Every car no matter its shape, size or price has a lifecycle that must come to an end. When a manufacturer brings a models production to a close it is often to make way for the next generation, as is the case with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. We have seen several version of this excellent gull-winged GT from special editions to the properly mental Black Series. 2015 will see this cars successor making 2014 its last year of production. The Mercedes-Benz SLS Final Edition is the machines last Hurrah before driving off into the sunset.
Powered by that mighty 6.3 litre V8 engine, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition produces 583BHP. This special car receives new alloy wheels and interior tweaks. Externally it can be differentiated from the standard SLS via its black bonnet, carbon fibre front splitter and huge carbon rear wing. The Final Edition will number just 350 and is available in both coupe and convertible.
The electric car market is, slowly but surely, growing with new adopters going cold turkey on combustion. The thing is that in terms of vehicle variety for those who go electric, there just isn’t any. You can have a hatchback or nothing. Tesla no longer produce their Lotus Elise based Roadster, but are now offering a saloon named the Model S. This is soon to be joined by the world first all electric SUV.
This is the Tesla Model X and it’s a bit more of a surprise than we were expecting. Firstly it will crack 0-62MPH in just 4.4 seconds making its acceleration impressive not only for combustion 4X4’s, but for something on wheels in general. The car seats 7 and has two boots in order to fit all of its occupants clad. But the biggest surprise is that the Model X incorporates gull-wing doors into its design. The rear pair open vertically and apparently resemble a falcon.
This is indeed a big step forwards for electric cars.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has to be one of our favorite cars of last year. The orchestral V8, thrilling ride and of course those gull-wing doors make for a complete and involving experience. Personally if I had a similar budget for a supercar I had to use regularly I can’t think of much I would rather have. Merc are now letting you configure your dream SLS…
Our perfect gull-winged beast is pictured here with its black finish and contrasting red interior. It did take a good 5 minutes to decide upon what rims complimented the car best but as you can see a decision was made after a fashion. Try your hand at sculpting the perfect SLS AMG HERE with Mercedes-Benz.
You can also read our full review of the car HERE.
For those who don’t know Brabus are the unofficial tuners of Mercedes-Benz, think AMG but off the books. As a result their tinkering must be more extreme in every way compared to the in-house modifications to gain a unique selling point. For example Mercedes-Benz produced the most extreme variant of their super coupe in the form of the SL Back with 661BHP; Brabus then got hold of it and gave this monster 800BHP! So what are they going to do with the already brilliant SLS AMG?
Well the performance upgrades to the car are still under development but expect the 6.3 litre V8 to receive an extra generous helping of BHP. Other modifications include new carbon fibre bodywork, light weight forged rims as well as adjustable suspension and an all new exhaust system. A new front spoiler aids in increasing down force, a much needed integration thanks to extra power we guess, but interestingly the car has a speedometer that reads up to 250MPH.
More details as we get them.
UPDATE:
We have received more information on the Brabus SLS, well the company are still keeping the juicy details for another day so we will just have to be patient for the inevitable apocalypse of power. Brabus are claiming that their new exhaust system for the car weighs 40% less than the existing one, not only that but the exhaust alone will boost the power by 10BHP. Bold claims but only the finished product will define our opinion.
As we have told you time and again, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a biblical machine that pushes high levels of comfort and performance to new levels. How can a car like this be so refined yet so ready destroy the distance between you and the horizon? The German company have been giving people various opportunities to drive the car and in this video you can see it let loose on one of the worlds most famous circuits… Spa.
In the deepest darkest corner of Mercedes-Benz AMG division is a cage. A cage that is only ever opened under strict instruction, this cage contains the Black Series engineers. These men are criminally insane and are responsible for building “money is no object” ballistic missiles. The CLK Black was a chainsaw gargling axe murderer that even came with a health and safety warning, then there was the SL Black that has been known to kill lions with its biblical power. So what are the mad men’s plans for the new SLS AMG, well the air is thick with speculation.
According to various sources, some we trust others not so much, Mercedes-Benz intend to launch the SLS Black Series early 2013. A boost in power is standard form after this division has finished work and the increase will leave the SLS with around 600BHP as well as 680lb ft of torque! This will reduce the cars already quick 0-62MPH of 3.8 seconds and increase the cars speed to over 200MPH. We have no idea how they will achieve this but our best guess is that a larger air-intake will be involved as well as other tinkerings.
They say the end of the world will come in 2012, I say they are wrong. 2013 looks much more likely.
Last week we brought you the first images of the Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell, an all-electric variant of the SLS supercar. The car still bragged impressive performance figures despite having four heavy electric motors within the body. Ex-F1 driver David Coulthard has had the pleasure of testing what could be the first desirable electric car.
It was only a matter of time before Mercedes were going to offer a race variant of the stunning new SLS. Gullwing doors return to racing after 50 plus years at the hands of… Well anybody willing to foot the bill. This lightened GT3 race specification car will be offered to existing GT3 teams as well as privateers wanting enter the race series. Of course one or two will stray from the track and into private collections, but can you blame them?
This 6.3 litre beast will be available for the 2011 season after being scrutinised by the FIA, hence the lack of details on power as the governing body have yet to publish any regulations. However this cars predecessor, the SLR 722 GT, was a real track monster! Its 671BHP took one look at the track and tore it to shreds. So, if Mercedes-Benz uses the same formula here, this could be a real winner.
