DRIFTING A MAYBACH

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--- Awesome good fun from iMotor! CLICK HERE for the original article, pics, AND video.

Enjoy!

RENNTECH SL600

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New photo of RENNTECH's modified SL600. As shown, the car features RENNTECH monolite wheels, digital lowering module, decklid spoiler, chin spoiler, upgraded turbochargers and RENNTECH ECU/TCU software to deliver over 650 hp!

SLC CAUGHT STATESIDE

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--- from Automotive Traveller, CLICK HERE for original article and hi-res photo gallery.

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While this test mule is under some unique, hard-sided camouflage, it is obvious what we were looking at: the successor to the current Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. But this one will be an in-house affair with AMG being the main development partner. Even with the camouflage, this looks like it's going 200 MPH standing still!

NEW C63 PIC

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New photo of RENNTECH's modified C63 AMG sports sedan. As shown, the car features RENNTECH's latest ECU software upgrade for the C63, which (along with RENNTECH headers and sound|performance pipes) delivers almost 540hp!

ALSO INSTALLED
- adjustable camber bushings (front and rear)
- fully adjustable sport suspension
- RENNTECH brakes

2008 MERCEDES CLASSIC DAYS

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--- from AutoMotoPortal, CLICK HERE for original article.

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This September, over 200 classic Mercedes will be showcased in Weybridge, Surrey. The sensational line-up of cars will participate in both concours and track events, with judges voting on the best of the best.

The cars at Mercedes-Benz Classic Days have been selected by the heads of various MB clubs worldwide to reflect the finest examples of Mercedes cars from the last hundred years.

SPECIAL EDITION S550 FROM MBUSA

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--- from eMercedesBenz, CLICK HERE for the original article.

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For the 6th consecutive year, Mercedes-Benz will team up with the EIF Women's Cancer Research Fund and Saks Fifth Avenue for the Key to the Cure initiative. As part of their support, Mercedes announced plans to introduce a special edition S550 in Diamond White metallic, featuring a Sahara beige and black interior. Proceeds from the limited edition model are expected to raise more than 1 million dollars for women's cancer research.

C63 PERFORMANCE PRODUCT GUIDE

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We'll be announcing our new product line for the w204 C63 AMG very soon, but the list above offers a bit of a "sneak peek" for the blog readers. Enjoy!

SL63 VIDEO FROM FIFTH GEAR

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--- from Fifth Gear, CLICK HERE for the original site.

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Just what the title says: a great video piece from Fifth Gear about the new SL63 AMG roadster. Special thanks to JackGT3 at TeamSpeed for the tip.

NEW RACING EXHAUST FOR DINAN M5

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California-based BMW tuner Dinan has recently announced a new trackday performance exhaust for the E60 M5.

RENNTECH and Dinan have always had a good working relationship, and we're pretty excited about this latest offering, which reportedly gives the big M car a real F1 sound quality.

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Little known fact: RENNTECH's Lake Park, FL R&D facility has been an official Dinan performance center since 2006 (Dinan's California-based factory service center is also an authorized RENNTECH installation facility). CLICK HERE to visit Dinan's website.

Original release below.

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RACING MIDDLE EXHAUST SYSTEMS FOR THE E60 M5
With and Without Resonators
Racing Product

The anxiously awaited Dinan racing middle exhaust systems will soon be available in several configurations, depending upon just how loud you would like your M5 exhaust note to be. The nearly 8 foot long section is fitted with header flanges for a clean installation, featuring large 2.75" 304 stainless tubing. Two versions are currently available with one featuring 4" resonators for an aggressive exhaust note that will surely turn some heads. The “straight pipe” version does not include resonators, producing an incredible exhaust note, albeit quite loud. If the straight pipe version is installed and proves to be a bit too much, the 4" resonators can be purchased and installed subsequently.
It should be noted that this is a racing product and therefore is not legal for sale or use on any pollution controlled motor vehicles. Legal only for racing vehicles which may never be used upon a highway. Dinan racing products are warranted for 2 years, covering materials and workmanship only. Dinan’s standard matching new car warranty coverage does not apply to racing components.

