Wednesday 6th June 2012

SLS AMG GT revealed

20hp more and a whole lotta quilted leather for new SLS GT

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Judging by our previous experiences with the mighty Mercedes SLS AMG, the one thing it doesn't need is more power. And yet that's exactly what Mercedes has done to create the new SLS AMG GT.

Also available in Roadster form

Headlines include a 20hp upgrade to 591hp, revised Ride Control suspension and tweaks to the dual-clutch DCT-7 gearbox, the new trim available on both coupe and roadster SLS variants.

That extra power comes from (and we quote the Mercedes press release directly here...) "in-engine dethrottling measures in conjunction with an increase in peak pressure." Nor us. There's no additional torque but it's enough to shave a tenth off the 0-62mph time - now 3.7 seconds - and raise the top speed a couple of mph to 199mph. AMG has also sharpened throttle responses, increased the speed of gearchanges and tweaked the traction control systems.

Visually, the SLS AMG GT gets darkened headlamps and tail lights, red brake calipers and a GT badge on the bootlid, which, on paper, makes it sound a vinyl roof away from being a 70s special edition Cortina! The quilted leather is definitely a bit kitsch too.

Red stitching an essential performance upgrade

If you fancy the GT version of the SLS AMG, it'll cost (in Germany, at least) 204,680 euros in coupe form and 213,010 euros without a roof. But we assume that UK prices will be a little higher, as that would make it cheaper than the standard SLS in its current form...

[The Obeast]

love the car. hate the wheels

[GroundEffect]

want want want want want want want want

[DanDC5]

10 Pence Short said:

20bhp adds 2mph at 199mph? Yeah, right.

Tweaks to the gearbox and it's ratio's add the 2mph. It's just easier for Mercedes to say the 20bhp does it without boring everyone with geekery.

[JayTee94]

Very Nice!

[supersnapper]

Darkened headlamps? Standard issue on 1980s Alfas...

[leon9191]

The "in engine dethrottle... etc" reads like internal flow derestrictions and an increase in compression ratio to me.

[thewheelman]

No doubt it's one hell of an engine, just a shame the car looks so hideous.

[gmh23]

The Obeast said:

love the car. hate the wheels

I'm not sure on the wheels, think they might grow on me, certainly nicer than the 5 spokes they put on some

[SmartVenom]

Truly beautiful car. Sounds like a fairly pointless upgrade package, but I'm sure it makes a nice hefty margin for mercedes and gives a nice sense of smugness to the purchaser so I guess it makes sense.

[TommyBuoy]

thewheelman said:

No doubt it's one hell of an engine, just a shame the car looks so hideous.

Agreed. Saw one (not a GT of course) over the weekend parked up. Can't get excited about it at all. The styling of the front doesn't match the rear in my eyes.

If it had of been moving though I'm sure it would have sounded awesome going by the videos.

[rohrl]

Does it still weigh a million tonnes? In which case 20bhp won't do an awful lot.

[Johnboy Mac]

TommyBuoy said:

thewheelman said:

No doubt it's one hell of an engine, just a shame the car looks so hideous.

Agreed. Saw one (not a GT of course) over the weekend parked up. Can't get excited about it at all. The styling of the front doesn't match the rear in my eyes.

If it had of been moving though I'm sure it would have sounded awesome going by the videos.

Yep, I' e always had reservations about the looks too. Still, I could live with that car

[kambites]

rohrl said:

Does it still weigh a million tonnes? In which case 20bhp won't do an awful lot.

It's about 1600kg, isn't it? Which is about the same as a 911 turbo. It's not exactly light-weight, but neither is it exceptionally heavy.

[mrclav]

The Obeast said:

love the car. hate the wheels

There are other choices.

[MarJay]

GroundEffect said:

want want want want want want want want

[Whiters]

One of the best interiors of any current car me thinks.

[suffolk009]

How much for 20hp? McLaren are giving more than that away to loyal customers.

[George H]

Whiters said:

One of the best interiors of any current car me thinks.

Shame it's ridiculously cramped when sat in it though. For such a big car I'm not quite sure how they managed it. Fantastic to drive though, I'd have a roadster in metallic brown

[AlpinaB5s]

Can't they try just a little bit harder to make Vmax reach 200? It sound sooo much more impressive than the lowly 199.....

[wtdoom]

I miss my sls
With adjustable suspension I think this car will be perfect now .
it needed to be a little softer for perfect daily use . want .

Edited by wtdoom on Wednesday 6th June 12:48