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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
 |  Mar 29, 12:26 PM

Mercedes-Benz announced the opening of a new assembly plant today in Kecskemét, Hungary and at the opening ceremonies let slip that a new small four door coupe, probably called the CLA, will be produced at the new plant.

We have already seen spy photos of this new Merc, which further stirred rumors of when and where the car would be produced. Now we know that it will be produced in the Hungarian plant, along side the car that is shares its platform with, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

Sharing with the B-Class should lead to most CLA models running with front wheel drive, although a premium all wheel drive and AMG models have been rumored as options. For base engines, the CLA will likely feature the 201-hp turbocharged 1.8-liter four cylinder sourced from the C-Class.

This new plant marks a €1.4 billion investment from Daimler into production plants, with €800 million going to the new Kecskemét plant and €600 million going to expand the Rastatt plant.

We should see a close to production concept version at an upcoming auto show, possibly the Beijing Auto Show or the L.A. Auto Show.

 |  Mar 27, 5:02 PM

Today, Mercedes-Benz produced its 500,000th W212 E-Class at its assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany. 

It took the automaker three years to hit this production milestone on the latest generation of E-Class, first introduced in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show. The 500,000th car is a white E350 4Matic and is destined for the U.S. market.

The E-Class has found success in the business world, but you may be surprised to know it’s also a popular taxi. The E-Class is one of the most popular taxi’s used worldwide.

With over 10 million units sold since its start, the E-Class has been a successful executive-class vehicle for the Mercedes-Benz brand. It marries comfort, performance and technology.

When it was introduced in 2009, the revised E-Class was actually available for $4,600 less than the previous model. Despite that, it was totally refreshed with a an exterior characterize by its new, sharp lines and in interior that took countless hours of engineering. The result, one of Merc’s best cars to date.

Among the new features, Mercedes customers could now enjoy Night View Assist Plus, which allowed drivers to see farther into the dark through the navigation screen among other safety features.

As the brand ushers its half-millionth E-Class it’s hard not to look ahead at the promised 2014 revision and anticipate much better it might be. While we already know there isn’t a drastic redesign like the 2009 model got, there’s still plenty to look forward to.

 |  Mar 27, 12:01 PM

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An all-new Mercedes-Benz SL does not come very often. Since 1954, Mercedes-Benz has only introduced five generations of its luxury grand-touring coupe. For the 6th generation 2013 SL that will hit showrooms later this year, Mercedes-Benz spared no expense, packing it full of all the most desirable luxuries available to make it a true successor of its iconic heritage.

Starting at $106,375, the new SL features advanced driving aids including ECO Start/Stop engine technology, Active Body Control, Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. What’s more, conveniences such as Keyless-GO, surround sound system with forward bass, sun-reflecting leather, Adaptive Wipers, COMAND online, a fully integrated electric draught stop, and a Panoramic Vario Roof Magic Sky Control are available as well.

In order to deliver performance that matches the SL’s level of technology and luxury, the Mercedes-Benz SL550 boasts a 4.7-liter V8 turbo producing 429-hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox, this Mercedes sports car can cover a 0-to-60 mile sprint in just 4.5 seconds, a full second quicker than the outgoing SL. Even though it’s more powerful, the new SL will be efficient as well. Thanks to an all-aluminum frame construction, the new SL is up to 300 pounds lighter than its previous generation equivalent.

In order to highlight all the features the new SL has to offer, Mercedes-Benz has concisely produced a manageable and informative promo trailer that touches upon many of SL’s clever functions. However, the ending proves that nothing is more important in the SL than the powerful V8 delivering rapid acceleration.

Check out the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 promo video below.  Continue Reading…

 |  Mar 26, 7:32 PM

Last week, Mercedes-Benz teased everyone by slipping in photos of its newly refreshed G-Class in its GLK press photos. But now the real news is out, albeit not officially confirmed by the German automaker, that the G-Class will see a G63 and G65 model variant.

The current G-Class standard engines will be retained for the 2013 model year, which includes the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 with 383 hp and the 3.0-liter V6 diesel with 208 hp. Apparently the diesel engine will make its first appearance on American soil with the 2013 model year.

