Synergy. This is what happens when two things meet, compliment each other and then prosper from their joint relationship. AMG and Ducati are two powerhouse name brands in the world of performance. And even though one rides on four wheels and the other on two, that makes no difference because their message is exactly the same. Sex, speed and performance. The following video takes us on a behind the scenes look at the C 63 AMG Coupé photo shoot. That means a blonde clad in a full leather body suit, a wicked white Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé and a camera crew that’s bringing out the best in both of them.

Source: Youtube.com

When Lamborghini announced that their new supercar, the Aventador was going to put some serious hurt on the competition, they weren’t kidding. I mean getting a car to a top speed of 217 mph is one thing, but having it accelerate to 60 mph in under 3-seconds? Well, that’s just crazy talk. This however is Lamborghini, the makers of the ridiculous, therefore it comes as no surprise that their performance claims on the new Aventador seem to be true. I remember when back in the day a top speed of 150 mph was fast, and getting to 60 mph in 7 seconds was pretty good. Nowadays though and uncorked Honda Accord can achieve those speeds. But I digress… Autocar Magazine over in the UK was a bit skeptical of the claims that Lamborghini was making, so they decided to have a little test. Granted, it wasn’t official, but when you’ve got access to a Porsche GT2 RS, Lamborghini Aventador and a Mercedes-Benz SLS, who really cares?

Source: Autocar.co.uk

“Made in China”. That’s a sentence that is unfortunately seen on most of the goods we have over here in the United States. As Americans, we see that, sigh, and then drop our heads wishing that we produced all of our own goods and services. Apparently though that phrase is paying off big time for the Chinese as they’ve got a car club over there that rivals just about anything I’ve ever seen stateside. Pagani, Ferrari, Bugatti, Koenissegg, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are all present and accounted for and hot damn if these guys don’t drive the piss out of them as well. Stored in a warehouse somewhere in China, the value of these automobiles together rivals the yearly economy of some small countries. So, next time you see a label that reads “Made in China”, don’t worry because it’s helping keep our favorite super car companies in business.

Ugh…

600 rubies, a bunch of 24-carat gold, a reported 35,000 hours of labor (I call bullshit on that one) and a for sale price tag of $11-million. This is an honest-to-goodness Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren that’s been ruined by Swiss entrepreneur, Ueli Anliker, a man who possesses what is perhaps the worst taste in all of automotive history. Apparently Anliker wanted to created his vision of the perfect automobile, but instead, destroyed one of the greatest cars to come out of the auto industry in the last 20 years. I mean seriously, this sucker looks like it was build behind some bodega in the South Bronx, and then used to sell crack to some deadbeat toothless hookers. UGH!! it’s freaking me out just looking at the photo’s…

Why Ueli Anliker, why would you do this to such a wonderful automobile???

Source: BornRich.com

I’m not a Mercedes-Benz guy, and I never have been. Sure, its cars can be nice to look at and comfortable to be driven in, but very few of the tri-pointed star’s automobiles make my hormones sit up and beg. The exception to this rule has always been the Mercedes-Benz Black Series.

The latest Black Series car, the C63 AMG Coupe, is no exception. With 510 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque on tap, the sprint from 0 – 60 should take no more than four seconds, on your way to a governed top speed of 155 miles per hour. Only a handful will be imported into the U.S. when the car goes on sale here next March. As for the price, if you have to ask, then you’re not really a customer, are you?

Since the C63 AMG Black Series is well above my pay grade, we unwashed masses will have to make do with the video below.

In my experience the transition from motorcycle racing to auto racing is much easier than if it were the other way around. You see bike racers are, in my opinion, more in tune to what’s going on with their machine as every input from their bodies does something to influence how their vehicle behaves. This is why I was somewhat surprised when 30 year old Nicky Hayden, the 2006 Moto GP Champion, had such a hard time when he took the wheel of this DTM Team Mercedes-Benz AMG. Now granted this is a full blown race car on slicks with 480 hp, but still, I would’ve thought he’d of done better than that. I suppose in the end it’s best that Nicky stay on two wheels rather than four because as you can see it’s just not his bag.

Since my last post, the AMG Driving Academy has put out three more videos on technique. The first one, video number five, covers how to pick a line through a corner on a racetrack, while the next in Mercedes-Benz specific and covers their stability control programming. Finally, the last video is an introduction to drifting, which Tommy Kendall describes as requiring him to “unlearn” everything he’s ever learned about going fast on a racetrack.

