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New Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 Priced From £155k In The UK, Nearly £16k More Than 751HP Taycan Turbo S

December 23, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Two months ago, Mercedes unveiled the AMG EQS 53 at the Munich Motor Show as the first electric vehicle to wear the AMG badge. Now, the German automaker has released pricing for it, and it’s about what you’d expect for a range-topping high-performance EV sedan.

The EQS 53 will start at £154,995 (equal to around $208,000 at current exchange rates) in the UK, or 55% more than the base EQS 450’s starting price of £99,995. It’s also more expensive than the current flagship Porsche Taycan Turbo S that’s rated for 761PS / 751HP and kicks off from £139,280 (about $186,900).

For that money, you get a dual-motor AWD drivetrain producing 649 hp (658 PS / 484 kW) and 701 lb-ft (950 Nm) of instant electric torque. Upgrade to the AMG Performance Package with the Night Edition that pushes the starting price to £163,900 (around $220,000) though, and that same drivetrain produces 751 hp (761 PS / 560 kW) and 752 lb-ft (1020 Nm) of torque.

Read More: Electrifying 751-HP Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 Is Benz’s New Performance Flagship Limo

The former enables a 3.8-second sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) with a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h), while the latter allows for 3.4 seconds to 62 mph with a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h). The range is the same for both, with a WLTP-estimated 358 miles (576 km) on tap from the car’s 107.8 kWh battery.

Standard features on all variants include the 56-inch Hyperscreen, an AR heads-up display, Nappa leather upholstery, a Burmester® surround sound system, a Parking package with Active Parking Assist, and 360° camera, Driving Assistance Package Plus, AMG sound programs, AMG-specific bodywork, and an AMG steering wheel.

Included with the Night Edition are 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, and sport pedals. Upgrading to the £8,995 AMG Performance Package (which is only available with the Night Edition) gets you carbon-ceramic brakes, AMG Dynamic Plus boost for Race Start, the AMG Sound Experience, the AMG Driver’s Package with increased top speed, AMG TRACK PACE, and AMG carbon-fiber interior trim.

Related: 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 Spied Almost Undisguised With Different Wheel Designs

Finally, serving as a counterpart to the bold Night Edition is the more subtle Touring specification, which comes with 22-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels and elegant ambient lighting in the cabin. On top of that, you can opt for the £2,995 Rear Luxury Lounge package (only available with the Touring), which outfits the multi-contour rear seats with black Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, power reclining, luxury headrests, neck and shoulder heating, comfort armrests, separate climate controls, an MBUX tablet, wireless charging, and additional USB ports.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is currently on sale now, with the first UK deliveries expected to arrive in April 2022.

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Magnus Walker Explores What It Means To Be An Underdog In This Red Pig Tribute

February 24, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Before AMG was brought under the wing of the three-pointed star, it started out as an independent tuning house. Created by former Mercedes engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in 1967, it specialized in hotting-up some of Merc’s most popular models.

But with motorsports very much the zenith for any performance car outfit, plans were made for AMG to make their race debut. Rather than tread carefully, they decided to jump in at the deep end and compete in the 24 Hours of Spa. The famed racetrack is notoriously unforgiving, and the competition was not only miles ahead in terms of experience, but they also held the edge in terms of car choice.

Read: The Jaguar XJS Has Aged Into Its Looks, But Prices Haven’t Caught Up Yet

AMG’s decision to bring a 300 SEL, Merc’s flagship luxury saloon, was rather offbeat, as the class consisted of small and lightweight contenders, like the BMW 2800 CS and the Alfa Romeo 2000 GTAm.

Despite the heavy tuning that AMG had breathed over the large saloon, which included reworking the 6.3-liter V8 engine to 6.8-liters, the “Rote Sau,” or Red Pig, as it was affectionately known, was regarded as an underdog. Indeed, the heavy weight and large engine meant that the 428 hp race car was harsher on its tires, and gulped lots of fuel, necessitating more pit stops.

