It was back in 1967 when the AMG badge first appeared on a Mercedes-Benz product, and in 2012 it will first appear on a Formula 1 car.

In order to promote its performance division, Mercedes-Benz has decided to change the name of its F1 team for the 2012 season, and it will now be called “Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team.”

On this occasion, the director of motorsport at Mercedes, Norbert Haug said: “Our new team name fuses the proud traditions of AMG and the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows at the pinnacle of motorsport. These three letters (AMG) are synonymous with high technology, sporting performance and excitement and this step is a further strong sign of the strategic commitment Mercedes-Benz has made to Formula 1.”

So if you are a fan of the Aufrecht Melcher Grobaspach (AMG) racing cars, wait until March 18, for the first Formula 1 race of 2012, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, to see your favorite racing cars in action.

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes-Benz is prepping an AMG version of their B-Class hot hatch, and while a front-drive tall wagon may not sound like ideal AMG material, we’re pretty jazzed about the rumored specs.

A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 325-350 horsepower will be on board, as well a dual-clutch gearbox (with six or seven speeds). All-wheel drive will be needed to tame the prodigious power, as will bigger brakes, wider rubber and upgraded suspension tuning. Mercedes dealers have been asking for the B-Class as an entry-level product, but Mercedes hasn’t made a decision. On the other hand, the B-Class is already sold in Canada – which happens to be one of AMG’s biggest markets per capita in the world. So the hot B-Class could wind up making its way to the Great White North without ever heading to the USA.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG

Typically we’ve been having to present official Wald Black Bison vehicles sporting Wald wheels and other Wald goods, hardly ever do we get to spot a full Wald Black Bison vehicle sporting someone else’s wheels. This time around, to show off Wald’s new Black Bison kit for the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, we decided to give the spotlight to Need 4 Speed Motorsports that put together this beauty.

In typical fashion, Wald’s Black Bison kit transforms the S63 AMG to a much sportier and more aggressive vehicle, while maintaining the class and style Mercedes is known for from the factory. Instead of outfitting the S63 AMG with a set of Wald wheels however, Need 4 Speed Motorsports turned to Vossen’s CV-1 wheels in a 21-inch sizing. To round it all off, Need 4 Speed also equipped the S63 with a lowering package and air suspension.

What do you guys think? Nice to see a full Wald Black Bison car sporting someone else’s wheels eh?

GALLERY: Wald Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Black Bison

[Source: GT Spirit]

Brabus has announced a Roadster variant of their custom Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and it looks to be based on the tuning package for the 700 Biturbo SLS AMG Coupe. Its official debut will be at the upcoming Essen Motor Show on November 26th, 2011.

No official specifications were announced, but based on the Biturbo 700, we can safely assume the Brabus SLS AMG Roadster sports 700-hp with 626 lb-ft of torque thanks to the B63 bi-turbo system. Plenty of carbon fiber components adorn the exterior of the vehicle, though we’re sure there’s slight differences between the Roadster and the Coupe’s styling accessories due to aerodynamics.

Along with the turbo upgrade and styling accessories, Brabus also offers interior customization for the SLS AMG Roadster, as they do with various other Mercedes models.

GALLERY: Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

[Source: Motorward]

Mercedes-Benz and AMG have turned to Facebook to generate some hype about the upcoming debut of the ML63 AMG. The timing seems to hint at a possible unveiling of the “Sport” SUV at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The teaser photo clearly reveals that the new AMG variant of the ML packs a much more aggressive front end with larger intakes and a front spoiler.

It’s also safe to assume that the new ML63 AMG will sport the 5.5L V8 bi-turbo, the same engine found in the CL63, S63 and CLS63. In its stock form, it pushes out 520-hp and 516 lb-ft of torque but with the AMG performance kit can pump out up to 570-hp.

Look for full details with AutoGuide’s LA Auto Show coverage starting November 16th. And see our complete show preview here.

We’ve already known that former Formula 1 double world champion Mika Häkkinen will be piloting an SLS AMG GT3, and now we have our first preview of him preparing to get back behind the wheel in a competitive fashion.

It’s been four long years since Mika has raced competitively, so it’s interesting to see how Mercedes-Benz is hyping it up. Really for us, the video is all about staring at the amazingly beautiful SLS AMG GT3 taking laps around a real race track in its full glory. There is seriously very few race cars that rivals the SLS AMG GT3 in the aesthetics department.

