Virgil Tracy drives the latest machine in the Thunderbirds garage. It’s otherwise known as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell and Virgil reckons it has some mojo, too. Check out the video after the break.
Tag: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz, or more specifically, AMG is the latest manufacturer to throw its hat into the mean green hypercar segment. The SLS AMG E-Cell is powered by four electric motors offering a total power output of 392kW, with maximum torque of 880Nm. It can accelerate to 100km/h in four seconds flat; just 0.2 seconds slower than the conventionally powered SLS AMG. The E-Cell does this without emitting any CO2 emissions, of course.
In order to achieve optimum weight distribution the four motors are placed low on the chassis, as near as possible to the four wheels. This gives the car a low centre of gravity; by not placing the motors in the wheels unsprung weight is also minimised. Four engines mean all-wheel drive, too, further enhancing traction. Pretty important when pretty much all 880Nm of torque is available from standstill.
With so many new and non-traditional components under the skin the front suspension had to be completely rethought compared to the petrol powered SLS. As a result an independent multilink suspension was designed featuring horizontal dampers. It’s a bit similar to the set ups you see on open wheel racecars.
The E-Cell has a few minor external differences as well. And not just the bright “AMG lumilectric magno” paint. The front end now has a moveable front splitter which lowers itself by 7cm at speeds over 120km/h. Similarly the rear spoiler alters its position as speed increases. The lack of an exhaust system has enabled a rear diffuser to be designed with fewer compromises resulting in improved downforce.
Also seen on the outside is a new, more efficient, all LED-lighting system. Lightweight 10-spoke alloys are fitted; 19†at the front and 20†at the rear.
Inside, the centre console and instrument displays have been completely redesigned. The key feature is a 25cm touchscreen in the centre console that can be easily operated by the driver and passenger.
At this stage the E-Cell is little more than a concept car, which might explain why vital information like the time to re-charge the batteries and expected distance that can be travelled has not been mentioned. However, the official blurb below does state the E-Cell “offers the prospect of a possible small series production runâ€.
There’s lots more after the break, including a detailed press release explaining more about the E-Cell’s inner gadgets.
The action is well underway at Goodwood and here’s another clip bringing you a step closer. It features the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’. There’s a mix of in car action and outside footage as the car rips its way up the famous Goodwood hillclimb course.
You can see the clip after the break, and there’s a bonus clip available as well.
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The best or nothing
Mercedes-Benz have sent out this new commercial telling us that its the “best or nothing” for the three-pointed star. Click on the image above to launch the ad. It’s not a bad little piece, what do you think?
MercedesBenzTV have just released a new video on their SLS AMG Gullwing F1 Safety Car. Bernd Mäylander, official Safety Car driver, tells us what all the buttons do. Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg also pop in for a chat to tell us what a great car the Gullwing is. Remember, if you take $464K from under your bed you can have a Gullwing all of your own.
Check the clip in full below.
There’s nothing too sophisticated about this clip. Okay, it is very well produced and the influence of Top Gear is evident, but essentially it is a big German saloon with way too much power sliding around on a wet track. Sounds like fun, don’t you think. Especially when that big saloon is the Benz E 63 AMG.
Sure, 386kW might be overdoing things a little, especially in this context. But, as the saying goes, I never met a horsepower I didn’t like. Take the jump, enjoy the clip and don’t do any skids on the way home.
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F1 Safety Car gives you wings
Mercedes-Benz are pretty chuffed with their new F1 Safety Car. So much so they’ve written a long press release and released a bunch of new pics. The car, of course, is the SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’. And this is the fifteenth year that Mercedes has headed the field with Safety Car duties, the only company to hold that honour.
The Gullwing is a sleek looking machine with 420kW and 650Nm on offer. That means when Bernd Mäylander is wringing the neck off this thing he will still look like he is just plodding around on a Sunday afternoon drive when he has a tantrum of Formula One cars behind him. In reality he will be travelling every bit as fast as the car and chassis will allow. And with a claimed 0-100 time of 3.8 seconds it won’t exactly be hanging about.
The best news, though, in F1-trim, the Gullwing has two telly screens inside so you can watch the race while at work. How good is that!
Today is the turn of Mercedes-Benz to reveal their star before the Geneva Motor Show. One wonders if there will be any surprises left when the show opens to the public on 4 March. However, Mercedes have most definitely surprised with this new concept called the F 800 Style Research Vehicle. Just look at it. An astonishing blend of curves and surfacing that looks for all money as though it could never have emerged from Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz are also spruiking the news that the F 800 Style will be the vehicle future Benz models are inspired by. Bravo!
The surprises don’t stop with the F 800’s exterior either. The rear doors slide back, as you might expect on a people mover. The front doors open conventionally and the lack of a b-pillar offers a generous opening to make access into the car a breeze. Once inside you are greeted with a pretty wild interior, as well. It’s quite sparse, but take a gander at that steering wheel. What is that all about!
Pushing the envelope even further the F 800 Style has two drivetrain options, a petrol-electric hybrid or a hydrogen powered fuel-cell electric motor. The latter has a theoretical range of 600km of emissions-free travelling.
There’s heaps to see and read after the break, so sit down and enjoy.
Mercedes GP has just launched their 2010 season. The event took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart in front of 600 guests. The livery of the new Silver Arrows features silver paint, raw carbon fibre and the green colour of Petronas, the Malaysian petroleum giant and title sponsor.
Don’t get too carried away, though. The car pictured above is simply a repainted 2009 model Brawn GP machine with the new 2010 car still under wraps for now.
Of course, the hype is all about Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One and here’s a bit of what he had to say at today’s launch, “Finally the 2010 Formula One season is firing up! I have to say that I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated.
“We have a World Champion team in every sense of the word and I cannot wait to get into the car for the first time in Valencia. I am convinced that MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go.”
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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.
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.
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…