Mercedes-Benz Owners' Association news

Licence rules The body representing the UK’s magistrates has called for new rules that would make it compulsory for motorists to carry their driving licences...See more » Licence rules The body representing the UK’s magistrates has called for new rules that would make it compulsory for motorists to carry their driving licences whenever they are behind the wheel. The Magistrates’ Association believes the move would reduce paperwork and cut court time, as it would get rid of the need to produce the necessary documents at a police station days after an incident has occurred. Most other EU countries force drivers to carry their licences whenever they are in charge of a car, and have photocards rather than paper licences. | Brabus roadster Smart’s exciting new roadster range will be crowned by a hot Brabus version. The Brabus Roadster and coupé will be beefed up with a higher-boost turbocharger, sharper handling and sportier styling. Andreas Renschler, senior vice-president of Smart said: “There’s a lot more we can do with the engine and the styling.” The 698cc engine is expected to develop around 90bhp with more turbo boost expected to make it a 120mph car. Sports suspension and wider wheels are designed to give an extra edge to what is already reckoned to be sports handling. But none of the new Smarts are due until 2004. | Vaneo award The Vaneo first introduced earlier this year has won a German commercial vehicle prize in the passenger car category. Tradesmen from various sectors spent two days assessing the vehicles, subjecting them to intensive driving tests. They assessed, amongst other things, the driver’s area and loading possibilities and awarded marks on a 23-km long test track. | Retailer of the year Staff at Portsmouth have been celebrating after beating more than 150 outlets to the Mercedes-Benz Retailer of the Year title, which is based on a combination of sales and after sales performance. “Pentagon’s success comes down to the willingness and determination of the staff to provide the best service,” said Dermot Kelly, Director of Passenger Cars for DaimlerChrysler UK. The accolade has come less than two years after the Anchorage Park operation was taken over by Pentagon. Since then, the company has made a huge investment in showroom and workshop facilities. This is not the first time that Pentagon has won a national Mercedes-Benz award. Its truck and van operation at Fareham won the CV Dealer of the Year prize in 1999. | Show go! Great news for British car fans - Mercedes is revving up for a return to the British Motor Show. Originally, the company said it would not attend this year’s event because funds would be better spent elsewhere. However, a flurry of new launches and increased competition means bosses now regard attendance as crucial. The display will focus on the recently revised AMG line-up. Star of the show will be the new E55 with its 476 bhp supercharged engine, which goes on sale from November. Capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in less than 5.5 seconds, its top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. | Abigail’s party A new Mercedes E200 Estate car became an impromptu delivery room for the birth of baby Abigail Pitt. Abigail made an early appearance when her mother Amanda went into labour a week early. Michael Pitt rushed his wife to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, West Lothian, just seven minutes away from their home, but nature decided to take its course and Amanda could not get to the delivery ward in time. Nursing staff delivered baby Abigail in the front seat of the family’s new Mercedes-Benz as it was parked outside the labour ward. A euphoric Michael said, “The nurses were a little concerned about the cold and so I just switched on the car’s heater - it was lovely and warm within minutes.” Abigail is now the third ‘Mercedes’ in the Pitts’ life. As well as the E200 Estate, which was just a week old when Abigail made her early appearance, they also have a Mercedes C180 Estate. Now Michael and Amanda have decided to name the latest addition to their family, Abigail Catherine Mercedes Pitt. | Touring car thriller Marcel Fassler driving an AMG Mercedes won a turbulent round of the German Touring Car series at Austria’s A1-Ring. In a thrilling closing stage,See less »