Mercedes lifts lid on SLS Roadster

Official pictures reveal new soft-top stunner, same 563bhp V8 as coupé, giving huge pace

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Luke Madden

29th May 2011

The wraps are officially off the soft-top version of Mercedes’ SLS AMG supercar – and as expected, it has lost the famous upward-opening gullwing doors, opting instead for traditionally hinged units.


	“Engineers were able to stiffen the chassis and body while keeping the weight down. Changes added only 40kg, so performance is near-identical to coupé’s”

The SLS AMG Roadster is powered by the same 563bhp 6.3-litre V8 engine as the coupé, and promises identical straight-line performance. That means a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 197mph. Economy of 21.4mpg and 308g/km CO2 emissions are also the same.

The similarities are a surprise given the extra strengthening required to compensate for the loss of rigidity brought about by chopping off the roof. But the firm’s engineers were able to stiffen the chassis and body while keeping overall weight as close to the coupé’s as possible. So the reinforcing cross-member behind the seats, larger side skirts and extra struts in the dashboard cross member add only 40kg to the kerbweight – the car tips the scales at 1,660kg.

The three-layered fabric roof is made of lightweight magnesium, aluminium and steel, and comes in black, red or beige. Along with the rollover hoops – which can be lined with optional ‘designo’ Exclusive leather – this is the only visual difference between the convertible and hard-top models.

The hood can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 31mph, at the flick of a switch on the central armrest, and the whole process takes 11 seconds. Boot space is unaffected; the car offers a 173-litre capacity – only three litres less than the coupé – whether the top is up or down.

Styling options include a Sepang Brown metallic paintjob and 10-spoke, matt black alloy wheels. These extras will also be available on the hard-top.

In addition, there’s a new Espresso Brown interior finish, while another option is Mercedes’ Airscarf system, which blows hot air on to occupants’ necks.

Standard kit includes black ‘designo’ leather, heated AMG sports seats, sat-nav, climate control and keyless go.

The soft-top SLS will make its official debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, before launching here in November. It’s likely to carry a price premium of around £10,000 over the coupé. That means the Roadster should weigh in at around £170,000 when it reaches UK dealers.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes SLS visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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5 Comments

Realist

Only 1,600 kg for a two-seater sports car. What a monster, just like the freakish gull-wing. Not much progress since 1952 - except in videos of course.

By gerard56 on 31 May, 2011, 7:11am

Brown? BROWN??

Available in beige with a brown interior and brown roof?

Hmm...... I really can't see that selling. A brown sports car, indeed.

If they give it a fixed hardtop with panoramic 'magic sky', it'd be quite appealing in silver, red or black. But a brown ragtop? I think not.

By nickwilcock on 31 May, 2011, 7:36am

Brown? BROWN??

By nickwilcock on 31 May, 2011, 8:19am

Soft Top

I actually much prefer a proper soft top to the new style folding metal roof. This is so much mors stylish than any current merc droptop. Not as nice as Jags XKR though.

By kendo on 31 May, 2011, 10:17am

Brown suits the image

It's a nostalgia car--big, bulbous, heavy and with enormous blind quarter panels. Recall the 4 passenger 220 and 300 convertibles of the 1950s, the 190SL and even as late as the 1960s/70s 4 passenger convertibles and the SL of that era. With ivory exterior and brown interior they looked softer and exuded an image of quiet refinement. It's something no other luxury performance maker offers at this time. And it's sure to appear in ads for designer label leather goods.

By captainlinger on 31 May, 2011, 4:44pm

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