14 Mercedes-Benz Facts Everyone Should Know

GPO TuningWhen it comes to German luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz is a crowd favorite. The engineering, style, and drive for innovation sets Mercedes-Benz apart from the rest. 

Just when you thought you knew all there is to know about the brand, here are more Mercedes-Benz facts that will impress you.

If you have any Mercedes-Benz repair and maintenance needs, make sure you reach out to GPO Tuning for help.

  • The Mercedes-Benz logo explained

Designed by co-founder Gottlieb Daimler, the three-pointed star represents the carmaker’s dominance on air, land, and sea. 

  • The company promise

The Mercedes-Benz brand name vehicles were first produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz’s and Gottlieb Daimler’s companies into the Daimler-Benz. Mercedes-Benz is committed to delivering “the best or nothing” in everything it does, and it shows; it is one of the world’s most admired companies, according to Fortune.com.

  • Mercedes-Benz has the papal seal of approval

Mercedes-Benz has been preferred by Catholic Church leaders for over 80 years. Models used by popes include the Nurburg 460 Pullman Saloon (Pope Pius XI), 600 Pullman Laudet and 300 SEL (Pope John XXIII). The name “popemobile” was first used in the 1980s to refer to the modified Mercedes-Benz G-Class used by Pope John Paul II for celebrations in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis’s popemobile is a modified Mercedes-Benz M Class.

  • Mercedes-Benz developed a premium bicycle range

Mercedes-Benz has a line of bicycles for two-wheel enthusiasts: the All-Mountain, which features DT Swiss suspension components, hydraulic disc brakes, and SRAM 30-speed gearing; the Fitness Bike, which has a front suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, and a minimalist, lightweight aluminum frame; and Trekking Bike, equipped with a dynamo-powered headlight, rear mudguard, and luggage rack. 

Mercedes-Benz recently collaborated with Argon-18 for the Mercedes-Benz Style Endurance Bike, a minimalist road bike designed in the Mercedes-Benz tradition.

  • Pop stars choose Mercedes-Benz

Proud Mercedes-Benz owners include Drake (Mercedes-Benz Maybach G650 Landaulet), Jennifer Lopez (Mercedes-Benz S Class), Beyonce (Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Supercar), Taylor Swift (Mercedes-Benz Viano), Mariah Carey (Mercedes-Benz SLK), Celine Dion (Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62), and Harry Styles (Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda), even Janis Joplin sang “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz”

  • Yes, there’s a Mercedes-Benz plated in 18k white gold

An enigmatic billionaire from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates reportedly owns a Mercedes-Benz V-10 Quad Turbo made with white gold – valued at a whopping $2.5 million.

  • Mercedes-Benz has a self-driving truck

Known as the Actros, a fleet of these trucks traveled from Germany to Holland in 2016. The trucks are equipped with Highway Pilot Connect, a technology that allows the vehicles to communicate with each other and share road information. The trucks know when to speed up, slow down, turn, and brake.

  • It manufactures the world’s longest sedan

At 6.5 meters, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman is the world’s longest sedan to date. In comparison, the average sedan length is 4.7 meters. Mercedes-Benz pulled out all the stops and decked it out with spacious interiors, luxurious details, and exclusive color combinations.

  • Mercedes-Benz once had a car inspired by a boxfish

In the mid-90s, Mercedes-Benz designed a car inspired by nature. With the boxfish as its model, the company launched the Bionic, a concept car that symbolizes the synergy of biology, engineering, and design. 

  • The world’s first-ever car was made possible by a woman

Engineer and Mercedes-Benz co-founder Carl Benz invented the world’s first car: the Motorwagen, a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a rear-mounted single-cylinder engine. Many would be surprised to learn that his wife, Bertha Benz, financed the project.

  • Who was Mercedes?

Mercedes-Benz was partly named after the daughter of businessman Emil Jellinek, who first commissioned the first modern car, the Mercedes-Benz 35 HP. Co-founder Gottlieb Daimler believed the name brought in luck.

