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The Mercedes Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” is one of the coolest sports cars of all time. So named because of its unique, roof-hinged doors, the Gullwing was the Enzo of its era: stupendously fast, outrageously expensive, and styled to make an entrance. Clark Gable owned one; Andy Warhol painted one; Ava Gardner crashed one. No Mercedes sports car since, not even the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, has come close to matching the Gullwing’s iconic appeal. And now the Mercedes SLS.

The SLR was a bastard-child of a supercar that neither McLaren nor Mercedes-Benz engineers truly felt was their own. McLaren’s Gordon Murray, designer of award-winning Brabham and McLaren’s grand prix racers are the driving force behind it all, thought the SLR overweight, the antithesis of his personal automotive touch. For their part, the Mercedes-Benz engineers were uneasy with McLaren’s free-wheeling, fast-moving development culture, and skeptical of its methods. The culture-clash car that resulted was blindingly fast and supremely robust, but oddly styled and strangely uninvolving to drive.

All of which perhaps explains the new Mercedes SLS AMG, a lightweight, high-tech, 571 hp super-coupe that represents the distilled wisdom of some of the best and the brightest engineers at the world’s oldest automaker. And yes, it has gullwing doors.

Like the SLR, the SLS is a front mid-engine coupe, with its 6.3-liter V-8 (actually, it’s 6208 cc) positioned entirely behind the front axle center-line. Its engine is based on the M156 V-8 from the SL63 AMG model, but has been refurbished and pimped to warrant a new design- the M159. Mercedes SLS claims over 120 parts and components that have been redesigned. The very most notable change, however, is a very dry sump system that allows the M159 to nestle very low down its frame. The engine delivers 571 hp at 6800 rpm, and a 479 lb-ft. at 4750 rpm. Some 402 lb-ft is available from just 2500 rpm.
The engine drives the rear wheels via Mercedes SLS new 7-speed dual clutch transmission, repackaged in a transaxle housing at the rear of the vehicle to aid deliver the SLS’s 48/52 front/rear weight distribution. Engine and transmission are connected by a sand-cast aluminum torque-tube, inside which is a carbon-fiber drive shaft. The transmission offers four modes — basic, Sport, Sport+ and Manual — each with different shift protocols. The transmission also has a launch-control mode that allows full-commando starts with electronically controlled wheelspin to prevent the engine bogging down off the line.

In the 1950′s, the war was over and the American economy was on the upswing. The future looked so promising and customers were in the lookout for something new and exciting, so a race car can best match the enthusiasm of the generated interests. Mercedes responded with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL in 1954, an icon of design and innovation. Its doors were hinged at the roof and when opened, looked like the outstretched wings of a seagull. Given the name ‘Gullwing’ for its authentic upward-opening doors, the Mercede SLS was the first ever car to be equipped with the fuel injection technology. This doubled the engine’s power from 115 hp to 240 hp and helped the Gullwing achieve a top speed of 260 km/h, making it the fastest production car of the period.

Following the success of the Gullwing on many racing circuits, Mercedes Benz decided to create a luxury sports car class based on it. Minus the Gullwing doors, the body make and style remained as a 2-door coupe convertible with a hard roof that can be retracted well lower down the body frame. Body styling emphasized aerodynamics, given the nature of the Gullwing as a race car. This was also to attract more buyers since body styling at the time favored aggressive, curvilinear forms. Owing to its heritage of technical brilliance, Mercedes SL parts boasted precision steering and independent suspension, allowing better drive control and comfort. The class was named SL which stood for Sport Light.

In 1957, the Mercedes 300 SL roadster rolled out of the assembly lines. A similar looking line 190 SL was also started. The 190 SL had a 105 hp engine and enjoyed a bigger production than the 300 SL, selling a total of 25,881 units. Both W198 models were discontinued in 1963, replaced by the “pagoda-roof” W112 models. Cars of this line sported advanced Mercedes SL parts like a fuel-injected, six-cylinder engine and lightweight aluminum fittings. All models were rear-wheel drive and equipped with independent rear suspension. Many early models came with both a retractable hard top and a soft top, but there were also versions such as the “California Coupe” that only had hardtop configurations. Members of this line included the 230 SL, 250 SL, and 280 SL.

During the period between 1972 and 1989, several SL models in the R107 (Reihe series) were introduced to replace the aging W112 line. These models were a cross between the SL line and the Mercedes W114 model, carrying a small chassis with the SL’s large engine. R107 was later replaced by R129, starting with R129 300 SL in 1989. A variant of this class, the 600 SL, was most luxurious and heaviest SLs ever built. It featured options such as a CD changer, all-leather interior, V12 engine, and other standard Mercedes SL parts. While the SL series underwent slight design modifications in 1994 and 1999, it was becoming apparent that the decades-long SL series is losing ground to its more aggressive competitors.

