Mercedes 300SL Gullwing vs Mercedes SLS AMG: 2010 twin test
Mercedes’ gullwing SLS AMG has a hard act to follow in the 300SL. We pit the stunning pair head-to-head...
Living up to a legend is never easy – but the new Mercedes SLS has the toughest job imaginable. Look at the beautiful curves of the original 300SL and it’s hard to believe that this model is nearly 60 years old. The incredible machine is part of automotive folklore; a proven race winner and desirable road car all in one.
And it comes wrapped up in one of the most intoxicating shapes ever conceived. The mere sight of it is enough to leave most enthusiasts speechless, and its gullwing doors are synonymous with one of the most glamorous machines on the planet. Against that backdrop, it’s not hard to understand why the German marque has taken so long to come up with a suitable replacement. After all, why risk diluting a legend with a car not worthy of the G-word?
Its successor has been years in development and comes directly from the brand’s AMG tuning division. But have the results been worth the wait? We put the SLS up against its Fifties inspiration to find out if it lives up to its billing…
Verdict
Let’s get one thing straight from the start: there are no losers here. Both of our test contenders deliver unforgettable driving experiences that are in keeping with their lofty price tags.
Used - available now
2016 Mercedes
SL Class
29,750 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L
Cash £24,495
2019 Mercedes
SL Class
38,110 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L
Cash £32,401
2014 Mercedes
SL Class
70,660 milesAutomaticPetrol3.5L
Cash £16,990
2014 Mercedes
SL Class
37,411 milesAutomaticPetrol3.5L
Cash £19,990The stunning 300SL is a car which has captivated fans ever since its launch in 1954. With its racing roots, gorgeous lines and innovative engine, the Gullwing represents an important part of our motoring history. Its old-fashioned dynamics make it challenging to drive, but that’s all part of its appeal.
Fortunately, the SLS doesn’t have to make any such excuses. Sharp responses and awesome performance mean the newcomer is a fully paid-up member of the supercar club. Better still, it achieves all this while retaining the unique spirit – and crowd-pulling gullwing layout – of the original. If you’re searching for the must-have car of 2010, then look no further.
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
Once in a while, a car comes along that gains legendary status before it has even turned a wheel – and this is certainly the case with the Mercedes 300SL. As soon as its amazing gullwing doors swung open at the 1954 New York Motor Show, the coupé’s place in history was assured.
Developed from the firm’s 1952 Le Mans-winning Sport Leicht (Sport Light) racer, the beautiful roadgoing model was packed with cutting-edge technology and novel engineering that instantly made rivals look old-fashioned. Its powerful 3.0-litre straight-six engine was the first to be fitted with direct injection, while its low-slung body was styled to be as aerodynamic as possible.
The result was a 160mph top speed, which earned it the prestigious accolade of “fastest production car in the world”. Take a look at the SL today and it’s amazing to think the design is nearly 60 years old. It’s clear that the original has influenced the lines of the new SLS. Both machines share the same long and low nose, a wide grille with prominent three-pointed star and a gracefully rounded rear end. However, where the newcomer is brash and brutal, the 300 is delightfully delicate. Visual highlights include the subtle power bulges in the bonnet, the eye-catching chrome detailing and its distinctive wheelarch flares.
Pull on the beautifully crafted, one-piece alloy handle and the SL’s gullwing door rises effortlessly. As with the new car it’s an operation that manages to stop passers-by in their tracks.
Climb over the wide sill – which hides part of the car’s intricate spaceframe chassis – and you’re confronted with an interior that’s dripping with Fifties style and sophistication. Soft red leather covers much of the cabin, while the dashboard gets the same silver finish as the exterior. In front of the driver is a huge, cream-coloured wheel and a large number of dials that monitor the likes of engine oil temperature and pressure – even the health of the battery.
Elsewhere, you’ll spot loads of gorgeous period details such as the Becker radio, chrome slider controls for the heating and a dash-top rear view mirror.
Prod the small silver starter button mounted behind the steering wheel, and the Merc’s straight-six coughs into life before settling into a rough idle. Once warmed up, the 3.0-litre unit delivers strong pace and pulls hard from low revs. But it’s the soundtrack that makes the biggest impression, thanks to an exhaust note which mixes thoroughbred racing car with World War II fighter plane.
