The winning SLS AMG GT3 of Team Abu Dhabi Black Falcon circulates the featureless Yas Marina circuit with the spectacularly overbuilt Dubai cityscape in the hazy background. SLS GT3s swept the top three spots in the 24-hour endurance test.

Dubai 24-hours
GT3 Gullwings dominate

Dubai (UAE) – The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 scored a commanding 1-2-3 in the Dubai 24-hour race (January 12th till 14th, 2012). The Abu Dhabi Black Falcon team claimed victory with Thomas Jäger (GER), Sean Edwards (ENG), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED) and Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE). After setting a new distance record of 628 race laps, final driver Al Qubaisi drove the Gullwing with starting number 3 across the finish line. This first place was also the maiden victory for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in a 24-hour race.

All four Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s put their mark on the Dubai 24-hour race by showing a commanding performance from the very beginning. In the field of the 72 cars, the Gullwings were among the fastest entries right away. Having started from 15th place on the grid, the Abu Dhabi Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3 moved up into the lead for the first time after two hours. Consistently fast lap times also allowed the other Gullwings to move up quickly into the ranks of the front-runners as well.

Most successful newcomer in the 2011 motor sport season

This year’s Dubai 24-hour race marks the beginning of the second racing season for the SLS AMG GT3. In its debut year of 2011, the Gullwing became probably the most successful newcomer in the 2011 motorsport season: from March 2011 on 40 race cars were delivered to international customer teams that took part in races on four continents and won a total of 25 races. The success story was crowned by the team title of the FIA GT3 European Championship for HEICO Motorsport and its two Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 – the first title for the Gullwing in its first full racing season.

The 3rd place SLS AMG GT3 shared by Bernd Schneider (GER), Kenneth Heyer (GER), Andreas Simonsen (SWE) und Rodolfo Gonzalez (VEN) leans into one of Circuit Yas Marina's bends. Note expansive paved run-off area. Purists decry the circuit's sterile layout.

Text and photography from Daimler Media.

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Looking sinister in Matte Black, this SL65 Black Edition is fitted Brabus' latest tweak, the T65 package. The resulting 20% power increase over the standard car's already potent 661hp catapults the car to 100km 3.6 seconds and a top speed of about 205mph.

When 661hp is inadequate

When is enough enough? Apparently never in the world of one-off ‘tuner’ supercars. While Brabus has been constructing over-the-top (and to many, pointless) ultra-high speed road cars since 1977, they must have a following for their creations: A lack of demand voids the need to create more 200 mph road cars.

Rear view reminiscent of Trans Am cars from the late '80s. We do like the paint and wheel treatment if not the exercise as a whole. There were only 350 SL65 Black Editions constructed and more than a few have been modified further, often by gearheads in the Middle East.

Dubai Calling

Their latest performance upgrade kit for Mercedes-Benz is pointed at the wealthy SL65 owner who feels disappointed at the paltry performance figures returned by their ‘standard’ SL65 Black Edition – 0-100km/hr in 3.8 sec and top speed of 198 mph. Right, these are simply pathetic figures.

Referred to as the T65 RS modification kit, it provides larger turbochargers, revised exhaust, remapped engine management and a livelier gearbox program. Also part of the package are some nice cosmetic touches such as Brabus badged orange brake calipers, tasteful interior trim touches and orange instrument lighting.

Unique interior embellishments include orange seat stitching, orange instrument back lighting and orange sill plate badges noting this personalized SL65 Black Edition as a "Vanish."

These packages have found their way into a few Black Editions is Dubai, creating bespoke SLs whose owners felt compelled to rename. There is the black ‘Vanish’ shown above and the ‘Stealth’ shown in the video below.

The Halo Effect

It’s really not necessary to take these cars seriously but rather to appreciate them as conversation pieces and examples of what Brabus is CAPABLE of. The massive PR these few modified “Black” SLs generate – a process in which I’m a willing participant – will focus Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts on the massive catalog of highly engineered practical and not so practical upgrades from Brabus. Have a look at their website for yourself.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

Photography from evo.co.uk

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Photography by Mercedes-Benz

Unique new “AMG Desert Gold” finish

Pre-empting the imminent push from aftermarket tuners to fiddle with their new supercar, Mercedes AMG has launched an SLS finished in a most unique “AMG Desert Gold.” And what better place to debut the aggressive new paint scheme than the Desert oasis of Dubai during this year’s Dubai International Motor Show.

SLS takes on somewhat of a radar evading military feel in the new AMG Desert Gold matte finish. The new Gullwing's clean 3/4 rear view is highlighted with stark paint tone and absence of wheel details distracting the eye.

Continuing the trend of mainstream manufacturers embracing elements of the hot rod and rat rod automotive subculture, the new paint has a very silky matte finish. Generally found on chopped ’50 Mercury coupes cruising drive-ins around the United States, this cool finish is slowly creeping into more and more manufacturer’s show cars and optional finish selections. It all began 60 years ago with “flat black” paint, a cheap and quick way to paint your cut down ’32 Ford Highboy.

Plenty of room to exercise the SLS's 571 hp in Dubai. How long will it be before we see a matte black SLS?

To further accent the unique flat finish, Mercedes and AMG have “blacked out” all the originally bright finished items on the car with a deep gloss black finish. Very cool. Think AMG 500SL in the early ’80s. The same treatment is back. It should do well in Dubai and appeal to US buyers that just might have a flat black ’32 three window Ford in their garage.

SLS AMG wins 2010 iF Product Design Award

The accolades have only just begun for the SLR’s replacement. Last month it was the Golden Steering Wheel award and this month a prestigious design award from the International Forum Design in Hanover, Germany.

According to the press release, the new SLS has demonstrated outstanding design performance and offers high captivation potential. Ok, I get that but a notation of the new 6.3 liter Gullwing representing a “purist design” doesn’t ring totally true. At least to this purist. There are areas of the new shape that certainly lack harmony but maybe that is its appeal. I’m warming to the design but am beginning to feel it was not designed with a 55 year old hardcore automobile enthusiast with roots to ’60s era designs from the house of Pininfarina in mind. In other words, perhaps not me.

Posing at Abu Dhabi's surreal new Yas Island Marina Grand Prix circuit. There is no doubt this is a dramatic cutting edge design.

I’m sure my warming to the design will continue when I’m able to see one in the flesh. Oh, and a drive just might completely change my mind. There is no doubt, the new SLS is is one spectacular offering. And this time around Mercedes/AMG’s supercar is actually affordable, well somewhat.

Does this new Gullwing faithfully “reinterpret the breathtaking lines of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL?” What do you think?

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

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