Mercedes has released an informative video explaining the benefits of their latest AMG Performance Media system. In this video, Mercedes takes the SLS AMG on one lap around the famous Hockenheimring in Germany to display the different gauges for monitoring your performance.
The new AMG Performance Media (APM) provides real time data on the Command screen. This data includes metrics on lateral G-forces, brake, throttle, horsepower, and torque. Next to these useful details, the system can also measure lap times and lap segments.
To activate the AMG Performance Media, all one has to do is press the AMG key in the AMG DRIVE UNIT, which is operated with the COMAND Controller. All functions are visible on the high-resolution 17.8-centimeter color display of the standard COMAND APS multimedia system. The upper menu bar offers details on the "Data", "Race" and "Setup," while the lower bar provides information on "Temp", "Power," and "Tires."
It seems that Mercedes is headed towards some dark days now that they are facing a class action suit due to alleged defects in the M156 V8 motor. Reports coming in are stating that there seems to be a premature wear that occurs as a result of the material used in the camshafts. Let’s break it down a bit more.
Mercedes’ V8 AMG engines have cast nodular iron camshafts, but the valve lifters are made of 9310 grade steel. The complaint is that this combination of materials is contributing to premature wear of the M156 motors. This can be due to improper heat treating of the metals or improper offset. Seems like an easy fix, but the problem is that the company has known about this issue since 2007 when a service bulletin was released by Daimler, but the company has failed to take action on the matter.
This 6.2 liter V8 engine is used in models such as the C63 AMG Coupe, the ML63 AMG, and the SLS AMG supercar. In these vehicles, it can develop between 450 to 570 HP.
At this time, there is only one plaintiff who is alleging financial losses of about $25,000. Sometimes tells us this is going to snowball into many, many more people coming forward with the same problem. We’ll keep you posted as more details surface.
The Mercedes SLS AMG has been the object of many tuners’ affections lately, with all types of kits and upgrades streaming out of tuning firms all over the world. But the onslaught is not over yet. Kubatech has revealed their version of the SLS AMG which includes a significant increase in power.
In its standard version, the SLS AMG’s develops a total of 570 HP and a peak torque of 479 lb-ft, but the tuner has found a solution to increase the output to a total of 625 HP and 501 lb-ft of torque. The extra 55 HP has been obtained with an engine control optimization using Sportkats software and simulators
As far as any exterior or interior modifications, well, they’re nonexistent. Kubatech has opted to leave the look of the vehicle entirely untouched, but with an extra 55 HP and a beautiful starting point, who really cares?
Anyone interested in putting a little more bounce in their Mercedes SLS AMG’s step, then they’ll need to shell out about $11,000 for the upgrade kit.
The current Mercedes SLS line-up is quickly filling up with a Coupe, a Roadster, a GT3 version, and, sometime in the near future, an E-Cell version. However, Mercedes isn’t done yet. The company is in the midst of adding a fifth model to the growing lineup: the Black Series model.
The new Black Series was confirmed by Tobias Moers, Member of the Board of Directors and Head of Vehicle Development for AMG, who said in an interview with Motor Trend: "We absolutely have to do a Black Series!" It should add at least 50 HP over the standard model, bringing it up to about 620 HP. Rumors in the industry point to a revised 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine as the power source.
In the same interview, Moers also confirmed that the SLS GT3 would not be racing in the US market because the company did not want to go through the added expense of re-certifying it for use on US soil. The E-Cell’s trip to the US, however, is still up for discussion.
Updated 10/19/2011: The upcoming Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series has been caught testing for the first time. Enjoy!
Aftermarket companies have waited a long time for the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. If for nothing else, they just couldn’t wait to get their hands on one to see what kind of tuning program they could make.
At least one tuning company will agree to this because we already have the first tuning program for the SLS Roadster courtesy of Kicherer.
In building the program for the supercar, Kicherer paid careful attention in not completely changing the overall essence of the car, although they did add a few carbon dress-ups to make it stand out as a Kicherer project. The most noticeable is the hand-made GT front grille, but many other fancy parts got added, including a new front spoiler, new side skirts, aerodynamic fins that were added onto the bonnet and on the wings, and a set of three-part, double-spoke 20" RS-1 lightweight wheels.
Kicherer also installed a new coilover "Front Up" suspension system that improves the car’s handling and a stainless steel exhaust with four oval end pipes with an integrated valve control, giving the driver free reign to choose the kind of exhaust tone he prefers.
Without leaving anything behind, Kicherer also took the time to tweak the SLS AMG Roadster’s powertrain with their own sports air filter, taking the Merc supercar’s 6.3-liter V8 engine and increasing its output from the standard 571 horsepower all the way to 630 horsepower. If that isn’t powerful enough, Kicherer is also offering a second performance tweak that includes an exhaust manifold system and a sports catalysor, further bumping up the output to 650 horsepower.
Take all these improvements in and you have a supercar that can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds with a new top speed of 199 mph. Fantastic.
