Mercedes-Benz Announces AMG-Ducati Cooperation at LA Show

At this week's Los Angeles Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz announced that performance division AMG, and Italian motorcycle maker Ducati will develop common marketing activities in the near future. Mercedes-AMG CEO Ola Källenius and Ducati CEO Gabriele del Torchio signed the agreement during a press conference held at the LA Show.

According to the deal, AMG will be the Ducati MotoGP Team's Official Car Partner in the 2011 championship and, in return, during various events held by the Germans, participants will also have the opportunity to test Ducati motorcycles and vice versa.

AMG plans these events for its Private Lounge members, numbering more than 13,000 customers worldwide. The two companies noted that other activities and strategic steps are also under consideration, but didn't disclose any further information yet.

"I am very pleased that we are able to announce our strategic cooperation with Ducati today. AMG and Ducati ideally complement each other, as both companies share the same values: racing as the driving passion, and high performance plus exclusivity as the central brand messages of both AMG and Ducati. This long-term cooperation will help us to jointly access new customer groups", said Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

"I am especially proud to have AMG as one of our sponsors for the MotoGP Team. I am also very pleased that our joint marketing activities are well under way. In AMG we have found a partner who perfectly reflects our brand values of high performance, motorsport, excitement and our sense of unmistakable style and design", Gabriele del Torchio, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A, added.

Both companies are highly respected in their line of work, so their cooperation sounds like a good idea, as customers have the opportunity to experiment with new ways of achieving that gratifying adrenaline-rush.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

LA Show 2010: New 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG with Bi-Turbo V8

Taking center stage at Mercedes-Benz's LA Auto Show booth is the range-topper of the new 2012 CLS series, the CLS 63 AMG sports sedan. Like the S 63 AMG and CL 63 AMG, the CLS 63 AMG benefits from a new 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine with direct-injection technology producing 525 hp and torque of 700 Nm. Mercedes also offers an optional AMG Performance package, which increases these figures to an even more manly 557 hp and 800 Nm.

Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a brand new AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, which does away with the torque converter using a compact, wet start-up clutch instead.

Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.4 and 4.3 seconds for the 525HP and 557HP variants respectively, with a top speed of 155 mph [250 km/h] in the standard version and 186 mph [302 km/h] with the Performance Package, in both cases, electronically limited.

Despite the improvements in performance, Mercedes says the new CLS 63 AMG is far more fuel efficient than its predecessor, which was powered by a 507HP 6.3-liter V8. The new CLS63 AMG that also gets start/stop tech, goes 4 miles further in the city on one gallon of fuel, making it 33 percent more fuel-efficient. Estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg US city and 21 mpg US highway.

The upgraded AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension that allows the driver to switch between three suspension modes of "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus", steering and braking systems along with the 19-inch wheels in fitted with 255/35 R 19 tires on the front and 285/30 R 19 tires on the rear, round off the performance changes. Mercedes-Benz also offers a set of ceramic brakes on the option list.

Completing the AMG package are the interior appointments and a new bodykit that includes boot lid spoiler, side skirts, and different designs for the front and rear bumpers.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

New Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG with 518HP or 550HP to Premiere in LA

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the world debut of its next-generation CLS63 AMG sports sedan at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public November 19-28. The German maker also revealed that it will make an announcement on the U.S. rollout of its fuel cell-powered F-CELL car.

The yet to be shown 2011 CLS63 AMG model (the standard CLS is pictured above), which is based on the second generation of Merc's so-called "four-door coupe", will be powered by a new 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine matched to a MCT (multi-clutch technology) transmission. In base form, the biturbo V8 churns out 518 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque, but there's also an optional Performance Package that increases output to 550 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque.

As for Mercedes' F-CELL model, it's essentially an electric B-Class that makes its own power on board as the hydrogen and air react without combustion in the fuel cell, producing current to run the 136-horsepower electric motor. The F-CELL is also equipped with a 35-kilowatt lithium-ion battery that stores recovered braking energy.

According to the German automaker, the hydrogen gas is stored in 10,150-psi tanks that can be refueled in only three minutes, and offers a driving range of about 230 miles.

Beginning in Southern California, Mercedes will offer the new F-CELL car through a special lease program in markets with available and growing networks of hydrogen refueling stations.

*Non-AMG 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS shown in photos

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Receives Power Boost by Wimmer RS

When it comes to German tuners, the name of the game is power. The more the merrier. In its latest take on the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Wimmer RS has presented the Level 3 performance kit, which increases the 6.3-liter V8 engine's output to 580-horsepower and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft), up from 457 HP and 600 Nm.

To bestow over 120 HP on top of the already potent naturally aspirated V8, Wimmer RS made a series of upgrades including the addition of a reprogrammed ECU, air filter from K&N, air induction optimization, a new sports catalyst and optimized cat-back all-stainless steel exhaust system.

The tuner also fiddled around with the the electronic speed limiter allowing the C63 AMG to reach a limited top speed of 305 km/h or 190 mph.

As an option, Wimmer RS offers a KW-Club Sport Suspension and high performance Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tires.

The cost of the full performance level 3 kit is set at €9,900 (about US$13,800 at today's rates) including installation.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________