Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS taking shape
by Damon Lavrinc on Apr 23rd 2009 at 2:58PM 
Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS - Click above for a high-res image gallery
The gestation of the Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS has spanned almost two years, and what started with a Viper-bodied mule, a few drawings and a full-scale interior mock-up has evolved into this, the latest super coupe prototype caught outside AMG Headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany.
Although there's still plenty of camo obscuring the finer points of the SLS' design, the shape is obviously evolving into something similar to the highly-stylized sketches revealed in New York. The elongated hood stands in stark contrast to the tiny trunk, while the short overhangs lend a bit more balance to the disproportionate profile. A few of the smaller details can be seen peering through the camo, including the front LED running lamps, trapezoidal dual exhausts and vents aft of the front wheels and on the hood towards the windshield. The massive piece of vinyl covering the center part of the grille will undoubtedly house a sizable three-pointed star, while out back, the sculpted fenders appear to have lost some of their edge (compared to this rendering), and instead rely on a set of bulbous tail-lamps and a small spoiler to shape the boot.
The SLS is expected to debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, complete with a 6.2-liter V8 putting out 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, with a curb weight of 3,571 pounds and a price tag north of $200k.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Serge 3:05PM (4/23/2009)
Didn't think it would be so retro... I like it!!! Now that's a proper Mercedes-Benz, can't wait to see it without the camo.
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Serge 3:19PM (4/23/2009)
And with those specs it seems like a direct competitor for the ZR1!!!
Bring on the ZR1 vs SLS vs GT2 vs F430 Scuderia vs Gallardo comparison.
Parkerman 4:10PM (4/23/2009)
And Viper ACR? Oh wait... it plays to rough for the other children.
Serge 4:19PM (4/23/2009)
Thank you Parkerman, I knew I was missing something :)
MajorGeek 3:06PM (4/23/2009)
Pretty good camo job, really hard to get a read on it.
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Carlos 3:07PM (4/23/2009)
It looks very similar to the old gull wing.
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Dondonel 3:21PM (4/23/2009)
Yes, it's going to be a Mercedes Viper, with retro cues going back to the gullwing, which is not a bad thing IMO. I hope they don't ruin it at this late stage.
Carlos 3:30PM (4/23/2009)
The overall shape looks very nice lets just hope the rest of it is just as nice.
Steve 3:08PM (4/23/2009)
I see a few issues with the design, such as how odd those door windows are going to look, but otherwise, it'll look absolutely phenom.
I still wish more then anything though that Mercedes had taken a Black Series approach to the new E-Class Coupe.
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RG 3:11PM (4/23/2009)
When I look at this car the way it is now, one of the things I think of is "MBs Z8."
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Protzenegger 3:21PM (4/23/2009)
And unlike the Z8, this won't look *quite* as good as the original no matter how hard it tries. That said, it's heaps better than the SLR.
zamafir 3:44PM (4/23/2009)
And unlike the Z8, this will a_ sell, b_ be quite fast compared to similarly priced competitors, c_ won't have a ridiculously silly garish all red interior (which helps with a).
Protzenegger 6:32PM (4/23/2009)
Touché.
Samurai Jack 3:38PM (4/23/2009)
I look at the front end of this and all I can think is "Jaguar". For some reason it doesn't say Mercedes to me. Doesn't mean it's not going to be kick *ss just the same...
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RG 3:49PM (4/23/2009)
I think of a TVR Cerbera
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Tvr.cerbera.arp.jpg
Serge 4:18PM (4/23/2009)
Looks like a modern version of the Gullwing SL from the 50's:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/mno/Mercedes-Benz-300SL-Gullwing-Coupe-FA-Studio-1024x768.htm
Protzenegger 6:34PM (4/23/2009)
@ Serge: that's exactly what it's meant to be.
snoopy 3:42PM (4/23/2009)
is that a Viper?
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Jamarr 3:52PM (4/23/2009)
Gosh is this thing turning out to be real Dodgey. Alright for putting that "worthless" 19.9 to work.
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AJJB 4:00PM (4/23/2009)
Did anyone else notice the cars in the background? Even the grounds keeper seems to be driving an AMG albeit an older one. Quite a corporate culture.
The interior looks fantastic, no over the top price tag, no over the top performance, in short: a solid product. Really looking forward for this one.
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