The recent snowfalls that hit Rome in recent days are a quite rare event, and seeing the Italian Capital in white makes it even more unique and evocative. The good people at Mercedes-Benz thought it would have been a great idea to seize the moment and shoot a nice promo video featuring one of its hottest models, and here it is. The star of the clip is the beautiful Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, which can be seen strolling and playing around the suggestive monuments of Rome in all of its glory.

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German firm Inden Design presents its own rendition of the Mercedes SLS AMG. This tuning doesn’t really change the aesthetics of the model, with the exception perhaps of the matt black 20″ alloy wheel set fitted with 265/30 tyres at the front and 295/30 at the back. The standard version of the SLS AMG comes with a 6.2 litre V8 engine credited with an output of 563 hp and 650 Nm of torque, and with the simple addition of a sports exhaust system (with manifolds and catalytic converters) and the recalibration of the electronics, Inden Design managed to boost that up to 623 hp. We agree with Inden Design’s main man Joachim Inden that the SLS and its Gullwing doors do not need any fancy aero-kit to impress, and with such an injection of power it just gets even more sexy.

View the full Mercedes SLS AMG by Inden Design photo gallery

via | MotorWard

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Aftermarket specialist Hamann presents the Hawk, a tuning of Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe that provides the car with extremely aggressive aesthetics. A new sporty bumper characterizes the front, which also uses a new carbon fiber hood with air-outlets as well as lip-spoiler and other bits made of the same material. Large side skirts and the massive carbon fiber rear wing complete the look of this outstanding rendition of the SLS gullwing, which features rearview mirrors, fuel cap and trunk also made of CFRP.

Under the bonnet pulses an enhanced version of AMG 6.2-litres V8 which now delivers 636hp and a maximum torque of 680 Nm, giving the Hawk a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds and top speed of 320 km/h. Other notable features are the new exhaust system (featuring four enormous 90mm pipes), sports air filter and a specifically re-programmed ECU.

Hamann Hawk comes with 21” forged alloy wheels fitting 245/30 tyres on the front and 345/25 on the rear. The adjustable suspension offers eight different settings which can lower the car’s centre of gravity by an additional 30mm. As for the interior - where customized Recaro sports seats stand out - Hamann opted for leather and ultra-suede, while all the aluminum bits of the standard SLS have been replaced with even more carbon fiber.

View the full Hamann Hawk photo gallery

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AMG performance division’s development director Christoph Jung confirmed that Mercedes is planning to release a baby version of its SLS model - likely to be renamed SLC - in order to to better compete with Porsche 911 and Jaguar C-X16. SLS’ considerable success (5000 units in 2009 alone) is prompting the German carmaker to produce a new front mounted engine two seats coupe. Engineers are currently working on weight reduction and the fitting of a yet undisclosed V8 engine under the bonnet, as “customers expect it“.

We believe that engine would eventually end up being an enhanced version of the 5.5-liter V8 which just made its debut on the SLK 55 AMG, or maybe its Twin-Turbo version. Regardless, overall performance is expected to be impressive, with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of about 4 seconds and top speed of 300km/h, while price tag is expected to be around 80,000 €. Pressure is on AMG now as Jung said that “We need it to sound right and go right. It can’t just be the most powerful. It has to have the whole package.”

Fuel efficiency and low CO2 emission are part of the package too, and for this reason the car will be equipped with Start&Stop system and other measures in order to contain fuel consumption. The car is supposed to be ready within 3 years, and the possibility of a following Roadster version has not been ruled out.

via | AutoExpress

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Kicherer is the first tuner to take care of Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. The renamed ‘Supersport GT/R’ features a brand new front grille with vertical fins which is deprived of the big 3-pointed star logo that is typical of the original model. The 20′ burnished alloy wheels are also brand new, and get emphasized by the lowered ride height. The Supersport GT/R also features the ‘Front Up’ suspension system, which allows the driver to lift up the front of the car so that obstacles such as steep ramps and speed bumps can be overcome without scratching the lower part of the front bumper.

Kicherer also offers 2 performance kits which can boost the 521hp of the original model up to 630 or 650hp. The first kit is made of a new exhaust system, sports air filter and dedicated ECU mapping. Then the addition of sports catalysts can provide the Supersport GT/R with an extra 20hp, which would make it accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

View the Kicherer Mercedes SLS Roadster Supersport GT/R pictures

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The Mercedes SLS 63 Supersport GT gets itself stiletto-scratched by this hot model in the pics of the Kicherer Gullwing tuning. The matte black SLS version has a new front end with vertical strips and a front spoiler lip made from CFRP (carbonfibre reinforced plastic). The material has also been used on some features on the inside.

The Mercedes SLS tuning has the engine up from 571 to 630 hp and torque of 700 Nm (from 650). The 0-100 km sprint is now covered in 3.5 seconds and we get a top speed of 320 km/hr. The wheel base can be raised for inconvenient stuff like getting in and out of garages, and new blacked-out, 20 and 21-inch wheels complete the package.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS 63 Supersport GT by Kicherer

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These spy shots of the Mercedes SL show the next generation which will turn up in only 2012. But testing has already been underway for the new Mercedes spider, which should be getting a complete overhaul. The Mercedes SL is still covered in very heavy camouflage, meaning we can’t get an accurate idea of how it will look.

According to some reports, both the Mercedes SL and SLK will inherit some of the design features from the classic Mercedes SLS, but we can’t verify that with these shots. However, we do get some tantalising technical information: the new SL should be wider and lower than the current model, gaining some improvements in aerodynamics and drive style.

It will have a totally new spaceframe chassis, and will have a specialist suspension system with an aluminium double triangle both at the front and rear. We should also see an exciting new engine range with new V6 and V8 units, both aspirated and turbo models, with CGI direct injection. Both performance and fuel consumption should be improved, and eventually we should also see a Mercedes SL hybrid version with lithium ion batteries.

Source | Autowereld

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More official information on the Mercedes SLS has been released, with a look at the interior of the AMG super coupè, and drawings on the exterior. AMG is bringing back the gull wing door opening on this SLS model which will substitute the Mercedes McLaren SLR.

The look of the interior and official drawings show the retro-tech style, in a kind of re-edition of the 300 SL Gullwing del 1955. The interior is simple and sporty, with aeronautical inspirations. A multimedia system dominates the centre dash and the steering wheel is new, with paddle transmission.

A central transmission allows the driver to choose between the various driving modes (Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual), while there is a button ignition, rear spoiler adjustment, ESP control and AMG button for original user set-up.

The SLS should debut at the Frankfurt show in September, with sales starting in 2012 at a price of 135,000 euros. We’ll have to wait and see the effect of the 571 hp from the AMG V8 engine. The SLS will have a top speed of 314 km/hr, and an acceleration of 3.8 seconds to reach 100 km/hr.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS interior pics

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