Autoblog

David Coulthard catches speeding golf ball at 120 mph in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Noah Joseph — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, UK

Golf and driving are things that many men would rather be doing than working, so automakers are always keen to find an association between the two. The latest publicity stunt, however, drives the point home in more ways than one.

The undertaking involved pro golfer Jake Shepherd, Formula 1 veteran David Coulthard, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Jake teed off at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in England and hit the ball at an astonishing 178 mph. Coulthard sped off after it in the SLS and caught it in the open cockpit some 900 feet afield - that's over three football fields in distance - at 120 mph.

The feat was enough to put Shepherd, Coulthard and the SLS in the Guiness Book of World Records on only the second attempt. Mercedes-Benz will debut the video footage in early July, but for now we've got a handful of photos and the official announcement below.

Continue reading David Coulthard catches speeding golf ball at 120 mph in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

David Coulthard catches speeding golf ball at 120 mph in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamann Hawk Roadster is an eyeful

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

So, you find the Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster a bit too demure for your tastes. You're either high enough to play hopscotch in the clouds or suffering from some sort of psychosis. Maybe both. You're likely also the target demographic for the red sled you see above.

Hamann has given the convertible Mercedes-Benz supercar a little more of everything at the Geneva Motor Show. Wild bodywork, heaps of carbon fiber, massive 21-inch wheels and a peak output of 636 horsepower are all part of the Hamann Hawk package.

The vehicle is more than just a body kit and a little extra horsepower, however. The droptop has received a few suspension tweaks in the form of a new set of coilovers complete with progressively wound springs. All told, the car can sit as much as 1.18 inches lower than stock.

Jump inside, and you'll enjoy a full custom interior swaddled in plenty of suede, leather and other rich materials. Hey, it's not our cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it can't be yours. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Hamann Hawk Roadster is an eyeful

Hamann Hawk Roadster is an eyeful originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan releases official footage of Juke-R supercar street race in Dubai

Noah Joseph — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Crossover, Nissan, Middle East

When is a Nissan Juke not a Nissan Juke? When it's the 480-horsepower, Godzilla-powered Juke-R, that's when. Then it's a supercar-beater. And to prove the point, Nissan UK took its one-off super-crossover down to Dubai for a little street racing action.

So what did Nissan pit its Juke-R against? No, not other crossovers, but a pack of the leanest, meanest supercars on the market: the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. We first saw video footage shot from the sidelines a couple of weeks ago, but since the publicity stunt proved so popular, Nissan responded by releasing an official, high-quality version, complete with in-car footage and plenty of tire squealing. Follow the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Nissan releases official footage of Juke-R supercar street race in Dubai

Nissan releases official footage of Juke-R supercar street race in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz offers new Ride Control suspension on SLS AMG

Noah Joseph — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:03:00 EST

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

The flagship Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG represents the pinnacle of the company's considerable engineering prowess. Yet there are always those looking for a little more. And for such customers, Mercedes has announced a series of new options available on the Gullwing coupe and its roadster counterpart.

The list includes new wheels and paint finishes (like the Sepang Brown Metallic pictured above), as well as the company's latest blind-spot warning system. But the salient point of the announcement (which you can read in full after the jump) is the new AMG Ride Control suspension.

Available as a ~$3,000 option over the stock setup, the new adjustable suspension offers drivers a choice between Comfort, Sport or Sport Plus settings. Some buyers will invariably revel in the choices, but then as Lotus founder Colin Chapman once famously quipped, "Make the suspension adjustable and they will adjust it wrong." Good thing, then, AMG has taken the guesswork out of the equation.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz offers new Ride Control suspension on SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz offers new Ride Control suspension on SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 meets its father at Spa

Noah Joseph — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

Though today the letters stand for power and performance, if you go back four decades, almost nobody had ever heard of a tuning garage called AMG. That was until the Mercedes-Benz tuner showed up at the 1971 running of the 24 Hours of Spa with... a luxury sedan. But not just any luxury sedan.

AMG took the 300 SEL 6.3, complete with wood dash and carpeted floors, bored it out to 6.8 liters and raised output up to 428 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 164 mph, the car qualified fifth out of sixty entries and went on to place first in its class and second overall, beating the likes of Niki Lauda and Hans Stuck. It was a pivotal moment that put AMG on the map.