The G55 however will be replaced by the G63, powered by AMG’s 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 536 hp. That’s good, but better still, the new top-of-the-line G65 AMG will feature the same 6.0-liter V12 engine seen in the SL65 AMG. That means we’ll be seeing G-Class models packing 621 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque.

The G65 AMG will be the first G-Class model to ever come with a V12 engine. AMG models will also feature more aggressive front-end designs and larger brakes. The new G-Class will also benefit from Mercedes-Benz’s new seven-speed 7G-tronic gearbox. Two wheelbase forms will continue to be available on the G-Class model; standard of 94.5 inches and a long wheelbase model of 112.2 inches.

[Source: The Passing Lane]

 |  Mar 26, 11:31 AM

The Mercedes-Benz and Williams F1 teams have yet to sign a new commercial agreement with the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), sparking rumors that the two teams may pull out of the sport.

All race teams that participate in F1 are represented by FOTA, which looks after all dealings with the FIA (Federation International de L’automobile) and represents all of the racing teams interests as a whole. FOTA and the FIA have to deal with television rights, advertising and making sure the race teams receive their fair share of financial compensation. To ensure this, the two organizations sign what is known as a Concorde Agreement, which dictates the races each team will compete in and how to evenly distribute television revenues and prize money. The current Concorde Agreement was signed in 2009, and will expire on December 31, 2012. This is why a new agreement is being sought by FOTA and the FIA to ensure the future of Formula 1.

Bernie Ecclestone, president of Formula One management is looking to make this deal, and has already gotten some signatures. ”I am very pleased to announce that we have reached commercial agreements with the majority of the current Formula 1 teams, including Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull Racing, about the terms on which they will continue competing in Formula 1 after the current Concorde Agreement expires at the end of this year,” said Ecclestone.

What this statement also details is that the Mercedes-Benz and Williams F1 teams have not signed the agreement. Both teams have yet to agree on their share of the pie, saying that because of each teams respective history in the sport, they should receive more compensation than some of the other, newer teams.

This leaves the situation completely up in the air, with some saying the Mercedes-Benz may even take legal action against Ecclestone and F1 stating that they want to be involved, but are being short changed.

It would be a shame if either of these teams did not renew, as they are both main stays in the Formula 1 circuit and carry names that fans love.

[Source: BBC Sport]

 |  Mar 22, 4:45 PM

This morning, we shared new images of the updated 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK compact luxury crossover due to unveil at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

To the casual viewer, the photos were of the typical glossy PR variety. However, upon closer inspection you are able to spot an easter egg within the images– what can only be a refreshed 2013 model year Mercedes-Benz G-wagon.

Distinguishing features include a set of LED daytime running lights that run along the bottom of the headlights as well as a pair of redesigned exterior mirrors. Although it’s certainly possible that the 2013 G-Class will receive additional updates, we are unable to determine what the other styling tweaks may be from the image available.

We expect more details and information to surface as we draw closer to the upcoming 2012 New York Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

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 |  Mar 21, 8:01 PM

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A replica of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL has been confiscated and destroyed by German officials after trying to clear customs. Daimler has always had a strong stance against copyright infringement, and this proves just how far the German automaker is willing to go.

“Anyone building, offering or selling replicas of the vehicle is in breach of the Company’s rights. This even applies if the replicas do not incorporate any logos or trademarks of the Company,” said Daimler AG.

The 300 SL is one of Mercedes-Benz’s most legendary models and Daimler AG has a trademark for its body shape.  According to Daimler, the body of the 300 SL has been copyright-protected for a number of decades now as a work of applied art.

The destruction process involved two presses that apply over 30 tons of pressure each, and once the fiberglass body was tossed in, it was “smashed into small pieces.”

GALLERY: Mercedes 300 SL Replica

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 |  Mar 20, 6:31 PM

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Six years ago, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new GL Class crossover, a full-size vehicle designed specifically for the North American market, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

Enjoying quite a bit of commercial success, Mercedes-Benz now prepares to unveil a refreshed second-generation 2013 GL Class for the upcoming New York Auto Show.

Details are limited but the GL Class will use the revised ML Class platform and remains a 3-row, seven passenger vehicle. As with all succeeding models, the interior is expected to be roomier and more refined while the mechanicals will deliver better fuel economy.

