Autoblog

Inden Design gets Mercedes-Benz SL 500 to go "deep and wide"

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Inden Design SL -- Click above for image gallery

The Inden Design SL will turn your ordinary aging SL 500 into a previous-gen SL65 AMG lookalike and then some. The firm installs fascias front and rear and exhaust pipes that mimic the SL65, then the whole body is given the blackout treatment right down to the door handles. And could we even call it German tuning if it didn't get a set of custom 20-inch wheels tucked fender-deep on Pirelli rubber bands?

Interior bits get some varnish, the SL65 steering wheel makes an appearance, and to combat that ridiculous ride height an adjustable suspension module is installed to provide 50mm of vertical movement. The engine, however, only gets a 15-hp upgrade to 330 horsepower. So if you see any real SL65 AMGs, you'll probably want to keep looking straight ahead.

You can read about all the mods in the press release after the jump, and check it out in the gallery of photos below.

Gallery: Inden Design SL500

[Source: Inden]

Continue reading Inden Design gets Mercedes-Benz SL 500 to go "deep and wide"

Inden Design gets Mercedes-Benz SL 500 to go "deep and wide" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: South African man sets speed record for blind - in 200 mph SL Black Series!

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black - Click above for high-res image gallery

Looks like Luc Costermans (a.k.a. the Blind Belgian) is no longer the world's fastest sight-challenged driver. The latest person to snatch the world land speed record for the blind is South Africa's Hein Wagner. Wagner, who has been blind since birth, pushed a borrowed Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series to 322.5 km/h, just a tick over 200 mph. That puts him in the Guinness Book of World Records, ahead of Costermans, and it's not the first record for Wagner, though.

This is the same man who became the first South African to set a world land speed record, sighted or not, back in 2005 when he pushed a Maserati to 167 MPH. The deposed champion, Costermans, can take consolation in being the first blind man to break the 300 km/h barrier. Wagner himself might have to be content with being the first to break 200 mph, as previous record holder Mike Newman hopes to take an 1,800-hp Keating TKR supercar well past that figure later this month. In fact Newman is going after the overall production car speed record of 257 mph currently held by the SSC Ultimate Aero.

For now at least, the record belongs to Wagner. His record run was achieved on the runway at the Upington International Airport in Northern Cape, South Africa, with copilot Ray Wakefield of Speedrecord SA riding shotgun. Wagner has always had an adventurous streak, having previously run the New York Marathon (in 4:27!), skydived (skydove?) from 10,000 feet, completed the Construction du Cap bike race solo, competed in the Cape-to-Rio yacht race, and he has even climbed the ten highest peaks in the Western Cape. Wagner is raising money for his Vision Trust organization, which makes technology more accessible to the blind.

So what's up next for Wagner? He plans to fly a Boeing from London to Johannesburg -- with passengers. It was probably hard enough to find one passenger for the drive in the Benz, getting a full load of passengers for the flight might take a bit more persuading. But what the heck, it's for a good cause, right? Thanks for the tip, Dean!

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: News 24]

REPORT: South African man sets speed record for blind - in 200 mph SL Black Series! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Time to change your desktop: new SL65 AMG Black Series wallpaper

Drew Phillips — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a high resolution image

Mercedes-Benz recently launched a dedicated website for the SL65 AMG Black Series, and it's loaded with goodies for anyone who can't get enough of the uber coupe. The site has detailed info on all of the Black Series' features, as well as some new studio photos that we haven't seen before. Best of all, they've provided six new desktop wallpapers available in normal, widescreen, and iPhone sizes. We've compiled these beautiful high-res photos in a gallery and included the original shots if that's not enough.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Wallpaper

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

[Source: Mercedes AMG]

Time to change your desktop: new SL65 AMG Black Series wallpaper originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BRABUS tunes new Mercedes-Benz SL to reliably insane levels

Alex Nunez — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertible, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Brabus

Click above for a high-res gallery of the BRABUS SL

"BRABUS" might as well be German for, "Hey, why not?" This would seem to be the question its engineers ask themselves before they stuff ludicrous amounts of power under the hoods of Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks. This behavior is well-documented, and it continues unabated with the arrival of MB's new SL. Full wheel/tire, interior, and styling packages are a given. Backing up those enhanced looks is an assortment of tuning packages capable of providing more power than even Montgomery Scott could ever plead for.

The SV12 S Biturbo engine swap appears to have been created by someone with a severe, pathological hatred for tires. This is the same engine used in the Brabus Bullit, and it dishes out a predictably ridiculous 720 horsepower and 973 lb-ft of torque. The latter number is electronically restrained to a mere 811 lb-ft., and a top speed of well over 200 mph comes with the territory. Not interested in the full swap? No worries, BRABUS has your back. SL 65 AMG drivers can opt for the T 65 S package, which bumps the stock V12 Biturbo to 705 hp/811 lb-ft. There's a solution for the all-motor SL 63 AMG as well that packs on an additional 40 horses over stock. This pattern continues right on down the line -- even the "lowly" V6-powered cars can be tuned to deliver 327 hp/ 310 lb-ft. Bonkers. Er, BRABUS, rather.

