The Gullwing is back in a new form, paying homage to the original 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL. But the 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is supposed to be a supercar for everyday use, ditching McLaren in favour of in-house development by AMG.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG embodies a blend of consummate automotive fascination and high tech. The super sports car delivers a compelling mix of purist styling, consistent lightweight design and superior driving dynamics. At the same time, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG fully lives up to all the expectations of hallmark Mercedes everyday practicality and optimum safety. In essence, the new ‘Gullwing’ offers the ideal synthesis of the strengths of Mercedes-Benz and AMG.Underneath the long hood is a 571 hp 6.3-litre V8 engine with 650 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automanual gearbox, a lightweight structure molded largely from carbon-fibre and aluminium double-wishbone suspension. Weighing in at 1,620 kg, the SLS AMG can do the 0-100 kph sprint in 3.8 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 317 kph.
The car’s trademark feature is the set of “gullwing” doors. The doors require less room to open than conventional coupe doors and can be completely opened in standard sized garages. The simplistic interior can be customised in various colours, and is fitted with sports seats, metal trim, leather and optional carbon appliqués.
Among other things, the centre console incorporates the AMG DRIVE UNIT, which enables SLS owners to customise their vehicle’s set-up. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission is operated by means of the E-SELECT lever.
The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG makes for an alluring proposition with its unrivalled technology package: 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 dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones and a kerb weight of 1620 kilograms based on the DINstandard – this superlative combination guarantees driving dynamics of the highest order. The ideal 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). The fuel consumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) puts it at the front of the competitive field (all figures provisional).
“Our customers will experience with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG the expertise of Mercedes-AMG, built up over 40 years of motor racing. The unrivalled technology package delivers outstanding driving dynamics coupled with moderate fuel consumption figures – part and parcel of the modern-day AMG,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“The styling of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is not only very special because of the exclusive gullwing doors. Our aspiration is to utilise this interpretation to create the classic of tomorrow and roll out the most alluring sports car of the 21st century. Our aim is also to create a new design icon, which shapes the incomparable legend of our brand, alongside Mercedes models like the CLS or the SL. At the same time, the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG paves the way for the design philosophy of forthcoming Mercedes-Benz sports cars”, says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Design: purist, distinctive and passionate
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