Mercedes SLS completely overhauled the SL line in 2001, it showcased the brand new SL which prides itself of a brand spanking new body style and elerconically controlled folding steel roof. This was followed by the 2004 Mercedes Benz SL and 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. In the year 2005, the entire SL lineup was again given a tweak and refreshed. Mercedes SL parts for these models included automatic climate control, power steering and locks, active body control suspension, anti-theft system, and cruise control. Safety features, which Mercedes has been known for, were standard in all models.

As a prestigious company, AMG was created in 1960′s in Germany by two noted engineers that has previous works with Mercedes and they produced amazing racing engines. Design and testing of brand new engines was the new AMG’s early role. They expanded their business into building bespoke road cars, based upon standard Mercedes cars but it wasn’t until 1993 that the first true AMG Mercedes Benz was unveiled with the C36.

You may notice that when you compare the rates of AMG Mercedes SLS as against the production models, the upgrades do add to the price ticket.

Through the early 2000s, AMG Mercedes Benz focused on two engines, both V8, both 5.5.liter, one standard four stroke and the other a supercharged engine. In early 2006 however, AMG scrapped both of these versions of M113 engine and exchanged it for the M156. Again a V8, 5.4ltr, but updated and also now available in a turbo charged configuration.

The tiniest, current, turbocharged AMG Mercedes SLS is the G55 and its standard V8 powered sibling is the SLK55.For those looking for a slightly larger AMG Mercedes Benz, the SL63 and the E63 are the models on offer, unless you really want to make an impression? In which case, the mystical Black Series CLK63 is top of the tree.As if this wasn’t enough, there is always AMG’s offering of a true super car!

It is now available in Europe, but sad to say it will be for public release come spring of 2010 in the US.S., the AMG Mercedes Benz SLS, a gull winged super sports car is unleashed. With a top speed of 197 mph, and that’s electronically limited! The SLS prides a 6.3ltr V8 that develops 571 hp at 6800 rpm.

This new AMG Mercedes Benz supercar has just been voted the world’s best super sports car by over quarter of a million readers of 25 European motoring publications, so if you’ve got a spare US5,000 you’d better get your order in quick.

Founded sometime in 1967, AMG was the brainchild os 2 former engineers from Mercedes who were set out to perfect racing engines. Their early days were spent on new engine
design and then re-testing of these designs. After several years have passed of tweaking the standard Mercedes cars, in late 1993 the engineers have signed up a gig with their former employers to provid the C36, the first mass produced Mercedes Benz AMG.

You will notice that when you compare prices of the AMG Mercedes Benz against the production models, the upgrades do add significantly to the price ticket.

Over in the German manufacturing place, each Mercedes Benz AMG engine is exquisitely and meticulously hand crafted by a single engineer to ensure it is well-done and boasts of quality make. Amazingly, you can track down any AMG engine right back to the engineer that built it by the stamped signature that is applied to every engine as it is completed. You will find the AMG Mercedes Benz lined up alongside it’s unmodified sister model at most dealers as a ploy to feature the enhancements.

The main engine stalwart for AMG Mercedes SLS earlier this decade was a 5.5 L V8 engine, designated the M113, that carried the “55″ designation and came in both naturally aspirated and supercharged models. Mercedes AMG phased out both the naturally aspirated, all-new improver and supercharged 5.4 L engines in favor of the new, M156 V8, with optional turbo charging, beginning in 2006.

The current smaller models in the AMG Mercedes Benz range include the G55, with the turbo charged M156 engine, and the standard V8, SLK55.For those looking for a slightly larger AMG Mercedes Benz, the SL63 and the E63 are the models on offer, unless you really want to make an impression? In this case, the mystical Black Series CLK63 is on top of the line.As if this does not suffice, there is always the AMG offering of a true and astounding super car!

To take us into the future, released in November 2009 in Germany and due in the Spring of 2010 in the U.S. is the new gull winged AMG Mercedes Benz SLS. With a top speed of 197 mph, and that’s electronically limited! The SLS boasts a 6.3ltr V8 that develops 571 hp at 6800 rpm .

The good news is that 250,000 European motoring readers have just voted the AMG Mercedes Benz SLS the best super sports car in the world for 2009. The bad news is that if you haven’t got 5,000 to spare, you can only dream.

Marion’s husband recently cashed some stock options to fulfil a long held dream of owning an AMG Mercedes Benz. Marion says that when he’s finished polishing it on a Sunday, they even sometimes go for a Drive!

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe debuted this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, scheduled to go on sale as early as next year. For those of you who have seen this beauty, the concept of a convertible version makes perfect sense.

Yes the Mercedes SLS AMG convertible version has been leaked onto the internet, spurring rapid-fire rumors of its existence. The rumors, photos and videos have only served to amp-up anticipation for this exotic beauty.

