Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG

AMG presents its new weapon on the car-salon in Geneva. The Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG was modified and appears even more impressive. Mercedes conducted an extensive technical adjustment of the former version. With a performance package AMG strives for even more power in the car. Besides the appearance of the car was modified, too, by constructing a new radiator grille with big Mercedes emblem and wing-shaped cross-lamination, new front apron with black painted lower cross brace, AMG-specific LED daytime running lights and sophisticated side air outlets. The aluminum engine hood with customized powerdomes and the clear glass headlights perfect the new front design. Further facelift features are the renewed rim design of the 18”-AMG-wheels and the rear valance. Even AMG considers environmental friendliness and sustainability by reducing the fuel consumption while improving power performance. A new power steering pump and the AMG speed shift MCT 7-speed sports transmission with a standard “Controlled efficiency” driving program brings 10 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. In the new C 63 AMG you will find a 6.3 liter V8 engine with 450 hp. If you use the optional performance package the power will spread to 480 hp. Last weekend I have seen the recent model of C 63 AMG when I visited the Fashion week and I can tell you, this car has a really aggressive and fascinating sound. You could feel the enormous power of the car just by standing next to it. The updated version needs just 4.4 seconds from 0 to 62 mph. Moreover, the performance package features a high-performance brake system with composite brake discs front and red painted brake calipers all around, a carbon spoiler lip on the boot lid (sedan) and the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather with a handle area of Alcantara. In the new C 63 AMG you will find a completely renewed instrument panel in a very modern and fresh design. Dark brushed aluminum inlays in piano lacquer attempt to spread the atmosphere that customers expect in this price class. Of course you could expand the features of the car by selecting several driving assistance systems like: Mercedes-Benz peculiar pre-safe brake, adaptive high-beam assistant, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist or the Attention Assist to address fatigue, including the Parktronic park management. In my point of view especially the rear end of the MB C 63 AMG with its chromed double exhaust pipes is an optical enjoyment. In July of this year the first cars will be for sale in Germany.

Frist Class Luxury Car- Maybach 62

This car is no car for everyone. It is a very very special car for chosen ones. Billionaires, enormous rich people, Queens and Kings or maybe god would drive this car, but no one of the upper middle class or even rich people could afford this car. It is the luxury spearhead of the automotive industry. The Maybach is Mercedes-Benz’ answer to Bentley, Rolls Royce and co. Daimler AG decided in 2002 to renew the make Maybach and produce extra-class luxury limousines. The number 62 refers to the lengths of the car, so the Maybach 62 quantifies 6.2 meters and the Maybach 57 5.7 meters. In this segment of cars, it doesn’t matter how much cylinder capacity, torque, horse power or maximum speed the car exemplifies, but rather how the ambience and emotions in the car fit to your preferences. There are just slide differences between Rolls Royce, Bentley or Maybach, but there are some. For example the Rolls Royce Phantom suit for traditional people. You don’t get in the car, you accede the car. However, the car has some BMW typically weaknesses, for example the uncomfortable seat configuration and some other tiny things. On the other site, the Maybach belongs to Mercedes-Benz, so distinctive similarity to the S-class is obvious. A few years ago Daimler AG decided to revive the make Maybach and give it a special luxury character. Well selected material, choice brand, marvellous manufacturing of interior and exterior and extraordinary attention to details make this car a special limousine. The well-formed multifunctional seat in the fond of the Maybach definitely represents an USP as well as the high-tech entertainment equipment. Another peculiarity of the Maybach is the availability of different roof designs, so the owner individually choose a bright or close roof depending on his or her preferences. The interior is adorned by handsome light effects. The exterior is ascertained by massive elegance. Unfortunately, the high weight of the Maybach leads to a more or less adequate driving performance; especially in curves you feel the dimensions of the car. In terms of acceleration and power characteristics there are no restraints.

Let’s come to the technical facts of the Maybach 62: 12-cylinder, 5.5 liter cylinder capacity, 543 hp, 900 Nm, 5.4 seconds from 0-62 mph, weight: 2,780 kg, length: 6.2 meters, price: approx. $ 550,000

In the year 2004 worldwide circa 500 Maybachs were sold, thereof 40 in Germany. All in all the company sales the cars as they planned to do and year after year sales are increasing. So, if you decide to travel to Germany and you have really a lot of money, then why not drive the Maybach a bit faster on Germany’s Autobahnen. Although, be careful while breaking down from 140 mph to 0 with this big car. It could take a bit longer than with a Mitsubishi Eclipse.

