Last year rumors spread that AMG was working on a new compact sports car, and now reports are coming in that it may debut at an auto show later this year. And similar to the SLS AMG, this new two-seater coupe will be branded as an AMG vehicle rather than a Mercedes-Benz, similar to what Dodge is doing with their SRT Viper.

There aren’t many details on the new AMG model, which at one time used the codename of SLV – where V stood for variable body styles. It’s now believed that the smaller two-seater coupe will be positioned against the recently-announced Porsche Boxster and even the Cayman. Compared to the SLS AMG, a smaller vehicle will conceivably handle better and when paired up with a smaller engine, will offer better gas mileage than what the SLS AMG offers at 14-mpg city, 20-mpg highway.

Clearly one of the main reasons AMG is exploring new models is to help absorb the research and development costs they just poured into the SLS AMG’s aluminum spaceframe architecture. It’ll also be interesting to see if AMG has more in the works – perhaps a performance-themed sedan that could slide in under the CLS?

[Source: Motor Trend]

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]

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…

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]

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

Mercedes-Benz dealerships have been awarded the top spot for the third consecutive year in an independent study issued on yesterday using secret shoppers to determine how customers are treated. Both Jaguar and Lexus tied for second place with Toyota and Chrysler being the best among mass-market brands in the Pied Piper study.

Mercedes-Benz has been locked into a tight race with BMW to overtake Lexus this year as the top-selling brand in the U.S market however Lexus lost sales caused by the March earthquake in Japan halting production. Mitsubishi and Suzuki finished at the bottom of the survey due to low volume sales. Lincoln scored the worst among luxury brands falling to below the industry average and Ford fell to bellow the industry average as well.

In total, 3,524 “mystery shoppers” were sent to U.S dealerships rating how sales people performed in explaining the features of the car to finalizing a sale.

[Source: Automotive News]

RETTmobil, Europe’s largest trade fair for rescue and mobility, will have an interesting concept car on display this year. Mercedes-Benz will be strutting out an emergency medical concept based off of their SLS AMG flagship, which is hardly the vehicle any of us would think about first when it comes to an emergency vehicle.

The image shows your standard silver SLS AMG receiving a traditional red and blue light treatment along with red graphics and the word Notarzt (emergency in German) on the side. Not many details were released with the image, but we reckon the SLS AMG’s 6.3L V8, 571-hp performance would get help quicker to those that need it.

Official press release available after the break.

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While pairing up a model with a nice car for a photo shoot isn’t anything groundbreaking, taking a modified Mercedes SLS and combining it with a former playmate is something we thought should probably catch your attention. Kicherer decided to share its matte black “angry and aggressive” SLS with this stunning, yet classy, photoshoot.

The SLS 63 Supersport GT sports a matte black paint job along with a hand-made front grille (with huge vertical fins) accented by carbon fins on the mudguard and hood. Performance is upgraded to go along with the menacing looks, upgrading horsepower to around 621-hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The extra power comes courtesy of an ECU retune and sport exhaust system.

Easily the best part of the package are the RS-1 forged wheels. Staggered with a 20×10-inch setup in the front and a 21×11.5-inch setup in the rear, the three-piece rollers definitely work for the SLS. The suspension is also adjustable allowing the vehicle to be lifted or lowered 1.2-inches at the push of a button.

Lastly, the interior can receive carbon fiber accessories from center console to door entrance border covers.

GALLERY: Kicherer Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 Supersport GT