While Gotryke opts for the more ephemeral car news, Edmunds.com is geared toward the brass-tacks of American car buying. Edmunds auto experts are predicting a price drop in 90 percent of new cars in the next 30 days.

“The next 30 days will be the best time of this year to get a great deal on a car, as there is still sufficient selection of old model year bargains and prices are generally trending downward,” Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell said in a company release.

Premium luxury cars such as the 2010 BMW 7 Series, 2010 Audi A8, 2010 Mercedes Benz S-Class and 2010 Volvo S80 are more affordable as well as trucks like the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-series and large SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban, the Ford Expedition, and the Nissan Armada Large.

“We also expect dealers to be increasingly flexible when negotiating prices for last year’s hybrid vehicles like the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Honda Insight, 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid and 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Gas prices aren’t high enough to motivate shoppers to consider them, especially when incentives are fairly generous on some of their non-hybrid counterparts,” Analyst Richard Arca said. “Dealers are ready to clear out the old inventory and may make some compelling deals, especially as some new competitors are entering the market.”

If paper saving is of interest, hold off for a few months on newbies such as the 2011 BMW 5-Series, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Infiniti QX56 and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which will lower once the buzz wanes.

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Here’s a perfect day at the beach: Mercedes-Benz CL600 complete with a decadent 429 hp V8 biturbo engine. Coming seaside fall 2010.

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To assess the attributes of the Mercedes-Benz E350 we’re visiting the modern art section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art today. We’ll pay close attention to Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Juan Gris. The cubists are central to our point.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the twin-headlight face of the 210  E-Class has cubist-like features. In cubism, objects are deconstructed and redefined in an abstract manner, to accentuate the interplay of angles, creating a sense of disorder in the angles. Yet, in true art, there is no random stroke, and the placement of angles forces the eye to reexamine subject and concept from a fresh perspective.  That is why the eye is drawn to Picasso’s use of shapes and figures.

Of course there is nothing random about the careful parameters that make up car design — a marriage of looks and performance aerodynamics, and so is the case with the sharp jutting figure of the E350 headlights. But the headlights create a point of reference for a vehicle that teases the the eye with an interesting use of lines that create a sleek, sinuous body. It’s the kind of body that makes you get a craving for driving. The form-fitted slopes taper off from the rear wheels. The shape is drawn from the influence of  the Ponton Mercedes of the 1950s, the first Daimler produced after World War II, referring to the fender that had a pontoon feel.

Of course, this is my review, Mama Speed-Star, and each and every time I drive a two-door car, I’m reminded that coupes are not for kids. However, it’s worth noting that my kid didn’t seem to mind the awkwardness of loading up a car seat in the back of the coupe. I kept waiting for him to fuss, but he genuinely liked the vibe back there. The ambiance inside the cabin was serene and well-sculpted with the best sunroof ever that seemed to open up to the sky’s limit.  I believe we rode with Premium 1 Package that comes with a 450 watt harmon/kardon premium sound system with surround sound, media interface for connecting an external MP3 player, SIRIUS Satellite Radio / HD radio, heated seats and the rear sun shade that kept him comfortably cool in his car seat.  What this leads to is a car that marries comfort and sport quite nicely. There’s even “comfort” and “sport” mode to emphasize that point.

Deft, agile and lean muscles were my first driving impressions. It’s exceptional pleasure to drive the E350. It makes you want to drive far and away. Perhaps its the a three-stage memory function and electro-pneumatically adjustable four-way lumbar support inside the cabin that is cause for the cozy.

Speaking of kids, mine was actually quite safe back there with the new features such as Attention Assist, that judges 70 different variables in order to recognize driver drowsiness, such as steering sensors. Of course it’s hard to get sleepy driving this sports wonder on quick trips through New York City with the 3.5 liter V6 gasoline engine and 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, V6, which has solid power and grabs 20 mpg. For the old school power players there’s the V8 engine with 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. We call it an only slightly-guilty pleasure with improved fuel economy from the last generation.

It’s roughly a 50-grand car, a price point that seems rather reasonable.  If you’re in my boat with a car-full, next time, I’ll give you my take on the sedan. We can go check out MOMA.

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Once a week I am greeted by the car fairy — the fleet company that hands off the keys of a brand new test vehicle for evaluation. The rules are as follows: Within reason, I can do as I please, as long as I don’t cross the Canadian border or park on the streets in Manhattan. A few weeks ago, the pickings were bountiful with the delivery of a snappy red Mercedes-Benz GLK. The GLK has character in its contours — it’s the baby of the SUVs in Mercedes lineup. The advantages to the smaller ride were slightly better fuel economy than the beefy G class (16 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the West Side Highway.)

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The svelte form language of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, creates a certain lust for classic curves of yesteryear. That desire is quenched by the 1955  Mercedes-Benz 300SLR, a storied sports car that counted Zsa-Zsa Gabor, Sophia Loren and Elvis Presley among it’s owners. Only 1,400 of the post-war coupes were made. The single-seater version of the sports car is currently on exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Not surprisingly the car summons a pretty penny. In the recent Amelia Island auction, collector John O’Quinn’s model of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL gullwing coupe sold for $687,500.

photo: Hodinkee

Everything about this car speaks vintage coterie, and is embedded with inherent value.  With swatches of remaining gabardine fabric, Mercedes decided to make use of the vintage fabric in an artful manner and had Burberry make a few pocket squares.

After all, it was Thomas Burberry who invented gabardine in the late nineteenth century. He borrowed  from the flowing gaberdina of the Middle Ages worn over blouses to develop the sturdy material. Worsted wool had twill qualities –  ribbed on one side and smoothed on the other. Not for sale, but worthy all the less.

Everything grand has a back story.

Canadian Driver

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courtesy: Mercedes-Benz

The first brand the fashion industry types came across was not Halston, Rodarte or Marc Jacobs. That distinction belonged to the event’s title sponsor whose logo was plastered on closeups cutaway shots at Bryant Park. It was Fall 2010 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the last season for the Bryant Park Tents. At the overcrowded tents, the traffic-stopping Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Mercedes-Benz E-Cabriolet managed to cut a sharp figure.  For those who wandered close enough to take a peek, product specialists were on hand to provide details about both cars’ nifty features, which go on sale later this year, as they waited to be harangued into the show of the hour at the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Fall Fashion Week.

The view from Mercedes-Benz seats at Tadashi Shoji, Feb. 15, 2010

While some would argue that fashionable women and men could care less about cars, it’s undeniable that the title sponsor adds to the ambiance — hinting at a world where the finer things in life are indeed still a possibility. As the dirge of shows commenced,  details were being finalized for the automaker to expand their roll even further when the New York Fashion Week moves permanently to Lincoln Center in September for Spring Fashion Week 2011. “The important piece is to relate the brand to the style, the quality and the craftsmanship of Fashion Week,” said Lisa Holladay, Manager, Brand Experience Marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA, who has overseen the German automaker’s relationship since signing on for sponsorship in 2008. “We’re in discussion over a multiple year contract. It’s a very important platform for us and we planning to grow that on a more meaningful level. Lincoln Center will be great because of the fact that we have big sexy cars to move, and it makes it easier for us to actually drive the cars.”

Eric Villency, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing Lisa Holladay, and Adam Paige of Mercedes-Benz attend Fashion Week Spring 2010 presented by Mercedes-Benz at Bryant Park on September 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

The fashion industry, faced with cost-cutting measures, is particularly reliant on sponsor dollars and the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer program (featuring past pairings with Yigal Azrouël, Chado Ralph Rucci, Badgley Mischka, Diane Von Furstenberg, 3.1 phillip lim, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger and  Narciso Rodriguez) carries a certain amount of cache. This season, the program centered on the pairing of Rodarte and Alexander Wang’s collections with photographer Nick Knight’s SHOWStudio — a well-placed tie-in for an automaker that strives to highlight its technical prowess.

During Fashion Week, Mercedes found clever ways to connect with prospective customers through invite-only online groups such as  Generation Benz. Selected members were invited to Bryant Park to witness the action up close from the vantage point of the Mercedes-Benz backstage lounge. “Mercedes-Benz owners put an importance on fashion. Fashion indexes high with current consumers and prospects,” Holladay said. Wedged between the IMG and W Hotel lounges,  celebrities, newscasters, fashion editors and a designer or two wandered in and out  of the lounge for a cocktail and to plop down on the fluffy white sofas. There was  a bit of tittering when someone new strode through the door as the guests nonchalantly whispered among themselves, “What show is he on? Oh, I don’t watch Gossip Girl.”

More Fashion on Gotryke:

Karl Lagerfeld x Les Ateliers Ruby helmet

More Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week:

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2010

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It takes a realistic optimist to be enthusiastic about vehicles in 2009. A realistic optimist looks at 2009 as the basis for a meaner, leaner decade, shaped by some sense of purpose. And purpose is surely what’s been lacking in the credit-driven capitalistic society. It’s an old trend with a new name: maturialism.

The reality is that 2009 was full of painful and complex issues that played out in the car business — the demise of the Detroit way, the deflation of sizzle in the super-luxury fantasy world, the further spiral of vehicles as banal, utilitarian means of transportation, and the omnipresent melting polar ice caps. But, there are some optimistic aspects of the moment. People managed to make cars happen, cars that have been in the works long before the bubble burst, and in this forward movement are beacons of hope — yes, hope, for a way that dictates a new approach for a new century, with research dollars devoted to looking at four wheels with fresh perspective

So without further adieu, Gotryke’s maturialist and guilty pleasures for 2009:

1. Ford Fusion Hybrid
The great Ford hope that betters the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s city mileage with 41 m.p.g. floss. The Fusion is a metaphor for everything that’s gone right with Ford lately — it’s attractive, it has a conscious and it’s mindfully made for the average new car buyer.

2. Audi S4
When the S4 landed in my universe, we had the aha! feeling that’s been missing lately in test driving. The beauty of driving expensive, extraordinarily crafted, svelte new cars. And then we drove S4. 333-horsepower supercharged V-6, clocking in with 26 mpg.

3. Volvo XC60
Volvo continues to invent modern day safety and will carry the torch for clean Scandinavian car design. As parents, we can’t deny them. Everyone else step in line behind the holistic approach to driving.

4. Land Rover LR4
What is your favorite SU…. Land Rover. Always. Land Rover knows the thick of the luxe SUV business — combining driving prowess with thorough cabin design and the pedigree that makes any mountain man feel right at home. In a future with less SUVs, only the strong survive.

5. Toyota Prius
Toyota invented the hybrid game, and they own it with the most iconic hybrid shape, and a few additional highlights.

6. Nissan Cube
When we climbed into the Cube with three adults and one baby, we didn’t expect to find unanimous love for the white box, but that’s exactly what happened. The interior created an eccentric ambiance that made our journey more fun, and redefine the geometrical car battles.

7. Jaguar XFR

The XFR vehicle restored our faith in Jaguar as a true contender in the sly sports car segment. It was a head turner and a stand out and a ridiculous performer — and we want to go back.

8. Porsche Panamera
Think of it this way — the 911 DNA, with the practicality of a sedan — ideal for a long Autobahn trip or picking up friends for a night of flossing. The design proportions of Panamera are different. And we need our design envelope stretched. We all know Porsche makes fast cars, but after the success of the Cayenne its interesting to see how they move forward in the future.

9. BMW 750LI
We can’t help ourselves. B stands for Bad with a capital B. Here’s what we said in the review:
When you’re the big dog, sometimes it’s hard to decipher your finer points, but living with the 750 is an exercise in appreciation for the finer elements. While it’s voluminous, it’s also sleek, a canon cocked to unleash, that is best when zipping by on the highway.

