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.

NEW STAGE 2 DINAN SOFTWARE FOR 535i

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Friday, BMW tuner Dinan introduced a new stage 2 ECU software file for BMW's E60 series 535i. As previously mentioned HERE and HERE, RENNTECH has a good history with Dinan, and has served as Dinan's South-Florida sales and support center since 2006 (with Dinan's California headquarters serving as a RENNTECH sales and support center as well).

Dinan's original release is re-printed below. CLICK HERE for contact information.

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Now Available for the (E60) 535i ...

Stage 2 Performance Engine Software

Dinan is pleased to offer the same stunning increase in performance for the 535 as that achieved for the 335i. And as always, Dinan matches the new car warranty coverage for up to 4 years or 50,000 miles, including the possibility of consequential damages. No one offers better performance or backs it up with such comprehensive warranty coverage. Dinan's 535 Performance Software is 50 State Emissions Legal under California Air Resources Board Executive Order Number D-176-35. It’s legal, makes lots of power and as it has been for over a decade, Dinan covers any consequential damages. More power and peace of mind…exactly what you’re customers have come to expect from Dinan!

The Dinan Performance Engine Software safely increases turbo-boost pressure from the stock 8.8 to 13.0 psi, along with properly retuned fuel mixtures, ignition timing and full map rescaling. In fact, over 2000 engine management functions have been recalibrated, offering substantial increases in power output while maintaining the civility and reliability expected of a Dinan performance product. The results of Dinan’s tuning are nothing short of breathtaking, with the added boost and related recalibration producing maximum output of 384 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 421 lb-ft torque at 4300 rpm!

McLAREN HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR

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Sometimes it's easy to forget that Formula 1 juggernaut McLaren has a pretty good sense of British humor. Team Vodafone McLaren recently released the video above as part of a marketing build-up to the next Grand Prix.

Great stuff.

SEMA PREVIEW : PART 2

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

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Yesterday, Mercedes issued a press release announcing the 4 tuners they've chosen to represent the brand at this year's SEMA and LA Auto shows. In addition to the previously mentioned RENNTECH rally racer, Mercedes will be showing cars from muscle-car restoration firm Legendary Performance, baller-builders Boulevard Customs, and longtime Mercedes tuning firm Brabus.

It should be noted that the rendering of the "RENNTECH Project:Rally Racer" (above) do not tell the whole story of what RENNTECH has planned - we'll leave it at that, for now, with more pictures coming in October.

REMINDER:

There will be a friendly poll on Mercedes' website to decide the fan favorite - so vote early, vote often, and vote RENNTECH!

RENNTECH FOR FERRARI

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RENNTECH recently announced a new line of performance tuning products for recent Ferraris, with performance packages that include ECU upgrades and lightweight, motorsports-style exhaust systems - all the way up to serious trackday preparation.

Contact RENNTECH for more.

CLICK HERE to view the RENNTECH Ferrari catalog.

45 MPG C CLASS

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--- from eMercedesBenz, CLICK HERE for the original article and photo gallery.

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eMercedesBenz recently posted this bit of news on Mercedes' new BlueEFFICIENCY line of Diesel engines for the US-market C class. The new diesel engine C is capable of 0-60 sprints in under 7 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph - but what makes the powerplant really exciting is its fuel consumption: 5.2 liters of fuel per 100 km (45 mpg!).

PARIS PREVIEW | CLK SHOOTING BRAKE

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--- from Autoblog, CLICK HERE to read the original article.

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When the doors open at the Paris Motor Show next month, Mercedes-Benz will be giving everyone a sneak peek of the new E-Class front-end styling. No, not in the form of the new E-Class itself, which will be unveiled at a later date, but in the ConceptFASCINATION, an attractive shooting brake concept based on the upcoming E-Class Coupe's architecture and featuring the new E's front-end styling.