  • Mercedes-Benz race cars were once unpainted

The W25’s aluminum frame was left bare at some point, as it was a kilogram over the weight requirement of the 1934 Nuremberg rally. Engineers had to remove the vehicle’s paint to shed the excess weight. Mercedes F1 cars are now made with carbon fiber and are painted metallic silver as a tribute to its history.

  • A Mercedes-Benz appeared in Jurassic Park

The 1993 hit film featured a Mercedes-Benz ML 320. The car is on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

  • Mercedes-Benz was the first carmaker to mass-produce anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in 1978

Initially available in the S-class sedans, ABS allows the driver to control the steering wheel even during emergency braking.
Mercedes-Benz owners in Nashville can rely on ColorKraft Auto Refinishers (ColorKraftauto.com) for paint and bodywork, collision repair, dent repair, wheel repair, and car detailing services. Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW models are also accepted for maintenance and repair. Schedule an appointment for Mercedes Benz repair or for other German Automobiles needing repair by calling 931.901.0238. German Performance Options (GPO Tuning) is Nashville’s most trusted import repair shop. Get in touch with their service advisors by calling 615.248.9466.

Audi Service: Nashville Shop Discusses Summer Car Care

GPO TuningWhile summertime is traditionally an opportunity to let your cares wash away with the ocean waves, life must go on. And, part of this means ensuring that your vehicle is in top shape regardless of the season. We recently sat down with the car guys at GPO Tuning to discuss a particular brand of vehicle and how the summer sun can affect its performance. If you own an Audi, you’ll want to keep reading for advice on how to treat your ride right as temperatures continue to rise.

Q: Thanks for joining us today. With a heatwave taking over most of the US, we thought it would be a great time to bring up the all-important topic of car care during the summer. Specifically, we are interested in Audi service as many of our readers are import enthusiasts.

GPO Tuning: Absolutely. We think that it is important that car owners know how to care for their vehicle, regardless of brand. When we do Audi service in Nashville, we try to take the time to explain to our customers why it’s so important to understand the subtle nuances of their make and model.

Q: Why is that important?

GPO Tuning: Each manufacturer has a different set of parameters upon which they design, refine, and construct their vehicles. Because of this, no two cars are exactly alike. When you drive a vehicle with a higher price tag, it pays to know how to care for it.

Q: Let’s talk about summer maintenance. What’s the most important thing you can do if you drive an Audi?

GPO Tuning: The first thing you want to make sure of is that your engine’s cooling system is operating efficiently. Summertime Audi service in Nashville, where the heat index can easily top 105° during July and August, means having the coolant system flushed and replacing the antifreeze regularly.

Q: That makes sense. What other systems require special care?

GPO Tuning: The AC system for sure. Nobody likes to get into a hot vehicle, and it is especially unpleasant when the air isn’t working. More importantly, however, considering the heat index we just talked about, a person could quickly overheat in a vehicle where they cannot escape high temperatures.

Q: What are some signs that the AC is not working?

GPO Tuning: Obviously, if the air blows hot despite being set at the lowest possible temperature. Unfortunately, many car owners mistakenly assume that their AC system simply cannot cool the vehicle when it’s hotter than 85°. This is not true. Any vehicle that does not cool off within a few minutes should be taken into a shop that specializes in, in this case, Audi service. Nashville won’t break through the heat until late September and there is no reason to suffer until then.

Q: Is there anything a vehicle owner can do to keep the interior temperature down?

GPO Tuning: That is a great question. The answer is to park in the shade if possible. If not, an inexpensive sunshade, which you can pick up at any auto parts store, can keep it more comfortable. 

Q: What is another Audi service that Nashville owners should consider?

