The SLS AMG Roadster has been the worst kept secret for a long time now but finally Mercedes-Benz have released the full official details. As we mentioned in a previous article, the gull-wing doors have been replaced by a soft-top, the body is an aluminum space frame and the whole package looks rather impressive.

The SLS AMG Roadster is powered by a 6.3 litre naturally aspirated 8-cylinder engine which produces 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle, together with a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones that results in some serious performance. The suspension setup can be configured by the driver using the AMG Drive Unit, the suspension options include: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.

The interior has been decked out to resemble the cockpit of an aircraft, the dashboard is in the shape of a wing, the air vents resemble jet engines and the E-Select lever is in the shape of an aircraft’s thrust control. The centre console displays a wealth of information to the driver, including: displaying engine oil, engine output and torque, tyre pressure, acceleration from 0-100km/h as well as perhaps most impressive, recording individual lap times.

The biggest departure from the Merc car SLS AMG is obviously the inclusion of the soft-top. The fabric soft-top can be opened and closed and only takes 11 seconds to complete and can be done on the move, at speeds of up to 31mph. The soft-top, which is available in black, red and beige, stores itself behind the seats and is folded in a Z-configuration. The top has a continuous flexible water pocket that directs rainwater to the underbody via 2 apertures on each side.

Look for more information closer to the release date.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster is only set to make it’s world premier at the Frankfurt/Main International Motor Show in September, but pictures and information of the vehicle testing have already been released.
The gull-wing doors and the fixed roof have obviously been dropped which had lead to certain challenges and increased testing for the Merc designers.

Being a soft-top one of the biggest challenges was bodyshell rigidity and the handling of the vehicle, as well as providing the same superior driving dynamics experienced in the coupe’ version. “Without bodyshell rigidity there are no handling dynamics, and neither can the close fit of the soft top be guaranteed” comments Tobias Moers, head of development.

Mercedes Cars tackled this problem with the following 2 features that would ultimately increase the rigidity of the bodyshell: Firstly the cross-member carrying the dashboard has additional supporting struts at the windscreen frame and centre tunnel. Secondly, the strut mounting stay between the soft top and the fuel tank has improved the rigidity of the rear axle. This has led to a reduction in vibration, as well as allowing the top to be safely opened and closed while driving up to 50km/h.

Look for more information on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster closer to its official release.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

The Concept A is set to debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show as well as the Shanghai Auto Show later in April but Mercedes-Benz thought they would be kind and dish us up some juicy info before then to build some buzz. The Concept A is an over-styled version of what the 2012 A-Class will look like. And while it is a rather large departure from the current A-Class, the final release version will no doubt be a lot tamer than the incredible images Merc have presented us with in the concept.

The Concept A is front-wheel drive and is powered by a direct-injection, turbo-charged 4-cylinder 2 litre engine which pumps out 210hp. The engine is a BlueEFFICIENCY which should result in some impressive fuel consumption figures and low emissions.

Such a fancy concept car would be nothing without some innovation on the inside. The Mercedes-Benz Concept A comes with a radar-based collision warning system that is linked to the adaptive Brake Assist which is a world first in the compact class. The system aims to lower the risk of rear-end collisions by providing a visual and sound warning and will prepare the Brake Assist for precise braking as the driver operates the brake pedal.

Looks-wise the Concept A has a much more aggressive appearance, especially when compared to the current A-Class which looks rather “Soccer-mom” like. Mercedes credit “the wind and the waves” for the design inspiration of the A Concept, with its long hood, low silhouette and interplay of its lines. The front grille is probably the most striking element of the car and is described by Merc as “a star-filled sky”, this theme is repeated in the design of the wheels. It certainly looks flash but you cannot help but feel that it will be the first feature to be cut once the 2012 A-Class hits production.

The Concept A will be debuting soon, so check back for full details when they are available.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes have chosen the 2011 Geneva Motor Show to unleash their new C-Class Coupe. The unveiling happens in March but the car will only be available in September in the US. Here are some early details however to whet your appetite.

At launch the C-Class Coupe will be available in 2 engine options; a 3.5 litre V6 gasoline engine, capable of 302hp which comes in the C350 and a 1.8 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which comes in the C250. Both options will come with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The head of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz, Joachim Schmidt, mentions that the new Merc C-Class Coupe is “youthful, stylish and expressive” and is targeted at new customers. I’m not quite on the same ‘youthful’ vibe that he is on but the new C-Class Coupe definitely works well on the stylish front. The lowered roofline and 2 less doors go a long way on creating a more sleek and streamlined car than the C-Class sedan it is based on.

