AMG & Mix

TC-Concept EXESOR kit for SL65 AMG Black Series

How many of you are fans of convertibles? Hands up. Your sheer numbers just goes to show that not everyone prefers a coupe, and that’s why Mercedes-Benz makes sure you’re never left out. That’s what the Cabriolet is for. It’s not just for the ladies, but for gentlemen as well—at least those who appreciate having the wind blow through their beard and chest hair. And just to make sure you don’t grow envious of Brabus owners, TC-Concepts has come up with their very own pimped out version of your favorite Cabrio.
The Mercedes-Benz tuner now offers a modification kit for the SL65 AMG Black Series, giving the coupe-slash-cabrio bigger balls of steel and a lot of attitude. Going by the name of EXESOR, the modification kit puts a 6.5-liter twin-turbo V12 monster of an engine into your SL65 AMG Black Series, plus a reprogrammed ECU and redesigned boost control. On the rear end of this behemoth is a new sports exhaust system that features a low backpressure catback system, while a modified sports air filter sits up front.
The stock AMG adjustable sports suspension will be modified with a lowering module, bringing down the action to as close as 60nm to the asphalt. The 20-inch TC Ultraspoke 3-piece rims with Dunlop tires—285/25 R20 upfront and 325/25 R20 on the rear—speak for themselves.
As for the body, we’ll just say there’ll be a lot of carbon-reinforced plastic and genuine carbon. Aesthetics are all there in the picture. What’s inside is for you to find out. So head on down to TC-Concept.

Insider Spy: The CL63 and CL65 AMG

Everyone wants to have a peak at the future, whether it be of their lives or their favorite premium car manufacturer. We can’t give you predictions of your future, but we sure can offer you a heads up of future car models being concocted in the brewing pot. And here’s the latest—leaked images of what seems to be the CL63 and CL65 AMG—courtesy of 4WheelNews.
Mind you, these two models are still a long way from being put in a press release, so they’re real hot as of this post. From the looks of it, they’re going to be treated to brand new Silver Arrow front fascias that are nearly totally upright, new headlight design and aggressive fenders. Above the fascia is a redesigned hood to complement a totally angst-ridden lower fascia with LED daytime running lights.
The overall design is sharp enough to cut your senses, and rather mixes well with the existing CL-Class lineup. Since all we’re working with are leaked photos, we’re not entirely sure what lies under their hoods. We’ll just have to wait and see. But judging from the existing AMG powertrains, it’s a huge possibility that this duo will be powered by the 5.5-liter V8 engine that’s currently sitting inside the CL-Class S63 AMG’s engine bay. Well, only time will tell.

Video: Motor Trend pits SLS AMG against fellow German super cars

Some guys have all the good luck. The boys at Motor Trend, known for their outlandish videos of cars being put to extreme tests—or you could say they’re just having fun—have recently uploaded another video to their credit. This time, it features three German supercars—the Porsche 911 Turbo, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI, and (yeap, you guessed it) the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
These guys know what they’re doing. They’re so good at it that they even convinced California Highway Patrol to barricade a stretch of desert highway off Las Vegas to give them space to work—or to play.
The trio, made up of no less than MT Editor Arthur St. Antoine and two of his writers, made sure the rest of us—both fellow auto journalists and fans—drool over their adventures by providing raw HD footage of the action. You could tell it’s real just by the sound of the three German engines being pushed under the Californian desert heat.
Oh, if only we could be in their shoes. At least, in the SLS AMG. We’ll make sure we’ll get our time’s worth by feeding desert dust to the Porsche and the Audi. Not that those two are any less capable. It’s just that the SLS AMG has the potential to turn any other super car into a pile of sourgrapes.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG gets a new look

A best-seller unveils its updated exterior: the ML 63 AMG, featuring a powerful 375 kW (510 hp) AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, takes on a more attractive appearance thanks to some subtle but effective changes.
From the front, the eye is immediately drawn to the new bonnet with power domes, and the darkened bi-xenon headlamps with active light function. The rear, meanwhile, also contributes appropriately to the new look: the performance SUV now features darkened tail lamps incorporating a clear-lens design and LED technology. The subtle changes to the exterior coordinate perfectly with the high-gloss, chromed front and rear underguard, and afford the ML 63 AMG an even more powerful and distinctive appearance.

Alubeam Silver to be offered on the SLS AMG in the US

Ready to hand down the money for an SLS AMG? Why don’t you wait a while for a bit and see what’s coming towards your way—if you’re in the US, that is. News has it that Mercedes-Benz is going to be offering the SLS AMG in a whole new color—Alubeam Silver—according to a certain customer in who was informed by a dealer in Dallas, Texas.
In case you’re wondering, Alubeam Silver is a stunning metallic finish that kind of looks like molten silver. Think along the lines of metal foundries pouring molten material on iron casts—well, something like that. It made its debut on show floor being worn by the CL65 AMG during Mercedes-Benz’s 40^th anniversary a few years back.
Rob Moran, spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz USA, was even kind enough to confirm the rumors, saying it will be available, and it will be anytime soon. Moran adds that vehicles ordered in Alubeam Silver will have the finish hand-painted in Mercedes-Benz’s Sindelfingen factory, unlike the rest of the SLS AMG’s colors which are typically applied at body shop in Magna Steyr.
And since the finish will involve very special applications, only around two or three vehicles will be painted within a period of seven days, so you can more or less expect the rate at which Mercedes-Benz will export Alubeam units to the US market. But hey, you can wait, can’t you?