See: Mercedes 300 SEL ‘Red Pig’ Replica Gives You The Chance To Own The Coolest AMG Of Them All

Despite this, the Red Pig overcame the odds, winning its class and finishing second overall. You may expect this legendary and storied car to be on a plinth in a museum, but alas, AMG wasn’t the powerhouse that they are today. The sale of a racecar would have been an appealing option at the time. Thus, the original was sold to an aircraft company — being the only car available that could match the takeoff (and landing) speeds of fighter jets, it was modified to test landing gear.

The final resting place of the original Red Pig is still unknown, which is why recreations are all we have left to remember its legacy. Here, famed tuner and out-and-out petrol head Magnus Walker introduces us to the “Silber Sau,” a recreation commissioned by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California. Walker, along with director Cameron Thuman, takes us on a cinematic journey remembering the spirit in which the original car was created and just what it means to win against the odds.

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QOTD: Which Discontinued Cars From 2020 Will You Miss The Most?

January 1, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

With a number of cars leaving the US market this year, many people might be disappointed to see some of their favorite vehicles ride off into the sunset. The silver lining is that there will be plenty of new ones to look forward to in the next 12 months, but it still begs the question: which cars being discontinued for 2021 will you miss the most?

This list is in no particular order, but of the many cars leaving the market, the following are what we think are eight of the most notable ones.

1. Mercedes-AMG GT R

Read: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Costs As Much As Two AMG GT Rs

The AMG GT R, whose demise was confirmed a few days ago, was one of the best sports cars on the market. With its raucous 4.0-liter biturbo V8, the top-of-the-line AMG was a blast to drive, but also livable if you were willing to put up with its track-focused suspension. However, we can’t be too disappointed with its discontinuation, as Mercedes also has the Black Series and plans to fill the GT R-shaped void in their lineup by buffing up the other GT models a bit.

2. Chevrolet Impala

See: GM Builds The Last Chevrolet Impala, Exits The Large Sedan Segment In North America

While certainly not the most exciting car on this list, the Chevy Impala undoubtedly has the longest history, stretching back 62 years and only taking a break from production twice, between 1985 and 1994, and 1996 to 2000. Having earned its reputation as an everyman’s large sedan, the Impala has fallen victim to the ever-growing crossover and SUV craze. Despite the nameplate’s history, in a market with such a proclivity for these high-riding vehicles, large sedans are making increasingly less sense. As a result, Chevy is discontinuing the Impala for 2021.

3. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R

Watch: Which Ford Mustang Shelby Is Better At Autocross: The GT350R Or GT500?

Despite a glorious flat-plane crank V8 and great handling, the GT350 and GT350R are being discontinued to make room for the upcoming Mach 1. The latter was met with a less-than-perfect reception upon its reveal, with many saying it’s not a true Mach 1 and that it doesn’t differentiate itself enough from the GT. While we’re sad to see the GT350/R go, Ford has not stopped trying to reassure us that the Mach 1 will be a suitable replacement.

4. Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

Read More: Alfa Romeo Sends Off 4C Spider In The US With Limited 33 Stradale Tributo Edition

With the 4C Coupe having been discontinued in 2018, the convertible now follows suit. The 4C has always excelled in the “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy of Lotus founder Colin Chapman and while it’s no Lotus, the 4C Spider definitely embodies that philosophy, going so far as to not even include power steering. The car only produced 237 hp from its 1.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but it also only weighed 2,487 lbs. This not only allowed it to handle very well, but also be pretty quick in a straight line, all thanks to that low power-to-weight ratio. Unfortunately, it seems most people found the $67,150 price tag to be a little too steep for the featherweight Alfa and it will be discontinued for 2021.

5. BMW i8

See Also: Alpina Explains Why Its 462 HP BMW i8 Four-Cylinder Project Never Became A Reality

With its futuristic styling, the i8 stood out not just from every other BMW, but most other cars on the road. While we will miss its unique looks and all the attention they garnered, we can understand why it is being discontinued, as it didn’t really have the walk to back up the talk. Its hybrid powertrain made only 369 hp and didn’t quite deliver the performance to match the i8’s exotic appearance, leaving many potential buyers wondering why they shouldn’t just buy something that performs better for the same price.

