Mercedes-Benz and AMG reprise the “Gullwing” 56 years on.
Stunning new SLS replaces outgoing SLR
Photography from Daimler-Benz
The speculation is over. In limbo since the original 300SL Gullwing coupe ceased production in late 1956, the “Gullwing” designation lives on with the introduction of the dramatic new 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Largely engineered by AMG, the long awaited SLS debuts September 15 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.
There has been much speculation surrounding the final styling of the new car: We presumed the Dodge Viper-esque camouflage hid a more rounded, voluptuous shape reminiscent of the original Gullwing. Not so. While there were some attractive renderings circulating the web indicative of a smooth flowing design, what we see here continues the long nose, truncated tail theme of the SLR. The wheelbase (2680mm) remains essentially the same as the SLR ((2700) hence the car still hasn’t escaped a somewhat overly long bonnet/short tail profile. I’ll have to study the shape further but early views reveal a less finicky, overly busy shape than that of the outgoing SLR.
A design Mercedes-Benz notes will "pave the way for the design philosophy of forthcoming Mercedes-Benz sports cars."
According to Chairman of the Board, Dieter Zetsche, “Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the guise of the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster. The brands Mercedes-Benz and AMG have joined forces to create the SLS AMG– which is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of all time.”
A hint of Maybach in the SLS's tail? Aluminum fuel filler door dominates right quarter panel.
Indeed. With the uprated M159 571hp AMG 6.3 engine connected via a solid torque tube to the robust AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed transaxle, power transfer will be virtually instantaneous. This drive train platform integrated within the lightweight, largely aluminum space frame should give the SLS dynamic handling behavior beyond what the SLR offered. The entire body shell weights but 241 kg (530 lbs) and curb weight is reported to be 1620 kg( 3,564 lbs), well below SLR’s hefty 1,768 kg (3,889 lbs).
Interior features AMGDRIVE unit, AMG Speedshift 7-speed transaxle, heated sport seats, reversing camera and designo leather.
The true Gullwing doors open a full 70 degrees and this combined with a very low sill height should provide “graceful” entry/exit for men and women alike. Once inside you’ll find a satisfying array of technology:
• COMAND APS
• Cord floor mats with AMG logo
• Interior appointments in designo leather
• Anti-theft warning system
• Electric parking brake
• Headlamp Assist
• KEYLESS-GO start function
• PARKTRONIC
• Rain sensor
• Reversing camera
• Heated sports seats
• Sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs
• Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC
• THERMOTRONIC
Aggressive nose will alert the unwary driver that a most extraordinary Mercedes-Benz is approaching.
Optional equipment includes:
• 6-disc DVD changer
• Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround sound system
• Anti-theft alarm system with tow-away protection and interior monitoring
• Interior appointments in designo single-tone Exclusive leather
• Interior appointments in designo two-tone Exclusive leather
• Interior appointments in designo Exclusive light brown natural leather/woven leather
• Paintwork “AMG ALU-BEAM silver”
• Paintwork “AMG magno sylvanite grey”
• Paintwork “designo magno allanite grey”
• Media interface
• Memory package with electric seat and steering wheel adjustment
• Performance sports steering wheel in Alcantara®/leather
571hp AMG 6.3 liter mated to 7 speed transaxle via solid torque tube on dynamic test bed.
And the AMG Performance Studio will personalize your SLS with the following:
• Carbon-fibre exterior mirrors
• Carbon-fibre engine compartment cover
• Carbon-fibre trim (front stowage tray and rear stowage compartment incl. lid, AMG DRIVE UNIT surround, surrounds for the centre console, shiftgate and rear, trim strips for centre console and door armrests
• Interior Carbon Package (carbon-fibre trim, trim on seat backrest and side, door sill panels)
• Performance suspension with a stiffer setup for optimised lateral dynamics
• 10-spoke forged wheels
• Sports bucket seats
This will have to satisfy your curiosity about this fabulous new Gullwing for now. The release date is noted as “Spring 2010.”
September’s MercedesHeritage.com Newsletter will cover the SLS in more detail as well as all the Mercedes-Benz goings on during August’s amazing Monterey week.
Give us your comments on the new SLS below.
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
18 Responses to “2011 Gullwing Revealed!”
This car is incredibly tempting, but I guess I’ll forgo it due to the experience I had with Mercedes when my 380SL died 350 miles from home in central NJ. The dealer there refused to work on my car because I wasn’t their customer, and I couldn’t find any other service. I ended up renting a transport rig and hauling the car home, where I simply replaced a dead fuel pump. With that kind of backup, I can never see myself buying another Mercedes for the road. Damn, this new gullwing is tempting though.