Check out the video after the break.

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Former Formula 1 double world champion Mika Häkkinen will return to motor racing, piloting a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 at the 6-hours of Zhuhai on November 13. Representing Customer AMG Sports Team China, Hakkinen will share racing duties with co-drivers, CongFu Cheng and Lance David Arnold.

This is the first time Mika Hakkinen has raced competitively in the last four years, his last one being 2007 DTM season finale at Hockenheim. His return to racing is his way of giving a vote of support, as his superstar appeal and his role as Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador will give the SLS AMG GT3 a huge boost of publicity in its first appearance in China.

Says Mika, “It’s a great honor for me to be able to contest the first SLS AMG GT4 race in China. Although I’ve visited China many times, I’ve never raced there, which is why I’m really looking forward to Zhuhai. It will be a tough race in a competitive field, but I’ll do my best for Customer Sports team AMG. Of course, being a guest driver in such a line-up should be a lot of fun, especially in the SLS AMG GT3. It’s a great customer motorsport vehicle which is both fast and extremely good-looking.”

GALLERY: Mika Hakkinen Mercedes SLS GT3

After gaining significant public awareness when Polyphony, developer of the Gran Turismo video game franchise, created a multifunction display model exclusively for the GTR, little can better convey a vehicle’s sporting intentions and technological prowess quite like an on-board G-meter.

Mercedes-Benz AMG recognized this and revealed its new AMG Performance Media System. Able to record lap times, display track layout, lateral and longitudinal g-force, and throttle and brake positions, the AMG Performance Media System is one of the most complete multifunction displays on the market.

To see the digital gauges in action, check out the official Mercedes AMG video of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG pacing around Germany’s Hockenheim racing circuit after the jump. Continue Reading…

Mercedes is continuing to weigh a decision to produce a Black Series version of the SLS sports car, with a horsepower rating as high as 650-hp.

In a recent interview AMG performance boss Christoph Jung commented that such a car, “makes a lot of sense”. The vehicle itself would sit between the current 563-hp road car and the 600-hp GT3 race car (above). Impressive weight savings would be made, much like the GT3 car, although not quite as extreme. The 6.2-liter AMG V8 would then be tweaked to produce as much as 650-hp.

Expect other Black Series upgrades like a wider stance, light weight wheels, a lowered suspensions and even more impressive brakes. Combined, the package could deliver a 0-60 mph time of just 3.0 seconds.

If the SLS Black Series goes get the go ahead, look for it to debut around 2014 as a send-off for the current SLS model.

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

[Source: AutoExpress]

Read AutoGuide’s Mercedes SLS Review here

It’s time to buckle up as Mercedes-Benz‘s  tuner AMG confirms that they are working on three halo projects for their halo SLS AMG.

No greater truth has been spoken than when Head of Vehicle Development at AMG, Tobias Moers, says, “We absolutely have to do a Black Series.” Yet to be officially confirmed, chances are likely that the SLS Black Series will make it to the U.S. market.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for the other two projects. In order to fulfill regulatory homologation requirements, AMG has confirmed a street-going version of the SLS AMG GT3 race car. As its motorsport efforts are focused in Europe, AMG has no plans to bring this hardcore version to other markets.

AMG’s third project, and perhaps its most ambitious of all, is to bring the SLS E-Cell electric sports car to market by 2012 as a 2013 model.What makes the project so ambitious is that it will not have the handbuilt V8 that AMG is famous for. Instead, the SLS E-Cell will take on electric motors and a battery cell that will add another thousand pounds to the car’s curb weight. In order to manage the issue, weight saving measures were taken to lighten the SLS elsewhere in order to bring the weight difference from the standard model down to a more manageable 200 odd pounds. Tobias Moer assures us that the lower center of gravity benefited from the battery will alleviate the handling shortcomings caused by the extra heft. Power is taken just as seriously, as the electric motors produce an estimated 525 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.

Unfortunately, chances are slim for the SLS E-Cell to make it into the American market as well. Mercedes-Benz is concerned that the cost to certify the car for the United States wouldn’t make financial sense given the SLS E-cell’s production volume will be extremely low.

Tobias Moers adds, “AMG does not do money losing projects. We can’t afford to.”

