Thursday 5th May 2011

New Pics And Tech Specs For SLS Roadster

Rigidity is the watchword for Frankfurt show debutante

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With several months to go before its world premiere at the Frankfurt show in September 2011, AMG has released new images and details of the SLS Roadster's development programme.

Without the Gullwing's hard top, one of the key focuses has been bodyshell stiffness. "Without bodyshell rigidity there are no handling dynamics, and neither can the close fit of the soft top be guaranteed," says Tobias Moers, head of overall development at AMG.

Owing to the omission of a fixed roof and gullwing doors, a more robust side sill has been employed. This is not to meet the legal requirements in the event of a crash - we're told that the Roadster would also manage this with the side sills of the Coupé - but because studies and test drives revealed the driving dynamics would be improved with greater sill wall thicknesses and chambers.

In order to achieve handling dynamics identical to those of the Coupé, the Roadster has two additional features designed to increase the rigidity of the bodyshell: the cross-member carrying the dashboard has additional supporting struts at the windscreen frame and at the centre tunnel, and a strut mounting stay between the soft top and the fuel tank makes the rear axle even more rigid.

These features prevent unwanted vibrations from the start, and make the use of additional, weight-increasing vibration dampers such as those often employed by competitors unnecessary, says AMG.

The bodyshell of the Roadster tips the scales at only 243 kilograms, just 2kgs more than the Gullwing and a difference that could easily be outweighed by a decent PH lunch...

[JuniorJet]

Finally got some pics

[chazwozza]

Actually think the soft top lines suit the car better?

[JoeFrost]

This looks great fun at that angle.

[goron59]

I don't like gull wing doors, so this makes the SLS worthwhile, for me. Nice.

[matc]

Saw this car at a dealer conference in November last year....it looks absolutely stunning in the flesh!

[oilit]

chazwozza said:

Actually think the soft top lines suit the car better?

+1 I do rather fancy this........

[997fan]

oilit said:

chazwozza said:

Actually think the soft top lines suit the car better?

+1 I do rather fancy this........

+2 Doesn't have the stupid doors! Much cleaner looking. IMHO

[f111lover]

I agree with the above comments, the car looks good. Although I'm not too fond of the red roof.

[Guvernator]

Does look nice although I wish there was a proper picture where you could actually see the car from a decent angle with the roof off.

[Tomoose85]

There aren't many cars I'd rather own. Absolutely stunning, and I like the red roof too.

[Dagnut]

I don't know how you guys are able to gauge it's appearance from those shots..

[wotnot]

Unusually, it seems, I quite liked the hard top and gull wing doors and I like the idea of buying into the whole 'recreation of a classic' idea.
Now that it's a roadster it just seems a bit 'ordinary'. Nice looker though.

[Angelp1]

Gorgeous - but what is that black triangle on the rear end?

[tonym911]

It's a black triangle.

[tonym911]

Wonder what the qualifying speed is to get above the yellow line on that banking? That's an interesting way to compress the suspension to get a nice low look for the car.

[Angelp1]

Yes - very helpful! I take it you don't know either!

[steve_n]

The same as the black circles on the front...

'Camoflauge'.

I prefer the coupe as I find this accentuates the slightly ungainly rear end.

[MrCarCoach]

Looks lovely but why oh why do Mercedes spoil the sense of ocassion with such a boring interior?!! It may be well built, but where's the style?!!! Tends to spoil the whole effect for me, but I am an interior guy.

Regards,

Mr.CarCoach.

[Lets Torque]

I prefer the gull-wing SLS actually, I don't like the red roof on the model shown.

Although I think it will be a colour sensative car. Might look alright in a dark colour.

I will wait to see one in the flesh before I say 'No, I don't like it' or 'Yes I like it'

[JumpinJack]

If I lived in a hot country (and had the money) I would have one of these and just have the roof down all the time as it looks so so smart, but IMO the coupe looks better than the roadster with the roof up.

Still bloody nice though!