Less wings, More flings

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. Fresh off the presses in Stuttgart, Germany, say hello to the all-new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. As you can see the iconic gullwings have been replaced with the exciting droptop amenities with the themes of freedom and excitement all integrated into that AMG steering wheel. Since it now lives, the SLS AMG Roadster has been proclaimed the most powerful non-turbo V8 droptop in the world with the same 6.2-liter 563 horsepower AMG V8 engine, a new 0 to 60 time of 3.9 seconds, and a top speed (with the top down) of 195 MPH (197 with the cloth top up). The car might of lost its top, but it hasn't lost its spirit. It's still crazy around corners, and when it comes to noise, it will blow everything out of the water. No prices have been announced yet, but expect them to be in the $200,000 as this thing launches this fall with a worldwide debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Mad Merc to the Rescue!!

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Emergency Medical Concept

Make way!! The Emergency Medical Vehicle is coming in, and does it look hot today! Mercedes-Benz has just announced that they will ship an SLS AMG to the EMT service in Germany. The one-off emergency supercar will include some traditional livery, an emergency light bar, and some of the latest communications technology. Of course, any EMT will feel right at home with something fast. Let's not forget that this is the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 car in the world with a 6.2-liter 563 horsepower AMG V8 engine. It will do 0 to 60 in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 198 MPH. So, if you're stuck in a can or are in a serious medical condition, don't worry! The SLS is on the job!

Droptop Merc

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

So, the SLS AMG Roadster wasn't at the New York Auto Show. That's alright, because the car is already set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Even before then, Mercedes plan to reveal the car worldwide this summer. Everything you love about the regular SLS AMG is in the roadster, except the gullwing doors. The 6.2-liter 563 horsepower V8 engine's still there. The formula one-styled interior is there as well. The 0 to 60 time might be slightly slower as the roadster will gain some weight. But, ideally, you'll have more fun in this car since it's a droptop. As for the price, expect it to go up as the roadster gathers some extra features that the regular hardtop doesn't have. But still, who wouldn't want the most powerful non-turbo V8 roadster in the world? Probably Alan Sugar, who only loves old man soup and old Rolls-Royce's. Check out my Facebook page for more photos.

Gulf Superior

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gulf Edition

Who said the Ford GT had to be the only supercar to wear the Gulf livery? Mercedes was there during olden racing days, so it deserves a chance. This week at New York, Mercedes-Benz unveiled their premiere silver arrow, the SLS AMG, wearing a very unique Gulf Livery. It might not be as fast the Ford GT, but with the livery on, it just looks better. Besides, it is more powerful than the GT with the 6.2-liter un-Supercharged 563 horsepower V8 engine out-revving the GT's 5.4-liter Supercharged cod. No prices have announced yet, but it would be cool to see this thing on sale.

[Source: Autoblog]

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 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.

Brabus finally Get's It!

2012 Brabus 700 Biturbo

Ever since Brabus got a hold of the SLS AMG, they've respected it by only giving it a fair engine tune-up, a new body-kit, and very fashionable wheels. I know that sounds right, but Brabus has done much heavier stuff than that. For example, they took a regular C-Class, put in a Twin-Turbocharged V12 engine in it, and made it go all the way up to 220 MPH. Well, at Geneva, Brabus brought their SLS back, with a 700 horsepower Twin-Turbocharged 6.2-liter V8. That's the Brabus we know. Not only that. They've also fitted it with new exhaust manifolds, a new intake, and an entirely re-mapped exhaust system from the regular SLS. The engine is the same used in the regular SLS. Brabus just managed to put in two massive turbochargers in it, both spinning in the same direction. They've also fitted it with right-turning and left-turning exhaust for improved air-flow. All of this precise customization helps the SLS spread more fear to its competition with a 0 to 60 time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 213 MPH. And, once again, Brabus stands at the top of the tuner charts. 

De Tomaso Returns!

2012 De Tomaso SLS Concept

De Tomaso has been gone since 2002, and it was one of the most famous and most luxurious manufacturers in all of Italy, right behind Ferrari. The Pantera was there most famous model. Elvis had one and it was a very powerful and fast car. Well, I'm here today to tell you Italians and you guys that De Tomaso is back with more Italian Luxury. They're starting off with this, the SLS Concept Study (not to confuse you with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG). Now if you are a beemer fan, you may be looking at this and saying, "Hang on. This is just a 5-series GT with BMW crossed and De Tomaso written in crayon." You're right. De Tomaso did take a 5-series GT and added their own blend of Italian luxury and German science. Only this is much higher and looks more like a SUV/crossover than just a grand-tourer. The car will come with two engines: a 300 horsepower V6 and 550 horsepower V8, both engines sending power to all four wheels. Anyway, what De Tomaso has done is they've created a big, bulgy, humpback whale, and we're supposed to look at it like it's a good thing. But, that's my opinion. If you stand at the other end of the table and actually like this car, check it out more this week at Geneva.