The new Mercedes ‘Gullwing’ coupe will boast 535bhp from its AMG-tweaked 6.2-litre V8 and cost around £150k when it hits showrooms next year.
Although the car has not been finished, Merc has revealed info and tantalising prototype pictures in a classic PR spoiler exercise designed to clash with news from the Geneva motorshow.
First up is confirmation that the new two-seater will be known as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Roughly the same size as the SLR McLaren at 4640mm x 1939mm x 1255mm, the new SLS will also be 130kgs lighter at 1620kgs.
Power from a significantly updated version of AMG’s 6.2 V8 will be fed through a seven-speed double-clutch transaxle, positioned to help optimise weight distribution.
Revving to 6,800rpm and making 479 lb ft of torque, performance will be suitably staggering. Mercedes claims 0-62mph in 3.8secs and a top-speed of 196mph, while acceleration off the line will be aided by a race-style launch control system. Stopping power will be courtesy of 15.4 ins front and 14.2 ins rear discs – with optional carbon ceramic upgrades.
Aside from the powertrain, technical highlights of the new car will include an all-aluminium spaceframe, also revealed in these official pictures.
The SLS is certain to be just as eye-catching as the SLR with roof-hinged doors that ape the design of the classic 1950s Mercedes Gullwings. While these official images don’t give too much away about the design - there’s no pic of the doors raised, for instance - we are led to believe the SLS will set the style for all of Merc’s next generation roadsters, including the 2012 SL.
We should see the SLS in the flesh at the Frankfurt show in the Autumn. A convertible SLC version is also promised, but not until 2012.