The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was up against 11 other contenders in the “Production Super Sports Car” category. 24.5 percent of readers of Auto Bild Sportscars gave their vote to the gullwing model. In a strong field of 15 vehicles in the “Production Saloon” category, the E 63 AMG gained 19.2 percent of votes to come top in its class for the second year running. The “Sports Car of the Year” awards are an annual event that took place in 2010 for the eighth time.

“These wins for the SLS AMG and E 63 AMG confirm the popularity of our sports cars’ with customers. Both models embody the very highest level of fascination and performance – and the readers of Auto Bild Sportscars clearly feel the same way, too”, commented Christoph Jung, Strategic Project Manager SLS AMG, who accepted the award on behalf of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Since its world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) 2009 in Frankfurt/Main, the SLS AMG has won many major awards, most recently a gold Design Prize of the Federal Republic of Germany 2011. Here are just some of the other awards:

• “red dot design award”
• “iF product design award 2010″
• “Design Award 2010″ (Auto Bild)
• “Plus X Award”
• “Golden Steering Wheel 2009″ (Bild am Sonntag and Auto Bild)
• “The best cars”, super-sports category (auto motor und sport)
• Autonis “The most beautiful cars” (auto motor und sport)
• “Auto Trophy 2009″ and “Design Trophy” (Auto Zeitung)
• “Golden Classic Steering Wheel, Classic of the Future” (Auto Bild Klassik)
• “Most sporty cars of 2010″ (sport auto)
• “Internet Auto Award 2010″ (AutoScout24)
• “Best IAA New Product 2009“ (AutoScout24)
• “TOPauto 2010″ (Motor-Informations-Dienst)
• “GT Car of the Year” (Top Gear, GB)
• “Best Dream Machine” (MotorWeek TV’s Drivers’ Choice Award, USA)

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dazzles with its exciting design and stunning technology. This includes an aluminium spaceframe body shell, AMG 6.3-litre front mid-engine with dry sump lubrication and an output of 420 kW (571 hp) along with 650 newton metres of torque, seven-speed double-clutch transmission in a transaxle arrangement and a responsive sports suspension with aluminium double-wishbone axles. This unique combination of sophisticated technology helps to guarantee the highest level of driving dynamics. An AMG high-performance ceramic composite brake system is available as an option.

Characteristic features of the E 63 AMG include its powerful AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine with an output of 386 kW (525 hp) and 630 newton metres of torque, an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled damping and independent front axle. An AMG high-performance ceramic composite brake system is available as an option for both Saloon and Estate models of the E 63 AMG.

The AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine received two awards: "Best Performance Engine" and "Above 4 liter" categories. This engine is naturally aspirated and it develops up to 386 kW/525 hp’; it took first place by a wide margin in each case.

In the "2 to 2.5 liters" category, the new four-cylinder diesel unit from Mercedes-Benz also took first place by a comfortable margin.

The "International Engine of the Year Awards" are among the most prestigious in the automobile sector.

The Awards are presented annually by the British motoring publisher UKIP Media & Events. The best engines of the year are chosen in twelve categories by an independent jury of 64 auto journalists from 32 countries. It was clear to the jury that Mercedes-Benz and AMG are developing award winning engines.

For 2009 the winner in the "Best Performance Engine" and "Above 4 liters"
categories was the AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine. This high-revving, naturally aspirated power unit with a displacement of 6208 cc develops an output between 336 kW/457 hp and 386 kW/525 hp, a maximum torque of 630 newton meters, and is used in seven AMG high-performance cars such as the C 63 AMG and the SL 63 AMG.

The basis for its agile power delivery is a concerted technology transfer from motor racing, which is firmly embedded in the corporate philosophy of Mercedes-AMG. Jury member Bill McKinnon (USA):

"Enormous pulling power and the responsiveness of a racing engine, combined with a "Wagneresque" soundtrack – this AMG V8 sets the standard."

A high performance with exemplary fuel economy is also offered by the newly
designed direct-injection four-cylinder diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz. The most powerful variant develops 150 kW/204 hp from a displacement of 2143 cc, with a maximum torque of 500 newton meters. It is used in both the new E-Class and the C-Class. The C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon equipped with this engine has a combined fuel consumption of just 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers. The 125 kW/170 hp variant only consumes 4.8 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km (corresponding to CO2 emissions of 127 g/km), which is the best for the category. Jury member John Carey (Australia) describes the engine as follows:

"Effortless performance and an unbelievably low fuel consumption."

According to Friedrich Eichler, Head of Engine and Powertrain Development
at Mercedes-AMG:

"These top rankings reflect the huge enthusiasm of our customers for the AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine and the high-performance cars equipped with it – and they confirm the extremely positive test results in all the worldwide media."

And Christoph Schmidt-Arnold, Head Project Manager for the new diesel engines, says:

"We are extremely pleased that the new four-cylinder diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz has been so well received by our customers and that its combination of high efficiency and maximum driving pleasure has now been acknowledged with this award."

Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG

The AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine

Mercedes-Benz E-Class: The newly developed and modified four-cylinder engines have a higher output, despite the reduction in displacement. They also return impressive fuel-consumption figures that were previously achievable only in the compact-car class.

C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition