McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz news fromduPont REGISTRY News, updated daily, covering the S-Class, the Maybach range, the AMG models, the G-Class and the electric line-up. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, bespoke builds and the auction results that set collector values. Mercedes-Benz competes across more segments than almost any rival, so the news here runs unusually wide. Our marketplace supplies the part most publications leave out entirely. A great many of these cars are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts a review and a real asking price side by side. For Mercedes-Benz news today, and the luxury car market news around it, start here.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC EDITION 1 (X 253) 2015

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2015

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC Unveiled

As the GLK drives off into the sunset, something new is coming from Mercedes-Benz. In a press release earlier today, the marque formally announced the new GLC. It may look like another boulevard cruising crossover, but under the sleek exterior lies a capable AWD system. Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC, EDITION 1, (X 253) 2015, SELENITGRAU met, Designo Leder Nappa Platinweiß, AMG Line ExterieurWhile competitors in this segment are merely car-based suspensions with forward-biased AWD, the GLC’s 4Matic system keeps the torque split between 45 and 55 percent at all times. A multi-plate clutch in the magnesium center differential is more competent than the viscous couplings we’ve encountered.The biggest feature that will shake up the industry is the optional Air Body Control. Air suspension trades steel coil springs for airbags and provides the softest ride available. In typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, they have taken this system to the next level. With multiple chambers and fast acting electronics, changes in spring pressure can be made in 60 milliseconds.(See Also: Rafael Nadal Wins Mercedes-AMG GT S)Also not available on many other compact SUVs are a nine speed automatic transmission and a Head-Up-Display on the windshield. Expect to see all the latest safety and lane-keeping technologies along with more airbags than you ever thought possible. Specs come in at a respectable 211 hp and 258 lb-ft, though in the semi-electric GLC 350 e 4MATIC can sprint to 62 mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds if need be, thanks to a boost function. Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC, EDITION 1, (X 253) 2015, SELENITGRAU met, Designo Leder Nappa Platinweiß, AMG Line ExterieurFor the sake of fuel mileage, we hope the Diesel is brought stateside, but it’s not likely. Pricing has yet to be revealed, but the 2016 pricing sheet tells us the GLC will hit showrooms in mid-November. Expect to see a full Autofluence review as soon as we can get our hands on one. In the meantime check out the image gallery below.Gallery (Source: Daimler AG/ Mercedes-Benz) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 15, 2015

