Mercedes Gullwing

Merecedes confirms plans for thrilling new gullwing model at Geneva Motor Show

It’s official! Mercedes has finally confirmed its plans to launch a new AMG supercar at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

The all-new machine, called the Mercedes SLS AMG is said to represents ultimate in AMG driving dynamics and performance, according to company chairman Volker Mornhinweg.

Smaller and lighter than the McLaren-Mercedes SLR, the SLS is based on a new aluminium spaceframe chassis.

Developing around 570bhp at 6800rpm, Mercedes claims the 6.3-litre V8 machine will sprint from 0-60mph in 3.8seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 196mph.

Drivers will get a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (first seen in the SL63 AMG and located in the rear transaxle) while the engine is dry-sumped in order to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible.

Supension matches conventional coil springs with twin aluminium wishbones at each corner, lightweight ceramic brake discs are an option.

There;s still no clear word on price, however the car is due to go on sale in summer 2010.

A source close to the project suggested drivers could expect to pay around 150,000 euros - less than half the price of the outgoing SLR.

All Mercedes cars to be turbocharged by 2010

Mercedes-Benz will introduce turbocharged engines across its entire lineup in the next 2½ years.

"All our vehicles will have turbocharged engines in series production by the end of 2010 at the latest," Thomas Weber, Daimler board member responsible for research and development, told Automotive News Europe at a press event here.

Forthcoming legislation in Europe and the U.S. is forcing automakers to reduce auto emissions.

Demand for turbochargers is growing because they offer a proven and relatively inexpensive way to reduce fuel consumption. With the addition of a turbocharger, Daimler will be able to install smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient engines without sacrificing performance.

Under current proposals, the European Commission will ask the German automaker to cut its average fleet emissions from 178 grams per kilometer to 138 g/km by 2012. The Commission will fine automakers that fail to meet the targets.

Improving the efficiency of its existing engines is the first part of Daimler's strategy to reduce CO2 emission levels across its fleet. Weber said the medium-term step would be to introduce more hybrid technology. The S class -- Mercedes' flagship sedan -- will be offered as a full hybrid vehicle starting in 2009.

Weber also said that zero-emission driving is the German automaker's long-term goal. To get there, the automaker plans to use technology such as fuel cells and electric-powered vehicles. A full-electric version of the ForTwo from Mercedes sister brand Smart goes into production in 2010.

McLaren SLR Speedster

It looks like Mercedes-McLaren have big plans for its SLR farewell party! With the Mercedes supercar coming to the end of its production life, the German manufacturer has no plans to send the thoroughbred off quietly. Speculation has been growing about a final special edition speedster version of the SLR 722 - and it looks like the rumours were true. Despite the confusing disguise these exclusive spy shots, taken somewhere in the heart of Germany reveal Mercedes and McLaren have one last trick up its sleeve and it appears to be quite a special one.

We can also reveal that 75 examples of the final SLR will be produced and can confirm it will be light-weight speedster versions of the purebred supercar. The limited edition car will pay homage to the silver 300 SLR driven by Stirling Moss in the mid fifties and will have no roof and only a small wind screen in place of the car’s windshield.

Further deletion of the air conditioning system and power windows plus the use of composite materials in the body panels will shave about 440 pounds off the SLR’s kerb weight. The end result will be a car that can accelerate from 0-186 mph in just 26 seconds, on its way to a blistering top speed of about 217 mph, 8 mph faster than any previous SLR.

Sources can also reveal the limited edition SLR is expected to retail from about 450,000 euros if you can manage to get one.

Mercedes-Benz will end McLaren collaboration

Mercedes-Benz will end its partnership with British sports car manufacturer McLaren when its current agreement expires next year.

The German automaker and the British sports car manufacturer built the SLR premium roadster together.

"The partnership ends in 2009 and it will not be renewed," a Mercedes spokesman said.

Media reports say a new flagship premium roadster called the SLC will replace the SLR in 2010. It will be built by Mercedes' in-house performance unit AMG at the automaker's Sindelfingen plant, near Stuttgart, Germany.

Colin Couchman, a London-based auto analyst for Global Insight said that the German automaker needs this "halo" model to emphasize its reputation for engineering excellence.

"The Mercedes ethos has always been to be at the forefront of technology. In the past few years, the company has been distracted by other areas of its business while neglecting the top end of its lineup. They want to make up for lost time," Couchman said.

Couchman said the SLR's high price limited sales. The car starts at 452,200 euros in Germany. Mercedes has sold 1,577 SLRs worldwide since the car's launch in 2003, according to Global Insight.

The car has also suffered from technical problems. The SLR was one of the models affected in a recall of 680,000 Mercedes cars in 2004, after the electronic braking system failed on some vehicles.

In 2006, Mercedes-Benz USA recalled 433 SLRs that had developed overheating problems.