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2012 Mercedes SLS AMG by Inden Design
 
The new year has only just begun and there are already tuning firms out there ready to set the bar up as high as they can. For their part, German tuner Inden Design has created a new kit for the beautiful Mercedes SLS AMG that leaves the exterior and interior changes on the wayside to focus on performance instead. Usually we like a little aesthetic tweak here and there, but we’re not going to complain if Inden Design wants to put all of their eggs in one performance basket. The tuning company made significant changes to both the engine’s ECU and exhaust system, adding sportskats and manifold, to boost the 6.2 liter V8 engine’s output by 52 HP. This leaves the sports car with 623 HP and 479 lb-ft of torque, up from 571 HP. And that minor aesthetic tweak we talked about, Inden Design did take care of that with a new set of wheels that also serve to distribute power evenly to the asphalt. The new set of 20" wheels have been wrapped in 265/30-20 tires at the front axle and 295/30-20 at the rear axle. 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG by Prior Design
To say that Prior Design has been pretty busy with aerodynamic programs for the past couple of months is the first understatement anyone has said since the calendar turned to 2012. The German tuning firm has released plenty of new widebody kits, including one for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class less than a month ago and another for the BMW 5-Series only six days ago. Now it appears that they’re far from finished, especially after they released the first teaser photo of their next project involving Mercedes’ resident supercar, the SLS AMG. The entire kit is still not complete, but judging from the teaser photo, Prior Design is taking a different approach on the SLS AMG with a kit that’s far more aggressive and flashy than any of their previous works. Our trained eyes are seeing a vented hood, a revised front bumper with a few air intakes, and a spoiler lip that appears to have been made in carbon fiber. In addition, we’re also looking at new side vents, new side skirts, and flared wheel arches. Though there are no shots of the rear end of the SLS AMG, we expect Prior Design to have an extensive kit on that side too, possibly a rear wing, a boot lid, and maybe even a new diffuser with new exhaust tailpipes. Performance figures are probably out of the question basing on recent history, but that’s not to say that the SLS AMG is a slouch on the road that needs extra juice. The German supercar still packs a 6.3-liter V8 engine that develops 563 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque. If we could get that bodykit with those performance numbers, we’d gladly take it too. 2010 - 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG by Senner Tuning
Since the official launch of the Mercedes SLS AMG, there’s been an endless number of tuning packages provided for the sports car, so it would only be appropriate to end the year with one more. The new package comes from Senner Tuning and, for a price of 19,500 euro (or about $25,500 at the current exchange rates), you can add an extra 35 HP to the 571 HP 6.2L V8 engine, a new set of wheels, and some extra goodies. To achieve the extra power, Senner added a new high performance air filter kit and a new exhaust system with throttle control. The exhaust system is made from the finest stainless steel with an intelligent dynamic head control that together make up 15 HP of the 35 HP upgrade. The rest of the power is achieved through careful adjustment of the propulsion system. Altogether, the Mercedes SLS AMG by Senner Tuning can push out 606 HP. The tuned Mercedes SLS AMG now sits on a new set of 20" specially made wheels called Corniche Vegas with stainless steel outer bezels and diamond-turned rims in glossy black from the Aerotechnik house. The only other modification is the addition of new carbon fiber mirrors. Next to these standard upgrades, Senner Tuning is also offering an optional special 3 KW travel carriage with individually adjustable pressure and traction stage, as well as weight-optimized aluminum housing. Video: AMG releases time lapse video of Mercedes SLS GT3 tape sketch
If you ever find yourself lucky enough to be at the AMG headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany, we urge you to head over to the VIP customer lounge and check out a pretty fascinating tape sketch of the Mercedes SLS GT3 adorned on one of the walls of the lounge. What’s interesting about the portrait of sorts is that AMG designers actually made it with their hands using tape to draw up the SLS GT3 in such an incredible manner. The feat is pretty remarkable in its own right, but to see the whole process from start to completion in a little under three minutes makes it that much more special. That’s why this newly-released time-lapse video of the project is a certifiable must-watch. It takes a special kind of talent to pull something like this off. Then again, we’d be remiss if we put anything past the designers and creative heads of AMG, especially when it comes to producing amazing artworks like this one. Check out the video and see how the SLS GT3 tape sketch was completed, faster than it takes us to finish a bowl of cereal. Video: Lamborghini Aventador vs. Mercedes SLS AMG vs. Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Lamborghini unveiled the new Aventador LP700-4 will the full intent of it being one of the most amazing cars in the world. Possible recalls aside, the company may be right, but British magazine, AutoCar, wasn’t just going to take their word for it. They have put together the 700 HP Aventador with the less powerful 620 HP Porsche 911 GT2 RS and 563 HPMercedes SLS AMG for a little one on two drag race action. Clearly, the Aventador has both of the other models beat on power alone, but taking into account weight and aerodynamics may be another matter. Then again, the Aventador can achieve the 0-60 mph sprint in just 2.9 seconds,while the Porsche does it in 3.5 seconds and the Mercedes gets there in 3.7 seconds. Looks like the drivers of the other two sports cars will have to be nimble and quick to get the job done. Video: A collection of supercars courtesy of the China Sportscar Club
The Chinese automotive market is growing bigger by the day and automakers everywhere are taking advantage of this growing market by throwing a number of special editions their way. One type of vehicle that is ripping through the streets of China is the super car. Anything from Ferrari to Pagani to Lamborghini is making its way over to the land of Dragons and Emperors, and this video was created to show off a number of these vehicles. Watching this video may incite some ever growing jealousy for the people lucky enough to get behind the wheel of these bad boys. The supercars are all part of the Chinese Sportscar Club (SCC), which got together on an airstrip to show off their rides. The list of the supercars is intense, including a Ferrari Enzo, a Pagani Zonda F/R and Cinque, a Mercedes SLR, a Mercedes SLS, a Ferrari F430, a Ferrari 458 Italia, tons of Lamborghini models, an Aston Martin, and our favorite, the Koenigsegg Agera. The sheer monetary value of the collected supercars is enough to induce drool. Video: AMG Performance Studio customizes Mercedes SLS AMG in time-lapse video
AMG Performance Studio, Mercedes’ in-house tuning division, has released a pretty cool video on how to turn a stunning red Mercedes SLS AMG into an even more stunning supercar dressed in a fancy Yosemite Blue paint finish. The video, which was compressed in a little over two minutes to provide the time-lapse effect, shows how automotive artists are capable of producing a work of pure art with whatever canvas they’re given. In this case, the canvas is an SLS AMG and these talented men just did an amazing job in overhauling the supercar’s body panels into something that literally makes your jaw drop. The video was produced to give regular folk like us a better understanding at how things are done at the AMG Performance Studio. And might we add, in a span of two minutes, that message was seen and heard as loud and as clear as that ridiculously gorgeous Yosemite Blue paint finish on the SLS AMG. 2015 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series Roadster
 Just like every other model in Mercedes’ line-up, the SLS AMG will also receive a Black Series version. The Coupe version is already set for release in 2014 and new rumors are suggesting that the Roadster version will be arriving a year later. This debut setup should come as no surprise considering Mercedes just dropped the SLS AMG Roadster at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Just like the coupe model, the Black Series SLS AMG Roadster will be powered by a revised, naturally aspirated 6.2 liter V8 engine that will deliver an extra 50 HP over the car’s standard 570 HP, meaning a power boost to at least 620 HP. Next to this, the SLS AMG Roadster will get a more aggressive exterior package that will include a V-shaped bonnet, a more powerful front apron, larger air intakes, an AMG rear apron with black diffuser insert, and dual twin chrome tailpipes. Rendering is of the SLS AMG Black Series Coupe. 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Eagle Eye by SR Auto Group
Tuning firms don’t bother with concepts; there’s no reason to. The masterpieces they create stem from some of the most amazing pieces of automotive goodness created by long-standing automakers in the industry. American tuner, SR Auto Group, however has come up with something as close to a concept as tuning firms will ever get. Their new "Eagle Eye" package is based off the Mercedes SLS sports car and is said to be a "prime example of what’s to come in the new year." The idea behind Eagle Eye was to create a unified theme where every piece of this car could shine on its own. It combines an impressive exterior white paint finish with a black and red interior. The tuner then upgraded the brake system - the calipers were removed for a fresh coat of paint that would match the vibrant red interior - and topped off the look with an exclusive new set of PUR wheels. The wheels feature a wide split five spoke design with a deep concave face. Complete with hidden hardware, these three piece wheels are a masterpiece all on their own. If SR Auto Group’s Mercedes SLS AMG Eagle Eye is only a preview of what’s to come for the new year, then it’s going to be one helluva year! 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster by Brabus
German tuning company Brabus has been quite the busy bees the past couple of months, haven’t they? It was only a few months ago at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show that they introduced two new models to their line-up: the 2012 Brabus Rocket 800 and the 2011 Brabus High Performance 4WD Full Electric Concept Car. Then, they followed that up at the recently concluded Dubai Motor Show with the release of the 2012 Mercedes CL 800 Coupe by Brabus. And now that the 2011 Essen Motor Show is knocking at the door, it appears that we’re going to get a couple more new programs courtesy of the noted Merceedes tuning company, including one for the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. Official details behind the car have not yet been announced but the word out on the street is that it will be similar to the program given to the SLS AMG, particularly the prevalent use of carbon fiber, lightweight forged wheels, a new electronically adjustable suspension system, and of course, a performance boost that should take the output of the SLS AMG Roadster straight into the neighborhood of 700 horsepower. The only indication we have of this new program comes courtesy of a pair of official images that have been revealed leading up to its debut at the 2011 Essen Motor Show. Check back with us soon because as soon as the car is revealed, we’ll be on top of it with all the official details. | featured reviews:Mercedes SLS-Class tuning: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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