Mercedes-Benz Prices for 2016 Models

A slew of updates are coming to models from every class of Mercedes-Benz vehicles for the 2016 manufacture year, ranging from power increases to newly added technologies, and their prices and release dates have been officially unveiled. Though most 2016 models have yet to be offered for sale, a June 12 release from the marque confirms that E-Class models and the AMG GT S have been available since April 14. The CLS models are next to go on sale, scheduled for mid-July with prices ranging from $66,900 for the CLS400, to $107,800 for the CLS63 4MATIC S AMG. (See Also: BRABUS Refines the Mercedes-Maybach S600, Ups Power to 900 hp) There are a few changes that can be seen across every model, but most will receive class-specific updates. But, for all of them, five years of connected car services are included in the MSRP of every 2016 model, meaning each vehicle will have access to SiriusXM and mbrace Connect through 2020. Steel Grey and Palladium Silver have been removed from the exterior color options, while Selenite Grey metallic has been added as a new choice, while a remote start feature will be made available for the C-Class, CLA, GLA, GLC, GLE, GLS and S/Maybach models. Mercedes-Maybach Pullman Be sure to check out the table below to see each new model's MSRP and official on-sale date, then browse through our exclusive offerings of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and find a trusted dealer near you to pair you with your perfect model. Mercedes-Benzs For Sale Approx CY2015 on-sale date unless otherwise noted MSRP* C Sedan C300d 4MATIC (NEW) February 2016 TBA C300 August $38,950 C300-4M August $40,950 C350e (Plug-In-Hybrid)(NEW) September – ZEV states only TBA C450-4M Sport AMG (NEW) September TBA C63 AMG August $64,700 C63 S AMG August $72,700 E Sedan E250 BlueTec April 14, 2015 $52,650 E250 BlueTec 4MATIC April 14, 2015 $55,150 E350 April 14, 2015 $53,100 E350 4MATIC April 14, 2015 $55,600 E400 April 14, 2015 $63,100 E400 4MATIC April 14, 2015 $65,600 E63 4MATIC S AMG April 14, 2015 $101,700 E Wagon E350 4MATIC April 14, 2015 $59,900 E63 4MATIC S AMG April 14, 2015 $104,300 E Coupe E400 April 14, 2015 $54,200 E400 4MATIC April 14, 2015 $56,700 E550 April 14, 2015 $60,300 E Cab E400 April 14, 2015 $62,250 E550 April 14, 2015 $68,700 CLS CLS400 mid-July $66,900 CLS400 4MATIC mid-July $69,400 CLS550 mid-July $74,100 CLS550 4MATIC mid-July $76,600 CLS63 4MATIC S AMG mid-July $107,800 S Sedan / Maybach S550e (Plug-In-Hybrid)(NEW) early August – Calif only until early August, then ZEV-state only $95,650 S550 early August $95,650 S550 4MATIC early August $98,650 S600 early August $169,050 S63 4MATIC AMG early August $143,250 S65 AMG early August $224,650 Mercedes-Maybach S600 (NEW) April 14, 2015 $189,350 S Coupe S550 4MATIC early August $121,550 S63 4MATIC AMG early August $163,150 S65 AMG early August $234,050 SL SL400 mid-July $85,050 SL550 mid-July $108,050 SL63 AMG mid-July $149,700 SL65 mid-July $217,550 SLK SLK300 (NEW) mid-July $47,000 SLK350 mid-July $59,200 SLK55 AMG mid-July $72,600 B B250e mid-October TBA CLA CLA250 mid-October TBA CLA250 4MATIC mid-October TBA CLA45 4MATIC AMG mid-October TBA smart Coupe (Gasoline) (NEW) September TBA Coupe (Electric) early July (carryover MY15) TBA GLA GLA250 mid-October TBA GLA250 4MATIC mid-October TBA GLA45 4MATIC AMG mid-October TBA GLC GLC300 (NEW) mid-November TBA GLC300 4MATIC (NEW) mid-November TBA GLE GLE300d-4M (NEW) early August $52,500 GLE550e-4M (Plug-In-Hybrid) (NEW) early September – ZEV States only TBA GLE350-4M (NEW) early August $53,600 GLE350 (NEW) early August $51,100 GLE400-4M (NEW) early August $64,600 GLE63 AMG (NEW) early August $99,950 GLE63 S AMG (NEW) early August $107,100 GLE Coupe GLE450-4M (NEW) early August TBA GLE63 S AMG (NEW) early August TBA G G550 mid-October TBA G63 AMG mid-October TBA G65 AMG (NEW) mid-October TBA GL GL350-4M BlueTec early August $64,550 GL450-4M early August $66,200 GL550-4M early August $91,300 GL63 AMG early August $121,100 GT AMG GT S (NEW) April 14, 2015 $129,900 (Source: Mercedes-Benz USA) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Edward Jones – June 12, 2015

BRABUS Refines the Mercedes-Maybach S600, Ups power to 90...

The new Mercedes-Maybach S600 is a spacious vehicle that epitomizes luxury and performance. But the performance Mercedes-Maybach provided just wasn't enough for BRABUS.In a Facebook post made by BRABUS today, they detailed their take on the S600.Utilizing the BRABUS Rocket 900's twin-turbo 6.3-liter V12 engine, the power of the S600 is ramped up from 523 hp to 900 hp with 1,106 lb-ft of torque. This allows the 214.7-inch long car to hit a top speed of 217+ mph.(Related: The 500 hp BRABUS PowerXtra B50 Hybrid Unveiled)Like all BRABUS vehicles, this one also comes with added luxury. The BRABUS Monoblock "PLATINUM EDITION" 21-inch forged wheels add flavor to the car's exterior. On its inside, Alcantara, precious wood and carbon fiber abound, along with the BRABUS "iBusiness" high-tech multimedia system.Stay with us for more BRABUS news just like this.Gallery (Source: Facebook) Click Here For More Aftermarket News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 12, 2015

Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Switzerland to Pakistan with Mike ...

It's a route so uncommonly traveled that Google Maps doesn't even have driving directions for it, but that's not stopping Mercedes-Benz or Mike Horn from a Switzerland to Pakistan road trip.Horn is what you might call a "professional adventurer." His first famous endeavor was completed in 2001, when he traveled, solo, around the entirety of the equator without the use of any motorized transport. Since then, he has set off on treks of all sorts, bringing a new perspective to different parts of the world.Check out the stunning images of this off-road adventure and be sure to follow Mercedes-Benz and Mike Horn for updates from this experience. In the meantime, find your own perfect off-road utility vehicle by hitting the button below.G-Class For Sale (Source: Facebook, Mercedes-Benz.com) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 09, 2015

