Category: Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz contributes to Victorian Bushfire Appeal

Victorian Bushfires

The devastating bushfires in Victoria over the weekend have so far claimed over 170 lives and left almost 4000 homeless. The loss of life was previously unimaginable and thoughts and condolences go out to those who have lost family members and friends.

For those unaffacted it is sometimes difficult to know what, if anything, one can do to assist. I spent a lot of today listening to the radio commentary and it was mentioned several times that two of the best things people can do to help are to donate blood or make a financial contribution to the relief fund.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific did just that by putting the financial crisis into perspective when it offered an initial contribution of $107,000 to the relief effort. This includes donations of $1000 from each of the board’s seven directors. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services will also offer support to its customers (contact number in press release below).

If you are able, I urge you to follow suit and make a donation. You can do this by donating directly to the Red Cross, or by following the suggestions on ABC Radio’s Melbourne website.

Image: sourced from The Boston Globe

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz News

McLaren launches title defence with MP4-24

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24

Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes launched the title defence of Lewis Hamilton’s world championship by revealing their 2009 car, the MP4-24. This is the first McLaren to wear the number 1 since Mika Hakkinen in 2000, following his 1999 championship.

With limits on in-season development during the 2009 season, Ron Dennis explains some of the challenges in building the car, “The biggest problem is the concept of the car because if you have the wrong concept you are locked into an uncompetitive car.”

Lewis Hamilton is refreshed heading into the new season, “I feel more relaxed going into the season simply because I’m come off a great season. I feel I have reset my goals, and reset my targets back to when I started in Formula One. I want to be world champion. I don’t sit here saying I am world champion; I sit here saying I want to be world champion.”

Heikki Kovalainen, too, is ready for the challenges ahead, “Well obviously there are many big changes coming to the season and there are still a few unknown things like the qualifying format that could spice up the things. But I think it is a big challenge for everybody. The cars will feel a little bit different and we need to adjust and adapt the driving style a little bit. Maybe the set-up will be a little bit different, and there are a lot of questions we need to answer before Melbourne.”

More images below and full media access on the launch of the MP4-24 is available at the McLaren website.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz News

Ron Dennis to step down as McLaren team principal

McLaren's Ron Dennis hands over to Martin Whitmarsh

Yesterday, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes launched their new car for the 2009 F1 season, but perhaps the biggest news from this event was nothing to do with the cars at all. Ron Dennis announced that he would be stepping down as Team Principal, effective from 1 March. The position will be filled by Martin Whitmarsh, currently McLaren’s Chief Operating Officer.

Ron Dennis: “Let me make one thing clear: this is very definitely not retirement. In fact, I intend to work even harder from now on. And it’s because I intend to work even harder … that I’ve decided to pass the role of Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to Martin.”

Martin Whitmarsh: “Ron and I have had many discussions about this over the past few weeks and months, but eventually it became clear that Ron’s decision was final. Everyone knows what an incredible career Ron has had to date; his legacy is huge. As such, I remain hugely mindful of the responsibilities I assume as team principal – it’s a daunting yet exciting prospect.”

Full release below.

Source: McLaren.com (Thanks to Dylan for the tip.)

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Every now and then Mercedes-Benz produces a car that jumps out of their range, slams down your front door, smacks you in the face, then steals your wife and daughter on its way out. In the past this has been done through cars such as the CLK 63 AMG Black Series. Astonishingly, Benz have even thrown out the rule book from the Black range. At least that’s the only way I can describe how on earth they (or rather McLaren) came up with the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss, which is currently on show at the NAIAS in Detroit.

Spy shots and video were revealed on AUSringers.com in July 2008 and even then you could sense this car would be almost like any other. (Oh, you must follow that link to hear the brutality of the car’s engine!) Certainly, its unlike any Mercedes-Benz road car in recent memory. I mean, just look at it! It’s stark raving mad, with crease lines all over the carbon fibre body, side exit exhausts that look like they could fire you straight to hell and a bonnet soooo long that it must have the Luftwaffe hidden away in some sort of Trojan horse disguise. Judging by the sound of the car’s supercharged 5.4 litre V8 it definitely sounds that way.

Stirling’s angry engine instills 478kW (641bhp) of fear into its driver, and plants said driver back in the seat with the brute force of 820Nm of torque. It’s said to do the 100km/h sprint in just 3.5 seconds on to a mammoth top speed of 350km/h. I’ve often said, you don’t quite get the right experience of wind in your hair until you’re doing 350 clicks. Just as well, then, that the SLR Stirling Moss has no roof.

Mr Moss’ latest wheels are driven by a relatively low tech sounding five speed auto, but I guess it needs to have balls of steel, and then some, to deal with the crazy power at hand.

Speaking of crazy, you’ll need around AU$1.5M if you’re to get your hands on a set of keys. Oh yeah, you’ll also need to already own an SLR in order to be “allowed” buy a Stirling Moss, limited to just 75 models. The SLR Stirling Moss also marks the end of McLaren’s deal with Mercedes-Benz for the forseeable future. They have certainly gone out with a bang!

