Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG arrives

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the absolute highlight at this year's International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, is now available to order.

From Monday, 16 November 2009, company-owned sales and service outlets and sales partners of the Mercedes-Benz brand in Germany will be taking orders for this super car with its characteristic gullwing doors. The sales price is 177,310 euros (including 19 % VAT).

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dazzles with its purist design, intelligent lightweight construction and superior handling dynamics, and is bound to cause a sensation in the super sports car segment. The new SLS AMG is nothing short of a masterpiece by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. As its first completely independently developed vehicle, the super sports car is the highlight in the company's more than 40-year history.‑It not only takes AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, into a new era, but also demonstrates development expertise of the very highest order.

The SLS AMG's unrivalled technology package is an alluring proposition aluminium spaceframe body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine developing 420 kW/571 hp peak output, 650 Nm of torque and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed double-declutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones and a kerb weight of 1620 kilograms based on the DIN standard – this superlative combination guarantees driving dynamics of the highest order. The front/rear weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent and the vehicle's low centre of gravity are testimony to the uncompromising sports car concept. The 'Gullwing' accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 317 km/h (electronically limited). Fuel consumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) makes it one of the best among its competitors.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Sports Car Pictures and Details

As sporting as the new SLS AMG may be to drive, it should be a reasonably nice—if not snug—place to spend time. The cabin is surprisingly free of conspicuous design flourishes, with a clean, simple dash most notable for its horizontal linearity and subtle secondary controls. The round vents and center stack look downright plebeian in pictures, however rendered they may be in top-shelf materials. Top-stitched Nappa leather and Alcantara, however, surround both occupants, while the driver faces a flat-bottom steering wheel that frames the tunneled gauges and info display.




Standard features include navigation, push-button start, parking sensors, stainless-steel pedals, radar cruise control, and more. Our favorite interior feature of all, however, is the bank of racecar-inspired shift warning lights top dead center in the cluster. Optional are a six-disc DVD player, a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround-sound system, mono- or duo-tone designo leather, designo light brown natural leather/braided leather, and more.





Other nifty options that will be available in Europe, and likely here, include paintwork using that cool liquid-metallic “Alubeam” silver or one of two matte finishes; carbon-fiber pieces like exterior mirrors, hood, and various interior bits; forged 10-spoke wheels; and an “uprated” performance chassis for “optimized dynamic transverse movement.” That last one sounds rather fun.

Clearly, then, the SLS is a modern sports car that takes delight in evoking the past visually, but not so much dynamically. It will spawn a gullwing-less roadster, like the original, as well as a fully electric version. No matter what form the SLS takes, however, it will be highly sought after from the start.