Spy shots: Mercedes Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ up close

The successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing (and replacement for the SLR) has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany’s Nurburgring test circuit for several months now, but what only a select few knew is that the car is being developed completely in-house by Mercedes’ official tuner, AMG. Thus, the brand new model will be called the SLS AMG when it hits showrooms in the first half of next year.

In the lead up to its final unveiling, planned for later this year, Mercedes has released a ton of info on the car, including several images of actual prototypes and technical drawings.



2010 Mercedes SLC Gullwing rendering







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New E-Class Coupe sits on older, cheaper C-Class platform

Mercedes Benz surprised many by offering its new E-Class Coupe for less money than the E-Class Sedan, with which it shares its styling, interior and positioning. After all, which carmaker makes a more exclusive coupe model and then sells it for less money than the sedan variant?

If you missed our original pricing story, the E-Class Sedan starts at $49,475 for the base E350, while the similar E350 Coupe is slightly cheaper at $48,925.

It appears that Mercedes had some method to its pricing madness, however, and not purely because it wanted to hit its rivals by undercutting them in price.



2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class







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Brabus-tuned Mercedes E-Class Coupe bangs out 456hp

The brand-new E-Class Coupe may be based on the old C-Class's underpinnings, but it's styled like the new car and is priced aggressively, making it a perfect car to buy and then build on. And that's exactly what Brabus has done.

The primary upgrade to the standard E550 Coupe is the addition of a 6.1L V8 engine rated at 456hp (340kW) and 453lb-ft (615Nm) of torque, which comes on at just 3,100rpm. That's good for a 4.7-second 0-62mph (100km/h) run and a top speed of 196mph (315km/h).

Getting that big-bore V8 into the little Coupe will cost you though - €29,000 or about $39,701.



2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class by Brabus







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Preview: 2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class Coupe

The switch in nomenclature from the CLK to the E-Class Coupe made a bit of a stir when word began to leak last year. Just this week, the issue was broken back open when it was revealed that the new E-Class Coupe is actually based on the C-Class platform - much like its CLK predecessor. So what, then, of a true C-Class coupe? These previews show what it might look like.

Mercedes is already thought to be working on a new C-Class cabrio dubbed the CLR, opening the door for a revised two-door C-Class hardtop, though Mercedes could simply split the difference and fit a collapsible hardtop.



Preview: 2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class Coupe







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MEC Design adds sporty touch to the Mercedes Benz S-Class

There's something about a lowered Mercedes Benz S-Class with a bodykit that just looks sinister, and while there are some examples out there that can seem downright cruel others, such as this example from MEC Design, are much more pleasing to the eye.

With one of the most comprehensive customization jobs we've seen in a while, the staff at MEC Design have not left one aspect of the S-Class’ exterior untouched, right down to their custom designed wheel spacers. The customization list begins with unique wheels that range from 18 to 22in and alone cost up to $13,000.

Other modifications include a custom front apron, a redesigned rear bumper, a new rear spoiler and side-skirts fitted with LED lights, which altogether will set you back $9,700.



MEC Design Mercedes Benz S-Class







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Mercedes holding off on E-Class cabrio, wagon

Announcements of the delays of new car models are almost more numerous than the new cars themselves, and it seems no one is immune to the practice. Mercedes-Benz today revealed it won't be releasing the new E-Class Cabrio (spied here) at Frankfurt this fall, and the E-Class Wagon will be delayed a year as well.

The Cabrio decision makes sense regardless of the market condition - it's hard to launch a convertible in the fall. So instead, Mercedes will wait until Spring of 2010 and the Geneva Motor Show to reveal its E-Class Cabrio, according to a report from Auto Motor & Sport.



2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabrio spy shots







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Vath boosts C63 AMG Estate to 585hp V63 RS status

Carbon emissions taxes and fuel efficiency requirements are throwing a bit of a wet blanket on the horsepower wars, especially in Europe, but the aftermarket is carrying on the battle with undiminished ferocity. The latest combatant is Vath's V63 RS Estate, a re-interpretation of the already impressive Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Estate.

For those that are thinking this sounds familiar, it is. Vath released a nearly identical tuning package for the C63 AMG sedan last year. Once the gang at Vath are done with them, both cars generate 585hp (436kW) and 510lb-ft (690Nm) of torque - up 130hp (97kW) and 66lb-ft (90Nm) over the stock values.

But even with all that power, the V63 RS is barely on par with a stock Audi RS6 Avant, though its 6.2L V8 is a very different beast than the twin-turbo V10 in the RS6.



Vath V63 RS Estate







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