Dissolution of Mercedes-McLaren partnership confirmed

It's hard not to follow a story like the veritable fleet of new supercars set to follow the controversial Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The supercar came out of the partnership between Benz and McLaren in Formula One, but while the racing cars have been highly competitive, the SLR has been less so. As a result, Mercedes and McLaren are going their own separate ways for the next generation of high-performance exotica.

Mercedes, with in-house rodders AMG and its racing spin-off, HWA, is preparing two new models to succeed the SLR: the SL65 AMG Black Series (which has been spied many times over) and the SLC (which we've seen disguised in Dodge Viper bodywork). McLaren, meanwhile, is anticipated to produce the new P11 mid-engined supercar on its own, without Mercedes input. The dissolution of the car-producing enterprise between the two powerhouses is not expected to affect their joint grand prix racing program.

The last iteration of the SLR – following the original coupe, the Roadster and the 722 – will be a limited-production lightweight speedster, on which we recently reported. Despite all its available variants, Mercedes has sold fewer than 1600 examples of the SLR to date.

Mercedes runs out of gas by 2015

Mercedes -- like a lot of other folks -- believes oil is going to run out eventually. But instead of waiting until the "Low on Oil" light comes on, the brand behind the three-pointed-star has set a goal to convert its entire fleet to run on alternative fuels by 2015. That's seven years to get off the drink we've all been addicted to for well over a century.

In the pipeline first are fuel-efficient technologies such as Stop/Start on the marque's next A- and B-Class models sold in Europe. Then come the BlueEfficiency vehicles with Mercedes' supremely parsimonious diesel engines, and eventually the Diesotto first shown in the F700.

And then come the real showstoppers: ethanol, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. There are electric smarts running trials in London right now, and the F600 Hygenius is expected to eventually spawn some sort of production variant. On the face of it, seven years to go diesel- and gas-optional for an entire fleet is somewhat hard to fathom -- but the prediction is coming from a company not previously known for wild daring. Even if they just get close to success, in only seven years, they might prove a nearby rival wrong about what's doable under the new CAFE laws.

Mercedes-Benz to launch eco-friendly London black cab

London's iconic black cabs will soon look a little different after it was announced that a new eco-friendly model will be hitting the capital's roads this summer.

EcoCity Vehicles revealed today it has signed an exclusive contract with German car maker Mercedes-Benz to launch a new London cab through its KPM-UK Taxis subsidiary.

The new lower emission six-seat taxi is based on the Mercedes Vito Traveliner, and will be targeted at London's 25,000 licensed 'black cab' drivers.
The new environmentally friendly model will debut on June 26 at the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders. The vehicle will go on sale shortly afterwards.

Manufacturers have been under pressure to lower carbon emissions and fuel consumption following a wave of initiatives introduced by former London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Peter Da Costa, EcoCity's chief executive, said: "Cab drivers and passengers in London will now have a choice of vehicle, and we as a company will continue to look after the driver's needs."
Mercedes-Benz is a division of Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler AG, the world's largest truck-makers.

KPM-UK has held a contract with the manufacturer and retailer of traditional black cabs, London Taxi International (LTI), since 1989.

LTI is the sole remaining operating division of Manganese Bronze Holdings, the Coventry-based engineering company responsible for about 93pc of London's 22,000 black cabs.