Hans Heyer was one of the three drivers who alternated behind the wheel of the car dubbed the "Red Pig" that fateful day. And now forty years later, his son Kenneth Heyer is returning to Spa in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in matching livery to the original. It's a trip down the memory lane of AMG's history - though not the first - reuniting one of its first race cars to its most recent, seven of which, all told, will be contesting the Belgian endurance race this weekend. Scope it out in our high-res image gallery and follow the jump for more details in the full press release.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 meets its father at Spa

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 meets its father at Spa originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster hits the web with online configurator

Noah Joseph — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

Everyone's got their compulsions: Touching wet paint, licking a metal pole outdoors in the winter, pushing that kid into the swimming pool... you know, the usual. But Mercedes-Benz is more constructive with its own brand of obsessions.

When Mercedes makes a sportscar, they just have to turn it into a convertible. The SL may the best most obvious example, but take a look also at the SLR McLaren, which spawned three roadster versions, the Le Mans-derived CLK GTR, which was offered as a convertible (albeit in very limited quantities), or the touring car-derived CLK DTM, which was offered as a cabrio as well. Noticing a trend here?

Now Mercedes has released its latest flagship convertible in the SLS AMG Roadster, and all is right in the world once again. But knowing it's out there is one thing. Playing around with one is another. Unfortunately, most of us will never get that chance, but whether you have the means to actually place an order for one or not, you can at least play around with the new online configurator.

The tool allows you to choose from nine exterior colors (most of them various shades of silver), seven interior leather choices, three convertible top colors and four different sets of wheels. Follow the link to check it out for yourself.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster hits the web with online configurator originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How kids see the wild SLS AMG supercar [w/video]

Michael Harley — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG goes to middle school - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're no stranger to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The automaker's two-seat flagship, powered by a 6.2-liter V8 rated at 563 horsepower, has been covered ad nauseam on our pages since its introduction nearly two years ago. We are big fans of the 3,573-pound aluminum-bodied sports car, so we've never avoided a chance to grab its key fob, swing open the unique "gull wing" doors and take it for a spin.

Presented with another opportunity to spend time with the eye-catching coupe, and realizing another driving review was simply out of the question, we chose to take the $203,500 Benz to a local middle school and see what the kids thought of it. Unlike us journalists, often oversaturated with horsepower and sexy sheet metal, the unjaded minds of kids could offer all of us a new perspective.

Continue reading How kids see the wild SLS AMG supercar [w/video]

How kids see the wild SLS AMG supercar [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz showcases SLS AMG ambulance concept at emergency vehicle expo

Noah Joseph — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Police/Emergency

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG first responder concept - Click above for high-res image

Retasking a supercar as a pace car for a racing series has almost become standard fare. We've even seen the odd exotic commissioned to serve as a police car. But as an ambulance? Of all the vehicles that could fit the task, the supercar might seem the least likely, but Mercedes-Benz is evidently out to prove this notion wrong this year at the RETTmobil emergency vehicle expo.

To highlight their medical vehicle offerings and the versatility of their range, Mercedes has outfitted their top-of-the-line SLS AMG gullwing as an emergency medical vehicle. For the task, they've equipped it with the traditional German ambulance livery, a pair of flashing lights on the hood and a host of communications equipment.

The 6.3-liter V8 engine, Alubeam "liquid metal" paint job and the gullwing doors (equipped with explosive charges to blow them off their hinges if there's a rollover) carry over from the showroom-stock model. No word on whether medical equipment like a portable defibrillator has been fitted to the first-responder concept car, but a quick spin around the block in this puppy ought to be enough to revive anyone from even the deepest coma. Follow the jump for the German-language press release.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz showcases SLS AMG ambulance concept at emergency vehicle expo

Mercedes-Benz showcases SLS AMG ambulance concept at emergency vehicle expo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:01:00 EST

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

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off its latest supercar, the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Gone are the gullwing doors and fixed roof; in their place are traditional entry-ports and a folding cloth softtop. The car is still undergoing testing, but these shots reveal far more of the car than we've previously seen in various spy photos. A more polished version will be revealed to the world at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Before the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster hits the show circuit, it needs to spend some more time with Mercedes' engineers. The MB team has put a lot of work into this drop-top SLS, and ditching the fixed roof has required more than simply taking a sawzall to the bodywork.

Though the aluminum spaceframe was originally developed with both a coupe and convertible in mind, Benz engineers added beefier side-skirts to the roadster. This allows for improvements in both crash performance and overall rigidity. Further aiding in the quest for increased strength, a cross-member that supports the dashboard was given additional bracing at both the window frame and transmission tunnel. Despite this increased rigidity, the bodyshell of the SLS AMG Roadster weighs just five pounds more than the bodyshell of the SLS AMG Coupe.

Like its hardtop sibling, the roadster is capable of hitting an electronically limited top speed of 197 miles per hour. The convertible top is constructed from three layers of fabric, magnesium, steel and aluminum. It's lightweight, strong and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 miles per hour.

