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... |
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 Garlick and Stuart go large in the G-Wagen |
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