Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster 2011 Review

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster is one of the final outings for AMG's sensational, hand-built 6.2-litre V8. We love this engine for its sound, but it's not scheduled to be with us much longer. Soon, thanks to emission regs, a new 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 will take over the '63's' duties across the wider AMG range.

In the meantime, the SLS Roadster presents the naturally-aspirated engine in its purest form. Performance is manic in this car, although the dual-clutch seven-speed transmission and the car's electronic safety nannies do all in their power to hold back the awesome brutality of the engine.

There's enough Benz racing heritage in this car for people who have always loved watching V8 Supercars at Bathurst, but now aspire to the finer things in life. The drop-top SLS is also a capable tourer; more a tourer than sports car, in fact, as we learned when motoring.com.au drove the new sports car along the narrow, winding roads north of Monaco.

Built around a very rigid aluminium spaceframe, the SL exhibits none of the wobbles you might feel in lesser open-top cars. But for all its lightweight construction and rigidity, the SLS feels hefty in corners. Particularly in tight hairpins you notice the weight and the car's propensity to plough on if not handled right.

Left in the Comfort setting or even the Sport and Sport+ modes, the SLS is not very forgiving if you leave the braking too late. It will understeer into the corner. But it turns in much better if you get the braking out of the way early – just like the advance driver trainers teach you!

Where AMG has come to the rescue though, is its AMG Ride Control system, which eradicates some of the handling vices in the SLS Roadster. And the brakes in the SLS felt strong and capable, as indeed they should for their size and actual stopping power.

Ride comfort in almost any mode is commendable. In Sport and Sport+ modes over poorer surfaces the car doesn't so much buck and jump around; but rather ride along with the changing surface of the road. So what you get is not impact harshness that will rattle your dentures, it's more like a showground ride — plenty of sudden changes in direction vertically, but well controlled nonetheless.

One gripe is that the SLS didn't feel at home in the narrow streets of southern France, where we drove it for the international launch; it's quite a wide car in this situation.

For all its refinement and unmistakeable sophistication, the SLS feels raw. It's how advanced technology can revive musclecar-era nostalgia without compromising safety, comfort and convenience.

Seat comfort and the driving position cannot be faulted. Access is significantly easier in this car than in the Gullwing, since the Roadster has no doors to duck under. When it comes to packaging however, let's state the bleeding obvious here and now. This is a two-seater only and luggage space when the electric roof is down (11sec to drop at up to 50km/h) would accommodate two small suitcases, if you're lucky.

All of that said, the SLS is roomy enough for those two passengers. Unlike some sportscars, the SLS provides enough headroom with the top raised and there's enough legroom for adults to stretch out also.

Any lingering doubts about the looks of the SLS have been shot down by doing away with the steel roof. As a Roadster the SLS seems like a much better proposition in every way...

Stay tuned for our full launch review in coming days.

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