Rumormill: Mercedes considering more affordable "baby" SLS AMG gullwing?
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery
The folks over at Mercedes appear to be pretty excited about their newest supercar. For starters, the SLS AMG gullwing is the first ever home-grown AMG supercar, and it replaces the ho-hum McLaren SLR. And of course, the nearly $200,000 German hot rod comes equipped with retro-tastic gullwing doors and a 6.2-liter V8 capable of 563 horsepower and 0-60 mph times of 3.8 seconds – both of which we certainly like. But will the SLS AMG be the one-and-only purpose-built vehicle to come from Mercedes' performance group? We kinda doubt it, and so do the scribes over at PistonHeads.
While attending the SLS drive event in Monterey, California, the PistonHeads crew spoke off-the-cuff with company execs who said that an additional AMG model could be in the works. We already know that a convertible version of the SLS is in the works, and a Black Series and dedicated racing version have also been mooted. However, the rumored second AMG Pistonheads is speaking about could be a Porsche 911 hunter based off of the same platform of the SLS AMG, with a front engine layout and smaller overall proportions. Further speculation is that the smaller, presumably less expensive SLS sibling would also carry a V8 engine between 5.8 and 6.2 liters with direct injection and cylinder shutoff tech.
If a smaller, lighter AMG model sounds good to you and you can afford the presumably high price tag, we hope you have some patience. The same executive who spilled bean on the possible smaller AMG also stated that such a car isn't likely to see the light of day for another five years.
Photos copyright ©2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
neoscape 1:38PM (11/12/2009)
If they make it smaller, I hope they also make it better looking. I really don't like the styling. The front and rear look like they were taken from different cars.
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UtahAlumnus 1:55PM (11/12/2009)
Would I take a free one and drive it? Yes, but it's still ugly.
speed12sil 1:43PM (11/12/2009)
If it's a smaller version of SLS, then it actually be a competitor to the AM V8 Vantage.
Would be interesting to see if the baby SLS can best the Vantage, one with full AMG treatment, and the other with long racing experience.
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sparrk 5:47PM (11/12/2009)
i'm sure Mercedes has racing experience too, in F1 and DTM . a GT2 Merc will be nide , competing against Porsche , Ferrari , Aston Martin , BMW would be nice.
mk15 1:42PM (11/12/2009)
A baby gullwing would be nice, but I don't really see the point, might dilute the uniqueness of the gullwing a bit. Maybe if they rebodied the SLR to use the gullwing's styling cues and leaving it as a convertible, I could see that. But otherwise, the gullwing should be the one and only for now. Then in the future, build other models and expand the image.
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sparrk 5:53PM (11/12/2009)
it doesn't have to be a gullwing , but a baby SLS would be nice.
Mike Lee 2:09PM (11/12/2009)
Sorry folks, but to me it's just not an exciting looking car. A friend of mine has a 1958 300SL which is still 100% better looking - better portioned, better detailed - car than this new one. It'll sell of course, but it's not nearly as glamorous as the Ferrari California (for the same money) in my opinion.
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Artega 3:06PM (11/15/2009)
I just love it's looks
amazing engine too
but a baby-sls? Don't think so.
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Shipey 2:47PM (11/12/2009)
What's with "baby" everything lately?
Baby Bentley. Baby Rolls. Baby... this thing.
Just because it worked for the Muppets doesn't mean it works for cars.
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MUSASHI66 2:57PM (11/12/2009)
Yeah, it is really not working out for Bentley...
sparrk 5:49PM (11/12/2009)
yeah , the whole baby Lambo experiment with the Gallardo ruined Lamborghini.
RT 3:38PM (11/12/2009)
I'd rather see a gullwinged coupe based on the next generation SLK. That way it would be a lot more affordable, much more differentiated from the SLS, and provide a very compelling competitor in the small sports coupe segment.
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sparrk 5:52PM (11/12/2009)
actually i would like to see another pure AMG creation, let Mercedes build the SL and SLK and AMG do their own thing. i'm sure with the experience they made building the SLS , the next car will be even better.
Aeromax 3:42PM (11/12/2009)
:shrug: I like it.
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t_bracelin 6:50PM (11/12/2009)
Keep the wings please, just don't make it as ugly as an SLK is to an SL.
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Paul 7:11PM (11/12/2009)
I'm sorry, but the Honda Crosstour is better looking then this. Even though the benz looks classier, and more elegant, its still hideous.
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Elroy 7:13PM (11/12/2009)
Since they have the SLK, I hope they use this to get rid of the SL or as the SL.
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tyler10c 7:24PM (11/12/2009)
I just don't get it. I think this is one of the ugliest cars on the road today! I wouldn't even be jealous seeing someone driving one, I would feel sorry for them.
I don't care how it drives, the car is hideous!!
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JDM Life 2:14PM (11/14/2009)
Even tho i think it looks good....i cant completely understand why people would say its ugly. I like it because it has a style all its own.
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