You can see the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster being put through the testing paces by clicking through the gallery below. Be sure to click past the jump to read more about the new SLS convertible in the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG springs forward with Gulf's iconic blue and orange

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style

New York 2011: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wearing Gulf livery - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you watched auto racing in the 1960s and 70s, your eyes likely caught sight of baby blue and orange streaks roaring to victory on tracks around the world. Gulf livery has since become an iconic paint scheme for everything from the ratty street cars of wide-eyed boy racers to expensive watches and clothing for those looking to embrace their inner McQueen. Hell, there's even a drift-happy Freightliner wearing the oil company's famous colors. Mercedes-Benz has decided to bring a touch of those famous colors in the form of a tarted-up SLS AMG.

It's no Porsche 917... but it's still pretty cool looking, and we've got a full gallery for you to look through below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in Gulf Livery: New York 2011

New York 2011: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG springs forward with Gulf's iconic blue and orange originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Podium finishes for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Ford Focus BTCC at race debuts

Noah Joseph — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, UK, Racing

SLS AMG GT3 and Ford Focus touring car make their race debut - Click either image for high-res gallery

Teething pains are normal when developing a race car. Save for series like Formula One where every team is starting with a new car at the beginning of each season, it's to be expected that a new race car will face some difficulties when competing in its first race. That's what makes this past weekend's results so extraordinary.

Instead of being relegated to the garage with mechanical troubles, as you might expect from a new racing machine, both the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and the Ford Focus touring car scored podium finishes on their race debuts this past weekend.

The race-prepped neo-gullwing finished third overall and first in the GT3 class at the opening round of the VLN Nürburgring Endurance Championship, fielded by the Black Falcon team. A second SLS followed in fourth place overall, with another two finishing 7th and 19th. The series consists of ten endurance races, all competed around a combination of the Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuits at the Nürburgring, and this race marked the first time that the SLS GT3, having completed its testing phase, was fielded entirely by privateers with no factory support. BMW claimed victory with a one-two finish in the M3 GT, while the Pininfarina P4/5 failed to complete the race.

The Ford triumph, meanwhile, came in the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship. As we reported recently, the BTCC is benefiting from a large field of competition that's unprecedented in size, but the new Focus surmounted the odds by cementing a third-place finish in the first of three races on the Indy configuration at Brands Hatch. Tom Chilton scored that podium finish in the "Global Ford Focus" racer while Andy Neate finished 11th in the second car, and while neither fared as well in the second or third races (finishing 11/12 and 8/15 respectively), that they finished each race at all was an accomplishment in and of itself for the new Focus and for Team AON which fielded them.

The checkered flags in the first two races went to Fifth Gear presenter and defending series champion Jason Plato in the Chevrolet Cruze, with two-time former BTCC champ Matt Neal taking the win in the third race behind the wheel of the Honda Civic. Press releases after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 race debut – VLN Nurburgring

Gallery: Ford Focus BTCC race debut – Brands Hatch

[Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Team AON]

Continue reading Podium finishes for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Ford Focus BTCC at race debuts

Podium finishes for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Ford Focus BTCC at race debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz planning slew of debuts for New York

Noah Joseph — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Word is that Mercedes-Benz is planning a whole mess of debuts for the upcoming New York Auto Show. Among them, according to reports, are three worldwide first we've yet to see, along with three North American debuts.

The models being unveiled for the first time on this side of the Atlantic includes the new SLK, C-Class sedan and C-Class Coupe. As for the world debuts, sources suggest we'll be seeing two new variants from the AMG division and one all-new concept car. Now we already know the above-pictured C63 AMG Coupe will be among them, but rumor has it that the SLS AMG Roadster will be unveiled at the show as well.

As for that mystery concept, speculation is that it could be the new B-Class or a preview of the next M-Class crossover. We'll have to wait to find out for sure, but with less than a month to go before the doors open at the Javits Center, we won't have to wait long.

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

[Source: CarScoop]

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz planning slew of debuts for New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Hamann Hawk is Barbie's First Supercar

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, MISC

Hamann Hawk - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is certainly enjoying an interesting run at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. It's had its ups and downs... and right now, it's going through another low point courtesy of Hamann.

To be fair, the styling of the Hamann Hawk is almost kind of cool. But the matte pink pearl paint job does this car no favors. Hamann calls the color Everose Gold, but we're going with Barbie's First Supercar - it's like Paris Hilton trying to act tough.

