Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLC gullwing supercar raises its door
The facts surrounding the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz SLC supercar are scarce, but one thing's for sure: gull-wing doors are part of the package. So far, we've only seen spy shots of the SLC wearing body panels pilfered from other M-B products, along with one Viper-clad mule. But these newest images procured by eMercedesBenz not only give us a glimpse of the gull-winged homage, but also provide us with some idea of the proportions of the new supercar.
Previous reports suggest that underneath the elongated aluminum hood lays a turbocharged version of AMG's 6.3-liter V8, putting out around 600 hp and an unruly amount of torque. The cab-backwards stance, short rear overhangs and makeshift spoiler all hint at the Merc's pavement punishing potential, and the raised driver's side door -- still far from complete -- appears to remain true to the original 300SL.
Click the image above to check out more shots from eMercedesBenz.
Gallery: Mercedes/AMG prototype - spy shots
[Source: eMercedesBenz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jason 6:16PM (7/30/2008)
I could be mistaken but I thought the SL65 AMG Black Series was supposed to take the throne after the SLR. I guess it will have a short run at the top.
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madgamer 7:16PM (7/30/2008)
The production run of the sl65 black edition will be really limited (like 350 units total) and only for one year, so I think this is more of a permanent SLR replacement for after that.
Mi key 6:18PM (7/30/2008)
The return of the Gullwing. Cool!
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chopsui 6:30PM (7/30/2008)
Wow, a Mercedes Viper.
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IS GM Dead? 6:36PM (7/30/2008)
Exactly what I thought... Viper, Viper, Viper... UGH!
BAMF 6:42PM (7/30/2008)
yea... step out of a viper and into... well, even a c-class.... i think you'll feel silly about your comment.
TigerMil 7:22PM (7/30/2008)
Agreed. A Mercedes 'Wiper'
Toy Yoda 6:30PM (7/30/2008)
I would think it would have a beefier version of the AMG Black Series motor.
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Corvid 6:56PM (7/30/2008)
Maybe this will be good enough for MB to "beat them all"!!
heh.
yes, as a matter of fact, i do think we should start working "beat them all" and "Audi bye bye" jokes into MB-related posts.
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TigerMil 7:32PM (7/30/2008)
You still have to be able to drive the dang things.
A C63 is mostly uncontrollable around the track, fun as it is to drift!
Didn't a bone stock M3 V8 beat it around the test track on Top Gear?
And the Stig showed how to mash an apple on an apex with the M3 V8 but Jeremy couldn't do it with the C63 in three tries.
'Beat them all' is meaningless on the street. An 80's GM Syclone on wet pavement will beat most anything, except maybe an RS6 quattro.
Mobius_1 10:03PM (7/30/2008)
This should help them achieve their "ONE GOAL! TO BE NUMER 1!"
God that song made me laugh (at them, not with them)
MajorGeek 7:02PM (7/30/2008)
What BAMF said, seriously. Mercedes could teach other car companies a lesson or three. They have nice cars starting around 32k up to their bad ass cars like the SLR at 500k or so. Not too many car companies have such a large range of vehicles, none at all with a low end of 32k.
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hydrogenvodka 7:05PM (7/30/2008)
Finally TRUE Gullwing doors. The ones in the SLR were actually Scissor doors and no authentic reference to the 300SL was made. It must be tough to take an SL65 black off the top.
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HotRodzNKustoms 7:15PM (7/30/2008)
It will have doors like the 300SL and be equally as hard to get out of. Not that I care, but the 300SL had gullwing doors out of necessity because of the high sills left by the modified sedan chassis it was built on.
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CarbonBlack 9:54PM (7/30/2008)
It is true the 300SL got stuck with the gull wing doors due to the sills.
It seems these doors are fundamental to this car's design, so I would guess the chassis/rest of the car was designed to make entry easier.
Geeky1 10:03PM (7/30/2008)
The Gullwing wasn't built on a modified sedan chassis; it used 300S suspension and braking components on a tubular spaceframe chassis designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut. If it had been built on the W186/88/89 chassis it could have used standard doors.
WhyNotTheC63? 12:32AM (7/31/2008)
@Geeky1
Thanks buddy, I thought I was going to have to do the honors.
HotRodzNKustoms 1:42AM (7/31/2008)
Ok sorry typing off the top of my head sometimes I get the useless facts mixed up.
Kaveh 9:53PM (7/30/2008)
Thats some hardcore camo covering the car, but it looks like they want to bring back the old school styling of the orginal 300sl, which is going to be a great looking car. Also, Those are some huge brakes on that car, I am guessing more horsepower than the last model. And um, it has a trailer hitch, weird.
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CarbonBlack 10:04PM (7/30/2008)
I would guess the trailer hitch is used to load down the engine, transmission and suspension. It makes the car exercise.