As this auction result shows, it’s not only Ferraris that have a lock on the staggering amounts that collector cars sell for nowadays. At a recently concluded Gooding and Company auction, a 1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing garnered a $4,620,000 bid that made it the top seller for that auction. In comparison, a Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider changed hands at the same auction for $3,905,000.

What made this Gullwing so expensive is the fact the it’s practically a museum piece in terms of condition. Being one of only 29 alloy-bodied 300 SLs was also a major factor in making the car so desirable. Aside from the rarity of such a body, finding one on the open market is also a very rare occassion, so much so that the buyers who desperately wanted the car ended up in a bidding war.

50 years after the original photograph was taken, an assemblage of Gullwing owners, headed by the automobile club the Gull Wing Group, has gathered at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge to recapture the moment. The original group photo was a gathering of owners of Mercedes’ 300 SL. This time, Mercedes-Benz USA lent its considerable reach to bring 100 Gullwings and 300 SL Roadsters to the site of the original photograph.

Also marking the occasion was the announcement of MBUSA’s donation of 125 scholarships intended for local kids who will participate in the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department’s summer camp programs.

If you aren’t at Pebble Beach yet, you’re missing half of your life. Day One of the Concours d’Elegance has just wrapped up and here are photos to boot. As you can see, the event never fails to bring in crowds from all over the world, who are keen on witnessing the development of the automobile. And, as the longest living car manufacturer in the world, making them the first ever, Mercedes-Benz plays a pivotal role in such ceremonies.

It was Mercedes-Benz which invented the automobile, and it shows from the presence of the company in Day One. Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, located on the third fairway, has more than twenty vehicles being displayed as we speak. The vehicles feature the company’s latest innovations as well as the flavor and richness of its heritage that contributed largely to the development of the automobile industry as a whole.

A highlight of Day One, apart from the cars, was the presence of the living legend himself, Sir Stirling Moss, accompanied by Mercedes-Benz Director of Communications Geoff Day. Moss delighted the crowd as he paraded in the original 300SL Gullwing while the pair discussed the classic icon in relation to its descendant, Mercedes-Benz’s super car, the SLS AMG Gullwing. It would have been something if you were there to see it—the event, the cars, the people—with your own eyes and capture it with your own lenses. For now, the pictures should keep you busy. Enjoy!

It’s been a decade since Mercedes-Benz first rolled out its very first super sports car. Now, the company is celebrating their sports car heritage by presenting eight of their most iconic vehicles down at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It’s going to go down from August 12 to 15. Along with old sports classics are the entire lineup of the E-Class range, a Gran Turismo 5 gaming sled courtesy of Sony, a Maybach exhibition and what everybody is hoping to experience, an SLS AMG test drive booth.

There will also be a private owner of a 1902 Simplex that’ll be gracing the event, driving 1,500 miles from his home just to please the crowds of Mercedes-Benz fans. This car won numerous hill climbs and road races back in its years. A 300SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” will also make an appearance from its home in the Mercedes-Benz Museum back in Stuttgart.

The rest of the cars that will be put on display are the following: a 1929 SSK; a 1952 W194 300SL—which ushered in the Sport and Light era—which was the icon that gave the world the Gullwing doors; a 1956 W198 300SL; a 1970 C111-II; a 2011 SLS AMG; and of course, the 2011 SLS AMG GT3 which is set to make its debut in racing later this year.

It’s all happening at Pebble Beach. So if you’re a true Mercedes-Benz connoisseur, you better be there this August!

Who isn’t a fan of Gran Turismo? Well here’s great news. The game manufacturer has finally released yet more news on the fifth edition, and there’s going to be at least three versions of it. There will be a standard edition fetching around AU$120, a collector’s edition worth AU$130, and a signature edition that costs around AU$300. Why are the figures in Australian dollars? Well, probably because they’re going to be made available in Australia.

So why are we reporting on it here at BenzInsider? Well, aren’t you an eager beaver. You see, the collector’s edition will be packaged with a copy of Apex magazine, and there’ll be hints and tips featured in it for both driving and tuning. There will also be a set of five art cards, five ready-to-race  ChromeLine-tuned cars, plus a them that’s so dynamic it will blow your PS3 away.

Here’s the juicy part. The signature edition—the one which costs 300 bucks—will have the game boxed in a metal case along with a 1:43 scale of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing. That’s not all. Inside the case will also be a GT-branded leather wallet and key fob, the Apex magazine plus a branded USB key that contains a behind-the-scenes video file for your geeky pleasure. Apart from the five ChromeLine cars, there will be an additional six “Stealth” cars that include the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the McLaren F1 super cars. Beat that, NFS!

