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Video: Aston Martin DBS Volante pitted against Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
With all the recent hype surrounding the brand new Aston Martin Vanquish, one could be excused for completely forgetting about its predecessor, the DBS, which is still going strong. This fact is exemplified in the latest EVO magazine track test conducted by television presenter, Tiff Needell. Despite the fact that the DBS Volante will be superseded by a convertible version of the new Vanquish in a couple of years, pitting the present day DBS Volante against the much-newer Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster is still a prevalent test. Not only do both of these cars slot into similar price brackets and appeal to similar buyers, but both produce similar outputs with the DBS Volante cranking out 510HP and 420 lb-ft of torque from its impressive, yet rather-out-dated, 5.9-liter V12 engine. Featuring a vastly different 6.2-liter V8 engine, the SLS AMG Roadster produces a little more than the DBS, with peak horsepower reaching 563HP while an impressive torque figure of 479 lb-ft is also achieved. With both cars’ tackling the Bedford Autodrome in similarly horrible conditions, it certainly makes for an enjoyable video, so check it out! Video: Mercedes releases a virtual tour of AMG headquartersThe history of Mercedes’ high performance arm, AMG, began back in 1967, and since then, they have created some of the fastest, coolest, and most innovative models on the market. To show just how much work is put into preparing these vehicles, the company has released a video featuring a virtual guided tour through the headquarters of Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach with exclusive insights to the engineering and development of the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz. If you ever wanted to know how history is written, but haven’t had the chance to actually take a ride trip to Affalterbach, this video is the closest you will get to finding out how an AMG model is developed. The video also shows off some of the most amazing cars being built, including the SLS AMG.
Video: Mercedes releases David Coulthard’s record-setting, golf ball catch with the SLS AMG RoadsterEarlier this month, Mercedes announced that they had set a pretty unusual world record. With F1 legend David Coulthard and pro golfer Jake Shepherd supplying the theatrics, Mercedes managed to set the record for the farthest distance a golf ball has been caught in a moving car. Unusual is probably an understatement to describe the attempt. Nevertheless, it’s a pretty cool record to be involved in. Mercedes promised to release the video next month, but apparently they couldn’t contain their excitement, releasing it earlier than all of us expected. The record grab, which was independently verified by the Guinness Book of World Records, only needed two takes to accomplish. Very impressive work, indeed. You can check out the video of Coulthard’s golf ball catch with the SLS AMG Roadster by clicking on the image above. There are also a number of subsequent angles of the catch, so make sure you check those out as well.
Video: Mercedes SLS Black Series testing at the NurburgringWhile we thought we were going to see the new SLS Black Series as Mercedes’ next big move, the company decided to replace the SLS AMG with an even more impressive SLS AMG GT, and keep teasing us with a few more spy shots of the next Black Series. The sports car has been caught testing around the Nurburgring race track yet again, and BridgeToGantry managed to shoot an impressive video of the its hot laps. The Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series will be powered by a revised 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with an output taken up to an impressive 660 HP. The engine is mated to a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox and will help the car to deliver more impressive performance numbers. Expect to see a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of about 3 seconds and a top speed of more than 200 mph.
Four-door Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG not on the cards despite old patent drawings 
Back in February, we brought you the intriguing pictures of a four-door Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG which was roughly sketched and somehow leaked onto the internet. Just a little under six months later, confirmation has finally come from AMG in regards to the four-door SLS AMG. While being interviewed by Autovisie, CEO of AMG Ola Källenius confirmed that a four-door SLS isn’t currently being planned and never will reach production or concept form as the pictures were simply of an old concept, first discussed during the initial development of Mercedes’ halo-sports car. In the interview, Källenius roughly stated "These four SLS is absolutely not. That was an old concept, an idea that anyone ever came during the development period of the SLS. Striking how such a story suddenly a life of its own." Excuse the poor English, as that’s just a brief translation of what was said in Dutch. The most interesting thing about this denial is how late it came after the patented drawings originally surfaced. We’re sure the Mercedes team saw the drawings when they were first leaked onto the net, yet for some strange people they decided to just let the rumors run their course until memories of the four-door SLS slowly faded out of our minds. Either way, we’re still not convinced that Mercedes isn’t in fact developing a new four-door sedan even if it’s not based off the new SLS AMG GT. We’ll just have to wait around and see if it ever comes to fruition. 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Haute Couture by Inden Design
