Top Gear’s very own Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG.

Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (Mercedes, Video)

*** ARTICLES ARE ADDED ON A REGULAR BASIS ***

Article List Update:

1. Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 65 Black Series
2. AMG Mercedes-Benz Suggested Retail Prices
3. C63 AMG Fire and Ice Test Drive Program Now on AMG TV
4. Mercedes-Benz SLK Milestone, 500k Vehicles Delivered
5. Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape is BACK – Download the mp3 files
6. AMG Mods for the 2008 65 Series
7. New AMG E63 Performance Package
8. The History of AMG
9. AMG Videos
10. Mercedes-Benz AMG CL65
11. The Mercedes-Benz SLK Story to Date
12. VIN Decoder – Vehicle Identification Number
13. Road and Track 1972-1989 Mercedes-Benz SL Article (March 1994)

NOTE: In the mean time, you can also visit this page for a general list of Mercedes-Benz articles.

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.

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

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.

Britney Spears in her Mercedes-Benz AMG SL65

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.

Design Challenge is a competition where eight car design studios in southern California are challenged to create the “Robocar 2057″ as a combination of vehicle technology and artificial intelligence. The Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center of North America (Irvine, CA) looked 50 years into the future and came up with the shimmering silver and gold Vision SilverFlow car. With its long, flowing lines and narrow, exposed wheels, this vision of the future is highly reminiscent of the golden years in motor racing during the 1930s.

In fact the physical characteristics of the SilverFlow are even more exciting than its shape. It consists of billions of microscopically tiny metallic particles which are formed into variable but stable configurations by magnetic fields. This means that the driver can theoretically adapt the vehicle to its intended purpose. The one-seater highway configuration is aerodynamic, while the city version is short and spacious. The pre-programmed vehicle variants can be selected at any time at the touch of a button, whereupon the assembler electronics reshape the car from one form to another within a few seconds – specialists refer to this as morphing. Any desired shape is conceivable in principle. As a particularly convenient feature when parking, the intelligent control system completely disassembles the vehicle structure and compacts the ferro-magnetic particles into a small, space-saving configuration. And thanks to these flexible metallic particles, dents and paint damage are also a thing of the past.

The disadvantage of the Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is that so far, it only exists as a two-dimensional graphic design.The SilverFlow study, which – if at all – will only be realizable decades into the future, clearly shows that while car designers certainly live in the present, their working environment is the future.

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 >>

Mercedes-Benz World is a new facility at the historic Brooklands circuit in Surrey, UK and it is celebrating it's first birthday on November 3-4, it opened in October 2006. MB will be unveiling the brand new Silver Arrows AMG Display Team, who will be giving their first public performance of breathtaking handling skills. << MORE HERE >>

Limited in quantity, the 1988 300E AMG Hammer is a rare find. Built by Mercedes-Benz and modified by AMG prior to the merger. The 3.0-litre 177-hp 6-cylinder 300E originally sold for $39,000 (W124 body style). For $17,000, AMG would replace that 3-litre unit with the 5.5-litre V8 from the 560 SEC after adding 32-valve cylinder heads and twin camshafts. During 1988, additional options included:

• $39,950 – AMG bored out the 5.6-litre to 6.0-litres
• $33,302 – upgraded rear differential, Gleason-Torsion LSD, stronger rear sub-frame, plus more chassis modifications
• $14,170 – upgraded AMG suspension, 17 inch chrome wheels/tires, AMG interior package, etc.
• $18,000 labor charge
• Total package cost in 1988: around $162,000.

AMG Market obtained the following info and photos for the 1988 AMG 300E (AMG Hammer) from the AMG's owner:

Additional Information Mileage: 19,146 (odometer read during 2007) Engine: 5.5-litre V8 No major body work (scratch repaired) History Original owner was professional baseball player Robert Deer: Rob Deer is famous for hitting the game-tying home run on Easter Sunday in 1987 to give the Milwaukee Brewers their 12th straight win to start the season. The home run was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. June 6, 1978: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the 1978 amateur draft. San Francisco Giants (1984-1985), Milwaukee Brewers (1986-1990), Detroit Tigers (1991-1992), Boston Red Sox (1993), San Diego Padres (1996)

1990 AMG Hammer SL60

The following info was obtained from an auto dealer selling the vehicle (www.envisionauto.com)
Model: Mercedes-Benz SL60 AMG 6.0L HAMMER

• VIN number for vehicle photos shown: WDB1290661F012801
• Envision Auto asking price as of August 2008: $30,400
• Mileage : 28,158 Km's

There are reportedly 49 known 6.0L V8 AMG Hammer Mercedes 500SLs; 18 built in 1990, 30 in 1991 and 1 in 1992.Removable Hard Top with Power Convertible Soft Top6.0 litre V8 engine producing 384hp. AMG claimed a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) speed of 5.8 seconds. Its top speed was limited to 155 mph (249 km/h), but with the limiter removed, it was capable of approximately 185 mph (298 km/h). AMG later unofficially admitted that 0-60 mph was closer to 5.0 seconds and the engine produced between 405-410 bhp.Optional rear seats for two passengers with seatbelts.    The Special Edition AMG Hammer package is a rare find, only produced in limited numbers. The 6.0L V8 produces 376 hp at 5500 rpm and a 0-62mph speed of 5.0 seconds. ALL ORIGINAL AMG package featuring AMG FULL Aero Kit, AMG 17-inch 3-Piece Alloys, AMG Exhaust, AMG Leather/Wood Combination Steering Wheel, AMG 300km/h Speedometer.

