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Automobile magazine decided to put the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series to the test – time for a dyno run. So does the twin-turbocharged monster V-12 live up to expectations?

You can read the review at Automobile magazine here.

The video (not all that exciting FYI) is below:

AMG Market News/Daimler PR – Stuttgart/Dec. 19, 2008: Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are adding the crowning glory to the model family of their highly successful SLR super sports car with a new, uncompromisingly spectacular car. There is neither a roof nor a windscreen to separate the driver and passenger from the outside world; they enjoy unadulterated high-speed excitement with all the attributes of a speedster.

The new SLR Stirling Moss is also characterised by the most sophisticated technology and a breathtaking design which reinterprets the SLR legend. With 478 kW/650 hp the SLR Stirling Moss accelerates its V8 supercharged engine from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 350 km/h – no other series-production car is at the same time so open and so fast. This extreme concept makes the new high-performance sports car a legitimate bearer of the name of the British motor racing legend and Mille Miglia record-holder Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR racing cars from victory to victory in 1955. The exclusive SLR Stirling Moss rounds off the current SLR family and is limited to 75 units. It is priced at 750,000 euros. The SLR Roadster will cease to be manufactured at the end of May 2009 as planned, and production of the SLR Stirling Moss will commence in June 2009.

Photos on next page – Continue reading » »

The PR firm, Brodeur Partners, informed us of an AMEX promo that features three 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUVs. AMEX is one of the firm's clients:

On December 18, Amex’s My WishList program will give away three 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUVs. This new model is currently available exclusively through My WishList, and its retail price has not been disclosed.

The giveaway is an AMEX "My WishList" promotion.

From a long line of award-winning SUVs comes the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLK, a compact luxury SUV that fits any lifestyle. On the outside, the GLK’s efficient design lets you take even the tightest shortcuts — while on the inside, 54.7 cubic feet* of cargo space allows you to haul everything you’ll need for the long way around. With just one look it’s easy to see: this Mercedes-Benz is up for whatever you are. Please let me know if you’re interested in an image of the car or more information on the My WishList program. The program’s URL is: http://amexnetwork.com/mywishlist. 

Participation in the promotional event is exclusively for those with an AMEX card FYI.

The Mercedes Benz SLR 722 GT is a track version of the SLR. It is a powerful car that runs on a supercharged 5.5-liter AMG V8:

• 680 hp
• 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.3 seconds
• Top speed of 314 km/h (195 mph)
• Price $1.2 million

RENNtech produces the Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 GT and they also organized the event featured in the following video, which includes eight SLR 722 GT’s by the way.

Mercedes-Benz Cars has sold 1,158,200 passenger vehicles worldwide since the beginning of the year (January-November 2007: 1,169,900 units, minus one percent). Because of the increasingly difficult market development in Western Europe, the U.S. and Japan, a total of 84,500 Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart and Maybach brand vehicles were delivered to customers in November (November 2007: 113,000 units, minus 25 percent).

Customers bought 1,034,700 Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles worldwide since Continue reading » »

Affalterbach – AMG Mercedes is establishing 175 new AMG Performance Centers worldwide by the end of next year thus offering a more personalized service to customers. A commitment to first-class service quality at every stage in the customer relationship is one of the key elements of the AMG brand promise of “Performance”.

This focus on developing an even closer relationship with customers extends to a total of 15 countries.

A very special brand experience is also delivered by the AMG Performance Roadshow.

The redesigned sales showrooms of the AMG Performance Centers are characterized by a consistently applied and unique AMG brand identity. High-quality materials, exclusive furnishings and a palette of colours that is repre-sentative of AMG create an exclusive atmosphere for sales discussions. An oversized AMG engine badge serves to remind visitors of the company’s philosophy of “One Man – One Engine”: The assembly of each powerful AMG engine by just one engineer. The individualization options available through the designo programme are also reflected at the AMG Performance Centers in the form of paintwork and leather samples. Continue reading » »

A question concerning the authenticity of a 1984 AMG 500SE was received from a friend of mine:

I looked at a 1984 500SE – AMG (allegedly) today – a bit rough, in particular the interior. The owner's son is selling it. Claims his Dad bought it in Germany and it had AMG modifications. I'm THINKING it was just cosmetic on the exterior.

The car looks like a stock 500SE, except for the front air dam, it's lowered, MAYBE AMG wheels, and maybe the skirts. I ran the VIN on the Russian site, and it comes up delivered in Germany. Anyway, any thoughts as to how to tell if AMG modified the engine?

From what I understand, there should be some indication on the block that AMG modified the engine or some documentation included with the history. Otherwise, it is hard to tell if the car just has a lowered suspension and the body kit.

If the car has Recaro seats, a smaller steering wheel than the standard model and a custom exhaust then it is possibly an AMG.

M 117 AMG engine mods included enlarged inlet and exhaust ducts, polished inlet and exhaust valves, optimized camshaft and precision-balanced crankshaft.

From 1979 to 1985, there were several AMG cosmetic and performance enhancements – custom ordered by the buyer and they typically included:

• 15" or 16" ATS 5 spoke Penta wheels (designed by Aufrecht in 1979 and made by ATS)
• Recaro seats
• External chrome parts could be painted to the car's body color (or black)
• AMG steering wheel with a smaller diameter than the standard
• Lowered and stiffened suspension
• Aerodynamic AMG front air dam and spoiler kit
• Modified cams
• Custom exhaust to increase horsepower, and in some rare cases a 5 speed manual transmission.

If you have any additional advice, please leave your thoughts below. Thanks.

Note: The photograph is a circa 1984 AMG 16×8 5-spoke Penta type 1 aluminum alloy wheel manufactured by ATS. Designed by H.W. Aufrecht in 1979, it is the first aluminum alloy wheel marketed by AMG when it was still an independent tuning company.