Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG revealed at last!

This is the moment Mercedes-Benz fans have been waiting for since March when the German firm first confirmed the SLS was more than a rumour. Employing the drip feed approach the company has slowly revealed details and camouflaged images of the car… Until now.

The gallery for this story is filled with the first official shots of the new SLS AMG supercar ahead of its public debut at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Taking inspiration from the iconic 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ from the 1950s, the new range-topping AMG Benz is a blend of retro styling with a modern twist and cutting edge technology.

“With the new SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a fascinating super sports car that will quicken the pulse of any car fan,” says Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler and boss of Mercedes-Benz.

“The SLS AMG bolsters both the Mercedes-Benz and AMG brands equally, and will surely become one of the most alluring sports cars of our time.”

We’ve already written plenty about the SLS AMG (more here) but it’s worth repeating some of the more interesting details here -- after all it is packing plenty of power and loads of gizmos under its newly revealed skin.

A front-mid mounted 6.3-litre AMG V8 produces 420kW and 650Nm that gets to the rear-wheels via a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox. An aluminium space frame body coupled with aluminium double-wishbone suspension helps keep DIN kerb weight to 1620kg. Carbon ceramic brakes should make sure the car pulls up as quickly as it speeds up.

Top speed is electronically limited to 317km/h and the car will go from 0-100km/h in 3.8seconds, according to the company.

The SLS AMG is the first Mercedes-Benz to be jointly developed between the two arms of the company from the beginning. In the development and building of the SLS, the Mercedes-Benz-owned AMG performance division has effectively replaced McLaren, which co-developed the superseded SLR with the three-pointed star.

“In the SLS AMG, our customers benefit first-hand from the expertise gleaned by Mercedes-AMG from more than 40 years of motor sports experience,” says AMG boss, Volker Mornhinweg.

“The unparalleled technology package provides for extraordinary handling dynamics with moderate fuel consumption -- another hallmark of AMG today.”

The design for the SLS AMG clearly harks back to the 300 SL with its long bonnet (almost two-metres) and large grille with prominent large three-pointed star badge in the centre. The two-seater cabin is setback leading onto a sloping rear end. But, of course, the most striking design feature of the SLS AMG are the Gullwing doors that made the original 300 SL so famous. The top hinged doors, that swing 70 degrees, not only give the car a unique look but make getting in and out of the low-slung car easier.

“It is more than just the exclusive gullwing doors that make the design of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG so special,” says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

“Our aim with this interpretation is to create the classic car of the future and put the most beautiful sports car of the 21st century on the road. Another of our goals is to create a new design icon that, like other Mercedes models such as the CLS and the SL, will help shape the incomparable myth of our brand. At the same time, the new SLS is a harbinger of the design philosophy of future Mercedes-Benz sports cars.”

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the car will launch early in 2010 with an asking price (in Germany) of €177,310.

Standard equipment for the car includes COMAND APS, designo leather interior, electric parking brake, headlamp assist, keyless ignition, PARKTRONIC, rain sensors, heated seats, AMG floor mats, cruise control, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. However, the list of optional extras are extensive too. Six-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm system, one and two-tone designo leather interior, AMG Alubeam Silver paint, AMG mango Syvanite Grey paint, AMG mango Alanite Grey paint, media interface and memory package all require extra money.

And the additions don’t stop there with the AMG Performance Studio also offering a number of options to further add to the price. They include carbon fibre bonnet, carbon exterior mirror, carbon trim, performance chassis with uprated tuning, forged 10-spoke wheels, sports bucket seats and performance sports steering wheel covered in leather/Alcantara.

Right-hand drive production is expected to begin in the second half of next year with those lucky Australians already holding pre-orders expected to receive the car in either late 2010 or early 2011.

Look out for more on the SLS and other Frankfurt unveils as part of our coverage of Europe's premier show next week.

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