study was created by the students of Saud University in Riyadh with some help from Magna Steyr and Studiotorino. Despite the deign similarities with Toyota's FJ Cruiser, the Gazal 1 is actually based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and is powered by a V8 engine.

Its makers told Arab News that the Gazal 1 "is designed to match the climate of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries" and that there are plans to build up to 20,000 examples a year.

Source: Arab News , Via: Autoblog.com

VÄTH G55 AMG: A 680HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class at Your Service

There's something about the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's timeless G-Class that makes tuners go haywire. This time, it's Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, Vath, that has presented a fully tricked-out G55 AMG.

In stock form, the über G-Class is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 churning out a completely respectable 500HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. After Vath gets its way with the V8 engine, output is lifted to 680HP and 800Nm (590 lb-ft) allowing the G55 AMG to reach a top speed of 265km/h or 165mph.

The German tuner has also fiddled around with the suspension adding new shock absorbers and lowering the 4x4's ride height by 35mm.

A new sports braking system with 390 mm discs and 22-inch alloy wheels shod in 295/35R22 Yokohama ADV ST tires round off the performance upgrades.

On the outside, Vath modified the G55 AMGH's looks by adding a hood scoop, a new front bumper with larger air-intakes, LED daylight lamps and Xenon units, a roof spoiler and a new pair of exhaust pipes under the rocker panels.

The vehicle's interior has been decked-out with leather, alcantara and carbon fiber applications along with a new sports steering wheel and revised instrument gauges.

Geneva Show: Gazal-1 Leaps Straight out of Saudi Arabia

This right here is the Gazal-1. It's based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and was built by engineering students at King Saud University. Here's where I'd usually bore you with the project's mission as read in a press release, but let's keep this one simple.

The Gazal is named after gazelles (I see it!), apparently a creature commonly found living in Saudi Arabia. It kind of looks like a G-Class at an FJ Cruiser. Can't you just see this thing bounding over dunes and through malls?

Eh, me neither. I can't say I'm a fan of modified G-Wagens in the least (any of them, Mansory), but credit where credit's due. As a school project, it's pretty cool.

- By Phil Alex

Dubai Show: Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Kompressor "Edition 79" Special

This year's Dubai Motor Show appears to be all about special edition models aimed at wealthy Middle Eastern buyers. Together with the SLS AMG Desert Gold that we told you about in an earlier post, Mercedes-Benz also staged the premiere of the G55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79", which like the trio of Bugatti Veyron specials, is exclusively destined for the Middle East.

Named in reference to the sales start of the G series in 1979, the G55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" will be built in a limited run of only 70 units.

Special features include the "designo magno alanite grey" matt paint finish which has been borrowed from the SLS AMG and is not normally available on the G-Class, crash bar at the front, carbon-look side trim strips, 19-inch AMG rims in a titanium finish and chromed protective grilles for the front indicators, tail lights and the underguard.

Inside, the limited run G55 AMG sports two-tone designo leather seats, carbon-fibre trim and the Edition logo "1 out of 79" positioned in front of the selector lever.

Hamann's Beastly 600HP Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Supercharged

Never quite understood the logic behind the creation of stupendously powerful off-roaders with supercar-like performance, but maybe that's exactly what makes them so attractive to those that can afford them: they don't make any sense to the rest of us... Hamann's latest take on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG fits perfectly in this category of vehicles.

As if the factory model's supercharged V8 with 507HP wasn't powerful enough, the German tuner performed its magic upgrades to bump output to 600HP and 782Nm or 577 lb-ft of torque. The modifications result to a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 261 km/h or 163mph. That's compared to the standard G55 AMG's 5.5 second sprint time and 210km/h or 131mph electronically governed top speed.

The package include fender extensions that broaden the G-model by 40 mm at the front axle and 60 mm at the back axle allowing the use of ridiculously large 24-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 315/35 R24 tires.

What some may call 'lipstick on a pig', Hamann identifies as an aero kit that comprises of a front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, a rear skirt that incorporates a diffuser and a roof spoiler while the six tailpipes (three on each side), complete the looks.

Optionally, Hamann offers a 14-part exterior set made of carbon fibre for the air inlets on the bonnet, radiator grill, headlight protective grid, mirror cases, door handles and air inlets in the side wings.

The G55 AMG's interior can been deupgraded with aluminum accessories, a 24-part set made of carbon fibre, specific floor mats, a new steering wheel as well as custom velour upholstery.