Mercedes has revealed the long-awaited soft-top version of its SLS AMG supercar.
As you might expect, the SLS Roadster is more than broadly based on the coupe version of the car, right down (mercifully) to the 6208CC, 563bhp, 479lb ft V8 and AMG 7-speed twin-clutch transmission with double declutch function.
There is of course a significant difference between the Gullwing SLS and the Roadster - that retractable fabric roof. Said fabric soft top can be opened and closed while on the move at up to 30 mph - a process completed in just 11 seconds - and is built from three-layer fabric, magnesium, steel and aluminium.
Roadster owners will lose just three litres of boot space compared with coupe drivers, too, with the SLS Roadster capable of swallowing 173 litres of luggage.
Of course, lopping the roof off a coupe does tend to increase a chassis's wobbliness somewhat, so the SLS Roadster's aluminium spaceframe is duly reinforced to counter this. Clever weight-paring means the roadster's spaceframe, at 243kg, is just 2kg heavier than the coupe's while the car's overall weight is 1660kg, a mere 40kg more than the coupe's overall kerb weight.
The Roadster's performance is therefore near identical to the coupe's, with 0-62mph dealt with in 3.8secs (the same as in the coupe) and a top speed of 196mph (a mere 1mph down on the coupe's vmax)
UK spec and pricing is yet to be confirmed, but Continental Europeans can buy one for €195,160 (including 19 per cent VAT), which works out in 'proper' money as around £170k, give or take.