Mercedes-Benz SL65 ‘means business’

review of the Mercedes-Benz SL Black Series in the Daily Telegraph by Andrew English states that the vehicle offers motorists some "magnificent" engineering. The vehicle includes a 670bhp, twin-turbocharged V12 engine, capable of hitting a top speed of 199mph. A racing style splitter at the front of the two-seater helps the vehicle's engine gain some air, while "gigantic vents" help extract the heat developed through the large steel brakes. The rear seats have been removed, when compared with other AMG vehicles, to help lower weight, stated to be around 250kg. Also, the hydraulic folding roof, present in the standard model, has been removed and replaced with a roll bar and a carbon-fibre panel. More carbon fibre also exists in the underlining of the bonnet and boot lid, with Mr English stating that from one glimpse of the car, a motorist can tell that the vehicle "means business". See the current road-going models in the AMG showroom

 

Current E-Class breaks 1.5 million units barrier

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has proved itself to be one of the best selling models worldwide in the upper range car market, after selling 1.5 million units. Mercedes-Benz has stated that 1.5 million units of the current E-Class have been delivered to customers worldwide since the vehicle's launch onto the market six years ago. Some 230,000 customers have decided to opt for the Estate version of the E-Class, while the bulk have found more delight in the Saloon. Dr Klaus Maier, executive vice-president of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "The current E-Class and its predecessor models have been the 'heart' of Mercedes-Benz for more than 60 years now. "With its typical brand attributes that include safety, comfort, innovation, economy, and quality, the E-Class has delighted around 12 million customers worldwide across eight model generations." Four in every ten E-Class buyers globally opt to purchase the vehicle with a diesel engine. Emissions were significantly reduced in the E-Class in 2006 thanks to the introduction of BlueTEC diesel technology in the US, which was launched in 2007 across mainland Europe in the Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC. Premium luxury can be discovered in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon

 

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes clean sweep awards

McLaren Mercedes will be celebrating the results of a new survey which found they are world's favourite team and have the most loved driver. A survey from ING/F1 Racing Formula One found that of the 70,000 fans polled, 29 per cent voted Vodafone McLaren Mercedes as their top team, enough to claim victory in the poll by one per cent. In terms of drivers, world champion Lewis Hamilton reigned supreme, earning 27 per cent of all votes, more than ten per cent ahead of any of his fellow drivers. Hamilton said: "I think the standard of drivers currently racing in formula one is higher than it's been for years so I'm humbled to have earned the fans' support. "The icing on the cake is the popularity of the team. I know just how hard everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes works – they've done an unbelievable job this year and every single member of the team deserves this honour." Hamilton also recently came second in the race for BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second year in a row.

 

Mclaren Emerge

The countdown to the launch of McLaren's long-awaited second supercar has begun. Early prototypes of the final design began shakedown tests in mid-April. Codenamed P11, the first of a number of versions of the new McLaren is expected to roll into showrooms in March 2010, although it's expected to be unveiled in autumn 2009. The P11 will be followed by both open-top and hardcore versions of the base model. Insiders say the mid-engined car will be pitched as a rival for the £130k Ferrari F430. The P11 is also said to be noticeably lighter and more compact than the competition. It will be powered by a 550bhp V8 engine which some sources say will be built by Mahle (which bought out the old Cosworth business) in Northamptonshire. It's thought that the McLaren engine will be based on an existing Mercedes unit. Insiders in Germany say that production of the Mercedes McLaren SLR will be closed down by the middle of next year. This will clear the way for the P11 production system to be installed at McLaren's Woking facility. The Spider version of the P11 is expected to appear in March 2011. There's scant information on this model, which is still in the development phase, but it is expected to have a proper folding fabric roof. The summer of 2011 should see the ultimate expression of the new McLaren supercar going on sale. Project P12, which should cost around £250,000 in today's money, is said to be a much more hardcore, driver-focused interpretation of the P11. It's also likely to be the version closest to the spirit of the iconic McLaren F1. According to internal McLaren documents finalised last year, a V10 engine delivering over 600bhp will power the P12. The rest of the car will be stripped down and re-engineered for ultimate weight saving. Source: autocar

 

