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In a poll to determine the "Sports car of the year 2012", readers of the German motoring magazine "AUTO BILD Sportscars" put two models from Mercedes-AMG right at the top of the list: the Mercedes SL 63 AMG won the category of 'Production Cabriolets', while the Mercedes SLS AMG GT was the undisputed winner among the 'Production Super Sports Cars'. 173 candidates made it on to the short list in the vote for the "Sports cars of the year 2012". 72,475 readers of AUTO BILD Sportscars then cast their votes online for their personal favourites. And in two categories the result came out in favour of cars from the performance brand Mercedes-AMG. In the 'Production Cabriolets' segment it was the Mercedes SL 63 AMG that was waved through in first place by the chequered flag. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT then tore across the finishing line ahead of the rest of the pack in the category of 'Production Super Sports Cars'.
The SL 63 AMG Roadster offers an impressive blend of systematic lightweight construction, outstanding performance and exemplary efficiency. Its all-aluminium bodyshell is complemented by a V8 powerpack with an output of between 395 kW (537 hp) and 415 kW (564 hp). It is a combination that provides the perfect prerequisites for unrivalled dynamism and an effortlessly superior driving experience. Also contributing to the car's outstanding performance are its AMG sports suspension on the basis of Active Body Control (ABC), a new AMG speed-sensitive sports steering system, AMG high-performance composite brakes and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. What is more, the high-performance Roadster manages to combine elegant design and a comprehensive package of standard equipment with a high level of safety.
The SLS AMG GT, available as either a Coupé or Roadster, is a performance-oriented GT variant of the already legendary Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and exudes emotional appeal. Uprated to 435 kW (591 hp) and with optimised shift times and the new AMG RIDE CONTROL performance suspension, the gull-wing model is a true superstar among super sports cars. And thus ideally suited to take on important responsibilities, for example as the Official F1™ Safety Car during the 2012 season. As its driver Bernd Mayländer says of his 'company car': "The SLS AMG GT is the best Safety Car I've ever driven!".jpg)
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smart is expanding its portfolio of electrically driven vehicles designed for urban traffic by cooperating with the two-wheeler specialist Vectrix.smart’s electric portfolio is continuing to grow. In addition to the smart electric drive and the smart ebike, in 2014 the smart scooter will be launched on the market. With the introduction of a zero-local emission scooter smart as a provider of innovative mobility solutions for the city is offering a complete portfolio of electrically driven vehicles for short, medium and long distances of up to 140 kilometres.
smart is developing and producing the electric scooter in close cooperation with its partner Vectrix, an innovative and worldwide leading brand in the electric two-wheeler industry. The company that was founded in 1996 in Rhode Island, USA, has been building electric scooters in series for years and has great expertise in this field.
“smart and Vectrix are both pioneers of electric mobility for the city”, says Dr Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “The smart scooter will be a true smart and we want to make it an icon of urban mobility – just like the smart fortwo.”
The appearance of the smart scooter prototype that was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2010 will be further developed by smart. The new electric smart scooter will offer unique features seen for the first time in this vehicle category.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Guest Article by Don Elfrink*
It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing colors and the weather is cooling down. While you’re no doubt happy to see the heat of summer on the way out, cool weather presents some serious challenges for your automobile. You need to make sure that your car is prepared to handle the onset of cold weather so you are able to stay safe and sound on the road this winter.1. Start Now
You might think that cool weather maintenance doesn’t need to be done until the onset of winter. However, fall is actually the perfect time to get a jump on things. Waiting until the weather goes from cool to cold can be a recipe for disaster, so don’t wait. Do it now.
2. Antifreeze
One of the first things you’ll need to check is your vehicle’s antifreeze. During the summer, your engine coolant keeps the engine within the normal operating temperature range. During cold weather, it does the same job, but it also keeps the coolant from freezing. Regular water (or weak antifreeze/water mixes) will freeze with low temperatures, creating serious problems for drivers. Blown radiator hoses are only the mildest threat here. Make sure you check your antifreeze level, as well as its freeze protection. If it’s been several years since it was changed, consider doing a full drain and fill.
3. Gauge Your Tires
While summertime brings thunderstorms and heavy rains that you’ll have to drive through, cold weather brings ice and snow. You’ll want to make sure that your tires are able to handle those threats. Check the tread on your tires (you can pick up a tire gauge at pretty much any auto parts store). If the tread is low, consider replacing your tires now, before they have to face the prospect of winter driving conditions. You might also consider looking into studded snow tires now if you live in an area where heavy snowfall is an issue.
4. Look at the Battery
Cold weather kills batteries. Heat during the summertime can definitely take its toll here, but the onset of winter sees the highest number of dead batteries. Don’t become a statistic – make sure that your car’s battery is fresh and up to the challenge. You should have a full charging system test performed as well to make sure your starter and alternator are in good shape.
5. Check the Wipers
We tend not to think about our windshield wipers until they’re needed, but that can be too late, especially during the colder months of the year. Make sure you have new wiper blades installed before the temperatures drop too low. You might even consider purchasing blades made especially for wintry conditions.
6. HVAC
You’ve been running your AC all summer, but now it’s time to crank up the heater. Make sure your heater works well before cold weather arrives. A heater that doesn’t do its job could be suffering from any number of problems, from a faulty heater core to a dying thermostat – all easy enough to rectify if caught in time, but real hassles if you let them wait.
7. Winter Prep Is Important
While it the cool, comfortable days might be a nice change from the heat of summer, don’t let yourself be fooled. Cold weather can arrive with no warning, and being caught unprepared is a bad thing. Make sure you have your vehicle prepped for the arrival of winter – if you are unsure exactly what to check, use a reputable mechanic and have them conduct a full inspection for any issues pertaining to winterizing your vehicle.
* About the author: Don Elfrink is the owner and operator of AutoMatStore, an auto flooring company based out Columbia, Missouri. Before AutoMatStore, Elfrink was the operator of an automotive production site. AutoMatStore focuses on logo, carpeted, molded and all weather floor mats. He has previously written a guest article for our website, which you can find HERE.Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to get into a spin on a road covered in wet leaves will know just how dangerous road conditions can be at this time of year. Trees and bushes shed their leaves, and a dangerous covering can build up on roads and streets which can be as slippery as ice. In such circumstances there is only one solution: the debris must be removed quickly, before any accidents can occur and any possible claims for damages arise. With this in mind, to enable road maintenance depots and construction yards to carry out their duties quickly, the "leaf vacuum system" was developed.Comprising a large-capacity container mounted on the chassis of the Unimog connected to a long hose - which can be swung around the vehicle by means of a pivot arm - the system enables the road worker to manoeuvre the hose conveniently to the leaves which are to be cleared away. The Unimog leaf vacuum system is useful for clearing leaves away not only from roads but also from green areas, since otherwise they can harden into a "blanket" over the course of the winter which smothers the grass.
Similarly, the roads can also be cleared of debris after large events, and open rubbish bins emptied by means of vacuuming. Only snow is not suitable for vacuuming operations. The large-volume leaf container can therefore be quickly removed from the Mercedes-Benz Unimog and a salt spreader fitted, complete with container, enabling the " Universal Motorized Working Machine" to be kitted out - in conjunction with snowplough too - for imminent winter service applications.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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