10. Dodge Ram
The fact that Chrysler could deliver a class A Dodge Ram in the midst of so much turmoil is proof in the pudding of how strong the truck biz is in Auburn Hills. And yes, we do need our trucks for towing and doing the big jobs.

They figured out how to put coil springs on a pickup. Somebody send these guys to CERN to fix the Large Hadron Collider.

Honorable Mentions:

Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro turns head. Outside of Corvette territory, it’s been sometime since Chevy has turned heads like that. While we have some quibbles about the roofline, it’s still an extreme pleasure.

Mazda 3
We drove Mazda 3 this summer. We hope Ford takes notes in it’s soon-to-be cousin Fiesta handling. I’ve long been a 3 fan, for it’s deft handling, but the grand touring five door really is the max to the minimum. Three’s good company.

Mercedes-Benz E Class
We like the elegance restored in the new E Class. We haven’t experienced it due to scheduling oversight. (The vehicle launched earlier in the year.) It’s our new year revolution to drive it.

Volkswagen Golf TDI
Yippy! It’s fun, it’s fast frugal feisty Fahrvergnügen. And also at 41 mpg on the highway. For the Wunderkind

Next Up: Why we are amped for Twenty-Ten.

Our Picks Reviewed on Gotryke:Audi S4
Nissan Cube
Jaguar XFRDodge RamBMW 750liChevy Camaro
Land Rover LR4
Porsche Panamera
Toyota PriusVolvo XC60

More on 2009 lists:
30 Most Expensive Car Crashes of 2009: Jalopnik

10 Defining Feminist Moments

Wall Street’s 10 Greatest Lies of 2009

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To set the scene, picture this: Under subdued lighting, friends of MB and the fashion elite sip cocktails and soak up the interior design ambiance commissioned by Mercedes. While corporate in context, the atmosphere is relaxed and not advertorial. It’s the kind of room, a scenester may want to be on the scene and seen — but couldn’t get in with good looks alone. You got to know someone to get the proper wristband that changes frequently.

Back stage is the real way to enjoy fashion week, sans the lines and attitude, in true Star comfort, with runway moments projected live on dual screens, and the occasional flourish of a celebrity’s grand entrance, publicist/stylist in tow. It’s all very hush-hush and exclusive — which is how Mercedes likes it. Here is an opportunity to observe what’s happening in fashion, without the hassle of circumstance to go alongside the pomp.

In good taste, we held off on paparazzi photography, but we can tell you that Ms. Rowland took notice of Tyson Beckford’s runway appearance, and mused over Kanye West’s controversial VMA outburst before she commented to E later in the day.

Speaking of runways, we did that today too, as a guest of our host automaker/title sponsor. The Brian Reyes collection was our first stop. We sat next to up-and-coming Florida designer Laura Brodsky of Cross My Heart Couture and her partner (a Tampa area Mercedes-Benz dealer). Brodsky, a self taught atelier, makes romantic gothic creations. She was inspired by Brian Reyes 2010 and described his collection as “flirty and feminine” to her liking. The Brian Reyes collection featuring textured, cinch-waisted chartreuse dresses and high-waisted shorts paired with suggestive bustiers. The nostalgic quality was enhanced by a Motown backdrop as the Temptations “Get Ready” closed the show.

Later in the afternoon, Max Azria pulled out all confident, cool stops with elegant nude and black slashed silky creation in his form-flowing collection. The Tunisian-born French visionary behind the haute-chic of bon chic bon in his BCBG line, reserves evening wear for his namesake collections.

Contrary to New York Magazine’s cheeky take Mickey Rourke, he eyeballed every design with genuine interest. We swear his draw dropped over the fabled chain dress along with Lucy Liu, who tossed back her long locks to get a closer look at the elaborate cuts of Max Azria evening wear with slits to boot. We drooled over this collection alongside Bliss Spa’s creative director, agreeing that Max Azria didn’t disappoint with his vision for 2010 — a decade in the making.

