Merc SLS official pics leaked

Just six days before it's Frankfurt debut, official images of Mercedes' retro-inspired gullwing supercar leak onto the web

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: carpoint.com.au

09th September 2009

The Mercedes Gullwing has swooped in! These are the first official shots of the three-pointed star's all-new supercar, leaked onto the internet ahead of schedule by an Australian website.

Designed to evoke memories of the iconic 300SL Gullwing from the fifties, the Mercedes SLS AMG also fills a gap in Merc's range left by the outgoing McLaren SLR. And judging by these on-the-road shots it's styling promises to be every bit as dramatic as its forebearers.

Gullwing-style doors, hinged at the roof, will no doubt be the big talking point when the car debuts at frankfurt next week, but what's under the skin is just as impressive. Packing a 555bhp AMG 6.3-litre V8, it's reported to cover the 0-60mph sprint in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 197mph. Fortunately carbon-ceramaic brake discs will be offered as an option to scrub off the speed with ease.

Prices are likely to start from around £130,000 when it goes on sale in summer 2010 - less than half the price of the Mercedes McLaren SLR.

9 Comments

LOVELY CAR CANT HELP THINKING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN IT A BIT MORE POWER TO BRING IT UP TO 600BHP

By petrolhead94 on 9 September, 2009, 9:46pm

what an awful-looking wreck of a car.... the front and back ends must have been designed by different people and what an odd assortment of curves and straight lines.... "Designed to evoke memories of the iconic 300SL" ... "as dramatic as its forebearers" - what a load of rubbish.... this thing is desperate - footballers and rap artists will love it....

By dllywelyn on 10 September, 2009, 8:09am

Oh dear....

I agree with dllywelyn, that really is an ugly looking thing. The clash of curves and Mercedes' latest straight edge so-called styling (such as has ruined the SL) give the whole thing a look of disharmony.

The rear-threequarter view is particularly hideous.

What were they thinking of?

By nickwilcock on 10 September, 2009, 8:53am

SLS

Seriously ugly at the rear. Was it designed by the guy who designed the Lexus sport coupe a few years ago? I dislike the 'retro' approach in principle, it suggests a lack of creativity and confidence.

By mellorg on 10 September, 2009, 9:09am

Yuk

Keep looking at the pictures trying to make sense of the thing. The front grille looks discordant with the head lights, it is slabbed sided making the roof line look squashed and gull wing doors, pointless impractical nonsense. It is not that this thing will be a nimble, lithe, lightweight thing, it will have a brutal engine and an agricultural gearbox. Stick to luxury limos please.

By anthonyf5 on 10 September, 2009, 11:16am

Fugly

I would call it fugly...WOW what a mess!!!

By jonker4 on 10 September, 2009, 3:43pm

lost the plot

So the mercedes stylists have fled the country and in their clamour to keep going, Mercedes has destroyed the work of art that was; the SL. Continuing this destruction of visual pelasure, seemingly, throughout the entire range they go for the humourous approach, such that Vauxhall makes better looking cars!

By jeronimo on 10 September, 2009, 11:07pm

If Mercedes built a Viper...

...it would look something like this.

I have to concur, it does look a bit awkward, and that's being very kind...

By sgtgrash on 11 September, 2009, 1:26am

does AMG mean American Motor Company...

agree with some of the comments.......looks american from the slab sides ...from the front ...fish faced, maybe different shaped lights would help its appeal....rear could have been designed by Lexus......but i think it's strangely attractive, especially in uber-silver........

By darrylt1 on 11 September, 2009, 5:39pm

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