As Germany’s two biggest automotive players, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been setting trends and pioneering new ideas for decades.
But what happens when these two vehicular juggernauts enter unexplored territory – will they come crashing to the ground with an almighty aluminium-alloy thud?
Mercedes is currently working on its new R-Class, a range of people movers or mini vans that will add power and prestige to what is at present a largely utilitarian genre, and BMW is also working on a luxury people mover.
The people mover or MPV market is currently dominated by Asian and American car makers, but Europe is now getting in on the act. (Read post…)
Automobile fascination paired with spectacular race car design – that is the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The racing version of the SLS AMG has been conceived as a customer sport vehicle for participation in race series based on FIA GT3 regulations. Meticulous lightweight construction and optimized chassis, brakes and aerodynamics deliver uncompromising dynamics. The extra special SLS AMG will make its race track debut in 2011.
As defined in the FIA GT3 regulations, the AMG 6.3 liter V8 engine is virtually identical to that of the series production vehicle. Thanks to its low weight, the acceleration figures for the GT3 – 3.7 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 60 mph – are considerably below the already excellent figures for the series production vehicle. Depending on gear ratio, the top speed is more than 186 mph. In contrast to the series production vehicle, the SLS AMG GT3 is equipped with a six-speed racing transmission with sequential shift. Thanks to its compact construction, the race-tested transmission offers considerable packaging benefits – ultimately, the GT3 version has less ground clearance than the series production vehicle. The driver shifts gear using two shift paddles on the steering wheel. The transmission is mounted directly on the rear axle and connected to the V8 engine via a torque tube, which has a very high degree of flexural and torsional stiffness. (Read post…)