6. Honda Civic Coupe

Read: The Death Of The Honda Civic Coupe Marks The End Of An Era

While the sedan and hatchback remain, the coupe variant of the Civic will be gone for the next generation. Being a staple of the cheap, fun performance car world, the Civic coupe and its Si variant remain fondly in the memories of many. Cheap enough to be a first car, and fun enough to be a fourth, the Civic coupe’s appeal has spread across many demographics over its lifetime. That being said, we can understand why a front-wheel-drive coupe such as the Civic is being discontinued as the segment is no longer popular.

7. Lexus GS

Driven: 2018 Lexus GS F Is Proof That Power Isn’t Everything

While the Lexus GS wasn’t too exciting, it did a very good job at what it was designed to do: be a comfortable, spacious luxury car. However, what we will really miss is the GS’ performance version, the GS F. The last of what many consider to be a traditional sport sedan, the GS F held on to its naturally aspirated V8 while its competitors turned to forced induction. Even though it made less power than its German rivals, Lexus dared to do something different from the norm. They understood that it’s not always about outright performance; sometimes it’s about the overall experience of driving the car, and in that, the GS shone. Axed to make room for the smaller and better-selling ES, the GS will likely be missed by many, and definitely by those who had the pleasure of sampling the F model.

8. Honda Fit

More: All-New Honda Fit Goes On Sale In Japan With Two Powertrains, Optional AWD

The Honda Fit was actually quite the little car. Very practical and spacious for its size, the Fit often surprised people, even its owners, about what could fit (no pun intended) inside the small hatchback. In addition, while not often talked about, it was actually a spritely little car, being able to handle pretty well due its low curb weight of about 2600 lbs. Despite everything good about it, the Fit will be discontinued for 2021 due to slow sales, and we’re sad to see it go.

What other models have been discontinued?

In addition to these eight, as listed by J.D. Power, there are many other cars being discontinued for 2021 in the United States. These include the Acura RLX, Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Mulsanne, BMW M8, Buick Regal, Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Sonic, Dodge Grand Caravan and Journey, Fiat 124 and 500L, Ferrari GTC4Lusso, Ford F-150 Raptor and Fusion, Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra GT, Jaguar XF Sportbrake and XE, Kia Optima, Lincoln Continental and MKZ, Mercedes-Benz SL and SLC, and the Toyota Yaris.

It should also be noted that some of these aforementioned vehicles are being discontinued only because a successor is on the cards. Such is the case with the Ford Raptor, Honda Civic Si, Kia Optima (albeit under a different name), and Mercedes-Benz SL.

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Mercedes-AMG SL in tests on the racetrack

October 19, 2020 in Uncategorized | Permalink

The future Mercedes SL is going in a new direction. It will be developed by AMG, will have up to 800 HP and a 2 + 2 seater configuration with textile roof. After several spy photos, Mercedes-AMG also published the first photos on the street. Recently, Mercedes SL was caught in the first spy photos on the racetrack.

Foto: Auto motor und sport

As we have informed since March 2020, the new Mercedes SL is being developed by the AMG division in Affalterbach. After the digital design period, dinamic tests began. Mercedes-AMG informs that “Following extensive digital development steps, test stand runs and simulator trials the new sports car is now entering a scheduled phase of wide-ranging dynamic driving tests – thus far at the Group’s own Test and Technology Center in Immendingen – and now also on public roads in some cases”.

The new Mercedes SL will be much sportier than the current model but will continue to offer a high level of comfort corresponding to a luxury GT. Because the future Mercedes SL is developed on the same platform as the AMG GT, Mercedes wants to avoid cannibalizing the two models.
Thus, Mercedes SL will have a 2 + 2 seat configuration with textile roof while AMG GT Cabrio will keep the solution with 2 strict seats. The AMG GT will continue to be the uncompromising sports car while the Mercedes SL will offer more comfort.

Mercedes-AMG SL 2021

From the first camouflaged photos you can see the new design: the Panamericana front grille framed by narrow headlights. The sideline of the windows rises to the rear and the mirrors are mounted on the doors. In the rear you can see the four rectangular exhaust pipes and the long and narrow taillights.
We cannot know the configuration of the textile roof because it is still strongly camouflaged.

