Owners of Mercedes-Benz convertibles have received positive news about the residual values of their cars.

Research from EurotaxGlass’s indicates that the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 55 is among the top three best performers on the market in terms of its ability to retain its trade value.

The car is typically worth 87 per cent of its original sale price a year after it is purchased, putting it level with the Porsche Boxster S.

Also impressive is the Mercedes-Benz SL350 Convertible, which retains around 77 per cent of its original trade price. This makes it the 12th best performer on the market, level with Honda’s S2000 2.9i VTEC.

The Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 Kompressor Avantgarde Cabriolet has also made it onto the list of the top 15 convertibles on the market, thanks to its tendency to retain 76 per cent of its initial sale price.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, the EurotaxGlass’s study has found that the convertible market is seriously affected by seasonal peaks and troughs. In the autumn and winter months, values tend to fall more noticeably than in the rest of the used cars market. When spring and summer arrive, prices begin to stabilise a little, as the rest of the used cars market continues to slump.

Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor at EurotaxGlass’s, commented: "This is a fashion-led market, where the values of prestige-brand models in particular are influenced by changing tastes and the arrival of new models.

"This can make the residual value of a recently-launched prestige convertible amongst the strongest of any used cars when supplies are limited," he added.

Mercedes-Benz has added yet another global icon to its list of brand ambassadors, signing up stunning German model Eva Padberg.

The 27-year-old beauty will represent the luxury car maker at a host of international fashion and lifestyle events, initially appearing at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in July.

Eva’s rise to prominence has been impressive, having launched a successful singing career and fronted a number of high-profile advertising campaigns, and in 2005 she was voted the Sexiest Woman of the Year by readers of Germany’s FHM magazine.

"Berlin and Eva Padberg both epitomise a modern and young lifestyle," observed Dr Olaf Gottgens, vice president of brand communications with Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars.

"The Mercedes-Benz brand has always been known for its innovative approach, its timeless and emotional design and its unique allure, which is why Eva Padberg is the ideal fashion ambassador for our brand," he added.

Eva has spent much of her career travelling between Paris, London, New York and her home in Germany and her status within the fashion industry is exceptional. She has graced numerous catwalks for the likes of Chanel, Versace and Armani and has also gained a reputation as a keen supporter of a variety of charities.

Eva’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz has got off to an exciting start and her face is already featured on official publicity materials for the upcoming festival of fashion.

World famous photographer Marc Trautmann has produced images of the stunning model standing by an elegant Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe. The idea is to draw attention to the close and enduring associations between the worlds of fashion and cars and few could deny that the effect is extraordinary.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin will get underway on July 12th this year and the last collections will be showcased on July 15th.

Car enthusiasts, aviation fanatics and motorcycle buffs will soon congregate in Surrey for the eagerly-anticipated Brooklands Centenary Festival.

The momentous event marks the passing of 100 years since Brooklands became the first custom-built banked motor race circuit in the world.

Taking place on June 16th and June 17th, it will allow fans of British motorsport to learn more about the circuit’s prestigious history. It will also play host to the largest collection of pre-war machines ever assembled in Britain, as the famous circuit "echoes with the sound of hundreds of thundering engines".

Fans of classic cars will also be able to examine a number of Mercedes-Benz vehicles held at the neighbouring Mercedes-Benz World. Children above 1.5 metres can look forward to an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or smart car.

Enthusiasts can then enjoy a passenger ride in a Mercedes-Benz AMG or an off-road jaunt in an M-Class. The Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows will provide further entertainment for those who recall these iconic cars.

Formula 1 will also be honoured at the Brooklands festival, with a display including the 2006 Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 car. For those who prefer the DTM discipline, driver Susie Stoddart will showcase the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

Other exciting demonstrations include an air display on both days that will be led by the Brooklands Vickers Vimy - the world’s largest biplane. Motorcycle fans can also watch demonstrations from the likes of the 1936 Norton JAP S and the Cotton TT.

Those interested in attending are urged to visit the official website for extra information and details about tickets.

Monaco is often described as the jewel of the Formula One crown and Sunday’s race proved once again that Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are ruling imperiously.

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers secured a prestigious one-two finish in Monte Carlo, with Alonso finishing marginally ahead of his English team-mate. Felipe Massa was the only driver on the track who managed to avoid being lapped by both drivers.

It was a result that left both drivers on 38 points at the top of the drivers’ championship, although Alonso is now the outright leader on race wins. Hamilton maintained his impressive record of making the podium in every race this season and he is now just awaiting his first victory.

Alonso has paid particular tribute to the health of the car, insisting that it has been crucial to his rise to the top of the championship table.

"It’s a very nice surprise to see how the team’s hard work during the last couple of weeks has made our car so competitive," he said.

Hamilton was similarly full of praise for the team that has perfected the car this year.

"The team has done a fantastic job, and Fernando and I were able to give them the result they deserved."

Ron Dennis, team principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, referred to Sunday’s outcome as "an outstanding result" and praised the team’s 14th victory in the Principality.

Talented fashion designers in Berlin are preparing to battle it out in July as part of an innovative campaign for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The New Generation Award will offer financial support to five prodigious clothes designers, allowing them to transport their ideas to the world stage in the years ahead.

Three of the winners will present their designs to international journalists and the remaining two will be given the opportunity to host a presentation or exhibition.

All hopefuls must be based in Berlin and must have been operating in the industry for no more than five years. Designers should also be aged between 20 and 40 and will be asked to produce a minimum of 20 outfits for the show without financial assistance.

