Gullwing set to take flight
Faithful recreation of 1950s classic Merc packs modern-day hardware. Still want that SLS?Mercedes-Benz is edging closer to rekindling the gullwing-door theme with its eagerly anticipated SLS (more here), but German company Gullwing GmbH has just unveiled a far more authentic tribute to the classic 1950s 300 SL.
And so faithful is the modern-day replica that we can barely discern it from the original. However, the resemblance is only skin-deep, as what lurks below is a far cry from the factory-built 300 SL.
As per the original, the Gullwing replicas are based on a tube-frame chassis, but the mounting points for all the major subassemblies are different and the whole structure can cope with up to 485kW -- substantially in excess of the 158kW eked out by the 300 SL's 3.0-litre inline six.
The modern-day replica will be offered with a choice of an AMG-tweaked 5.5-litre V8 with 302kW, or a 3.5-litre V6 with 239kW, and both engines are hooked up to Merc's 7G-tronic seven-speed auto.
Suspension and brakes are also sourced from the contemporary Benz line-up, as are the ABS and satnav systems. However, to maintain an ambience of authenticity, the latter is operated via a retro-style Becker Mexico radio-satnav unit.
Exclusivity is guaranteed, as Gullwing GmbH plans to craft just 30 examples annually, with pricing for the V8 version set at 165,000 euros ($293k in our money).
Would-be buyers need to throw down a deposit of 50,000 euros ($89k), and then wait 10 to 18 months for delivery.
The Gullwing will be joined next year by a topless version, which, fittingly, has been dubbed Roadster.
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