Automotive Design Guide: February 2010

MICHAEL CONCLUDES TESTING IN BARCELONA

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Barcelona, Spain, Feb 28, 2010

Michael Schumacher was at the wheel of the MGP W01 car today to conclude this week’s four-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona and complete his own on-track preparations for the new season.

Michael spent the morning focusing on qualifying simulations and developing the set-up of the car before working on race procedures throughout the afternoon. Michael completed 123 laps with a quickest time of 1:20.745.

Today’s action brings the pre-season test programme to a conclusion after fifteen days of track action in Valencia, Jerez and Barcelona during February. With the 2010 Formula One season getting underway in less than two weeks, Michael and Nico Rosberg will next be in action on Friday 12 March for the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher: “The four testing days here in Barcelona have helped us to make significant progress with the MGP W01 and I am feeling quite confident for the start of the season. It is always difficult to read too much into testing but knowing our programme, it is fair to say that the times did not always reflect the true picture. We have worked through many set-up and development evaluations this week and gained valuable information to study before Bahrain. We are heading the first race with a good feeling and we know that we will have our upgrades there. But most of all we know that our prospects for even the first races are looking very reasonable now.”

Ross Brawn: “Today brings our pre-season testing programme to its conclusion and overall we are very pleased with the progress made with the MGP W01 and the integration of Michael and Nico into our team. In performance terms, we are not quite where we want to be yet but then again we are not far off. In testing, it is always difficult to be precise about your position relative to the competition, and we have our complete upgrade package due for the first race in Bahrain which should bring further improvements. Michael and Nico have both looked very good during the tests and they are working well together to improve the car.”

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Barcelona, Day 3 - Nico Rosberg - New photos

More images after the jump!

* Official photos courtesy of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS *

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

NICO TOPS THE TIMES IN BARCELONA

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Barcelona, Spain, Feb 27, 2010

Nico Rosberg completed the third day of testing for the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona today to bring his pre-season testing programme to its conclusion.

Nico spent the morning working on qualifying simulations and developing the car set-up before completing a race simulation exercise in the afternoon. Despite intermittent rain showers in the late morning and early afternoon, Nico was able to complete almost 600kms over 128 laps as he set the fastest time of the day, a 1:20.686, during the driest period this morning.

Michael Schumacher will take over the MGP W01 tomorrow for the fourth and final day of the test.

Nico Rosberg: “We had a good day today and made some significant progress in terms of set-up which was nice to see. We hadn’t got the most out of the car in terms of performance over the last couple of days, but we made a step in the right direction today. We went through some big changes this morning step by step and found some good improvements. The longer runs this afternoon were interesting. We learnt a lot as there were other cars running similar programmes at the same time so we were able to do some comparisons. There is still plenty of room to improve but overall we’re looking in pretty good shape.”

* Official photos and info courtesy of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS *

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA: "We have entered the Mercedes era"

Experience the birth of the Mercedes-Benz brand in a fascinating story!

Mercedes-Benz-Blog TRIVIA: "We have entered the Mercedes era"

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Barcelona, Day 2 - Schumi - Further Photos

More images after the jump!

* Official photos courtesy of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS *

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

MICHAEL IN ACTION AT CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Barcelona, Spain, Feb 26, 2010

Michael Schumacher was at the wheel of the MGP W01 today for the second day of the final pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Continuing the development programme which team-mate Nico Rosberg began yesterday, Michael worked on developing the balance and set-up of the car over longer runs along with further practice of the team’s race weekend procedures, including pit stops and practice starts, in preparation for the first race.

Michael completed a total of 85 laps today setting a quickest lap time of 1:21.689.

Nico will be back in the car tomorrow with Michael due to conclude the four-day test on Sunday.

Michael Schumacher: “We had a positive day but it was quite stop-start with some changes on the car and then the red flags towards the end of the day. We are working hard and even if the programme doesn’t run as smoothly as we would have liked, there is much more to come from the team both here and in Bahrain. We are working very well together and there is a good atmosphere within the team.”