AMG Hammer Mercedes-Benz

The 57th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance names Duesenberg SJ Special (also known as the Mormon Meteor) Best of Show. Classic Cars from 12 Countries and throughout the U.S. were showcased during the competition:

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2007) – The 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links® hosted some of the world’s rarest vintage vehicles and thousands of spectators Sunday at the 57th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Concours competition, which included judging in 24 classes, culminated when a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Special, owned by Harry Yeaggy from Cincinnati, Ohio, was named “Best of Show.”
<< Full Press Release Here >>
Photos can be found here.

McCluggage received the Mercedes-Benz Star Driver Award: Denise McCluggage was recognized with the Star Driver award at the Mercedes-Benz's annual dinner at Pebble Beach. She is the only journalist in the Automotive Hall of Fame. The LA Times has a brief news piece here.

Autoblog has a few pics of the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster with Mayfair bodywork sold at the RM Auction.

The South African Star has a nice piece on the S63 AMG:

Break Free to Dream
The S63 AMG has big shoes to fill, but it's the stuff of which legends are made, writes Brendan Seery

August 18, 2007: Back in the 1970s, the staid Daimler Benz company, purveyors of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, produced a hooligan hot rod which was cloaked in the metal of its 300SE series. Only the small "6.3" badge at the back gave any indication of its muscle. << MORE BREAK FREE TO DREAM >>

Finding a mansion built specifically for a car collection isn't easy – but they do exist. A unique mansion built to display 18 cars is for sale in beautiful Kingsmill, which is located in Williamsburg, VA (USA). For a cool $2.4 million it can be yours.

This car enthusiast's dream home was built by Jack Dunn. Tragically, Jack died in an automobile accident and his estate is being sold. Jack was a member of the Virginia Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club and other automobile clubs.

VeloceToday has a detailed story of the mansion here for those interested.

AMG Mercedes-Benz | Enthusiasts, PR News: National Mercedes-Benz Club event to take place  at the Hyatt Regency Reston (Virginia), May 19-21.

The Greater Washington Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) is hosting StarTech 2007 – a national event all Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts will enjoy.

StarTech is MBCA’s biennial technical seminar weekend. Focusing on maintenance, repair and restoration of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The event originated years ago to provide technical updates to both members and non-members of MBCA. Through the years it has grown to be the largest technical gathering of Mercedes-Benz experts in the world. 

Technical Presenters (subject to change):

• William Vetter, MBUSA: STAR TekInfo
• Tom Hanson, MBUSA: Benefits of the U.S. Classic Center
• David T. Shelton, Manager, UHP Marketing & Education Bridgestone Tire
• Hartmut Feyhl, RENNtech
• Bruce Adams, 190SL Services
• Rod Kraft, Meguiars: Detail it like a professional. This is the class Meguiars uses to train dealer personnel
• George Pavlisko, Leatherique: Leather Care
• Larry Emmons, Emmons Coach Works: How to make your Mercedes-Benz vehicle shine, street or show
• Neil Nelson, Frontguard Paint Protection: Say NO to Chipped Paint.
• Christal Renée Waddy, Roadblock Protective Systems:  Paint, glass, and wheel protection.
• Charlie Boyd: Restoration on a budget without sparing quality
• John Olson: How to buy the right vintage Mercedes-Benz
• Greg Smith, Waterloo Motors:  W201 cars – the affordable, fun Mercedes-Benz for street and competition
• Pete Lesler: Care and feeding of mechanical fuel injection pumps & performance tuning your W113 car
• George Murphy: Mercedes-Benz maintenance & repair – a systems approach
• Steve Walters: The La Carrera Panamerica experience – buying, rebuilding, & running in North America's premier road event

StarTech 2007 also includes a special MBUSA Vehicle Preparation Center (VPC) tour.

More info is available on the StarTech 2007 website. Hotel is the Hyatt Regency Reston, (Ph: 703-709-1234). Mention StarTech 2007 for the discounted room rates.

New York, NY – Mercedes-Benz presents a unique exhibition of rare pieces by Andy Warhol at Drive-In Studios’ Lott Gallery, located at 443 West 18th Street from April 6th – May 4th, 2007 (Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm).

The show's centerpiece is a series of 17 vivid, original pieces by Warhol commissioned by and of Mercedes-Benz, and subjects include classics such as:

• The 1886 three wheeler, widely recognized as the first automobile;
• The 1955 W196 streamliner race car, the celebrated 1954 300 SL Gullwing, and
• The 1969 C111 concept car. 

In celebration of the marque’s 100th anniversary, Warhol was originally commissioned to complete 80 canvasses representing multiple periods of Mercedes-Benz history, though his passing in 1987 left just a fraction of the works completed.

The Warhols, featuring some of Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated vehicles as subjects. Many of the iconic cars represented in his work have been embedded in America’s pop-culture consciousness. The Mercedes-Benz sponsored event is an exceptional opportunity to view how Andy Warhol immortalized these classics in his own work.

UPDATE: A few days after we posted this story, the NY Times Blog "Wheels" picked up our post from a feed and added more info on the Warhol display. For a little more info on the display, visit their blog post here.

The painting, “Green Car Crash (Green Burning Car I),” is being sold at a Christie’s auction according to the NY Times' post, Fasten Seat Belts for Warhol at Auction. It is a rare Warhol that is expected to topple previous sales records according to Carol Vogel of the NY Times.