New Mercedes 'Gullwing' SLS AMG

For the first time in the company's history stretching back over 40 years, the Mercedes-Benz performance brand of AMG is presenting a vehicle developed entirely in-house, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This super sports car serves up an exciting proposition with its unique technology package: aluminium space frame body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine developing 420kW peak output and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration and sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones. The ideal front/rear weight distribution of 48 to 52 percent and the vehicle's low centre of gravity are testimony to the uncompromising sports car concept.

"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 SLS AMG is emotion pure and simple for the Mercedes-Benz brand and is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era", says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG offers purist, distinctive styling, superior driving dynamics and hallmark Mercedes everyday practicality and safety. The car features a radical design with its low slung front-mid engine set well back, and for the first time, Mercedes-Benz and AMG have built a car with an aluminium chassis and body.

The fine tuned AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine achieves a peak output of 420kW at 6800 rpm, thus turning the SLS AMG into one of the most powerful sports cars in its segment. A power to weight ratio of 2.84 kg/hp comes courtesy of the low vehicle weight.

The eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine delivers maximum torque of 650Nm at 4750 rpm. The 'Gullwing' accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 315 km/h (all figures are provisional). The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine delivers its abundant power via an ultra-light carbon-fibre driveshaft at the rear axle. The transmission is mounted at the rear (transaxle principle) and is connected to the engine housing via a torque tube. A carbon-fibre shaft rotates at engine speed in the torque tube.

A new AMG dual-clutch transmission with seven gears takes care of power transfer.

Source: JUST CARS, July 2009, Collectors Issue #161