Question: What's hotter than a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG? Well, that would be the new C63 AMG with Performance Package Plus, of course. The new super sedan from Daimler gets a 30-horsepower injection over the standard AMG model, pushing the pony count all the way to 487 – just a baker's dozen shy of the race-spec C-Class DTM model. Watch out, Caddy.
Modifications to the 6.3-liter V8 engine include new forged alloy pistons borrowed from the SLS AMG supercar and a new set of crank rods coupled with a lightweight crankshaft. A titanium-colored intake manifold and recalibrated computer module complete the package. Performance? How about zero to 62 in just 4.4 seconds and naught to 125 in under 14? Yeah, that'll do nicely.
An upgraded brake package with composite rotors is included to help the driver reign in all that speed, and Mercedes says the new PPP will be available on both the sedan and – get this – wagon bodystyles. Exterior modifications are limited to a carbon fiber spoiler for the sedan, and the interior is upgraded with an AMG steering wheel in nappa leather and seats swathed in Alcantara. No word yet on whether this beast is headed Stateside, but sales are scheduled to start in Europe before the end of the year.
Daimler AG is one of a shrinking number of automakers that continues to build its own transmissions, but the parent of Mercedes-Benz is now looking to change that. The automaker has been holding talks with rival BMW about possible powertrain collaborations including transmissions. Mercedes already supplies the two-mode hybrid transmissions that BMW is installing in its forthcoming ActiveHybrid X6. However, a proposal to build a joint factory to produce automatic transmissions in the U.S. for the vehicles being built by both companies here has reportedly been scuttled.
Automotive News also reports that a second proposal to shift Daimler's European transmission operations to a new joint venture with BMW and ZF has also been abandoned. The two automakers had been discussing a jointly developed eight-speed automatic transmission but could not agree on technical details.
Mercedes is still looking for ways to offload its transmission operations, saying that it is not core to its business. This will be increasingly true if more of its vehicles switch to electrified powertrains where single speed reduction gears are all that is required. The two companies are still discussing collaborations on engines, however, including a new three-cylinder unit.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is intended to redress the awkwardness – and low volumes – of the McLaren Mercedes SLR. Based on a first look at it, the supercoupe's chances are very good. That door handle is down by one's shins, but overcome that low hurdle and the reward is a cozy trip to the Sixties with millennial ergonomics.
For all that bonnet, the 6.3-liter 571 horsepower engine is shoved way, way back, good for a 4753 weight distribution. It'll do the business to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds, and has a good chance of making you feel like quite the champ while doing it. Speaking of looking good, the carbon rotors and yellow calipers promise to look awesome at a standstill and on the trot. And with the updated interior, you won't have to drive with the doors up to stay cool in this gullwing, unlike the Sixties original.
Brabus E V12 Black Baron -- Click above for high-res image gallery
Among the more intricate of Brabus' creations is this, the E V12 "Black Baron." Based on the latest E-Class, the dark lord is refitted with a twin turbo, 6.3-liter V12 with 800 hp and an electronically-limited 811 lb-ft (even though the engine actually produces 1,047 lb-ft), a ram-air system and a tuned ECU.
Underneath is a fully-adjustable suspension and much bigger brakes and tires. To reach the car's electronically-limited 217 mph top speed, the car's aerodynamics have been improved at the obvious expense of the car's looks. Unless, of course, you think those wheel spats look good. We don't. If you need to go faster, the car is estimated to be able to hit 230 mph sans the electro-nanny. And it still gets 15 mpg.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the microsite for the SLS AMG called "From the Ground Up," and it has all the information you need on gullwinged retro rocket from the space from to components to the magnesium backrests in the seats.
At the end of it all, there's a visualizer so you can start building the SLS you would will order when they go on sale in a little over a year, so start saving. We would say that the microsite will has enough info to keep you busy until the car shows up next year, but you won't have to wait that long -- we'll be bringing you even more info from its unveiling next week in Frankfurt. Hat tip to USB!
According to World Car Fans, there's a new hybrid S-Class concept from Mercedes-Benz slated to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. Unlike the previously-announced mild hybrid version of the S 400, the new Vision S 500 will reportedly come equipped with a plug and capable of powering itself solely on electric power for considerable distances.
