A few days after country singer Julie Roberts lost her record deal, she watched her car float down the block. The Sunday morning floodwaters had risen to the front door of her west Nashville home — a condo she shared with her mother, her sister and four dogs. She remembers the rain slashing away at the rooftop and the eeriness of watching the Mercedes she had just paid off silently wash away. She and her family ran upstairs, snacked on Cheese Nips and waited for a rescue boat. Read full article > >

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After lifetime of hurdles, country singer Julie Roberts ready to make music again

TOKYO — An outing of luxury sportscar enthusiasts in Japan ended in an expensive freeway pileup — smashing a stunning eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini and two Mercedes likely worth more than $1 million together. Police say they believe the accident Sunday was touched off when the driver of one of the Ferraris tried to change lanes and hit the median barrier. He spun across the freeway, and the other cars collided while trying to avoid hitting his car. Read full article > >

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8 Ferraris, Lamborghini and 2 Mercedes smashed in pricey freeway pileup in Japan

A dozen luxury sports cars – eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini and three Mercedes – collide in what is likely one of Japan’s most expensive pile-ups.

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Supercars in costly Japan pile-up

WENZHOU, China — For a glimpse of the unfolding debt crisis that many fear could be China’s future, take a trip to the used-car market in this gritty industrial city on the coast. A half-dozen Mercedes Benzes, an equal number of BMWs, several Porsches, a Range Rover, a Rolls-Royce and a Hummer, most just a few years old and in pristine condition, were there on a recent day. Their owners were all Wenzhou factory bosses who needed to sell their luxury cars for cash to pay back their business loans. Read full article > >

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In debt-ridden city, some see China’s future

With her bulky Ethiopian Yellow Pages jostling in the passenger seat, “Mama Tutu” Belay lurches her black Mercedes to a stop. She squints suspiciously at a new bakery operating in a basement on Georgia Avenue that claims to use clay plates to make an authentic version of injera, the spongy bread that is a dietary staple of her homeland. “It’s suspect!” Mama Tutu decrees while looking over the bakery, which is painted pumpkin orange and flies American and Ethiopian flags. “I need to make sure it’s legit before it goes anywhere near my book.” Read full article > >

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Ethio­pian Yellow Pages: Life, by the book

McLaren’s Jenson Button sets the pace in Friday practice at the Turkish Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton third behind Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg and ahead of Michael Schumacher.

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Button on top in Turkey practice

AUGUSTA, GA. – When Phil Mickelson turns his loaner Mercedes off Washington Road and onto Magnolia Lane here, setting up an iconic view of the clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club, every blossom on every flower seems perfectly placed, every wisp of wind comforts rather than chills, and each of the 61 magnolias that lines that 330-yard approach seems to have a purpose.

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Masters 2011: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson still are ones to watch

Ross Brawn admits his Mercedes team are struggling for pace with the start of the new season fast approaching.

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Mercedes off the pace, says Brawn

Four tips on where to eat, sleep and get pampered in North America’s largest mountain resort Recently spending a week at Whistler Blackcomb (my annual snowboarding destination), I stuck to some of my favorite gear and places but also used the trip as an opportunity to try some new things. This first story, in a series of three, focuses on highlights of Whistler itself. Stay tuned for a gear round-up and apparel review both later this week. Four Seasons While a little off the beaten path, the Four Seasons makes up for it with spacious rooms that all come equipped with cozy fireplaces, thick terry robes and toasty down comforters. Impeccable food throughout its two restaurants and full bar service at the hot tub lends easy indulgence to a stay there. Being out of the fray of the main village provides a peaceful atmosphere, and a constantly rotating shuttle bus and Mercedes MLS courtesy car provide easy access to everything—nearly on demand. Scandinave New to Whistler this year, the Scandinave Spa is exactly what the resort town has been missing. The 3 acre property has multiple baths of varied temperatures, a large steam room and huge pine sauna. All of these features are outside and set in to a beautiful, rustic slope, complimented by modern Nordic-style buildings that house a caf

Fernando Alonso says he is “proud” of Ferrari despite losing the F1 title at the final race and predicts Mercedes will join Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull as contenders in 2011.

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Alonso predicts four-way F1 fight

A businessman accused over an alleged multi-million pound property scam is still thought to be leading “a lavish, Mercedes lifestyle”, a court is told.

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Scam accused ‘is living lavishly’

Michael Schumacher’s Mercedes team reject suggestions he could give up driving to take on a management role in 2011.

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Schumacher ‘to continue driving’

New technology takes the turbulence out of driving with the top down When Mercedes-Benz unveiled their brand-new Aircap technology in their 2011 E-Class Cabriolet at last February’s NYC Fashion Week , I knew I wanted to check it out for myself. As someone who always saw the appeal of convertibles as spoiled by hair whipping in my face, I was curious to see if it actually worked. I had the perfect opportunity when Mercedes lent me the E-Cab for a day trip to the Barnes Foundation (a spot I highly recommend visiting) outside of Philadelphia, PA. Activated with just a push of a button in the center console, the Aircap technology makes the smooth and luxurious ride that you’d expect from the luxury car all the more so for all of its passengers. While the experience isn’t completely wind-free, the small windshield spoiler and rear screen creates a pleasantly breezy and more quiet interior for chatting, listening to music, talking on the phone over the built-in Bluetooth, or just communing with the open road. The feeling of joy and freedom that comes with driving is what the device is really all about—cruising down the highway, with the wind licking at your hair (not blowing it in your face) and sunlight pouring in the car. For lead-foots like me, Aircap automatically adjusts according to speed, significantly decreasing the wind flowing through the cabin, even at speeds over 60 mph. With the new technology, you might be inclined to keep the top down all year long. Fortunately, Mercedes thought of that too. In cooler weather, Aircap also works to keep cold air out of the cabin, and combined with Airscarf, a heating system at the often-ignored neck level, you can still keep warm while getting all the benefits of owning a convertible. Available only from Mercedes-Benz , Aircap can be found in the new E-Class Cabriolet, with a sticker price of a little over $56,000 (give or take a few thousand for various customizations). Airscarf is also available in the E-Class as well as other models.

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Mercedes Aircap and Airscarf