Sadly, while the Gullwing’s performance is a match for many modern sports cars, its chassis is rooted in the past. Even when new the Merc had a reputation for knife-edge handling – and the passing of time has done little to improve matters. The main culprit of the car’s wayward behaviour is the antiquated swing-axle rear suspension, which can induce savage spins if you lift off the throttle mid-corner. Heavy steering, weak drum brakes and a long-throw gearshift further undermine the SL’s driving dynamics.
Despite these failings, a drive in the 300SL is an intoxicating experience. The sights, smells and sounds all combine to create an incredible sense of occasion that modern supercars struggle to match. Add in the sensational looks and it’s not hard to see why the Gullwing has earned its place in the motoring hall of fame.
Why: Motoring legends don’t come any bigger than the original 300SL. Its gullwing configuration and electric pace made it an instant hit in the Fifties.
Mercedes SLS AMG
Jaw-dropping looks are the first requirement of any supercar, and the new SLS doesn’t disappoint. It’s already a familiar sight thanks to numerous show appearances and its role as the official F1 safety car, but that hasn’t dulled the impact it makes when you see one right there in front of you.
The low-slung Merc has a long nose, giving the new gullwing a cartoon-like quality. Retro details abound, with air vents on the bonnet and front wings punctuated by silver strakes, which have been borrowed directly from the original 300SL.
Its face is clearly inspired by the Fifties legend, too, and the sleek headlamps and thrusting grille have an unmistakable presence. The SLS is guaranteed to stand out from even the most exotic mid-engined rival, and it strikes a well judged balance between retro charm and cutting-edge appeal. Then, when you unlock it, the flush-fitting handles for the doors emerge from the bodywork to provide the car’s biggest talking point.
A simple tug is enough to theatrically raise each of the doors, transforming the SLS from a car which merits attention into one that demands it. Climbing in is simply a matter of squeezing past the throng of people that invariably surround it, and sliding over the chunky sill down into the cabin. Closing the doors requires a short reach up from the seat to grasp the handle and pull them down manually.
The cabin is generously equipped and has a high-quality feel. The familiar Mercedes switchgear is mixed with unique touches, such as the quartet of alloy-trimmed rotary air vents which help to set the SLS apart from the firm’s usual fare.
A wide transmission tunnel is home to an aircraft-inspired gear selector plus a row of buttons and dials to control the stability systems and gearbox settings. Firing up the keyless SLS requires a press of the glowing red starter. It flickers as the eight cylinders crank into life and settle down to a bassy idle.
The 6.2-litre powerplant is at the heart of the SLS experience. Even when driven gently, with the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in its auto setting, you’re treated to an unmistakable V8 rumble. And as you lift off the throttle the exhaust emits a satisfying symphony of pops and bangs which are guaranteed to put a grin on your face.
Switch the gearbox past its Sport and Sport+ settings into manual mode, and you can experience the full AMG soundtrack – and few cars at any price sound as purposeful and threatening as the SLS at full tilt. Unfortunately, you’ll be able to enjoy its full voice only in short bursts on public roads, because it’s as savagely fast as it sounds.
At the test track, it blasted from 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds and strode to 100mph faster than many so-called hot hatches reach 60mph. It demolished our in-gear tests, too, and blitzed from 30-70mph through the gears in a startling 3.1 seconds.
The SLS is about more than simply an engine. Arrowing its long nose into a corner for the first time reveals sharp responses and genuine poise. The steering is light yet communicative, and the huge tyres generate ample amounts of grip.
Better still, the SLS never feels intimidating to drive – the upright windscreen and decent visibility help make light work of placing the Merc’s long nose. At low speeds, the firm suspension thumps into potholes and you feel even small bumps, but the trade-off at higher speeds is tight body control and alert responses.
With 563bhp and 650Nm of torque under your right foot, though, it’s easy to break traction and light up the rear tyres. Mercedes has devised a three- stage ESP set-up with a Sports setting, but you still need quick reactions to catch the stubby tail when the system is disengaged.
Reinventing a legend is fraught with difficulties and it’s all too easy for the end product to be compromised by its need to look like a car from another era. That’s not the fate of the SLS.
Its unique styling, thunderous engine and epic performance make it a worthy successor to the original Gullwing.
Why: After Mercedes’ years in the supercar doldrums, the brand’s latest flagship aims to mix it with the most exotic cars on the planet. Does the newcomer succeed?