HIGH FLOW MIDDLE EXHAUST WITH 4" RESONATORS
Part Number: D660-0019
Suggested Retail: $2799
Installation: 3.0 hours

Limited supply available beginning 9/2/08.

2009 GUMBALL ROUTE ANNOUNCED

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Following in the footsteps of 2008's "Gumball around the world", the Gumball organizers have recently announced 2009's Gumball route - a classic “coast to coast” Cannonball-style drive that kicks off in LA and ends up in the party capital of the world: Miami!

Original photo form CarZi.com.

SLC SPY PHOTO GALLERY

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From LeftLaneNews, CLICK HERE for original article and (comprehensive) photo gallery.

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Left Lane News has put together a pretty comprehensive photo gallery of all the SLC spy pics Brenda Priddy and Co. have caught over the past 11 months. There are quite a few excellent shots I hadn't seen before, including the video link (above).

Enjoy!

NEW SLC SPY SHOTS

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From WorldCarFans, CLICK HERE for original article.

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About a year after the first sightings of the C197 (a hastily-built machine that looked for all the world like a Dodge Viper mule) the spy guys at WCF have spotted what looks to be a real, dedicated C197 chassis. The upcoming car has been referred to as the new Gullwing, but expected to carry and "SLC" label.

Expect to see "AMG" or "HWA" on the car as well, with a "RENNTECH" version following shortly thereafter.

2010 S CLASS FACELIFT

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--- from WorldCarFans, CLICK HERE for original article.

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The Mercedes S Class has only been on the market for a short while but with rivals such as the BMW 7-series and Audi A8, the German manufacturer cannot afford to be complacent. Ahead of its launch, WCF's spies caught a prototype almost totally free of disguise.

SL65 BLACK SERIES AT N-RING

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--- from CarZi, CLICK HERE for original article.

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CarZi posted these great pics of what appears to be an SL65 mule lapping the 'ring. No word on times - but (with 661 hp and 738 ft-lb of torque) they should be fairly strong!

2010 E63 AMG CAUGHT TESTING

Edmunds.com recently posted video of what appears to be an E63 mule outside of the Nurburgring. The narrator speculates a bit as to what engine is underhood during the video, but comments on the Edmunds site about a supercharged version of the 6.3 AMG engine are probably unwarranted.

SL65 BLACK SERIES GALLERY

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Jalopnik has just posted a new gallery of hi-res SL65 Black Series images on its site, with links to the car's first (?) public US showing at Pebble Beach. CLICK HERE for the original post.

2010 E CLASS REVEALED

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--- from Benz Insider, CLICK HERE for original article.

After years of rumors and numerous spy photos and videos, the next-gen E-Class has finally been revealed.

AUDI R8 BLACKBIRD

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--- from Autoblog, CLICK HERE for original article.

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Codenamed Blackbird, this Audi R8 coupe is stuffed with enough gadgets to be a testbed for NASA's shuttle replacement, but don't for a second think the interior resembles a jungle of wires, screens and antennae: all the electronic gear is seamlessly integrated in a most impressive way. A sample of the wares in the blacked out supercar with the gunmetal gray blade include four GPS units, two radar detectors, police scanner, CB radio, kill switch for all rear lights, high-speed broadband Internet with Wi-Fi running on a tablet PC, power ports, takedown lights, a remote-controlled exhaust bypass valve, and -- get this -- a liquid-cooled infrasonic wave pulse generator.

The best part? I'm pretty sure Rob and Ray at Technicar (link at right) can get most of this stuff into a Benz ...

SLR 722 CABRIO CAUGHT AT AMG

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--- from World Car Fans, CLICK HERE for original article and photo gallery.

