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Mercedes and AMG Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 08-26-2011 04:00 AM
Finally after a long month break, F1 returns to one of the if not the best circuit in racing: Spa-Francorchamps. The mix of long straights and fast corners, combined with a picturesque setting and notoriously changeable weather keeps it at the top of both drivers and spectators favourite circuits. Part of the magic of Spa is that it is known and respected as one of the most challenging in the world, and to prove that fact only six drivers have managed to win the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa more than twice: Juan Manual Fangio and Damon Hill both have three wins to their name, Jim Clark and Kimi Raikkonen managed one better with four wins and Ayrton Senna won the race five times. The undisputed Spa master though, is Michael Schumacher who has won a record six times. This race is especially sepecial for him. Spa marks Michael's 20th year in F1 having made his debut in the 1991 Belguim GP.
...Published on 08-25-2011 08:25 PM
Well, here it is, the new B-class. Not exactly the most anticipated model for performance enthusiasts but it is a new Mercedes vehicle. The styling inside and out is fairly nice but it does not really matter as we will not be getting it here in the USA. Car is built for efficiency anyway with a .26 drag coefficient and 122/156 horsepower 4 cylinder motors available. Would be nice to get this over to the US, or make a version with a V8, but for now we are not shedding tears over this car.
...Published on 08-23-2011 08:02 PM
Here is a new widebody option for W204 C63 AMG cars. A very well priced and attractive option considering the pricing will be somewhere in the $5000 range. The body kit is all steel, no carbon reinforced plastic or anything like that. One can go to up to 355 rear tires in back. Considering what some of the C63 AMG's are putting out power wise, being able to go that wide should mitigate some traction issues. In order to get this kit one has to send their car to Orlando, Florida.
...Published on 08-22-2011 10:42 PM
This past weekend BenzBoost members ecampbell and jrcart went for a test and tune at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dragstrip. BenzBoost was in attendance thanks to a generous invitation from ecampbell and Weistec was also present with Steve Atneyel and Michael Weiss. We were a bit a surprised that Earl (ecampbell) and Jim (jrcart) wanted to run in the middle of the summer with insanely hot temps in Vegas. When driving in, the temperature readout in our car showed 108 degrees at 6:15 PM. Not exactly weather for setting records.
...Published on 08-20-2011 04:43 PM
Here it finally is folks, the new 2012 SLK55 AMG. The car has a 422 horsepower 5.5 liter V8 which is naturally aspirated. The motor also features cylinder deactivation technology. It would seem Mercedes did not want the SLK stepping on any of its big brothers toes so it developed this new V8 specifically for the SLK55 . Expect more details and higher resolution photos after the Frankfurt Auto Show where the SLK55 will be officially revealed but for now enjoy this first set of photos.
...Published on 08-16-2011 11:34 PM
Got my baseline dyno last week and went and got my tune from Eurorev/Singh autosport on fri. Car feels great..went on few runs up to 165mph and it was pulling like a freight train. I'm very happy with the tune and it drives like stock except when you stomp on it. Been modding cars long enough to know it was best to take to independent dyno shop and i'm very pleased with result. Coming from PTT, W212 E63, C 63 and E60 M5..this is by far the best and fastest car i've own! BTW this same dyno did a 2012 S63 with Performance Pkg and it was 537 rwhp and 611 tq which was published on Insideline.com. This show you the potential of the M157.
...Published on 08-15-2011 03:22 PM
There were some alarming reports earlier this year that Michael Schumacher would perhaps not return to finish out his contract due to his "heart" not being into it any longer. Well, Schumacher ended the speculation by confirming he will be coming back next year which is his final year under contract. What is interesting is that Mercedes GP president Ross Brawn is the one who hinted at issues with Schumacher and Mercedes-Petronas stating Schumacher's future with the team would be evaluated later this year. That must have put pressure on Schumacher who decided during the season to return.
...Published on 08-12-2011 01:59 PM
This is the car that has been getting a lot of attention due to the owners erratic behavior. A fauly crank position sensor caused some issues but that has since been resolved. The vehicle put down an eye opening 630 whp and the owner describes it as being 'too powerful' as if there was such a thing. This build just goes to show having some trust in reputable vendors and tuners to resolve issues goes a long way as does a bit of patience/class. Well done Weistec and ACG!
...Published on 08-09-2011 06:22 AM
These are the same pulleys that are used on all the Weistec supercharger kits. These CNC machined aluminum belt idlers are also available for all M156 based cars not just those with the supercharger kit. The factory Mercedes pulleys are plastic and have been known to have problems. For modified or even stock vehicles this billet pulley is a good solution. It is a direct bolt in replacement, $299.
...Published on 08-08-2011 09:53 AM
The M157 ECU tune from BenzBoost premier vendor Modern Horsepower (MHP) is now available. The dyno below is a Cartec dyno from the MHP European facility. It reads stock, non-performance package cars at 528 crank and 484 rwhp. Tuned cars are at 627 crank and 589 rear wheel horsepower. Torque figures rise from 569 crank / 521 rwtq stock to 690l / 632 rwtq. Dyno tests were done on 98 RON octane fuel on a car without the performance package. This tune is available now for $2995.