Oh yeah, signature edition buyers will also have the chance to win a AU$464,000 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing. You’d rather have the wallet, wouldn’t you?

Now stop drooling and start saving up for GT5. You have buyers from all 21 other countries to beat to the ultimate prize of the SLS AMG.

The 3rd Carrera Panamericana was one of the top international races of the 1952 season. The double victory achieved by Mercedes-Benz there ranks as one of the brand’s most spectacular successes. Karl Kling and co-driver Hans Klenk won the race, a long-distance event covering 3111 kilometres, against strong international competition at an average speed of 165.011 km/h. Second to cross the finishing line, also driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, were Hermann Lang and co-driver Erwin Grupp.

Kling’s collision with a vulture at 250 km/h, which left his car with a smashed windscreen and Hans Klenk with head injuries, went into the annals of racing history. In addition to replacing the screen, the mechanics also immediately fitted eight thin vertical metal bars to protect vehicle and driver in the event of a similar collision – still the vehicle’s most distinguishing feature.

The SLS wheelbase will be 105.5-inch; the front track will be 1.2 inches wider than the rear. The Gullwing will be powered by a 6.2 liter V8 pumping out 563 hp at 6800 rpm and 479 lb ft of torque at 4700 rpm. It will have a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox, a Race Start launch control function, which will propel the SLS from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 3.8 sec. Top speed will be around 196 mph, oh and for those planning on stopping from that speed, they’ll be helped by 15.4 in discs in front squeezed by six piston calipers and 14.2 inches in the back with 4 piston calipers – carbon ceramic rotors are optional.

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The newly developed, optional ceramic composite brakes with larger brake discs guarantee even better brake performance and lower unsprung masses. The design and development phase for the super sports car got underway in the last quarter of 2006. The intensive vehicle testing programme will be complete by the end of 2009. Meanwhile, the reinterpretation of the legendary ‘Gullwing’ is scheduled to be launched in spring 2010.

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“Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the guise of the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster. The SLS AMG is emotion pure and simple for the Mercedes-Benz brand and is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

“Our customers will experience with the SLS AMG the expertise of our sports car manufacturer Mercedes-AMG, built up over 40 years of motor racing, along with the kind of scintillating design that only a top athlete from the Mercedes-Benz stable can offer”, says Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG offers purist, distinctive styling, superior driving dynamics and hallmark Mercedes everyday practicality and safety. During the development of the new ‘Gullwing’, the AMG developers placed their trust in the valuable know-how of the specialists from the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Sindelfingen. The aim of this joint development was to turn the SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ into the perfect synthesis of the strengths of the Mercedes-Benz and AMG brands.

Consistent lightweight design thanks to aluminium

The radical design as a highly talented dynamic super sports car with its low-slung front-mid engine set well back also feeds through into the proportions as well as the optimised lightweight body concept: for the first time, Mercedes-Benz and AMG are presenting a car with an aluminium chassis and body. Compared with the traditional steel design, this results in a significant weight saving, clearly illustrated in the planned DIN kerb weight of 1620 kilograms excluding driver.

The newly developed bodyshell comprises an aluminium spaceframe. This exclusive design combines intelligent lightweight design with outstanding strength – thus delivering superlative driving dynamics. Naturally, the aluminium spaceframe meets all the requirements in terms of passive safety and the hallmark Mercedes-Benz body quality that applies to any car sporting the Mercedes-Benz star. Despite the low sitting position in typical sports car fashion, the wide-opening gullwing doors make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle.

Fine-tuned AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 420 kW/571 hp

The fine-tuned AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine achieves a peak output of 420 kW/571 hp at 6800 rpm, thus turning the SLS AMGinto one of the most powerful sports cars in its segment. A power-to-weight ratio of 2.84 kg/hp comes courtesy of the low vehicle weight. The eight-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine delivers maximum torque of 650 Nm at 4750 rpm. The ‘Gullwing’ accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 315 km/h (all figures are provisional). Bearing the internal designation M159, the V8 high-revving engine with its displacement of 6208 cubic centimetres has been thoroughly reengineered compared with the M156 entry-level engine and boasts all the hallmarks of powerful racing engines.

