Wednesday 16th September 2009

SLS Gullwing Not The Next Bean-Mobile

PH bumps into Mr Bean at the SLS press launch

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SLS AMG in the metal at last

With its gullwing doors and 6.3-litre AMG V8, the new Merc SLS may sound like the ideal motor for Batman - but PH can exclusively reveal it's not going to be the next Bean-mobile.

While browsing the metal on display at on the Mercedes stand (downsized considerably from previous years from three to two floors, but still requiring the efforts of 900 people to build it - working since July), who should we bump into but the amiable Mr Bean, aka Blackadder, or Rowan Atkinson.

We couldn't resist button-holing one of our favourite comic thesps - a noted afficionado of classic and fast cars - for his views on the SLS, which he seemed to be perusing with some interest.

Rowan impressed - and he's heard of PH!

He was generally in favour, it seems, and was impressed by the relatively compact size of the machine, compared to some of the Merc's more outlandishly proportioned rivals. Not so keen on some of the retro detailing, however, including the venting on the wings and bonnet, and he's not putting his name on the waiting list.

We'd been wondering ourselves whether the SLS has quite the 'wow factor' we were hoping for in the metal, but it's a marvellous-looking machine for all that. We're looking forward to the arrival of the UK press cars too, as they've apparently been ordered with special paint from the Mercedes designer palette - one in 'liquid metal', the other in a matt silver that looked great on a CLS elsewhere on the stand.

Click here for the full technical story on the SLS published last week.

Matt silver CLS looks fab	Want, want, want...
	Garlick and Stuart go large in the G-Wagen

 

[Gizmo!]

I'd have asked Rowan Atkinson what he thought of the new McLaren: as a former Mc F1 owner I'd say he might be waiting for one of those...



Oh, and



Garlick appears to be having some sort of stroke.

Edited by Gizmo! on Wednesday 16th September 09:42

[Lordbenny]

Can we have pictures of ALL the PH staff & mods!

[Garlick]

Chris is a as that pic was just for a giggle and NOT to be posted on the homepage, absolutely terrible.

[LHD]

Gizmo! said:

Oh, and



Garlick appears to be having some sort of stroke.

That's made my morning that.

[sprinter1050]

Good God- in that photo Rowan Atkinson looks like some typical nerdy stressed out Maths teacher.

Who would think he was capable of some of the most entertaining humour ??

[vdubbin]

Thug fo' Life, yo!

[Stuart]

Hmm, not a great picture. I think I was trying to do "Gangster" but just came across as "Grumpy."

I've no idea what Garlick was up to with his fingers, but then he is far downer with the kids than I.

[Defcon]

Swapped glasses?

[_Batty_]

Defcon said:

Swapped glasses?

[Ravell]

[quote=Gizmo!]I'd have asked Rowan Atkinson what he thought of the new McLaren: as a former Mc F1 owner[quote]

Former? I thought he still owner that burgendy F1.

[UncappedTag]

Gizmo! said:

I'd have asked Rowan Atkinson what he thought of the new McLaren: as a former Mc F1 owner I'd say he might be waiting for one of those...



Oh, and



Garlick appears to be having some sort of stroke.

Edited by Gizmo! on Wednesday 16th September 09:42

Who's impersonating Tim Westwood? West Siade

[monthefish]

_Batty_ said:

Defcon said:

Swapped glasses?

Echo'd

[SleeperCell]

That is just begging for a caption competition

[monthefish]

SleeperCell said:

That is just begging for a caption competition

"Winner of the 'Passenger ride with Jaguars Mike Cross' competition enjoys a change from the sunshine coach"

[Stuart]

monthefish said:

SleeperCell said:

That is just begging for a caption competition

"Winner of the 'Passenger ride with Jaguars Mike Cross' competition enjoys a change from the sunshine coach"

Ouch. That smarts, for both of us. I'm only 35 you know!

[miguel38]

SleeperCell said:

That is just begging for a caption competition

or a photoshop.. :P

[monthefish]

Stuart said:

monthefish said:

SleeperCell said:

That is just begging for a caption competition

"Winner of the 'Passenger ride with Jaguars Mike Cross' competition enjoys a change from the sunshine coach"

Ouch. That smarts, for both of us. I'm only 35 you know!

The camera never lies...




"I love my twin brother...."

[Stuart]

Coming back on topic for just a moment, if you'll permit...

The SLS looks really good in the flesh IMHO. I was rather nonplussed by the initial photos but the car looks far less bluff fronted than it appeared in the pics.

I also think that in the flat silver with Tobacco leather interior it'll look

ETA: just seen the post above. I suspect that I'm going to be in for an afternoon of this....

Edited by Stuart on Wednesday 16th September 14:00

[monthefish]

I'd like to see it in the metal before casting my final judgement, but from all pics seen so far, it looks like a horribly incohesive pastiche of styling cues from all of their previous sports cars from all era's.

[Stuart]

monthefish said:

I'd like to see it in the metal before casting my final judgement, but from all pics seen so far, it looks like a horribly incohesive pastiche of styling cues from all of their previous sports cars from all era's.

Precisely my view beforehand, and there are still aspects of cliche to it. I was surprised at how well it worked in the flesh though, mainly because I hadn't expected to be. Great cabin, too.