The most powerful Official F1™ Safety Car of all time: The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG takes its place at the head of the Formula-1 field

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Affalterbach, Germany, Feb 26, 2010

- Gullwing model for motor racing's top flight
- Unique super sports car concept
- Two monitors for keeping a close eye on the race
- C 63 AMG Estate once again Official F1™ Medical Car

When the new Formula-1 season gets underway in Manama/Bahrain (12-14 March 2010), it will mark the debut of the most spectacular and powerful Official F1™ Safety Car of all time. The job of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which will be launched on 27 March 2010, is to ensure maximum safety in Formula 1. The "gullwing" model replaces the SL 63 AMG, which was used as the Official F1™ Safety Car in 2008 and 2009. As in the last two years, the C 63 AMG Estate will be used as the Official F1™ Medical Car for the coming season.

"Together with the entire AMG Team, I am very proud that the new SLS AMG is the official F1 safety car. I'm sure all Mercedes and AMG fans will be excited to see the gullwing model together with the new Mercedes GP Petronas Team at the F1 circuits," says Volker Mornhinweg, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

From March 2010, the Official F1™ Safety Car will be deployed whenever hazardous situations such as accidents or bad weather endanger normal racing. The SLS AMG, piloted by Bernd Mayländer (38, from Germany), will be on standby in the pit lane throughout the entire race. When radioed by Race Control, the former DTM driver and his co-driver, FIA man Pete Tibbetts (44, from the UK) will take to the track at the head of the field in order to guide the Formula-1 race cars safely around the circuit.

Unique vehicle concept for maximum driving dynamics

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has the best possible credentials for this demanding role in the top flight of motor racing: its 6.3-litre V8 engine has a peak output of 420 kW (571 hp) and a maximum torque of 650 Nm, enabling the gullwing model to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Fast lap times are a must for the Official F1™ Safety Car, otherwise the Formula-1 cars' tyres and brakes would cool down too quickly, while their engines could overheat.

The unique vehicle concept is a key factor in ensuring outstanding driving dynamics: the aluminium spaceframe body keeps the vehicle weight down to 1620 kilograms (DIN kerb weight). And thanks to the dry-sump lubrication system, the AMG V8 powerplant can be installed very low down, resulting in a beneficial lowering of the vehicle's centre of gravity. The installation position a long way behind the front axle and the transaxle arrangement of the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission on the rear axle have a positive effect on the weight distribution, which is 47/53 percent (front/rear). Pure motorsport tech-nology is used for the AMG sports suspension: aluminium double-wishbone axles front and rear ensure outstanding driving dynamics with precise turn-in ability, first-class agility, low mass inertia when changing direction spontaneously and, therefore, a high cornering limit.

Double-clutch transmission and ceramic composite brake system

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission with double-clutch technology features four modes and allows fast gear changes with practically no interruption in tractive power – in manual mode ("M"), gear changes can be effected in 100 milliseconds. Together with the 3-stage ESP®, the integrated mechanical multidisc differential lock ensures outstanding traction. Meanwhile, braking distances are minimised and resistance to fading is maximised, even when the brakes are subject to typical race-track loads, courtesy of the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system with its generously sized ceramic discs measuring 402 x 39 mm on the front axle and 360 x 32 mm on the rear axle. The weight-optimised 10-spoke forged wheels are shod with 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear) tyres.

The Official F1™ Safety Car features the same engine, power transmission, suspension and brake system as the standard-production SLS AMG. The exceptional technology package for the super sports car ensures perfect driving dynamics and means that no further technical modifications or lightweight-design measures are necessary, with the sole exception of the all-new rear silencer, which allows the high-revving AMG V8 naturally aspirated engine to breathe more easily and offers Formula-1 fans an even more emotionally charged sound experience.

