Here’s the second and final part of our 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery, featuring manufacturers from L–Z (well V actually). Highlights include the Aventador J pictured above along with a reappearance of the stylish Mazda Takeri concept. The awesome Pagani Huayra is also on show, check the raw carbon fibre model, it looks sublime. Oh, we’d love to hear what you think of the Valmet Automotive Dawn, if it was a person it would no doubt be referred to as one weird cat.
We interrupt our Geneva-based programming to bring you 380kW of fury. If you’ve seen the latest ep of Top Gear you’ll know that Clarkson didn’t rate the Mercedes-Benz C63 Coupé AMG Black. Well, bah humbug to him; we wish we were one of the lucky 32.
Like us, if you want to wallow in self pity here’s a clip showing the C63 Black getting all sorts of angry around the famed Laguna Seca race track in California. Make sure you turn the volume up, okay.
[Thanks to James for the tip]
Anything Audi can do Mercedes-Benz can do better. At least that’s what they’ll be hoping with their all-new A Class. Interestingly, the once stale Mercedes designs have made way for a more overt design execution and they should be congratulated for styling their cars to suit different target markets.
The A Class, for example, is aimed at a more youthful buyer and so a less conservative approach can work. And that’s exactly what Mercedes-Benz has done and it actually looks pretty good. The rear end is a bit fussy, perhaps, and the crease lines on the side profile won’t appeal to all. But remember, this is a Golf-sized Benz and in relative terms it looks bonkers. Bravo!
Of course, we got a preview of Mercedes’ think with the Concept A Class almost 12 months ago. We think it does look better but are surprised and pleased to see how true Mercedes-Benz has been to the exterior styling.
Most of the pics provided showcase the A Class Sport. It’s not quite an AMG special, but Mercedes do say it has been “engineered by AMG”, pointing out the performance arm was involved with the A Class from an early stage.
The A Class Sport will be available in A 220 CDI and A 250 designations, with the latter using a 155kW 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine. Golf GTI here we come and with the expectation of an even madder AMG model to follow we’re going to watch the new A Class very closely.
European sales of the new A Class will commence in the second half of 2012 and we would expect an Australian release in the first half of 2013.
When David Coulthard is not commentating on the latest win by Sebastian Ve-tell he is making up the numbers in the DTM series for Mercedes-Benz. He’s also an official AMG ambassador. So he seems a reasonable enough choice to talk about the new DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé.
In this video Coulthard briefly explains the difference between the new and old cars as well as some of the safety features introduced for this season.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is making a big deal about the first C63 AMG Coupé Black Series making its way to our shores. And why wouldn’t they. With 380kW on tap from a handbuilt 6.3 litre V8 and a kick arse body kit it’s a car sure to win admirers from all walks of life.
The car in the photos is painted in Diamond White and features matte black wheels as well as the AMG aero package. It’s the first of just 32 C63 AMG Blacks coming to Australia, all have been sold, and it will make its first public appearance at the Australian Grand Prix.
We bring you the full audio from the post-race press conference at the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour race. Asking the questions was Richard Craill, the order of drivers responding is as follows:
Click the play button below to start the audio.
[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/B12hr-2012-press-conference.mp3]
The #1 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS wins from the #20 Erebus Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the #33 Clearwater Racing Ferrari 458 GT3.
Report to follow.
Following yesterday’s brief preview of the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG we now have official details and images.
The headline stats for the SL63 tell us its 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8 produces 395kW at 5500pm with an astonishing 800Nm of torque from just 2000rpm. Power hungry buyers can opt for the AMG Performance package to raise the game to 415kW/900Nm. Whichever engine you choose you’ll be changing gears with a 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT.
Weighing in at 1845kg, it’s just as well the SL63 AMG has a stonking engine. It’s good enough to shift the new convertible to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds, oh the AMG Performance package saves you a whole 0.1 second. Overall the new model is 125kg lighter than its predecessor.
A car like this is about GT cruising appeal and Mercedes say the car’s Active Body Control suspension system can be set to Sport or Comfort settings. Aluminium has also been used extensively for the suspension components, helping to reduce unsprung mass.
“High-performance compound” brakes help bring things to a halt. There’s six-pot calipers doing the bulk of the work with 390mm rotors up front, with single-piston floating calipers around 360mm discs assisting at the rear.
We’re never too sure what to make of electro-mechanical steering, but we’re promised the AMG speed-sensitive system is “fleet-footed” and offers “agile cornering” with “exceptional feedback at the critical limits.”
Generally speaking the SL63 AMG looks very nice, if you’re into this type of car. But the looks are really let down badly by those droopy LED lights in the headlight cluster. Check out the pics below and see if you agree.
While Michael and Nico were taking the covers off the new F1 W03 Mercedes decided it would be a good time to sneak out its new SL63 AMG for a quick spin around the Circuit de Catalunya.
Based on the new sixth-gen SL the range topping AMG version uses a 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8. The M157, as seen in other AMG models, has been tuned to produce almost 400kW. Following the welcome trend of shedding weight, the new model has lost 125kg compared to its predecessor.
Full details will be released as the Geneva Motor Show draws closer.
Mercedes AMG has just revealed its F1 W03 to the world ahead of tonight’s pre-season testing in Barcelona.
Admitting that the W03 has a face only a mother could love Team Principal Ross Brawn said, “The F1 W03 is a car that I believe, and hope, our team can be proud of, and which will deliver the on-track results that everybody has worked so hard to achieve.â€
“Notwithstanding the distinctive nose design, which is certainly an acquired taste, the F1 W03 is an elegant interpretation of the current regulations, and a clear step forward over its predecessor in terms of detail design and sophistication,†he added.
Elder statesman and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher reckons he still has what it takes and is excited with his new wheels, “I have done quite a few roll-outs and launches of new cars, but even after all these years, I must say it still feels special. Days like this are precious moments, as they are always filled with hope and anticipation.
“For my part, I am eager to fight again, looking forward to the new season, and I can’t wait for it to begin.â€
The F1 W03 has already enjoyed over 350km of pre-season testing during a private session held last weekend.
UPDATE 22 February: A video from the launch, including comments from Norbert Haug and Ross Brawn, has been added below.
Exploiting an interesting quirk in Formula One’s testing agreement Mercedes AMG ran a full private test session with its new W03 in Barcelona yesterday. They racked up 300km of uninterrupted testing. Michael Schumacher drove in the morning and Nico Rosberg took over in the afternoon.
The W03 first turned a wheel in a shakedown and filming day at Silverstone last week (pictured above) but that was on 2011-spec Pirelli tyres. However, by choosing not to participate in the final day of testing at Jerez earlier this month Mercedes AMG were able to lock in a private test session. You have to wonder why more teams don’t do this; there’s less prying eyes and no other drivers to impede with your planned schedule.
The reasons for Mercedes AMG delaying the launch of the W03 are two-fold. First it gave them extra time with ex-Ferrari designer Aldo Costa, who only joined the team in early December. It’s also believed the team has a few details it wanted to shield from public view for as long as practical.
We’ll get a full reveal of the W03 tomorrow evening Australian time and will bring you pics and info as it comes to hand.
[Source: adamcooperf1]
In addition to Friday’s unofficial preview, the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team has given us an excellent driver’s eye view of their 2012 F1 car, the W03. Nico Rosberg is at the wheel and it’s perhaps the chest-mounted camera that gives the most revealing insight into a modern day Formula One car. Check out the video after the break.
The W03 will be officially presented for the first time this coming Tuesday when pre-season testing resumes in Barcelona.
[Thanks to Ryan for the tip]