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Mercedes Reportedly Preparing Even More Exclusive SLS AMG Black Series

Filed under: Wheels



With 617 horsepower and a 208mph top speed, topping the Mercedes SLR McLaren was no mean feat. Mercedes nearly managed to pull it off with the new SLS AMG. The gull-winged supercar was unveiled at the recent international auto show in Frankfurt to rave reviews. But it still falls a shade short of its predecessor's bragging rights, so the German automaker is reportedly working on an even more exclusive, more powerful and more capable SLS AMG Black Series.

Following in the Black Series that has given us the SLK55, CLK63 and SL65, the SLS Black is expected to gain some extra power and lose some weight to optimize that vital power to weight ratio. Sources expect the 563hp and 479lb-ft of torque from the existing 6.2-liter V8 to get a boost past the 600hp/500lb-ft mark, coupled with a 50kg weight-shaving scheme to drop the "stock" SLS' 0-62 mph time down from 3.8 seconds – already faster than 99% of the cars out on the road – to below 3.5 seconds, and the top speed up from 195 mph to 208.

Of course the added exclusivity won't come cheap: insiders expect the price to jump by half to over $250,000 when the SLS AMG Black Series hits the market in 2013.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Filed under: Wheels



Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have a long-standing relationship. The two outfits have won Formula One championships together, and collaborated on the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But while the two continue their collaboration in F1, their road-car programs have gone separate ways. McLaren recently unveiled the new MP4-12C supercar online, and what you see above is Mercedes' answer.

Like arch-rival BMW's now-defunct Z8, the SLS AMG takes its retro cues from the company's history – in this case the iconic Gullwing 300 SL. The SLS has been developed entirely in-house by the German automaker's AMG performance division, and packs the company's ubiquitous 6.3-liter 563hp V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show for the first time, the SLS AMG sits atop the Mercedes range with a quarter-million-dollar price tag.


Mercedes' latest Flagship Supercar SLS AMG Appears Online Ahead of Frankfurt Debut

Filed under: Wheels



It's been a long time in the making, but the first details and images of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG have finally emerged in advance of its scheduled debut next week at the Frankfurt auto show.

Slotting in above the SL63 AMG Black Series and effectively replacing the SLR supercar which Daimler made in conjunction with its Formula One racing partner McLaren, the new SLS AMG sits at the pinnacle of the Silver Star's performance range. The gull-winged supercar packs the company's signature 6.3-liter V8 engine offering up 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving the 3500-lb supercar an anticipated 3.7-second sprint to 60 with a top speed just under 200 miles per hour. Available carbon-ceramic discs keep all that speed in check, packed into a retro design evocative of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

It's available in any color you want, as long as it's silver: the catalog includes two shades of grey, silver and red for the truly extroverted, with a price tag in the neighborhood of $250,000. Tune in next week to see what it looks like from the floor of the Frankfurt show.



Mercedes AMG Driving Academy Sets Up Shop Stateside

Filed under: Journeys, Wheels, Events



Despite tough economic times and growing concern for the environment, Mercedes continues to produce the powerful performance vehicles which enthusiasts crave. In fact, we just reported on a pair of the latest just the other day. Unfortunately few have the cash to spend on them, but don't lose heart: Mercedes has other ways of getting you behind the wheel of one of its legendary AMG performance automobiles. Already in operation in Europe for a couple of years now, the AMG Driving Academy is preparing for an American tour. Less than two grand will buy you a full-day Stage I experience in a variety of Mercedes AMG vehicles, including the C63, SLK55, SL63, CLK 63 Black Series and the new E63 AMG. There's also a more advanced two-day Stage II program, but if you want the full-on experience, Mercedes is offering participants the chance to drive the upcoming new SLS supercar ahead of its market debut at the legendary Laguna Seca race track in Monterey, California. Programs are also available in Palm Beach, Florida, and Lime Rock, Connecticut, so unless you live in Wyoming, there should be an AMG experience coming to a race track near you.


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