For the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, RENNtech will be featuring an all-new Project Car to stun the Mercedes-AMG Tuning Industry. After winning the Mercedes-Benz Mission: Metris Van Challenge at the 2014 SEMA Show with their astonishing DJ Van, RENNtech now unveils their latest project car, the AMG GT. Located in the Optima Alley, outside of the North Hall and competing in the annual Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, RENNtech plans to set yet another standard with their well-known R- Performance Line upgrades. The R1, R2, and R3 performance packages are established as the perfect balance between performance and value to satisfy all customer desires.

RENNtech Mercedes-AMG GT

The RENNtech AMG GT Project Car is equipped with newly developed performance upgrades such as; ECU Upgrade, Coil-over Suspension, Downpipes with Sport Cats, and much more. For aerodynamic enhancements, RENNtech designed an all-around aerodynamic package, consisting of Splitter, Diffuser with Exhaust Tips, Rocker Panels and Adjustable DTM-Style Wing. The AMG GT sits aggressively on a custom set of RENNtech 10 Super-Light 3-pc forged wheels, manufactured by ADV.1 Wheels.

This RENNtech AMG GT Project will give a hint at what to expect from RENNtech’s R-Performance Line regarding Mercedes-AMG’s newest supercar. The research and development for this mind-blowing vehicle has just begun, but this teaser shows the potential of this car.

Mercedes-Benz Vans USA is introducing “Mission Metris,” a showcase of 4 new midsize Project Vans at SEMA 2014 in Las Vegas. Designed to be a first glimpse at the new midsize commercial van entry into the US and Canada in fall 2015 for customers and upfitters alike, production versions of the cargo and passenger versions will be shown at a later date in 2015. This occasion also marks the introduction of the new “Mercedes-Benz Metris” nameplate for the US and Canada, whereas “Vito” will remain the midsize commercial van nameplate for all other global markets.

“We are pleased to reconfirm our September announcement at the IAA Truck Show in Hannover that we will launch a midsize commercial van in the US market in fall 2015,” said Bernie Glaser, Vice President and Managing Director of Daimler Vans USA, LLC. “It is only logical that we take a global approach and also expand our successful vans business in the USA. Our SEMA “Mission Metris” presence with 4 different van concepts will be an effective way for us to hit the ground running to announce the nameplate ‘Mercedes-Benz Metris’ and to show off its unmatched versatility, size, and safety.”

Representatives from Mercedes-Benz and the following companies will be on hand to showcase their respective creative concepts:

RENNtech: Party/DJ Van

RENNtech: Party/DJ Van
A definite show-stopper van, this van offers a mobile DJ van that looks as good as it sounds. Featuring a clamshell style roof that opens and acts as a backdrop for a DJ, this van is true form and function in one package.

HQ Custom Design: Luxury Van

HQ Custom Design: Luxury Van
Luxury Van conversions are nothing new for Mercedes-Benz vans. This design is an ideal example of an inspired executive shuttle van that also offers the best in audio/visual that is surrounded by the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail.

RADO: Fire Chief Concept Truck

RADO: Fire Chief Concept Truck
Because Vans offer some of the finest dimensions for mobile command units for various local or national government agencies, this concept is a rolling communications center that could transport a Fire Chief to all locations in many situations.

Garmin: Mobile Golf Pro Shop

Garmin: Mobile Golf Pro Shop
Golf lovers will love this rolling Pro Shop that features a high-tech golf simulator and infotainment system designed for both personal and merchandizing usage. Offering a Mobile Performance Center, this concept offers technology that helps players evaluate their golf game and simulate potential outcomes.

In the US large van segment, Sprinter sales continue to be brisk, up 17.3% YTD. Model year 2014 brought new major enhancements such as a fresh and confident new front end exterior design, 4-cylinder BlueTEC clean diesel powertrain that already plays a similar role as its big brother, the V6, and upgrades of safety and infotainment.

Model year 2015 is even more exciting, with the addition of standard Crosswind Assist on all 2500 models and increased service intervals of up to 20,000 miles (MY 2014 service intervals were up to 15,000 miles). An optional Sprinter 4×4 version of both cargo and passenger versions will also be added in Q1/2015, which will be the only ex-factory four-wheel drive system on the market for a commercial van in the USA. In addition to that, the option for a super high roof underlines the benchmark position concerning interior heights by offering an interior roof height of up to 7 feet. And the SULEV option for our standard 4-cylinder BlueTEC engine is the first SULEV diesel engine worldwide and underlines our ‘Green Leadership.’ All of these features highlight the position of the Sprinter as the most innovative large van in the segment.

