Among the many guests at the SLS AMG E-Cell presentation in Norway was retired Formula One driver, David Coulthard, who was given the chance to test drive the electric-powered Gullwing model. The Scottish pilot tried out the SLS AMG E-Cell on an airstrip as well as on the road. View the video [in high-definition] after the break.
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On the E-Cell prototype, Stuttgart's engineers replaced the standard SLS AMG's 571HP 6.3-liter V8 petrol engine with four electric motors placed near the wheels effectively making it a four-wheel drive model. Mercedes notes that this solution substantially reduces the unsprung masses compared to wheel-hub motors.
The electric motors produce a combined output of 392kW or the equivalent of 526HP and a maximum torque of 880 Nm / 649 lb-ft, the latter available right from the start. One transmission per axle transmits the power.
Despite the fact that the hottest version of the CLS family will retain the CLS 63 AMG moniker, the car won't get the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine. Instead it will be propelled by the Stuttgart's newly developed 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 powerhouse.
While you think about it let us tell you that, as with the first installment of the male-snoozefest that is "Sex and the City", the sequel to the movie that hits cinemas on 27 May will see most characters driving or being driven in a bunch of Mercedes-Benz and Maybach models.
Also part of the package are Vorsteiner's forged V-308 rims, which have an interesting claim to fame if you take Vorsteiner at their word: they're "the most concave wheel available on the market". Hey, whatever helps you stand out.
Only problem is, he was 7 stories up. According to his statement, his foot was caught between the accelerator and brake pedals. Luckily, he wasn't hurt or killed.
The same can't be said for some of the cars below, which got beat up by falling bricks. Ah well, accidents will happen... Video after the break.
Sharing a platform with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the upcoming 2012 Dodge Durango, the M-Class will get a revised engine lineup that will most likely include a next-generation hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability.
About a week ago, we told you that the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is being featured in the fifth installment of the Sony PlayStation 3 video game Gran Turismo. Now, besides publishing in-game shots of the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz and the creators of the racing game have also released a teaser film of the gullwing model racing in the virtual world of the GT5, which is expected to hit retail stores sometime in 2010.Kazunori Yamauchi, who is the creator and producer of the highly popular Gran Turismo series and in addition, both Senior Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and President of Polyphony Digital Inc, said that he subjected the SLS AMG to an extensive test drive on the famous Nordschleife race circuit before adding the supercar to the game.
"The performance of the SLS AMG is unbelievable," said Yamauchi. "Despite the Nordschleife being an extremely undulating track, the gullwing remains extremely stable. Driving this unique super sports car in Gran Turismo 5 will be a fantastic experience."
With the recent introduction of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Stuttgart's focus is now on the roadster version that's due in late 2011. Filmed here by the spies at Auto Motor und Sport during hot-weather testing in Death Valley, California, the SLS AMG Roadster appears to be fitted with a traditional canvas top. Also, the fixed handles on the doors suggest that the trademark gullwing doors of the coupe have been replaced by either regular or scissor-type doors like the ones featured on the topless McLaren SLR.Don't expect to see any changes under the elongated bonnet that measures an astonishing 2 meters or 78-inches in length, with the Roadster model keeping the same AMG 6.3-liter V8 found in the coupe that delivers 571 HP at 6,800 rpm and a peak torque of 650Nm (479 lb-ft) at 4,750 rpm.
Power will be sent to the rear axle through a dual-clutch seven-speed sports transmission.
Mercedes-Benz says that the gullwing-door coupe reaches 62mph (100km/h) from standstill in 3.8 seconds and continues to accelerate up to an electronically limited top speed of 317km/h or 197 mph. We suspect that due to the added weight of the structural reinforcements and the roof mechanism, the convertible may be slightly slower than the coupe model.
Via: AMS
A Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was completely destroyed in Warsaw, Poland this past weekend when the 23-year-old driver of the German supercar lost control of the vehicle and crossed onto the opposite side of the road colliding with several oncoming cars including a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV. Though not officially confirmed by the police, Polish media reported that the SLR McLaren driver was racing against a Ferrari when the accident happened.If we translated the report correctly, it also appears that the McLaren driver was traveling/racing with his young child in the car... Fortunately no one was killed in the crash though some of the accident victims were taken to the hospital.
Thanks for tip Martin ! Source: Alert24
Unless you're planning a trip for the Frankfurt Motor Show, chances are that you won't be seeing Mercedes' SLS AMG gullwing-supercar any time soon. The next best thing to seeing a car in the flesh is of course watching it on film and as such, we've prepared a total of seven high-def videos of the 'uber Merc' with detailed beauty shots, an interview with the German automaker's chief designer Gorden Wagner, footage of the SLS AMG on the race track and the road as well as two promotional films. Get your 'gullwing' fix right after the jump.Click here for our detailed article on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
