Mercedes SLS AMG

Designed to replace the Mercedes McLaren SLR and inspired by the iconic 300SL 'gullwing', the SLS AMG has some big shoes to fill.

To help it on its way Mercedes fitted it with a 563bhp, 6.2-litre V8 mated to a seven-speed multi-clutch gearbox. This arrangement allows for a sprint time of 3.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 197mph.

The new car becomes the first road-going Mercedes to be structured and panelled entirely in aluminium, with the suspension (double wishbones) and steering arms all made of the same material to keep the kerbweight to minimum.

Priced at around £150,000 the SLS will go head-to-head with former colleague McLaren's newest entry into the supercar market, the MP4-12C.