What's certainly no act, however, is the work done under the hood. The Mercedes-Benz 6.2-liter V8 in the SLS, which normally produces 563 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, has been pushed to produce 636 hp and 502 lb-ft. This was accomplished through the use of upgraded manifolds, a new exhaust and adjustments to the engine mapping. Those changes help push the Hamann Hawk from 0-62 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds. Hold the go-pedal down and you'll eventually hit 199 miles per hour.

Of course, you'll still be driving something that 16-year-old girls would find oddly endearing, like a pair of pajama pants with pink skulls on it. Hamann, please paint this thing black, lose the garish grille emblem, and then let us disappear with your gas card for a few days.

Gallery: Hamann Hawk: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Hamann Hawk

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Hamann]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Hamann Hawk is Barbie's First Supercar

Geneva 2011: Hamann Hawk is Barbie's First Supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Brabus 700 Biturbo is SLS AMG turned up to 11

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury, MISC

Brabus 700 Biturbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's become quite clear that Mansory and Fab Design should leave SLS-tuning to the experts. Brabus has pulled back the wraps on its 700 Biturbo, and the results are ~~pants-tightening~~ impressive.

Brabus has taken the 6.2-liter SLS AMG V8 and attached a pair of turbochargers to the already-excellent mill. Output has gone from 563 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, up to 700-hp and 626 lb-ft of torque. Brabus has also gone ahead and changed the intake and exhaust manifolds, engine mapping and exhaust system on the Mercedes-Benz flagship.

In fact, Brabus has gotten down to the nitty-gritty with its 700 Biturbo at the Geneva Motor Show. Traditionally, twin-turbocharged engines have a pair of turbos both spinning in the same direction. Brabus has fitted a right-turning and left-turning exhaust to the respective sides of the engine, and this allows for optimal air flow into the engine.

All of this work has produced a luxurious grand tourer that hits 0-62 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds, and can run on to top speed of 213 mph. Brabus has managed to do all of this without slapping on eye-searing paint an ill-advised body kit (though obviously there's an extensive bit of aero-tweakery present), and for that, we thank them. (Next time, though, maybe we can find someone around to close the hood...)

Gallery: Brabus SLS AMG 700 Biturbo: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Brabus 700 Biturbo

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Brabus 700 Biturbo is SLS AMG turned up to 11

Geneva 2011: Brabus 700 Biturbo is SLS AMG turned up to 11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Mansory Cormeum is remarkable for being not ugly

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:39:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

Mansory Cormeum - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is Mansory going soft on us? The Germany-based customizer of high-end exotics has arrived in Geneva with its take on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It's called the Mansory Cormeum... and it's remarkable for not being eye-searingly ugly.

The Cormeum is certainly no beauty queen, but Mansory has produced some truly questionable designs in its history. Besides being more attractive than whe might have figured, the Cormeum is remarkable for having an extra 97 horsepower (for a total of 660 hp), and it weighs nearly 200 pounds less than a standard SLS. This is achieved through the extensive use of carbon fiber body panels, and the added power comes from a new exhaust and engine map program. If 660 horsepower doesn't sound like enough, Mansory says it's working on an 800 hp version.

Only 15 examples of the gullwing Mansory Cormeum will be produced. If you're curious where the name comes from, Mansory founder and namesake Kourosh Mansory was inspired by the aria Vide Cor Meum. You've probably heard the music before, as it was written for the move Hannibal. All of which makes some sense, because some folks would rather eat a human being than be seen in a Mansory vehicle.

Gallery: Mansory Cormeum: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Mansory Cormeum

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Mansory Cormeum is remarkable for being not ugly

Geneva 2011: Mansory Cormeum is remarkable for being not ugly originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boca Raton Concours scores 'first' sales: Ferrari FF, Benz SLS Roadster, Audi R8 GT, etc. *UPDATE

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Auctions, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Luxury

2012 Ferrari FF - Click above for high-res image gallery

Are you a mega-wealthy car enthusiast that's always eager to be first in line when it comes to supercars? Here's a tip for you: Buy a plane ticket (or fuel up the jet) and head on down to Florida for the Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance.

Now in its fifth year, this upper-crust car show has been gaining momentum in the concours community, in part by scoring a lot of "firsts" for the auction portion of its event. Auctiongoers in past years have had a shot to buy the first U.S. examples of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 and Spyder R8, Ferrari California and 458 Italia and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

On the docket for this year's festivities? How does the 2012 Ferrari FF, 2012 Audi R8 GT and 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. According to The DuPont Registry, each car will be the first of its kind sold in the United States. If you need to pick up something for your kids or the wife, Mercedes has also supplied a 2012 CLS63 Limited Edition, of which only 30 are to be made - and, of course, this is also the very first one sold.