At the heart of the concept will be a lithium ion battery pack that will store 10 kWh of power, giving it an electric-only range of over 18 miles (30 kilometers). That power storage unit will send its electrons to a 60-horsepower (44 kW) electric motor mated to an unknown gasoline-fed V6. Together, the twin power sources will reportedly push the big Benz to 60 mph in under 5.5 seconds.
Naturally, fuel economy and emissions are of paramount concern with this type of machine, and the S 500 PHEV won't disappoint. We're not sure what standard was used to come up with the 73.5 (3.2L per 100 km) mpg figure, but it appears to compare rather favorably with other competing luxury hybrids. Stay tuned for more when we hit the floor in Frankfurt.
It was only a matter of time. Last night's initial leak of low-res shots and details of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has been follow with real, honest-to-goodness images in high resolution.
Apart from the new pics, there's not much news to report. The car has 300SL-inspired "Gullwing" doors that look awesome and, more importantly, 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque funneled to the rear wheels from the frontmid-mounted 6.3-liter AMG V8. Thanks to a lightweight structure molded predominantly from carbon fiber, the SLS AMG will scoot to 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds and on up to a top speed of 197 mph.
Want one? Well, sure you do... so do we. But you'll need to wait at least another year before production begins with sales slated to follow shortly thereafter. We'll be on hand at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week to get live shots of Merc's new beastie, but in the meantime.
Despite an achingly long roll-out, the first cracks in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dam have begun to appear, courtesy of CarPoint.
Due to be revealed at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, the 300SL-inspired "Gullwing" is packing a frontmid-mounted version of the venerable 6.3-liter V8 fitted to the majority of AMG's offerings, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox channeling 563 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Weight is pegged at around 3,500 pounds, allowing the SLS to run from a rest to 60 in 3.7 seconds. Top speed is 197 mph and optional carbon ceramic discs should bring the party to a halt with supreme authority.
Although we've seen an endless string of spy shots of the SLS over the past year, we finally get a clear view of its upright fascia, drawn headlamps and curvaceous rump that draws a few cues from the departed McMerc and modern M-Bs.
Color choices will include Alubeam Silver, Syvanite Grey, Alanite Grey and red, complimenting the leather and alcantara interior and ten-spoke forged wheels. Production will begin in late 2010 with sales starting the following year, and early pricing suggests a €177,310 MSRP in Germany.
The Daily Telegraph reports Mercedes-Benz is considering purchainsg a stake in the Brawn GP team. The Brawn team was born out of the ashes of Honda F1 at the end of 2008 when the Japanese automaker decided to withdraw. At the time, Brawn was able to strike a deal with Mercedes for a supply of engines for 2009. Team principal Ross Brawn quickly demonstrated what his team could do by firing off a string of victories. According to the Telegraph, Mercedes actually considered buying the team as McLaren struggled.
This would come as a dramatic turnaround if the deal does come to fruition. Earlier this year, McLaren reportedly looked at following Honda out the door at the prompting of board member Helmut Lense. Now the paper reports that besides possibly buying into Brawn, the automaker could expand its engine supply to Red Bull in addition to McLaren, Brawn and Force India.
Back in April, Mercedes-Benz announced its plans to begin small-scale series production of a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobile called the F-Cell. According to the German automaker, the car is nearly ready to launch, with 200 vehicles slated to be leased throughout the United States and Europe early next year.
The front-wheel drive F-Cell is based on Mercedes-Benz' B-Class platform and uses a 100 kW electric motor that puts out an impressive 214 lb-ft of torque. M-B claims this powertrain will offer comparable performance to a 2.0-liter gas-powered automobile (the run to 60 will take under 11 seconds) while returning the equivalent of 86.6 mpg on the European combined cycle.
Sandwiched under the car's floor will be a 1.4 kWh lithium ion battery that recaptures energy normally lost to braking. We'd also figure that battery pack will provide an even flow of electrons to the motor while the fuel cell hums away silently. Range is quoted at around 250 miles and Mercedes claims a hydrogen recharge time of just three minutes. Expect more details on the car to emerge at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Full press release after the break.