Experience the SLS AMG this summer

Wanna’ experience what it’s like to seat inside the SLS AMG? Now, you’ve got a chance—quite a small one, though. Still, it’s an opportunity. So if we were you, we’d grab it by the neck and tie a rope around it.
Well, anyway, you might be thrilled to know that Mercedes-Benz is setting up a summer event wherein you’ll get the chance to drive the SLS AMG around famous racetracks in Europe—Hockenheim, Spa—or sit shotgun as former Formula One driver and DTM driver David Coulthard makes the SLS AMG dance. There’s also the chance of going a few laps around the Top Gear test track—THE Top Gear test track where Jeremy Clarkson, his merry band of petrol heads and, not to mention, The Stig, shakes down all the latest machinery car manufacturers have to offer.
Moving on, you’ll get full details of the summer event only if you tune into the official website of the SLS AMG. You have to be wary of the information which comes in the form of subtle clues, though. It’s all part of the marketing gimmick. Here’s the link. You’ll be able to subscribe for updates through email, SMS, Facebook and even Twitter. So what are you waiting for?

SuperCharged Experience Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy!

The annual Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy will take place once again this summer in Canada. This exclusive event allows participants to experience the most powerful vehicles in the Mercedes lineup with exhilarating performance. A team of highly experienced driving instructors will work closely with a maximum of 12 participants in a safe and controlled environment to master and perfect your driving techniques under difficult, real life conditions reacting to emergency situations doing all that while you speed around the twisty race track.
There is no vehicle sharing, so you will spend most of your time behind the wheel of a broad selection of our exciting Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including several of our AMG models.

The Plus X Award for Innovation goes to… the SLS AMG!

The honors just keep piling up for Mercedes-Benz as the SLS AMG nets another top honor – a Plus X Award. Winning the High Quality and Design trophy under the Innovation category, the SLS was chosen by 144 judges from 32 participating nations who selected cars from all over the world for testing.
Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler AG states that the SLS’ gullwing doors might have proved to be a huge factor during deliberation. Bringing back memories of the Fifties when its predecessor, the 300 SL, was highly regarded as a legendary race car, it’s no wonder that the SLS AMG appealed to the jury who are all avid fans of both luxury cars and motorsports.
The Plus X Award, perhaps the largest technology, sports and lifestyle contest, ranks nominees under six separate categories, namely Innovation, High Quality, Design, Ease of Use/Functionality, Ergonomics and Ecology. The SLS won the Innovation award sans rival due to its highly advanced systems – AMG’s 6.3-liter V8 engine that’s  mounted mid front and coupled to trans-axle, seven-speed double clutch transmission, and a body shell that’s made of spaceframe aluminum, all riding on a highly-tuned sports suspension system featuring double wishbone axles .
Performance wise, the V8 is capable of 571hp at 6,800 rpm with torque peaking at 650Nm around 4,750 rpm. With a price of 177,300 euros, the SLS AMG is one of the most affordable super cars you can ever imagine.

Mercedes-Benz SLS-AMG: Europe’s Most Attractive Car

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has added yet another coveted feather to its cap. This time, it has won a massive design competition of AUTO BILD magazine, Germany. At the event, close to 200,000 readers of the Auto Bild magazine (spanning across 21 European editions) voted the new SLS-AMG as ‘Europe’s most attractive car’. Besides this, the gull-wing has also been awarded with the prestigious ‘Plus X Award’ for ‘design’ and ‘high quality’. The event is often referred to as the world’s biggest sport, technology and lifestyle competition.

Although, a reader’s personal taste was the single largest determining factor behind the AUTO BILD Design Award, the votes of around 144 renowned automotive experts and journalists from 32 countries also played a significant role. The individuals had to make their choice from among a variety of brilliant vehicles. With its fabulous design and enticing gull-wing doors, the new SLS-AMG appeals to the inner senses in all the right ways and reminds of its legendary ancestor – the 300 SL. However, the car is ultra modern when it comes to technology, driving and handling.
AMG engineers have stuffed it with exquisite technology, such as an aluminum space frame body, AMG’s monstrous 6.3-litre V8 front mid engine producing 571 HP and 650 NM of torque, dry sump lubrication, a proactive sports suspension and 7-speed double-clutch transmission featuring transaxle arrangement. All this combines to create a unique high-tech package which delivers great driving dynamics.
Other Coveted Awards Won by SLS-AMG

• Red Dot Design Award
• iF product design award 2010
• Golden Steering Wheel 2009
• Design Trophy and Auto Trophy 2009
• Best New Product 2009 at the International Motor Show Frankfurt” (AutoScout24)
• GT Car of the Year by Top Gear
• Best Dream Machine at the MotorWeek TV’s Driver’s Choice Awards

Roger Federer signs up with Mercedes-Benz

Do you like tennis? If you’re driving a three-star badge, then you’ve got to like tennis. Well then, this piece of news should interest you. Roger Federer (yes, the 16-time Grand Slam Champion) has just entered a contract that’ll make him a global marketing partner of Mercedes-Benz. This move should really bring about closer ties between the brand and the sport.
As with any celebrity endorser, Federer’s image, celebrity attendance and product placements are now part of Mercedes-Benz property. The contract covers several years and is sort of a premium extension to his Mercedes-Benz ambassadorship in China from 2008. And, of course, as with any athlete endorsements, you can now expect Mercedes-Benz to be heavily involved in the sport dominated by Federer. Let’s just say this is all part of a bigger plan – one that’s likely to put Mercedes-Benz on the sponsorship list of the up and coming U.S. Tennis Open Championship in July.
You saw that one coming, didn’t you? Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to the sport, actually. For more than 16 years, the three-star badge has been a common sight in tennis tournaments. Hiring Federer is the next logical step. Who else dominates the sport as well as the millions of tennis fans? That’s a lot of eyes for Mercedes-Benz ads. And it’s one sure way to associate the brand with the sport.