Check back for more information on a local release date and pricing options for South Africa as they are available.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz have released details on the latest model of their CL 63 AMG high performance coupe. There have been updates to the styling and look as well as a performance boost and a reduction in fuel consumption. As you can expect from Mercedes, the CL 63 AMG features state of the art technology and design to provide a truly unique and luxurious sports performance coupe.

The CL 63 AMG packs a 5.5 liter V8 AMG biturbo engine that develops 400kW (554hp), however with the AMG Performance package the engine produces 420kW (571hp). This allows it to complete 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h while the AMG Performance package shaves 0.1 seconds off the 0-100km/h mark and comes in with a top speed of 300km/h electronically limited.

As what seems to be the main concern for all vehicle manufacturers these days; the fuel economy in the new CL 63 AMG has been improved by 25% compared to the current model. Which is particular impressive considering that is produces 14kW more power. The CO2 emission rate has been reduced by 29% as well and now clocks in at 244g per km.

As far as safety and driver assist features, the CL 63 AMG is no slouch. As optional extras you can include an Active Lane-keeping assistant which detects if the car has unintentionally crossed over a solid line to the right or left or a lane or bend. When this occurs, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) kicks in and applies brakes to the wheels on the opposite side of the car to prevent it from straying out of the lane.

Also on the list of optional driver assist features is the Active Blind-spot assist. This feature uses radar technology to determine when it is not safe to move into an adjacent lane, when this occurs the system produces a red warning image on the exterior mirror on the relevant side. If the driver continues changing lanes the system will kick in and automatically apply to brakes to the wheels once again on the opposite side of the vehicle.

The new Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG will be launched in September this year in Europe and as always we await further details on a South African release.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG comes with a number of improvements on the current model, as one would naturally expect. Some of the new features are optional and some of them not ground breaking, including an option to deck the the interior out in nappa leather styling but there are obviously more serious and important changes.

The engine is a AMG 6.3 liter V8 but thanks to efforts from Mercedes-Benz, the fuel consumption in this newer model has been improved by almost 12%. Its output stands at 386kW (525 horse power) which matches the SL 63 AMG and is a somewhat subtle improvement over the previous model by 8kW. The new E 63 AMG completes 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 250km/h, this performance is kept under control and at a comfortable temperature by an advanced high-performance water cooling system.

Regarding the fuel consumption, the new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG comes in at just 12.6 liters per 100km. This reduction in fuel consumption is thanks to the following features: On-demand delivery of fuel and recuperation of breaking energy. The 7-speed sports transmission also contributes to the fuel saving and comes in 4 modes; Controlled efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual.

When it gets released it will come with the price tag of: 105 791 Euros for the saloon model and 108 409 Euros for the Estate model. We await further information on the price in South Africa.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz introduces the SLS AMG E-cell prototype which is a battery electric version of the standard SLS AMG supercar. It’s something of a strange combination, that of a supercar and a drive to be environmentally friendly as most supercars are the exact opposite. But that is possibly reason enough for some of the big car manufacturers to put some effort into the area. All new vehicles seem to have some kind of eco-friendly aim to them, so why should supercars be left out.

Onto the important details. The SLS AMG E-cell prototype manages to complete 0-100km/h in just 4 seconds, which is rather impressive given the general impression on the performance of electric vehicles. The SLS produces 526 hp and each of it’s 4 engines produce up to 12000rpm.

An interesting point about the batteries is that in order to produce such a massive amount of power, they require a lot of temperature monitoring. During extreme heat the car aircon even kicks in to cool down the batteries, while at low temperatures the batteries are heated to ensure they maintain an ideal running temperature.

Being still in the prototype phase, the SLS AMG E-cell still has a long way to go before eventually hitting the markets. It will no doubt be produced in very small numbers but it does hint at a future of electric supercars.

Source: Automobilemag.com

Mercedes-Benz have released details on their new 2010 R-Class. The new R-Class debuted at the New York International Motor Show earlier this year in March and now the full details are available. Mercedes note that many of the changes to the new R-Class were taken from their other SUV and Saloon model, included in this is the new completely redesigned front section.

The new generation R-Class is also available in diesel. The engine output is the same as the previous R-Class but the performance was been improved. Also noted the fuel consumption has been reduced, with the R300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY consuming around 7% less fuel than its predecessor, which works out to about 7.6 liters / 100km. The V6 Diesel engine now boasts 195kW (265hp) compared to the previous models 165kW. The new model completes 0-100km/h in just 7.6 seconds and tops off at 235km/h.

Looks-wise, the front has been redesigned and emphasizes the width with a horizontally structured bonnet. Also on the list of redesigned features: the vehicles wings, the radiator grille and surround, head lamps and the bumpers. Mercedes have tried to make the the new R-Class as styling as possible, which is not easy in the MPV segment. That said they have made the new model as coupe-styled as possible and it does look good.

Source: Mercedes-Benz