More images, press release and promo video clip after the jump.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 Supercircuit

This is a Mobil 1 promo clip where Lewis Hamilton strings together his favourite corners from Formula One circuits around the world to form his own “Supercircuit”. Famous corners such as Spa’s Eau Rouge and Monaco’s Casino are featured, but there’s nothing from Melbourne’s Albert Park track. There’s also some gumpf from Mobil about their oil and the stresses it goes through during the lap.

A free plug for Mobil then, but it’s an interesting enough clip.

(Thanks to WorldCarFans for posting the clip on YouTube and cheers to Dylan for the link.)

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz News

Lewis Hamilton wins dramatic title decider

Lewis Hamilton - 2008 F1 World Champion

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock you’ll have heard that Lewis Hamilton was crowned Formula 1 World Champion yesterday in the most dramatic of circumstances. Needing to finish the race in the top five to fend off the points challenge from a dominant weekend by race winner, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, Hamilton watched his title lead slip by when Sebastien Vettel relegated the Briton to sixth place with an overtaking move on the second last lap. This moment of high drama was only to be eclipsed by Timo Glock’s struggles in his Toyota on the last lap, which enabled both Vettel and Hamilton to pass and, crucially, slip Hamilton back into fifth position with just two corners remaining. And with that Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 F1 World Championship by the narrow margin of 5.4 seconds, the gap between himself and Glock back in sixth.

At the age of 23 years, 10 months and 26 days, Hamilton is the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. He is McLaren’s 12th drivers’ world title, the first since Mika Häkkinen’s back to back titles in 1998 and 1999.

Speaking after the race Hamilton was quick to acknowledge those who have assisted him throughout his career, “The most dramatic race of my whole life. It’s pretty much impossible to put this into words: I’m still speechless. It’s been such a long journey, but I’ve always had the support of my family, the team, our partners and the fans. We did a fantastic job throughout the whole year and, with all the sacrifices we made, I’m so thrilled to be able to win this for everyone.”

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Mercedes-Benz

50 years of Mercedes-Benz in Australia – website

50 years of Mercedes-Benz Australia website

Back in August Mercedes-Benz Australia were celebrating their 50th year in Australia. Now you can enjoy their excellent website which takes you through the highlights of the marque down under since 1958.

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Mercedes-Benz Random wallpapers

Random wallpaper: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLS

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLS at 2007 Classic Adelaide

Isn’t she beautful! This is a rare Mercedes-Benz 300 SLS which was in Australia last year competing in the Classic Adelaide rally. Based on the 300 SL, the car all AUSmotive staff agree is the most beautiful car in the world, the SLS was brought to Australia from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre in Stuttgart to participate in last year’s rally. Mercedes reckon “its elegant body and powerful six-cylinder engine engage the senses in a way only few cars can”. Pretty hard to argue with that.

Of course, it would be cruel to have given you only one image wouldn’t it…

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

McLaren to light up Singapore Grand Prix

In the lead up to the first ever Formula 1 night race, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team have been busy preparing their car for the difficulties the Singapore Grand Prix will hold. They’ve released a teaser video so you can see how they’re getting on. Make sure you tune in to your favourite broadcaster next Sunday, 28 September, to see how these modifications go.

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Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 50 years in Australia

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 50 years in Australia

Happy 50th birthday to Mercedes-Benz Australia! July 1958 marked the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz brand to Australia. From humble beginnings back in the late 50s Australia is now the world’s tenth largest market for the brand. Along the way the three pointed star has claimed three Wheels Car of the Year gongs and is on track to sell 30,000 cars in 2008.

Mercedes-Benz Australia’s full press release for this announcement follows. It’s actually quite an interesting potted history.

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Mercedes-Benz

High resolution Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black images

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

Staggering. That’s probably the best way to describe the performance figures of the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Peak power from the 6.0 V12 is 493kW (670hp) and torque is electronically limited to 1000Nm. Helped along by a couple of turbos the SL65 Black is good for a sub four second sprint to 100km/h and further electronic limiting reigns in the top speed to a lazy 320km/h (200mph).

See below for the press release and more images of this coupé that is certainly no shrinking violet. The styling is wild, slightly over the top, but it still looks great. Click on each picture for a 2000px super image.

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Mercedes-Benz Top Gear

Top Gear – Series 11, Episode 2

Episode 2 of Top Gear’s Series 11 aired in the UK last night and the show closed with this great clip of Jeremy Clarkson behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK Black Edition. The episode began with a comparison between the new Subaru Impreza STi and the latest Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Richard Hammond took the twin turbo V10 572bhp Audi RS6 to the French alps. A couple of dudes from Spooks were pitted against each other in the Chevy Lacetti. And the Top Gear Stuntman tried to recreate a James Bond movie stunt.

All standard Top Gear fare, but this in no way demeans the lads’ efforts. As Jeremy said in closing his AMG film, this episode embodies the show’s raison d’etre, presenting “the absolute joy of driving a great car, on a great road”. See you next week!