Car and Driver: Can the Next Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Restore the Roadster's Excellence?

Summer on Long Island is the perfect time to explore beautiful coastal roads, charming towns, and hidden gems right in your own backyard. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure, a date day, or a relaxing drive with family and friends, there are plenty of scenic routes worth discovering. Here are five Long Island drives to add to your summer bucket list. 1. North Shore Gold Coast Drive Take a trip in a GLB along Long Island’s North Shore and experience winding roads, waterfront views, historic estates, and charming villages. This route is perfect for a relaxing afternoon drive with stops for local restaurants, coffee shops, and scenic overlooks. Highlights include: Beautiful harbor views Historic neighborhoods Quaint downtown areas 2. Montauk Highway to the East End Few drives capture the feeling of summer like a trip out toward Montauk. Enjoy views of vineyards, farms, beaches, and coastal landscapes as you make your way east. Make stops along the way for: Local farm stands Beaches Small-town shops Waterfront dining 3. Ocean Parkway Scenic Drive For a classic Long Island summer experience, take a drive in a C-Class along Ocean Parkway. With views of the Atlantic Ocean, beaches, and dunes, this route is a favorite for those looking to enjoy the coastline. Don’t miss: A beachside stop A sunset drive A walk along the shore 4. Shelter Island & North Fork Adventure Head east for a peaceful drive through the North Fork in a GLS, where you’ll find vineyards, farm fields, waterfront views, and relaxing country roads. Add a ferry ride to Shelter Island for an extra memorable day trip. Perfect for: Couples looking for a getaway Food and wine lovers Anyone wanting a slower pace 5. Fire Island & South Shore Route Explore the South Shore for a mix of coastal scenery, charming communities, and beautiful waterfront areas. While some destinations require a ferry, the drive itself offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy Long Island’s summer atmosphere. Get Your Mercedes-Benz Summer-Ready Before You Go Before heading out on your next Long Island adventure, make sure your Mercedes-Benz is ready for the miles ahead. A summer service check can help keep your vehicle performing at its best, whether you’re cruising along the coast, exploring the North Fork, or taking a weekend trip out east. At Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown, our factory-trained technicians know your vehicle inside and out. From checking your tires and brakes to inspecting fluids, battery performance, and air conditioning, we help ensure your Mercedes-Benz delivers the comfort, confidence, and performance you expect all summer long. Whether you’re taking a quick weekend cruise or planning a longer journey across Long Island, your Mercedes-Benz is designed to make every drive more enjoyable. Wherever the road takes you this summer, Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown is here to help you get there with confidence. Schedule your service today and keep your summer adventures moving.

Efficiency and electric range in a whole new light. Mercedes-Benz introduces sustainability and electromobility in a brand new way. The new Vision EQXX prototype has been released and this amazing vehicle has unmatched features. This beauty can endure more than 1,000 kilometers on one single battery charge. The aerodynamics and exterior design play a major role in this. It is also very lightweight due to the use of new materials, meaning less energy to burn. Achieving Milestones You may recall the luxurious 2022 EQS, for holding the world record for the most aerodynamic production vehicle. The plan is for the Vision EQXX to accomplish the next milestone with its drag coefficient of just 0.17. Many features on this vehicle are going to contribute to achieving this goal. The significance of this record is because of the circumstances .. electric driving and range is normally under. Two-thirds of the electric energy is needed just to counter the air resistance. Its sleek design depicts how seamlessly air will be able to glide against its elegant exterior. The front face is smaller than that of a compact CLA resulting in minimal resistance. There are also narrower rear wheel tracks to allow the air flow to happen more efficiently.  In addition to that, the wheels will have transparent external covers which will prevent nearly all air turbulence while allowing the opulence rose-gold magnesium rims to show. Beauty Inside And Out Mercedes-Benz always pushes for new advancements in their interior designs. Many will be surprised at the mix of sustainable materials used for its interior. Materials such as mushrooms, bamboo, cactus and vegan silk. Mercedes-Benz has found a way to illustrate its importance of luxury and top-quality comfort without having to involve the use of animal products. Efficiency Is The Future Mercedes-Benz blows everyone away with how they keep finding new ways to better not only technology, style and materials but also ways to save energy. With the Vision EQXX, 95% of the energy stored in the battery reaches the wheels. This beats out the average engine by 65%. This took vital research and time. The engineering team at Mercedes-Benz worked hand in hand with motor-racing specialists from High Performance Powertrains (HPP) and Mercedes- Benz Grand Prix (MBGP) to develop the best efficient and compact electric powertrain. It was also crucial to keep everything lightweight, including the battery housing. For years, they have tried to achieve this exact product. Trying to reduce mechanical friction to a minimum so that all power reaches the race track with little to nothing lost. A Battery That Could Change Vehicles Forever Typically, batteries are heavy in our vehicles. They can weigh and slow down. The energy density has been impressively improved to 200 Wh/kg. This enables the battery to store 100 kWh, while taking up half the space and weighing 30% less than batteries in other vehicles. Overall, we await the greatness that is the Vision EQXX. It is said to be announced in 2024. You can stay tuned on our socials for updates regarding this beauty. Access more information on our blogs, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can also custom order your vehicle through our website as well as compare different models for a better understanding of your perfect fit. For amazing vehicles just like this one, visit Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown on 630 Middle Country Road in St. James today to speak with a Sales Consultant about becoming one of our happy customers.  Call us today at 631-265-2204 to schedule your appointment.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC Sedan introduces a refreshed expression of compact luxury, combining elegant styling with advanced technology and confident performance. Designed to appeal to discerning drivers, it brings a more mature, sophisticated presence to the CLA lineup while remaining true to its dynamic character. Distinctive Exterior Design The exterior of the CLA 350 4MATIC reflects Mercedes-Benz’s “Sensual Purity” design philosophy, emphasizing clean lines and balanced proportions. A low, aerodynamic profile — with a class-leading drag coefficient of just 0.21 — enhances both aesthetics and efficiency. Design highlights include: A newly sculpted front fascia with a wide grille and LED light signature that reinforces the vehicle’s confident stance. Flush door handles and a flowing roofline that contribute to a modern, streamlined silhouette. An optional fixed panoramic roof that brings openness to the cabin while accentuating the vehicle’s refined contours. Extended wheelbase dimensions, which subtly improve cabin space while enhancing the overall visual balance. Interior Features and Technology Inside, the CLA 350 4MATIC integrates cutting-edge technology with premium craftsmanship. The cabin is anchored by the latest MBUX infotainment system powered by MB.OS, offering enhanced voice control, seamless connectivity, and adaptive functionality. A widescreen digital display creates a driver-focused cockpit, with the available “Superscreen” delivering a unified, high-resolution user experience. Key interior and performance features include: A turbocharged engine paired with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, offering approximately 349 horsepower and responsive driving dynamics. An intuitive AI-based interface, including real-time learning and personalization. A comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping, and traffic sign recognition. A Balanced Approach to Luxury The CLA 350 4MATIC is not merely a compact sedan—it is a carefully engineered blend of aesthetics, performance, and intelligent functionality. Its updated exterior design communicates confidence, while its interior showcases the brand’s continued commitment to innovation and luxury at every level. With its 2026 update, the CLA 350 4MATIC offers a compelling proposition for those seeking a well-appointed, forward-thinking luxury sedan in a sophisticated and practical package. Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown 630 Middle Country Rd, St James, NY 11780 mbsmithtown.com (877) 862-7343