Modern-Day Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Panamericana Concept

While in Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz is adding the final touches on the legit heir of the iconic 300SL Gullwing in the form of the all-new SLS AMG Gullwing, Arturo Alonso and his team that gained famed with the Bentley S3 Project - a car which we've only seen in computer generated images, has announced the creation of a modern-day 300SL that will blend the classic shape with contemporary technology and materials.

Once again, we only see renderings of the car but the company that will distribute the vehicle, "Gullwing America" has released initial details on the project that will be based on a reproduction model from Hoope'r, Gullwing-AG in Germany.

According to the release, the 300SL's body is made out of aluminum-reinforced fibreglass while the chassis is constructed from powder coated RHS steel. The vehicle will come with an independent suspension with adjustable coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, "old-school" 17-inch AMG alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 R17 Continental Sport Contact tires and most importantly, a 5.5 liter Mercedes-Benz V8 engine hooked up to a six speed transmission.

In the 300SL Panamericana, the V8 will produce around 370HP and 530Nm of torque. The company said that in 2010, it will also offer buyers the option of a Merc's new V6 engine that delivers 320HP and 360Nm torque and can be ordered with a six-speed manual transmission.

No word on prices, but the firm said that the basic models will be painted in silver with blue accents in the front fenders with the option of a white finish with red stripes and a blacked out version. Inside, the cabin will be dressed in a red leather and plaid cloth while the instrument panel will be identical to the original 300Sl.

If the project captured your attention, you can contact Arturo Alonso at info(at)gullwing-america.com.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Mercedes SL63 AMG and C63 AMG Estate official 2009 F1 Safety and Medical Cars

Once again, Mercedes-Benz is the automaker of choice for the 2009 Formula One World Champion series. The specially-modified SL63 AMG safety and the C63 AMG Estate medical vehicles will make their debut at the first race of the 2009 F1 season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne that runs from 27 to 29 March 2009.

As in 2008, the role of the Official F1 Safety Car is being fulfilled during this year's new season by the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. While retaining the same 525HP 6.3-liter V8 engine as the road-going model that provides acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.4 seconds, AMG has equipped the car with a newly developed sport exhaust system with larger pipe diameter and special rear silencers.

Other mechanical upgrades on the SL63 AMG Safety car include the tweaked seven-speed automatic transmission, the large-size, additional coolers for engine oil, transmission oil, coolant and power steering, the specially developed coil-over suspension and the heavy duty composite brake discs.

Furthermore, thanks to the extended use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic on the engine bonnet, front and rear aprons, front wings and luggage compartment lid, the SL63 AMG Safety car is 220kg or 485lbs lighter than the series-production model.

Apart from its special roof attachments, F1 logos and the special LED illuminated number plate, the SL 63 AMG Safety Car is distinguished from the standard model by a front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the modified diffuser insert in the rear apron and the interior which features two bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts, trim parts in real carbon fibre, black leather appointments plus two monitors on the center console that enable crew of the Safety Car to supervise the action on the racetrack.

The C63 AMG Estate medical car that follows the Formula 1 field on the first lap, is powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine delivering 457HP and 600Nm of torque. Like the SL63 AMG Safety car, the C63 AMG Estate has received a bevy of upgrades including optimized brake and suspension components. The cooling of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil and power steering have also been upgraded to improve reliability in harsher climate conditions.

The Official F1 Medical Car differs on the outside from the standard-production C63 AMG Estate with its new front apron with larger cooling-air openings, the F1 logos, roof bar and strobe-like LED flashlights at front and rear. Inside, the C63 AMG Estate features a set of bucket seats with 4-point seatbelts and two monitors in the centre console tha the crew to supervise the action on the racetrack.

Video: F1 Champ Damon Hill makes Journalist Carsick during Mercedes SL55 AMG Test Drive

Honestly, this has to be one of the funniest, automotive related videos we've seen for quite a while now. In a nutshell, former F1 champion, Damon Hill, took a motoring journalist for a quick spin in a Mercedes SL55 AMG with upsetting results for the reporter's 'tummy'. Don't get us wrong, we feel for the poor journalist and in all fairness, we too might have required a "barfy" pitstop after sitting in the passenger seat with Damon behind the steering wheel, but still, we can't stop laughing! And oh, thumbs up for Hill's closing comment... Video after the jump.