Tag: Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2010: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Here at AUSmotive we are unashamed fans of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It’s such a great looking car, it has a superb sounding engine and it references the 300 SL Gullwing—a car so beautiful and perfect in its proportions it has rarely been equalled since.

So when we saw the 21st century Gullwing under its cover at AIMS yesterday our anticipation levels reached new heights. Would it be classic silver or that metallic red so often seen in press pics? Neither. It turns out we saw a colour combination that had never been seen before; that’s right this was a world first. And what a spectacular result it was too—designo magno Night Black (that’s matte black to you and I) with bright red detailing.

In truth the red splashes were a little OTT, but the matte black bodywork was stunning and we were not disappointed. Check out more pics form the show after the break.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2010: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG ‘Concept 358’

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz provided a couple of world firsts at the Australian International Motor show yesterday. This fantastically bright orange C63 AMG was one of them. It was made specifically to Mercedes-Benz Australia’s specifications and in addition to the designo Pearl Orange paint it has been fitted with an AMG Performance Package Plus. These performance goodies, including forged pistons from the SLS AMG, add an extra 22kw to the already potent C63. Total power is now a very tasty 358kW, while peak torque is a smashing 600Nm.

Seeing as BMW won’t let Australia play with their orange beast, it’s nice of Benz to step up to the plate. The matte black details set off the car very nicely and while you’d be sure to take a bit of a depreciation hit with such a lairy colour on a three-pointed star, at least you would have a blast while doing so. It looks really, really good!

Unfortunately it looks like the Pearl Orange pint scheme on this show car will be a one-off creation as it is not currently available to order. However the performance bits can be ordered now and if they got your attention, you’ll need to start saving a few extra bucks, about 15 thousand of them we’ve been told.

More after the break, including a PDF download detailing all the goodies in the AMG Performance Package Plus.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes SLS AMG wins Golden Classic Steering Wheel award

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing

The gorgeous and incredibly desirable Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has just been won the inaugural Golden Classic Steering Wheel award, presented by German publication Auto Bild Klassik.

Attracting over 30% of the vote the SLS AMG was judged a “Classic of the future” in the Sports coupés and convertibles category. The new Gullwing finished ahead of eight other competitors, including the Audi R8 Spyder, Ferrari 458 Italia, Maserati GranCabrio, McLaren MP4-12C and Porsche 918 Spyder.

In other SLS AMG news the GT3 racing version will be making its racing debut in a VLN event at the Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CLS: The video

Mercedes-Benz CLS

“It is now responsible for those butterflies in your stomach. The new CLS from Mercedes-Benz. Because seduction has to be flawless.”

Well, that’s what the deep-voiced man on the video reckons. I’m not so sure, to be honest.

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Mercedes-Benz

Sneak peek: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

German publication Auto Motor und Sport currently has a promo previewing some of the cars that will be on show at the Paris Motor Show in a few weeks (2–17 October). Included in that preview is this image of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Until now we’ve only seen camouflaged prototypes in testing at the Nürburgring and the like.

Often the transition from tin top to soft top can result in a less than satisfying design. Based on this image, however, it would seem Mercedes has done quite well. The real test, of course, is seeing how the car looks with its roof down.

The engine specs from the 6.3 litre V8 found in the SLS AMG aren’t expected to change for the Roadster version. It will also be interesting to see how the dynamics of the soft top have been affected by its greater weight due to chassis strengthening.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

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Mercedes-Benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS

Mercedes-Benz CLS

Mercedes-Benz has taken the cover off its new CLS four-door coupé, announcing the car will have its official reveal at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Four-door coupé, by definition, is a misnomer, of course, but in 2003 Mercedes was one of the first companies to reveal such a concept. After going on sale it did pretty well for Benz, too, achieving 170,000 sales worldwide.

This new model, then, will it live up to the expectations set by the first generation CLS? Does it manage to maintain that slaoon/coupé look?

In profile things look okay up front, but when you get to the rear, especially the point where wheel arch meets door, well, things do start getting a bit complicated, don’t they. It’s a bit hard to tell from the dramatically lit photos if this is a bad complicated, or a good complicated. It’s a bit easier to be more certain about the rear light assembly. It’s ghastly!