The principal measures in increasing output include the all-new intake system, the reworked valve train and camshafts, the use of flow-optimised tubular steel headers and the dethrottling of the exhaust system. This results in much better cylinder charging, which feeds through into an increase in output to 420 kW/ 571 hp with maximum torque of 650 Nm. The eight-cylinder engine responds swiftly to movements of the accelerator pedal, demonstrating much more pronounced high-revving flexibility across the entire rev range. The switch to dry sump lubrication also translates into a much lower position of the engine in the vehicle. And lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity has also paved the way for high lateral acceleration and exhilarating driving dynamics.

Perfect synthesis of lightweight design and strength

The use of high-strength components compensates for the increased engine load associated with the higher output. Forged pistons, a reinforced crankshaft bearing, optimised crankcase structure, along with improved lubrication thanks to an on-demand high-performance oil pump ensure optimum durability.

Despite these higher loads, the engine weight for the M159 has been further reduced. The forged pistons as oscillating masses play a particularly valuable role in this respect. Thanks to targeted weight optimisation, the weight of the engine has been reduced further, resulting in a kerb weight of 206 kilograms and, in turn, a power-to-weight ratio of 0.36 kg/hp. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine thus delivers the best figure by far compared with its competitors.

Sophisticated catalytic converter technology enables current and future exhaust emission standards such as EU 5, LEV 2 and ULEV to be met. The friction-optimised twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating on the cylinder walls – a process that remains exclusive to AMG- also reduces fuel consumption, as does the on-demand, map-optimised oil supply along with the regulated generator management. Thanks to the targeted use of efficiency-enhancing measures, fuel consumption for the SLS AMG is around 13 litres of Super Plus per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined, provisional figure).

Dual-clutch transmission with transaxle configuration and torque tube

The AMG6.3-litre V8 engine delivers its abundant power via an ultra-light carbon-fibre driveshaft at the rear axle – similar to the set-up used on the DTM C-Class racing touring car. The transmission is mounted at the rear (transaxle principle) and is connected to the engine housing via a torque tube.

A carbon-fibre shaft rotates at engine speed in the torque tube. The advantages of this sophisticated solution are associated with the rigid link between the engine and transmission and, in turn, the optimum support for the forces and torque generated. A new AMG dual-clutch transmission with seven gears takes care of power transfer. The transmission boasts fast gear changes with no loss of tractive force. The driver has a choice of four different driving modes, ranging from comfortable to extremely sporty, as well as a RACESTART function. Optimum traction comes courtesy of the mechanical differential lock, which is integrated in the compact transmission casing.

The chosen solution with a front-mid engine plus transaxle configuration ensures an ideal front/rear weight distribution of 48 to 52 percent. Mounting the engine behind the front axle has created the ideal conditions for consummate driving dynamics with precise steering, first-class agility, low inertia with spontaneous directional changes and outstanding traction. The suspension technology is also a match for these high standards: wheel location comes courtesy of double wishbones and hub carriers made of lightweight forged aluminium. The ‘Gullwing’ comes with 3-stage ESP® as standard, providing the driver with access to the three “ESP ON”, “ESP SPORT” and “ESP OFF” modes at the push of a button.

Ceramic composite brakes, innovative flow-forming wheels

The AMG high-performance composite brakes all-round ensure extremely short stopping distances even under enormous loads. The newly developed, optional ceramic composite brakes with larger brake discs guarantee even better brake performance and lower unsprung masses. The ceramic brake discs will perform reliably at even higher operating temperatures thanks to their greater hardness, all combined with an impressive weight reduction of around 40 percent. Light-weight design was also a key consideration with the wheels: weight-optimised AMG light-alloy wheels – 9.5 x 19 inch (front) and 11.0 x 20 inch (rear) – based on the innovative flow-forming principle reduce the unsprung masses while increasing driving dynamics and suspension comfort. 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear) tyres developed exclusively for AMG ensure optimum grip.

The SLS (Gullwing) will be smaller than the outgoing SLR, which in addition to the all-new aluminum space frame contributes to a weight of just 3,571 lbs, a full 300 lbs less than the SLR McLaren. The SLS wheelbase will be 105.5-inch; the front track will be 1.2 inches wider than the rear. The Gullwing will be powered by a 6.2 liter V8 pumping out 563 hp at 6800 rpm and 479 lb ft of torque at 4700 rpm. It will have a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox, a Race Start launch control function, which will propel the SLS from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 3.8 sec. Top speed will be around 196 mph, oh and for those planning on stopping from that speed, they’ll be helped by 15.4 in discs in front squeezed by six piston calipers and 14.2 inches in the back with 4 piston calipers – carbon ceramic rotors are optional.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS (aka SLC Gullwing) price has not been announced, but according to Autoblog.com, we can expect to see a price tag of $200k.

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