For the frugal and environmentally conscious, the big Benz crossover is available in the GL350 BlueTec diesel trim, which accounted for 40 percent of GL sales last year. Other available engine options include the GL550, even though a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 will replace the outgoing 5.5-liter V8. As Mercedes-Benz does not offer a V8 below the 4.7-liter, the middle-pack GL450 faces a bit of a dilemma. A special AMG GL64 is rumored to be in the works as well.

More information regarding the next generation Mercedes-Benz GL will be available as we draw closer to the New York Auto Show. The official release is expected later this year.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL spy photos

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[Source: Motor Authority]

 |  Mar 18, 10:01 AM

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Heading to the Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson auction is this 2004 custom Renntech Mercedes-Benz SL600 with a seriously flashy chrome coating. The “Chrome Edition” SL600 with a modified 6.0L V12 is the only example produced by Mercedes tuner Renntech.

All proceeds from the Renntech SL600 auction, which will be sold on April 5, will benefit the Doug Mansfield Foundation Trust. Those that followed the modified car scene will remember this SL debuting at the SEMA Show several years ago, shocking the world as the first of its kind with its chrome exterior treatment.

Along with the AMG Sport Package, the SL600 has plenty of upgrades from Renntech. Improvements include an upgraded ECU, TCU, carbon fiber airbox, and enhanced axle shafts. Both the transmission and suspension have been upgraded along with massive 15.2-inch, 8-piston front brakes, and 13-inch rear rotors.

There is no reserve set on the Renntech SL600.

GALLERY: Chrome Renntech 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL600

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[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

 |  Mar 17, 2:02 PM

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Earlier this year we spotted spy photos of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLC, and now we have a good reason to believe that it’ll make its worldwide unveiling in Los Angeles.

Last year, the German automaker started the Avant/Garde Diaries, a global online interview magazine that creates a platform for topics ranging from art to fashion to music that shape today’s society. The festival itself brought in international artists and trendsetters to present their perspective on the world of today and tomorrow.

“The aim of Avant/Garde Diaries is to offer a platform for creativity. Curiosity and the joy of breaking through existing barriers are drivers for innovation and progress, and not just at Mercedes-Benz,” said Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars.

This year, the Avant/Garde Diaries will host “Transmission LA: AV CLUB curated by Mike D” from April 20th to May 6th at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles, California. This festival aims to bring together the Los Angeles art and music community and will be the sequel to last year’s festival that took place in Berlin.

It is at this festival that Mercedes-Benz will have “the artistic staging of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe,” according to a press release from the German automaker. Our guess would be that it’s the upcoming CLC model – which is essentially a four-door coupe.

The timing is peculiar, however, considering the Transmission LA: AV CLUB event occurs after the New York Auto Show, which kicks off April 4th. If the baby CLS model is indeed having its world unveiling in Los Angeles, what is the German automaker bringing to New York?

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLC Spy Photos

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 |  Mar 17, 12:01 PM

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The unloved Mercedes-Benz R-Class has officially gotten the axe in the U.S., but production will continue on thanks to the demand in China, Mexico, and Canada.

The 2012 model year will be the last of the R-Class in America and it really is no surprise considering the German luxury automaker has moved a scant 300 vehicles through the month of March. For now though, the R-Class will continue to be produced out in Alabama through 2015, when it’s expected that Mercedes will replace the model with a sleeker vehicle related to the M-Class.

GALLERY: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

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[Source: Yahoo! Autos]

 |  Mar 16, 1:24 PM

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The Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake will be a turbo charged station wagon with CLS style and AMG performance. 

Our spy photos show the AMG variant of the previously seen CLS shooting brake, and it looks a little meaner than its more conventional cousin. The AMG will likely be modeled closely to the CLS63 AMG and run with a twin turbo 5.5L V8, making 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Also look for an AMG performance package that will up the thrust to around 550 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.

The AMG version receives quad exhaust tips, bigger brakes, sportier wheels and aggressive front fascia to set it apart.

