MEC Design Shows Off S-Class Bodykit

The wicked chaps from MEC Design got their hands on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and created an amazing bodykit that adds style and makes it look much more aggressive. A 2face system allows you to choose between a front bumper with driving lights and fog lights or with just mesh, features a sporty (or elegant) diffuser, side skirts for flowing lines, LED lighting and a sport exhaust system made from mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing. With a charming interior that features some ergonomically designed handles and some precious wood inlays and leather, we’re definitely sold on this new S-Class bodykit. [Thanks Daren for sending this in]

We’ve always been impressed with what tuners from Carlsson come up with, but the latest W212 E-Class Tuning Program definitely proves as a disappointment for us. Maybe it’s the 20-inch wheels or the side lines that got our negative vote, but bottom line we’re not going to buy it (as if we’d afford it - haha).

Expected to be showed off at the 2009 Bodensee Tuning World Auto Show in Germany, the “upgraded” W212 is going to feature a vertically-running LED daytime lights, a stainless steel mesh grille, a redesigned front apron, while the rear got an integrated diffuser, a spoiler and some interesting steel tailpipes. However, there is something we like about it. The interior. It features a set of brushed aluminum pedals, Alcantara leather, a white illuminated Carlsson logo and aluminum door locking pins that charm you at a first glance.

FAB Design Mercedes-Benz SLR

With the SLR "Desire", FAB Design has once more demonstrated its competence in the field of high-end luxury car customization.

From the FAB Design high-performance engine which generates an unbelievable performance of 750hp and a maximum torque of 1,080Nm to the perfectly designed FAB Design interior - nearly any relevant part of the Mercedes super sports car has been customized and brought to perfection with the highest level of technical expertise by the FAB Design specialists.

Exterior

The FAB Design body which has been redesigned by the Swiss specialist for this very exquisite masterpiece is made of ultra sturdy but extremely light and precious carbon which is produced in an autoclave - as is the case in aerospace industry and in Formula 1 - and in accordance with highest quality standards. At several exposed spots, the material is even visible since it has been clear-varnished in order to set spectacular accents.

Apart from the front and rear fenders, it also comprises new and exclusive FAB Design side skirts with special recesses for the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system whose pipes come out on the vehicle’s sides as is the case with the standard SLR.

The completely redesigned motor sports front apron as well as the reshaped bonnet which is adapted to the style of the new front side and to the wider fenders are further exclusive FAB Design highlights.

Even though, compared to the standard SLR, the vehicle has gained considerably in width, once again, the FAB Design specialists have succeeded in creating an absolutely harmonious silhouette.

This is the reason why the FAB Design specialists had the idea of creating something very special for the vehicle’s rear end.

The rear panel, completely redesigned by FAB Design, frames a huge diffuser which reduces the lift force. At the same time, the optionally available FAB Design rear wing spoiler increases the down force at the rear axle without affecting the functionality of the brake assist inside the rear lid.

The result is a considerable improvement of driving dynamics and, thus, also of the driving safety at high and peak speeds which the FAB-Design "Desire" will reach in the twinkling of an eye thanks to its enormous engine performance.

The FAB Design specialists have achieved a further significant improvement of driving characteristics by installing their special sports suspension and by equipping the vehicle with huge forged FAB Design 20" wheels which are provided with special high-performance 265/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 tires by technology partner Michelin.

Interior

In the fist place, the interior equipment impresses with the way it harmonizes with the vehicle’s color. The interior is completely composed of black FAB DESIGN leather. The specially developed red FAB Design croco-style leather sets additional stylish accents. The FAB Design interior emphasizes the appearance of the "Desire" with race character and elegance.

Performance

In order to make sure that the FAB Design "Desire" will not be taken for a toothless tiger, the FAB Design specialists have focused all their expertise and experience on the super sports car’s power train.

Thanks to extensive modifications of the engine periphery and of the hard and software, the FAB Design high-performance power train now generates 750hp instead of the standard SLR’s 626hp. The maximum torque has been increased from 780Nm to 1,080Nm.

