Time lapse videos are probably the new cool thing on the Internet, and this one showcasing AMG Performance Studio customizing a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG proves why.

AMG Performance Studio wanted to show off just what they can do our in Affalterbach and at the same time, let their potential customers know how involved their customizations can be when ordering an AMG vehicle. By starting with a stock, glossy red SLS AMG, the Performance Studio meticulously disassembles the car, transforms the exterior of the vehicle to a matte Yosemite Blue finish, outfits it with a new set of wheels and redoes the entire interior to match the new exterior color scheme.

Check out the time lapse video after the break.

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Mercedes‘ flagship SLS AMG Black Series was spied, and reports say that the new car will make 650 horsepower out of its 6.2L V8, one heavily revised by Mercedes’ AMG division.

Revised bodywork and new wheels will also be included, but you’ll pay dearly – expect the Black Series to start at $338,000 according to exchange rates.

Check out the video here

[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]

Chevrolet has announced pricing of their 2012 Camaro Zl1 at $54,095. Chevrolet claims that the car compares favorably to more expensive cars like the Audi R8 GT, Mercedes-Benz SLS and Maserati Gran Turismo, which cost between $122,800 and $196,800 based on available performance.

Of course, that suggestion is laughable, as those cars would never be cross-shopped and their respective demographics likely have a mutual enmity. By comparison, rivals like the Ford Shelby GT500 and Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392 retail for $48,645 and $42,780 respectively. The ZL1 will also hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 184 mph.

Hamann is bringing a trio of Germany’s finest to the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, unveiling the Porsche Panamera Paragon program, a new tuning program for BMW‘s 6-Series Cabriolet, and rounding off the big German three will be a new version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Hawk. While this isn’t the first time Hamann has brought the SLS AMG Hawk out to play, it is the first time we’ll be presented with this configuration, featuring a white exterior and black wheels.

While the 6 Series program is expected to be tame, Hamann has a history of some wild creations and with a short list of products already available for the Panamera, the Paragon could be something special, or especially strange.

[Source: GT Spirit]

If you fancy yourself quite the sporting gentleman, Mercedes-Benz is keen to offer you a proposition: race against David Coulthard in an SLS AMG. What say you, good sir?

It won’t be what you expect, however: rather than two cars competing head-to-head, 24 competition winners will race on Gran Turismo 5, while Coulthard sets laps on an undisclosed track in the car—the real one. A cop-out for Mercedes? Not quite: after enough qualifying rounds, the drivers will be whittled down to one who will face Coulthard directly on the track.

While it’s not likely that this winner will beat the former F1 world champion and Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador, he’ll still have shown enough chops to net him an all-expenses-paid vacation to the Brazilian Grand Prix.

All of the virtual racing action (as well as Coulthard’s lap) will be broadcast live on the Mercedes web site. No word on whether Mercedes-Benz is also planning a chance to punch Muhammad Ali or play chess against Stephen Hawking in a cash-fueled version of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

[Source: Autoviva]

Carlsson has hopped onto the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG modifying bandwagon, bringing a world’s first to the super car aftermarket. Now available to both convertible and coupe SLS AMG owners is an electronic lifting system that can raise the front and the rear of the SLS by almost 1.6-inch with a touch of a button. Once the vehicle hits 50-mph, Carlsson’s Tronic lift system will automatically lower the vehicle back to its original height. The lift system can also be combined with a coilover suspension kit to further lower the sports car by .6-inch to 1.4-inch.

In addition, Carlsson has produced a lightweight wheel for the SLS AMG in 20- and 21-inch sizing. The recommended widths are 9.5-inch in the front and 11-inch in the rear. The wheels from Carlsson are approximately 40-percent lighter than conventional cast wheels of the same size on the market.

Finally, Carlsson is now offering interior upgrades to SLS AMG owners, equipping the vehicle with high-quality Napa leather throughout the interior. Color choice of stitching is available to the customer at no additional charge.

GALLERY: Carlsson Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

[Source: GT Spirit]

Renntech is known to maximize performance out of every Mercedes-Benz model imaginable, and this time they’ve taken their talents to the SLS AMG supercar. Their new long tube headers adds 20-hp and 20 lb-ft of torque to the factory 563-hp and 480 lb-ft values. These long tube headers were engineered within Renntech’s state-of-the-art facility and features tri-metal, 200-cell catalytic converters and are ceramic coated to reduce heat in the engine bay.

In addition to the horsepower and torque gains, the SLS AMG gains a much throatier note from its naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 powerplant. The result is a finely tuned addition to the SLS AMG’s already remarkable performance and with Renntech’s brand name behind the product it’s guaranteed to last.

Check out a video of Renntech’s SLS AMG after the break.

GALLERY: Renntech SLS AMG

[Source: Speedlux]

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Very few celebrities have a passion for cars like Jay Leno. The star of late night doesn’t keep his love for all things on four wheels a secret, owning over 200 vehicles. Of the 200, Leno houses 40 various Mercedes-Benz models in his collection, from classics to current sports cars to Mercedes motorcycles. Surprisingly, the only AMG model that Leno has is an E55 AMG, and it looks like AMG wanted to add to that collection by letting Leno tour the AMG facility, test out the SLS AMG Roadster and E-CELL and help hand-assemble one of the SLS AMG’s V8 engines.

After being greeted by the Chairman of the Mercedes-AMG GmBH management board, Ola Källenius, at Stuttgart airport, Leno was allowed to take an SLS AMG Roadster on the motorway and the country roads but the Daimler AG test track in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim was the highlight of his trip.

“The SLS AMG Roadster delivers top performance. Whether the engine, transmission, handling or brakes – you feel that the engineers at AMG are serious! When I was 18 or 19 years old I worked for Mercedes-Benz in America. I knew about the test track in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim from films in which Mercedes sedans like the 220 SE or the 300 SEL 6.3 were driven through the banked curve. I have always wanted to see this for real. It took me over 40 years to do it, but now I’m here! It’s fantastic to drive the latest AMG models here on the test track today,” Leno said.

After a tour through the AMG Studio, Leno paid a visit to the AMG engine shop and assisted in the assembly of an AMG 6.2-liter V8 powerplant for the SLS AMG. And true to AMG tradition, each motor is hand-assembled by a single individual, except for Leno’s case. With the assistance of two experienced AMG technicians, Leno was able to install the crankshaft, cylinder heads, wiring and even carried out the subsequent quality tests. The special engine features an AMG engine plate with his signature on it and then he was able to watch his motor go through rigorous testing.

Highlights from his trip will be posted on his website, www.jaylenosgarage.com, and it would appear that AMG has given Leno enough influence to add one or two more AMG vehicles to his fleet.

GALLERY: Jay Leno Tours AMG Facility

You want it all… you just can’t afford it. But what you can afford is the Luxury Toys For Men book that is full of toys you will never own.

Offering 138 full-color photographs, this book is available in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian and features the ultimate wish list of luxury toys that men want. And making it to the top of the list is the Aston Martin One-77. For a mere $1.7 million, the special edition Aston Martin One-77 is limited to only 77 cars. A few of the other luxury vehicles that made it into the book include the Audi R8 GT, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Jaguar XKR Special Edition, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition and the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible.

The book also features luxe living necessities such as electronics, accessories and gadgets. Just a few of the things you wish you had are the Ecosse Titanium Series RR motorcycle, SportRiva 56′ and Aguti 20M yachts, Challenger 850 and Citation CJ4 jets, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix watches.

[Source: Born Rich]