Spy Photos Confirm New SLS AMG Roadster

New SLS AMG Gullwing looses its Wings
SLS Roadster spotted in Nevada and Germany

Where do you need to hang out to spot unreleased exciting new products from automobile manufacturers? Historically, intrepid photographers would just need to camp out at the toll both and the legendary Nurburgring racing circuit.

Eventually, camoflaged pre-production models from manufacturers worldwide would arrive with top drivers and engineers on board to attack the Nordschleife’s tortuous 20.8 km (12.9 mile) course. Today, there is a new tool to figure out what manufacturers are up to; the patent office.

Hurling the new SLS Roadster around the Nurburgring tests handling and grip characteristics under unrestricted conditions.

Visiting the Patent Office
Removing the veil of secrecy

Filing patent drawings is an essential part of protecting a manufacturer’s intellectual property rights hence scouring a particular manufacturer’s patent filings has now become a window into future product plans. And so we see the new SLS Roadster sans camoflage albeit in renderings and not ‘in the flesh.’ Lovely car.

Patent office rendering takes the guesswork out of interpreting camouflaged prototypes undergoing real world testing. We presume the top will be electric but space behind seats looks very limited for top operation hard/software

Overhead view reveals a nicely flowing design with fairly large back window. Soft top must be precisely engineered to retain its shape at speeds approaching 200 mph.

Hot Weather Tests
Death Valley Beckons

Another place to hang out in the hope of spotting something cool under hot weather testing would be Death Valley – or even better, camping out in a nearby town like say Beatty, Nevada. Searing hot and generally devoid of any Gullwing detectives, this area is the destination of choice for many manufacturers to test components under brutal heat..

Resting, or I should say 'baking' by the recycle bins in Beatty, Nevada. Camouflaged Gullwing (r) rests next to Roadster (l). The unrelenting heat of Death Valley is a mere 7 miles away.

Patent renderings of same duo in final form. The roadster may be the more balanced design.

Removable tonneau hides soft top. Faux Gullwing door lines placed on canvas cover to confuse.

Beatty, Nevada residents eyeball garishly masked SLS Roadster.

You’re now up-to-date with the SLS developments. Gullwing production will (probably) begin in April with US deliveries (probably) beginning in June. When will the Roadster arrive? We don’t know.

While we do not have final suggested list pricing for the new Gullwing, we do have some pricing data for SLS options. Some of the more interesting items and prices are below:

• ALU-Beam Silver Paint: $12,750
• AMG 10 Spoke Forged Wheels: $2,400
• AMG Performance Suspension: $1,500
• AMG Carbon Fiber Braking System: $12,500
• Bang & Olufsen 1,000 Watt Sound System: $6,400
• Extended Interior Carbon Fiber Package: $9,000
• Carbon Fiber Engine Compartment Covers: $5,400
• Carbon Fiber Side Mirror Caps: $1,900
• Leather/Alcantara Steering Wheel: $600
• Indoor Car Cover: $370

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

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