The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is one of the world’s most fascinating sports cars. Following their credo that the best is just good enough for BRABUS the engineers and designers at BRABUS have developed an exclusive sport program for the two-seater. It lets owners of the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz models further individualize their vehicles.
BRABUS Mercedes-Benz equips the SLR with a special self-locking differential. Its 40 percent locking rate further optimizes the super sports car’s traction and thus further improves acceleration.

In BRABUS Racing version with performance-improving fuel cooling, custom camshafts and an open racing exhausts system maximum power output of the supercharged V8 engine increases to 660 hp / 486 kW at 6,500 rpm. The exhaust system is not certified for use on public roads. Thus equipped the SLR storms to 100 km/h from rest in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 340 km/h.

BRABUS Mercedes-Benz further offers professional modifications to body, suspension and interior that further amplify the sports talents of the SLR.

For further improved directional stability at high speeds the BRABUS designers developed a new spoiler for the front air dam. The exposed-carbon aerodynamic-enhancement part reduces lift on the front axle and adds another shot of racing looks. The rear diffuser is also made from exposed carbon.
The multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock VI 20-inch light-alloy wheels with six double spokes command immediate attention. The fully polished wheels in size 9.5Jx20 in front and in size 11.5Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the available space below the wheel arches perfectly.
BRABUS Mercedes-Benz chose high-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 as the optimal solution. The conversion to the BRABUS 20-inch tire/wheel combination gives the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren even more dynamic handling prowess.
BRABUS Mercedes-Benz also adds new sporty and exclusive highlights in the interior. The company-own upholstery shop created a BRABUS interior from an exclusive black and red combination of leather and Alcantara, perfectly crafted down to the last detail. The waffle-design stitching of the SLR leather floor is especially elaborate and it alone uses 7,800 meters of the finest thread.

For easier entering and exiting BRABUS manufactured a custom BRABUS sport steering wheel with an ergonomically shaped rim that is flat on the bottom. For manual shifting of the SLR’s automatic transmission the BRABUS steering wheel features buttons integrated into the spokes.
The BRABUS interior designers developed precise-fit applications for dashboard, center console and door panels, all made from exposed carbon. They extend the BRABUS exterior carbon look into the interior.
The BRABUS super sports car sells for 600,000 Euros. Included in the price is the SLR’s airfreight shipment to anywhere in the world.
For additional BRABUS information please visit www.brabus.com

With the current iteration of Mercedes’ M-Class touring suburban roads for nearly three years, the firm has decided to give the model a mild mid-cycle facelift.

Though we brought you the initial images of the facelifted car in December, these photos show the revised model undergoing cold weather testing in -30° Celcius temperatures in Lapland, Finland earlier today. But judging from these pictures, it doesn’t seem like Mercedes is going to alienate the M-faithful. You’d be hard-pressed to see the differences if the car weren’t wearing characteristic black masking tape concealing its secret face. What we can tell you is that, following from the rest of the range, the freshened M-Class will receive a more prominent front bumper and skirt plus slightly re-designed taillights when it goes public in mid-2008.

We also anticipate the new model’s interior to move more upmarket and a cleaner Bluetec engine to be fitted under the hood.

Mercedes-Benz has lately treated any change in its cars as if they were “new generations” and the facelifted Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a proof of that, just like the E-Class, back in 2006. Fact is a new generation car only comes with significant platform changes, and none of these cars has gone through any modification of this sort. Fortunately, the 2008 SLK has been treated by Mercedes-Benz as what it really is, a facelifted model.

This is no shame for the car, since it managed to get even better than the previous SLK. Among its improvements is the direct-steer system, an equipment Mercedes-Benz is really betting on, since all recent presentations, from the CLC-Class to the SL-Class, are offering it. Clearly trying to beat BMW in dynamics, the Sttutgart automaker gave its vehicles a variable steering ratio, what improves turning speed in corners and makes city parking maneuvers easier.

But there’s plenty more, such as a new high-revving 3.5-litre V6 (it reaches up to 7,200 rpm) delivering 305 hp, for the SLK 350, improved output for the SLK 200 Kompressor (184 hp) and general reduction in fuel consumption.

More than telling you about all the improvements the car has received (besides the visible ones), we invite you to read Mercedes-Benz information on this fantastic car. And to check out all the pictures, as it will take a while for the car to be seen on the streets.

New entry level CLS 280

Mercedes-Benz is making the CLS even more irresistible. This one-of-a-kind four-door coupé – the pioneer of a whole new automotive segment – has now been fine-tuned to give it added appeal.

Just before the end of the year AMG ‘accidentally’ leaked the first CLS (63 AMG) facelift images on their website. Today we can finally bring you the official release for the Mercedes-Benz CLS facelift.

In short, the new 2008 CLS sports a new grille, new rear apron with new LED tail lights and trapezoidal tailpipes, new side mirrors with arrow-shaped LED indicator lights and restyled alloy wheels (17 inch for CLS 280, 320 CDI and 350 CGI; 18 inch on CLS 500; 19 inch for CLS 63 AMG).

Mercedes will be offering a new entry level model for the CLS, the CLS 280 with 170 kW / 231 hp V6 engine. Top of the range model still is the CLS 63 AMG powered by the AMG 6.3 liter V8 producing 378 kW / 514 hp. In between we find the CLS 320 CDI (224 hp V6 diesel), CLS 350 CGI (292 hp V6) and CLS 500 (388 hp V8).

