By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

Wandering around Paris behind the Eiffel Tower, I came across the AMG crew shooting some promotional video for the AMG E-Cell, a full-electric based on the Mercedes-Benz SLS that may or may not actually go to production in 2013. The crew was not forthcoming with any information about the actual drivetrain in this car (as in, is it the real drivetrain, or a golf cart motor?), but didn’t mind my camera one bit. I love the wheels – odd as I’m generally not a fan of flat faces. These are just perfect, though! A bunch of pics after the jump!

Continue reading "AMG E-Cell in Paris" »

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

Thanks to senior stunt driver Ed Redfern, we get to see what it’s like to slide the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG around on wet pavement. The SLS AMG has built a very good reputation with videos such as the upside down tunnel run, a lap around Nurburgring, and outstanding crash test footage. What’s next for the flagship Mercedes-Benz vehicle? Read more at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Do you like it? I think it looks silly…

By Mike Musto

RideLust.com

If you’ve been following this series you’ll know that we’ve already covered the best new sports cars for $25k or Less and the best new sports cars for $50k or less. Well, it’s now time to bump up into the next tax bracket and find out what is out there for $75k or less. This is truly interesting category as we’re right on the fringe of the entering exotic car territory. The list as it stands may in fact surprise you as there are a few cars here that you may not have thought. One reason is they may have two to many doors, the other is that they’re all pretty damn expensive. Either way though, presented here for you are 5 great sports cars that can be had for $75k or Less. Oh yea… and just for the fun of it I figured I’d throw in some video so could see what I mean.

See the full list over at Ridelust.com.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Just got back from the live unveil of the new SLS GT3 customer race car, which should be through the homologation process in time for next year’s race season. Looks pretty sweet, huh? More pics after the jump, including shots of the street car, which is now officially priced at $183,000.

Continue reading "NYIAS: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3" »

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

Ouch. Today was the first Press Day so expectations were high. And did they hit the mark? ……Welcome, to the MORGUE.

Okay, maybe a morgue is a bit extreme, but there were some serious things missing. Namely, NISSAN. And with the Leaf coming soon, you have to ask… “WUT UP, NISSAN DOODS?” Now, I did get my fair share of automotive fixations, but I was left a little… dead. Ok, another mortality reference. Wups.

Follow the jump to see the COMPLETE highlights of the show. Not many, but some cool stuff. I decided to make it easy for y’all to understand how I felt about each one. I call it the “SHOCKSWEETSNORESUCK.” That’s the long version. Let’s just call it the “SHNUCK.” The LA Shnuck Show. Yea, I like it….

Continue reading "Fireball does The LA Auto Show… Ouch." »

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

Ride along with the Mercedes-Benz  CL55 AMG as it drifts through the Nurburgring. The Nurburgring is one of the most challenging tracks in the world for both driver and vehicle. Various turn cambers, slopes, hills, and thrills create an amazing challenge that wears down parts, requires specially built engines, and drivers with intense stamina. Watching the CL55 AMG drift through Nurburgring, you can see how the advanced technology built into the Benz helps it achieve maximum drift angles at mind-boggling speeds.

Mercedes-Benz builds their vehicles with Nurburgring in mind, testing each model for performance and reliability on this course. The close ratio steering, large amounts of low end torque, and high horsepower of the CL55 AMG make it an ideal drifter. Read more about the Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Weston Henderson

Weston Henderson

A good battle with points on both sides, but ultimately the C63 AMG owned the BMW M3 in this week’s Showroom Showdown. Despite not having a clutch, the C63 took home 50 votes versus the M3′s 38 votes. Congrats Mercedes!

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

This week it’s the battle of the burly autobahn cruisers! The C63 AMG weighs 3,649 pounds and has a 6.2 liter V8 which puts out 451 hp. The M3 Sedan weighs 3,726 pounds and has a 4.0 liter V8 which puts out 414 hp. The BMW is available with either a 6 speed manual or the M Double-clutch tranny. The Mercedes in only available with a 7-speed auto with paddle shifters. Both cars are priced in the mid $50k range. So, which would you choose?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

It’s so simple it just makes sense: shut down your engine when you’re at a stop and you’ll save gas. Start-stop technology is already commonplace in hybrids, but it’s coming to more conventional gasoline cars, and may be standard on all vehicles within the next five to ten years. Mercedes has been particularly aggressive, announcing last year that that they would be rolling it out across their entire lineup. And AMG just announced that it will be standard on many AMG cars next year. So now you won’t have to feel guilty sitting in the drive-thru. Via Wired and Autoblog