The original Mercedes-Benz Shooting Brake Concept debuted at the 2010 Bejing Auto Show, and the model we see in our photos keeps many of the same lines as the concept.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake

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 |  Mar 12, 8:02 AM

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With a significant power gain for the SL63 model, rumors had surfaced that the top-dog Mercedes SL65 would be cut from the luxury automaker’s lineup, but that’s not the case.

According to a new report, the SL65 will live on into the latest generation of hard-top convertible Benzes, with the debut of the increasingly redundant V12 model at the New York Auto Show in early April. Previous iterations of the SL65 produced 604 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine. While impressive, the new twin-turbo V8 in the recently revealed SL63 can be had with an optional AMG performance package with 557 hp and 664 lb-ft.

It’s not clear how much further Mercedes intends to crank the horsepower up for this latest model and the bigger question is arguably if engineers will continue to use the sturdy old 5-speed automatic transmission of if the new 7-speed unit is capable of handling the power.

Look for the SL65 to come even better equipped, however, with a starting price hovering around the $200,000 mark.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes SL63 AMG

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[Source: Car&Driver]

 |  Mar 09, 7:12 AM

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Those for whom the 429 hp SL550 just won’t cut it, Mercedes-Benz now offers a higher-performance AMG version of its all-new SL hardtop convertible.

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this week, the SL63 AMG gets a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 and makes 537 hp, or an even more shocking 590 hp with an AMG Performance Package. For more details and an up close look at the 2013 SL63 watch AutoGuide’s first look video below.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes SL63

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Continue Reading…

 |  Mar 07, 2:10 PM

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The Mercedes A-Class used to be a cheap and cheap-looking urban runabout. It also used to be sold only overseas. But not any more.

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the new A-Class is a stylish hatchback with plenty of impressive tech features and… it’s coming to America.

Find out more by watching AutoGuide’s first look video below.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes A-Class

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Continue Reading…

 |  Mar 07, 9:01 AM

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Amidst all the huge announcements by automakers at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz has quietly revealed the new C-Class Coupe Sport and the AMG Plus Sports Package.

The C 250 Sport and C 250 CDI Sport have 204-hp and will come with AMG-tuned suspension, larger disc brakes, speed-sensitive sports steering, sport exhaust system, retuned engine management for more responsive acceleration, and a sport transmission configuration in S and M mode.

In addition, C-Class Coupe buyers can opt for the AMG Plus Sports Package which can be added to all body and engine models. The AMG Plus Sports Package comes with 18-inch AMG seven-twin-spoke wheels, an aerodynamic kit and spoiler lip, sport seats in black ARTICO man-made leather with DINAMICA red contrast stitching, black DINAMICA door panels, three-spoke sports steering wheel, designo seat belts in red (optional), stainless steel pedals, and red contrast stitching on the gear lever, center console armrest, and door panels.

“Refined sportiness is a brand value we hold dear, and with the new Sport models we are shifting the emphasis of the C-Class a little more towards sportiness,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt,Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing. “This means that in the C-Class, alongside the top-of-the-range C 63 AMG, we have the widest ever line-up of sporty models.”

Unfortunately no pricing was announced.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Sport & AMG Plus Sports Package

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 |  Mar 06, 12:04 PM

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The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG roadster debuted today at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, though it failed to steal attention from most of the crowd.

The group favorite was the 2013 A Class lineup, but that didn’t stop us from having a little fan-time next to the brand’s new-and-improved SL 63 AMG, which is a lot cooler than any A Class could dream of being.

Those new improvements include 30 percent greater fuel efficiency over its predecessor, boosted output and an almost 309-lb lighter curb weight thanks to generously distributed aluminum throughout the body.

For the first time, the SL63 AMG is available with both a  537- and 564-hp rating from the 5.5-liter biturbo V8 making 590- and 664 ft-lbs of torque respectively.

Customers may pick from 19-inch stock aluminum wheels or optional 20-inch upgrades. Inside those wheels, the car gets a newly-developed AMG high-performance compound brake system with six-piston calipers in the front and single-piston floating calipers in the rear.

The car is laden with carbon fiber, on the exterior, interior and even the engine cover.

U.S. pricing has yet to be announced but the car is expected to launch in May.

