Auto Channel

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is the first vehicle to be an original AMG. It is not derived from a Mercedes-Benz model nor does AMG share a platform with its parent automaker on the SLS Gullwing, not yet at least. This cat is original.


For one thing, the SLS is the first automobile built entirely from scratch by Mercedes-Benz's Affalterbach-based performance division, AMG. As such, it shares its platform with no other Benz; it's a clean-sheet, just-as-we-want-it effort from the team that's been hyper-tuning regular Benzes for decades. The SLS is also the first production Mercedes crafted entirely in aluminum (excepting an extremely small number of custom-ordered 300SLs). The curvaceous aluminum body panels wrap around an all-alloy spaceframe. And, as you'd expect, the SLS presses down upon the earth with a commensurately feathery footprint, just over 3500 pounds by AMG claims.


And here we can have a look at a Motor Trend journalist taking the still well-disguised SLS Gullwing for a trip around the Nordschleife track at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. The video's bird's-eye view of the cockpit certainly provides a good enough impression of how the Gullwing takes to what really ought to be its natural habitat.


Each corner of the SLS is suspended by dual control arms ("double wishbones") -- another Benz first. Two suspensions will be offered: a normal setup and a performance version with stiffer springs and shocks. Unlike some competitors -- say, the Ferrari 599 -- the SLS uses no electronics to control ride motions (similarly, the rear-differential is a conventional limited slip).


Standard brakes are steel (six-piston calipers in front; four-piston at the rear), with carbon-ceramics optional. AMG claims the SLS can stop from 60 mph in less than 100 feet. The wheels are lightweight 19-inch alloys up front, 20-inchers in back. Continental and Michelin each developed tires especially for the SLS. AMG chassis engineers haven't yet decided which compound they prefer; Mercedes will likely offer both.


With scenes like this you get an understanding of what the pitfalls are of owning such a supercar. Supercar-makers like AMG offer these powerful machines as road cars, but they are, in fact, too powerful for any owner to fully appreciate their performance on public roads. This is the way to experience the car - taking it onto a race track. And those owners have to pay extra for that privilege too.
Source: motortrend via worldcarfans