So let’s compare the Mercedes coupe and the convertible. The notable disparity is that the convertible version spied lacks the suave Gullwing doors featured on its coupe predecessor, replaced by standard doors. It could be a James Bond like car, but it is very ideal for warm weather destinations. We perceived that it would make a graceful addition to any kind of fleet of for rent cars, adding a very trendy yet sporty alternative to appeal to the buying public.

If the rumors are true, the door marks the only difference between the SLS AMG coupe and the SLS AMG convertible. Both are believed to be a feature the similar 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of 563 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque.

For the 0-60 test, Mercedes SLS AMG is a very impressive pick.8 seconds, and that leaves us with the guesswork that the convertible version will lag somewhat behind, at a time interval of at least 4 seconds.

It is always a welcome addition when a great supercar paves the way to a “convertible” or often named “roadster” version of itself. The market for the most exotic and expensive convertibles will definitely rise to a boom this year!

While you await the release of the new Mercedes convertible, you can get in the mood behind the wheel of a Mercedes rental Miami style, or exotic rental car of your choice for y our next business or pleasure excursion.

This German wonder car is already confirmed with the soaring pricetag beyond half-million US dollar and now Mercedes SLS has been revealed to be road-ready.

The obvious highlight is the upward-opening ‘gullwing’ doors that – like the front-end styling – take their inspiration from the classic Mercedes SL coupe of the 1950s. But the 21st century gullwing is a very popular modern machine with an aluminum space-frame body, a 420 kilowatts V8 engine set just in front of the 2-seater cabin, 19-inch front, and 20-inch rear alloys, and AMG’s first seven-speed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission.

Most of the early news and gossip about the gullwing-no one really expected it to be called the SLS – is about the design, from the all new and sleek gullwing doors to the 50′s inspired air intakes and the muscular body is wrapped around the wheels. However the GLS is an AMG road rocket that has a top speed which has to

be held back to 317km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds. In some ways the Mercedes SLS AMG is a successor to the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, but it is around one third of the price and is a full-on Benz manufacturing, not a collaboration with its F1 partner.

Clients are already lined up in Australia for their first glance at the gullwings, which are expected to land in the first quarter of 2010 and to be featured at the exclusive AMG drive day held at the Albert Park on the Australian Grand Prix circuit. “Yes, we are holding sizeable deposits on the car. We have several orders for five cars this early and we perceive that the huge problem will have to be the allocation will be big enough,”McCarthy says. “We do not have the final price yet but it will be competitive in the class. Companies like Ferrari and others make supercars, but we’re talking a production run of around 1200 cars and that’s pretty serious numbers.”

Mercedes SLS spent a lot of time ensuring the gullwing is both fast and refined, a major criticism of the track-tuned SLR. It still weighs 1620 kilograms and the seats are only 369mm above the road, but the seat backs are made from magnesium, there is a useable glovebox and a Bang&Olufsen surround sound system. It is definitely a Mercedes. There is a great distinction of 300SL in the make and design, but it is definitely not a copy. It is a homage for Mercedes, but it moves the entire history along.

“When we specified that the cars were two items we have made standard – the fitted car cover and the trickle charger. It means the car can definitely sit in the garage and be ready for instant and any action.”

The Mercedes SLS Gullwing is ready for its maiden flight! A handful of images were leaked onto the web yesterday, but now Mercedes has released all the details and a full set of images of its all-new supercar, before its world premiere in Frankfurt.

Designed to evoke memories of the iconic 300SL Gullwing from the fifties, the Mercedes SLS AMG also fills a gap in Merc’s range left by the outgoing McLaren SLR. And judging by these detailed photos its styling promises to be every bit as dramatic as its forebearers.

The gullwing-style doors, hinged at the roof, will definitely no doubt be the best marketing feature, and wait until you see the interior which is ten times impressive. Packing in a whooping 555bhp AMG 6.3-litre dry-sumped V8 with 650Nm of torque, it’s capable of covering the 0-60mph sprint in 3.7 seconds and continuing on to a top speed of 197mph. Fortunately carbon-ceramaic brake discs will be offered as an option to scrub off the speed with ease.The obvious highlight is the upward-opening ‘gullwing’ doors that – like the front-end styling – take their inspiration from the classic Mercedes SL coupe of the 1950s. But the 21st century gullwing is a thoroughly modern machine with an aluminium space-frame body, a 420 kiloWatt V8 engine set just ahead of the two-seater cabin, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloys, and AMG’s first seven-speed dual-clutch manu-matic transmission.

The German supercar is already confirmed with a soaring pricetag beyond 0,000 and now Benz has revealed the road-ready car and its full technical specification.

An aluminium space-frame body helps to keep weight down to a manageable 1.620kg. Combine this with the latest seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a near-perfect 47:53 front-rear weight distribution and the front-engined Merc should be as good to drive as it’s on-paper figures suggest.