As with the first four videos, these are well produced, informative and educational enough to show you that there’s a lot to learn. Take line selection for example: every driver picks a slightly different line around a race track, and the fast line for a rear wheel drive car may not be the fast line for a front wheel drive or all wheel drive car. How do you know what’s best? You can talk to drivers with more experience on a particular track, who are driving a car similar to yours, or you can do it the right way and practice, practice, practice. When it comes to going fast in a race car, there’s no substitute for seat time.

Image: Mercedes Benz

I’ve never been a Mercedes-Benz guy, simply because its cars have generally been geared more toward luxury than sport. They’re superbly engineered, and some have genuine sports car capabilities, but these come slathered in burl walnut and tied to an automatic transmission. In short, I can admire Mercedes-Benz automobiles, but I’ve never really lusted after them.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

The exception to this rule has been their limited-availability, AMG-tuned Black Series, which I’ve drooled over since the initial “EU only” launch of the SLK55 Black Series in 2006. The Black Series cars are stunning, and they certainly push the envelope of what people expect from Mercedes-Benz. The last Black Series model, an SL65, boasted a twin-turbo V-12, good for 661 horsepower and 738 ft-lb of torque. Only 350 were built during the car’s production run in 2008 and 2009, and calling them a collector’s item is a bit of an understatement.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

Now Mercedes has unleashed the next generation of Black Series cars, this time based on the already-fast C63 AMG. The new cars will be the most powerful C-Class cars of all time, and will come with a 6.3 liter V-8 good for 510 horsepower and 457 ft-lb of torque. They’ll also boast a factory coil-over suspension, composite brakes and an available AMG Track Package, which includes ultra-high performance tires and and active cooling for the rear axle. If you’re really serious about tracking your car, there’s even an available AMG Aerodynamics package, which includes splitters and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear spoiler.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

Inside, the race-car-for-the-street theme continues, and buyers get their choice of seating configurations. Those who will actually track their cars can opt to delete the rear seat entirely for weight savings, and get two AMG sport seats with massive bolstering for track duty. Those who want a more civilized Black Series coupe can choose the same 2+2 seating as offered in the C63 AMG Coupe.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect the C63 AMG Black Series to sell for “considerably more” than the C63 AMG’s starting price of $58,200. The Black Series will be available for sale in the United States beginning next year, but quantities will be limited. If you want one, I’d suggest you put money down with your local Mercedes Benz dealer as soon as possible.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Image: Mercedes-Benz

If you were one of those kids in high school in high school who got picked on for being smart, and never got to date a cheerleader. chances are good you applied yourself in college to become a successful lawyer, doctor or accountant. Chances are also good that you’ve managed to balance your finances well, and now that your 20th high school reunion is looming, you’re looking for the ideal ride to show up with your former-supermodel-wife in. Look no further, because nothing says “I’m more successful than you” quite like the roadster version of Mercedes-Benz’s SLS AMG.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

Don’t even ask how much it costs, because Mercedes-Benz hasn’t released that data just yet. We do know that the topless version of the SLS AMG comes with an aluminum spaceframe body, a 563 horsepower, 6.3-liter V8 and a dual clutch transmission, and we also know it’s capable of hitting a top speed of 197 miles per hour, although I don’t think I’d want to attempt that with the top down.

Image: Mercedes-Benz

As for technology and amenities, think “best of everything” and you get the picture. There’s Mercedes’ “Airscarf” technology to keep the back of your neck warm on cold days. There’s heated leather seats, of course, but even the rollover bars are leather trimmed and designed specifically to reduce cockpit turbulence. The audio system is from none other than Bang and Olufsen, and AMG’s Performance Media telemetrics system will give you real time data on engine horsepower and torque, 0-60 or quarter mile acceleration time, lateral and linear acceleration and a handy lap timer.

If you want one, now is the time to lay your money down at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer. Deliveries will begin this fall, which should be just in time for high school reunion season.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

I didn’t shoot any images of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 at this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, but the cars were hard to miss. Unlike most Mercedes cars that fly underneath the radar (including the remarkably subdued stock SLS AMG), the GT3 version was in-your-face and absolutely impossible to miss. I saw the silver one on the road, so I assume Mercedes was giving rides to interested customers and VIPs; I seriously doubt they were letting the general public pilot the $500,000, 600+ horsepower race car on local roads. Watch Mercedes-Benz Assistant Product Manager William Vetter take you through the endurance racer in the video below.