Aerodynamically optimised roof light bar incorporating LED technology

Compared to the standard-production SLS, the Official F1™ Safety Car is distinguishable on the outside by its prominent F1 logos, carbon-fibre exterior mirrors and the characteristic roof light bar with integrated TV camera. It sits on an all-new carbon-fibre hood whose shape has been tested in the wind tunnel to ensure optimum airflow at the rear aerofoil. The aerofoil pops up when the car reaches 120 km/h and, together with the rear diffuser, provides the necessary rear downforce. LEDs are used for all light functions for the first time in the new, aerodynamically styled roof light bar. Their advantages over the previously used bulbs lie in their extremely fast response time and low power consumption.

The two centrally positioned green lights in the aerodynamically optimised light bar are illuminated when the Official F1™ Safety Car joins the field and first needs to overtake all the racing cars in front of it. Once the SLS AMG has assumed the leading position, the outer orange flashing lights are switched on to signal to the Formula-1 drivers that no overtaking whatsoever is allowed. The white stroboscopic lights in the headlamps and tail lights perform a general signalling function in that they always flash whilst the safety car is deployed. A special number plate at the rear, with "Safety Car" lettering and 700 LEDs, provides additional safety in darkness or wet weather. A reversing camera is integrated to the left of the number plate, allowing those in the cockpit of the Official F1™ Safety Car to keep an eye on the Formula-1 cars behind via monitor.

Practical interior with AMG sports bucket seats

The distinctive gullwing doors open to reveal a practical cockpit which, like the exterior, differs only slightly from that of the standard-production model. AMG sports bucket seats with black leather upholstery and six-point seat belts ensure optimum lateral support. On the right side of the AMG DRIVE UNIT, there are four coloured buttons for controlling the various light functions, along with the signal horn, which is activated when the car is driving into and out of the pit lane. The centre console, like various other interior trim parts, is finished in genuine carbon fibre, while the AMG performance steering wheel in leather/Alcantara features a specially shaped grip area, a high-quality genuine-metal insert and a flat-bottomed rim with a diameter of 370 millimetres. Two genuine-metal shift paddles are used to change between the seven gears in the double-clutch transmission.

Two central monitors in the SLS AMG cockpit are used to monitor the progress of the race. To the left and right of the lower monitor are the controls for the radio system, which allows Bernd Mayländer and Pete Tibbetts to communicate with Race Control as well as with each other. A second interior mirror lets the co-driver keep an eye on the Formula-1 cars behind. Meanwhile, the "Marshalling System" is integrated in the central display on the instrument cluster and in the lid of the glove compartment: here the driver and co-driver can see exactly the same signals as the Formula-1 drivers in their cockpits. For instance, the various LEDs indicate when yellow or green flags are being waved. LEDs indicating the status of the roof light bar, along with an on-board camera angled towards Bernd Mayländer, are mounted at the front end of the dashboard.

C 63 AMG Estate once again Official F1™ Medical Car

The SLS AMG is not the only AMG high-performance car to be involved in the Formula-1 World Championship: as in 2008 and 2009, the C 63 AMG Estate is the Official F1™ Medical Car – responsible for ensuring rapid emergency response in the event of an accident. The lightning-fast estate car follows the Formula-1 field on the start lap because the race cars are still bunched extremely closely together during this critical phase of the race.

The concept on which the AMG Estate is based is ideal for meeting the requirements of Formula-1: outstanding driving dynamics are assured courtesy of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 336 kW (457 hp) with a peak torque of 600 Nm, not to mention the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission, the adjustable coil-over suspension, the AMG light-alloy wheels shod with 235/35 R 19 (front) and 255/30 R 19 (rear) tyres, the differential lock, the 3-stage ESP®, and the AMG high-performance brake system with internally ventilated and perforated composite brake discs on the front axle.

