Mercedes-Benz just can't keep spy photographers away from its next SLK roadster. This time, the two-seater model with the retractable hardtop was spotted undergoing hot-weather testing alongside heavily cladded prototypes of the 2011 CLS sports saloon in the infamous Death Valley in the southwestern United States.
The 2011 model of the SLK will bring a more angular design themed after the SLS AMG 'Gullwing' supercar along with a revised chassis and new engine options that are said to include for the first time a turbo diesel unit.
While the new CLS sports sedan is tipped for a Paris Motor Show debut in late September, we're still not sure when and where the SLK will make its first public outing. Word on the streets says Mercedes may unveil a near-production concept model either in Paris or Los Angeles towards the end of the year. Either way, Stuttgart's BMW Z4 fighter should arrive in showrooms by next summer.
If anything else, we have to hand it to Mercedes-Benz for its rigorous promotional efforts to hype its new SLS AMG Gullwing supercar and all its derivatives, including the all-electric E-Cell prototype - and we mean that in a positive way.
Among the many guests at the SLS AMG E-Cell presentation in Norway was retired Formula One driver, David Coulthard, who was given the chance to test drive the electric-powered Gullwing model. The Scottish pilot tried out the SLS AMG E-Cell on an airstrip as well as on the road. View the video [in high-definition] after the break.
Here are two new videos of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell, both shot in Norway, where the German firm presented the prototype model to the press. In the first clip you can see the all-electric 'Gullwing' E-Cell along with the new S63 AMG, which packs a new, twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V8, running up and down an airstrip at Kristiansund, while the second video shows the SLS AMG E-Cell on the 'Atlantic Road' on the west coast of Norway.
We remind you the bright-colored SLS AMG E-Cell is a prototype model fitted with four-electric motors located near the wheels that produce the equivalent of 526HP and a continuous 880 Nm / 649 lb-ft. The car is still in development, but according to sources, Mercedes could have it ready for a limited production run by 2013.
Approximately a year ago, Mercedes-Benz officially revealed plans to develop a fully-electric version of its SLS AMG supercar. Now, the German automaker has unveiled a prototype model of the car named "SLS AMG E-Cell".
On the E-Cell prototype, Stuttgart's engineers replaced the standard SLS AMG's 571HP 6.3-liter V8 petrol engine with four electric motors placed near the wheels effectively making it a four-wheel drive model. Mercedes notes that this solution substantially reduces the unsprung masses compared to wheel-hub motors.
The electric motors produce a combined output of 392kW or the equivalent of 526HP and a maximum torque of 880 Nm / 649 lb-ft, the latter available right from the start. One transmission per axle transmits the power.
Mercedes-Benz estimates that the zero-emissions SLS AMG model can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in around 4,0 seconds.
Electric energy is provided by a 400-volt, liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged under braking. The battery modules are located in front of the firewall, in the centre tunnel and behind the seats, with Mercedes claiming that advantages of this solution include the vehicle's low centre of gravity and the balanced weight distribution.
According to the company, the installation of the drive components required no changes whatsoever to the Gullwing model's aluminium spaceframe body.
There are a few notable changes to the SLS AMG E-Cell's exterior and interior. Aside from the prototype's bright "AMG lumilectric magno" paint job, the all-electric Gullwing gets a unique front apron with an extendable front splitter, color coded grille trim, revised air vents, dark finish for the mirrors and wheels and a new rear diffuser that does away with the standard model's tail pipes.
Inside, there's a revised instrument cluster with displays for speed, charge status, and estimated range, and a new touch-screen infotainment system that not only operates audio, climate, and navigation functions but also displays the flow of power from the four electric motors.
The new black-and-white mix of leather and Alcantara on the seats, steering wheel, door linings, and center console round off the changes over the conventionally-powered SLS AMG.
Mercedes has yet to say when the SLS AMG E-Cell will enter production, but it is believed that it could be available in a limited number of units as early as 2013.
It won't be long before Mercedes-Benz pulls the covers off the second generation of its slinky CLS sports saloon codenamed C218, but for now, we can offer you a spy video of the racy AMG version shot in and around the Nurburgring circuit.
Despite the fact that the hottest version of the CLS family will retain the CLS 63 AMG moniker, the car won't get the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine. Instead it will be propelled by the Stuttgart's newly developed 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 powerhouse.
Breathed on by direct injection and twin turbochargers, the smaller displacement V8 engine churns out 544HP and 800Nm / 590 lb-ft of peak torque [in standard form], an increase of 37HP and more importantly, 125 lb-ft over the current CLS 63 AMG's V8.
There will also be an even more powerful version of the same engine offered as part of a performance package with 571HP and a mind-boggling 900Nm or 663.8 lb-ft.
The new 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 will be hooked up to Mercedes-Benz's seven-speed automatic transmission.
The new CLS range is expected to make its world premiere at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in October.
Question for our readers: In your opinion, how do four cougar-aged women who can't keep their panties (or their brains) on after one shot of tequila and a guy named 'Mr Big' relate to Daimler's Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products/brand?
While you think about it let us tell you that, as with the first installment of the male-snoozefest that is "Sex and the City", the sequel to the movie that hits cinemas on 27 May will see most characters driving or being driven in a bunch of Mercedes-Benz and Maybach models.
If you're still here, in addition to the Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID, Mr. Big (Chris North) now also drives the new E-Class Cabriolet while Samantha (portrayed by actress Kim Cattrall) ditches her GLK soft off-roader from the first film for the more masculine G-Class.
Vorsteiner has a new aero kit for the latest AMG E63, and it's called the V6E. The body kit consists of a front lip spoiler, trunk spoiler, and diffuser all made of carbon fiber.
Also part of the package are Vorsteiner's forged V-308 rims, which have an interesting claim to fame if you take Vorsteiner at their word: they're "the most concave wheel available on the market". Hey, whatever helps you stand out.
While it's certainly not as imposing as the GTRS3 kit Vorsteiner put out last month, it sure good in an understated gangster kind of way. You know, for the times you don't need to be a teenage Darth Vader.