More Fashion Week bonanza:

Solange Knowles & Keri Hilson At BCBG Max Azria Spring 2010 Show (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Solange Knowles Gets Roped Into Fashion Week (justjared.buzznet.com)

Fashion Week’s travel theme! (gadling.com)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kicks Off (blogs.thecarconnection.com)

MercedesBenz zooms into the driving seat at London Fashion Week (telegraph.co.uk)

Ray Shaw, Chairman Of American City Business Journals, Dies Of Bee Sting (huffingtonpost.com)

Charlotte Ronson Show Attracts Young Starlets, But No Lohan (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Hello, Fashion Week! Our First Stop: BCBG Max Azria (thefashionator.ivillage.com)

On the Racked: Fashion Week Mania: Even Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel can’t… (curbed.com)

Gwen, Whitney – and Posh – Kick Off NY Fashion Week! (popsugar.com)

Runway Wars Lets You Decide Who’s Got The Look At Fashion Week (insidefacebook.com)

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When I got my first laptop I covered it in stickers that djs, bands and record labels gave me — and carried it under my art. Some of the edgier imagery drew funny looks at airport security.  Apparently, I was on to something.  Here’s just what a race car writer needs for press trip savvy notes — the new Vivienne Tam laptop, or at least needs to know they exist.I’m sure undercover fashionable car writers like Guzik at Driverside.com already has three, but I’m usually late to the party.

But wait, there’s still one big problem – it’s HP.  Will my reviews convert? Oh, well maybe next time. Our love for Apple is basically unanimous – a two decade relationship, really, but for $699, this might be a travel accessory that’s worth it. The original grabs my fancy, but the marmalade-hue on the first-edition butterfly is fetching, and organic than my stickered mac that’s long since gone to computer heaven.

Thanks to Blaynista, for posting on her very own VT experience and upclose snaps:

VIA Blaynista:

@vivienne tam, backstage

@viviene tam show and this is…

Her new laptop! It just debuted down the runway for the first time! It is champagne with gold butterflies. It will retail between $600 to $800, and like her previous laptop mirrors her clothing collection. I die!

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What had us still ahhing after the show were her denim overall cutout shorts — hot stuff, obliques exposed. We like her floor length silky overcoats – very Flowers in the Attic je ne sais quois. Her fans were young, grungy and unpretentious, with a little LA deliberateness.

After the showing, Erin emerged for a quick bow, deliberately not-model like, beanie cap covering her blondish locks. We spotted her in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge later in the evening, not long after Bruce Willis made his exist. A low-key lady, she relaxed on the couch, her runway moment behind her, a wistful memory of worn fabrics gone by.

Our fashion consultant Madyha Farooqui says this of the collection:” Just looked up RVCA…I think it’ll be ‘hipster-esque,” young and cool in terms of the crowd and presentation. The clothes look cool, but simple everyday. If you have time to go…also a good one in terms of scene more than anything else I would imagine.” She nailed RVCA, spot on.

*We don’t like our late night photos, so we bring you this one to give you a sense of Erin’s personal style, and a look her models rocked in 2008.

A NY Fashion Week Smorgasbord of Articles:

Gwen Stefani Presents L.A.M.B. at NY Fashion Week (justjared.buzznet.com)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kicks Off (blogs.thecarconnection.com)

Solange Knowles Gets Roped Into Fashion Week (justjared.buzznet.com)

Celebrities Rock Out: Spring 2010 Fashion Week In NYC (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Rihanna Channels Grace Jones At Intermix Party (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Fashion Week: ‘Videofashion Daily’ to Air on NYC TV (nextny.org)

On the Racked: All Fashion Week, All the Time (curbed.com)

Storming the runway at New York Fashion Week (nationalpost.com)

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