survive the coming apocalypse

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Once again proving that they are the funniest automotive news site on the interwebs, Jalopnik has just posted the 12 best cars to help you survive 12 different kinds of coming apocalypses (apocalypsi?). At the top of the list (which Jalopnik claims to be "in no particular order") is the RENN's very own GLK 350 Spec.R hybrid rally-racer! Woo-hoo!

Also on the list: that Decepticon what got it's head cut off by Optimus Prime in the first movie (below) and the ultra-clean, all-electric Pow-Pow-Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler.

Enjoy!

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Photos by Ben Wojdyla - CLICK HERE for the original article.

weiner pics

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Just a few pics of the RENN's GLK - from Ree Bisaccio at MBUSA.

Thanks, again!

we are ze weiners!!

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After a crazy-hectic 45 day build and grueling 30 days of campaigning for votes from friends, family, well-wishers, enemies, total strangers, spam-bots, and all manner of Illuminati conspiracy theorists, Mercedes-Benz announced that RENNTECH has won the MBUSA GLK tuner build-off!!

At this point, I'm supposed to write about the tough competition from Brabus and Legendary, but - being 100% honest - Brabus took a knife to an all-out RENNTECH/BLVD gunfight, and I'm not sure Legendary showed up at all.

In any event, Mercedes acknowledged that RENNTECH's sweeping program of upgrades - which included extensive engine mods, software development, aerodynamic bodywork, suspension and brake upgrades, as well as converting the GLK to hybrid drive - pushed RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Rally Racer "over the edge".

The RENN and I would like to thank all our friends and sponsors (listed, below), this build would not have been possible without you.

Thanks for all your support!

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Special thanks to ...

- Nitto tire
- Seibon carbon
- 3M
- Optima batteries
- Schroth racing
- Goff's curtain walls
- Platune design
- JRD tuning
- Technicar
- Graphic Reproduction

Extra special shout-outs to ...

- David Dimitrion
- Rod Trenne
- Jack Baruth
- Matt Hardigree
- Ree Bisaccio
- Brian Nieves
- David Larsen
- Nicole Weiss
- Rob Moran
- Nick Chambers
- Steve Calamusa
- Robert and Raymond (mmm ... dark meat)

episode iii

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Mercedes-Benz released its GLK SEMA build videos online today - RENNTECH episode 3 (of 3) is posted above.

Enjoy the clip, and remember that this is a competitive build-off, so don't forget to vote for RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Hybrid Rally-Racer at MBUSA.com/GLK.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

episode ii

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Mercedes-Benz released its GLK SEMA build videos online today - RENNTECH episode 2 (of 3) is posted above.

Enjoy the clip, and remember that this is a competitive build-off, so don't forget to vote for RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Hybrid Rally-Racer at MBUSA.com/GLK.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

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EDIT: SAME DAY

You know, for some reason I look terrible in this episode! What's up with that? I look OK in episodes 1 and 3 ... bad lighting?

What. Ever.

episode i

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Mercedes-Benz released its GLK SEMA build videos online today - RENNTECH episode 1 (of 3) is posted above.

Enjoy the clip, and remember that this is a competitive build-off, so don't forget to vote for RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R Hybrid Rally-Racer at MBUSA.com/GLK.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

platune posts promo

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Platune (the design firm responsible for RENNTECH's GLK/SEMA concept-art) quietly posted this clip to their YouTube page several weeks ago ... and promptly forgot to tell anyone.

SO, here it is; not exactly news - but new to you!

glk voting card

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Just posting the digital version of our 4x6" SEMA handout to remind you all to head over to MBUSA.com/GLK and vote for the RENNTECH GLK 350 Spec.R hybrid!

As the happy little handout will tell you (do cards tell you things?), you can vote once from every computer you have access to - and, if you're a rabid RENNfan, you can even VOTE AGAIN! Simply text "Glk73" to the 5-digit number 48457 from your mobile phone.

Danke!!

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EDIT: SAME DAY

I'm Jo Borras, and I approve this message.

sema girls 2

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I haven't exactly been heavy into the news since getting back from SEMA (sort of "got back into it" yesterday, having been shocked back into action after seeing that Tesla/Brabus stupidity), but it seems like our Andrea got everyone's attention in Vegas, including Autospies, who seem to have made her their "top pick".

CLICK HERE to see what I mean.

sema girls 1

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Assuming you don't count the RENN's own swimsuit model (Andrea), it's been a while since I posted any new carshow honeys ... or posted anything at all, for that matter!

All this blogging comes in cycles. One day you have the time, the next you don't - other days you have all the time in the world and absolutely ZERO motivation.

You know how it is.

In the meantime: CLICK HERE to vote for the RENN's GLK hybrid, and try to enjoy the wimenz!

vote early - vote often

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It is the most important vote of our generation - a symbol of generational change and hope for a new era of American greatness.

I speak, of course, of the 2008 SEMA Mercedes-Benz tuner "build-off", where America's premier Euro-tuner RENNTECH plays David to take on the twin Goliaths of Brabus' thousand-man payroll and the marketing power of DuPont publishing.

RENNTECH's GLK 350 Spec.R hybrid rally racer features modifications to cams and heads, combined with full race exhaust and RENNTECH's new 350 composite airbox to produce 350 hp, while the 26KW electric motor adds 40 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm to help this nimble Sport-utility vehicle get moving.

Visit MBUSA.com/GLK to vote now, and text GLK73 to 48457.

CLICK HERE for photos from the MB reveal.

we're stars

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It might not be our big Hollywood break, but it's something!

You might recall a recent Mercedes press release announcing a tuner build-off at this year's SEMA show that would pit RENNTECH against 3 well-known tuning firms (read: victims). The winner of the build-off will be decided by popular vote on November 4, when the cars will be revealed to the industry at SEMA.

RENNTECH's entry has been covered HERE and HERE, but you have the chance to get a "sneak peak" at RENNTECH's rally dominator now - by visiting www.MBUSA.com/GLK. Click on the highlighted buttons (as shown, below) to make your way to the build videos.

CLICK HERE to jump to the site.

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Click "Watch the Videos"

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Click "Meet the Tuners"

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Expand "RENNTECH RALLY RACER"

4 more days to circle the drain

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Remember what happened to Scotty a few days ago?

I'm right there with him - and there is so much going on right now, I can't honestly put together a coherent post.

So, what else is new?

With only four (4) days left, Everyone here at the RENN is getting pretty fried - and it's all about the car you can barely even see behind the curtain wall in that picture up there. That car you can barely even see back there is well on its way to becoming the RENN's 2008 SEMA GLK Project:Rally hybrid show car, thanks to some crazy-long hours put in by Hartmut, David, Cliff, Steve, Pierre, Ratatouille (aka: "Napoleon, the mad intern"), Technicar, a bunch of people I'm forgetting at MBUSA, and the Swedes.

The Swedes! Holy crap - I can't believe I forgot to mention the Swedes!! That should be its own post, really - but, for now, enjoy this clip from Monster Garage (yes, these are THOSE Swedes).