*UPDATE: If you were booking travel arrangements to Florida with the goal of winning yourself the first example of Ferrari's FF shooting brake... don't. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County (the organization for whom the concours auction is to benefit) has issued a formal retraction - the Ferrari FF will not be available for auction. Please read the official press release after the jump for more details.

Gallery: 2012 Ferrari FF

[Sources: DuPont Registry, Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County]

Continue reading Boca Raton Concours scores 'first' sales: Ferrari FF, Benz SLS Roadster, Audi R8 GT, etc. *UPDATE

Boca Raton Concours scores 'first' sales: Ferrari FF, Benz SLS Roadster, Audi R8 GT, etc. *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoWeek picks CTS-V Coupe and Grand Cherokee as Best of the Best for 2011

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche

Nearly everyone else in the entire world may already have spouted off various year-end lists, but AutoWeek waited for the 2010 dust to settle before announcing its Best of the Best 2011 car and truck award winners. The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee took home the respective top spots.

Rounding out AutoWeek magazine's top five cars were the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Ford Fiesta, BMW 5 Series and the Audi A8. The rest of the top trucks included the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Porsche Cayenne and Honda Odyssey. The Cadillac and the Jeep edged out the rest of the competition in categories such as ride quality, handling, exterior and interior design and fun. Feel free to hit the jump for the official press release.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Continue reading AutoWeek picks CTS-V Coupe and Grand Cherokee as Best of the Best for 2011

AutoWeek picks CTS-V Coupe and Grand Cherokee as Best of the Best for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Susie Stoddart drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

Susie Stoddart drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Susie Stoddart is a professional race driver who hails from Scotland, and has moved up through the motorsports ranks to arrive in the DTM world. Getting started in karting before moving on to Formula Renault and then Formula 3, Stoddart has been driving a Mercedes-Benz for its DTM team since 2006. Driving a Benz has its privileges, of course, and that's even more true when you're a factory race driver. In this case, while Stoddart's normal racecar is a DTM-prepped C-Class, she recently got to spend some time behind the wheel of the SLS AMG GT3.

In the video, Stoddart tells how she became a professional driver because of the encouragement of her father. He instilled a strong sense of determination and will, and Susie takes time to thank him. The highlight of the clip, however, is watching Susie pilot the SLS AMG GT3 around the track. She scored her first points in a DTM season this year and she has come a long way from the kart track.

If that is not enough SLS AMG - or the lovely Ms. Susie Stoddart - action for you... we also have video footage of her flogging an E63 AMG wagon. Before you jump off, however, click past the break to watch pilot the SLS AMG GT3.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Susie Stoddart drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Video: Susie Stoddart drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus brings the girth with Mercedes SLS Widestar

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Widestar by Brabus - Click above for high-res image gallery

What's more important, speed or girth? Brabus says can have your proverbial cake and eat it too with its new Widestar kit for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Upgrading on their previous offering (and sounding like a minivan), the Widestar SLS benefits from a carbon fiber body kit with a 20mm wider rear track, encompassing Brabus Monoblock F Platinum Edition wheels available in a variety of colors and finishes and coated in either Pirelli or Yokohama low-profile rubber (275/30ZR-20 front and 295/25ZR-21 rear).

Brabus is also offering an electronically adjustable suspension with Bilstein shocks and Ride Control system, a titanium exhaust with quadruple tips that squeezes out an extra 10 horses, while the interior can be outfitted with a number of extras you can read all about in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Widestar by Brabus

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Brabus brings the girth with Mercedes SLS Widestar

Brabus brings the girth with Mercedes SLS Widestar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Car and Driver gets bored, does doors-up donuts in Benz SLS AMG

Chris Shunk — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - Click above to watch the video after the jump

To some, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a demure looking beast, but don't let the classy lines fool you. Beneath that long, elegant nose is a 6.2-liter, 563 horsepower AMG V8 that propels the top Benz to supercar status. But while the SLS can hold its own on the race track against some of the world's finest automobiles, it also has the punch to take on low-brow muscle cars at their own game.

While the folks at Car and Driver no doubt have the resources to hit the track, they instead opted to take the SLS AMG out for some donuts. We're not talking polite, single turn donuts, either. This is the kind of donut that leads to a fast trip to the tire store for some very expensive Continental ContiSportContact rubber. And just for kicks (and visual flair), the C/D gang has left its gullwing doors ajar for maximum tire smoke inhalation. Hit the jump to watch the tire-shredding action for yourself.

[Source: Car and Driver via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Car and Driver gets bored, does doors-up donuts in Benz SLS AMG

Video: Car and Driver gets bored, does doors-up donuts in Benz SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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