Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Photo Gallery & Specifications
If there was ever a car everyone at CarAdvice simply agreed on, it's the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that is scheduled for its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (which CarAdvice will be attending) next Monday.
Although we've criticised Mercedes-Benz for making some less than inspiring cars in recent times, it's the German company's ability to release a car like the SLS AMG that really defines the brand's capability. Mercedes and AMG have gone all out with this one, producing a reincarnation of a model that will undoubtedly became an icon in due course.
According to Mercedes-Benz, it has done the high everyday utility and exemplary safety work while AMG focused on lightweight engineering and superior handling dynamics. Either way, the engineers behind the car and specifically the engine need to be congratulated.
Moving the aluminium space frame body, complete with gullwing doors, is an AMG 6.3-litre (M159), front-mid V8 engine that produces a staggering 420kW and 650Nm.
All that power is handled through Mercede's seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission and forced to the rear axle through a lightweight driveshaft made of carbon-fibre - similar to the DTM C-Class touring car. Despite weighing in at a heft 1620 kilograms the SLS AMG can go from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
Front and rear weight distribution comes in at a near perfect 47 to 53 percent and the SLS AMG is capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 317 km/h.
Now if one of the Australian performance manufacturers had built a car like this, we'd expect fuel consumption figures nearing the 16-17 litres per 100 kilometre mark, but not so for AMG.
German engineers are well respected for their ability to extract extreme amounts of power out of an engine whilst managing a more than respectable fuel rating, in this instance the rating comes in at 13.2L/100km.
“With the new SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a fascinating super sports car that will quicken the pulse of any car fan, said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
"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.”
Taking some bits from history, the fins on the bonnet are reminiscent of styling elements found on the 300SL. The front rides on 19-inch AMG wheels while 20-inch rear light alloy wheels handle the enormous power. AMG will offer three different types of wheels
“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, said Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
"The unparalleled technology package provides for extraordinary handling dynamics with moderate fuel consumption—another hallmark of AMG today.”
Mercedes-Benz Australia says local pricing will be announced later and the car should be available here in mid next year.
Tune in next week as our own Anthony Crawford reports from Frankfurt. Check out the gallery below.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Engine
No. of cylinders/arrangement | 8/V, 4 valves per cylinder | |
Displacement | cc | 6208 |
Bore x stroke | mm | 102.2 x 94.6 |
Rated power output | kW | 420 at 6800 rpm |
Rated torque | Nm | 650 at 4750 rpm |
Compression ratio | 11.3 : 1 | |
Mixture preparation | Microprocessor-controlled fuel injection, HFM |
Power transmission
Drive | Standard drive | |
Transmissions | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission | |
Ratios | Final drive 1st gear 2nd gear 3rd gear 4th gear 5th gear 6th gear 7th gear Reverse | 3.67 3.40 2.19 1.63 1.29 1.03 0.84 0.72 -2.79 |
Chassis and suspension
Front axle | Aluminium double wishbone suspension, anti-dive, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabiliser |
Rear axle | Aluminium double wishbone suspension, anti-squat and anti-dive systems, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabiliser |
Braking system | Composite disc brakes, internally ventilated and perforated at the front; disc brakes, internally ventilated and perforated at the rear; electric rear parking brake; ABS; Brake Assist; 3-stage ESP® |
Steering | Rack-and-pinion power steering with parameter function, steering damper |
Wheels | Front: 9.5 J x 19; rear: 11 J x 20 |
Tyres | Front: 265/35 R 19; rear: 295/30 R 20 |
Dimensions and weights*
Wheelbase | mm | 2680 |
Tread front/rear | mm | 1682/1653 |
Overall length | mm | 4638 |
Overall width | mm | 1939 |
Overall height | mm | 1262 |
Turning circle | m | 11.9 |
Boot capacity** | l | 176 |
Kerb weight acc. to DIN | kg | 1620 |
Payload (basis ready-to-drive according to EC) | kg | 240 |
Perm. gross vehicle weight | kg | 1935 |
Tank capacity/inc. reserve | l | 85/14 |
Performance and fuel consumption
Acceleration 0-100 km/h | s | 3.8 |
Top speed | km/h | 317*** |
Fuel consumption NEDC comb. | l/100 km | 13.2 |
CO2 emissions | g/km | 314 |
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