The new AMG front apron with larger air dams is an indicator of the optimised cooling for the water, engine oil, transmission fluid and power steering. One aspect that cannot be seen but can certainly be heard is the distinctive AMG V8 sound emitted from the new rear silencers of the AMG sports exhaust system. Like the Official F1™ Safety Car, the Official F1™ Medical Car is distinguishable by its F1‑ logos, the roof light bar, and the stroboscopic flashing LED lights at the front and rear. A number plate illuminated with LEDs and displaying the words "Medical Car" on the tailgate makes the car easier to see in darkness or adverse weather conditions.

Plenty of space in the boot for emergency equipment

The Official F1™ Medical Car is piloted by racing driver Alan van de Merwe (from South Africa); his co-driver is the official FIA Grand Prix Chief Medical Officer Dr Gary Hartstein (from Belgium). Two assisting medical experts from a specially selected clinic near the race track sit in the rear. There is plenty of space for all of the emergency equipment – including a defibrillator and respiration apparatus – in the 485-litre boot of the C 63 AMG Estate. Four AMG sports bucket seats with six-point seat belts, two monitors integrated in the centre console for monitoring the race and a radio set for communicating with Race Control distinguish the interior of the Official F1™ Medical Car from that of the standard-production C 63 AMG Estate.

AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO responsible for development

The development, track-testing and configuration of the two Official F1™ Safety Cars and the two Official F1™ Medical Cars – in both cases, there is one emergency vehicle and one replacement vehicle – are carried out by the specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO in close collaboration with the test team for AMG overall vehicle development. This involves drawing on over 40 years of know-how from the field of motorsport as well as the wealth of experience in the design of high-performance sports cars. Numerous test drives were carried out on various racetracks in order to tune the suspension and verify all the systems and components. Two highly-qualified AMG technicians are also on hand to take responsibility for the deployment of the Safety Car and Medical Car at all 19 Formula-1 races.

Nine generations of Safety Cars from AMG

For 14 years AMG has continuously provided the Official F1™ Safety Car and the Official F1™ Medical Car in the top flight of international motorsport.

All AMG Safety Cars at a glance

1996: C 36 AMG (W 202)
from 1997: CLK 55 AMG (C 208)
2000: CL 55 AMG (C 215)
from 2001: SL 55 AMG (R 230)
2003: CLK 55 AMG (C 209)
from 2004: SLK 55 AMG (R 171)
from 2006: CLK 63 AMG (C 209)
from 2008: SL 63 AMG (R 230)
from 2010: SLS AMG (C 197)

All AMG Medical Cars at a glance

1996: C 36 AMG (W 202)
1997: C 36 AMG (W 202); E 60 AMG (W 210)
from 1998: C 55 AMG Estate (S 202)
from 2001: C 32 AMG Estate (S 203)
from 2004: C 55 AMG Estate (S 203)
from 2008: C 63 AMG Estate (S 204)

As early as 1984, an AMG E-Class Coupé with V8 engine was used occasionally as the Medical Car. The activities of the Affalterbach-based company are also evidence of Mercedes-Benz's long-standing commitment to Formula 1.

Barcelona, Day 1 - Nico Rosberg - Further Photos

More images after the jump!

* Official photos courtesy of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS *

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

RUMOR: AMG prepping a hot compact 4door coupé

Mercedes-Benz will unveil the controversial, yet futuristic F 800 Style Research Vehicle at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. The stylish concept is believed to be hinting at a new model in the Stuttgart-based carmaker's portfolio:a compact/mid-sized 4door coupe. Mercedes-AMG have appearently got their magic hands onto the new car and are secretly developing a super version of it.

The future "doped" coupe will benefit from an exclusive technical platform, specially tweaked by AMG. We talk about a 4x4 architecture oriented towards achieving the highest-quality sporty behaviour. With the help of it, power will be transferred to the road from a brand new engine, featuring a maximum displacement of 2,000 cubic centimeters and showcasing several interesting technologies, such as direct injection, and more important, twin-turbocharging. This powerplant is expected to develop well over 300 HP in output;the maximum torque is still unknown, but we hope that it will sport a crazy number, too.

