Fake or not, this leaked ordering guide for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ makes for some interesting reading. The guide was leaked to Autoblog, so check out this link for more.
Unsurprisingly the pricing within is at the higher end of the scale, including a US$10,000 custom paint option, $12,000 for ceramic brakes, and over $23,000 can be spent on carbon fibre trimming. If you’ve got it, you may as well flaunt it, I guess.
While looking into material for the previous post featuring Bernd Schneider lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife, I discovered I had missed a bunch of interior images of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ from late April. Shame on me!
Here they are now, and don’t forget to click on each image for a closer look, courtesy of wallpaper friendly 2000px super images.
For more information on the ‘Gullwing’ follow the links below:
We still haven’t been given a proper look at the outside of a finished SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ yet, but we can get some idea as to how the next Mercedes-Benz sportscar performs.
This lap filmed by Motor Trend at a special preview day shows German touring car ace Bernd Schneider putting the SLS through its paces. Check the movement of the passenger’s head as the big Benz laps the Ring in around 8 minutes.
[Source: Motor Trend | Thanks to Todd for the tip]
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is one of those love or hate cars. So much so, that it’d hardly be surprising for the same person to hold such polarising views. Be that as it may UK customers will be able to get their hands on a limited Grand Edition model from next month.
Just 560 Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition models will be finding a homes in the UK. Helping sales along for the Grand Edition are Titanium Grey 18″ AMG alloys, front grille and headlight clusters in Palladium silver and a tweaked engine for more grunt.
Almost three quarters of CLS sales are diesel powered, so the Grand Edition sports an enhanced 350 CDI V6 diesel with a 48bhp (35kW) increase to a maximum of 272bhp (202kW). Torque has also been given a 50Nm nudge. Mercedes reckon their über oil burner can reach 60mph in 6.5 seconds. Not earth shattering performance, but not too shabby either. Especially for a diesel.
More pics after the jump.
Volkswagen has knocked BMW off its perch by winning the International Engine of the Year overall honour with its twincharged 1.4 litre four cylinder engine.
Not content with the overall title, the 1.4 TSI also won the Best Green Engine 2009 and Best Engine in the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category.
A panel of 64 judges from 32 countries voted on the awards. Dr Ruediger Szengel, Head of Gasoline Engine Development for Volkswagen AG, was on hand to accept the award behalf of Volkswagen, “A combination of downsizing, direct injection and high boost pressure produce exceptionally high specific power output and torque with low emissions and fuel consumption from a gasoline engine.
“The success of TSI technology in this competition has blossomed as it has become available in more countries throughout the world. We are convinced that our competitors will follow but we are determined to keep our lead.”
The full list of winners is shown below, with links to the IEOTY website. Press releases from Volkswagen, Porsche and BMW can be read after the jump:
Following last month’s official announcement of the SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’, Mercedes-Benz has released these teaser images of the car. While only sketch drawings of the exterior have been revealed, three interior shots of the car have been released.
The concept drawings look damn spectacular it has to be said. Something we can’t always say about more recent designs from Benz. Here’s hoping the final body work maintains the drama shown above.
Just in case you’ve forgotten, the SLS will be powered by a 420kW V8. The car will employ a 7-speed double clutch box and they say it will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and will have a top speed of 315km/h.
More pics after the jump.
Carmageddon has claimed yet another scalp with news filtering through that body specialists Karmann filed for bankruptcy overnight.
Best known for their stunning Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupé, built from 1955–1974, the German coach-builders currently supply components and body work for convertible models to the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI and Volkswagen. Contracts with Audi and Mercedes-Benz have either expired, or are coming to an end, and will not be renewed.
While Karmann doesn’t have huge debt hanging over its head, it is suffering the flow on effect from a worldwide drop in automotive sales. Many of its customers are planning to bring work back in-house, leaving Karmann in the lurch.
The company has plans to undertake a massive restructure that would see around 50% of its workforce laid off. This would require redundancy payments for over 2,000 workers, and it is these payments that Karmann cannot afford. By taking the voluntary bankruptcy route it is hoped a buyer can be found and the payments to workers can be saved.
[Source: Bloomberg & theSwitchback]
An unknown Melbourne motorist is gaining unwanted notoriety after crashing into a brothel on Punt Road in Richmond.
The accident happened at 7:40am on Sunday and witnesses claim the driver lost control turning on to Punt Road from Brunton Avenue. In a case of premature evacuation the driver fled the scene, leaving the $270K Mercedes-Benz S500 behind. Police are understood to have a firm grip on the driver’s identity and are seeking witnesses to come forward.
For more money shots check out ninemsn.com
[Source: The Age] (Thanks to Jim for the tip.)