Mercedes-AMG SL 2021

The new modular sports architecture

The current Mercedes SL is built on a platform derived from that of the E-Class. The new model will be based on the new modular sports car architecture (MSA) that it will share with the future AMG GT.

The new architecture has a high percentage of aluminum, being very light and is very flexible both in terms of body types and propulsion types. The new platform will use the transaxle system with the engine located in the front and the gearbox mounted on the rear axle, the transmission being made by means of a carbon cardan shaft.
This constructive solution also allows the electrification of the range and we have already announced that Mercedes has already registered the name Mercedes-AMG SL 73 e.

The new Mercedes SL will be codenamed R323 and its top version of the Mercedes-AMG SL 73 e will be powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and an electric motor that will deliver 816 HP together. This hybrid system was already presented on the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2017 with the occasion of the 50th anniversary of AMG.

Power will be transmitted to all four wheels through the 9-speed automatic transmission. For optimal traction, the rear axle will have the Torque vectoring system. auto motor and sport magazine speculates that Mercedes-AMG SL 73 e will also have full steering. Suspension, brakes and exhaust system are significantly modified compared to the normal SL models and adapted to the increased performance.

Mercedes-AMG SL 73 e will be the top version. But what about other engine versions? The basic version SL 43 will be equipped with the new 3-liter turbo 6 inline engine with mild hybrid technology that will provide at least 390 hp as in the current C 43 AMG. Then comes the SL 53 with the same three liter 6 inline  and a minimum of 435 HP. Then, the SL 63 mild hybrid with 4.0 liter bi-turbo V8 will deliver about 640 HP. The V12 version will disappear and will survive only in the S-Class Maybach.

The textile roof and the high percentage of aluminum will substantially reduce the weight. Our estimates are that the future SL with the base engine will have less than 1.t tone. The current generation SL (R231) weighs between 1730 and 1845 kg.

Inside, the Mercedes SL will have multi-adjustable sports seats, the new sports steering wheel launched on the E-Class, digital cockpit and a the second generation MBUX multimedia.

Mercedes changes strategy. Give up the luxury S-Class Coupe in favor of a GT with certain sporty qualities. The future Mercedes-AMG SL promises to be a sports car that will retain the comfort qualities of a GT.

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Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Costs As Much As Two AMG GT Rs

July 24, 2020 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Unveiled last week, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series can already be ordered in Europe starting today.

There’s just one “minor” problem if you want to get one: it starts from €335,240 in Germany, including the local 16% VAT. That is the equivalent of $389,150 at the current exchange rates, but U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

The price premium over the Mercedes-AMG GT R is astounding; since the latter is priced from €165,474 in Germany, the Black Series basically costs as much as two AMG GT Rs.

See Also: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series ‘P One Edition’ Is Exclusive To AMG One Buyers

So what does the flagship model of the GT family offer to justify the steep price premium? For starters, it packs the most powerful AMG V8 production engine of all time. In the GT Black Series, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 delivers 720 hp (537 kW / 730 PS) at at 6,700-6,900 rpm and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque at 2,000-6,000 rpm.

Hooked to the AMG Speedshift DCT 7G seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the power plant enables the Black Series to sprint from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) in less than 9 seconds. The top speed is equally impressive at 202 mph (325 km/h).

The Black Series is deeply rooted in motorsport and its design also shows it as the body kit is directly derived from the current AMG GT3 racing car. Similarities with the race car include the massive air intake at the front and new carbon-fiber bonnet with two large exhaust air outlets made from black-finished carbon surfaces. The bearings on the upper and lower wishbones of the rear axle also come straight from motorsport. Since they have no play, toe-in and camber do not change even under high loads.

According to the automaker, the AMG range-topper also features the most sophisticated aerodynamics of an AMG production model and the most intelligent material mix. Customers can have the AMG GT Black Series in the special AMG magma beam paint finish (the orange car you see in the photos). Exclusive to this model, it can be ordered as an option – yes, there are optional extras even on a $389,000 car.

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