08 Apr 09 13:03
Mercedes has released design sketches of its 2010 SLS Gullwing, which looks set to be one of the most beautiful sports cars the German car company has ever built.
The two-seater, set to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year, will be built by Merc's performance arm AMG, and the aim is to resurrect the spirit of the classic 300SL Gullwing.
It is expected to be based on an aluminium spaceframe skeleton - the floorpan will be made almost entirely from aluminium extrusions and castings, with steel being used sparingly to firm up the car's chassis. The idea is to keep the SLS as light as possible to maximise the power-to-weight ratio. It'll weigh around 1600kg - fractionally lighter than the Jaguar XK - and use a front-engine, rear-drive layout.
We understand that the SLS will feature Merc's new twin-clutch seven-speed box and that'll be mated to the 563bhp 6.3-litre AMG V8 engine.
Although its expected 196mph top speed isn't at stratospheric levels, acceleration will put the wind up you: initial estimates suggest the SLS will sprint from 0-62mph in 3.8s.
Inside the SLS AMG's cabin it all appears very somber and sensible with lots of black leather carbon fibre and chrome beveled instruments just saving you from mistaking the SLS from a more sensible E-Class saloon.
New technology to the SLS will be an AMG button that stores a driver's preferred, suspension, shift speed and throttle sharpness to save time.
Pundits are predicting the Mercedes SLS AMG will eventually priced from around £140,000 when it finally goes on sale in 2010.
