Modern Gullwing lands at show

The Gullwing is ready for its maiden flight! Mercedes has finally unveiled the all-new SLS AMG supercar at Frankfurt.

Designed to evoke memories of the legendary 300SL Gullwing of the Fifties, the car fills a gap in the Mercedes range that has been vacated by the SLR McLaren. The gullwing doors will be a big talking point, but what’s under the skin is equallyas impressive.

It packs a 555bhp, 650Nm 6.3-litre V8, which means it’s capable of covering the 0-60mph sprint in 3.7 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 197mph. Fortunately carbon-ceramaic brake discs will be offered as an option to scrub off the speed with ease.

An aluminium spaceframe body helps to keep weight down to a manageable 1,620kg.

Combine this with Mercedes’ latest seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a near-perfect 47:53 front-rear weight distribution, and the front-engined SLS AMG should be as good to drive as it’s on-paper figures suggest.

Prices are still to be confirmed, but are tipped to start at about £130,000.