Thats a vast improvement on the McLaren, which to my mind is quite ugly. Although I’m a kiwi and anything with the mcLaren name on it can normally do no wrong ..:-)
[...] If this is real, then, I am starting to save up right now.. this is sick!! http://www.mercedesheritage.com/2009…wing-revealed/ [...]
Roy I am driving the new Gullwing Laguna Secca raceway Nov 17..
AMG has a driving class for 5 days with this car.
I send pics
Peter
Take a look on my web site
http://www.300sl.net
The car looks great until you notice the rear left & right quarter panel. It resembles like the Mazda coupe. Get rid of it to keep the Mercedes Gulwing image, pleaseeee?
I think M-B has drifted into more Japanese styling with the S-Class, C-Class, and E-Class over the last couple years. If I were to see this SLS w/o any badging, I would guess Lexus or Infinity, not Mercedes-Benz. One thing I was hoping for were really low head lights. The original gullwing, and every SL since, including today’s SL550, has the headlights next to the grill opening. This grill is lower than that of today’s SL, but I think it looks odd with the headlights up so much higher. And the rear? Yes, Maybach inspired is a good observation. I would have appreciated low mounted horizontal lights, like the old Gullwing. They should have had more throw-back styling cues in the body styling.
If they can get head lights down by the grill on their “blue zero” hybrid concept car, this one with the BMW “flame surfacing” styling, then they should be able to do it on the SLS. (This concept car is ugly!)
http://www.ecarsavenue.com/wp-content/gallery/351/mercedes-benz-bluezero.jpg
Great photos – the heritage is immediately seen from the front… but I’m with Victor on the rear quarter panels – seem ugly to me – more like an average production saloon – and not at all the image of a supercar.
Absolutely Beautiful! What is the MSRP?
Hi Roy, this is a fantastic car but I would prefer the original legend – the 300 SL Gullwing from the 50′s. I am still searching for a good, original project or driveable car. If somebody will have such a car for sale – please keep me informed.
The new one will make a lot of fun – for sure.
Ralph – from Germany.
I remember seeing the original 300SL at the New York Auto Show in the 1950′s. The $7,500 asking price was more than my annual earnings. While in Germany during the 1960′s I briefly drove a (used) one briefly and found it difficult to get in and out of even with the hinged steering wheel. It would appear that the new door opening is not significantly larger and I am less limber and wonder if getting in and out may be a problem. Although the sill looks a bit more narrow and lower in the new model. But the projected price is again more than my annual income.
Did they really have to disrupt the styling by placing the door pull handle right in the middle of the doors?
In general I like it. The rear could have been more rounded and unique. I will give the design sometime to mature. One more thing, the car should be sick in person.
Enrique
Hi Roy,
I’m happy to communicate to you the following: The new SLS to discover on:
http://www.vroom.be/fr/actualite-auto/7361, mercedes-benz-sls-amg.html?
utm_source = newsletter-news-utm_medium = en & email
( copy/paste on your internet explorer )
A Belgian site … ( but only in French or Dutch …)
of topics car that tells the presentation at the next
Frankfurt cars show of the new Gullwing with an interesting story
detailed picture …
see you soon on oursl.com
and long life to the SL
Michel HAUTEKEER, from Belgium ( Brussels )
I like the front but not the back. It does look like a maybach in th back. I still find the old gull wing sexier by far. C’mon Mbenz designers give us more exciting looking cars!!!!
The front looks stiking. And, I’m sure the technology and performance will be top notch.
However, the rear end design is less inspiring. It looks a lot like a late 90′s Acura TL Coupe. It looks good but not really an original design.
Also, the original Gullwing used those doors out of functional necessity. So, form followed function. Here, it looks like Mercedes is simply cashing in on a branding trademark, which it righfully deserves. Only it comes across as more contrived. The car didn’t NEED Gullwing doors like the original to its sort of like one of those fake grilles you used to see on American sports cars that were not functional; they give the same aesthetic impact but when you move in closer and see they don’t serve a necessart function, it sort of loses impact. A car of this caliper should be all about impact.
Hello! I do not see a condition of use of the information. Whether it is possible to copy the text written by you on the site if to put the link to this page.
[...] event with a variety of cars ranging from two SSKs to myriad Gullwings – including 2011 editions, a 111 coupe and at least a few trusty – and cozy – ponton sedans. Sir Stirling’s [...]
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