Watch the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 first look video below.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Roadster

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GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Roadster

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Continue Reading…

 |  Mar 05, 2:31 PM

German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz has launched some very brilliant marketing campaigns lately. The Viano interactive ad campaign was one of the most clever things we’ve ever seen, but it appears that Mercedes’ invisible F-Cell will dethrone it as the best of the best.

To promote its newest fuel cell vehicle, Mercedes-Benz decided to make it invisible, playing to the fact that it has zero emissions. The hydrogen-powered B-Class has an estimated driving range of 190 miles emitting only water vapor as it burns hydrogen fuel.

To garner the attention of Germany’s population, Mercedes wrapped the entire vehicle with LED-embedded mats on one side and equipped the other side with cameras. The cameras would then take its video feed and display it on the LED mats on the other side, making the vehicle appear as if it was invisible – minus the wheels of course.

The vehicle toured around Germany for a week and we imagine it made quite the impact in gathering everyone’s attention. See it in action in the video below.

Continue Reading…

 |  Mar 04, 11:09 AM

Recently news broke that German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz was going to give its E-Class model a refresh for the 2014 model year. Now it appears that the facelift can come as soon as January 2013, and could possibly be a 2013 model year vehicle.

Previously it was rumored that Mercedes would do away with the quad-headlight setup that has become synonymous with the E-Class model, opting to give the new car a dual headlight design. But in addition to those changes, it appears that Mercedes will also be revising the rear side panels, a heavily modified rear end, and an all-new front end to go with the dual headlights. It seems that Mercedes wants to go towards a more elegant design with its E-Class, perhaps trying to separate it from its sportier C-Class brethren.

The facelifted sedan is estimated to go on sale in spring 2013 with the wagon hitting its respective markets in the summer. The AMG and 4Matic variants are expected in the fall, and Mercedes will have three different hybrid versions for the E-Class model.

There is also a long list of technology upgrades coming our way for the revamped E-Class, including Improved Night Assistant, Dynamic Light Assistant, Intelligent Lane Assistant, Intelligent Brake Assistant, Congestion Assistant, Magic Ride Control, Head-up Display, and Car-to-X Communications. We reckon it’ll be rather difficult to get yourself into an accident with all these new assisting technologies.

[Source: CAR]

 |  Mar 03, 5:48 PM

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It appears that the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe needs to step aside for the Brabus Bullit Coupe. The most powerful C-Class in the world from famed Mercedes tuner Brabus will be introduced to the world at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

Based on a standard C-Class Coupe, the Brabus Bullit packs 800-hp and is powered by the same V12 powerplant found in the S-Class. Displacement has been increased from 5.5L to 6.3L with a pair of upgraded turbochargers. The real kicker is the fact that it can make up to 1047 lb-ft of torque, but has been electronically limited to just 811 lb-ft.

That means it hits 62-mph in merely 3.7 seconds. That’s half a second faster than the C63 AMG Black Series that sports a 6.2L V8 with 517-hp and 457 lb-ft of torque, which is incredible already.

The awesome Brabus Bullit comes at a price though, at around $594,000 (€449,820) based on today’s conversion rates. That means the fastest and most powerful C-Class Coupe in the world is definitely the most expensive C-Class in the world too.

Stay tuned for more from the Geneva Motor Show starting March 6th, and see the complete Geneva Motor Show preview here.

GALLERY: Brabus Bullit Coupe

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 |  Mar 01, 12:45 PM

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Mercedes-Benz recently revealed their 2013 SL 63 AMG ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut, and now the German automaker has released a huge collection of photos and a video of the redesigned hardtop convertible.

The new SL 63 AMG will, for the first time, get two choices of power output, both of which come from an AMG 5.5L V8 biturbo powerplant. The standard option offers 537-hp creating 590 lb-ft of torque, while the alternate is an AMG Performance Package which ups performance to 564-hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

And as mentioned before, the new SL 63 AMG weighs in over 275 lbs lighter than its predecessor, allowing it to accelerate to 62-mph in just 4.2 seconds in the AMG Performance Package-equipped model. Overall, the new version of the high-performance roadster features a new lightweight all-aluminum bodyshell, more power, and 30-percent lower fuel consumption and emissions. It’s a win-win-win for any automotive enthusiast: lighter, faster, and more efficient.