Full details are avilable after the break, along with more images—all accessible in 2000px super image sizing, too, just click on the pics for the larger versions.

I’d love to hear what you think of this “new design icon” from Mercedes. Have they hit the spot, or got it horribly wrong?

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster spy shots

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Pistonspy have some nice shots of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster in action at the Nürburgring. It’s expected we’ll get a proper look at an undisguised SLS AMG Roadster before the end of the year. It may even be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Engine specs from the tintop SLS AMG aren’t likely to change, so there might be a slight performance drop due to the extra weight needed to strengthen the roofless chassis.

[Pic: Pistonspy]

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Mercedes-Benz Motorsports

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Good news for wannabe track day heroes, Mercedes-AMG GmbH are now taking orders for their SLS AMG GT3 racer. If you do want to kick sand in the faces of the Audi and Porsche kids you’ll need to cough up €334K plus taxes. That’s around half a million bucks in Aussie dollars. Deliveries are shceduled for February 2011.

As the model names suggests the SLS AMG GT3 is designed to meet regulations for FIA GT racing and we should see the Gullwing tearing up the track at the Nürburgring 24 hour race in 2011. Bravo!

Mercedes have been testing the car since June, with successful DTM star Bernd Schneider undertaking most of the test duties. The SLS AMG GT3 will make its racing debut in a VLN mini-enduro at the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife in late September.

Peak power from the 6.3 litre V8 and final kerb weight will be confirmed by the FIA during the homolgation process in accordance with its “Balance of Performance” guidelines which are aimed at ensuring equality.

Uncle Norbert seems quite happy with his new toy, “This is an exciting and spectacular sports car for dedicated private teams and talented private drivers. AMG will work together with our tried-and-trusted sports and touring car partner HWA to put in place a motorsport customer department 
which will guarantee its motorsport customers hallmark Mercedes service.”

So far, it looks like demand will out strip supply in the early stages. So Norbert really is a happy chappy.

A big photo gallery (including more of that blinged up chrome SLS) and the full press release from Mercedes-Benz are all yours after the break.

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Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: David Coulthard, the Isle of Man and the SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The combination of ex-Formula One driver, revered tarmac and Mercedes’ latest supercar is one well worth savouring. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz made a 3D film about the experience. You can watch the old-skool 2D version featuring David Coulthard after the jump. There’s also a mini making of documentary, too, which is well worth a look.

You might recall Tiff Needell from Fifth Gear tested the SLS on the day this film was being shot. If you’re a fan of the latest Mercedes Gullwing, then watch Tiff ripping it around the Isle of Man TT course once again.

[via motorcentral]

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Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster test

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Those of you who think gullwing style doors are a bit passe might be interested to learn the Roadster version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is getting closer to a release. This video filmed at the Nürburgring shows the car in action. As with its tin top sibling the engine note is pretty special. Check out the clip after the break.

[via The German Car Blog]

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The latest Mercedes ‘Gullwing’ model, the SLS AMG, has now landed in Australia. If you want to get your hands on one of these beauties you’ll need to pony up the cash for the $464,000 list price, and then some. AUSmotive is a massive fan of this car and if you do have a lazy 500 lying around that you feel like handing over to your local Benz dealership, would you mind lending me the keys!

One can only imagine the sensation the Gullwing’s 420kW and eight angry cylinders would provide. The interior looks fantastic, too. This is a very special motor car.

Mercedes-Benz Australia have obliged with some stunning images and you can see over 40 new pics after the break. You can also download a couple of PDFs, including full pricing details. Thirty grand for carbon ceramic brakes anyone?

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Fifth Gear Mercedes-Benz

Tiff Needell on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Fifth Gear - Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

In a recent episode of the revised Fifth Gear television program former F1 racer Tiff Needell got some one on one time with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’. The location for his drive? The Isle of Man. As it is the Isle of Man presents some kind of motoring nirvana; the roads there have no speed limit. However, for Tiff’s drive the roads were closed. With no oncoming traffic to worry about how do you reckon he went? Take the jump to find out.

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