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Mercedes caught testing stretched E-Class Maybach

The Mercedes-Maybach S600 won't be the only vehicle to wear the hyphenated name of two of the world's automotive luxury greats. That hulking S-Class will soon be joined by an E-Class variant, which should offer the same touch of subtle luxury as its big brother. At least, that's what we're guessing based on the latest round of spy photos, showing a stretched E-Class with some very telling camouflage. Pay attention, as our spies did, to the rear doors and C-pillar. Like the Maybach S600, the E-Class model features a larger quarter window, although unlike the S, the doors here look to be a bit larger than your usual E550 or E250. Also take note of the heavy tint on those rear windows. It's likely there to obscure whatever sumptuous hides and warm woods Maybach has fitted to the typically business-class interior. While the interior materials are likely to see sweeping changes, expect Mercedes to treat the exterior with a much gentler touch. There'll probably be some unique wheels and C-pillar-mounted Maybach badges, like what we've already seen on the S600. Check out the full round of spy photos up top, and stay tuned for more on the latest Mercedes-Maybach. Related Video:

Mercedes-Benz Museum introduces classic car sales

Mercedes is aiming to take the guesswork out of buying a classic car with its latest initiative. Instead of buying a classic Benz from a private owner, the public can now purchase directly from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. The program is called "All Time Stars," and is split into three categories. Vehicles in the Premium Edition are in pristine condition, with low mileage, and fully restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic division. Collectors Edition cars are guaranteed to be in tip-top shape both technically and aesthetically, but have some miles on the odometer and the patina to go with them. Finally the Drivers Edition are meant for everyday driving – fixer-uppers that "still offer potential for further restoration work." Regardless of their category, each vehicle that passes through the program is subject to an extensive 160-point inspection. The process identifies any issues, and any modifications to the vehicle's original condition that may have been carried out over the course of its history. At the moment, the museum is highlighting three examples up for sale. The oldest is a Type 630 Kompressor from 1929. The newest is an E320 convertible from 1995 with 31,000 miles on the odometer. In between is also a 280 SE sedan of 1973 vintage. Head to the program's website and you can also see examples like a '79 450 SEL, a '94 E60 AMG, a '92 500 SL, and a rare CLK-LM racer from 1998. There are several more that have already been sold through the program, and more to be added to the catalog in the near future. Mercedes-Benz Museum selling classic cars directly: 'All Time Stars': modern classics and vintage greats from Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart, Nov 05, 2015 The Mercedes-Benz Museum is now selling classic cars from all periods under the name All Time Stars. The complete range can be seen on the website alltime-stars.com. You can also view the vehicles in person at the Mercedes-Benz Museum and arrange the purchase there too. A team of sales consultants are on hand to provide detailed information and extensive descriptions of the vehicles in order to offer as much transparency as possible. Buying a classic car is a matter of trust. It has to be. Otherwise what is often supposed to be a dream come true may in fact turn sour. The All Time Stars by Mercedes-Benz aim to extend the brand's extensive quality commitment to the purchase of classic cars. The focus is on vehicles that are suitable for everyday driving.

Mercedes investing $500 million for new Sprinter plant in SC

The commercial van segment is exploding in popularity in the US right now with a vast array of recent products from multiple marques, and there's even more on the way from automakers like Hyundai. Mercedes-Benz is trying to grab a bigger share of the expanding market, too, and is launching its smaller Metris here in the fall. Now comes word that Mercedes will construct a $500-million factory in Charleston, SC, that will build the next-gen Sprinter domestically. According to Mercedes, construction of the new plant will begin in 2016, and when complete, the site will cover around 200 acres, including a body shop, paint shop and assembly line. It will also employ 1,300 people who will be building Sprinters badged as both Mercedes and Freightliner models. Rumors about this new construction go back to late last year. Mercedes currently has to ship some partially disassembled Sprinters into the US from Germany, paying import duties on them, and then the company puts the vans back together at a site in Ladson, SC. The process obviously adds costs to the models, and the domestic factory should mean a more price-competitive vehicle. Plus, a local factory means quicker deliveries to dealers. Despite the laborious import process, the Sprinter is a hit in the US. Mercedes sold 25,745 of them in 2014, which made the country the van's second-largest market behind Germany. They were first launched here in 2001 and since then have gained a nine-percent market share in the segment, according to the company. Mercedes is on a construction boom at the moment. The company is building a new corporate headquarters for the US in Atlanta, GA, due to be complete in 2018. The German brand is also investing $2.4 billion to expand its Tuscaloosa, AL, factory to build models like the forthcoming GLE-Class. MERCEDES-BENZ VANS TO INVEST AROUND $500 MILLION IN NEW VAN PLANT IN SOUTH CAROLINA, U.S. 09/03/15 from Mercedes-Benz New plant to be built in Charleston, South Carolina, beginning in 2016 Next generation Sprinter also to be manufactured in the U.S. Expansion of the global production network as part of the "Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global" growth strategy Creation of more than 1,300 new jobs planned Volker Mornhinweg: "We are investing around half a billion dollars to create a top-notch Mercedes-Benz van plant here in South Carolina.