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

[Source: Motortrend]

Unveiled for the first time in all its widebody glory at the Frankfurt Auto Show this week, the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is undeniably a car on steroids. Transformed on every level the car is 3-inches wider overall, with flared fenders and a wider track. Plus, it gains an upgraded AMG brake package and suspension setup, light weight wheels, some racing style seats and can even be ordered with an optional aerodynamics package (shown here). On top of all this, the Black Series model comes fitted with the same engine as found in the Mercedes SLS.

GALLERY: Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

Find out more about the car from AutoGuide’s first look at the Frankfurt Auto Show in the video after the jump:

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Formula One drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg helped Mercedes-Benz take the wraps off their new competitor for the German DTM touring car series, based on the Mercedes-Benz C-Coupe.

Mercedes claims that the C-Class is DTM’s most successful entry, with 84 victories in 156 races and five driver’s titles. DTM is thought to be one of the premiere sports car series in the world, with drivers regularly moving on to Le Mans or prestigious open wheel racing series after their stints.

Gallery: DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupe

Two years after debuting the SLS AMG at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz has followed up with a convertible version.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster swaps its predecessor’s splashy gullwing doors for conventional doors and a soft top roof that closes in 11 seconds and can be operated while moving at speeds up to 31 mph (50 kph).

The Roadster is powered by an AMG 6.3-liter V8 pumping out 571 hp and 479 ft-lb. The engine is paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Optional electronically controlled sports suspension offers three modes: comfort, sport and sport plus.

Other options include a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound system with a 250-watt subwoofer and AMG Performance Media. AMG Performance Media offers an unprecedented level of telemetric data for a production model. The system can display engine oil, coolant and transmission fluid temperatures, individual tire pressure, acceleration time from 0-100 kph, and both lateral and linear acceleration combined with braking performance and accelerator position all in real-time.

AMG Performance Media also provides high-speed internet access – but only when the car is stationary. The Android-powered system allows driver and passenger to surf the internet, send and receive email and even install apps. Mercedes-Benz says the AMG Performance Media system will be offered in other future AMG high-performance models.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe and roadster are among the most desirable cars on the market these days, not only because of their looks, but also because of their performance and luxury features. Now, you can order your SLS AMG with even more options to make it more individual while also adding some new technology.

The cosmetic bits include new 10-spoke forged AMG rims with a matte black paint finish ($4,505), red brake calipers ($985), a special AMG Sepang Brown metallic paint finish ($3,360), and AMG high-gloss black trim ($3195).

If you want some safety related technology, you can do that by adding the blind-spot assist system, which is yours for $1,065.

The big news however is the new AMG Ride Control sport suspension with adaptive damping. Rather than having to live with just one suspension setting, this new system from Mercedes-Benz offers its owner with three different ride settings. Upon starting the car, the system defaults to the normal “Comfort” setting. This is best for when you are driving around in the city or on a road trip.

Press the button with a picture of a suspension just once, and it will engage “Sport” mode. In sport, the suspension has a tauter feel. It also minimizes body roll and pitching when cornering, giving you a much more connected feel with the road.

If you happen to be at a track, then you would perhaps prefer to be in the “Sport plus” setting. This is like the sport mode, only more so. The cars computer reads the road surface even faster and reacts according to the tarmac and speed. So if you are an avid track day enthusiast and are looking to buy an SLS, this $3190 option will certainly be a wise investment.

These new options are available to be ordered starting now.

We are already highly anticipating Michael Schumacher’s unveiling of the DTM AMG C Coupe at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show but now Mercedes has teased us with a video of the new car. Mercedes DTM driver Gary Paffett gives us some comments about the new machine in the video, building even more suspense to see how Mercedes will compete against BMW‘s DTM racer and Audi‘s A5.

The official unveiling will take place on September 13th, 2011 with Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Gary Paffett, Mercedes-Benz Motorsports chief Norbert Haug and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche taking center stage. The 2012 DTM season is shaping up to be one of the best, and we’re highly anticipating news of a race series to bring the DTM machines over to America.

Check out the video after the break.

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There’s no better way to get a rise out of the jaded automotive media and ensure a spot on the local network newscast than to have a genuine professional racing star introduce your new car at an auto show. And that’s just what Mercedes intends to do at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week, with the new DTM race car being revealed by none-other than 7-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher. Oh, and teammate Nico Rosber (who’s actually out-performing old-man Schumie this year) will be there too.

