MERCEDES-BENZ HAS, as yet, offered no official word on a convertible version of the recently revealed SLS AMG. As with the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, and in recognition of the defining style of the original 300SL, a droptop SLS would seem a reasonable proposition.
The rendering above, based on the tin-top, shows just how tasty a convertible version would be.
If an SLS AMG Roadster does appear, a 2011 or 2012 launch date would be the most likely, giving the quarter-million-dollar hardtop enough time in the sun before having to share the limelight with a convertible.
Whether the ‘guessed at’ SLS AMG convertible would feature a canvas or folding hardtop roof is moot (although the current SL convertible features the latter), but with weight a primary concern of high-performance cars, a fabric roof is likely.
With the coupe weighing in at just over 1600kg (140kg less than the Mercedes McLaren SLR it succeeds), a convertible version would likely add another 150-200kg to the SLS’s kerb weight.
Power would come from the front-mid mounted 6.2 litre AMG-tuned V8 engine offered in the coupe, delivering 420kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
In Europe, pricing for the SLS AMG coupe starts at €177,310 (AU$298,900), with an early 2010 launch planned.
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IMHO it looks okay except that its just too l-o-n-g
Given that it’s supposed to be a “retro-tech” version of the classic Gull-wing from the 1960s; it should have been built on the shorter AMG SLK 55 platform.
It looks more like a McLaren SLR that’s run into a brick wall
Looks much better as a roadster imo.
I think your weight increase estimate may be a bit excessive. I would have imagined that the substitution of the heavier gull wing for small probably lightweight doors and the torque tube backbone construction of the car would mean that minimal stiffening/bracing would be needed to make the SLS a drop top. If Mercedes go with a fabric roof also, i would be guessing that the weight penalty would be far less than the 150-200kg you have predicted. Just my two cents.