In these spy photos, which appear to be taken outside of an AMG facility, judging by all of the Mercedes-AMG models littering the street, we can see an SLR Roadster carrying all of the visual cues distinctive of the SLR 722 Edition. They include palladium grey 19-inch forged-aluminium wheels, clear coat painted carbon fiber front lip spoiler, red brake calipers and the large brake discs. Also the black-painted air outlets on the bonnet, not to mention the palladium grey-trimmed taillight clusters.

RENNTECH WHEELS FOR SL | CLS

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Based on RENNTECH's popular "Monolite" 10-spoke design, the new Signature wheels are available in chrome, anodized "Sniper Gray", and a unique brushed satin finish. "The satin finish is really something," offers Hartmut Feyhl, president of RENNTECH and ex technical director at AMG North America. "This is not the same brushed look you see on mass-produced products. It is actually a ceramic clearcoat that brings out alot of depth in the metal - you can only do a finish like this on a true forged wheel. The effect is very dynamic in different light, and a little hard to capture on camera."

RENNTECH uses the term "true forged" to help separate their wheels from other maker's "forged" offerings. "In many cases," explains Feyhl "these wheel-makers use a forged 'blank' or 'center', then use a CNC machine to cut out a pattern. Cutting the blank eliminates many of the strength benefits of forging. Our wheel is a true forged wheel, and comes out of the forge already with RENNTECH's signature 10-spoke design."

At around 28 lbs., RENNTECH's Signature wheels reduce unsprung weight compared to OE wheels, improving the car's handling and contributing positively to ride quality as well - keeping true to RENNTECH's motto of "performance without compromise". RENNTECH is also quick to point out that reduced weight and superior dynamic qualities are not the only benefits of his new wheels - they are significantly stronger than than stock wheels, which is especially important for drivers who participate in trackday events.

Production of RENNTECH's Signature wheel is very limited, so customers can be certain that, even in markets like Miami Beach or Beverly Hills, their wheels will stand out as something special.

Available in 20" sizes for SL and CLS. Also available in 20", 21", and 22" sizes for S, CL, and ML/GL class Mercedes /AMG cars.

2010 CLK SPY SHOTS

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--- from Automotive Traveler. CLICK HERE to view the original article and photos.

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AutomotiveTraveler is making its weekly rounds in California desert, hunting down vehicles as they undergo extreme hot weather testing in one of the world's most punishing environments. This time we caught a caravan of Mercedes engineers on their lunchbreak, and of all the fine dining establishments available in the region, our friends from Stuttgart chose to dine at Mickey D's. Next time, try Tokyo House Japanese Restaurant down the street; from our our past visits to the California high desert we can tell you that the lunch specials are the best in town.

Today we were rewarded with not just a Big Mac, but with these glimpses of a heavily disguised Mercedes-Benz. At first glance we thought might have been a CLS-style 4-door coupe version of the current C-Class, but it is in reality, the next CLK. Judging by the effort that they've taken to cover the C-pillar and rear-wheel arch, it appears they're doing their best to make it look like they are disguising a rear door and applying a CLS-style four-door sport sedan treatment to the smaller C-Class platform. But that just fooled us at first. We tip our hat to the team in Germany that fabricated the rear camo package.

MB GULLWING SPY PHOTOS

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--- from eMercedesBenz, CLICK HERE for the original article and photo gallery.

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There have been rumors circulating for some time now that Mercedes-Benz is in the process of resurrecting the legendary Gullwing, but up until now, photographic evidence has revealed little about the model. Today, however, that's all about to change, as we have some incredible shots showcasing the model from a number of different angles. To my knowledge, it's the fist time the new Gullwing doors have been caught on camera.

Aside from the photos, facts about the Mercedes SLC remain scarce. Most speculate the model will be priced above the next SL range but well below the current SLR (somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000), with power expected to come from AMG's 6.3-Liter V8 boasting an enhanced output of around 600 horsepower.

At this point, however, it's still anyone's guess what the final specifications will be.