Mercedes SL 65 Black Series First Details Emerge.

Over the past year we have seen numerous spy photos and videos of the SL 65 AMG Black Series, but besides an Autoweek story last month, nothing concrete in terms of specifications has emerged, until now. After a select group of journalists were given a sneak peek at the New York Auto Show last month with specific embargo restrictions, MotorTrend online edition is one of the first to come forth.
In an effort to put the SL 65 AMG Black Series into perspective for their American audience, MotorTrend makes a laughable analogy, which compares a road going hyper sports car to a professional race car that can barely get out of it’s own way, “the SL65 AMG Black Series is roughly akin to the SL65 AMG what a Dodge Charger Nextel Cup car is to a Dodge Charger SRT-8.” Surely, taken out of context, but the comparison is somewhat out of place.Fine wine versus wine cooler debate aside, the SL 65 AMG gets put on a weight loss program which results in 6.1 pounds per horsepower as opposed to the 7.7-pounds from the standard SL 65 AMG. No details have been provided about how Mercedes extracted a conservative 66 hp for a total of 670 hp from the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, although it is most likely from an engine management upgrade plus some light-weight internal engine components. Capable of 220 mph but electronically limited to 186 mph (300 km/h), 0-60 mph arrives in less than 4.0 seconds.
The weight loss continues with carbon fiber body panels such as the hood, fenders and roof. Simultaneously, the entire chassis benefits from more rigidity as a result of the fixed roof as well as the removal of additional components and high strength chassis reinforcements (88 pounds worth) that comes with the folding roof of the SL 65 AMG. Other sprinkles of carbon fiber are found in a rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler which provides approximately 77 pounds of additional downforce. In total, 570 pounds are relieved for a kerb weight of 4080 pounds.
For the suspension, electro-hydraulic Active Body Control dampener units get tossed in the bin in favor of adjustable coilover spring/struts. Naturally, carbon-ceramic brakes will be included along with lightweight forged alloy one-piece wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR-19 (front), 325/30ZR-20 (rear) Dunlop Maxx GT tires.With only 350 units to be sold worldwide, the SL Black Series is expected to make its public debut at the German Grand Prix in July with deliveries commencing in 2009.

Sporty Ford Fiesta S.

The European styled and engineered 2009 Ford Fiesta made its Chinese debut this week at the 2008 Beijing Auto Salon. Displayed for the first time in the sporty “S” trim, the Fiesta S is distinguished by a roof spoiler, a different rear apron with a visible, chromed exhaust pipe, darkened headlamps, aluminum-style wraparound for the front fog lamps, a honeycomb mesh style front air-dam with aluminum detailing along with 16-inch alloy rims wrapped in 195/50 rubber.

2008 Aston Martin Dominates Silverstone.

Aston Martin triumphed in both GT1 and GT4 categories in front of a 25,000-strong crowd in the first race of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone over the weekend.
In poor weather with heavy fog and rain, the famous Tourist Trophy was won by Karl Wendlinger and Ryan Sharp in the number 33 Jetalliance Aston Martin DBR9. Allan Simonsen and Philipp Peter finished 3rd in the Gigawave DBR9 after holding off intense competition in a thrilling climax to the race.The second Jetalliance car driven by Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer and Alex Muller claimed an excellent 6th place after starting from 9th on the GT1 grid.Karl Wendlinger said: “It has been an incredibly tough race in very difficult conditions. Both the wet tyres and the intermediates were degrading quickly during my stints. And then also my spin – but still it worked out okay. Ryan has performed superbly today and won the race for us. A perfect season opener!”
Ryan Sharp commented: “I desperately wanted to win here at Silverstone of all places. Now the feeling is just incredible. We had a perfect car and perfect teamwork.”
In GT3 where six Aston Martin DBRS9s were in action, Brixia Racing in their debut race achieved the highlight result claiming a 3rd place podium finish in race one.
The new GT4 category for production-standard race cars saw Aston Martins victorious in both races, with Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof in the Jetalliance Vantage N24 taking victory in Saturday’s race. The final race on Sunday saw eight Vantage N24s start on the grid and in a gripping tussle for the lead, Jamie Smyth in the Beechdean N24 triumphed over the 2nd placed Mustang on the final lap.
Klaus Engelhorn took 3rd and Jurgen Van Hover finished 4th.David King, Head of Product Communications and Motorsport, Aston Martin said: “We are very proud of the achievements of all the Aston Martin teams across all four classes of GT racing this weekend.
“Jetalliance has made a perfect start to their FIA GT1 campaign and their support for GT4 really paid off too with a great win for Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof in his debut race in one of four Jetalliance-entered Vantage N24s.
“The 3rd place in GT1 for the Gigawave team was an amazing achievement in their first GT1 season and in GT3 the competition was incredible, with 50 cars from nine different marques battling it out, making a debut 3rd place finish for the Brixia team all the more special.”Meanwhile in the American Le Mans Series in Long Beach, Paul Drayson and Johnny Cocker successfully drove the brand new Drayson-Barwell Vantage GT2 to its maiden race finish