PLATUNE PROMO

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Platune, the very talented design firm that RENNTECH tapped to produce some of the concept art that eventually became the GLK 350 Spec.R Hybrid Rally Racer being shown at the 2008 SEMA and LA Auto shows (among others) quietly posted this video clip of RENNTECH's GLK build - and didn't tell anyone!

It just goes to show: Platune is Very different from many other firms - they do great work, and let others sing their praises.

Great job, Platune!

NEW SL65 VIDEO FROM UP.TV

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UP.TV just posted a new video of the SL65 Black Series AMG ultra high-performance coupe. The video itself looks very similar to what Mercedes itself sent to the press a few months ago (HERE), but at least it's in English!

We're eagerly awaiting the first one of these to arrive at RENNTECH - we expect big things from this car. Big things.

RENNTECH GLK WALLPAPER

You've seen our GLK, voted for us at MB's website (CLICK HERE if you haven't), and now you can click the pic above to download this new wallpaper/poster of RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R hybrid rally racer (11 x 17", 100 dpi)!

Enjoy!

VIDEO FROM THE WYNN

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Automotive Rythms just posted a great video from the Mercedes GLK reveal party at the Wynn - great stuff! CLICK HERE to watch the video.

EDIT: SAME DAY

We were able to find a YouTube clip, so the video above is now embedded, not a link. Don't forget to vote for RENNTECH's GLK rally racer at MBUSA.com/GLK!!

MORE RENNTECH AT SEMA

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--- from WorldCarFans, CLICK HERE for original article.

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The media reaction to RENNTECH's GLK hybrid rally-racer has been overwhelmingly positive, and these photos from WorldCarFans (taken at last week's Mercedes-Benz media reveal at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas) capture the sense of energy and excitement that permeated the event.

Mercedes is letting the public decide which of the 4 tuners did a better job on their assigned theme - you can text GLK73 to 48457 to vote for RENNTECH.

Thanks for your support!

RENNTECH AT SEMA

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RENNTECH's crew just got back from last week's SEMA show and a successful reveal of the new RENNTECH Mercedes GLK 350 Spec.R Hybrid rally-racer!

For those of you not "in the know", Mercedes-Benz selected RENNTECH to build a rally version of their new GLK 350 light SUV, and told us to find inspiration in the Pikes' Peak International Hillclimb Unlimited-class racers. With that directive in mind, RENNTECH delivered the "rally-red" hybrid racer you see above (posing with RENNTECH president, Hartmut Feyhl, and swimsuit model Andrea).

Powered by a 350 hp, RENNTECH-tuned version the 3.5 liter V6 found in Mercedes' Euro-market SLK sport, RENNTECH's hybrid rally-racer project is meant to show that motorsports can be made environmentally responsible without sacrificing "the show".

More specs and info. coming soon ...

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RENNTECH was chosen by Mercedes-Benz to participate in a GLK "tuner build-off" to let the public decide which of the four tuners best fulfilled the requirements of their assigned "theme". Visit MBUSA.com/GLK to vote for RENNTECH's GLK.

RENNTECH ON MBUSA

A few weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz issued a press release announcing that it would be hosting a tuner build-off at this year's SEMA show, pitting RENNTECH against 3 other well-known tuning firms. The winner of the build-off will be decided by popular vote on November 4, when the cars will be revealed to the industry at SEMA.

RENNTECH's entry has been covered HERE and HERE, but you have the chance to get a "sneak peak" at RENNTECH's rally dominator now - by visiting www.MBUSA.com/GLK. Click on the highlighted buttons (as shown, below) to make your way to the build videos.

CLICK HERE to jump to the site.

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STEP 1: CLICK ON "Watch the Videos"

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STEP 2: CLICK ON "Meet the SEMA Tuners"

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STEP 3: EXPAND "RENNTECH RALLY RACER"

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Enjoy the videos - and remember: vote early, vote often, vote RENNTECH!

RENNTECH FOR SMART

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RENNTECH's new ECU upgrade for Smart Fortwo improves the Smart's power (to 74 hp) and throttle response across the rpm range for better acceleration and noticeably improved shifting. Top speed limiter is removed.

MSRP $795

Contact RENNTECH for more information.

FIRST GLK DELIVERED

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--- from eMercedesBenz, CLICK HERE for original article.

