2007 Mercedes-benz Slk-class 2dr Roadster 3.5l on 2040-cars

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Mansory G63 AMG Sahara Edition substitutes performance for taste

We aren't sure if it's an unwritten rule or not, but it seems like European tuners are wholly incapable of building cars whose aesthetics don't offend people blessed with the gift of sight. Take Mansory, for example. The Swiss tuner has turned its hand to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a vehicle that on it's own is not exactly a visual stunner. Functional sure, but not exactly beautiful. But with Mansory wielding the design pen, the result is, well, yeah. It's not great. This is the Mansory G63 AMG Sahara Edition, and surprisingly, its camouflaged paint scheme is one of its least obnoxious qualities. But its grille, headlights, hood scoop, roof-mounted lights and rear spoiler just don't do this Mercedes any favors. And for some reason, the tuning firm has decided to put two different styles of 22-inch alloys. The driver's side isn't horrible, although we can't say the same about passenger-side hoops. The interior treatment is nothing compared to the cabin, though. Falcons. There are falcons in the headrests. No, we don't know why either. The avian theme isn't limited to the headrests, though, as Mansory has added wings to the seats, dash and door panels, all the while continuing on with camouflage color scheme on certain interior surfaces. Of course, if you can live with the design decisions, you'll be getting a ludicrously potent G-Wagen. Mansory has boosted the 5.5-liter, biturbocharged V8 to 828 horsepower while it's actually been limited to 737 pound-feet of torque. We aren't sure what the addition of 292 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque does to the G63's run to 60, although we're betting the Mansory version is a lot quick than the 5.3-second stock time. Check out our live gallery of the G63 AMG Sahara Edition, from the floor of the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Related Video:

Mercedes previews GLC ahead of June 17 reveal

Mercedes has confirmed that it will unveil its new GLC crossover on June 17, releasing this preview sketch and a few details to give us an idea of what to expect. Set to replace the outgoing GLK, the GLC will slot in between the GLA and GLE (nee M-Class) in the Silver Star automaker's growing sport-ute lineup. Its nameplate shifts to better align with the C-Class sedan and the SLC roadster that's set to replace the SLK. The crossover's design was previewed in slant-back form as the Concept GLC Coupe in Shanghai a couple of months ago, but as you can see from this sketch, it'll initially come with a more conventional roofline. In announcing the livestream of its reveal, Daimler revealed that the GLC will feature a multi-chamber air suspension, Dynamic Select transmission control, and 4Matic all-wheel drive. It also promises to consume 19 percent less fuel than the GLK it replaces. World Premiere Mercedes-Benz GLC With the introduction of the new GLC on June 17th, Mercedes-Benz presents the second generation of its mid-range SUV. The GLC retains its predecessor's outstanding off-road characteristics and combines them with an all-new design. What is more, the GLC takes comfort and agility to a whole new level: With the innovative multi-chamber air suspension AIR BODY CONTROL, unique to the segment, DYNAMIC SELECT and the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, the new GLC is tailor-made for all driving situations on and off the road. State-of-the-art assistance systems and improved energy efficiency further support the new GLC's claim of setting a new benchmark in this segment. Compared to its predecessor, fuel consumption was lowered by up to 19%.

Aston Martin tipped for F1 return with Red Bull, Mercedes

Aston Martin could be plotting a return to Formula One for the first time in over half a century. And not as a backmarker, either. That is, at least, if the latest rumors materialize. While most automakers that participate in F1 do so as either a team owner (like Ferrari and Mercedes) or as an engine supplier (think Renault or Honda), the rumored Aston Martin deal would take a different approach. According to Autosport, the proposal would have the Red Bull Racing team run Aston Martin branding – but not its engines. Those would be provided by Mercedes, just like the engines in the British marque's upcoming slate of road cars. In that regard, the deal would not be unlike the one which Red Bull currently has with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which sees the team running Renault engines and Infiniti branding. Andy Palmer was a pivotal figure in brokering that unusual arrangement when he was working for Carlos Ghosn, and is now tipped to be brokering a similar deal in his new capacity as Aston Martin's CEO. Though Aston has found glory in sports car racing (including Le Mans and its various associated series), it was never much of a contender in grand prix racing. It competed in a handful of races in 1959 and 1960, but never achieved results worth bragging about. Aston was rumored to be plotting a return when David Richards sat as chairman of the company, having run Aston's racing program as well as Honda's F1 team previously. Those rumors, however, never materialized. Whether this time 'round gains any traction remains to be seen - Aston Martin declined to either confirm or deny the reports when reached for comment by Autoblog. Red Bull has been growing increasingly dissatisfied (and increasingly vocal about its dissatisfaction) with Renault engines over the past couple of seasons. Though the two parties won four back-to-back world titles together, things took a noticeable step backward after the new turbo engine regulations took hold for the 2014 season. Nissan/Infiniti and Red Bull are contracted to continue collaborating until the end of next season. After that is when the new Aston deal could take hold, and Mercedes is reportedly keen on the idea so that it could add another customer to its F1 engine supply business and offset the costs of development. That could effectively prove the end of Renault in F1 (at least for the time being). Aside from Red Bull, the French automaker currently supplies only that outfit's sister team Toro Rosso.