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Will the AMG SL65 Black Series live up to our expectations? The corporate goal was to create the ultimate Black Series, a vehicle of outstanding prowess on track and off, whose every line and detail underscores its dominance and top-level performance a vehicle to appeal to each of the five senses.

While development officially began in 2006, AMG Mercedes claims the SL 65 AMG Black Series is the culmination of more than 40 years of AMG engineering, motorsports and steadfast dedication to performance - a descendant of its forbearers if you will.

Click here for full details concerning the new AMG SL 65 Black Series (press release from AMG Mercedes-Benz).

Like the SLK 55 AMG Black Series and the CLK 63 AMG Black Series before it, the SL 65 AMG Black Series was also developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO, which opened in 2006. The first vehicles will be delivered to customers, starting in November 2008.

You can view multiple images of the SL 65 AMG Black Series on the homepage of the Private Lounge. The promo also includes desktop wallpaper images for your computer and cell phone.

Stuttgart - With the delivery of the 500,000th vehicle since its market launch in 1996, Mercedes-Benz has now reached another milestone with the successful SLK compact roadster. All in all, about 310,000 customers opted for a model from the first generation of this dynamic two-seater, and its successor has now sold 190,000 units since its market launch in March 2004.

"With the launch of the SLK in 1996, Mercedes-Benz successfully established the premium segment for compact roadsters. Thanks to innovative technology such as the vario-roof and the neck-level heating system AIRSCARF, the SLK has long been recognized as a cult car of modern times,” expains Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, responsible for Sales and Marketing. “The new-generation SLK models, which we are delivering to customers since April 2008, are sportier than ever. I’m confident that the dynamic looks and performance of the new SLK will again set pulses racing among sports cars enthusiasts around the world."

In Western Europe, by far the most important sales market for the SLK, the two-seater was once again the market leader for its segment in 2007. The compact roadster enjoys the greatest popularity in Germany, with over one-third of all SLK drivers coming from the home market of the brand with the star. The rest of Western Europe accounts for a further one-third of sales. Moreover, one in every five SLK customers comes from the U.S. The most popular model among customers is the SLK 200, which is selected by half of all SLK owners worldwide and by more than two-thirds in Germany. Also in strong demand is the SLK 280, which is driven by over one-quarter of all SLK owners.

The new-generation SLK, which celebrated its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January, inspires imagination especially with its sportier looks and the promise of an even more emotional driving experience. The most important changes in the vehicle’s appearance include redesigned front and back views, as well as a carefully modified interior, featuring a new combination instrument panel and a three-spoke steering wheel. Three enhanced engines underscore the two-seater’s dynamic character. Engineers have devoted particular attention to the V6 sports engine. Despite a considerable increase in power in some instances, all the engines use significantly less fuel. For example, the SLK 350 with manual transmission consumes 1.1 liters per 100 kilometers less than its predecessor, despite an added 33 horsepower, for a new total of 305 horsepower.

If desired, the SLK is also available with the newly developed direct-steer system and new-generation audio and telematics features. Like its predecessor, the latest SLK is manufactured in the Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant, the brand’s center of excellence for its open-top vehicles.

AMG Mercedes has a special forum for owners at the AMG Private Lounge. For example, on March 26 a team of AMG specialists will answer questions during a live forum event. You can register for the site using your VIN. Once registered, you can participate in the discussions and/or read the posts if you missed the event.

Here is the info for those interested: 

AMG ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
With a team of MBUSA AMG Specialist on hand, bring on your questions! On Wednesday, March 26th from 9:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST AMG Product Management will join us for this unique opportunity to have your questions answered in our third chat session of 2008. The session will be located in the "Chat Section of the Private Lounge.

AMG AT THE NY AUTO SHOW
With an opportunity to host more than 100 Private Lounge members and guests at the AMG NY Auto Show Preview Night, the event was a full success. We are also happy to report that a Private Lounge member’s guest was also the winner of the IWC watch given away at the event. Details and images of the event can be found on the Private Lounge.

In other news, a date has been added to the AMG Challenge Graduate Program: 

FOR THE AMG PRIVATE LOUNGE
DATE ADDED - 2008 AMG CHALLENGE PRIVATE LOUNGE GRADUATE PROGRAM, APRIL 25, 2008 AND OCTOBER 5, 2008
We still have a small number of spots open for the Las Vegas date in April and we are now registering for the Miami date in October. The AMG Private Lounge is pleased to offer a 2008 AMG Graduate Challenge program to our members on Friday, April 25th in Las Vegas and Sunday, October 5th in Miami. These Private Lounge Graduate Challenge events will follow the same format as our standard Graduate Program with the addition of a few AMG surprises. Registration is first-come first-serve and is limited to 45 participants. Registration will fill up quickly so sign up now if you are interested. Visit the Private Lounge and look for the discussion boards.

This is a great Mercedes-Benz promo, free music CD available for download. Most of the artists are on MySpace but most of the songs on the MB promo can't be downloaded from their MySpace sites. The Mixed Tape promo comes out every 8 weeks or so and includes newcomers to the international music scene; rock, pop and jazz mostly.

read more | digg story

Mercedes-Benz USA is looking for a 1963 190D for an event that will be held in New York City during March 2008. If you own, or know of one that is available, please contact the MBCA Northern New Jersey Section Vice President, Andreas Molde - Phone: 973-328-4836. They need to locate one as  soon as possible. Thanks!

Our friend and colleague, John Olson, recently launched the SL Market Mercedes-Benz SL News website. John is the publisher and author of the book, The SL Experience - Five Decades of the Mercedes-Benz SL (which you have seen for sale on our sites). He is also publisher & editor of the SL Market Letter, which was founded in 1982. The SL Market Letter is a premier publication for aficionados of Mercedes' most collectible cars - the Mercedes-Benz SL.

