Drivers with racing ambitions should look no further than the SLK 55 AMG for the racing experience in an on road car.

The AGM performance package is available on request and has been developed by the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO to incorporate the highest performance components.

Any enthusiasts looking to put their AMG model onto the race track will be excited by the pack, which is available to order now.

High performance braking is an integral part of racing and the pack includes a system of internally ventilated and perforated composite brake discs with six-piston filled callipers at the front.

There are slightly smaller brake discs at the back of the vehicle with four-piston callipers.

Light-alloy wheels measuring 18 inches in a twin-spoke design with a tyre size of 225/40 R 18 at the front and 245/35 R 18 at the back give the car a racing feel.

AMG performance suspension works alongside a performance steering wheel with a smaller diameter and flattened lower section to give the driver ultimate control.

Silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles give gear-changing a sporty look, along with the AMG carbon-fibre trim in the interior.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is set to officially unveil its new car for the 2008 Formula One season.

January 7th is the release date and two models will be tested in Spain on the Jerez circuit a day later.

The MP4-23 will be presented at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the first time the car has ever been launched in home town of the German engine maker.

Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief, said: "Our team has continued to develop at race speed and has worked extremely hard."

During the final testing session of 2007, also at Jerez, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes lined up with Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett as well as Formula One ace, Lewis Hamilton.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes opted for Heikki Kovalianen, the Finnish driver, to partner Lewis Hamilton in the racing team joining two of Formula One’s brightest talents.

Hamilton finished in second place on 109 points during his debut season while Kovalianen impressed with solid performances.

Luxury and comfort work alongside the ultimate in style and sporting design in the new Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG supercar.

From the steering wheel down to the wheels themselves, Mercedes-Benz has incorporated a sports style to the whole of the new model.

The interior has been designed to be functional and sporty and the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel has a three-spoke design.

Perforated leather shapes and lines the grip area for a comfortable hold while the vertical spoke contains a silver coloured insert.

Changing gears has never been simpler with the aluminium AMG shift paddles on the side of the wheel.

Drivers also get the choice of four colours of nappa leather, including black/gullwing red to cover the interior upholstery.

The instrument cluster is covered in silver and red needles and the new design shows vehicle speed and rpms to be clearer.

When driving in "M" mode the main-menu of the colour display shows the currently selected gear and when to upshift as well as oil temperature, battery voltage or the RACETIMER gadget.

Comfort and security have been combined in the seating arrangement of the new car as pronounced side bolsters offer improved lateral support for fast cornering and alcantara inserts in the shoulder area enhance this further.

Two thirds of motorists would now buy a car with green credentials if they could avoid paying a higher road tax, according to a new survey from Motorpoint.

Paul Winfield, operations director for the firm, said car-buyers are increasingly looking to purchase cars with green technologies.

Mercedes-Benz is a leader is environment-friendly technology and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the first car in its market segment to be awarded the environmental certificate.

The car was awarded the certificate by the TUV Sud Management Service GmbH for important advances in fuel consumption, exhaust gas emissions and the materials used.

Customers get a recyclability rate of 85 per cent and a recoverability rate of 95 per cent and when the vehicle’s life comes to end each part is separated to recycle the maximum amount.

Alongside the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the smart fortwo is one of the world’s leaders in environmental technology

Quattroruote, the Italian motoring magazine, drove the smart fortwo cdi across 1,000 km of Europe on just 3.3 litres of petrol, demonstrating its outstanding ability in reducing fuel consumption.

Lewis Hamilton has been voted in the top ten of Britain’s coolest men after a sensational rookie season in Formula One.

The poll put the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes star as 6th coolest man in Britain alongside some of the nation’s most treasured house-hold names.

Finishing on 109 points and winning four Grand Prix races, the ace also came second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award while winning numerous racing awards.

Arriving at the Autosport Awards in a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster is about as cool as it gets, especially since the driver received the Best International Racing Driver award.

Hamilton finished behind Noel Gallagher, whose rock-star status assured him number one spot, footballers Steven Gerrard and David Beckham as well as James Bond star Daniel Craig, in the poll conducted by Zoo magazine.

A phenomenal debut season has not only increased the British interest in motorsport but has also put Hamilton among the most celebrated men in the nation.

Find out more about Mercedes-Benz motorsport.

Drivers wanting a new sports car can truly customise their ride with the new Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster.

When choosing the vehicle’s set-up drivers have no less than three different engines to choose from.

The four-cylinder supercharged engine has been boosted by 21hp, now producing 184hp, while its torque has also been increased to 250nm.

