Vijay Pattni straps on his driving gloves and goes powersliding in a 360bhp Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG…

The SLK55 AMG’s V8 burbles as Mercedes-Benz instructor Nev gives the lowdown.

“We’re not encouraging reckless driving or teaching you how to become a racing driver”, explains Nev, as we roll gently onto the handling circuit.

“Now – nail the throttle and show me what you can do”.

The mighty V8-engined Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG – complete with a 360bhp 5.5-litre engine – roars into life and shoots off onto the handling circuit – with astonishing results.

“She’s a beauty ain’t she?” coos Nev, as we come to a halt by the side of the track.

View images of the Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey

Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey is a brand new purpose-built Mercedes HQ (pictured right), and offers something for all the family, from an interactive quiz for kids, right up to the exhilarating AMG Experience where visitors can take one of Mercedes’ hot AMG models out on the track.

There’s also a Mercedes-Benz showroom offering up every single model of Merc, allowing fans to buy a new car on the spot.

And for petrolhead, the handling course offers three circuits: a tight circuit, a wet skidpan and a long runway used for demonstrating slaloms and stopping distances.

The monster Merc slows down to crawling pace, as Nev directs me off the track and onto the stopping distance test.

“Driving instructors teach students to perform emergency stops at 30mph – but never at 70mph”, says Nev.

His eyes light up and he flashes a grin, as it suddenly dawns on me what the SLK55 AMG – with me at the wheel – will be performing next…

“When I say go, I want you to floor the throttle – I want no letting up, just nail it – and get to 70mph as quick as you can”, explains Nev.

And then?

“I’ll tell you when to stop. Hopefully before the track runs out…”

I floor the throttle and the SLK55 AMG shoots off the line – 0-62mph flashes past in less than five seconds. But we’re reaching the end of the road quickly, and Nev is smiling away.

Just as the grass verge beckons into full view, Nev taps the dashboard, and I slam on the anchors – the ’55 AMG squirming to a halt.

“I think it’s important to know where the car’s limit is if you buy one – so I would suggest doing this test in whatever car you own. If you ever have to brake at 70mph, at least you know what it feels like.”

But Mercedes-Benz World has a lot more to offer than performance and powersliding – step inside the huge hall and you’re greeted with some of the finest Mercedes-Benz models ever, including the classic 300SL (pictured right).

And there’s a simulated 3D ‘ride’ – where visitors can experience what it’s like to go through the build of a new Mercedes-Benz CLK.

Visitors can also see the history of one of the world’s most recognisable carmakers, and there are a couple of Benz Motorwagens on display – the world’s very first models from Benz.

Together with a cafe, restaurant – named ‘Gullwing’ after the famous doors – and a kids crèche, the Mercedes-Benz World has something to offer the entire family.

For more information, log onto www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk.

View images of the Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey