Thursday 12th November 2009

AMG Bosses Debate New 'Baby' Gullwing

PistonHeads exclusive: extended SLS range could spawn a smaller Porsche 911 rival by 2015

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AMG plans to follow up its new £155k SLS Gullwing with more stand-alone products, and next in line could be a smaller V8 coupe designed to rival the Porsche 911.

SLS Gullwing's bonnet is nearly 2m...

Although AMG is focused primarily on a successful launch for the SLS Gullwing - its first ever stand-alone model - company execs speaking informally to PistonHeads at the new car's media launch in Monterey, California, yesterday confirmed their intention to broaden the AMG model line-up in years to come.

The first follow-up to the SLS range is at least five years away, and while there has been no official proposal to AMG's bosses at Mercedes yet (first the SLS must prove the business case for bespoke machines), internal debate at AMG seems to be gravitating to a more compact sports car built around a version of the SLS chassis. A rear-engined configuration has been eliminated as it would be out of step with the AMG brand values.

The new baby SLS is likely to feature a new-generation V8 - somewhere between 5.8 and 6.2-litre capacity - featuring direct injection and cylinder cut-off technology that will mean it only uses four cylinders around town, or at other times when serious performance is not required. (AMG is already developing this technology, which uses a hydraulic mechanism to close valves in the unused cylinders and thus take advantage of the 'spring' rebound of compressed air in the cylinder to minimise energy losses.)

...cutaway shows empty space up front

The new engine with cut-off tech is destined to appear in the next-generation SLS - already in AMG's product plan - as well as the proposed smaller sibling, where its output might be reduced.

Although the baby SLS seems likely to retain the front/mid-engined layout of its big brother, it will have a shorter front end. This is made possible because the SLS has a bonnet almost two metres long, and an engine set well back towards the driver, meaning there is a certain amount of empty space that could be cut out at the front of the package.

Before the new model programme gets under way, AMG has two important developments up its sleeve for the SLS itself - a cabriolet version that will be revealed late next year (possibly at the Paris motor show), and a new GT racer that will hit the racetracks in 2011.

Could SLS GT campaign spell the end for DTM?

AMG has yet to decide how its new SLS racer will be campaigned, whether through an official factory entry to the new FIA GT world championships (and possibly also Le Mans), or by an officially supported racing partner.

Either way, AMG will support its motorsport activity by also making the SLS available to customers as a turn-key GT racer. This programme will also form the basis for the SLS 'Black Edition' road car that has recently been reported.

[pSyCoSiS]

Some big things for AMG then.

Love the SLS - can't wait to see it in the flesh.

[xspencex]

If anybody is listening at AMG - PLEASE ENTER THE SLS IN THE FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - PLEASE!

I'd love to see Mercedes competing at the likes of Le Mans and other GT events.

[The Wookie]

PH said:

AMG is already developing this technology, which uses a hydraulic mechanism to close valves in the unused cylinders and thus take advantage of the 'spring' rebound of compressed air in the cylinder to minimise energy losses

Uh oh, I can already feel the tremors of 300bhp/tonne's arrival!

[jgt1972]

Wonder if we'll see it as the F1 pace/safety car next season?

[jl34]

Saw the car at the Nuburgring and was very dissapointed with it, it is just doesnt look at all co-hesive.

[BlackPorker]

jgt1972 said:

Wonder if we'll see it as the F1 pace/safety car next season?

SLS already confirmed as next seasons safety car:
http://wot.motortrend.com/6602370/auto-news/merced...

Edited by BlackPorker on Thursday 12th November 13:03

[HeMightBeBanned]

I'm loving the idea of an open top SLS

[Staffy1984]

jl34 said:

Saw the car at the Nuburgring and was very dissapointed with it, it is just doesnt look at all co-hesive.

Maybe it's because I haven't seen it in the metal, but the SLS most certainly look 'cohesive'.

It looks like a mercedes, and the styling does suggest a direct lineage back to the 300 sl and the 300 slr.

So what do you mean when you say it's not 'co-hesive'?

Not having a go, I just don't get the impression that this is the word you meant to use.

[MarJay]

At last, a nice looking merc!

[jl34]

The styling doesn't flow or look proportional, thats what i meant by co-hesive.

When you see one you will know what i mean. Not pretty.

[bencollins]

blimey, bonnet is a bit long innit?

[Craiglamuffin]

xspencex said:

If anybody is listening at AMG - PLEASE ENTER THE SLS IN THE FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - PLEASE!

I'd love to see Mercedes competing at the likes of Le Mans and other GT events.

That would be great. I can't see Mercedes leaving DTM though.

[LCR270]

Craiglamuffin said:

xspencex said:

If anybody is listening at AMG - PLEASE ENTER THE SLS IN THE FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - PLEASE!

I'd love to see Mercedes competing at the likes of Le Mans and other GT events.

That would be great. I can't see Mercedes leaving DTM though.

Come on Coulthard, sign up to it ;-)

[j123]

The sad thing is that if the designers of the beautiful original ever were to see this boat anchor they would be in seizures.

So yes indeed AMG take another look at what a beautiful car the original was and just try to make something that is anywhere near as nice, or you know what you probably can't so yes just chop that nasty 10 foot hood in half! j

[razbox]

MarJay said:

At last, a nice looking merc!

[segg250]

God i hope they dont do this. The sls is hideous enough on its own and will hopefully sell in small enough numbers i wont have to see any if they then make a an sls baby i will be faced with a regular nightmare.