By using new technical solutions for building this interesting powering unit, Mercedes-AMG have also focused on reducing fuel consumption and gas emission levels with the introduction of start/stop, brake energy recovery of gearshift indicator systems.

The new compact/mid-sized 4door coupe, that could probably receive the BLC-Klasse name, will officially debut towards the end of 2012 or in 2013 and will be part of the future and very attractive A-/B-Klasse lineup.
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Read more about the future A-/B-Klasse models by following the next links:

- SPY - 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse - new photos + the story of the future Mercedes small/compact car range

- AMG mulling a future A-Klasse AMG model

- 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse - Renderings + Further Info

Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

NICO GETS TESTING UNDERWAY IN BARCELONA

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Barcelona, Spain, Feb 25, 2010

The final test before the start of the 2010 Formula One season began at the Circuit de Catalunya today as the teams geared up to make the most of the four days of testing remaining before the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg kicked off the programme for the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team with much of the day spent focusing on set-up work with the MGP W01 car over longer runs alongside working on the team’s race weekend procedures including qualifying and pit stop simulations. Nico completed 107 laps today with a quickest time of 1:22.514 to finish in third position on the timesheets.

Michael Schumacher will be at the wheel of the MGP W01 tomorrow to continue the team’s programme.

Nico Rosberg: “We had a productive day today and we were able to learn a great deal from doing so many laps. We’re making good use of the testing time that we have and I’m feeling quite confident and comfortable in the car. Aerodynamically the car will change quite significantly for the first race in Bahrain so we’re not focusing on the details but on general set-up work and seeing how the car behaves over long runs. Working through the race weekend procedures and pit stops is also very useful in our preparations for Bahrain.”

Press Release: Ampera is charged up for Geneva!

Luton/Rüsselsheim - The first prototype of the production Ampera today received its initial charge of electricity from the newly installed recharging station at Opel/Vauxhall’s European headquarters.

The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle will use the energy stored in its 16kWh lithium-ion battery to drive the first stage of the 370-mile journey from Rüsselsheim, Germany, to the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, without emitting CO2.

At the wheel will be Opel/Vauxhall Director of Electric Vehicle Implementation, Gherardo Corsini. “I am really looking forward to putting a lot of miles on our first Ampera prototype during this maiden test on public roads,” said Corsini. “With 370 Nm of instantaneous, electric torque under my right foot, it promises to be an interesting and almost silent drive to Geneva."

When the battery’s charge is low after around 40 miles, the Ampera’s on-board internal combustion engine will start to generate electricity to drive the wheels for the remainder of the journey.

A battery electric vehicle would need to find a recharging station and stop for up to several hours to recharge its depleted battery before continuing the journey. The Ampera, however, brings emission-free electric mobility without the limitations of conventional electric cars. It can drive on seamlessly and without interruption for more than 300 miles before plugging into a household socket or filling up with fuel.

The prototype’s long-distance drive from Rüsselsheim to Geneva demonstrates that the five-door, four-seat Ampera can be the primary vehicle in the household, ready to drive anywhere, any time. Series-production of the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera is scheduled to begin at the end of 2011.

Source: GM Media

SPY - 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse (W 256)

Mercedes-Benz engineers continue the testing and development phase of the future B-Klasse MPV in Northern Scandinavia.

The second generation of the B-Klasse will be premiered next year. As seen in all the spy photos that appeared up to now, the B will retain its exterior MPV architecture, which ensures generous seat space for all the occupants, as well as more room for the head. When it's unveiled, the B-Klasse will showcase the current Mercedes design philosophy, governed by solid, rectangular shapes.

To learn more about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse, please follow the next links:

- SPY - 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse - First test prototypes hit the street

- SPY - 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse spotted again

- SPY - 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse - new photos + the story of the future Mercedes small/compact car range