Mercedes-Benz Debuts SLS AMG Desert Gold at Dubai Show

As the age old saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Not to stereotype, but you have to admit that the United Arab Emirates have had their fare share of gold-finished exotic supercars and as such, Mercedes-Benz decided to show off a special SLS AMG Gullwing with the designation "AMG Desert Gold" with a matt gold color at the bi-annual Dubai Motor Show that runs from December 15 to 20.

In addition to matt gold paintwork, all the decorative and mounted features like the Mercedes star at the front and the fins on the bonnet and flanks that are in shining chrome or Silver Shadow in the standard SLS AMG have been given a deep-black paint finish on the show car.

The same goes for the black-painted AMG light-alloy wheels in size 9.5 x 19 at the front and 11.0 x 20 at the rear that are embellished with a golden ring on the rim flange.

Mercedes chose to leave the interior of the 571HP gullwing-supercar intact, opting for black leather and carbon fiber trim.

The Stuttgart automaker noted that while the AMG Desert Gold treatment has been used only for the display vehicle at the Dubai show, if there's enough interest generated, the special gold paint finish could become available as an individual optional extra from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO.

And if not, we're pretty sure that those SLS AMG owners that find the gold finish alluring will find a way to do it anyway...

North American Debut for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG at 2009 LA Auto Show

Just to be clear, there's nothing new - or at least nothing we haven't seen before at other shows- for Mercedes-Benz at the forthcoming 2009 LA Auto Show in December. The major attraction at the firm's booth will be the 563-horsepower SLS AMG 'gullwing' supercar that will make its North American debut in Los Angeles along with the diesel-powered E350 BlueTEC and the fuel-cell-powered F-Cell.

The SLS AMG, which is the first-ever car designed and developed from the ground up by Mercedes' AMG division, is due to go on sale Spring of 2010 with a Roadster version following towards the end of 2011.

The new E350 BlueTEC that will be available in all 50 states in Spring 2010 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel producing an output of 210 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Mercedes, it returns approximately 30 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine.

As for the F-Cell, it runs on compressed hydrogen and has a range of around 240 miles. Next year, 200 production F-Cell cars will be delivered to customers in both the the U.S. and Europe as part of a special lease program.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Available for Order in Germany, Priced from €177,319 [with New Photo Gallery]

Starting from Monday, 16 November 2009, Mercedes-Benz outlets as well as the brand's sales partners in Germany will begin taking orders for the new SLS AMG. The sales price for the 571HP supercar with the characteristic gullwing doors in its home market is €177,310 (including 19 per cent VAT), which comes to about US $264,000 at today's exchange rates.

"Following a high-profile world premiere at the IAA, we are very excited about the SLS AMG's commercial release on Monday. There is huge interest in our new super sports car and we are convinced that the SLS AMG will captivate our customers," said Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of the Management Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

SLS AMG buyers may also choose from a variety of options including special paint finishes, carbon fiber trims and ceramic brakes. You can check out some of the main options in the list below.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Optional Equipment

• AMG ceramic composite high-performance braking system: €9500 net / €11,305 gross
  

• AMG performance suspension with a stiffer setup for optimum lateral dynamics: €1200 net / €1428 gross
  

• AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design, size 9.5 x 19 inches (front) and 11.0 x 20 inches (rear), tyre sizes 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear): €950 net / €1130.50 gross
  

• AMG forged wheels in a 10-spoke design, size 9.5 x 19 inches (front) and 11.0 x 20 inches (rear), with tyre size 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear): €2000 net / €2380 gross
  

• AMG performance steering wheel in leather/Alcantara: €400 net / €476 gross
  

• AMG sports bucket seats: €3300 net / €3927 gross
  

• AMG carbon-fibre engine compartment cover: €4000 net / €4760 gross
  

• "AMG alubeam silver" paint finish: €10,000 net / €11,900 gross
  

• "AMG monza grey magno" paint finish: €3250 net / €3867.50 gross
  

• AMG carbon-fibre trim (front stowage tray and rear stowage compartment including lid, AMG DRIVE UNIT surround, surrounds for the centre console, shiftgate and rear, trim strips for centre console and door armrests): €3500 net / €4165 gross
  

• AMG interior carbon package (carbon-fibre trim, trim on seat backrests and sides, door sill panels): €3500 net / €4165 gross
  

• leather nappa exclusive single-/two-tone: €2500 net / €2975 gross
  

• Memory package with electric seat and steering column adjustment, as well as four-way lumbar support: €1225 net / €1457.75 gross
  

• 6-disc DVD changer: €660 net / €785.40 gross
  

• Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround sound system: €5900 net / €7021 gross
  

Mercedes-Benz Releases New 487HP Performance Kit with a Shot of SLS for the C63 AMG

Apparently even the already beefed-up Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is a prime candidate for a little factory tuning. The new Performance Package Plus is an optional extra that is available for order on both the sedan and estate versions of the C63 AMG. It includes an engine kit that boost's the 6.3-liter V8's output to 487 horsepower, a high - performance braking system with compound brake discs and cosmetic accessories.

The power increase from 457HP to 487HP has been achieved through a series of upgrades that include a reprogrammed ECU and the adoption of forged pistons from the new SLS AMG supercar together with new connecting rods and a lightweight crankshaft that translate into a weight saving of three kilograms or 6.6 lbs.

the adopted from the new SLS AMG super sports car together with new connecting rods and a lightweight crankshaft translate into a weight saving of three kilograms. Reduced inertia boosts the agility and responsiveness of the uprated V8 engine, which is recognisable from the variable intake manifold painted in titanium grey.

With the Performance Package Plus, Mercedes claims that the 487HP C63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.4 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h (124mph) in 13.9 seconds, or 0.1 sec and 1.3 sec faster than the standard 457HP model respectively.

The package also includes a new AMG high-performance braking system with compound brake discs on the front axle and red painted brake callipers all round showing the AMG logo, along with carbon fibre spoiler lip on the boot lid (sedan only) and a new performance steering wheel in nappa leather with a grip area trimmed in Alcantara.

The new AMG Performance Package Plus is available for order now with prices set in Germany at €,7080.50 and €6,426 for the sedan and estate models respectively.