Mercedes-Benz Developing Self-Valeting Cars

Imagine driving up to the restaurant you have reservations at for 7:30 pm. It's 7:25, they'll cancel your reservation if you don't arrive on time and the parking is so full that you're late before you've even gotten out of the car.Now imagine that you're driving up to the restaurant in your Mercedes-Benz. It's 7:25, and you pull up out front of the entrance, get out of your car and watch it drive itself into the lot, find a spot and park. Dinner's over around 9:00, you grab your phone, select the command for your car to find you, walk out front and it's there, running and waiting.Though not actually a possibility just yet, Mercedes-Benz is working to make it one in the very near future. A press release issued today announced a collaboration between Daimler, Bosch and car2go, with all three working toward automated parking a reality."It is not the customer who parks and searches for their car; the vehicle drives to a free space independently and drives up comfortably by itself again," describes the release. This feature, they believe, will be available long before automated driving is, and will likely make for a very popular option.Though this system can hopefully fulfill the dream of my personal vehicle parking itself at any restaurant I visit, the initial project uses car2go's rental fleet. Order a car through the app on your phone, meet it in the pick-up zone and drive wherever you need. Return to a drop-off zone and complete the trip in the app, then watch as the car drives itself away and into an assigned parking space.(See Also: Daimler AG Launches In-Home Battery Pack to Compete with Tesla)Creating a digital infrastructure for a parking lot is half of the challenge in launching this technology; sensors need to be able to communicate with the vehicle to notify it of any obstacles, where open spots are and where the entrance and exit are, and this won't be available in most parking lots - yet. But recent demands by Audi's CEO and BMW's development of intelligent parking solutions point toward a future where this is possible thanks to support from both the transportation industry and local governments.Once this infrastructure exists, it's not impossible that you can order a car through an app, have it pick you up, drive you to your destination, then move on to its next customer without ever needing a human behind the wheel. Mercedes-Benz has been championing this idea for a while, including in their F 015 Luxury in Motion Research Vehicle, and we can't wait to see it in action.Stay with us to learn more about the potential of owning a self-parking vehicle, and find yourself a classic Mercedes-Benz to enjoy from our exclusive listings at the button below.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale (Source: Daimler Media) See More Industry Reports

By Caitlin Duffy – June 08, 2015

Daimler AG Launches In-Home Battery Pack to Compete With ...

Though Elon Musk has made aggressive moves over the past few years to revolutionize the way we consume energy, Mercedes-Benz is closing the gap in releasing new technologies.A new in-home battery system has been introduced by the German marque, one which utilizes the same lithium-ion batteries found in the hybrid and electric vehicles they create. A May 28 press release details this release from Deutsche ACCUmotive, a 100 percent subsidiary of Daimler AG.The two both offer the opportunity, in private use, to connect the storage pack to solar panels, though the feasibility of doing so has yet to be truly tested. A May 6 article from BloombergBusiness looked into this possibility with Tesla's power pack, which comes in two sizes, one meant for daily use and one meant for backup power storage in case of an outage. The daily use battery is 7 kilowatt hours (kWh) and the backup is 10 kWh, and the 10 kWh battery can become part of a 10-pack, creating 100 kWh of storage total.The packs from Mercedes-Benz can also be linked, but their storage sizes are significantly smaller than Tesla's. A 2.5 kWh pack is recommended for private use, with a 5.9 kWh size available for industrial use. Only 8 packs can be linked, creating a total of 20 kWh of energy storage.Tesla has already sold most of their initially planned battery packs, with deliveries planned to begin this summer. Daimler has opened up ordering for their packs as of June 1, and their deliveries are slated for this fall.(See Also: Mercedes-Benz Apple Watch App Introduced)Be sure to stay with us for more information on the implementation of these power packs as their popularity and utilization spreads, and find the perfect Mercedes-Benz vehicle to complement your in-home battery device from our exclusive listings below.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale (Source: Daimler, Tesla, BloombergBusiness) See More Industry Reports

By Caitlin Duffy – June 03, 2015

Mercedes-Benz Apple Watch App Introduced

If you have a driver's license, there has been at least one moment in your life when you've forgotten where you parked your car. It's likely there's also been at least one moment when you parked, the GPS directions cut off, and, at first, you still had no idea which building was the right one.Mercedes-Benz is looking to alleviate you of both those instances, and all it takes is the touch of a screen.The new Mercedes-Benz app for the Apple Watch has been introduced by the marque, and a post on their Facebook page June 2 shares a few photos of the app in action. As their website describes, the MB Companion App has users choose their destination right on their Apple Watch, then door-to-door directions are initiated as it communicates with the Mercedes-Benz COMAND Online system.The watch provides walking directions to where your Mercedes-Benz is parked, and once you turn the car on, the directions are seamlessly passed to the vehicle's GPS. Once you arrive, the directions switch back to your watch, directing you right up to the door of wherever you are headed.(See Also: Lorinser 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 For Sale - Price Reduced)The connected car market is growing at rapid rates, and the introduction of the Apple Watch is only increasing development further. As we covered in an April 27 article, Tesla, Audi and more have already completed and launched Apple Watch apps, and the options are only sure to increase.Be sure to stay with us for more information on the automotive industry, and take a moment to browse our exclusive listings of Mercedes-Benzs for sale to find your Apple Watch's perfect navigational companion.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale (Source: Mercedes-Benz, Facebook) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 26, 2015

Mercedes-Benz Research Vehicle at Inaugural CES Asia in S...

