By Michael Bettencourt
What a difference a single letter makes. The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR supercar developed in association with the famous F1 racing outfit is no more, and although execs insist it is not a replacement, the newest ultimate supercar from Mercedes is the reborn Gullwing, the 2011 SLS AMG.
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
The Gullwing was the apt nickname for the popular Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe and convertible from the mid-60s, so dubbed because of its unique roof-hinged doors that opened like a bird taking off in flight. Similar gullwing doors were copied by a few craft car makers, notably Bricklin (check) and Delorean, of Back to the Future fame, but mention gullwing doors to anyone who loves cars, and it’s those early Benz SLs that spring to mind quickest.
And so the 2011 SLS that arrives this spring as a long delayed spiritual successor to that winged classic, but with loads more power, lightweight components throughout, and a focus on interior creature comforts of little concern to the race-derived original.
The SLS AMG’s engine is an AMG-designed 6.2-litre 563 hp V8 beast, capable of blasting it from rest to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, to an electronically limited V-max of 317 km/h. Available in the spring at a cost of C$198,000, it’s not inexpensive, but it’s less than half the price of the previous US$400,000+ SLR.
Mercedes-Benz and the folks at their in-house AMG performance division are also planning an electric version of the exotic, reportedly to debut by the 2015 model year, which will offer launch times just a smidgen slower than that of its premium gasoline-only brethren. It will be slightly less powerful, with 392 kW (526 hp) of juice, with a top speed that maxes out at a much less exotic 200 km/h, for a price that will surely be higher than a regular SLS AMG.
On the plus side, it does feature more low-end torque (649 lb-ft versus the V8’s 479). The goal is the same acceleration ability as the V8 for environmentally conscious rich folks less concerned about ultimate performance, since it’ll also be heavier.
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that totally tanks the slr is being replaced with this piece of trash i dont care if this car is cheaper or has more style which it does not the slr mclaren should live on its like the heart and soul of mercedes benz and if u replace that what r u left with this the body in my opinion this car is not worth replacing the slr mclaren. The slr mclaren is a legend in many ways and if you were to put the these 2 cars side by side and bring evryone from the world to vote i can bet that only a million people would choose the sls mclaren this new car is pothetic!!! If i had the money to buy it i wouldnt i would save up for a slr mclaren but why ??? mercedes why are you cancelling the slr mclaren it is a lead in technology and inovation and boomout of no where you guys make a decision to cancel the slr mclaren. That totally is a ragged decision i even know that this car sells pretty well aorund the world why oh why?? to some people the slr mclaren was a dream come true thats just another kids opinion!!! i hope you counteract your deciosion mercedes benz because this may effect you in the future please dont cancel this it is a worthy opponent to all supercars it stands tall and brave well too bad it can’t do that anymore!!! bad decision mercedess!!!
Also if you had the money to buy it, your opinion might have actually mattered… lol