Mercedes-Benz’s highly-anticipated SLS AMG, which takes the iconic 300SL Gullwing to the next generation, debuted today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Powered by a new variant of AMG’s 6.3-liter V8, the SLS AMG replaces the SLR in Mercedes’ high-performance lineup.
Featuring a clearly retro-inspired shape outside, the SLS AMG nonetheless features a number of unique design elements. Nine exclusive paint shades will be available, including two matte finishes. LED head and tail lamps will help make sure the SLS AMG is visible at all times.
Inside, the AMG SLS is clearly airplane-inspired in its cockpit design. Nappa leather, real metal trim and optional real carbon fiber help set the interior apart from traditional offerings and Mercedes-Benz says that five interior shades will be on offer to allow for personalization.
The gullwing doors, a direct link to the 300SL, swing up 70 degrees to allow for access to the interior.
The performance highlights start under the long, shapely hood: 6.3-liters of AMG-massaged V8 will pump out 571 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 480 lb-ft. of torque at 4,750 rpm transmitted to the transaxle-mounted seven-speed SpeedShift dual-clutch transmission. With this powertrain, the SLS AMG will accelerate to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds before topping out at about 197 mph.
The motor, codenamed M159, is fully restructured when compared to the current M156 currently used in virtually every AMG product. An entirely new intake manifold system, restructured valve gear and camshaft and a dethrottled exhaust system are responsible for the 9 percent performance boost. A dry sump lubrication system also makes an appearance.
Mercedes-Benz claims that the engine will also be capable of averaging about 18 mpg.
Those performance figures wouldn’t be possible without the lightweight aluminum space frame, itself an homage of sorts to the tubular construction of the original 300SL. Weighing under 3,600 lbs. – an impressively svelte number for a big supercar – the SLS also features a low center of gravity to improve handling.
The sophisticated suspension features a 47/53 weight distribution and dual A-arms with track rods at all four wheels – a setup developed on the Formula 1 track. Ceramic composite brakes will make the standard list – and 9.5 x 19 inch front and 11 x 20 inch rear wheels wrapped in SLS AMG-specific tires help put the power to the ground.
Mercedes-Benz says the SLS AMG will retail from €177,310 (including VAT) in Europe when it goes on sale in spring of 2010, although the automaker has not released pricing or an on-sale date for North America.
09/15, 10:04 AM
posted by:
Ketzer
There are some beautiful styling cues there… mixed together with a bunch of tired old ****e they should have left in the clay pile.
09/15, 10:04 AM
posted by:
Bosley
Someone who wants a Viper probably doesn’t want one of these for alot of reasons. But the biggest might be cost. You could buy 3 Vipers for the price of an SLS. The body style is Viper-esque in look and shape (longhood, short trunk, etc) but the Benz is designed to be much more luxurious than the Dodge. The only thing I don’t like about this car is the headlights. They make it look like a cousin of the GT-R ’cause they’re so rectangular looking……
09/15, 10:09 AM
posted by:
Kid Icarus
Lame
09/15, 10:17 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Actually I’m starting to warm up to this one. Red is definitely a good color for it.
09/15, 10:18 AM
posted by:
SomeGreek
Bosley. Comparing Viper with this is like comparing Pamela Aderson with Monica Bellucci.
09/15, 10:18 AM
posted by:
Bosley
What’s up today? Seems like this article just re-set, because when I posted my reply there were a whole bunch of comments before me? Well, with problems viewing pics yesterday and wrong info in articles, I guess I’m not surprised…..
09/15, 10:21 AM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Eh, I’m a sucker for the classic lines. It looks like the 300SL Gullwing, which is a win in my book. I don’t expect to see one in real life ever, and I wouldn’t buy one as my first high-performance choice for the money, but I’m glad it exists.
09/15, 10:21 AM
posted by:
Bosley
SomeGreek, That’s sort-of what I meant. Same shape and basic parts, but not really the same at all….. BTW, i guess Pamela’s the Dodge?…..
