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. (more…)