Based on the new C-Class Coupe, the car will continue to be an excellent branding exercise for Mercedes-Benz, while sharing nothing but its roof with the production car.

“The IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung), the world’s most important show for the automotive industry, is the perfect setting for the première of our new 2012 DTM car,” said Schumacher.

“This new-generation vehicle, based on our Mercedes-Benz C- Coupé, will mark the introduction of an even more spectacular racing car from the start of 2012,” said Norbert Haug, the head of Merc’s motorsports division. “I am certain that the spectators will get their money’s worth from the three-way fight between Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the DTM next year.”

To see all the photos of the car, visit AutoGuide’s Frankfurt Auto Show coverage page starting September 13th.

You can never have enough racing games on your iPhone or iPad, so it’s a good thing the new Mercedes-AMG 0-100-0 Challenge is ready to be downloaded. This app puts you behind the wheel of the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, so you can tear up the track and test your mad racing skills.

Available for free on iTunes, the Mercedes-AMG 0-100-0 Challenge game puts you on a closed course and challenges you to go from stop to 100 mph and stop again in the shortest time possible. This game is more than just speed – it’s about control and reaction time. How long will it take you to clamp down on those six piston caliper brakes to bring your Mercedes-AMG to a complete stop?  Your acceleration and deceleration times will be combined with your reaction times to give you a total score and determine your position on the leaderboard. After a few test runs, you can brag to all your friends via Facebook or Twitter by posting your times and see if any of them can beat it.

You can download the Mercedes-AMG 0-100-0 Challenge for free at the iTunes store.

Announced at last year’s LA Auto Show, the Ducati and Mercedes AMG partnership initially revealed little more than AMG’s sponsorship of the Ducati Moto GP factory team plus a series of joint marketing and PR campaigns.

Now, the collaboration has just created the new Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition in time for the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show. What you get is essentially the top-of-the-line trim of Ducati’s top-of-the line motorcycle. No word on the press release regarding any performance enhancements, the Diavel Carbon based AMG Special Edition will possess AMG’s trademark rims and trademark aluminum blades along the lateral radiator grills. AMG engraved end caps will be prominently displayed on the exhaust while the upholstery will have AMG styled and branded Alcantara seats. The carbon fiber bodywork comes in any color as long as its matte black and contrasts to the AMG “Diamond White Bright” painted frame.

The name of the technician who hand-built the particular Diavel engine will also be engraved onto the left hand side of the engine casing. And finally, to top it all off, each Diavel will also have a series number plaque on the fuel tank. Booyah!

Now what if a person really wants to make a statement and the Diavel AMG Special Edition is not enough? He or she could push their love for the brand over the edge with an exclusive matching Ducati AMG helmet and leather riding jacket. Get ready for the German-Italian onslaught early 2012.

Look for more details and photos with AutoGuide’s Frankfurt Auto Show coverage beginning September 13th.

GALLERY: 2012 Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition

The video (below the jump) is the stunt that was most voted on by fans of the Mercedes-Benz Facebook page. So if it’s not extreme enough, you have a lot of people to blame.

How about a C111 rotary gullwing jumping the St. Lawrence? Why not a bunch of E-Class convertibles and GLKs in a symphonic destructo-thon? Alas, those harebrained ideas detract from the impressiveness of this stunt already, where a C63 AMG coupe drifts figure-eights around a pair of C63 AMG sedans. It’s no Saab Suite, but it’s still pretty damn cool.

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Insiders have revealed that Mercedes-Benz is testing banana wood as a trim on the next S-Class and that all wood veneers are 100 percent real. Exotic materials such as silk and cashmere are also being considered.

The current S-Class is becoming somewhat long-in-the-tooth, compared to the recently released Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series. Mercedes-Benz has prepared to launch the next-gen S-Class vehicle, to combat the rivals, sometime next year as a 2013 model. The designers and engineers are working to make the materials more durable for everyday use, which is a smartl idea considering what buyers expect from a $100,000 car.

[Souce: egm Car Tech]

Mercedes-Benz DTM driver and 2001 runner up to the Formula 1 World Championship, David Coulthard, has been announced as the new AMG brand ambassador. The 40-year-old driver will be an active participant in customer and press events for AMG, and will also lend his driving expertise to AMG’s development team in their test driving activities.