Prices are likely to start from around £130,000 when it goes on sale in summer 2010 – less than half the price of the Mercedes McLaren SLR.

Mercedes SLS

In today’s luxury car world, the Mercedes has been the most coveted car of all time. You will notice the Mercedes sashaying its way along the roads and is the most fashionable car ever. Mercedes has indeed proved itself to be the king of the road. The Mercedes SLS was unveiled at the 2009’s Frankfurt Auto Show and seems to have what it takes to become one of Germany’s finest sport cars. This new and very promising grand tourer was developed by Mercedez-Benz AMG as a replacement for the old SLR McLaren. The German manufacturer describes it as a spiritual successor to the 1954’s 300 SL Gullwing, which was one of the most exciting sport cars of the 50’s.

With its 6.2L V8-engine, the Mercedes SLS has nothing to envy to its recent predecessor and clearly presents itself as one of the most breathtaking launches of 2010. Sales are set to start mid-2010 in Europe and mid-2011 in the United States. There will be 4 different versions of the Mercedes SLS – including a roadster version – that will all be released between 2010 and 2013. To acquire this beauty, no less than €177,000 (including taxes) are necessary in Europe and a little less than 0,000 (including taxes) in the United States.

As previously mentioned, the Mercedes SLS is inspired by the 300 SL Gullwing. This becomes very obvious if you compare them next to each other. The proportions of the Mercedes SLS are rather classic but exhibit modern styling themes and contemporary surface treatment. The revival of the classic features such as the gullwing doors brings about class, style, and charisma. The classic Mercedes is well blended into the features of the modern and refurbished Mercedes SLS.

The Mercedes SLS features a spacious frame and a body made of aluminum powered by a 6.3-liter front mid-mounted engine that generates 650NM and 571HP of torque, that’s a lot of power to boot. Add to that a 7-speed dual clutch transmission in a transaxle layout configuration for a total capacity of only 1620Kg. This is quite an achievement and it’s now time for you to watch the official presentation video!

Saturn cars on sale

People shopping around for cars and auto loans should take notice: You might have an opportunity to get a brand new Saturn car for a used-car price. The same thing goes for Pontiacs.

General Motors is discontinuing both brands, so Pontiac and Saturn cars are basically going into fire sale mode now. I am still trying to understand exactly how this sale works, so perhaps someone out there who is more business savvy could leave a comment to fill in the missing information.

Incentives plus price slashing

First of all, GM says it will pay dealers “$ 7,000 for every new Saturn or Pontiac on their lot that is moved to rental-vehicle or service-vehicle fleets operated by the dealers,” says the Wall Street Journal. Essentially GM is paying dealers to take ownership of these cars. So that’s weird and backward. Right?

Then, dealers must label these cars as “used” because technically the dealers are the first owner, not the customer. Obviously, most of them won’t be used, and they’ll have either zero or test drive mileage on the odometer.

A little help?

What’s missing here? This strategy really makes no sense to me. Why doesn’t GM simply give a bonus for Pontiacs or Saturns sold? Why not just slash prices instead of going through the process of justifying and slapping a “used” label on there?

I’m still waiting for this to click. The brands have gotten the big ugly axe, so obviously there isn’t much, if any, value left in either Saturn or Pontiac brands. I don’t know what to say. Let me know what you think.

The bottom line

Anyway, regardless of exactly what GM and its dealers are doing and why they are doing it, you could be able to buy Pontiac and Saturn cars for super cheap, so if you’re thinking about getting a new car sometime soon, you might want to set your plan in motion sooner rather than later.

Cars are becoming much more cleverer then ever before. One thing that shows this leap more than ever is the cars driving schools are now using for driving lessons and one week intensive driving courses; this has changed dramatically over years with cars having so much more gadegets. We now have satellite navigation systems, which can track exactly where we are, entertainment systems throughout the vehicles and cruise control.

But cars are developing at enormous speeds and experts have predicted that within the next decade cars could actually drive themselves. Now you are probably thinking to yourself what a stupid statement to make we are so far away from that happening, but if you take the time to look at the technology behind it you will know that we are very close.

As mentioned above we already have satellite navigation systems which are able to locate precisley where you are and the speed that you are going at. With the expansion of the internet hitting new heights, there is really not long left until vehicle devices start communicating online.

What I am really trying to state is that cars will use the sat nav system to check where you are on the road and the speed that you are travelling at, it will then transmit the information over the internet which will communicate with other vehicles around you. By knowing the speed you are driving at, the vehicles themselves will be able to avoid collisions and they can take us to our destination without getting lost because they know exactly where they are going.

So for lorry driving jobs it could actually be a dream come true, because when you usually stop on a lay by to take a rest you can now sleep in the vehicle while it drives itself to your destination. In other ways it works a bit like an autopilot.