Jenson Button has just made it two race wins from two starts in 2009 at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Brawn-Mercedes driver got off the line from pole position poorly and lost the lead to Nico Rosberg. However, he was able to regain the lead before the race was cancelled due to a monsoon-like storm.
This YouTube clip, from BrawnGP, shows Button full of optimism before jetting out to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix. Now, two races into the season, it makes for interesting viewing to listen to what Button has to say. You get the feeling that the strong pre-season form shown by BrawnGP left the team full of confidence. Looking at the subsequent results, you can see why.
A full table of results from the Malaysian Grand Prix can be accessed at Formula1.com.
After the usual internet leaks Mercedes-Benz has released pics and info about their latest AMG bahnstormer, the E 63.
As with most AMG machines the numbers are big. Very big. In exchange for 6.3 litres of V8 metal you get 525bhp (386kW) with very handy 630Nm of torque. The car is only available with the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed transmission, but at least its not a conventional torque converter auto. The box employs a wet start-up clutch and has four selectable options—in manual mode it can change gears in as little as 100 milliseconds. There’s also a RACE START function that blips the throttle at all the right moments making you look as adept as Mika Hakkinen.
What this means is the E 63 AMG will accelerate to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. As usual for Mercedes-Benz, top speed is capped at 250km/h.
There’s the usual raft of improvements and electronic trickery under the skin including more direct steering and better fuel consumption. They say there is a three stage ESP system that includes an “ESP off” setting. I wonder if that is what they really mean, as Mercedes-Benz have been known in the past to not allow ESP to be fully deactivated by the driver.
Mercedes describes the design of this car as “decidedly dynamic”. I personally think that is decidedly optimistic. The more modern Benz design solutions haven’t always been a treat to the eye. And, to me, this E 63 is no different. It’s not that it’s ugly, but it’s just not pretty to look at. Sure, there are some nice design details, but overall it’s not on the money.
More words and images after the jump.
UPDATE: From the Australian press release – “The European market launch of the new E 63 AMG will commence in August 2009. This exciting new model will hit Australian road in the first quarter of next year. Full Australian specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the time of model release”
Mercedes-Benz has officially announced details of its SLS AMG supercar, the car to revive the ‘Gullwing’ nickname. The 21st century iteration is set to pack a 420kW punch, with power coming courtesy of a hand built 6.3 litre V8, driven through the rear wheels via a 7-speed double clutch transmission.
Built and developed from the ground up by AMG the car will use an aluminium chassis and body panels to keep kerb weight to 1620kg. That will give the coupé a power-to-weight ratio of 2.84kg/hp.
While the performance claims have been labelled as ‘provisional’ Mercedes-Benz say the car will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and will have a top speed of 315km/h.
Despite having the engine mounted up front, the car has a front/rear weight distribution of 48 to 52 percent. This is one advantage of the classic sports car long bonnet formula, which has allowed AMG to mount the engine behind the front axle.
The big Benz will roll on light-weight alloys, 19×9.5 inch (front) and 20×11 inch (rear), supporting 265/35R19 and 295/30R20 tyres respectively.
The car has been in development since late 2006 and will reach the market around this time next year, with all vehicle component testing scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.
More teaser images and press guff after the jump. (Extra images available at eMercedesBenz.)
UPDATE: Renderings of the SLS AMG can be seen HERE.
Following the lead of Mercedes-Benz, two more manufacturers have donated cash towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Honda Australia, through its Honda Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to the cause. Joining Honda in today’s announcement is Nissan Australia and Nissan Motor Co. in Japan who will be offering a combined donation of $100,000.
Nissan Australia will also match donations made by its employees to the Australian Red Cross or Salvation Army. The company has also committed to a 100 vehicle loan fleet, allowing affected members of the public to apply for a free loan car, for a period of up to six months.
These announcements are a fantastic show of support and one would expect more manufacturers to follow in these very generous footsteps.
Where available, press statements from manufacturers are included after the jump.
UPDATE: Audi has made a “significant contribution” towards the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation which made a $1,000,000 donation earlier today.
Toyota has donated $100,000 to the Cricket Australia Bushfire Appeal. Ford also donated a Mondeo XR5 Turbo for auction, with all proceeds going to the appeal.
UPDATE 11 Feb: V8 Supercars have donated $100,000. (Source: The Australian)
BMW Group Australia has chipped in $100,000 plus other support.
UPDATE 12 Feb: News just in that Mitsubishi have donated $100,000 to the Appeal.
Holden has also come forward with a $152,000 (US$100,000) donation, via its GM Foundation, and a fleet of 300 loan cars available to bushfire victims for periods of 3-12 months. In addition to these pledges, Holden dealers nationawide have raised a further $200,000. (Source: news.com.au)
Update 13 Feb: The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced last night that it is donating $300,000 towards the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires.
Image: sourced from The Boston Globe