The Mercedes Gullwing is reborn

At an exclusive event held at the AMG HQ in Affalterbach today, Mercedes spilled the beans on the new AMG Supersports car it has been secretly developing over the last couple of years. New from the ground up; the Mercedes SLS AMG (as it is to be known) represents the ultimate in terms of driving dynamics and performance, according to AMG Chairman Volker Mornhinweg, who evo was speaking to at the event.

The car is only slightly smaller than the McLaren-Mercedes SLR (which ceases production at the end of this year) but is over 130kg lighter thanks to an all new aluminium spaceframe and body. Using a revised version of the current AMG 6.3litre V8, producing 572ps at 6800rpm, the performance claims for the SLS are staggering with 0-62mph taking just 3.8seconds and 0-124mph 12 seconds, while top speed is limited to 196mph.

The engine is bolted directly to the rear 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (first seen in the SL63 AMG and located in the rear transaxle) via a torque tube to help increase stiffness and throttle response of the engine. This layout gives the SLS an ideal 48:52 front/rear weight split, helping to maximise traction as well as aiding handling. The engine is dry-sumped, allowing it be fitted lower in the body and in order to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible.

The most refreshing aspect of the SLS is AMG have simplified the car where ever possible so a lot of the overly complicated Mercedes technology, previously seen on AMG cars, has been binned. There’s no brake by wire technology for instance, or adjustable spring platforms for the suspension. In their place are conventional coil springs, twin aluminium wishbones at each corner, massive steel discs (ceramic are an option) and a completely new philosophy for AMG sports-cars.

The car will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor show in September and will then go on sale in the summer of 2010. Prices will be revealed nearer the time but expect it to cost around 150,000Euros at today’s prices which is slightly more than the Audi R8 V10 but undercuts the Aston DBS and is less than half the price of the outgoing SLR. We’ll be driving it for the first time at the start of 2010, can’t wait.