Saturday, July 9, 2011

Test drive Mercedes - Benz SLS AMG

July 22 will be officially released in Taiwan's Mercedes - Benz SLS AMG, although 20 of the quota in 2010, had in February this year to determine within one month after being introduced by an empty set, or even 2011 quotas so far has received nearly 10 orders, but to let the media in Taiwan to enjoy this car racing heritage 300SLGullwing glory of the classic Gullwing Mercedes-Benz new-generation ultra-running, especially in pre-market manufacturers held a test drive in this overseas, and test drive location on the election in this year's F1 German sub-station location: Hockenheimring (Hockenheim) track!



1954 published 300SLGullwing, gull-wing doors is the first Mercedes-Benz sports car classic design, equipped with 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, maximum output of 215 horsepower, top speed up to 260 km, then Le Mans 24 hour endurance race of the victorious Army; 300SL convertible version was below.



Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 was published on the SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz ends partnership with McLaren limited edition SLR McLaren super sports car production, by the factory AMG modified the new generation of independent R & D department started super sports car, Mercedes-Benz production car is currently in positioning and the prices are the highest models.



We went to Germany since the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show last year, shot SLS AMG car real figure, they streamline its retro appearance obsession, and has been in contact with it in looking forward to that day coming.

The appearance of this tradition since 1954, the 300SLGullwing classic sports car, equipped with retro-style gull-wing doors of the SLS AMG, manufacturers not only in its listing of the subject before they make enough, and just got to drag Benz GP factory team, "the old car God, "Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher driving a new car in the tunnel glass slide swing 360 degrees, or even two foreign media for the test drive site hosted overseas, all levels of professional racing in the F1 field, first flight well-known American LagunaSeca, The test group of the Mercedes-Benz is to be invited to this year's venue for F1 German Grand Prix Hockenheimring for a test drive, they obviously Mercedes-Benz and AMG performance of this new work is full of confidence and control, but also to the author's trip prior to departure more full of expectation.

Classic sports car heritage for 300SLGullwing

To meet the 300SLGullwing's reputation, Mercedes-Benz and AMG in the development of SLS AMG, the AMG into its behalf not only the current production engine, the performance of the most powerful naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, exterior and interior design are also inherited this car classic car racing's DNA, so the SLS AMG, of course, use of traditional FR over the long run the front and short rear design, and has been used as a symbol of classic gull-wing doors, the interior is full of echoes of its retro style, appearance, tone and full Mercedes-Benz, not because of its ultra-setting run at the expense of luxury and comfort.



But before the actual test drive, because SLS AMG can not see the door to door, so I want to open the door, got into the car, you must press the key on the lock button, door will pop up, then you just gently pull , will be flipped open the door; However, because of the high SLS AMG car is only 1262mm, 1292mm than the Porsche Boxster's is even lower, with a wide threshold, so the factory staff, especially our first demonstration of a supermarket into the SLS AMG, etc. sports car or the car "SOP": the first leg stretching, and then directly down to the hip side of the chair, last minute the other foot stepped into the car, to avoid accidentally knocked out. However, because SLS AMG gull-wing doors in the open part of the roof will be off, so out of the car, the more the head will not hit the roof, it touches people standing outside the car, when the door is still open , be sure to pay attention to the location of the door, open the door because this time the location of just the head, too easy, back of the head, there may be knock dizziness.



SLS AMG interior design is quite retro, double-loop type instrument taken shape, reading is very clear, circular air vents also quite the taste of tradition 300SLGullwing; Booth seat on the left is a top-down sequence for the AMGDrive Unit speed box mode dial, the engine start button and the ESP mode button, the operation very convenient.

In addition, given the effort points can allow passengers to close the electric structure, if placed in the roof, not only will reduce the head space, will also affect the vehicle's center of gravity and handling, so the SLS AMG does not offer electric door opening and closing function. So if the height is not the driver and passengers had to get up after sitting in the car to pull the inner door handle, but the factory staff to remind us add that it may wish to enter the car also pulled to within a door, so that when passengers or the driver sitting inside, you can just shut the door to the position. But honestly, this action is take a little time to practice, but please remember to remind your female companion is best not to wear short skirts on the car, because the feet step into the car of the moment, no matter how Dodge would like exposure.



Although the fighting spirit was lacking, but these two cylindrical SLS AMG sports seats feel very comfortable ride, and can provide excellent support as sex and coating, and provides electric adjustment, memory and heating function, even if the long-distance travel is also will not feel tired, prospective owners can also increase blood matching fixed racing bucket seat.