The result of all those efforts: The FAB Design "Desire" reaches a regulated top speed of 310 km/h and passes the 100 km/h mark in 3.6 seconds. This breathtaking demonstration of engine force is, of course, rounded off by the infernal sound of the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system’s total number of six tailpipes.

With the SLR "Desire", FAB Design has made another impressive statement of its special class in the field of high-end luxury car customization.

Unfortunately, FAB Design has limited the number of vehicles strictly to 15, and, although it was shown in Geneva only, the whole production is already sold out.

AMG Sports package for the 2009 S-Class and the CL-Class

Now that Mercedes has unveiled the updated 2010 S-Class sedan, it may need a new promotion to close out the 2009 models. So now Mercedes is offering a AMG Sports appearance package for this year’s remaining flagships.

Just like our S550 tester, the package has the 19 inch AMG light-alloy wheels and a little extra flair in the bodywork. The AMG package also includes a new front apron, rear apron, rectangular tailpipe trim in polished stainless steel, , perforated brake discs and silver-painted brake callipers featuring Mercedes-Benz lettering.

Since the pricing has only been given so far in Euros (between €5,831 and €7973 — about $7750 to $10500), there has not been confirmation of the AMG package in the U.S. yet. But interested European customers can start looking like a full-size AMG Mercedes in June.

Facelifted Mercedes Benz S-Class brochure leaks

The current generation Mercedes Benz S-Class and its associated AMG performance models have been on the market since the middle of the decade and are due to receive a minor update later this year to keep them fresh for their rivalry with the recently revealed BMW 7-series and next-generation Audi A8 arriving in 2010. Recent prototypes seen testing in Germany and the U.S. reveal that the only major exterior updates for the car are a set of new bumpers, new side mirrors, and revised headlights.

Scans of a brochure for the new car have surfaced on the Internet, revealing every detail and technological update, albeit in German. New LED headlights, shown clearly in the scans, will be among the updates. The thin strip of LEDs serves to give the front end of the car a more modern look without spoiling the car's reserved lines with a garish grille or extra-large intakes.

Some of the other new features were previewed recently at an event in Leipzig, including driver assistance systems, advanced radar and camera based sensing technology, intelligent situational awareness software, and electronic crumple zones.

As for the new car’s powertrain lineup, most engine options will likely remain the same, but there will be a few new models, including the S400 Bluehybrid.

Image Gallery: 2010 Mercedes Benz S-Class facelift

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A FAB Design SLR supercar named Desire

Specialist Mercedes Benz tuner FAB Design has already taken on the controversial Maybach 57S limousine this year, but now the company has revealed its most astonishing work to date - this time on the Mercedes McLaren SLR supercar.

The most striking aspect of the FAB Design SLR 'Desire' at first would have to be its wild Batmobile-esque appearance at the front, as well as the extensive aerodynamic modifications at the rear and side. The redesigned body has been manufactured out of carbon-fiber, and certain parts of it remain unpainted to give onlookers a taste of what lies beneath the usual paint.

Apart from the front and rear fenders, it also comprises new side skirts with special recesses for the custom high-performance sports exhaust system whose six - yes, six - exhaust pipes come out on the vehicle's sides as is the case with the standard SLR. The completely redesigned front apron as well as the reshaped bonnet, which is adapted to the style of the new front and to the wider fenders, also helps complete the look.

At the rear, a completely redesigned rear panel houses a huge diffuser that helps improve underbody downforce in conjunction with a giant rear wing spoiler. According to FAB Design, this results in significantly improved driving dynamics, and when coupled with other upgrades such as an improved suspension system and sports tires the SLR Desire should prove to be more agile than its standard counterpart.

Finally, the 'piece de resistance' of the entire vehicle would have to lay under the hood. Thanks to extensive modifications of the engine, the FAB Design powertrain now generates 750hp instead of the standard SLR's 626hp. The maximum torque has been increased from 780Nm to 1,080Nm. The result is that the new SLR "Desire" reaches a regulated top speed of 19 2mph (310 km/h) and passes the 62mph (100km/h) mark in just 3.6 seconds.

The production run for the car has been limited to 15 units, and despite only being shown at last month's Geneva Motor Show the entire run has already been sold out.

