Black Merc

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

For a while now, I've described the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (coupe or sedan) as one of the sickest performance vehicles to ever come out of the skunkworks at AMG. So, if that's true, then the more powerful, much faster, C63 AMG Black Series, must be ultimately sick. Well, when I say that, I mean angry. That 6.2-liter AMG V8 produces 510 horsepower and will do 0 to 60 in just 4.2 seconds. That's as fast as a Jaguar XKR-S. Top speed: some sites say the car is limited to 155 MPH, but in reality, this car will do over 190 MPH. What makes this car better than the Jag is that it looks so much cooler, even though it looks mad, it uses less power but is faster than the Jag which should be good at the pumps, and it'll be less expensive than the Jag when it goes on sale early next year. So it might be a little greener than the Jag, but that doesn't mean it isn't at all angry. Below is the sound capture done by Road & Track of the car taken at the Nürburgring when it was first unveiled. Just by listening to the heavy 6.2-liter V8, you'll be certain that this car will eat Toyota Prius's, Honda Insights, G-Wizs, or any other slow electrical nonsense that it could come across.

Back in Black

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

First there was the CLK63 AMG Black Series, which Jeremy Clarkson liked very much. Then, the crater-smashing SL65 AMG Black Series came along, which Jeremy liked as well, except for its ride and price. Now, there's this: the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series, and this is as good as it gets. Will Jezza like this one? Well, rumor has it that the car produces 517 horsepower out of its updated 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine. It also will do 0 to 60 in, say, 4.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 190 MPH. So, it has more power than the CLK63, accelerates almost as fast as the SL65, but, as for top speed, it's right in the middle. As you may recall, Jezza drove the standard C63 AMG Sedan in Spain while comparing it to the BMW M3 E92 and the Audi RS4. That car came in second. Now, with this new Black-ified version of the AMG coupe, it's rivals include the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Audi RS5, and, once again, the BMW M3 E92. Will it do better? Let's find out.

Sick Just Turned Black

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (NYIAS)

You've seen this car in commercials before. It's one of the sickest things to ever come out of Stuttgart: the C63 AMG Coupe. I got an in-depth look at it at NYIAS, and I must say, it looks absolutely, sick! Anyway, this is just the regular AMG Coupe. Later this year, Mercedes will be releasing the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. Yes, the Black label is back and has chosen something sick to be its carrier. You may remember the CLK63 AMG Black was one of the best AMG cars to come out with a brilliant engine and tight handling. After that car came the SL65 AMG Black which proved to be the most powerful AMG models to come out with 738 lb.-ft. of torque and 661 horsepower. Now, the Black has chosen the C63 AMG Coupe to keep the AMG Madness alive. Rumor has it that the new C63 Black will receive a more powerful 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine producing 500 horsepower. Other features include a lowered ride height, a new, wider bodykit, and new rear spoiler. Color choices will be limited to 5, with black and white being the first mentioned. So if you're in for some sick, and are thinking about buying an AMG car, the C63 AMG Black is coming, so get your wallet ready.

No Place to Hide

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster (Courtesy of Road & Track)

Here it is, everyone, almost completely uncovered! This is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, which might make its official debut in New York at the International Auto Show along with the C63 AMG Coupe. Road & Track caught this car in action already prepping for what might be its debut in the big Apple on a side-street. As you can see, since it's a roadster, the iconic Gullwing doors have been replaced with regular doors. But, thankfully, the power output remains the same: 563 horsepower from a 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine, the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the world. 0 to 60 is done in just under 4.0 seconds on its way to a top speed of 197 MPH. Since it's a roadster, expect it to be a little heavier than its hardtop brother. Also expect it to be much more expensive that its brother, up from $183,000 to about $196,000 to $200,000. So you can expect all of this in the all new Roadster. The only thing bothering me now is when this car will officially debut. AMG Boss Ola Källenius told me months ago that this will debut in Frankfurt, Germany at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, we get news that Mercedes-Benz will unveil two new AMG cars in New York. One of them is C63 AMG Coupe. The other must be this Roadster. Well, the only way to find out is to tune in April 23, where I will be at the NY Auto Show taking pictures and blogging about all the awesome stuff there.

[Source: Road & Track]

Mad Merc vs. Sweet Bike

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

BMW M3s beware! There's a new kid on the block. The all new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe redefines sheer driving pleasure with raw power and speed. Under the hood of this Mad Merc is the remarkable 6.2-liter 451 horsepower V8 engine propelling the car from 0 to 60 in just 4.6 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 MPH. And since it's in coupe form, you can expect more crazy drifts and a much wider grin on your face when driving it. This is a fast car, but is it faster then, let's say, an italian superbike?

2011 Ducati 848 EVO

This is the Ducati 848 EVO, one of the greatest superbikes Ducati has ever created, right behind the 1198. Jason DiSalvo took it all the way to a victory at the Daytona 200 a couple weeks ago. A 140 horsepower Testastretta Engine powers this awesome bike all the way up to 160 MPH, about as fast as the Merc. So who would win in a race to the beach: the Steel Horse or the Mad Merc? Well, Mercedes experimented a bit by showing a commercial of who exactly does win such a race. It looks like their new-found relationship with Ducati does come in handy. Check out the race below.

Mad Merc to the Rescue!!

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG F1 Safety Car

If you've watched Formula One races on SPEED or whatever channel you get them on, you might've seen this car come out either in the beginning of a race or when the caution flag flies out. This Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the official Safety Car for the Formula One series. It has all the power and speed of the regular SLS, just with a fancy lightbar and some new rear lights. Former DTM driver Bernd Mayländer pilots this car, and it only comes out in times of need. It seems that AMG has become the significant Safety Team to Formula One racing. And now, they're team has just expanded.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate F1 Medical Car

Introducing F1's new ambulance: the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate. When you find yourself in a fix during the Australian GP, this car will come to you in no time to see if you're okay. Hopefully, this car doesn't have to come out at all during the race. It is a good looking thing, but it's a medical car, which means it only comes out when there's been a terrible accident. Hopefully nothing like that happens this weekend. Anyway, look for the AMG F1 Safety Team doing work down under as the F1 season kicks off this weekend.

The M3 has Met it's Match...from Mercedes

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

We've seen the new C-Class coupe. Now it's time for its much more powerful AMG relative to step up to the plate. So welcome everyone to the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe, a true M3 fighter. As you can see, it looks just like the new C63 sedan, only there are two fewer doors. The engine is the same Affalterbach''s 6.2-liter 451 horsepower V8 engine. 0 to 60 is done in 4.4 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 MPH. This model, in particular, is wearing the AMG Development Package which increases power from 451 to 481, the 0 to 60 from 4.4 to 4.3, and the top speed from 155 to 174. The M3 has always been hailed as the best sports saloon car of all time. Let's see it keep its title with a Mad Merc chasing after it. The C63 AMG Coupe will make its official debut in April at the New York Auto Show, and I will be there for all of the latest creations from Mercedes and the other manufacturers there.