The SLS AMG interior design, it is generally followed 300SLGullwing inspiration, although the two cylindrical seat sports car just does fighting spirit, but the ride feel very comfortable, also very good coating of, the center console is flat coated with matte aluminum, double-loop processes with instruments, round air vents is very retro, central console and inserts into the Comand APS seven-inch color tents. Engine start button is located on the left row of the file block, on which was AMGDrive Unit transmission mode dial, and then compared to ESP mode button below, tail lift buttons and AMG mode selection button, the driver can glance at all the location.
570 with seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox encounter

Gently press the start button SLS AMG engine, high-profile Paoxiao soon after this with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine at low idle speed in the immediate wake.

SLS AMG are equipped with, is in the AMG cars are quite common, adhere to "One man, One engine" philosophy to produce the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine entirely by AMG, a senior technician within the hand-assembled, But this changed with the engine code for the M159 from the M156 engine, power output has gone up in price to 571, maximum torque is raised to 650 Nm, the engine body either high-strength silicon-aluminum-and import TWAS coating technology, to reduce the friction when the piston in operation, and the dry sump configuration, can provide an effective value of the high-G cornering, engine lubrication and reduces engine height. Mercedes-Benz first with a dual-clutch gearbox: AMGSpeedshift DCT seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission can be completed within 0.1 second shift, but also make the sprint from rest to 100 km per hour just 3.8 seconds, top speed is a 317 km performance.



This is a displacement of 6.2 liters of V8 naturally aspirated engine, entirely by AMG as Senior technicians hand-built engine body either high-strength aluminum-silicon, with the maximum 571 horsepower and 650 Nm of maximum torque, and the dry sump configuration, can effectively provide the high cornering G value of the engine lubrication and reduces engine height.

But the book on these figures, test group with their peers, the media are in fact long before departure to the back, such as flow, so after listening to a description of the staff, everyone immediately not wait to get on the SLS AMG, to the outskirts of Frankfurt in Germany The Hockenheimring, and to experience in general road and the car on the autobahn Autobahn, Germany's performance.

From the rain under the Autobahn, although a bit vague to sight, but it did not affect the team's interest, however, SLS AMG long since adopted the design front, and after the end of the window and windshield of the smaller, plus the C-pillar "thick ", so vision is not good.



Lined up in the AMG factory assembled before the SLS AMG is very spectacular, but also have a European-wing doors open, waiting for us to explore its unfathomable strength.

But thanks to the aluminum body gift, SLS AMG car weighing only 1620 kg, can be output at 2800rpm and 650 Nm torque for 80%, so the force can only accelerate the "violent" to describe the word, as long as the throttle light step , a strong power will let you deep into the seat, and then let the SLS AMG mercilessly out of every car passing effortlessly. Unfortunately due to bad weather day test drive, and a lot of vehicles on the Autobahn, so I just pulled the SLS AMG's top speed speed of 220 km, 317 km chance to explore the speed performance is a pity.

In addition, SLS AMG low-speed torque of the large acceleration of abundant strength, really impressive, 3.9-second 0 ~ 100km / h acceleration power really should not be underestimated. But to have such a neat car acceleration performance, of course, thanks to this tool AMGSpeedshift DCT seven-speed dual clutch automated manual gearbox, because this is the Mercedes-Benz for the first time with a gearbox, although branched double-clutch gearbox to make, but no matter gear shift reaction or convergence, in fact, been quite satisfactory. And it also provides a transmission Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual (Manual-mode) the four options, allowing you as the "need" to switch on their own, provide different driving pleasure. Among them, the author is almost full most of the time switch in the Sport Plus mode, this mode can be delayed because of the timing for the file, and provides a wide field of speed and acceleration strength.



Thanks AMGSpeedshift DCT dual-clutch seven-speed automated manual gearbox shift reaction neat gift, SLS AMG on the road to show the amazing acceleration, light step as long as the throttle, it will show strong momentum 0 ~ 100km / h the strength of just 3.9 seconds, and but for bad weather, speed is definitely easy on the Autobahn can explore 250 km.

It is worth mentioning that, although the result of surface water, causing the tire rolling noise from time to time pass into the car, but the effect of SLS AMG's cabin noise is not bad, most of the noise can be isolated in the car, unless you have been to Speed
​​pull over 4000rpm, otherwise the inside is pretty quiet. Although the SLS AMG is also not equipped with electronic suspension system, performance suspension, but it's very amazing, highway driving, and the general AMG cars are basically no difference, can indeed be both control and comfort and the performance is very resilient bounce suppression, road maintenance via Autobahn, they do not have much bounce.

Etc., have to play to pass driving training before

Braved the rain to growing Hockenheimring circuit, although SLS AMG has an array of various stabilization system, but want to level the track in F1 to fully utilize its strength, not a simple matter, so AMG special for us for this track features lesson "AMGDriving Academy" driving training courses.



