More Mercedes-Benz SLS details emerge

Mercedes-Benz has taken the slow tease reveal of its forthcoming SLS AMG supercar up a gear with the first glimpse of how the finished product will look. After its recent revelation that confirmed the car's existence and basic technical details (more here) now comes more detail and images to further whet the appetite of car lovers around the world.

These sketches are the best impression yet of how the new Gullwing will appear when it makes its debut early next year. Aside from the top-hinged doors that earned the original 300SL its nickname the SLS AMG illustrations show a familiar look to both the front grille and the vents behind the front wheelarches.

Mercedes-Benz has taken the New York motor show as an opportunity to give a preview into the cabin of the new V8-powered coupe. Opening the "swing-wing" doors reveals a cabin that is all business with cues from both the 300SL and the aircraft industry.

Two large dials for the speedo and tacho hark back to the original car's interior. They are separated by a digital display that contains a variety of information including shift lights for the seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox.

"The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is not only very special because of the exclusive swing-wing doors," says Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz, Gordon Wagener.

"The visible influence of aviation engineering, the high-grade materials and the practicality typical of a sports car will make the hearts of sports car enthusiasts beat faster.

"At the same time the new interior styling indicates the design philosophy for coming generations of Mercedes sports cars."