Mercedes-Benz SLS Gets Purple Finish in China

We are all for the painting of very fast cars in outrageous colours, because when it comes to cars like the Mercedes-Benz SLS, the car is really worthy of a 'special' paint finish, to really make it visible. Most SLS models we`ve seen are either black or dark grey, and while they do suit the car's somewhat understated and Germanic personalities, we say they are not enough.

The SLS deserves a much fresher paint finish. Something like this purple wrap job from Shanghai, China, which really makes the gullwing coupe pop. Sadly, there`s only one photo, and we would have loved to see it from multiple angles, as it is the first purple example we`ve seen, and we have a hunch the rest of the car will also go well with the new colour.

The wrap job itself looks to be of high quality, and even the outer cowling of the badge is wrapped - proof that somebody has taken the time to do the job properly. We hope to see more photos of this purple monster from China, but if we don`t at least we know that a purple SLS exists, and it is attracting the looks of pretty much everybody passing by (pedestrians, and other drivers alike).

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Mercedes GLK Coupe to Arrive in 2016

The Mercedes GLK has been met with increasing enthusiasm ever since it came to the market in 2009 and now after the facelift it’s time to look into the compact crossover’s future. It seems that Mercedes is planing to introduce a coupe version of the GLK with the second generation of the car.

The next GLK will be underpinned by a new rear-wheel drive Mercedes platform, the MRA. Entry-level models will be available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive as an option, while the superior ones will include this in the standard equipment.

The model is expected to trade the current boxy look for a more refined one, which would serve as a good starting point for a three-door version. The coupe, which should arrive in 2016, is expected to use the GLC designation. As for the engine range, this will start with 2.0 or 2.2-liter petrol and diesel units, but the company is also considering an AMG version, which would be powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8.

Via: Car Magazine

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Revisited: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG by MEC Design

Berlin-based Mercedes-Benz tuner MEC Design has revisited the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The fresh redesign of the cars aero kit consists of a new front bumper with LED insert and two-piece front spoiler lip finished in carbon fibre, its also available as a one-piece front spoiler lip. The rear bumper features an extreme diffuser in carbon finish but also available as GT3, Formula and Black Series style diffuser.

Other details include side skirts with optional four LEDs per side. It sports a rear spoiler in carbon finish and two-piece rear window spoiler in the vehicle color. The roof air scoop also comes colour matched to the vehicle while all body kit parts are optionally available in a carbon fiber finish.

The exhaust system features an MEC Design stainless steel sports rear muffler that roars a gigantic and muffled sound at higher rpm ranges than the standard AMG system. They also ensured that it can also be driven with the AMG Exhaust with simple adaptations to MEC Design quad-endpipes!

As for the suspension system, MEC Design hydraulic coilover suspension with LIFT-UP System was utilized allowing for height adjustment with a button. The system cuts 30mm at the front axle and while the rear axle sits up to 70mm lower. The car wears 20 inch MEC Design mecxtreme3 wheels with polished outer lips.

The interior sports MEC Design carbon/alcantara sports steering wheel with an aggressive and ergonomic shape. The shift-paddles and the lower triangle in the steering wheel are also finished in carbon fiber. Other visible interior details include the carbon finished center console, door panels, door frames, door sills and rear compartment between the seats. Seat cowl and seat cladding are available but not installed.

The MEC Design floor mats come in red leather trim and black double-contrast stitching and red MEC Design logo embroidery while the entire trunk was finished in Alcantara and red double-contrast stitching not to mention the red embroidered logo. The grill insert is painted in the vehicle’s color.

News Source: gtspirit

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Mercedes Not Interested in Audi A1 Supermini Rival

It used to be the case that luxury automobiles are long, wide saloons or coupes. But nowadays, the industry covers everything from the size of shoebox to that of an office building… with four-wheel drive of course.

Although there are a few contenders, the supermini market isn't packed with dedicated luxury vehicles. That's because most automakers chose to offer a wide range of options that will double the price you pay buy fill the little hatchback with leather.

Audi chose to turn the VW Polo platform into a more expensive model that could be considered a luxury product to some extent. We're talking about the A1, which has been in production (in Brussels) since 2010, while production of the new A1 Sportback began in 2012.

Now that the A-Class has moved into the C- or compact car segment, Mercedes doesn't have an interest in superminis. Company CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche told Auto Express magazine that Mercedes won't build a rival for the A1 any time soon. Instead, the new generation of smart cars will fill the gap in the market right under the A-Class.

Editor's note: Profit margins or not, we not so happy with this decision. Yes, Mercedes doesn't have sister brands, so development costs would be high. But we'd rather have a small Mercedes over any smart.

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Infiniti Range to Gain Four New Models

Infiniti is really looking to move the brand along, and into the future, and they want to change many aspects to get there. For starters, they have changed their naming policy, which now uses the Q designation - the first Q-branded car, the G37-replacing Q50, was recently revealed in Detroit, at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.

Now, the company CEO, Johan de Nysschen has announced that the brand will be gaining four new models over the next four years. In addition, new engines and transmissions will also be added to the range, some of which will come courtesy of parent brand Nissan's engine-sharing deal with Daimler - will give them access to some very good diesels, as well.

De Nysschen said: "Our vision is simple: to secure permanent membership in the exclusive premium automobile club, a club that is today dominated by German brands [ . . . ] I will not rest until Infiniti is universally entrenched as a global tier one automaker."

The four new models are said to be a crossover, two sedans and a performance-oriented vehicle which was only vaguely mentioned. Infiniti will also be building a premium compact hatchback, in the UK, which will look much like the 2011 Etherea concept. It will share its front-wheel drive platform and engines with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class - we don`t really know if this is the fourth or fifth model to be added to the range, as the information is just not specific enough to get a clear idea.

Via autonews.com

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Mercedes SLS AMG Tuning: MC700 by McChip

There's one thing you can never take away from any Mercedes, and that is its curb appeal. The SLS especially will gather a small crowd every time of of its doors swings open.

But German tuning specialists McChip-DKR have squeezed a bunch of poison dart frogs and mixed them with venom from black widows to make the SLS even better.

If fitted with a supercharger kit, a Capristo exhaust system and the best ECU remap, the 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine will produce 71hp (680PS) and 770Nm (568 lb-ft) torque.

However, there's an even better package, which brings the total to 96hp (706PS) and 793Nm (583 lb-ft) of torque.

McChip can also fit the car with either DDC or HLS 4-sports hydraulic suspension built by KW. With the last bit of spider venom at hand, they coated the SLS in two-tone red and black vinyl worth €6,000.

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Spy Video: 2014 Mercedes S-Class With Minimal Camo

This prototype of a brand new W222 Mercedes S-Class was spotted in Stuttgart, Germany, the home of Porsche. It shows only minimal disguise, a good opportunity to see what’s going on with Mercedes’ biggest and most expensive model.

The S-Cass was always a game-changer. It was the first car to get airbags, for instance, and while it won’t be able to reinvent the wheel, this new model will try to change the way we look at car safety. It is said that with all the onboard sensors that detect lane departure, vehicles in front and road condition, the S-Class might be able to drive itself.

Style-wise, the car is exactly what you’d expect from Mercedes, an evolution. The car clearly has fresh but conservative lines that won’t offend the older gentlemen buyers. However, it does offer stronger character lines going down the side of the car from headlight to rear wheel arch.

Expect a full reveal of the new S-Class to take place either in March at the Geneva Motor Show or a month after that in China.

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