2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: fascination and high tech

The new 'Gullwing' from Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart/Affalterbach – The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which is about to celebrate its world premiere on 15 September 2009 at the In-ternational Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, 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 SLS 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.

The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG makes for an al-luring proposition with its unrivalled technology package: aluminium space-frame body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine develop-ing 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 DIN standard – 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' accel-erates 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 con-sumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) puts it at the front of the competitive field (all figures provisional).

"Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the guise of the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster. The brands Mercedes-Benz and AMG have joined forces to create the SLS AMG – which is set to become one of the most al-luring sports cars of all time", says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

"Our customers will experience with the SLS AMG the expertise of Mer-cedes-AMG, built up over 40 years of motor racing. The unrivalled technol-ogy 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 in-terpretation 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 SLS paves the way for the design phi-losophy of forthcoming Mercedes-Benz sports cars", says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Design: purist, distinctive and passionate
The distinctive styling of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG enthrals with its passionate sportiness and reinterprets the breathtaking lines of the Mer-cedes-Benz 300 SL – one of the outstanding design icons of the Mercedes-Benz brand. With its purist design the new SLS AMG reflects the philosophy of contemporary sports car engineering: the bonnet which measures just under two metres, the low greenhouse positioned well to the rear and the short rear-end with an extendable aerofoil are just as powerful a reminder of the superlative dynamism as the long wheelbase, the wide track and the large wheels. The short overhangs feed through into the proportions, just as does the design of the super sports car with its low-slung front-mid engine set well back and dual-clutch transmission in transaxle configuration. An un-doubted styling highlight comes courtesy of the gullwing doors which lend the SLS AMG its incomparable charisma – making a unique statement in this vehicle segment.

Brabus T65 RS

Brabus T65 RS Picture

Brabus is offering an assortment of performance upgrades to the already-potent Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, many of which have been bundled in a special one-off treatment for a private customer.

The chief modification to the customer's car is the application of the Brabus T65 RS tuning kit, which fits twin turbochargers, four intercoolers, s reprogrammed ECU and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts.

The result is a kick in output and torque, to 789 hp and 811 pound-feet, respectively. The modifications enable the SL 65 AMG Black Series to sprint from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.6 seconds and to reach 124 mph in just 9.8 seconds. Top speed is electronically governed to 200 mph.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Road Test Review

It's all too easy to get caught up in the gullwing door feature of the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In fact, this entire road test could focus on nothing more than the design, construction, use of and reaction to these exotic doors and be quite entertaining. But that would ignore the truly unique aspects of this Mercedes-Benz AMG model. Much better to simply state that the doors are a beautiful example of form following function, with no real issues regarding clearances or entry/exit difficulty, and move on to the good stuff.

See, the gullwing doors, though highly compelling, are far from being the most impressive part of the SLS AMG's total package. The real magic of this vehicle starts when the doors are closed, the 563-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 engine is fired up and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is set in Sport Plus mode.

Said transmission is mounted at the back of the drivetrain, between the rear wheels, to shift weight toward the rear of the car. And all of this performance technology resides in a lightweight aluminum shell (weighing just 532 pounds before assembly) that rides on an independent double-wishbone suspension.

Of course, one would expect an exotic car with such a pedigree to deliver world-class driving performance. And it does. But the real treat we discovered while enjoying Mercedes' SLS is what it delivers when not accessing those ultimate performance capabilities.

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Australian pricing revealed

Living down under and craving for a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG? Well, guess what? Mercedes-Benz recently revealed how much it would take for an Aussie to own an SLS. Starting at around $464,000, more than 40 SLS vehicles have been paid for, in Australia, and are set to be delivered this August.

Mercedes-Benz Australia Managing Director Horst von Sanden gave out the scoop on the current demand for the SLS in the country, which was far greater than expected. Even while they’re still waiting for the units to arrive and with months to go before deliveries go underway, orders are already piling up fast.

With reservations and payouts flooding in, Sanden fears they may run out of SLS units and not be able to keep up with the year’s demand.