The Mercedes Benz fashion week presents the SLS AMG and supermodel Julia Stegner, together for a photo shoot with a futuristic touch. A tad like Star Trek’s gone beserk for me, this is described as “cutting edge” work from the photographer Nick Knight. The SLS AMG is certainly of perfect enigmatic style to be used in this avant garde piece, and whether you like it or not, you’ve got to admit the final effect is dramatic. Julia Stegner discusses the work in a video after the jump.

Continue reading: SLS AMG and Julia Stegner: Fashion as Performance in Mercedes Benz fashion week

Whoever produced this video of the Mercedes SLS AMG should go into action film production, if they aren’t already. The SLS AMG finds itself in a stunt of looping the inside of a tunnel at high speed through the down force generated (thanks to a whole lot of computer graphics but I’ll believe it’s capable anyway). My favourite part, though, is at the end, when the stationary car suddenly flips its Gullwing doors open. Lovely.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS AMG video

The Audi E-Tron test drive by the Los Angeles Times is seen in this video, although it’s unlikely to tell you anything you didn’t already know. We don’t get an idea of what it feels like to actually drive the E-Tron, and the torque figures quoted are likely to be those of the wheels, and not the output shaft, which has created some controversy.

The driver of this test, Dan Neil, gives us some insight into what kind of car the E-Tron is like in his written article. He says:

Like all electric cars, the batteries are the biggest concern. The e-tron uses a lithium-ion pack sourced from Sanyo with a total capacity of 53 kWh, but only about 43 kWh is usable storage. Max discharge is a healthy 230 amps. According to Krauter, the car will have two settings for regenerative braking, one normal and one sporty — which is to say, you lift off the gas and the aggressive regen will instantly slow the car down as if it had piled into a load of sand. No coasting.

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron test drive video

The Mercedes SLS AMG Desert Gold edition was presented at the Dubai motor show, and here is the video of the car, along with pics from the show. The SLS AMG gold tint version could possibly be included as a permanent colour for the Middle East market, with the option appearing as part of the AMG Performance Studio exclusive personalisation program.

The external Desert Gold look is contrasted with a black carbon fibre finish interior, while the engine remains unchanged. The Middle East is Mercedes’ fourth largest market, and so the Dubai motor show also featured a preview of the new Mercedes E-Class cabriolet. Check out the SLS AMG Desert Gold in the pics.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS AMG Desert Gold video and pics

MEC Design has tried a new SLS AMG tuning, and it’s looking better than the previous effort. This SLS AMG still includes a splitter, although the front grill and air intakes are definitely more toned down. That is probably where the “sublety” stops with an extremely low front bumper, wide side skirts and huge wheels making a muscle car look. If you really need your SLS AMG tuned, we think you’re probably better to go with Brabus, or frankly nothing at all if you can afford this machine.

Source | Autoblog.com

Continue reading: MEC Design SLS AMG tuning take two

The appearance of the new SLS AMG Gullwing at Laguna Seca got the Americans very excited, as it would anyone, I guess. What I can’t get over is just how many of the models are lined up around the track (I always get the impression that any new launch of a supercar is the same car travelling around the world - or at least one of an exclusive group of three).

This particular track video of the SLS AMG has some fantastic onboard footage and unsophisticated commentary, but we appreciate it for the guy’s enthusiasm (he doesn’t stop smiling for the whole video). The verdict is that no other streetcar even comes close. I’m convinced just by the incredible engine sound.

Continue reading: Video: SLS AMG on track at Laguna Seca

This Mercedes SLK spy shot could also be a baby SLS AMG first look, according to World Car Fans. The spy shot, similar to previous mules seen testing, was originally considered to be the 2012 Mercedes SLK, but since announcements that a smaller SLS AMG will be produced, that may not be the case.

The idea is that what was once destined to be the stuff of the SLK could in fact be dedicated to the new, smaller SLS AMG, which will appear in the product line-up above the SLK55 AMG, much like the Gullwing is placed above the SL63. Don’t expect the baby SLS AMG to be a smaller version than the current one, as rumours say that the gullwing doors will be replaced by a more economical option.

That doesn’t help to identify these spy shots, then, because if we were looking for the signature doors, we clearly have to reconsider. Alternatively, these spy shots could just be the new SLK redesigned in a more classic style. We can’t say though, that the idea of the baby SLS AMG from the guys at WCF isn’t tantalising all the same.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLK or baby SLS AMG spy shots

The Auto Trophy 2009 awards have been given by Auto Zeitung after reader surveys of about 105,000 participants. Obviously the local German cars were very successful, with Audi taking home a total of 40 percent of votes across all categories, but there have been a couple of surprises, too.

