Category: Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz Motorsports

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 prepares for endurance season

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

The racing version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG kicked off its first full season of competition at the Nürburgring last weekend. The SLS AMG GT3 finished third and fourth in the opening round of the 2011 VLN series.

Before any car can race, though, it needs to meet strict safety regulations. Prior to the VLN season debut Mercedes-Benz released details of the safety measures added to the “Gullwing” racer.

As well as the expected roll cage and so on, the SLS GT3 features a CFRP strengthened race seat and a pyrotechnic system that activates when required to release the hinges on the gullwing doors. Polycarbonate windows serve dual purposes by reducing weight, but they are also easier to remove in case of emergency.

The SLS AMG GT3 is a great looking bit of race kit. This year we’ll find out how good it is under some of the toughest racing conditions around.

More detail and pics from Mercedes can be viewed after the break.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Video

Nico and Michael: The drinks are on us

Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher unsurprisingly star in this new promo for Mercedes GP. However, it’s a cameo performance from two-time F1 champ Mika Hakkinen that steals the show. It’s not the first time Mercedes has used Mika in an ad, but this time he delivers a much better punch. Who said the Germans don’t have a sense of humor!

[via Motorcentral]

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2011 Australian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Australian Grand Prix

Making a return to AUSmotive in 2011 is our Grand Prix in pictures series. To kick it off here’s 93 images from the Australian Grand Prix to get you back in the mood for what will be a long and, no doubt, intriguing Formula One season.

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Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupé

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe

Mercedes-Benz has published a couple of videos to support the static release of pictures and press statement from earlier this week.

The first clip is pure marketing and not terribly exciting. The second plays on AMG’s relationship with Ducati. It’s better and has a nice early twist, but we’d still like less layers of marketing and more V8 rumble please.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe

Mercedes-Benz completes its hotted up C-Class range with the C63 AMG coupé. Here at AUSmotive we’d still take the C63 AMG estate on pure cool factor, but, having never really been fans of the C-Class coupé, this new AMG version is starting to influence our position.

The detail is much the same as the saloon and estate version. That means you get 336kW/600Nm from the familiar 6.3 litre V8. Of course, if you’d like a few extra beans you can shell out for the AMG Performance package to increase that V8 goodness to 358kW, torque remains the same.

Coupled with a trick 7-speed MCT transmission you’ll quickly find yourself at the legal limit in around 4.5 seconds. The usual 250km/h v-max handrake applies for the coupé as well.

The two door C-Class AMG hot rod goes on sale in July and after the break you’ll find all the pics and press material you need to tide you over until then.

[Source: Daimler AG]

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz G-Class – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz G Class

Mercedes-Benz Australia has just re-launched the G-Class for the local market. Literally, too, as the image above shows. There’s two models on offer, the G 350 Bluetec ($161,680*) and the G 55 AMG ($217,230*).

The G 350 is powered by a 3.0 turbo diesel and is good for 155kW/540Nm, while the mad-as-a-cut-snake G 55 AMG is forced along by a supercharged 5.4 litre V8 which produces a staggering 373kW/700Nm.

It’s around 32 years ago since the G-Class was first released, although it’s been missing from the Australian line up for almost 20 years. It’s okay, though, because not a lot has changed on the outside in that time.

The G-Class is an icon in the all-wheel drive world. It’s near-on bullet proof, or actually is in the Pope’s case, and is as dependable as an old blue heeler, albeit somewhat more expensive.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a fantastic range of images to re-introduce the mighty G-Class and we have fished out 60 of the best pics to go with their press material.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils amazing suspended display

Mercedes GP display

This spectacular display, called View Suspended II, has just been unveiled at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, UK. The piece, consisting of 3200 parts, was created by Dutch artist Paul Veroude.

Nick Fry, Mercedes GP Petronas CEO, was on hand for the official opening and said, “It is fantastic to see View Suspended II here at Mercedes-Benz World. Formula 1 is a sport watched by over 580 million people worldwide annually, so to be able to see a racing car in this way is something very special and a unique look at the heart of the sport.”

Meanwhile, late last month Daimler AG and Arabar Investments upped their stake in Mercedes GP to take a 100% controlling interest. Mercedes now controls 60% of the company, while the remaining 40% is owned by Arabar. This means Ross Brawn has relinquished the remaining 24.9% of the company he owned. The full press release from Daimler AG is available after the break.

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Mercedes-Benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

We must have been getting our nails done, or something, when this material was released by Mercedes-Benz a couple of weeks back. But, such is the goodness of AMG product we would hate you to miss out. So here are 33 pics of the refreshed C63 AMG range. We’ve started with the estate because, well, a hot Euro wagon is pretty much as good as it gets in our book.

Power from the 6.2 litre V8 remains at 336kW (or 358kW if you tick the AMG Performance option). However, the revised C63 introduces a new 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission, which has been nicked from the SL63 AMG.

Also new on the C63 AMG are numerous cosmetic changes, including the now obligatory LED DRLs. Other visual tweaks include, among others, a revised front grille, a new aluminum bonnet and an updated rear apron.

In Australia, the C63 AMG is a relative performance bargain and its no surprise to learn Mercedes has sold 17,000 of these cars worldwide. But, really, you want to see the pics. So check them out after the break.

[Source: Daimler AG]

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A quick guide to the 2011 Formula One cars

Red Bull Racing RB7 launch

Now that all Formula One teams have unveiled their cars for the 2011 season we have compiled a list of all the teams and their drivers. Take the jump to see the full list, in numerical order, and follow links to our posts on the launches of all 11 teams.

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Mercedes-Benz Video

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Welcome

Mercedes-Benz used their Super Bowl spot to remind us of their 125 year anniversary. Nothing wrong with that. They also used it to promote their latest range of cars with a “welcome to the family” theme. Nothing wrong with that, either.

But, watch this ad from 2009 made by 60-year-old upstarts Porsche and see if you can tell what might be wrong with Mercedes’ approach here. Worse, the Porsche ad is better.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils 2011 F1 car

Mercedes GP W02

The wraps have come of the new Mercedes GP W02, although, for now, this is the only pic we have. From the cars we have seen so far the W02 has the least conventional front nose, while still being quite high like the others.

Last year was a less than optimum performance from what was essentially the reigning Constructors’ champion. This year, though, Ross Brawn is hopeful they will enjoy better days in 2011, “The concept development for the MGP W02 started early and we have set challenging targets for the design, combined with a robust plan to ensure that the pace of development can continue throughout the long 2011 season.

“We have two excellent drivers in Michael and Nico, both of whom capable of winning races in a good car, and we look forward to seeing them push each other and the development of the new Silver Arrow during the season.

“We want to be setting the standard right from the start but if we are not, we will respond very strongly to get ourselves into the game. Everyone is excitedly waiting to see what the new season will reveal.”

UPDATE: New pics added below.

[Pics: Mercedes GP & Daimler AG]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP previews the W02

MercedesGP W02

First filed 31 January.

Mercedes GP has released this teaser image of its new W02 Formula One car ahead of the official launch. The MGP W02 will be revealed ahead of tomorrow’s first day of winter testing at Valencia.

This pic follows the release of the Ferrari F150, the only other F1 car shown to date, and it looks like a high nose cone is the new black for F1 cars in 2011. Especially when you compare the digital image above with pics of last year’s MGP W01.

More when it comes to hand.

UPDATE 1 February: You can now access the above image in 2000px sizing. The full reveal of the W02 isn’t too far away, so stay tuned tonight for further updates.