You can find sample articles and news features on this site; several were originally published in his SL Market Letter (subscription based newsletter). John also reviews high quality products and services that enhance the Mercedes-Benz experience.

About
The SL Market is a comprehensive resource for information pertaining to the Mercedes-Benz SL. We provide newsletters, special reports, products, and services to the Mercedes-Benz enthusiast. You will find concise summaries of Mercedes-Benz information not easily found elsewhere: SL Market News

Let's hope this isn't a record Daimler repeats in 2008. The automaker paid a heavy fine in 2007 for failing to meet federal fuel-efficiency standards. The NY Times today published an article with more info - an excerpt and link to the full article follows:

DaimlerChrysler paid a $30 million fine in 2007, the most ever by an automaker, for failing to meet federal fuel-efficiency standards, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The penalty was assessed for DaimlerChrysler’s imported fleet of cars from the 2006 model year, which failed to meet the corporate average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon, an agency spokesman, Eric Bolton, said Wednesday.

DaimlerChrysler, now known as Daimler, topped the record of $28 million set by BMW in 2002. The United States has collected $735 million in fines since 1985 from automakers whose fleets failed to meet car and light-truck mileage standards, now at 27.5 mpg and 22.2 mpg. << Read the full article here >>

The 2009 SLK Mercedes-Benz models will make their U.S. showroom debut in April 2008.

MBUSA Press Release/Montvale, NJ: The latest generation of the SLK blazes a trail of new sporty highlights, and bestows yet greater appeal on this two-seater sports car with its trendsetting vario-roof, that transforms it from roadster to weatherproof coupe in a matter of seconds.

The designers have honed the looks of the two-seater for added sportiness. Especially eye-catching is the restyled front bumper, featuring modified segmentation of the air intakes and a more pronounced V-shape, while the area around the Mercedes star is further emphasized. The designers have also redesigned the vehicle's rear section, with the diffuser-look styling giving the roadster an even more powerful appearance from behind.

Many of the interior's details have also been revised, and the interior has been refined as a whole by meticulous material selection. Particular care was taken to optimize the interior to make it that much more driver-focused. The focal point in this respect is formed by a new three-spoke sports steering wheel with multifunction controls, as well as a new instrument cluster with redesigned bezels.

Read more

Here's what we found surfing the web for you this week:

• RENNTECH's Package 2, 63 Series AMG (Press Release)
• MB Customer Satisfaction is on the Rise (JD Powers Study)
• Britney Spears Rolls in an AMG SL65 (Video)
• Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is Robocar 2057 (Design Challenge)

AMG Market News Summary

Lake Park, FL, Oct. 30, 2007: RENNtech has developed a new line of aftermarket performance products aimed at getting more power out of the 63 series AMG Mercedes-Benz. RENNtech, generally regarded as the nation's foremost authority on Mercedes-Benz performance tuning, took something of an "old school" approach towards building its new high-tech products.

"The new AMG motor isn't like the last generation of turbo or kompressor cars," explains Hartmut Feyhl, president of RENNtech and former technical director of AMG North America. "This new engine is naturally aspirated, like a more traditional race motor, and the way to get more power out of an engine like the 63 is to improve the engine's breathing."To that end, Feyhl and his crew at RENNtech have built new exhaust headers and high-flow sport mufflers, from 304 TiG welded stainless-steel, and developed new engine control software to further boost the engine's efficiency - and, while "bigger pipes" might seem like a no-brainer, in this case, bigger wasn't better. (RENNTECH's Package 2, 63 Series AMG press release here).

MONTVALE, N.J., Nov. 14, 2007, AMG Market News – Customer satisfaction is on the rise for Mercedes-Benz according to J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI). The brand is once again among the five top-ranked nameplates.

The study rates nameplates on five unique aspects of the retail experience: dealership facilities, salespeople, paperwork/finance processes, delivery processes and vehicle pricing. Ernst Lieb, president of Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) commented,

“Over the past year, we have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of every aspect of our customer interface – from our corporate headquarters to dealership service bays.  In partnership with our dealers, we’ve committed ourselves to ensuring that we have the best tools and the best processes in place to meet the needs of our customers.  These study results are a gratifying validation from Mercedes-Benz owners.” 

Britney Spears rolls out of Keyes Mercedes-Benz on Van Nuys Boulevard (Sherman Oaks, CA) with a new AMG SL65. She test drove the G-Wagon but settled on the AMG; she may actually be smarter than she looks.

In other news:

Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is Robocar 2057
AMG Market/PR News, Los Angeles, Nov. 16, 2007: A car with extended, elegant lines which can change its form at the touch of a button and adapt to the requirements of its owners at any time – this is the automotive vision that Mercedes-Benz is presenting at the Los Angeles Design Challenge taking place at the 2007 L.A. Auto Show. When required, this Mercedes of the future can take on the form of a fast highway cruiser, quickly metamorphose into a compact city car, or become a roomy one-seater or economical two-seater, depending on the transport capacity needed. This is made possible by the magnetic control elements of the SilverFlow, a futuristic study by Mercedes-Benz, which take just seconds to configure the car required from tiny metallic particles.

Read more

The C63 AMG and S400 BLUETEC HYBRID are now making their North American debut at the Los Angeles Automobile Show (Nov. 16–25, 2007).

The new C63 AMG sedan is powered by a 6.3-liter normally aspirated V8 that produces 451 horsepower and 443 lb. ft. of torque.  << MORE C63 AMG here >>