09/15, 10:40 AM
posted by:
IIL
Beautiful!!
09/15, 11:56 AM
posted by:
ktulu
Da Bomb!
09/15, 1:18 PM
posted by:
nickkop
I think this is impressive, but also think cars of this caliber can never quite be done to their justice in photos. I expect it to impress me much more in person, with the start button pushed on, or the key turned to start then on.
@ /////AMG: Why not develop the biturbo or twin turbo version of this 6.2V8 as originally planned/rumored??
09/15, 1:22 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I think they should have at least tried a little harder to distinguish this body from the viper body! I would rather drive this without a body on! I love the mechanical look of this car without the body on:-D
09/15, 1:30 PM
posted by:
Donfuy
The front end looks like a Jaguar XK.
It looks quite awesome, although I’m not a fan of it’s profile.
And the bordeaux color definitely looks better than any other.
09/15, 1:33 PM
posted by:
lexusman
Car looks good, but i dont think it looks like a supercar. I am also a sucker for the classic car lines, but i feel like the nose looks too long on it.
09/15, 1:36 PM
posted by:
Asher
You think the tri-star Merc Badge is large enough? It looks like its 3 inches thick. Instead of some ridunkulous size badge they could’ve done something actually cool like the how the Phantom on the Rolls Royce pops up/disappears.
09/15, 1:56 PM
posted by:
aesir
The interior looks pretty bland compared to the rest of the car. Did they accidentally take a snap of the interior of a Dodge Caliber?
09/15, 2:05 PM
posted by:
shaver
Looks a lot like a Studebaker Avanti.
Looks good though and well engineered. The rear quarters, weight and cheeze slize doors make me hesitate to fall in love.
09/15, 4:45 PM
posted by:
scratchy
best GT on the market today.
09/15, 8:24 PM
posted by:
vvmasterdrfan
Im sorry.. does anyone else find the front face completly ugly? the rear is nice and the gull wings are cool, but that front is not benz at all.. even if they were trying to bring back the old sls,
09/15, 9:25 PM
posted by:
qpt_dude
How is this an SLR replacement when it’s half the price and weaker? The SL65 is more worthy of being the SLR’s successor. The SLR competed with the likes of the Murcielago LP640, the Ferrari 599 GTB, and the Aston Martin DBS. This competes with the Gallardo, 458 Italia, and the DB9.
The SLS is not a proper successor, but it is still nontheless beautiful and the performance figures are what you’d expect from Mercedes’ AMG.
09/15, 10:38 PM
posted by:
Mad About Cars
@Asher: Hahahaha, never noticed it until you said it, I think they focused so hard to get the weight distribution to the rear and over did it, so they have to make a very bulky front overhang which is still not enough, so they had to get the biggest fattest badge to get it right, nice one
09/16, 5:06 AM
posted by:
SomeGreek
dude, this car is a competitor for the 599. not the Gallardo. Check the performence figures and the character of the car.
09/16, 9:18 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Its my new favorite car, even though Mercedes-Benz has been on an agressive 13 year suckfest.
09/19, 1:30 AM
posted by:
9thsphinx
I personally think the original Gullwing was a beautiful piece of machinery. Mercedes has done it all over again. Love it.
10/20, 4:35 PM
posted by:
Lawnchair88
It’s annoying how unapologetically awkward this car is.
12/17, 9:30 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
Why are the more ‘consumer’ Mercedes cars looking so ugly, and this looks so good!
There are some bits of awkwardness around the rear glass and C-pillar, but overall, what a desirable looking supercar with long bonnet and propeller blade front grille. Seeing the other designer concept sketches of potential SLS’s makes me just wish they could have made them all, especially those that have more sheer surfaces and distinct creases which also would have looked dramatic in real life.
I wrote more with images at http://bit.ly/6eGfkZ