“The” Luxury-Coupé

4-seats, overwhelming power, marvellous elegance and a Mercedes star on the engine hood. One could say this is a dream for every comfort oriented business man, who has a lot to do with external trade. In the top version with power extension the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG has 549 hp, without the improved performance feature it has 518 PS and, therefore, a lot more horsepower than the competitors Porsche Panamera Turbo and BMW M6. The CLS 63 AMG is cheaper than both competitors. In relation to the Panamera Turbo the Mercedes is even far cheaper, but also a bit slower in acceleration because it weights more. This car is the perfect choice for having a grand appearance in front of the Hyatt. The elegance and luxury emergence of the car ensures jealous views from other people. In addition the sound is impressive, too, but if the traffic lights are red and you stop, the car is suspiciously quiet because of the start-stop-automatic. The 549 hp make the CLS 63 AMG accelerate in 4.4 seconds from 0-62 mph. The Porsche Panamera Turbo fulfils the sprint in 0.2 seconds less. The maximum speed of the car is about 286 mph. In my point of view there are not many 4-door cars with these driving characteristics. A cool fact is that this power car just needs 9.9 liters fuel on 100 kilometers. The CLS 63 AMG weights 150 kg more than the Porsche Panamera, but with 800 Nm the CLS is much stronger. The chassis is sporty adjusted and a wide front grill expresses power compared with the wide fenders. Moreover, a Diffusor expresses sportiness and power to the cars in the back. Inside the car finest leather and a nice sport seat attract attention and dispread luxury flair. I don’t know yet what the car will cost in the USA, since it will be launched in March 2011 primary in Europe, but one should calculate with more than 100,000 $, if the car will be available in the USA.

Actually this car present sports car features, but is a luxury limousine with much driving comfort. It is comparable with luxury limousines or coupés like BMW M6 and maybe a bit the Lexus IS F. In Germany you could move out the car to its maximum speed. It would not be easy to find a firm which offers a rental of this car, but with some search effort it might be possible.

Sports-wagon on Sedan basis

In Germany you will find many cars that base on a series model of a compact sedan class, which are upgraded to a high-end model that exemplifies sports car features. For example the Mercedes C-class has a model called C 63 AMG with 451 hp (8-cylinder engine), Audi offers a model called Audi S4 with 328 hp (6-cylinder engine) and BMW provides a special edition of the BMW 3-series, called BMW M3 with 414 hp. These cars have a relative low weight, but high power engines, and, therefore, embody real sports car characteristics and bring a lot of fun to drive.

Basic facts:

Criteria	MB C 63 AMG	Audi S4	BMW M3
Cylinder	V-8	V-6	V-8
Power output	451 hp	328 hp	414 hp
Cylinder capacity	6.2 l	3.0 l	4.0 l
Acceleration	4.5 sec	5.3 sec	4.7 sec
Revolutions	600 Nm (5,000 rpm)	440 Nm (2,900-5,300 rpm)	400 Nm (3,900 rpm)
Drive mechanism	Rear drive	All-wheal-drive	Rear drive
High-speed	155 mph	155 mph	155 mph
Price in Germany	95,317 $	73,900 $	96,308 $

 

Source: http://www.bmw.com

The BMW is an all-rounder, which combines road capability with intransigent sports-genes. This model line exists for now more than 25 years and becomes more and more successful. It has a lot of indoor comfort as well as a tremendous racing aptitude. A new system called M Drive Manager transforms the car into a racing machine by amending digital adjusting drive, DSC, electronic damper control and the responding properties of the Servotronic of the engine. Very special for the BMW M3 is that its engine comprises high levels of revolutions per minute – over 8,000 rpm are possible. Thus, the car wins over a great sound and a powerful driving performance.

Actually, it is quite appropriate to compare the Audi RS5 to the BMW M3. The Audi RS5 costs 105,844 $, has 444 hp and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.6 sec. Anyway, the RS5 doesn’t have these great driving characteristics and sportiness of the BMW M3, so it loses in a direct comparison. Especially the suspension is poorly conceived.

Source: http://www.audimobiles.com

I would suggest the BMW M3 for every kind of driving experience, both highway, city or speed way, whatever. The BMW M3 successfully combines a racing car with a daily-used family sedan and you have a lot of power to serve first at every traffic light.