Image Gallery: FAB Design Mercedes-McLaren SLR 'Desire'

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Mercedes Benz releases AMG sports pack for new S-Class and CL Coupe

Having already unveiled its facelifted S-Class Sedan at last week’s New York Auto Show, Mercedes Benz released today new images of the svelte saloon wrapped in the carmaker’s latest AMG styling package. The package includes a number features not available individually and provides a stepping stone for customers between the standard models and the full-blown S63 and S65 AMG models.

Joining the S-Class AMG kit is a similar package for the CL Coupe, both of which marks the first time that there is an AMG sports pack for these respective models. The packs are available for all S-Class models with a short or long wheelbase, as well as for the CL550 and CL550 4MATIC.

They consist of an AMG front apron with large cooling air intakes, new side skirts and a custom rear bumper. The exhaust tailpipes are also unique, feature a twin, rectangular design and finished in polished stainless steel.

Image Gallery: AMG sports pack for the Mercedes Benz S-Class and CL Coupe

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Other details include the completely newly designed 19in AMG light-alloy wheels (optional 20in units are available), which are painted in sterling silver with a high-sheen finish and are shod with 255mm tires. Wider 275mm tires are available for the rear wheels. Perforated brake discs and silver-painted calipers bearing the Mercedes Benz logo are also fitted, as well as a suspension lowering kit that drops the car 15mm.

Inside, the AMG package includes new trim, as well as a wood and leather lined steering wheel in black ash. The AMG Sports package also includes velour floor mats with AMG lettering and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs.

Mercedes Benz previews SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ with new sketches & interior shots

The successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing (and replacement for the SLR) has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany’s Nurburgring test circuit for several months now, but what only a select few knew is that the car is being developed completely in-house by Mercedes’ official tuner, AMG. Thus, the brand new model will be called the SLS AMG when it hits showrooms in the first half of next year.

In the lead up to its final unveiling, planned for later this year, Mercedes has released a ton of info on the car, including several images of actual prototypes and technical drawings. As the successor to the legendary SL Gullwing from the 1950s, the new SLS AMG will also feature gullwing doors but picks up a new aluminum spaceframe to provide an almost perfect front-to-rear weight distribution of 48-to-52%.

Powering the SLS will be a revised version of AMG’s now-familiar 6.2L V8 mated to an all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted on the rear axle. Peak output will stand at 571hp (420kW) and 479lb-ft (650Nm) of torque. Changes to the engine include a new magnesium intake with eight separate velocity stacks, two electronically controlled throttle plates, a high-flow exhaust and a new dry-sump lubrication system.

The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. The SLS’s final kerb weight will be around 1,620kg, and with the V8 engine it should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 315km/h.

As for the new dual-clutch gearbox, the unit was developed by AMG and boasts fast gear changes with no loss of tractive force. The driver has a choice of four different driving modes, ranging from comfortable to extremely sporty, as well as a ‘RACESTART’ function. The suspension set-up is equally advanced, with double wishbones and hub carriers made of lightweight forged aluminum. Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic discs, and these are mounted within 19in light-alloy wheels.

The car’s dimensions have also been revealed, measuring in at 4.65m in length, 1.95m across and just 1.25m in height. The wheelbase stretches just 2.7m. Previous renderings give us a clue as to what the new car could look like, showing a vented bonnet and a new headlight design not seen on any previous Mercedes models.

Furthermore, new shots of the interior show a familiar Mercedes steering wheel and a unique dash fitted with silver accented controls similar to that used in the current SLR supercar. Another interesting feature is the retro styled air-vents, which look similar to the units used by Mercedes Benz during the 1970s. The COMAND system knob located on the center console is also identical to the units used by other Mercedes models.

Premium materials abound on every surface, with materials such as nappa leather, solid metal and (optional) carbon-fiber facings emphasizing the ‘custom-built’ nature of the car. Seating will be strictly limited to two.

The price of the SLS is expected to be roughly $300,000 with production numbers likely to fall between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year. This should see it compete nicely with cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430.

Image Gallery: 2011 Mercedes Benz SLS official spy photos

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