Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Gullwing Supercar

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/March/2009

Stuttgart, Germany – For more than two years Mercedes-Benz has been secretly testing it's next generation supercar, a successor to the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR.

But until now has the German company has not officially confirmed its existence.

Issuing a media release today, Mercedes-Benz confirmed the world's first supercar built entirely in-house by AMG.

It is not based on a previous Mercedes model. It doesn't involve McLaren. But it will be a Ferrari-slayer.

Meet the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which will be released in early 2010.

Returning to its roots, the car will utilise vertically hinged gullwing doors, is powered by a naturally aspirated engine and rides extremely low to the ground to improve its handling capabilities. 

Here's a quick rundown of the SLS AMG's main features:

Aluminium spaceframe body
AMG 6.3-litre V8
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
RACESTART launch control
Aluminium double wishbone suspension
48:52 front-to- rear weight distribution
Ceramic composite brakes
1620 kilogram dry weight

"Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the guise of the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster," said Mercedes head honcho Dr. Dieter Zetsche.

"The SLS AMG is emotion pure and simple for the Mercedes-Benz brand and is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era," says Zetsche, who isn't wrong. 

Even without high levels of performance, the fact that it has gullwing doors will make this car an instant classic. It will stand out from the crowd of increasingly 'samey' supercars, irrespective of price.

"Our customers will experience with the SLS AMG the expertise of our sports car manufacturer Mercedes-AMG, built up over 40 years of motor racing, along with the kind of scintillating design that only a top athlete from the Mercedes-Benz stable can offer," boasted Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Engine

Powered by a highly modified version of AMG's 6.3-litre V8 engine, the SLS AMG will output 420 kilowatts of power.

The engine is mounted in the front of the car, just behind the front axle and has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.84kg/hp.

Vital statistics for the SLS AMG are as follows:

Power: 420kW @ 6800rpm
Torque: 650Nm @ 4750rpm
Top Speed: 315km/h (196mph)
0-100km/h: 3.8 seconds

With performance figures like 3.8 seconds and 315km/h, Mercedes-Benz new super star will be a strong competitor in the exclusive supercar market.

The naturally aspirated 8-cylinder engine, which is known internally as M159, is a high-revving unit that displaces 6208cc and 'has been thoroughly re-engineered compared with the M156 entry-level engine' says AMG.

The major changes to the V8 powerplant include a larger and completely redesigned intake system (which should give the car a spine-tingling note), plus reworked valve train and camshafts. 

AMG has also developed a new exhaust system which makes use of flow-optimised tubular steel headers and an overall dethrottling of the exhaust system.

Expected to be dubbed the 'Gullwing', the new 2-seater sports car uses dry sump lubrication which allows a much lower position of the engine in the vehicle which in turn lowers the vehicle's centre of gravity which will make for 'high lateral acceleration and exhilarating driving dynamics' according to its creators.

Featuring revised internal, such as forged pistons, a reinforced crankshaft bearing and optimised crankcase structure, the 6.3-litre engine will be able to deal with a lot more punishment, and its weight has been reduced to an impressive 206kg.

The engine will also adhere to EURO 5 emissions standards.

Thanks to the targeted use of efficiency-enhancing measures, fuel consumption for the SLS AMG is around 13L/100km using high octane petrol.

Transmission

The rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar makes use of a an ultra-light carbon-fibre driveshaft at the rear axle, which the German company claims is similar to the set-up used on the DTM C‑Class racing touring car.

One of the most intriguing parts of the SLS's drivetrain is the new 7-speed AMG dual-clutch transmission, which 'boasts fast gear changes with no loss of tractive force'.

The new transmission has four different driving modes, ranging from comfortable to extremely sporty, as well as a RACESTART launch control function.

There is a mechanical differential lock at the rear which improves traction and the performance oriented stability control system has modes: ESP on, ESP Sport and ESP off.

Chassis

During the development of the new 'Gullwing', the AMG developers worked closely with the Mercedes Technology Centre (MTC) to create an optimised lightweight body concept. So for the first time, Mercedes-Benz and AMG can now present a car with an aluminium chassis and body.

The newly developed bodyshell comprises an aluminium spaceframe and even the double wishbone suspension and hub carriers are made from lightweight forged aluminium.

Along with lightweight aluminium chassis components, the new model will be fitted with high-performance composite brakes all-round that 'ensure extremely short stopping distances even under enormous loads' says AMG.

Everything about the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar has been considered from a weight-saving perspective, so even the wheels were carefully designed.

The AMG light-alloy wheels measure 19-inches at the front and 20-inches at the rear, and are shod with 265/35 R19 and 295/30 R20 tyres at the front and back respectively.

Mercedes revealed that the design and development phase for the super sports car began in late 2006. Testing for the vehicle will continue until the end of  2009, and the 'Gullwing' will be launched in the European Spring of 2010.

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