Mercedes SL 65 AMG „Black Series“

The luxury-tuning subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz tops the Mercedes-Benz SL by the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG and additionally with the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series. AMG in all faces stands for Germany automotive quality and contains a huge assortment of very powerful and well designed cars. The basic model of the Mercedes SL 65 AMG has got 613 hp and accelerates in 4.1 seconds from 0-62 mph. This is because of the relatively high weight of the car. The V-12 engine, however, exemplifies a great power-deployment and covers a torque of 1000 Nm. Moreover, the SL 65 AMG comprises a fuel feed fuel injection as well as a BHP/Liter of 102. If that was not enough, AMG decided to design an upgraded version of the SL 65 AMG and released the Black Series edition with 660 hp revealed by the same engine. The Black Series moves up from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The whole car was made lighter by 250 kg just through leaving out AC and other luxury features and design it rather like a sports car. Nevertheless, the car’s weight amounts to 1.881 kg. In Germany the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series costs 327,250 € (equal to 460,138 $). Pro’s of the car are marvellous engine power, appropriate configured 5-gear-automatic transmission and the strong brakes. Con’s of the SL 65 AMG are fuel consumption and of course the price.

See a video here

Video SL65 AMG Black Series

Then BRABUS thought tuning the tuned SL 65 AMG which is also a tuned version of the SL 65 is not enough. So they decided to redesign it a bit, gave it more power and call it different. Brabus published the T65 RS with 789 hp. Actually it’s a tuned version of the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series. A new stainless steel exhaust system also brings a power-adjustment. The T65 RS accelerate sin 3.6 seconds from 0-62 mph and in 9.8 seconds from 0-124 mph. The car is able to reach speeds beyond 205 mph.

Source: http://www.auto-motor-sport.de

If you don’t have the opportunity to get to Germany driving this SL 65 AMG Black Series, than try to get in this car (Ford Fiesta) as co-driver.

Ford Fiesta Olsbergs MSE, 800 hp

Have fun!

Autobahn Driving in Germany 2009

I’m not sure, if it’s legal or not, but I don’t mind. The journey definitely was impressive. I mean it took just six days all in all, but nevertheless a great adrenalin flash. Somebody may say 4.,$ for the whole package are exaggerated, but in my opinion it was worth it. The recommendation for such a trip a British friend of mine who tried it before gave me. He was overwhelmed and persuaded me, that I really have to join him next time for the so called “Autobahn-Driving experience”. No sooner said than done.

After arriving in Frankfurt, the travel agent gave us a warm welcome. All together ten people joined the trip – one driver, one co-driver in each car. Both of the men changed seats after each checkpoint. At this point I really have to clarify, that it was not a race or something similar, I would say it was a legal trip with birds of a feather. My friend and I first drove a Mercedes SLK and after visited Sindelfingen (Mercedes station) we switched to a Porsche 911. The whole trip was organised from starting point Frankfurt, over Nurnberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Stuttgart/ Sindelfingen, Karlsruhe, Cologne and Frankfurt. You have a lot time to see some nice places in the cities, or visiting car manufactures. Some kinds of these events are included in the tour program. I really liked Cologne. It is a nice city with nice citizens. Therefore, we spent nights in Frankfurt, Munich, Innsbruck, Cologne and Frankfurt. As I already said, really nice hotels, high standard of comfort and service quality.

It is not that easy to find a provider for these kind of trips, so it would be helpful, if you know someone, who knows someone, … you understand. The provider I booked does not exist anymore.

Now more to the cars 🙂 !

As mentioned before, first Ben and I drove a Mercedes SLK 300 (Price in Germany: 44,000€ = approx. 61,000$). This car was quite comfortable. I would say, close to an all-day-vehicle and quite far away from a racing-car. However this Mercedes has a lot of propulsion. In some areas we reached a speed of 154 mph and by the way, that is not unusual for Germany. The car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds. The car had rear wheel drive and a nice leader interior. The next car we had the pleasure to drive was a Porsche 911 Carrera with 345PS and acceleration from 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds. A great driving experience paired with German car-manufacturing-culture. When you move down in the Porsche and its sport-seats you feel like a race driver. I never sit in a car before that promises such brute driving manners and transfers the surface of the road directly in your body.

We also sit in a BMW 5 and in an Audi A8. No question, the Porsche 911 was the best car. The sound, the appearance, almost everything with such amenity and grace, just impressive. And even in Germany, all people are looking at you, when you drive with this Porsche through a shopping mile.

 

Nice experience, but quite expensive. Anyway, an intrinsic car-lover should do it!

Maybe you have some comments?