The history of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The history of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Introduction

In the 1950s, a very special star rose in Stuttgart: the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was born. It all began with motor racing sports. With its successes in international competitions, in 1952 the 300 SL competition sports car (W 194 series, “SL” stands for “Super-Light”), became the initial spark for the start of two fascinating production sports cars – the “Gullwing” coupé and the roadster: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 190 SL laid the foundation for the tradition of this legendary sports car family in the year 1954.

… Continue Reading

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Development of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster.

Revelation: stable even without gullwings

After the gullwing version, the open-top variant is the second car to be independently developed by AMG. The Coupé and Roadster concepts were created in parallel – which brought decisive advantages during the development process. During this approx. 3-year period for the SLS AMG Roadster, the engineers devoted particular attention to the aspects of bodyshell rigidity, driving dynamics, the soft top and NVH.

… Continue Reading

50 years of automatic transmissions from Mercedes-Benz

50 years of automatic transmissions from Mercedes-Benz

Premiere 1961 in the W 111 and W 112 model series

“The ultimate driving experience”, proclaimed the brochure on the first automatic transmission developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz back in 1961. Several years of intensive development work went into the four-speed automatic clutch which was premiered in April 1961 as an optional extra for the 220 SEb model of the 111 series. The automatic transmission even featured as standard in the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE which was presented in August 1961. This opened a special chapter in the brand’s success story running throug 125 years of the automobile.

… Continue Reading

smart pulse: a sharper profile

The smart pulse is celebrating spring with a sharper profile.

The smart pulse is celebrating spring with a sharper profile, making this dynamic variant of the smart model series even sportier. The front and rear aprons and the side skirts of the bodypanel plus sports package, which is included in the standard spec, have a new design with sharper contours. The sharper smart pulse will be available from smart dealers from April 2011. It can be ordered from 1 February.

… Continue Reading

Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake

The Mercedes-Benz  CLS Shooting Brake.

The CLS Shooting Brake will go into serial production: As of 2012, the sporty four-door coupé with sloping tail end based on the CLS will roll-off the assembly line in the Mercedes-Benz Plant Sindelfingen in  Germany.

Market launch in the year 2012 and integration into the manufacturing process in Sindelfingen

Dr. Dieter Zetsche:

“The decision to build the CLS Shooting Brake underscores the leading role of Mercedes-Benz in regards of innovative passenger car concepts and design.”

… Continue Reading