GPO Tuning: We like to remind people to have their air filter checked and, if needed, swapped whenever they have an oil change. The air filter in an Audi was designed to ensure efficient airflow throughout the car. People with allergies should take special caution to ensure the air filter is changed as soon as it gets dirty since it will no longer be effective at reducing airborne irritants in the cabin.

Q: This is all really great information. Do you have anything to add?

GPO Tuning: We talked mostly about keeping your car comfortable and operational. But, there are other aspects of Audi service. In Nashville, this means keeping your vehicle clean. Even high-end paint is not immune to the effects of dirt being caked and baked on to it. A car wash once per week will keep your investment looking at its very best.

McLaren 12C Praised by Owner Bobby Price

Bobby PriceThe McLaren MP4 12C is an innovative sports car with raw beauty and unrivaled performance. It is the car’s design that makes it so unique, however. Today we catch up with Bobby Price, car collector and automotive industry entrepreneur, who tells us about the 12C’s design inspiration and features.

Gathering of Experts: We don’t often get to see cars like this. Thank you for bringing it over today.

Bobby Price: Not a problem at all.

Gathering of Experts: It’s an amazing machine. We’d like to ask you a few questions about it, if that’s okay.

Bobby Price: Yes, please do.

Gathering of Experts: We understand McLaren has taken design cues straight from the pages of National Geographic. Can you give us some insight into that?

Bobby Price: Pretty much everything about the vehicle’s appearance and performance was patterned after nature.

Gathering of Experts: Such as?

Bobby Price: Everything from the paint to the way the metal is attached to the frame. Take a look, for instance, at the C12’s rearview mirrors. You’ll notice they aren’t encased in the same boxy design as are many cars’ mirrors.

Gathering of Experts: Now that you mention it, they have an almost insect-like quality; like the antenna of a scarab.

Bobby Price: Yes, nature has an outstanding ability to ensure its creatures are built for performance.

Gathering of Experts: Tell us about the body…

Bobby PriceBobby Price: The C12’s visible metalwork is essentially shrink-wrapped over the car’s mechanical structure. This reduces volume and makes the car more aerodynamic.

Gathering of Experts: Like the way you can see a cheetah’s muscles underneath its fur?

Bobby Price: That’s exactly right. Animals built for speed are always lean and light.

Gathering of Experts: Aside from the animal kingdom, where does McLaren find inspiration?

Bobby Price: Design director Frank Stephenson says the world is his muse.

Gathering of Experts: It sounds like McLaren is passionate about perfection.

Bobby Price: That’s absolutely true. Every single vehicle is painted by hand and quality inspected multiple times before leaving the factory.

Gathering of Experts: Tell us about McLaren’s special Pirelli tires.

Bobby Price: When McLaren wanted to reduce vehicle weight, they started with the tires. They chose Pirelli tires for their reduced mass and superior strength.

Gathering of Experts: And the McLaren uses LED technology for its front and rear lights?

Bobby Price: Yes, LED lights are brighter and more efficient.

Gathering of Experts: How many color choices are there?

Bobby PriceBobby Price: Straight from the manufacturer, there are 16 color options ranging from Standard White to Special Mercury Red.

Gathering of Experts: Let’s talk about the interior for a bit.

Bobby Price: One thing that has really stood out to me with my C12 is that it offers a panoramic view of the road.

Gathering of Experts: Tell us about the Formula One inspired gearshift.

Bobby Price: That’s one of the most inventive features found in the interior. It has a rocker shift paddle which makes pushing or pulling through gears easy. It feels very natural.

Gathering of Experts: Okay, so it’s built for speed but what about practical design elements?

Bobby Price: The 12C features a built-in touchscreen offering full control over the communications and entertainment system.

Gathering of Experts: What would you consider the most unusual feature on the car?

Bobby Price: That has to be the ability to control how much engine noise is heard in the cabin.

Gathering of Experts: That is interesting. It sounds like the car really does have it all. And again we thank you for letting us pick your brain today.

Bobby Price: It’s been a pleasure.

Tire Works Total Car Care Opens New Store in Pahrump

Tire Works

Tire Works

Opening Marks 15th Store for Las Vegas-Based Franchise

Pahrump, Nevada – January 6, 2012 – Las Vegas-based tire care chain Tire Works Total Car Care recently opened its fifteenth location, bringing its top-quality service and customer care to the Pahrump area. Tire Works Total Car Care is settling into the property that was formerly Grease Monkey at 660 S. Highway 160.

The grand opening follows an eight-year process to sell the property, which went through two bank failures before Tire Works Total Car Care bought it. Tire Works Total Car Care has expanded Grease Monkey’s facilities, providing eight service bays and increasing the size of the front building. The permit and licensing process, according to co-owner Roshie Weightman, was far simpler than it has been in other locations.

“People were so nice and helpful,” Roshie Weightman says.

In addition to providing more than 3,000 brands and sizes of tires from Bridgestone to Toyo to Pirelli and beyond, Tire Works Total Car Care offers automotive care as well. Tire Works Total Car Care puts an emphasis on providing quality service to its customers, hiring highly qualified technicians to ensure customers have minimal wait time.

In fact, with this new location, Tire Works Total Car Care hired only local workers. “We want to hire our employees locally,” Roshie Weightman explains. “We support the community. Our contractors were local. Even our celebration cake was ordered locally.”

Tire Works Total Car Care’ support of the community extends beyond providing great service and employment. Tire Works Total Car Care believes in giving a portion of profits back to the community by supporting such organizations as the Salvation Army. Other organizations Tire Works Total Car Care has supported include Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, the Nevada Rape Crisis Center, and the Christmas Angel.

In fact, this past Christmas, Tire Works Total Car Care co-sponsored Pahrump’s Christmas Angel program. Through this program, which gives toys to underprivileged children in the community, the Salvation Army was able to provide toys for 400 children in Pahrump.

The first Tire Works Total Car Care location opened in Las Vegas in 2004. Since that time, the company has expanded to its current fifteen locations, using technology to maintain an elaborate inventory that includes thousands of tires and other parts. Tire Works Total Car Care has been expanding its communications network to allow better communication both between stores and with customers.

The company seeks to provide top notch customer service, sending secret shoppers into locations to ensure service is great on all counts. Tire Works Total Car Care also regularly shops the competition to make sure its prices are the best in town. Even after buying tires or having service performed, Pahrump residents can expect the good customer service to continue, as Tire Works Total Car Care routinely follows up with customers to ensure 100 percent satisfaction.

Tire Works Total Car Care doubles the guarantees of competitors, providing lifetime warranties on parts and offering a 30-day guarantee on its tires. If, for any reason, customers aren’t happy with their new tires, they can come back and exchange them for another set. And if a customer takes advantage of Tire Works Total Car Care’ free rotation and balance offer on tires purchased there, that work will be warranted as well. In fact, Tire Works Total Car Care offers rotation and balance as part of its warranty, providing a checkup every 4,000 miles. If a customer misses the 4,000-mile cutoff, Tire Works Total Car Care promises to honor the checkup regardless.

And if you sell your car? Tire Works Total Car Care’ warranties are transferrable, allowing car owners to give the car’s new buyer the peace of mind of knowing his or her tires are covered by the best in Pahrump.

No matter where you’ve been buying your tires in the area, Tire Works Total Car Care guarantees the lowest prices. If you buy your tires and find a lower advertised price anywhere in Pahrump, Tire Works Total Car Care pledges to credit back the difference.

With a commitment to quality and community that exceeds expectations, Tire Works Total Car Care is a welcome addition to the town of Pahrump. “We aspire to create a Tire Works Total Car Care experience that surpasses all expectations,” co-owner Jeff Weightman says. “At Tire Works Total Car Care, we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to make that a reality.”

For more information, visit Tire Works Total Car Care online at www.tireworks.co