Want to Drive the 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG Gulwing Supercar? Read On...

In a classic example of how press departments often miss the point / opportunity when it comes to marketing their own products and services, somewhere after the sixth paragraph in the release on the U.S. launch of the AMG academy this fall, Mercedes states: "Drivers attending the AMG Driving Academy Stage One at Laguna Seca Raceway from November 17-20 will have the opportunity to be among the very first to drive the most technologically advanced AMG ever ? the all-new 2011 SLS AMG." Jeez, that should have been marked with big bold letters right in the title...

But anyways. For those of you residing in the States who are interested in test driving one of the most anticipated supercars of the year at the Laguna Seca race track, you"ll have to sign up (see info below) for Merc"s Stage 1 SLS program that demands a fee of $2,295 (roughly ?1,650) which includes a one night stand stay at the InterContinental Hotel in Monterey.

Mercedes also offers two more programs for its AMG Driving Academy across three race tracks at Lime Rock Park, CT (September 9-15), Laguna Seca Raceway at Monterey, CA (November 7-8 & 17-20) and Palm Beach International Raceway at West Palm Beach, FL (September 22-27).

Aside from the aforementioned Stage 1 SLS, there"s the one-day Stage I program designed to educate drivers on the fundamentals of performance driving dynamics and car control maneuvers (it"ll cost you $1,895) and the Stage II which is a more comprehensive two-day program providing a deeper level of technical driver training, on and off the track. The latter costs $3,495 and is offered only to drivers that have completed Stage I or as Mercedes states, "an equivalent course".

Drivers attending these courses will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of several AMG models including the all-new 2010 E63 AMG, SL63 AMG, C63 AMG, SLK55 AMG and the CLK63 AMG Black Series.

The fees mentioned above include a dinner reception, AMG Driving Academy certificate of program completion and an AMG gift bag. However, bear in mind that travel expenses and accommodations (expect for the Stage 1 SLS drive) are not included. If you want to learn more about the programs head over to AMG Academy"s dedicated site or if you"re the kind of person that prefers talking on the phone, you can contact Mercedes at 1-800-217-6916.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Takes Third Place in its First 24H Race

Mercedes-Benz completed the development and testing phase of its SLS AMG GT3 racecar last week by taking part in the Abu Dhabi 24-hour endurance race (January 13 to 15). All three participating teams managed to finish the race, with the number 7 Black Falcon vehicle driven by Thomas Jager, Jan Seyffarth, Kenneth Heyer, and Sean Paul Breslin claiming third place.

"It was a good team performance overall which was rewarded with a third place that we can be proud of," said Thomas J?ger. "Achieving a good finish for all three cars at the first attempt was an important affirmation for all those involved.".

The SLS AMG GT3 competing for Heico Motorsport with starting number 9, took seventh place overall, coming in 18 laps behind the winner, while Black Falcon"s second gull-wing model finished 69 laps behind the winner to claim 24th place.

It"s worth noting that all three SLS AMG GT3s in the 24H Dubai race sported the Ducati logo, which refers to the partnership agreed in November 2010 between Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Ducati Motor.

According to Mercredes-Benz, following homologation and specification of the balance of performance by the FIA worldwide governing body, delivery of the SLS AMG GT3 will commence at the end of February 2011 with the sales price set at be ? 334,000 Euro (net) /? 397,460 (incl. 19 % VAT).

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Mercedes Confirms Production Version of SLS AMG E-Cell All-Electric Supercar at Detroit Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz showcased its SLS AMG E-Cell concept car at the Detroit Motor Show, however, the big news wasn"t the presentation of the all-electric supercar but the announcement that it will enter production within the next couple of years.

"The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL is the most technically advanced super sports car in the 125-year history of the automobile, and shows just how fascinating electromobility can be," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the press conference. "Our customers will be able to order it from their Mercedes-Benz dealers from 2013 onwards."

At the heart of the all-electric supercar are four, high-revving, synchronous electric motors, which can reach 12,000 rpm, producing a combined output of 526 hp (392 kW) with a peak torque of 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) of torque, enough to catapult the E-Cell to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4 seconds or almost as fast as the stock SLS? 571 hp V8 gasoline engine (3,8 seconds).

The E-Cell?s drive is also comprised of a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery featuring a modular design and a maximum electric load potential of 480 kW. Aside the power outlet, the 400-volt battery can also be charged by the regenerative braking system.

It might be a green machine, but the E-Cell is also a thoroughbred sports car. By positioning the electric motors as close to the wheels as possible and carefully placing the battery modules throughout the chassis, engineers managed to obtain a near-perfect weight distribution. The new front suspension, boasting a multilink setup with pushrod damper struts, is another feature usually found on high performance cars, alongside the oversized ceramic composite brakes.

Finished in a fluorescent ?AMG lumilectric magno? paint, the body has been fitted with an extensive aerodynamic kit. The 10-spoke 19-inch AMG alloys, shod in 265/35 front and 295/30 rear tires, round up the exterior appointments.

Inside, there?s a new instrument cluster and center console housing a 10-inch display, used to operate all audio, climate and navigation functions. Other touches include the black/white nappa leather combination, sport seats and steering wheel.

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