Fuel consumption has been slashed to 36mpg while a reduction in CO2 emissions means that output is just 182 grams every 0.62 miles.

Also improved is the SLK 280 engine and in-line with Mercedes-Benz innovations in environment-friendly technologies, fuel consumption has been reduced.

Every 62 miles the car 30mpg and 220 grams of CO2 are emitted every 0.62 miles.

The SLK AMG is still equipped with the 5.5 litre V8 engine that develops 360hp and a peak torque of 510nm.

A six-speed manual gearshift is included as standard while the SLK 55 AMG comes with the 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic transmission.

Drivers can choose to upgrade the SLK 200 to a five-speed automatic transmission or the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission, while the SLK 280 and SLK 350 models can be upgraded to the 7G-TRONIC Sport with shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters have captured the attention of sports car enthusiasts and this tradition is continuing as even more technology is incorporated in the new models.

New-look front and rear sections combined with a modified interior, a new instrument cluster and a three-spoke sports steering wheel to give the ultimate luxury sports cars experience.

Since they were first introduced in 1996, the compact SLK Roadsters have symbolised the dynamic brand image of Mercedes-Benz.

Many of the interior details have been redesigned in the new model and the new steering wheel, which includes multifunction buttons, adds to the sporty feel of the car.

Drivers are sure to turn heads as the new-look front bumper with a modified air-dam arrangement and pronounced arrow shape give a more succinct feel.

When viewed from behind, the Roadster appears more powerful due to the diffuser-style lower section and the exhaust tailpipes.

In terms of power, the new sports engine offers higher output at lower fuel consumption.

The car now provides 305hp at 6500rpm while the peak torque has also been boosted by 10nm meaning it now stands at 360nm.

Despite the extensive modifications, the original SLK-Class qualities have remained including the vario-roof that transforms the roadster to a coupe in a matter of seconds as well as the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system that gives open-top driving pleasure all year round.

The Earl of March has confirmed the theme of the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed: ‘Hawthorn to Hamilton - Britain’s Love Affair with World Motor Sport’.

Motor racing has always played a key role in British sport and on the back of Lewis Hamilton’s phenomenal rookie season in Formula One the festival will honour the iconic achievements of British figures.

Heroes from the past and modern-day figures are expected to attend the 1.6 mile hillclimb in a tribute to global motor sport.

Competition cars and motorcycles from across the world will also be at the show, many of which have been influenced by British engineering.

Also available at the festival will be stylish vehicles paraded in the concours d’elegance as well as the future of personal transportation in the technology section.

Founder of the event, Lord March, said: "It will be just fantastic to have so many great cars and drivers here at Goodwood to celebrate our theme for 2008. I look forward with much anticipation to seeing some of the great British drivers and UK-inspired machines in action."

Find out more about Mercedes-Benz motorsport.

Mercedes-Benz is doing its bit for charity after donating a new set of wheels to Theo the Bear.

A smart fortwo will now drive the cuddly Sheffield Children’s Hospital mascot to and from his public engagements and the bear will be instantly recognisable by the logo and charity contact details on the side of his new ride.

The vehicle will also allow charity staff to meet supporters and attend events to raise money for the hospital.

Theo can also travel the streets of Sheffield in a clean and environment-friendly way as the smart fortwo offers incredible emissions figures.

With standard consumption of just 3.4 litres per 100 kilometres, the smart fortwo cdi complies with all European gas exhaust standards and has the lowest fuel consumption in its class as well as giving off just 90 grams of CO2 emissions.

Safety is also paramount with new head and thorax side airbags offering great protection in the event of a crash as well as belt force limiters.

The anti-lock braking system (abs) stops the wheels from blocking during an emergency brake and reduces the braking distance while keeping the driver in control of the steering.

Preparations for Formula One’s first night race are building up as Singapore begins to plan the track and lighting arrangements for what will be a spectacular event.

Spectators will get a close-up view of the garden city as the track passes landmarks such as the City Hall and the modern buildings along the Marina Bay.

A lighting system has been designed to give fans a great view of the circuit as Lewis Hamilton and new team-mate Heikki Kovalainen take to the track for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP, said: "We have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the teams and spectators get a first-class experience at the inaugural Formulae One TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix come September 2008. The street circuit will ensure that the visitors are right in the heart of the racing action."

The event is eagerly anticipated and 1,500 light projectors will be used to stage the milestone event.

Taking place on September 28th 2008, the Grand Prix will rival Monaco as the most illustrious street circuit on the Formula One calendar.

Find out more about Mercedes-Benz motorsport.