Gallery: 2009 BRABUS SL

[Source: BRABUS]

Continue reading BRABUS tunes new Mercedes-Benz SL to reliably insane levels

BRABUS tunes new Mercedes-Benz SL to reliably insane levels originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series details revealed, courtesy of MotorTrend

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

The online editors of Motor Trend have decided to spill the beans, which allows us to finally confirm the information circulating the interwebs regarding AMG's latest flagship supercar, the SL65 Black Series.

AMG has cranked an extra 66 hp out of the twin-turbo six-liter V12, now boosted up to 670 hp, while stump-pullin' grunt remains the same at 738 pound-feet. Unfortunately, all that torque still needs to be converted through a conventional five-speed automatic. The power boost, however, is only part of the equation that unburdens each horse of 1.6 lbs, now pulling just 6.1 lbs-per-hp instead of the "lesser" SL65 AMG's 7.7 lbs-per-hp. That reduction is thanks in no small part (but many small parts) to an ambitious weight reduction program that does away with the folding hard-top in favor of a fixed carbon-fiber roof, itself shaving 88 of the total 570 lbs cut off the curb weight. That figure is now down to a slightly more manageable 4,080 lbs, which is still in SUV territory for a two-seat sportscar. Carbon fiber is also features on the flared front fenders, hood, rear underbody diffuser and racing buckets. That reduced weight is sprung on fully adjustable coils with an electro-hydraulic Active Body Control suspension and one-piece forged alloys wearing Dunlop Maxx GT tires in 265/35ZR-19 dimensions up front and 325/30ZR-20 out back.

A deployable rear spoiler, flat-bottomed steering wheel and Alcantara-clad interior also factor into the package, which Mercedes says would be capable of hitting 220 mph if it didn't electronically limit it to 186 (300 km/h), but 60 will come in the three-second range. The extra kit is complimented by a lower hood line enabled by the Black's exemption from pedestrian safety regs due to its small production numbers: Only 350 examples will be made in either silver, white, black or red.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series details revealed, courtesy of MotorTrend originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz unveils 2009 SL63 and SL65 AMG

Alex Nunez — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:11:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

Click image for photo gallery

As expected, the advent of a new SL also brings with it the arrival of a new AMG variant. Gone is the supercharged, 510-horsepower SL55 AMG. In its place, we welcome the new SL63 AMG, which uses AMG's naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 making 538 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Like its standard-grade siblings, the new AMG SL is restyled, featuring a new-look fascia, side gills and revised rump. AMG-specific elements like a unique hood, a full aero kit, wheels that look lifted from a Porsche 911 Turbo, and all the requisite badging are also included. Inside, leather and carbon fiber adorn the cockpit, which is also outfitted with the usual assortment of electro-gadgetry, including Bluetooth connectivity that'll work with any phone so enabled.

The big news with the new SL63 is the addition of Mercedes' seven-speed twin-clutch SpeedShift MCT (Multi-Clutch Transmission) with four drive modes. Shifts with the MCT are promised to be smoother, faster and more fun overall than before. Fun's good. An optional performance package adds party favors like ceramic front brake discs, an AMG-enhanced version of the Active Body Control system, unequal-width front and rear tires, a limited-slip rear differential, a flat-bottomed steering wheel with metal shift paddles, and the AIRSCARF neck warmer system.

If the 538 horses of the SL63 aren't enough, or if you're just hell-bent on winning the numerological pissing contest in your law firm's parking garage, Mercedes also brings back the SL65 AMG, whose turbocharged V12 cranks out 604 horsepower and a BRABUS-like 738 lb-ft of torque. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but rest assured, it'll be up there.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG & SL65 AMG

Continue reading Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz unveils 2009 SL63 and SL65 AMG

Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz unveils 2009 SL63 and SL65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Lindsay Lohan's 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

Merritt Johnson — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Mercedes-Benz

Lindsay Lohan's choice of automotive accessory always seemed like the work of a good salesman. Why else would a reckless young woman in need of a transportation appliance choose a twin-turbo 6.0L V12 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG over, say, the perfectly reasonable SL500? They are both convertibles after all, and isn't that all that matters? Regardless, it made for more interesting news when she stuffed the 604-hp beast into a tree. When we last saw Miss Lohan's personal vehicle, she had abandoned it on the side of Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. Apparently the front end has been repaired by a shop in Texas, and they have it up for sale on eBay. Confirmation that the car belonged to LiLo came via comparing the car's license plate to the one on the car captured in papparazi photos, not to mention the parking slip from the Chateau Marmont Hotel.

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: Lindsay Lohan's 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

eBay Find of the Day: Lindsay Lohan's 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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