The Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is the crown glory of the soon-to-be discontinued, SLR McLaren super sports car. Named after the British motor racing legend and Mille Miglia record-holder Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary SLR racing cars during the 1950s, the speedster version of the SLR comes with neither a roof nor a windscreen. Not that anyone will leave the car exposed to the elements of nature, but the vehicle can be closed by two tonneau covers which are carried in the boot.

Power is provided by the same supercharged V8 engine as the standard SLR with an output of 650HP. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), the SLR Stirling Moss is the fastest series-production car drop-top in the world.

Read more »

Does the Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG with its 612HP twin-turbocharged V12 engine seem a bit slow and not quite as exclusive as you’d like it to be? Need a set of wheels that will really make you stand out of the AMG crowd? Don’t fear because Carlsson is here. Set to make its world premiere at Zurich Auto Show in Switzerland on November 13, Carlsson’s Mercedes-Benz CL-based Aigner CK65 RS “Eau Rouge” Dark Edition has been developed in association with the leather lifestyle brand Etienne Aigner.

Production of the luxury coupe that features a V12 Bi-Turbo tweaked to deliver 705 HP or 756 HP with a few additional upgrades will be limited to only 10 cars. In case you’re wondering why, let’s just say because prices for the Carlsson Aigner CK65 “Eau Rouge” Dark Edition 705HP start from €319,000 (around $400,000) and for the 756HP version with the second power stage from €374,000 (approx $470,000).

Read more »

While Porsche reportedly mulls the idea of a four-cylinder Boxster and Audi offers a TDI version of its iconic TT, Mercedes-Benz is now reportedly preparing to offer a diesel engine in its next-generation SLK.

The unit in question will be the same 2.2-liter “BlueEfficiency” 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel currently offered in the C250 sedan, where it returns a claimed 54.3 mpg while spewing out just 138g/km of carbon dioxide. Although to previous generations the idea of a diesel convertible remains an anathema, the advance of particulate filter and common rail injnection technologies now common among the most advanced diesel engines make them a viable, earth-friendly option for open-air motoring. Unfortunately, no mention was made whether or not the diesel SLK will be offered in the U.S., which is a tough question for all automakers to answer when it comes to diesels thanks to stricter diesel emissions standards in California and other states compared to the rest of the country.

With the C-Class top-of-the line model C 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz has given an impressive statement in the medium class. Where else can you get an enormous larger than 6 litre V8 engine in a relatively small car? But as the power output is comparably low, the high-tech manufacturer Carlsson activates the hidden potential. With up to 565 hp, the Carlsson CK63 leaves its competitors behind its (stainless steel) end pipes. And equipped with new wheels and even more sporty aerodynamics, the top-of-the line C-Class model refined by Carlsson also shows clear features of a top athlete.

Read more »

If Drake, the ur-vampire from Blade Trinity, were a car, this is the car he would be. Starting with a CL600, tuning firm Kicherer didn’t waste time throwing pieces at the car’s already aggressive styling. Instead, Kicherer attacked the CL’s jugular: sloppy performance due to the car’s portliness.

The biturbo V12 gets 53 extra horses to corral 570 in total, torque gets smacked up to 664 lb-ft., the engine gets a new transmission control module to better deal with the extra juice, and out back, the rear axle gets a locking rear differential. The car is lowered an inch, and firmer springs help keep things settled when it’s go time. Will all this turn the car into a cheetah? Probably not, but with the carbon goodies added throughout and the 20-inch Kircherer RS-1 wheels, it will look mighty good doing whatever it does. You can see for yourself in the gallery below.

Read more »