What's yellow, has six wheels and goes Vroom..?

The incestuous relationship between Mercedes-AMG and Ducati continues as the brands stage a joint appearance at the Bologna Motor Show, starting this Friday.

The new SLK 55 AMG and the Ducati Streetfighter 848 – both finished in “Streetfighter yellow” – are to go on show and underscore the collaboration entered into by their parent companies just over a year ago.

Inspired by the Ducati Streetfighter 848, the “streetfighter yellow” colour could be made available as an individual optional extra from the AMG Performance Studio, for AMG customers who feel the need to stand out.

Complemented by the interior of the SLK 55 AMG: the contrasting yellow stitching creates a striking effect against the black nappa leather, and is found on the door centre panels, beltlines, armrests, leather-covered roll-over bars, dashboard, the shift lever gaiter and also the AMG Performance steering wheel. Yellow illuminated AMG door sill panels featuring LED technology round off the striking, erm.. yellow effect.

Powered by its newly developed AMG 5.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, the SLK55 harnesses 416 bhp and maximum toque of 540 Nm, whilst delivering 33.6 mpg on the combined cycle and 195g/km of CO2 emissions – some 30 percent better that its predecessor. The SLK 55 AMG accelerates from 0-62 mph in just 4.6 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited).

The new Ducati Streetfighter 848 provides aims to provide biking pleasure in its purest form, while combining the very latest technologies with a dramatically styled appearance. Using a revised 848 Testastretta 11° engine with 130 bhp and 93.5 Nm of torque, the Streetfighter 848 is at home whether on the road or on the race track.

Mercedes-AMG and Ducati – one year on

Since the agreement was signed between Mercedes-AMG and Ducati at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2010, both companies have been integrating their brands through a series of joint marketing activities.

AMG has been the “Official Car Partner” of the Ducati MotoGP team since the start of the 2011 MotoGP season, whilst the AMG logo appears not only on the motorcycles and racing overalls of Ducati works drivers Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi, but also on the official team wear and in the Ducati Lounge.

Ducati’s fleet of company vehicles is being gradually switched over to Mercedes-Benz whilst there are more marketing and joint-technology developments on the way.

Gallery