Wednesday 13th November 2013

Mercedes SLS Final Edition spied

Disguised cars spotted in Germany the week before LA; is AMG planning something special?

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There's nothing like a juicy rumour to spice up the news in the days leading up to a motor show. And when that speculation surrounds a Mercedes SLS AMG, it's something that requires further investigation.

Tow car of the year 2014?

The SLS will go out of production next year, with the turbocharged C190 (SLC or GT, depending on your source) set to occupy Mercedes' supercar space soon after. But if spy shots from German mag Aauto Motor und Sport are accurate, AMG is working on a valedictory special for LA.

Believed to be called the SLS Final Edition, it's likely to feature a few cosmetic tweaks and mechanical upgrades over the standard GT. The pics show an SLS coupe with a disguised front bumper section and a roadster with similar treatment at the rear too. So expect more aggressive grilles, exhausts and bumpers, although the tow bar probably won't make it to the production car...

The internet rumour mill is in full flow surrounding the Final Edition's spec. With the GT 20hp over the original SLS at 591hp, could the Final Edition breach 600hp? The Black Series uses GT3 internals for 631hp, but that seems a little excessive for a run-out edition.

We tried to get the official line from Mercedes but the UK press office staff appears to be MIA. As and when there is some news, be that a confirmation or a 'no comment', it will be added to the story.

And failing that, Dan's out in LA next week anyway. So if the rumours of a Final Edition are true, we'll be sure to keep you updated!

[Sources: Autocar, automotorundsport.de via Car and Driver and Autoblog]

[mrclav]

I await with interest...

[renaultgeek]

By the looks of the non body coloured bumpers, maybe its a cheap version.

[Twoshoe]

'Final Edition'? God, it really doesn't seem that long ago that it was new! (Perhaps I'm getting old...)

[Boulders]

It's only been on sale for three and a half years. I wonder why MB are killing it off so soon? Poor sales, emissions? One of the best sounding cars on the planet. Values will only strengthen with the limited production run just like the Ford GT. Bugger.

[Remagel2507]

SLS is still one of my favourite cars even if it doesn't seem as dramatic as the 458, I wonder what the towbar is for though - to test load on the engine maybe?

[V8A*ndy]

I'd love one of these.

Values will certainly hold a bit now.

[TheDeadPrussian]

I’m not so sure about values holding firm…

I loved mine, but I bought it at a considerable discount new (over £40K off list) and eventually sold having made a considerable loss.
They depreciate quickly and I think anyone harbouring thoughts of a depreciation free buying experience is frankly deluded – even second hand; although early depreciation is of course always the strongest.

I wouldn’t put people off however and if you can stomach the depreciation, it truly is a wonderful car, full of drama and character. I don’t regret owning mine for a second.

[Foggy748]

I do love these cars. Had a passenger ride in one at MBW SS last weekend and wow, what a car full of character. This is the only car I would consider selling my car for (GT-R R35 650 bhp). Hope prices continue to drop.

[Sampaio]

I had no idea Mercedes were preparing a 911-rival... I can already imagine: "Chris Harris video: Mercedes whatever-its-name VS Jaguar F-Type VS Porsche 911"

[Axionknight]

renaultgeek said:

By the looks of the non body coloured bumpers, maybe its a cheap version.

[GroundEffect]

Remagel2507 said:

SLS is still one of my favourite cars even if it doesn't seem as dramatic as the 458, I wonder what the towbar is for though - to test load on the engine maybe?

Highly doubt it. When we do 'hot' versions that obviously wont be used as tow vehicles, we have various high speed/high transient tests to put enough load on the engine

[matsoc]

I always liked the SLS even if I believe it is something designed halfway between a 430 and a 599 with a big V8 in front, striking points against both (in my brief experience in the 2 occasions I drove it felt much stronger than a 430 and more agile and easier than a 599 even if talking of engines I'd still take the V12)
But something like a 458 put the bar very high in terms of drama and cross-country performance. For front engine super GT now there is also the F12, I got a passenger ride on Autostrada, I can't say nothing about handling but it is ferocious...

Maybe a downscaled SLS will be succesfull against 911s and R8s but I would be more curious about a front engined SLS with an AMG NA V12...

[garypotter]

I really really want to love the SLS but ....... there is something about it that just does not flick my switch.

[Clivey]

Twoshoe said:

'Final Edition'? God, it really doesn't seem that long ago that it was new! (Perhaps I'm getting old...)

I'm 25 and it feels like 10 minutes since the SLS was launched. - Where are the years going?

[1000TCR]

GroundEffect said:

Remagel2507 said:

SLS is still one of my favourite cars even if it doesn't seem as dramatic as the 458, I wonder what the towbar is for though - to test load on the engine maybe?

Highly doubt it. When we do 'hot' versions that obviously wont be used as tow vehicles, we have various high speed/high transient tests to put enough load on the engine

They use an electric driven trailer eqiped with huge batteries to simulate a mountain drive. The tarailer can push or brake the car just like going up an down the alps would.

[Matt UK]

renaultgeek said:

By the looks of the non body coloured bumpers, maybe its a cheap version.

Remagel2507 said:

I wonder what the towbar is for though

Could this be the launch of the BiK-friendly Caravan Club inspired Mercedes SLS220 cdi?

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Eh? It's getting canned so soon?

Or is it just getting a new engine next year?

Can't believe they'd go to all the effort of developing the one off platform for 4 years! In truth, I was kind of hoping they'd just keep churning them out so they'd all depreciate & I could afford one!