The Mercedes SLS AMG may have been replaced by the faster SLS AMG GT, but tuners are still having their way with the supercar. The latest tuning package is from Inden Design, and they’ve even included a beautiful young lady to the mix. Inden Design didn’t play around too much with the design of the car, but they did add a new set of 21" light metal rims painted in high-gloss black. The only other change, and the biggest, is the engine modification. The tuner added a serially produced exhaust system in high-grade steel in non-ostentatious visual appearance with electronic valve control. As a result, the V8’s output has been increased from 571 to 623 HP, making it even more powerful than the SLS AMG GT. Inden Design did add one more accessory piece to the exterior of the SLS AMG and that is the beautiful Katja Runiello (photo model, dancer, and actress). Katja’s dress was the inspiration for the package because it was created by Haute Couture designer Elvira Kirsch. Other glamour credits should be given to stylist Katharina Freitag and photo artist Olaf Pitzer from Nauroth. Mercedes SLS AMG GT runs Nurburgring in under 7:30 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT After releasing the first official details on the new SLS AMG GT - the replacement for the SLS AMG - Mercedes has confirmed that the new version is significantly improved. The company recently trekked to the Nurburgring to run the car on the famous Nordschleife race track, which it did remarkably well in barely under 7:30 - about five seconds quicker than the standard SLS AMG. The test around Nurburgring was made at the hands of Ola Källenius, AMG CEO, who unsurprisingly so, seemed to be very impressed with the car. We are still waiting for the official video from this run to be just as impressed, but while we wait, here are the official specs for the new SLS AMG GT. The new Mercedes SLS AMG GT is powered by a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that delivers an extra 20 HP thanks to new suspension components and a retuned ECU. This brings the output up to 583 HP, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, up to a top speed of 198 mph. 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Matte Black and White Editions
While Mercedes was busy unveiling the new SLS AMG GT - the replacement for the current SLS AMG - to the rest of us, the Japanese market was receiving a very cool SLS AMG Matte Special Edition to toy around with. In fact, this is the second special edition for Japan that we have announced this week, next to the C63 AMG Performance Studio Edition. Much love for the Land of the Rising Sun, Mercedes? The new SLS AMG Matte Edition will be offered in both black and white paint finishes for both the coupe and roadster models. The Matte Black Edition is combined with a very cool red trim, including the red three-pointed star on the grille, the fender gills, the "6.3" badge, the fuel door, and the wheels. The interior also features the same red and black color scheme. The Matte White Edition follows the same setup, except the red accents found on the Matte Black model are black on the Matte White model. The black tires are highlighted by a clean white pinstripe and the interior is elegantly done in a white and black motif. Carbon-ceramic brakes are available on both models as an option, but no engine modifications were performed on either model. The Matte Black Edition is priced at €303,500 and the Matte White Edition is priced at $366,400 for the coupe and $379,000 for the roadster. David Coulthard sets record by catching a golf ball with a Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster
We understand if you’re a little bewildered by what the title states. Trust us, when we found out about it, we shared the exact same sentiments. We know that there are some unusual world records out there, but to be honest, we had no idea that there’s now one that involves the farthest distance you can catch a golf ball in a moving car. How come we’ve never tried that before? In any case, F1 legend and AMG brand ambassador David Coulthard used a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster to accomplish the feat, a record that is now in the process of being entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. For the record-setting attempt, Coulthard was joined by pro golfer Jake Shepherd with the latter being responsible for driving the golf ball as Coulthard blasted his SLS AMG Roadster. From 900 feet where the ball was struck - at a speed of 178 mph, no less - Coulthard managed to catch the ball while driving at a speed of 120 mph. And the best part of this record-setting attempt? It only took two tries for David to catch the ball with the supercar. Nevertheless, the unusual nature of the entire activity wasn’t lost on the F1 icon. “This world record attempt is definitely one of the most unusual things I’ve ever been asked to do with a car," Coulthard said. "Jake Shepherd was great to work with and the performance of the SLS AMG Roadster made driving to catch a mid-air golf ball even more exciting. I am honored to have received the Guinness World Record for the furthest golf shot caught in a car.” The video of the stunt will be released next month. So for now, check out the photos released by AMG of how it all went down. 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG by MEC Design
There have been plenty of aftermarket companies that have released program options for the Mercedes SLS AMG. And with the car’s popularity continuing to soar, you can expect that more and more companies are ready to take a stab at the German supercar. Some of them even have already done so more than once. MEC Design is no stranger to working on the SLS AMG, so much so in fact that their first design for the car was introduced 18 months ago. Fast forward to this week and the aftermarket company has prepared a new program for the SLS 63 AMG, one that includes an aerodynamic package for a customer from Florida. MEC Design’s exterior package for the SLS 63 AMG includes a two-piece front spoiler, a spoiler lip finished in carbon, optional LED headlights, new side sills with four optional LED lights per side, a rear trunk-lid lip, a two-piece rear roof spoiler, a roof air scoop, a custom built, stainless steel sport exhaust system, three different diffuser options (Extreme, Formula, or GT3), and a set of mecxtreme3 allow wheels that are available in either 20" or 21". Inside the car, MEC Design gave the SLS AMG a sports steering wheel dressed in carbon and Alcantara with leather/Alcantara and carbon/leather combinations coming as added options for customers. Speaking of carbon fiber, there’s plenty of the high-end material placed inside to make it look like its swimming in the posh item. Carbon inserts have been applied on the middle console, door guards, entry guard, the seat casings, and just behind the rear seats. There’s plenty to see if you have the photos to look at. Fortunately, we have a mega gallery that you can consume at your heart’s desire. UPDATE 05/22/2012: MEC Design may not have one of the most impressive tuning packages for the Mercedes SLS AMG, but their promo package for the sports coupe is definitely one of the most impressive videos we have seen in the past few months. The video was directed by Daniel Michaelis, filmed by Daniel Michaelis and Willi Fast, and narrated by Claudia Black. Hit the jump to check it out! Full story | Mercedes SLS-Class tuning:
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