If the Lamborghini Aventador can live up to its performance claims, the 691bhp four-wheel drive supercar should easily beat the much cheaper Porsche 911 GT2 RS and Mercedes SLS. Clearly, the only way to find out is a drag race.
Mercedes-Benz SL 2013 brochure leaks ahead of Detroit reveal
December 13th, 2011
It’s getting darn near impossible for automakers to keep their latest wares hidden from view until they are good and ready to show them. Such is the case with Mercedes-Benz, who’s latest SL has leaked to the internet courtesy of the crew at Autoblog.nl.
If we had to guess, we’d say these images come from a brochure of some sort, and they show the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL from the front and rear, along with the top up and down. We also get a lone shot of the interior, and though it’s all in various shades of black and white, everything looks just as polished and stately as we’d expect from M-B’s range-topping non-AMG machine.
We know that the 2013 SL will be a few hundred pounds lighter than its predecessor, but we don’t yet know what range of engines will be in the “S-Class of Roadsters.” We’d guess a few V8 options with the vestigial V12 hanging around for at least one more generation.
We’ll just have to wait until the 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Mercedes’ Maybach-replacing 600 Pullman details?
December 12th, 2011
It’s open season on rumors concerning the upcoming Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman. With Maybach deader than disco, the German automaker is undoubtedly searching for a suitable ultra-luxury competitor to the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce, and we’ve already head that may translate into the resurrection of the legendary Pullman name.
Autobild reports the vehicle will span a little over 21 feet in length and get its power from a smooth 650-horspower V12 engine. The publication isn’t calling out any sources at the moment, but the article claims there will be a total of six versions of the Pullman when the model debuts and that each of them will ride on the Mercedes-Benz rear-wheel architecture.
Buyers who don’t need enough power to pull down a house will be able to purchase a four-cylinder turbo-diesel variant with a more modest 204 horsepower, and Autobild reports Mercedes-Benz is currently working on two hybrid variants, as well. Of course, with no sources names in the article and the Pullman so far from production, we’d advise taking everything here with a land-yacht sized grain of salt.
1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL Sbarro Gullwing
December 8th, 2011
1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL Sbarro Gullwing
2012 Mercedes C- and E-Class coupes to get AWD option
December 8th, 2011
4Matic has proven to be a popular feature on various Mercedes-Benz models, especially in U.S. regions that experience four distinct seasons. But while all-wheel-drive is almost a necessary option in the luxury sedan segment, Daimler’s C-Class and E-Class coupes have soldiered on only with rear-drive.
According to Car and Driver, that will change for next year. The 4Matic system will reportedly only be offered with the company’s 3.5-liter V6, which pumps out 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.
This news could mean changes for the C-Class sedan as well. Currently, 4Matic is only offered with the 3.0-liter V6-equipped C300 sedan, so this could mean that the C350 sedan could also get an AWD option in 2012. That’s good news for grip-loving buyers who want more oomph than the modestly powered 228-horsepower C300 can provide.
Mercedes-AMG and Ducati highlight cooperation
December 5th, 2011
Mercedes-Benz and Ducati joined forces a little over a year ago, and the two brands have chosen the Bologna Motor Show to mark the anniversary. The companies are showing off an SLK 55 AMG and a Streetfighter 848, respectively. Both machines are painted in eye-melting Streetfighter Yellow, and Mercedes-Benz says that AMG may permanently add the color to the personal option list if there’s enough demand. The SLK 55 AMG also wears custom yellow contrasting stitching on interior pieces like the sport steering wheel, seats, and dashboard, and a set of yellow-illuminated door sill plates further reinforces the theme.
Neither the SLK 55 AMG nor the Streetfighter 848 boast any performance modifications, which is just fine, since both vehicles offer plenty of giddyup right out of the box. The Benz is the most powerful SLK manufactured to date, with 422 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8. The Streetfighter 848, meanwhile, is a 132-horsepower machine that weighs less than 500 pounds.