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That metallic tenorite gray Mercedes-Benz GLK 320 CDI pictured above is the first of the new SUV range to find a home with a private customer, and to commemorate the GLK's historic launch, plant manager Peter Schabert handed over the keys to the new SUV personally at the Customer Center of Mercedes' Bremen plant. During the event, Peter noted "The GLK is our most important new model this year. It is the first compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Mercedes-Benz and the first Mercedes-Benz SUV ‘Made in Bremen’, so I am particularly delighted to personally hand over the first GLK to its owner. I am sure she will be impressed by its unmistakable look, outstanding performance - on and off the road - and its safety and comfort."

MERCEDES' 2-DOOR FUTURE

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--- from Car, CLICK HERE for original article.

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Britain's Car magazine recently published a peek of what they're calling Mercedes' "next-generation" of personal luxury coupe offerings - with the CLK and CL nameplates headed for extinction. Click the link above to learn more.

HAMMERTIME: AUTOFIENDS

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--- from Autofiends, CLICK HERE for the original article.

With Hartmut/RENNTECH's close ties to AMG and the role he plays in the American chapter of AMG lore, I thought this 'Fiends article might be very appropriate on the RENNTECH news blog.

For those not "in the know", AMG's Hammer was a run-of-the-mill 300E with a 5.6-liter 4 valve V8 under its hood. This combination could achieve 60 mph in a tick over 5 seconds, run the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds on its way to a terminal velocity of 186 mph - faster than the contemporary Porsche 928, Aston Vantage, Ferrari Testarossa, and Lambo Countach ... and AMG's Hammer started every time.

FESTIVALS OF SPEED - ORLANDO 08

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We just returned from this weekend's Festivals of Speed events in Orlando. As always, Joe Sabatini always throws a first class party, and the cars - from one of the very first Lambos to an original Maserati birdcage - almost too much to take in.

Special thanks to Colum at Modified Luxury and Exotics for sponsoring us at the show, and to Dennis at Exotic Motorcars for allowing us to show his beautiful RENNTECH SL65.

BENTLEY GTC

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New photo of a RENNTECH modified Bentley Continental GTC. As shown, the car features RENNTECH's latest ECU software upgrade for the Conti, delivering 620 HP and over 560 LB-FT of torque!

ALSO INSTALLED
- ÜBERBALLER rims
- RENNTECH digital lowering module

CONCEPT FASCINATION - LIVE PHOTOS

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--- from LeftLaneNews, CLICK HERE for original article and gallery.

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Left Lane News (sister site of MACNN, Electronista, etc.) just posted some original photos of what will eventually be the CLK's successor - the Mercedes-Benz Concept Fascination.

Previously covered, the thinly-veiled concept shows off the new "face" of Mercedes' E-sized lineup.

NEW E CLASS CAUGHT

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--- from Autozeitung, via Carscoop.

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German car magazine Autozeitung is claiming to have the first official photo of the next-generation Mercedes E-Class in its latest September issue. According to Autozeitung, the above image has not been digitally enhanced in any way - and until someone provides substantial proof otherwise, we have no reason to doubt them.

CRUNCH TIME

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Look past the SLR. Just barely visible behind the Goff's curtain wall is RENNTECH's 2008 SEMA / LA Auto show project car - a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK that Mercedes is calling "the Rally Dominator" (previously covered HERE and HERE).

Many RENNTECH staffers have been putting in extra hours, extra days, and (seemingly) extra lives into this project; and to prove we're really serious about all this, we even called in the Swedes.

The GLK will be finished by 01 October, but the media embargo stays in effect until the 03 November reveal at SEMA.

Plenty of teasers until then, though.

HOW IT WORKS: S400 HYBRID

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Mercedes recently revealed a pretty interesting video explaining the new S400's advanced hybrid system - expect the car to arrive stateside as a 2010 model.

Enjoy!

MIKA DRIVES THE 2010 E63

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Earlier this month, online bloggers posted photos that showed drivers Mika Häkkinen and Klaus Ludwig testing the new 2010 Mercedes E-Class. eMercedesBenz posted some new "spy video" showing the pair in action.

Enjoy!

2009 SL65

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A new photo of a RENNTECH modified SL65 AMG roadster. As shown, the car features RENNTECH's latest ECU software upgrade for the 65, delivering 670 HP and over 840 LB-FT of torque!

ALSO INSTALLED
- RENNTECH remote-ready v2 digital lowering module
- RENNTECH Signature 3PC performance wheels

WORLDCARFANS CATCHES 2010 E63

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--- from WorldCarFans, CLICK HERE for original article.

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MB's E63 AMG is still under development according to these latest spy shots taken by WCF's photographers at the Nurburgring. It still carries a good bit of camo, but there won't be many surprises in the styling department after Mercedes' Concept FASCINATION reveal (covered HERE).

We'll have to wait and see what changes AMG have made to the E's running gear.