Coulthard is currently part of the E63 AMG marketing campaign, showing off the versatility of the sedan by driving it in full race attire and in a business suit.

I have been a member of the Mercedes-Benz family since 1996, and now I am also joining AMG as an exciting high-performance brand. This is without doubt the perfect complement to my job as a DTM driver, where I already drive an AMG C-Class of course,” said Coulthard.

Joining Coulthard will also be Bernd Schneider, a record setting DTM champion. The 47-year-old retired driver is also an expert instructor at the AMG Driving Academy.

Mercedes-Benz wants you to buy an AMG, but they also want you to not suck at driving it. Hence, the AMG Driving Academy makes its leap from Lime Rock Park onto Youtube, to prepare us for that day of handbuilt-engine-ownership.

Hosted by Tommy Kendall, four-time Trans Am champion and AMG instructor, it’s a primer in the high-buck AMG Driving Academy program, where the well-heeled zoom off to Europe and learn hands-on behind the wheel of the entire Benz lineup.

But since not everybody sleeps on a bed of money, the series covers everything you need to know about performance driving, short of actually stepping into a performance car: from adjusting mirrors and seats to the differences between oversteer and understeer, from threshold braking to weight distribution during a slalom. The cars shown include a CLS and C63 AMG, as well as the occasional cameo from the SLS.

Click the jump to view the 4-part series.

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Welcome to the next level of car shopping – the AMG Private Lounge in Affalterbach. This 525 square meter lounge allows owners and potential customers of AMG high-performance car to bask in chic ambience, as well as learn more about the vehicles.

“We see it as a second living-room for our customers,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, of the new lounge. “We want the AMG Private Lounge in Affalterbach to provide the perfect setting for the most exciting day of the year – for example when our customers take possession of their new AMG-Mercedes here in Affalterbach.”

Boasting  style, individuality and exclusivity, the AMG Private Lounge is designed to foster customer relations and is a meeting-place for the growing AMG community. The new multi-storey building can be reached by the AMG showroom via an outside staircase, and is dressed to impress. When you walk in, you’re greeted by  a photographic display of the legendary 300 SEL 6.8 AMG racing touring car on the famous “Eau Rouge” in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.

Outfitted in black and white, the lounge is divided into different areas. The “brand wall” is devoted entirely to motorsports, as is immediately recognizable by the oversized motif of the SLS AMG GT3, which was hand-made by AMG designers. There’s the “lifestyle wall”, where visitors are able to relax or converse, play with an iPad and Playstation. It’s also the place  are provided for individual entertainment, or check out reference material and coffee-table book from the library. Finally, located in the center of the lounge is “Silent Space,” perfect for conversation in a private but informal atmosphere.

If you’re feeling a bit hungry or thirsty, there’s a coffee bar, along with a dining area, which can cater up to 18 guests. Here, you’ll be treated to light dishes with a regional touch.

The showroom is only planned for Germany, so we here in North America get a little short changed on the uber-luxe experience. But we can always hope that the next step will be setting one up a little closer to home.

Some might know David Coulthard as a DTM-series racing driver, piloting a Mercedes-Benz C-class racer. Some might know him as a commentator for the Formula-One races broadcast by the BBC. However, most know him best as a Formula One driver, who has won 13-races in this elite series, and was once part of the dream team at McLaren-Mercedes with teammate Mika Hakkinen.

Now Coulthard can add another occupation to his resume, brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division.

From now on, the 40 year old Scotland native will be an active member during customer and press days, and his first duties with the brand revolve around the new 557-hp E63 AMG.

At the announcement, Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-Benz AMG said: “We are very pleased to welcome David Coulthard as a new member of the AMG family. As a fair sportsman and well-liked personality, David is perfectly suited to AMG and its more than 40 years of motorsports history. As an active DTM driver and Formula-One driver of many years standing, David Coulthard has very extensive know-how which makes him a very knowledgeable partner for our engineers when configuring new AMG high-performance models.”

Coulthard, who was also at hand for this announcement said: “I have been a member of the Mercedes-Benz family since 1996, and now I am also joining AMG as an exciting high-performance brand. This is without doubt the perfect complement to my job as a DTM driver, where I already drive an AMG C-Class of course.”