At the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mercedes-Benz stole the show with their keynote address and introduction of the F 015 Luxury in Motion Research Vehicle, a beyond-futuristic-looking vehicle prepped to do all the driving for you.So of course it would only make sense for them to participate in the inaugural launch of CES Asia. Scheduled from May 25-27 in Shanghai, the event is meant to focus more heavily on regional technological developments while still maintaining an international connection. China is a critically important market for the development and success of new technologies, and is quickly emerging as one of the world's financial superpowers, making the decision to host the event in Shanghai an obvious one."International CES Asia serves as the premier event for the consumer technology industry, showcasing the full breadth and depth of innovation in the Asian marketplace," describes the event's website, which details the 14 categories that exhibitors will be falling under, including automotive.(See Also: Mansory720 and Mansory900 Upgrade Options for Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG)Though Audi and the R8 e-tron were the keynote features, Mercedes-Benz shared photos of the F 015 in Shanghai on their Facebook page today, where the caption also announced the marque's work on "a closer partnership with Baidu, a Chinese search engine." Check out the stunning photos of this futuristic car in front of the city of the future, and browse our exclusive listings of Mercedes-Benzs for sale to find the ideal car to enter the future with.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook, CESAsia.cn) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 21, 2015

1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Set for Auction at Go...

There are few opportunities in a lifetime to own a piece of automotive history, and even fewer to own that piece in a like-new state more than ten years after its creation.But Bonhams is about to offer just such a chance on June 26 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale. Estimated for sell between $2.2 million and $2.8 million is a 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, one of the original 25 created, and one of the six to become a roadster.A May 20 report from Autovisie by De Telegraaf, a digital publication from the Netherlands, tells us that this particular model has seen only six kilometers on the road, the equivalent of about 3.7 miles. Its powerful engine barely differs from the race version it was based on, a 6.9-liter V12 capable of 612 hp and 571 lb-ft. The 2002 CLK GTR Roadster sold for $1.7 million in November 2013.Though there isn't much information included in the lot listing on Bonhams' website, there really isn't a need. The legacy of this car speaks for itself, and its styling and design are beyond recognizable; they're down-right unforgettable.November 2013 was one of the most recent times a CLK GTR Roadster crossed an auction block; it was a 2002 model and fetched a winning price of $1.3 million. Since this example is both from the first production run of this model and so low on mileage, we expect the winning bid to exceed the estimated $2.8 million.(See Also: BRABUS Rocket 900 on the Dyno)If interested in participating in this auction, you can visit Bonhams.com to learn how to register for the event, scheduled for 2:00 pm BST, or 9:00 am EST. For those who may have difficulty leaving the United States in time for this Bonhams event, be sure to learn more about their upcoming auction in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance May 31.If another model is more your style, check out our exclusive listings of Mercedes-Benzs for sale, and find the perfect one for you.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale (Source: Bonhams, Autovisie) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2015

BRABUS Rocket 900 on the Dyno

Back in March our friends at Brabus announced their intentions to unleash their engineers upon the new Mercedes-Benz S65. What resulted was christened the Brabus Rocket 900. You can read the full rundown of this powerhouse in our March 2 article, but, in short, by stroking the V12 from 6.0-liter to 6.3-liter and installing leviathan turbochargers, they created a 900 hp monster with 1,106 lb-ft of torque.That level of power will shatter any transmission, so careful tuning is required to keep the 7 speed automatic alive. In a video uploaded to their YouTube page May 20, the Rocket 900 can be seen running through the gears on their chassis dyno. Like a madman in a straightjacket, the Rocket is barely restrained by the hold-downs.(See Also: CEO On-The-Go: LCW Automotive's 2015 Escalade ESV CEO)For the production versions, torque is dialed back to a “reasonable” 884 lb-ft. For approximately $390,000, you will have the most powerful production sedan ever built.Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article stated the original engine size was a 5.5-liter. It has since been edited to reflect the accurate size of 6.0-liters.Gallery (Source: YouTube) See More Aftermarket News

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