...Published on 08-06-2011 07:10 AM
Suspension systems that are able to raise the nose of a car at the push of a button are getting popular. Namely in the performance car scene because performance enthusiasts like their cars low to the ground for handling and styling. Problems arise when trying to enter steep driveways or go over speed bumps but Carlsson has SLS owners covered. This system can raise the car at both ends up to 40mm and do so at speeds of up to 50 MPH. Very useful and likely very expensive.
...Published on 08-05-2011 07:00 AM
Well, here is yet another SUV variant coming. This one is designed to rival the BMW X6 as well as the upcoming Audi Q6. The platform has been confirmed as C166. The car will be built on a modified M-class platform much like the X6 is built on an X5 platform. It will be built in the US plant that already builds the ML, GL, and R-class vehicles. Do not expect it anytime soon, it is scheduled as a 2015 model.
...Published on 08-04-2011 07:06 AM
Prior Design has been putting out some great SL kits as of late. Here is their latest wide, very wide, body kit. The kit consists of a new front bumper, rear bumper, front fenders, front bonnet, side skirts, rear fenders, rear diffuser, and a rear trunk spoiler. Other than the LED's in the front bumper (this LED obsession needs to stop) we like the kit a lot. Pricing information to come shortly, enjoy the pictures.
...Published on 08-03-2011 07:04 AM
Mercedes asked their Facebook fans what stunt they would like to see Mercedes do on the set of their newest commercial. This figure 8 drift was the stunt chosen. To be honest, it is kind of weak. Especially when compared to BMW drifting the 1M on top of a helipad on top of a skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles. Check it out and see what you think. Stunt driver Greg Tracy does the driving in a new W204 C63 coupe around two W204 C63 AMG sedans.
...Published on 08-02-2011 07:00 AM
M275 V12 twin turbo production for the Mercedes SL has ended. That makes us very, very sad pandas. The SL600 is the first to go followed by the SL65 AMG. The Black Series will likely be sold for a little while longer but at its price point they are not exactly flying off lots. Will the V12 re-appear in the next generation SL? We do not know, but with the M157 and M278 twin turbo V8's the demand for a twin turbo V12 will not likely be there. These are newer motors with better emissions that are also lighter. We will have to wait and see but this may be the beginning of the end for the M275.
...Published on 08-01-2011 02:56 PM
Here is the video everyone has been waiting for. This is the first of what we believe will be many 10 second supercharged M156 V8 (63 AMG) Mercedes vehicles. The car was run in the Summer heat of Southern California at the Fontana drag strip which is notoriously slow. Density altitude went up over 3000 during the day yet the car still managed to hit 10's which is certainly impressive. 275/40/17 Mickey Thompson drag radials were used along with lightweight seats and race gas. Congratulations to Weistec and JRCART.
...Published on 08-01-2011 12:42 AM
The weather at the Hungarian Grand Prix proved challenging with intermittent showers. Vettel led early on but made a mistake in the rain that allowed McLaren driver Jenson Button to take the win. Vettel would finish in second place. Mercedes struggled as they really have all season. Although both Mercedes GP drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher had good starts overtaking a number of positions Nico would end up finishing in 9th place and Schumacher did not finish the race. A mechanical failure in the gearbox forced Schmuacher to retire from the race. The next race is in Belgium, August 28. Full results below.
...Published on 07-30-2011 11:22 PM
Here are the qualifying results for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher qualified in 7th and 9th respectively. The younger Nico seems to continue to just slightly outperform Schumacher. Vettel took the pole proving he is not about to stop his dominating performance this season snatching the pole from Lewis Hamilton who seemed to have it in the bag. Full results below.
...Published on 07-29-2011 04:16 PM
Trucks for the German makes continue to be popular with graphic artists and enthusiasts alike. Just two weeks ago we brought you the Audi Q7 truck which was real, not a rendering. Also, who can forget the BMW M3 pickup truck? The artist who did these Mercedes renderings here said that since his X5 truck rendering people have been clamoring to see what a Mercedes based version would look like. Well, here it is and do not worry as Mercedes-Benz will not be producing anything like this.
...Another Maybach tuned by OE Tuning, huge torque gains - +108.6 pound-feet and +53.8 wheel horsepower
Published on 07-28-2011 02:38 AM
This is yet another Maybach tuned by OE Tuning. Where are all these Maybach owners wanting more power for their 6000 pound super-expensive sedans coming from? Regardless, just take a look at the graph to see the HUGE low end torque gains. At around 3600 RPM the gain is just about 200 pound-feet of torque. You will definitely feel that and you will definitely want that in this heavy German tank. The power drops off up top and peak horsepower gains are only 53.8 wheel, but all one needs to do is take a look at the curve and see the impressive change on 91 octane pump.
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