The Mercedes-Benz event will also demand that contestants can produce their labels within the international production cycle, with two offerings a year.

As an added bonus, the winning collection will be presented in stores across Germany, potentially allowing European consumers to get their hands on the merchandise in the months and years ahead.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin will take place between July 12th and 15th and will present collections from the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Michael Michalsky, Hugo and PUMA.

Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts will soon have an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a rare and beautiful model when it is auctioned on June 7th.

The British Car Auctions (BCA) Classic & Historics sale at the Brooklands Museum will include the spectacular 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S Cabriolet, which has an estimate of between £30,000 and £35,000.

The car is one of only 26 right-hand-drive models produced so it has unsurprisingly attracted a huge amount of attention already.

Held by its current owner for 20 years, the 220S Cabriolet has undergone an "exhaustive overhaul and rebuild", with the interior re-trimmed in red leather in 1988.

The interior wood trim has also been painstakingly refurbished, as part of a "careful" restoration project that has remained true to the car’s origins.

Bidders will also have access to a V5 registration document and a recently-renewed MOT certificate. There are also photographs taken before and after the restoration.

The seller has agreed to part with this desirable vehicle due to insufficient use and his advancing years, paving the way for a new owner who will doubtlessly treat it with equal reverence.

BCA’s sale commences in the Paddock area at 10am but interested bidders will also be able to view the cars between 2.30pm and 7.30pm on June 6th.

As Lewis Hamilton continues to wow Formula 1 fans and pundits alike with a string of incredible performances in his debut season, the strength of Paul di Resta, another young British driver - and the Mercedes technology pushing his performance - is beginning to similarly turn heads.

Like Hamilton, 21-year-old Scot di Resta has graduated from the Formula 3 Euro series and, driving a 2005-spec Mercedes-Benz C-Class, now leads the DTM Championship.

Now three races in, di Resta sits eight points clear of a three-way tie for second place after securing a fifth place finish in his debut DTM race at Hockenheim before leading his C-Class Mercedes to two consecutive second-place finishes.

"For me, Paul currently does in DTM what Lewis Hamilton does in Formula 1," said Mercedes-Benz Motorsport director Norbert Haug.

"Just like Lewis he is a newcomer and currently holds the championship lead," added Mr Naug.

And like Hamilton, di Resta, who won last year’s Euro series, is trying to keep his feet on the ground: "I have to admit that I’d never expected to travel to my home race, held at Brands Hatch, as championship leader."

The DTM series hits Brands Hatch on June 10th, with di Resta looking to drive his Mercedes C-Class to further phenomenal success.

Former Formula One world champion Mika Hakkinen has claimed his second victory in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) touring car series, saying he was helped by the performance of his C-Class Mercedes.

The Finn came out top at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz track in Germany, following up his first DTM win at Spa-Francorchamps two years ago.

"I am feeling great," he said. "It was a very interesting weekend. The performance of my new C-Class was fantastic. Being in the middle of the podium surrounded by my team mates is wonderful."

Paul di Resta and Bruno Spengler, both also racing with AMG Mercedes, had claimed second and third spots respectively.

Scottish di Resta is now leading the series with 20 points.

"I had an extraordinary race. Especially in qualifying, my car was excellent," he said, adding that he was looking forward to the next race at Brands Hatch.

"I hope that there will be many British fans out there to support me in my home race," he said.

Hakkinen’s win was the 137th victory enjoyed by Mercedes Benz in the DTM series. Last year’s championship was won by German driver Bernd Schneider, while Briton Gary Paffett claimed victory the year before. Both were driving Mercedes Benz C-Class cars.

Formula One legend Nigel Mansell has praised Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for its foresight and commitment in picking out young drivers.

Lewis Hamilton’s meteoric rise to fame this year has surprised many within the industry and Mansell has attributed his success to the work carried out by talent-spotters and coaches within the ranks.

"I think Lewis may have been a special case," he told the Royston Mercury. "He was hand picked and I don’t think anyone will look to do something similar, there a lot of costs and a lot of investment.

"Other teams may perhaps look at doing it but it’s a very hard thing to achieve what Lewis has so far and full credit to him."

An 11-year-old Hamilton famously approached McLaren boss Ron Dennis and told him he would one day race for his team. He was soon taken in by the designated development programme and his progress since has been truly breathtaking.

Hamilton is currently performing exceptionally well in the drivers’ championship with 38 points - the same as team-mate Fernando Alonso - and he has helped to give Vodafone McLaren Mercedes a 20 point lead in the constructors’ championship.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes boss Ron Dennis has dismissed reports of a rift between the team’s two drivers.

Speaking at Thursday’s FIA press conference Dennis said he found the suggestion that world champion Fernando Alonso and newcomer Lewis Hamilton don’t get on with one another to be ridiculous.

"I’m amused at how some magazines have tried to position the team as having conflict in it. There is absolutely nothing further from the truth," Dennis was reported by Reuters to have said.

"If you were able to see the body language, how they compete playing in video games and all of these things, you’d realise that yes, they are competitive and want to win but not to the detriment of the relationship they have with each other or the relationship within the team," he added.

Dennis, not renowned for mincing his words, also said that the so called Formula One experts should mind their own business and that he was irritated by journalists who have never been involved in a race suddenly profess making assumoptions about the inner workings of the team.

As the pair prepare for Sunday’s showpiece Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton leads double world champion Alonso by two points after four races.