Mercedes to Debut New Concept Alongside C63 AMG Coupe and One More Unnamed AMG Model at NY Show

The latest news coming out from the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show in late April is that Mercedes-Benz is planning three worldwide and three North American production debuts. The three world premieres include a never before seen concept model and two AMG cars, the 2012 C63 AMG Coupe that we’ve already showed you, and another one which has not yet been revealed.

While we can only speculate on the unnamed concept model, it is very likely that the AMG production car is the SLS AMG Roadster as it was recently teased in the German firm’s SuperBowl commercial.

As for the North American motorshow debuts, these are new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, C-Class Coupe, and C-Class (the latter was shown at a special media event on the sidelines of the Detroit Show in January).

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-Benz to Debut Updated 2012 C63 AMG Estate F1 Medical Car at Australian Grand Prix

At this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (March 25-27), Mercedes-Benz will debut its revised 2012 C63 AMG Estate Official F1 Medical Car. The German station wagon has been used in Formula 1 for the past three seasons, but in 2011 it will appear in its facelifted form with a refreshed design and updated technology that includes the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission.

Other new features include the aluminium bonnet with modified powerdomes, the radiator grille, the headlamps and the AMG rear apron, while there’s also a redesign front apron with larger intake apertures and side air vents.

The C63 AMG Estate Medical Car is motivated by a 6.3-litre V8 engine equipped with the AMG Performance Package delivering 487HP at 6800 rpm for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds.

Special features of the Performance Package include the variable intake manifold painted in titanium grey and the AMG high-performance braking system with internally ventilated composite brake discs at the front axle.

The car rides on 19-inch wheels shod in tires with size 235/35 R 19 (front) and 255/30 R 19 (rear).

The Medical Car stands out visually from the stock model thanks to its F1 logos, the roof light bar, the stroboscopic flashing LED lights at the front and rear, plus the number plate illuminated with LEDs and displaying the words "Medical Car". Inside it is equipped with four sports bucket seats with six-point seat belts, and comes with two monitors integrated into the centre console for monitoring the race and a radio set for communicating with Race Control.

The SLS AMG that takes the role of the Official F1 Safety Car will join the C63 AMG Estate in the Australian Grand Prix. There are no changes for the SLS AMG that has been used in Formula 1 since 2010.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 is the Latest Addition to the AMG Driving Academy

The AMG Driving Academy just got a little more interesting with the announcement that in 2011, fans will be able to get behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 race car. The V8-powered competition coupe will be available in the most advanced skill level programme, the Masters, which consists of four stages: Experience, Warm-up, Training and Competition.

The first leg takes three hours and includes a driving session with the road version of the SLS AMG, followed by an introduction and a seated “rehearsal”. After that, participants get to drive the SLS AMG GT3 on the track behind a lead vehicle. In the end, a professional racing driver gives them a ride in the same car.

The Experience stage is open to everyone, but in order to be allowed in the following stages, entrants must complete race track training sessions. The Warm-up and Training are more complex and intended to gradually familiarize participants with the controls of the race car and to teach them how to drive on slick racing tyres.

The Competition part is where AMG fans will get all the action. Expected to start at the end of 2012, this stage will consist of individual and team races, in which contestants will drive either the SLS AMG GT3 (booking prices per event start at €1,500/$2070), or their own cars.

First deliveries of the customer racing oriented SLS AMG GT3 are due in March 2011, with the net starting price being €334,000 ($461,500), or €397,460 ($550,500) with German added value tax included.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY