“I did everything I could at the start, because I knew that that was the place where I could really make up some ground. Unfortunately, the guys in front were phenomenally quick, but I still managed to make up a couple of places. “It was a very tough race today - the car didn’t feel fantastic and the Ferraris and Red Bulls were very fast. We hoped the gap would be closer in the race than it was in qualifying, and it was - but, even so, we’ve got to make up some pace on our main rivals. “We need to go back and figure out where we can improve, and pick it up again very quickly. Ferraris, braked pretty early, and I nearly went into the back of him. I had to take avoiding action and go wide at Turn One - the thing is, I hit the brakes, and soon as you do that in Turn One, you lose a lot of time.
So I lost three places, but thankfully I got one of those back pretty quickly. “In the first stint, I looked after the tyres pretty well. I was at the back of the group, and it was a strategy that we’d planned before the race. After my stop, my pace relative to Lewis was very similar, and I settled in never less than two seconds behind him. But I couldn’t go any quicker because I was losing downforce to the car in front. “Today we saw yet another impressively competent day’s work from both our drivers - and the result was 22 very valuable world championship points. “In truth, in the circumstances, that’s probably about as many as we could have hoped to score today. “We arrived in Germany in first place in the constructors’ championship and in first and second places in the drivers’ championship - and we leave Germany in exactly the same positions. So that’s extremely positive. “From here on in, we’ll work as hard as we can to maintain and improve our positions at the head of both world championships. We’ll continue to develop our car in the weeks and months ahead, with a view to adding as many world championship points to the milestone total of 300 we’ve amassed this season as of today.
The new Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is able to offer both. In critical cornering conditions, the Torque Vectoring Brakes produce a defined rotational movement of the vehicle about the vertical axis in fractions of seconds, through selective brake actuation at the rear wheel on the inside of the bend. This results in the SLK55 AMG steering into the turn precisely and under full control, without any compromises where performance is concerned. Complementing this feature is the AMG Direct-Steer system which enhances handling and agility compared with the standard steering, while also reducing the amount of physical effort required when parking. A new power steering pump helps to reduce fuel consumption by using energy only when the driver is actually steering. In addition, the AMG Direct-Steer system has a parameter function adapted to match the AMG sports suspension. This results in optimum response from the central position, outstanding road feel and sharp handling in all driving situations.
The AMG-exclusive 3-stage ESP gives individual control choices at the touch of a button: the ESP button in the center console allows the driver to choose between "ESP ON", "SPORT Handling Mode" and "ESP OFF". The AMG highperformance brake system has internally ventilated and perforated brake discs on all wheels, measuring 14.2 in. 1.4 in. at the front and 13 in. 9 in. at the rear. The system is characterized by outstanding responsiveness, short stopping distances and excellent fatigue resistance. The optionally available AMG Handling Package enhances the vehicle's sportiness even further. It comprises an AMG Performance suspension with stiffer tuning, an AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel finished in premium leather with Alcantara inserts in the grip areas. Classic roadster proportions with typical AMG design characteristics as well as a hint of the SLS AMG -are striking visual highlights of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG.
The AMG designers have complemented the exciting basic forms of the long hood, the greenhouse positioned well to the rear and crisp rear section with typical AMG styling at the front, sides and rear. The new AMG front apron has large air inlets and AMG-specific LED daytime running lights. Inspired by the SLS AMG super sports car, the wide radiator grill features a large, centrally-positioned Mercedes star. In the case of the SLK55 AMG, the slats in the front apron and the lower cross strut are painted in a high-gloss black finish. Darkened clear-lens headlamps and darkened bicolor tail lamps also come as standard exclusively on the top-of-the-range V8 model. Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination are also available as an optional extra. Functional, stylish, high-quality: the interior design of the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is also reminiscent of its bigger brother, the SLS AMG Roadster. Associations with the super sports car are evoked courtesy of the four air vents in the style of jet engines, as well as the center console finished in brushed aluminum. Placed in the center of the dashboard is an AMG-specific analog clock featuring an IWC design.
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