Thursday, July 1, 2010 3:07PM - By Chris Weiss
Now this is just showing off. We know that the big guns like Autocar get to spend a lot more time on the track than the average person (or car blogger) , but four supercars for one race? That’s just a little excessive. But I suppose it’s excessively great to watch, so we’ll forgive their indulgent ways.
The competition was crafted to give the SLS AMG a concrete identity through the identification of natural rival. Which competitor comes closest? Off the cuff, I’m betting the 911 Turbo, but they all seem to have a good chance. No matter which car wins, you’ll win by watching the video after the break. [via egmCarTech]
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010 1:32PM - By Chris Weiss
Mercedes isn’t letting Audi have all the electric fun. The latter may have had a prototype to roll around Le Mans, but Mercedes took the opportunity to introduce its own electric performance car this week. And it comes in can’t-miss-it bright-banana yellow.
The E-Cell derives its juice from a lithium-ion polymer battery pack mounted behind the seats. Despite the switchover to electric, it still manages high-end performance numbers, putting out 526 hp and 649 lb-ft with a combination of four electric motors. It’s said to be capable of tackling 62 mph in 4 seconds. In other words, it doesn’t shave much capability off the gas SLS AMG and gets a whole lot cleaner.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:23PM - By Chris Weiss
Like the gullwinged look of the SLS AMG but need more power? Mercedes-Benz has got what you crave. Set to coincide with the market launch of the SLS AMG this Saturday, Mercedes is pulling the cloth off the SLS AMG GT3, a suped-up variant of the gullwing designed to meet GT3 specifications of the FIA. The car is designed for customers looking to race in sprints and long-distance jaunts and marks AMG’s entrance into the consumer race market.
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010 1:31PM - By Chris Weiss
Several months ago, reports of a smaller SLS AMG began to surface and now they’re back. Mercedes Benz is reportedly actively working on a smaller, toned-down version of the SLS AMG that will take aim at the Porsche 911. Called the SSK AMG, the new sports car will feature a shortened version of the SLS platform and will drop the gullwing doors to cut costs.
Powering the Mercedes will be AMG’s next-generation direct-injected, turbocharged V8 worth around 500 horses. The anticipated 0 to 60 mph for the new car is around 4.5 seconds.
The SSK is expected to hit market in 2014 with a convertible version following sometime thereafter. [via Motor Authority]
Monday, January 4, 2010 2:32PM - By Chris Weiss
In attempting to recreate timeless Hollywood chase scenes, Jay Leno takes us on a tour of a stretch of fast, winding LA asphalt that includes Mulholland Drive and Sunset Blvd. Mr. Leno has the privilege of tearing through the route, which he compares to Nurburgring, in a Mercedes SLS AMG. Hear the roar of the engine and feel each twist and corner through the POV video below.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 5:06PM - By Chris Weiss
The Mercedes SLS AMG hasn’t even hit highways yet and already someone has chosen to create a deafening gold version of it. That someone is Mercedes. Yes, the German automaker decided to save owners and tuning houses a little trouble and offer a blinged-out, matte-gold SLS AMG all its own for the Dubai Motor Show. As could be expected, the flashy gold scheme doesn’t aid the aesthetics of the upcoming supercar in the least.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 4:10PM - By Chris Weiss
While it will lose the iconic gullwings, the still-unofficial SLS AMG Roadster is sure to please rabid car fans. The drop-top was recently spied and snapped in an unlikely cold weather pose, doing road testing on a snow-packed byway in Northern Europe.
The roadster version of the SLS AMG will get a reinforced chassis while shaving the hard top and inserting new doors. Performance is expected to come in around 4 seconds for the 0 to 60 and a 192 mph top speed. [via WCF]
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:00AM - By Chris Weiss
As of yesterday, the sexy new 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG is available for order in Europe starting at 177, 310 Euros (roughly $265.5K). Those who are in the market for the new gullwing will be treated to a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 563 hp and 479 lb-ft. From there, buyers will receive informational material on paint colors, leather choices and options to make the SLS AMG their own. Some possibilities include AMG ceramic composite brakes, leather/Alcantara steering wheel and Bang and Olufsen BeoSound surround system. Shipment will begin in spring of next year. [via egmCarTech]
Thursday, November 12, 2009 2:17PM - By Chris Weiss
The new Mercedes SLS AMG is a venerable masterpiece of road art–gullwing doors, 563-hp V8 engine, 3.8 second 0 to 60. Unfortuntely, with a near-$200,000 price tag, it’s but an inspiring piece of wallpaper for most of us.
According to a report on PistonHeads, Mercedes is considering producing a trimmed-down, less-expensive version of the SLS to compete with the Porsche 911. PistonHeads staff spoke with AMG executives at the SLS drive event in Monterey.
Speculation is that the future offering would feature a front-mounted, direct-injected V8 in the 5.8- to 6.2-cylinder range and smaller dimensions all around. Unfortunately, according to the report, we shouldn’t expect to see it for at least five years. [via AutoBlog]
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