BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 Claims the Title of World’s Most Powerful Luxury Sedan

This here is the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class-based Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800. With 800 hp (597 kW) and 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) on tap, the R800 sets a new milestone in the luxury segment, while dwarfing the S65 AMG in the process.

This luxo-barge-on-steroids uses the same V12 engine that originally came with the BRABUS E V12. That means that the displacement has been increased from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 385 cui), by using a special crankshaft with longer stroke, larger pistons and corresponding larger bore.

A new air intake is also used, alongside high-performance manifolds and water-to-air intercoolers.

While the engine is capable of delivering a peak torque of 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) at 2,100 rpm, for technical reasons (as in not to tear apart the transmission) it has been limited to 'just' 811 lb-ft or 1,100 Nm. Even so, the five-speed automatic transmission had to be thoroughly strengthened.

BRABUS claims that the SV12 R Biturbo 800 is also the world's fastest luxury sedan with an electronically limited(!) top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). Breaking the 62 mph (100 km/h) "barrier" in just 3.9 seconds is no small feat either.

Naturally, the suspension, brakes and aerodynamics have been heavily modified, so that your average oligarch can safely wring every ounce of performance out of this beast.

Wheels come in three sizes, from 19 to 21 inches, and in four "flavors": three-piece forged and high-gloss polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels with six double spokes, multi-spoke Monoblock E wheels, Monoblock S wheels with double-spoke design and Monoblock F PLATINUM EDITION forged wheels with cross-spoke design. Pirelli or Yokohama offer the matching rubber, in sizes 265/30 (front) and 295/30 (rear).

The tour de force continues in the cabin, where countless combinations of leather or Alcantara and exclusive wood trim sets are available. The iBusiness multimedia system deserves a special note, as it's for the very first time that various Apple components have been fully integrated into the vehicle electronics of the Mercedes S-Class.

There's no information on the price yet, but surely it will match all the other specs. And who cares? If you really want the fastest opulence there is, you'll surely find a way to "has it..."

By Csaba Daradics

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Mercedes-Benz Considering to make Next S-Class a Hybrid-Only Lineup, U.S. Dealers Say 'Nein'

The next-generation of Mercedes-Benz's S-Class flagship limo -including the high-performance AMG models- which is due to go on sale in Europe in 2012 and in North America the following year, could be offered exclusively with hybrid powertrains if the company's bosses get their way.

According to a report from Autonews citing inside sources, the premium automaker's board is considering the shift to hybrids and the elimination of models with only internal-combustion engines for a number of reasons.

These include to help meet tightening European CO2 emission and tougher corporate average fuel economy standards in the United States, as well as to highlight the company's hybrid technology and to compete against Lexus which is considered the leader in premium hybrid vehicle sales.

However, some of Mercedes-Benz's U.S. dealers are not liking the idea of a hybrid-only S-Class range as they believe that hybrids are "not perceived as true performers in the market" and that the switch "would change the perception of the brand."

Tommy Baker, chairman of the Mercedes-Benz dealer board and a Charleston, S.C., Mercedes dealer, told Autonews: "The most important thing in the American market - regardless of hybrid, lithium or electric cars - is that we Americans are different than any market and we are going to want those gasoline engines. For S-class buyers the goal is not gas mileage."

Currently, Mercedes-Benz offers only a mild-hybrid version of the S-Class, the S400 HYBRID that uses a 279HP 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine, a 20HP electric motor installed in the torque converter housing between the engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission and a set of lithium-ion batteries. The car cannot be driven on electric power only.

If Mercedes-Benz's board gets its way, all version of the next S-Class including the AMG variants, will be full-hybrids capable of operating in electric-mode only.

According to an inside source, a decision by the company's board is expected within three months.

Via: Autonews (Sub. Req.)

Old Skool Tuning: 1983 Mercedes-Benz 560SE with 386HP by Inden Design

Always had a thing for the Mercedes-Benz W126 (1979-1991) with its simple, uncluttered and yet amazingly elegant and timeless styling - a feat never again repeated by the luxury sedan's S Class successors, anyone disagree? This particular example you see pictured above, is a 1983 model modified by Germany's Inden Design in 1991. Being the company's first ever Mercedes product, Inden Design thought that it would be a cool idea to photograph the car and share with us a piece of its history.

The completely blacked out 1983 W126 was upgraded with the 1986 facelift model's bumpers and side covers and the US-spec model's headlamps and tail lights while there's also a sport exhaust system with dual pipes. The lowered suspension and the widened fenders that house 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 255/35 R18 tyres up front and (overly) massive 315/30 R18 tyres at the back, offer the W126 an even more aggressive stance.

The W126's interior, which is completely covered in black Nappa leather, boasts a set of König sport seats up front and special wood trim.

The classic Merc is powered by a 6.0-liter V8 engine from the 560SE producing over 368 horsepower while stopping power comes courtesy of an upgraded 6-piston sports brake system with 352 x 32mm discs from AP Racing.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and S65 AMG: High-Res Photos and Official Details

The Shanghai Auto Show hosted the world premiere of the top-of-the-line 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, the S63 AMG and S65 AMG. While retaining the same powertrains as the pre-facelift models, both AMG cars have received a series of subtle cosmetic and mechanical tweaks. The S63 AMG comes with a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 525HP and 630Nm or 465 lb/ft of torque, and is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62mph) from standstill in 4.6 seconds while the S65 AMG that features a 6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine producing 612HP and 1000Nm or 737 lb/ft, accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 4.4 sec.

Mercedes-Benz claims that in the S65 AMG, it has improved fuel economy and decreased CO2 emissions by around three per cent by retuning the car's engine management system.

A new feature for the 2010 S-Class AMG models is the Torque Vectoring Brake system that briefly applies the brakes on the vehicle's inner rear wheel during cornering. Merc's supports that this feature not only improves responsiveness but also active handling safety.

Furthermore, the AMGsports suspension which is based on the Active Body Control (ABC) and provides crosswind stabilisation has been added to the standard equipment for the first time.

In terms of styling, aside from the general revisions that were made to the entire S-Class range, the differences between the 2009MY and the 2010MY AMGs concern the new front bumper that incorporates a pair of LED daytime running lights, the restyled rear apron and the new, more pronounced arrow-shaped radiator grille, which in the case of the S65 AMG, features twin chrome-plated louvres.

Likewise, changes to the interior are limited to new infotainment systems, including COMAND APSwith new SPLITVIEW display, which shows different images for driver and front passenger simultaneously.

Both top-of-the-line AMG models will have their market launches in June 2009, with the S 63 AMG being available in both short or long-wheelbase versions and the S 65 AMG exclusively as a long-wheelbase version.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG V8

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2010 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG V12