Motor Vehicle Tips

The Mercedes Benz 300 ‘Gullwing’ SL is one of the best sports car of all time. It is so named because of its very striking and unique roof hinged doors, the Gullwing was the Enzo of its time, stupendously fast, insane, outrageously expensive and yet so elegant. Clark Gable owned one, Andy Warhol painted one, Ava Gardner crashed one and its in the news. 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 Mercedes SLS engineers they were uncomfortable with McLaren’s free-wheeling, swift development culture and were skeptical of their 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 all new Mercedes SLS AMG, a lightweight, high tech, 571 hp super coupe that represents the distilled wisdom of some of the best and brightest engineers at the world’s finest automotive manufacturing firm. And yes, it has gullwing doors.

Like the SLS, the Mercedes SLS is a front mid-engine coupe, with its 6.3-liter V8 positioned entirely behind the front axle center-line. The engine is based on the M156 V-8 from the SL63 AMG, but has been tweaked and primped sufficiently to warrant a new in-house codename — M159. Mercedes SLS claims over 120 parts and components that have been redesigned. The most notable change, however, is a dry sump system that allows the M159 to nestle low in the 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 AMG’s new seven-speed dual clutch transmission, repackaged in a transaxle housing at the rear of the car to help deliver the SLS’s 48/52 front/rear weight distribution. Engine and transmission are inter-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 has a launch-control mode that will allow full-commando starts with electronically controlled wheelspin to preclude engine constant bog downs.

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The 2009 model year is ending and with the economic turn downwards automakers are pushing to sell their excess inventory and are offering huge deals on luxury vehicles. Because of the high mark up of a luxury vehicle you the consumer can get a new luxury vehicle for base invoice pricing or even below if you work it rite. There are a few good options for the entry level luxury vehicle, the Infiniti G35, the Acura TL and the best of the three the Mercedes Benz C class.

The Infiniti G35 is really produced by Nissan and is an upgraded version of the Maxima. IT offers everything you would want in a luxury car except the luxury. Nissan Chiltons Manual

The Infiniti G35 has amazing handling, a great safety record and a beautifully designed exterior. However the car is more like your basic Nissan with leather seats, guess that is how they make those huge profits over at Nissan. It sells new for thirty thousand dollars for the basic model and has a base invoice price of twenty eight thousand dollars.

The Acura TL is one of the best overall entry level luxury sedans. It has an amazing 286-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine that might get you into to trouble on the highway with police. But the comfortable ride and great suspension lets you know you are in a luxury vehicle at all times. One thing that is lagging is the interior again it is just like Honda threw in some leather seats, the interior is probably the least desirable design of any luxury car on the market today. It retails for thirty five thousand dollars for the basic model but has a base invoice price of twenty nine thousand dollars.

The Mercedes C class is nothing short of breath taking and one of the best designed cars Mercedes has ever produced. Mercedes Repair Manual

The car would probably be on back order if it were not for the economic down turn. But if you are one of the few that has the cash to spend then you are in luck because Mercedes has slashed all its prices to unload their excess inventory.

If you end up buying new hold your ground when bargaining a little extra patience can save you thousands of dollars. The used luxury market is a sketchy one at best so make sure you bring along a mechanic, car dealerships love making body repairs to cover up previous accidents or restoring totaled ones.

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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 style remained as a 2-door coupe convertible with a hard roof that can be retracted into the lower 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 it to its origins of technical wonder, Mercedes SLS parts prides of precision steering, and independent suspension, allowing a better drive control and ease of use. The class was named SL which stood for Sport Light.

In 1957, the Mercedes 300 SL roadster rolled out of the popular 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 new variety of this class, the 600 SL, was most elegant and heaviest SLS ever built in history. It featured options such as a CD changer, all-leather interior, V12 engine, and other standard Mercedes SL parts. While the SL series of Mercedes underwent slight design modifications in late 1994 and 1999, it was apparent that the decade 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 2005, the entire SL lineup was again refreshed. Mercedes SLS parts for these new models included an automatic climate control, power steering and locks, active body control suspension, an anti-theft mechanism, and a cruise control. Safety features, which Mercedes has been known for, were standard in all models.

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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 new engines was the new AMG’s early role. Mercedes have expanded their main business into creating prime cars, based on the stringent standards of Mercedes cars but it was not until late 1993 that the first and ever true Mercedes AMG was finally built with the C36.

You will notice that when you compare prices of the AMG Mercedes SLS Benz against the production models, the upgrades do add significantly 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, 5.4 litre, but updated and also now commercially available in a very turbo charged setting.

The smallest, current, turbocharged AMG Mercedes SLS Benz is the G55 and it’s 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 whooping speed of 197 mph, and that is very electronically restricted! The SLS prides a 6.3ltr V8 that develops 571 hp at 6800 rpm.

This new Mercedes SLS supercar has just been nominated as world’s best ever sports car by over millions of European readers of major motoring publications so if you have a US$265,000 to spare, go grab it now.

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The new Mercedes Benz SLS coupe debuted last 2009 at the German Frankfurt Motor Show, which is promulgated to be available to the public early this year. For most people who have seen this charm, the concept of a convertible look makes an entire perfect look.

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 distinct change is that the convertible model spied lacks the suave gullwing doors which is most popular, which now is replaced by the standard doors. It could be a James Bond like car, but it is very ideal for warm weather destinations. We are thinking that it would make a stellar addition to any fleet of exotic rental cars, adding an understated and sporty option to appeal to the masses.

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.

As for the 0-60 test, the Mercedes SLS AMG coupe version hits it in an impressive 3.8 seconds, and that leaves us to assume that the topless version will lag somewhat behind, likely at an even 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 exotic convertibles and exotic rental convertibles will certainly have room for one more!

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.

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