Independent from the model year, up to 75% of all Sprinters have upfitter treatment on them, regardless of extra shelving or extensive Recreational Vehicle modifications.

Inspired by the winged, unlimited-class rally cars of the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb, RENNtech set about creating a GLK that could master the pack and leave the rest chewing gravel. But, this wild GLK has a few surprises beneath its menacing exterior.

Hybrid powertrains are generally associated with fuel efficiency and lower emissions. However, RENNtech has taken one more benefit of the hybrid principle to turn the GLK into a formidable performer. By combining an electric motor in parallel with the 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine, RENNtech has been able to capture the impressive torque that characterises electric motor drives, adding 54 Nm to enhance the GLK’s performance off-the-line and out of corners. Using a hybrid drive in a hill climb setting has the added advantage of maintaining thrust at higher altitudes, when internal combustion engines – which depend on ambient air – start to wheeze.

The specialist Mercedes tuning company has also worked its magic on the base 3.5 litre V6 unit, using components from the latest Mercedes-Benz high-performance 3.5 litre V6 Sport engine. These include a special intake manifold, cams and cylinder heads, to which RENNtech has added its own long-tube headers, composite air intake and RENNtech ECU software. Engine output is up to approximately 350 hp, augmented further by the electric motor from the hybrid drive.

The additional 72 volt drive is run by 12 volt plug-in batteries. RENNtech is currently working on a nickel-hydride solution with regenerative charging for additional range.

“The GLK Rally Racer Hybrid is a fully-functioning test bed,” explains Hartmut Feyhl, founder and President of RENNtech. “We will use this vehicle as a proof-of-concept, which we will develop and enhance throughout next year.”

“With the Rally Racer, we have really increased the car’s performance,” continues Feyhl. “Together with the more aggressive, sporting look, we have created a powerful and exciting package.”

It is also worth noting that, despite the performance enhancements, RENNtech has succeeded in improving the fuel economy of the Rally Racer compared with the original version, “proving that high performance and efficiency can coexist,” adds Feyhl.

Bearing in mind that the Rally Racer is built for speed on tough terrain, RENNtech opted to forego creature comforts, cutting the weight of the standard GLK by removing most of the sound insulation and replacing the Mercedes-Benz seats with lightweight carbon-fibre buckets. Engineers also fitted a full roll cage and moved several components towards the rear of the vehicle to create an almost perfect 50:50 front/rear weight distribution for improved handling on tight, demanding rally stages.

Another significant handling modification comes from the custom coil-over suspension. Made to RENNtech specifications by suspension supplier KW, the package allows for adjustments in height, rake, damping rate, camber and toe-in.

Extra stopping power is provided for the Rally Racer courtesy of an in-house RENNtech brake combo featuring massive 412mm, 2-piece rotors with 8-piston callipers at the front, and 356mm discs grabbed by 4-pot callipers at the rear.

Lightweight 20 inch 3-piece, 5-spoke RENNtech wheels in a “Sniper Gray” anthracite finish, clad in NT05 275/40 20 Nitto rubber at the front and NT05 315/35 20 at the rear, fill the prominent wheel flares that underscore this GLK’s performance potential.

Although extensive exterior revisions were made to accommodate the larger wheels and brakes and to widen the track, the focus of bodyshell modifications was enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. RENNtech used the latest in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to develop the package. The front splitter, rear diffuser and lower side skirts help direct airflow underneath the GLK Rally Racer to reduce drag and produce added downforce, while improving high speed stability at the rear. The rear wing elements also serve an important aerodynamic purpose and add emphasis to the aggressive edginess of the original GLK design. From a visual perspective, RENNtech engineers successfully melded their aerodynamic modifications with the flared wheel arches to create a powerful side line that highlights the dynamic thrust of the Rally Racer.

“The GLK was a great starting point for this project,” says Hartmut Feyhl, “It has excellent underpinnings for performance tuning and I think the overall look really suits it.”

“The GLK gave us a great deal of scope for bringing together form and function. For the RENNtech GLK, performance may have been the primary goal, but it also looks the part,” he adds.