A special mention goes to the Opel Astra for its quality-price ratio, while the new BMW 1 Series won the best advertising campaign award. Across the categories, readers voted on 370 different models in total. In the small car category, the Volkswagen Polo won with 32.9 percent, while for imported small cars the Fiat 500 won with 20.6 percent. Among the mid-size range was the Volkswagen Golf 6, and for imported cars in this category, the Skoda Octavia won a divided contest, with 18.5 percent of votes.

The mid-size, top range cars featured some of the larger German models, with the Audi A5 Sportback winning with 27.2 percent of votes, and the Volvo V70 winning in the imported category. The luxury category was dominated by the Mercedes E-Class with 42.7 percent of votes, while the Jaguar XF took the title for imported vehicles. Among the flagship models, the Porsche Panamera won and the Aston Martin Rapide won in the imported category with 33.7 percent.

Continue reading: Auto Zeitung Auto Trophy: SLS AMG top supercar

Here’s a look at the Brabus SLS AMG tuning, which is a lot more respectful towards the classic Gullwing than the MEC Design proposal seen in the gallery below. In terms of style features, Brabus has lowered the vehicle and added new wheels with enormous tyres.

The mechanics will get a tweak, and while Brabus most likely won’t use its own 6.3-litre V12 twin turbo with 800 hp, we could see a power increase around the 700 hp-mark all the same. We should see this at the Essen motor show where we can’t wait for more news!

The MEC Design tuning renderings on the other hand, are bordering on sacriligeous. Maybe the guys were trying for something over the top for they’re digital reconstruction but we hope nothing like this ever actually makes it onto the SLS AMG.

MEC has also included large, 22-inch wheels, an enormous front grille and equally enormous rear diffusor with spoiler and redesigned exhaust outlets. Apparently the CEO of MEC has said they’ve had a lot of positive feedback and they can’t wait to get their hands on a Gullwing to create their project. The Brabus picture is from Autobild, information on the MEC Design from Autoblog and WorldCarFans.

Continue reading: SLS AMG tuning: Brabus and MEC Design

The Car of the Year prizes have been dominated by the Germans with many being awarded one of Autobild’s “Golden Steering Wheel” awards. The Porsche Panamera won the luxury car category, beating the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S Class, while the medium to large sedan category was won by the Audi A5 Sportback, followed by the BMW 5-Series GT and the Mercedes E Class.

Among the compact class, a nice win for the new Opel Astra, beating the Skoda Yeti, which came in second ahead of the Renault Megane. In its sector, the Renault Scenic emerged ahead of the Toyota Verso and Peugeot 5008, and among the small cars the Volkswagen Polo won over the Citroen C3 and Hyundai i20. The Toyota Prius took out the ecological prize, followed by the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion and the Mercedes S400 Hybrid.

The supercar category was dominated by the new Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing, followed by the Audi R8 Spider and the Aston Martin One-77. The finalists for overall COTY are the Citroën C3 Picasso, Mercedes-Benz E-class, Opel Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen Polo. Take your bets now…

Continue reading: Golden Steering wheel car of the year prizes: SLS AMG supercar of the year

Mercedes has released new pics of the SLS AMG together with some new videos before orders start this month for delivery in 2010. There is no other way to describe the new Gullwing than as an icon. It will surely become a classic in an age in which “classic” is over used and misunderstood.

The pics in this extensive gallery show once again the beautiful SLS AMG with its 6.2-litre V8, 571 hp and 650 Nm. The top speed of the Gullwing is 315 km/hr and with a weight of just 1,620 kg, it reaches 100 km/hr in 3.8 seconds. The videos show some driving footage as well studio shots where we get a 360 degree tour of inside and out. Everything is all after the jump, for your viewing (and auditory) pleasure.

Mercedes SLS AMG new pics

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS AMG new pics and videos

Mercedes has released new videos of the SLS AMG. The videos give us the full tour of the Gullwing, from the chassis to the engine, with full descriptions of the design and even the crash test. The SLS AMG is equipped with a V8 engine and 571 hp, and it will cost about 178,000 euros. You could buy this Mercedes for any number of things that tickle your fancy - the Gullwing doors, the seven speed dual-clutch transmission, carbon ceramic brakes, the 1,620 kg weight, launch control etc. You name it, the SLS AMG has got it.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS AMG new videos