Mercedes Gullwing

Our spies were on hand in Germany at the Nürburgring to take these exclusive shots of the new Mercedes Gullwing test mule undergoing some handling tests.

Since AMG announced last July that Mercedes and McLaren had discontinued their co-operation on the development of a smaller mid-engined SLR follow up, the German firm has been using their own in-house performance branch AMG and HWA Racing, to develop the new sportscar.

The proportions of this prototype would appear to put to rest any of the McLaren F2 mid-engine rumours that had been swirling around Mercedes’ next supercar effort.

The mule uses some Dodge Viper body panels at the rear, but any similarities end there, as this Gullwing car mule has a longer wheelbase which closely matches that of the SLR, and it clearly displays a long hood and cab-rearward stance.

Despite previous reports of the Gullwing car being a smaller SLR, based on the R230 SL class platform, it now seems unlikely judging by the overall dimensions of this test mule. As a result, some uncertainty as to the true nature of this vehicle is starting to circulate.

The source of the confusion comes from the first spy photos of the Gullwing car which showed a suspicious looking R230 SL-Class wearing dramatic body treatments which suggested a super high performance vehicle. Instead, it is our interpretation that the highly modified SL was just a host body for the purpose of engine testing. Which engine they were testing, however, remains to be confirmed.