Tag: VATH

The Mercedes-Benz SLS is an AMG engineering pinnacle. A completely separate project which managed to fit all of the company’s prowess in a single car. Under it’s hood there hides an AMG enhanced Mercedes-Benz V8 engine that spurs out 563 naturally aspirated, rampaging horses. Obviously, that doesn’t work for the guys at VATH who have taken a SLS and made it a bit over the top… although there really isn’t any top. It’s the VATH Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS Roadster.

What’s the first thing they did? Slot in a supercharger of course. How did that affect the performance? 690 hp and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds. The supercharger however, is not the only force at work here. VATH have also changed the air box, remapped the engine electronics and enlarged the transmission’s oil cooler.

The newly equipped brake discs that measure up to 405 mm and have extremely robust steel flax lines will be good enough to handle 850 Nm of torques coming through, right? Zoom out a little and you’ll find three piece forged VATH 9.5×20-inch wheels with a set of tires of the following dimensions: 265/30-20 on the front and 315/25-20 – on the rear axle (the wheels there are 12×20-inch). Another handling highlight are the threaded sports springs which lower the stance with 20 – 45 mm, yet work in a complete unison with AMG‘s Ride Control. The shock absorbers on the other hand, are height and hardness adjustable.

It goes without saying that some carbon fiber has been used as well. Shamelessly naked carbon fiber front spoiler, trunk spoiler and side skirts all add to the appeal. You can hove some inside as well as an option. If not, you still get a leather/leather combination, a sporty steering wheel and a speed counter that’s been increased to 400 km/h.

It is evident then, that VATH have been hard at work. That’s exactly why the complete programme will cost you. 85.130 Euros ($104.097) to be precise.

Source: VATH

The guys at VATH are notorious for taking in already vicious AMGs and turning out even more viscious AMGs. But what follows here is proof that deep down, their philosophy is not all steroids and swagger. It’s a restoration program that involves a Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL – a pinnacle of luxury that dates back to the 70s.

So what have they done exactly to it? Besides looking very crisp… and having additional rally style projector lights installed, the 300 SEL has had it’s engine completely taken apart and inspected. Everything from the cylinder head to the crankshaft has been milled, drilled and rebuild. The pistons have been replaced and the connecting rods along with the bearings on them: renewed and modified. It’s all precision work when working in VATH. More peripheral components are usually inspected as well – think in terms of oil or water pumps or axles even. As an end stage, the SEL goes through some computer diagnostics and then it is ready to go out.

And although it will not fly out the garage, it might raise some smoke. The original Mercedes-Benz SEL 300 had (and evidently still has) an M100 V8 engine with 6.3 liters of displacement. That translates in 250 PS and 510 Nm of torque. 6.5 seconds, even by today’s standards, sounds pretty brisk when doing the 60 mph run. Top speed – 220 km/h. But all of that is irrelevant really. If we were to take a ride in it, the needle will be stuck around the cruising 30 mph so that everyone on the streets can marvel at the majestic sight of a VATH Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL.

Source: VATH

Long time, no see from Väth. Still, here’s a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series. The German tuners however, would prefer to call it the V63 Supercharged – more power, more pipes, more stopping forces at work and less ride height. Throw in some wheels and you’ve got yourself a true Väth product.

A “normal” engine in a C63 AMG Black is pretty satisfying, isn’t it? Well, according to our friends here, there’s always room for more. And technically, they are right. Sure, it develops 510 hp but it is, and has always been, naturally aspirated. Väth quickly tended to that issue, hence the name (Supercharged?). They also fiddled with the engine electronics, slotted in big intercoolers and concluded that the V63 now shreds it’s tires with 756 hp and 800 Nm of torque. To cite some performance figures here – 0 to 100 km/h – 3.6 seconds, Top speed: 350 km/h (with the right tires).

In addition, a stainless steel exhaust-manifold system has been provided as well as a catalyst device further down the line, and a silencer with a remote-controlled valve at the back. No new tailpipes though. The new shock absorbers allow the Black to be lowered or elevated within a 20-65 mm range. 405 mm discs on the front axle ensure that you have the stopping power to match the dynamic performance. Over them, three-piece forged wheels have a functional and aesthetic purpose – 9 x 12-inches with 255/30/20 of rubber at the front and 11 x 12-inches at the back wrapped in sizes 295/25/20 tires.

Inside, you don’t get much except a costly new steering wheel with leather/leather or carbon/leather or even wood patterns. Also there’s an extension of the speedometer which will now count to 400 km/h.

Source: VÄTH