The time has come for those who have been lusting after the new Mercedes SLS AMG gulllwing which has the brazen performance that far exceeds the rest in its class. The launch in Jeddah on Wednesday of the super sports car serves up an exciting proposition with its unique technology package: aluminum spaceframe body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine developing 420 kW/571 hp peak output and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration and sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones. The ideal front/rear weight distribution of 48 to 52 percent and the vehicle's low center of gravity are testimony to the uncompromising sports car concept. Despite the low sitting position in typical sports car fashion, the wide-opening gullwing doors make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG offers purist, distinctive styling, superior driving dynamics and hallmark Mercedes everyday practicality and safety. During the development of the new ‘Gullwing', the AMG developers placed their trust in the valuable know-how of the specialists from the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Sindelfingen. The aim of this joint development was to turn the SLS AMG ‘Gullwing' into the perfect synthesis of the strengths of the Mercedes-Benz and AMG brands. The gullwing model stands out with its spectacular design and thoroughbred motor sports technology. “Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the guise of the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster. The SLS AMG is emotion pure and simple for the Mercedes-Benz brand and is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era”, said Safi Kobeissi, general manager of Juffali Automotive Company during the official launch here. “Our customers will experience with the SLS AMG the expertise of our sports car manufacturer Mercedes-AMG, built up over 40 years of motor racing, along with the kind of scintillating design that only a top athlete from the Mercedes-Benz stable can offer,” he added. The fine-tuned AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine achieves a peak output of 420 kW/571 hp at 6800 rpm, thus turning the SLS AMG into one of the most powerful sports cars in its segment. A power-to-weight ratio of 2.84 kg/hp comes courtesy of the low vehicle weight. The eight-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine delivers maximum torque of 650 Nm at 4750 rpm. The Gullwing accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 315 km/h (all figures are provisional). Bearing the internal designation M159, the V8 high-revving engine with its displacement of 6208 cubic centimetres has been thoroughly reengineered compared with the M156 entry-level engine and boasts all the hallmarks of powerful racing engines. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz and AMG are presenting a car with an aluminum chassis and body. Compared with the traditional steel design, this results in a significant weight saving, clearly illustrated in the planned DIN kerb weight of 1620 kilograms excluding driver. The newly developed bodyshell comprises an aluminum spaceframe. This exclusive design combines intelligent lightweight design with outstanding strength - thus delivering superlative driving dynamics. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine delivers its abundant power via an ultra-light carbon-fibre driveshaft at the rear axle - similar to the set-up used on the DTM C-Class racing touring car. The transmission is mounted at the rear (transaxle principle) and is connected to the engine housing via a torque tube. A carbon-fibre shaft rotates at engine speed in the torque tube. The new Mercedes SLS AMG has a starting selling price of SR800,000.