The SL 63 AMG also features a newly-developed AMG high-performance compound brake system with six-piston calipers in the front and single-piston floating calipers in the rear. The vehicle comes stock with 19-inch wheels, but a staggered 19-inch front, 20-inch rear setup is available from the AMG Performance Studio.

The AMG Performance Package also comes with an AMG engine cover in carbon fiber, AMG rear-axle differential lock, AMG carbon fiber lip spoiler, red-painted calipers, and an AMG performance steering wheel in Nappa leather.

The SL 63 AMG will be launched in May of this year, with only the European pricing having been released by the German automaker so far. Base pricing starts at around $210,000 (€157,675) based on today’s conversion rates, while the AMG Performance Package is set at around $19,000 (€14,280). Those prices include a 19-percent VAT, so we expect the US pricing to be slightly more reasonable.

Watch a promotional video of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG below.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG

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Continue Reading…

 |  Feb 29, 12:31 PM

Mercedes-Benz motorsport has again turned to Racer David Coulthard this year to pilot some new AMG wheels for the DTM season.

The 40-year old Coulthard will be starting his third year in DTM with Mercedes-Benz in the new AMG C-Class Coupe, rather than his previous car the AMG C-Class Sedan. He will be right at home with the C-Coupe’s paddle shifters, which are very similar to the F1 cars he used to drive. Back in the day, Coulthard picked up 13 F1 wins.

“My first impressions of our DTM Mercedes AMG C‑Coupé are very positive – especially the paddle shift on the steering wheel which I know very well from my time in Formula One,” said David, clearly excited about the new cars features.

This new car is replacing the AMG Mercedes C-Class, which is the most successful vehicle in the 27-year history of the DTM with 84 victories from 156 races.

The 2012 C-Class Coupe will wear new graphics to support Coulthard’s charity foundation “Wings for Life” which aims to find a cure for paraplegia caused by spinal cord injuries.

 |  Feb 24, 9:02 AM

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class ranks up there with Communism on the list of things no one else likes but the Chinese. And for that reason the unloved R model will live on.

According to Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche, the R-Class, redesigned in 2011, will soldier on until at least 2015. “We need it for the Chinese market,” confirmed a company insider to the UK’s Autocar.

No decision has been made beyond that point as to whether a second-generation R-Class will be offered. Until then, Chinese Benz lovers with big families lots of comrades can rest assures the R-Class is sticking around.

[Source: AutoCar]

 |  Feb 20, 2:00 PM

AMG, the high-performance subsidiary for German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz, is poised to establish itself as a real player in the sports car industry by unveiling 17 new models and variants over the next four years.

Most noticeable of the upcoming models by AMG will be their SLC model which is slated to hit showrooms by 2014 with a roadster variant to come 18 months later. It is believed the SLC is a “baby SLS” but will still be powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine with 550 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque with an estimated price of $150,000 to $200,000.

In addition to the new models, AMG and Mercedes are working together for lightweight aluminum chassis and a new generation of powerplants for their models. The German automaker hopes to reduce the total number of platforms by sharing them across all segments. Their end goal is to have one platform for rear-wheel drive vehicles, one for compact front-wheel drive cars, and one for SUVs.

As for engines, AMG is currently working on a 2.0L, four-cylinder for the A-, CLC-, and GLC-Class models. They are hoping to squeeze out an impressive 340-hp out of the small powerplant. It is also rumored that AMG is working on a more powerful 4.0L V8, and a possible inline-six engine.

There are also rumors of an SLS successor floating around. A car that will pack plenty more carbon fiber than the current SLS AMG and will be powered by a 6.2L V8 with 650-hp. With the aid of plenty more carbon throughout the car and a new lightweight aluminum chassis, this successor could weight almost 600 lbs lighter than the current generation model. Now that would be a supercar.

And we are already well aware that AMG is working on a lightweight and Black Series variant of the SLS AMG. And upcoming is the new SL 63 AMG with a 571-hp V8, while the SL 65 AMG will see a 625-hp V12. Upcoming in the near future are AMG variants of the new S-Class and a V12-powered G-Class.

[Source: GT Spirit]