• What is it: A new gullwing supercar that successfully replaces the Mercedes-Benz SLR• Key facts: 6.2-liter V-8 with 571 horsepower, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive
• on sale: April 2010.
• Cost: $250,000 (est.)
It is been unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, and in very few days, High Gear Media heads to Monterey and Laguna Seca to enroll with the 2010
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first drive.
The SLS car is the successor to the present Benz SLR roadster and past coupe, but this time around, the German automaker's put an importance on low weight to go with astonishing power, as it hunts down a few of the track-ready luster that graces most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The new SLS AMG features a reduce weight of 3,571 pounds thanks to an aluminum spaceframe, which also provides an almost ideal front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52 %.
Inside the lightweight body, the new SLS AMG offers up a single powertrain, an evolution of today's big AMG V-8.That 6.2-liter mill will produce a healthy 571 horsepower, along with 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive, the SLS AMG will go faster from rest to 62 miles per hour (mph) in a claimed 3.8 seconds--Corvette ZR1 territory but shy of the stunning 3.3 second times turned in by the Nissan GT-R as well as Porsche 911 Turbo.
A Race Start function controls power from launch to preserve driveline parts. A top speed of 196 mph is also claimed, however a push to 200 mph in final development wouldn't come as a surprise and the new gullwing supercar is likely to be the most capable Mercedes ever.
That gullwing body--a heritage cue from the famous Gullwings of the 1950s--is a relatively long shape, with a extended nose to accommodate the big V-8 and a short deck featuring a configurable spoiler for high-speed stability. The SLS AMG is around 183 inches long and it also sports a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 15.4 inch front discs and 14.2 inch rear discs are teamed with 19-inch wheels along with tires for stopping capability equivalent to the task.
Styling is conquered by a new front-end treatment that evolves the present SL/SLK-Class shapes. Inside, the dash is parallel to that in the present SLR, but with richer finishes--one of the chief complaints on the SLR centered on its somewhat pedestrian cabin and the COMAND controller figures into the center console design, and will run climate as well as entertainment systems. Mercedes will fit the cabin with leather, aluminum as well as chrome trim, and optionally, carbon-fiber trim, as well.
The two seated SLS AMG will be a limited production motor vehicle, with 3000 - 5000 units produced in all.
Standard features includes the leather trim, COMAND system, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, rain sensors, headlamp assist, PARKTRONIC, heated seats, cruise control, AMG floor mats, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. Optional goodies consist of a 6-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm, and numerous AMG paint schemes include the special Alubeam Silver.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first drive.
The SLS car is the successor to the present Benz SLR roadster and past coupe, but this time around, the German automaker's put an importance on low weight to go with astonishing power, as it hunts down a few of the track-ready luster that graces most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The new SLS AMG features a reduce weight of 3,571 pounds thanks to an aluminum spaceframe, which also provides an almost ideal front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52 %.
Inside the lightweight body, the new SLS AMG offers up a single powertrain, an evolution of today's big AMG V-8.That 6.2-liter mill will produce a healthy 571 horsepower, along with 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive, the SLS AMG will go faster from rest to 62 miles per hour (mph) in a claimed 3.8 seconds--Corvette ZR1 territory but shy of the stunning 3.3 second times turned in by the Nissan GT-R as well as Porsche 911 Turbo.
A Race Start function controls power from launch to preserve driveline parts. A top speed of 196 mph is also claimed, however a push to 200 mph in final development wouldn't come as a surprise and the new gullwing supercar is likely to be the most capable Mercedes ever.
That gullwing body--a heritage cue from the famous Gullwings of the 1950s--is a relatively long shape, with a extended nose to accommodate the big V-8 and a short deck featuring a configurable spoiler for high-speed stability. The SLS AMG is around 183 inches long and it also sports a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 15.4 inch front discs and 14.2 inch rear discs are teamed with 19-inch wheels along with tires for stopping capability equivalent to the task.
Styling is conquered by a new front-end treatment that evolves the present SL/SLK-Class shapes. Inside, the dash is parallel to that in the present SLR, but with richer finishes--one of the chief complaints on the SLR centered on its somewhat pedestrian cabin and the COMAND controller figures into the center console design, and will run climate as well as entertainment systems. Mercedes will fit the cabin with leather, aluminum as well as chrome trim, and optionally, carbon-fiber trim, as well.
The two seated SLS AMG will be a limited production motor vehicle, with 3000 - 5000 units produced in all.
Standard features includes the leather trim, COMAND system, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, rain sensors, headlamp assist, PARKTRONIC, heated seats, cruise control, AMG floor mats, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. Optional goodies consist of a 6-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm, and numerous AMG paint schemes include the special Alubeam Silver.