All CLS models use the 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission as standard, except the CLS 63 AMG which uses the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic. Inside the cabin you will now find a restyled instrument cluster, new leather three-spoke steering wheel and chestnust wood trim elements.

Prices range from Euro 55,692 for the CLS 280 to Euro 106,624 for the CLS 63 AMG

What do you think of when I say Mercedes, or Mercedes Benz? Not this. Mercedes Benz C63 AMG car is obnoxious. Loud, fast and almost the exact opposite of what I associate Mercedes Benz’s to be. With looks that are half beautiful and half sledgehammer ugly and an engine the size of a small village pub this mercedes is mental. You might think Mercedes Benz C63 AMG is a countryside car, but recently the top gear lads showed it off in a competition against the RS4 and the new M3. They proved unanimously that its obnoxious and not as good a drive as the M3, but what an attempt

• Engine: 90º V 8
• Naturally Aspirated
• 7G-Tronic 7 speed Automatic
• Rear wheel drive
• Power: 457 bhp / 341 KW @ 6800 rpm
• Torque: 600 Nm / 443 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm
• BHP per litre: 74
• Power to Weight Ratio: 0.26 bhp / kg
• Top Speed: 155mph (limited)
• 0-60 in 4.4 seconds

In recent years I haven’t been so fond of mercedes. I almost think mercedes have been being a bit hmm conservative with their choices. It all seems to make perfect sense, but then I suppose that’s what they are good at, but if so why aren’t they ruling the world yet? they must have a secret backroom somewhere where things tip the needle a bit from perfect to insane. Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG is supposed to be that backroom, and usually produces cars that fit this bill. Although I am not sure about Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG - seems to be a bit along the lines of pumped up lunacy…

• Engine: 90º V 8
• Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
• Rear wheel drive
• Power: 360 bhp / 269 KW @ 5750 rpm
• Torque: 510 Nm / 376 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
• BHP per Litre: 66 bhp / litre
• Power to Weight Ratio: 0.23 bhp / kg
• 0-60 in 4.8 seconds

What we noticed first inside the Mercedes-Benz C300 while running through the canyons near Ojai, California, is that the road felt as if it were coated with Crisco. Or as one staffer noted snarkily, “I’ve never hydroplaned on a dry road before, until now.” While the other sedans gripped, pounced, and powered through the corners, the Benz, wearing all-season tires that are a part of the Sport model, slid and protested its way through the Highway 33 jaunt. Mercedes does offer an 18-inch wheel upgrade for $1000 that adds dedicated performance tires, but our $37,410 example didn’t have the option and likely suffered for it as the rest of the sedans in the test benefited from having more serious performance rubber.

Step the C300 away from the performance precipice, and the Benz seemingly finds itself and connects with the driver. A comfortable ride, a nearly silent engine, a solid structure, and the low-set multifunction turn-signal stalk will have Benz owners and luxury seekers feeling right at home. Making S-class customers feel right at home should they get a C300 as a loaner is the excellent COMAND system that combines controls for navigation, audio, and a multitude of other settings into a single knob. Unlike BMW’s iDrive, the Mercedes system is intuitive and doesn’t leave an unsightly growth in the middle of the dash.

Aside from the electronics, the rest of the interior fails to impress. Much of it is made up of shiny, hard plastic that is low-rent enough to suggest that maybe it was Chrysler that divorced Mercedes. In back, a rear seat with very little space was rated the least comfortable and serves as a reminder that the C300, and the 328i, for that matter, is barely larger than a Honda Civic sedan—a Civic, in fact, has more interior space than the Benz. So Mercedes has built a refined, small sedan. It’s sporty on an intramural level; too bad the rest of the class plays on varsity.

© Source: caranddriver

Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren - Standard Schmandard After looking at the GT 722 version of this car last post I thought I would re-look at the original car. I mean look at the photo - its stood next to one huge great lump of rock, very mercedes - but also very ‘vulture corpse’ I mean look at Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren. If I sat 1000 English designers down and said to each of them design me a fast car - not one would look anything like this. The only way I could get a drawing of similar brute ugliness out of them is if I had gathered them together and then said ‘draw me a dead vulture.’

You can see from the specs though that the GT car is essentially this car….lol

• Engine: AMG 90º V 8
• Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
• Torque: 780 Nm / 575 ft lbs @ 3250 rpm
• BHP per Litre: 115 bhp / litre
• Power to weight ratio: 0.35 bhp / kg
• Top Speed: 334 km/h / 208 mph….or not

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This year’s SEMA Show unveiled some really interesting aftermarket modified cars, but it also unveiled this. The DAD Mercedes Benz SL600 presented by DUB Magazine, which is crusted with over 300,000 Swarovski crystals and whos glamorous look is completed by the Bavarian White mammoth skin seat covers. Now, I’m sure Mercedes Benz SL600 car would be perfect for an LA pimp, but for the rest of the other rich people, we have an advice, don’t waste your money on this!

Now I dare anyone to take a look at this Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren ‘722′ GT and not want one. Fair enough as a street car Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren ‘722′ GT does look vulgar like some sort of bird corpse with nitro selotaped on but I always prefer the GT versions - they hunker them down to the road, making them lower, adding spoilers and race vinyl. Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren ‘722′ GT looks so much better as a GT car

• Engine: AMG 90º V 8
• Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
• Power: 680 bhp / 507 KW @ 6500 rpm (thought this was more because it was a 722 but?)
• Torque: 830 Nm / 612 ft lbs @ 3250 rpm :0
• BHP per litre: 125 bhp / litre
• Power to weight ratio: 0.49 bhp / kg
• Top Speed 196mph!!

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