Mercedes-Benz Launches SLR McLaren Roadster

206-MPH Super Sports GT Goes Topless DETROIT, MI – A roadster version of the formidable SLR McLaren super sports coupe is in the spotlight at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Powered by a supercharged 5.5-liter, 617-hp AMG V8 engine, the SLR McLaren Roadster boasts 0-60 mph acceleration of only 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 206 mph. 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Showcasing Formula 1 technology for the street, the SLR McLaren Roadster's carbon fiber monocoque provides high torsional rigidity for outstanding handling as well as unparalleled protection in collisions. U.S. deliveries of the new roadster model began in Fall 2007. A Convertible Top Designed for High-Speed Driving Thanks to its fully retractable top, the SLR Roadster offers open-air driving pleasure that's practical for everyday use. Available in three different color combinations, the retractable top of the new SLR Roadster blends into its aerodynamic silhouette, and newly developed roof material makes the cabin relatively quiet with the top up. Even with the top down, conversation is still possible at well over 120 mph, thanks to its superior aeroacoustics. The semi-automatic roof opens by simply unlatching it from the windshield frame and raising the top slightly, after which an electric motor folds it away in less than ten seconds. In the wind tunnel, the SLR Roadster has been optimized for remarkable levels of aerodynamic efficiency, handling, and aeroacoustics at high speeds. The new SLR Roadster even inherits two aerodynamic features from the SLR coupe – an active airbrake integrated in the trunk lid and a diffuser in the rear bumper that provides increased downforce to the rear of the car. A Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Collaboration The SLR McLaren Roadster showcases the collective experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren in the development and production of high-performance sports cars. This unique combination of expertise is evident not only in the pioneering developments and impressive performance of the SLR, but also in its high levels of safety and practicality. While celebrating the formidable SLR race cars of the 1950s, the launch of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren coupe marked a new era for high-technology, high-performance cars. Like the SLR coupe, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster unites the legend of the highly successful SLR race cars from the 1950s with the innovative technology of modern Formula 1 vehicles from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racing team. With a unique front mid-engine design that provides optimum weight distribution, the open two-seater features a carbon-fiber racing-type monocoque chassis and high-performance ceramic composite brake discs for remarkable braking. Distinctive stylistic elements such as the arrow-shaped nose of the Formula 1 Silver Arrow establish a visual link with the F1 race cars. The SLR legend of the 1950s lives on stylistically in the distinctive lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and wide-opening gull-wing doors. A Carbon-Fiber Monocoque One dramatic example of technology transfer from Formula 1 racing is the carbon fiber composite material of the SLR body, which provides rigidity and strength never before achieved in a street car. Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials – still an unusual feature among high-performance sports cars. The result is low weight, extremely high occupant safety as well as a degree of torsional rigidity not possible in traditional open-top vehicles.

 

Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz R-Class facelift

Sales figures for the R-Class haven't managed to live up to the expectations of the German luxury brand, but Mercedes Benz is determined not to completely write-off its 'Grand Sport Tourer' just yet. The R-Class received a mild facelift last year to help turnaround flagging sales, but a second and more extensive update is in fact planned for the 2010 model year as previewed by these latest spy shots of a prototype caught testing in Germany.

 

Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO Concept Video & Photos

Today we're bringing you an animated video of the Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO concept car. Slated for introduction in Detroit next month, the concept comes in three different flavors. All three versions are based on the B Class model, including the all electric BlueZERO E-Cell. The EV includes lithium-ion batteries, a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor and 320 Nm of torque. Mercedes is exploring the idea that people are more interested in a short-charge short-distance vehicle with this concept. Charge time is two-hours, but the range is a scant 100 km (62 miles). In case you want an electric vehicle, but not as concerned with being zero emission, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus includes the same battery and motor as its brother, but also comes with a small combustion engine which works as an electricity-producing generator. The turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine comes from Smart, and will extend driving range to 600 km (373 mi). The video shows a fairly standard shaped five-door hatch, with some fine detailing lines and bends accentuated in the side paneling. This animated version has five-spoke wheels, a glass top, and a snub-nose at the front that -from above- makes the front of the car look like a hammerhead shark. Each model serves its own purpose, with different ranges, fuels, and technology supports. As most automakers are competing for longest-range EVs despite battery charge time, MB is going a slightly different -and perhaps more innovative- route. No doubt, the Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO concept trio is an experiment meant to gather public opinion to see what people want most: a greener car, shorter charge time, longer range, or more power. Finally, MB will show us the BlueZERO F-Cell, an electric vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell. The last engine is comparable to a 2.0 liter diesel engine also with 100 kW (136 hp) and 320 Nm of torque, but only emits droplets of water. via:World Car Fans