To the media and his party can safely enjoy the experience on the track, SLS AMG charm, especially in the factory before the actual end we arranged for driving three-phase training program, so that we can be more familiar with SLS AMG model in different road conditions and the dynamic reaction.
In addition to SLS AMG to 100 km per hour to the brake switch lanes, so I wet a line under the road to experience it in the braking stability, but also to simulate a variety of corner cone, test tracking system with the emergence of dynamic stability timing and functionality, and at this stage, because of surface water leading to lack of grip, so the weight is almost as long as the throttle a little step, SLS AMG rear will begin around the corner, oversteer phenomena, but fortunately the standard ESP system always timely intervention control, and there is no phenomenon of out of control, but also to remind the author will be on the track, probably more than in the past are carefully controlled throttle, brake and driving directions, it will not rain delays.



The Slalom course, due to the torque output of SLS AMG really amazing, almost as long as the turn-in point of right or too fast, it will lose control to the outside rear slip out, rely on ESP system it back; The figure above the seven central bicyclic meter LED lights to turn over the engine group, will be based on speed and low lights from white, yellow and red lights in sequence, the red light that is close to redline engine speed, the driver needs as soon as possible shift action.

Finally, the author is so familiar with SLS AMG steering wheel shift paddles, and adapt the central instrument formed by the seven super-LED turn signals, after all, on the track against the clock, the correct way to drive should be possible to concentrate on the route choice , the body can only use peripheral vision and feel the body's response to dynamic, so the manufacturers just hard driving arrangements of this training, let us calmly to face more immediately from the main event: SLS AMG's Hockenheimring track measured.

Wet slippery driving skills have to have the car

Because of bad weather, so in a safe context, the SLS AMG Hockenheimring track experience from the factory test driver to lead the three leading media SLS AMG test drive car, for a total of six laps of experience, and is prohibited beyond the previous vehicles SLS AMG. Therefore, speed, and can not be arbitrary, but due to unfamiliar routes, rain lead to poor vision, coupled with the track very slippery, so this seems to the contrary is a safer arrangement.



To the next with heavy rain, a total length of 4.574 km, 13 turn the Hockenheimring circuit size to experience SLS AMG, the driver must first strengthen their best driving skills, because the strong power output, almost as long as the turn-in speed too high or choose the wrong route, SLS AMG rear wheel will be just around the corner, very sensitive.

Length 4.574 km from the corner 13 formed by a variety of sizes Hockenheimring circuit, F1 German Grand Prix this year, the venue, definitely not a low degree of difficulty can be seen the track, with heavy rain to test drive environment has become very bad So even if the morning has the roads and Autobahn in Germany generally get along with it for a while, but I still have no way to play a full SLS AMG's 571 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque, because even in the previous driving training courses, in fact, had seen it in the rain, excellent braking force and tracking system, but the face of increasingly serious water the track, the tire had not really grasp the ground, even in the straight sections probably only ran about 200 km have to start slowing down after an hour, because every corner in the next, as long as your entrance speed is too high or when the throttle out of corners too SLS AMG rear output will be too large because of the occurrence moment and wagging tail, to be frequently by the ESP actuation, in order to maintain the vehicle to continue driving in the right corner route, and cast doubt on whether it has SLS AMG owners, like Michael Schumacher had to have the same excellent driving skills, because of the track in the rain, SLS AMG is very sensitive, small actions can affect almost any point in its dynamic.



In the absence of rain, under the premise of the cut to the SLS AMG ESP Off mode, the tracking system is fully closed, the driver can have absolute autonomy and richer driving pleasure; but because of wet weather, so the manufacturer is strongly recommended still cut to the ESP Sport mode, but even so, SLS AMG still seems like a powerful force to be sealed to live in general, can not start to enjoy the facilities.

And though they have ESP Off mode, the tracking system can be completely closed, so you can enjoy on the track "wildly", and make all kinds of beautiful moves, but even just cut into the ESP Sport mode, as long as the heavy step on the accelerator a little bit, as there will be a slight oversteer phenomena, although ESP will eventually come forward to stop the rear wheel naughty, but in fact has affected the smooth SLS AMG and out of corners, need to be cautious depressed the accelerator and brake control accuracy, it will not when cornering feel bound hand and foot.

Crowd in the new generation ultra-successful run of the column entry



Despite the well-known German manufacturers in the Hockenheimring circuit organized by the SLS AMG media test drive, and finally because of heavy rain led to the author and his party were all able to fully experience its strength; But with respect, with stunning gull-wing doors of the SLS AMG, not only the heritage Mercedes-Benz's elegant appearance and classic 300SLGullwing racing pedigree, up to 571 / 650 Nm of powerful output, coupled with the first found in the Mercedes seven-speed dual-clutch section of the automated manual gearbox, excellent performance, has been successfully it has naturally become a new generation of super-sports car club of one. As it is not necessary the owners have a higher driving skills, gull-wing doors opened until after the arrival, I am afraid it is no longer so important ... ...

No comments:

Post a Comment