First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right
Nov 9, 2009 | 01:40 PM
#1
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| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31,554
From: Zoo York
First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right Source [Autoblog]
"On one hand, it may seem like an odd time for Mercedes to be jumping back into the ultra-premium end of the car market, particularly in light of its recent less-than-standouts efforts (think: McLaren SLR and the salesproof Maybach). But this isn't the case with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In fact, this isn't really a Gottlieb and Karl joint at all – at least not by any traditional definition.
The SLS is actually an Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach project. Huh? It's AMG's first bumper-to-bumper, start-to-finish project – and having just torn around the California countryside and hot-lapped around Laguna Seca, we're left wondering only one thing: Why did it take more than 40 years for this to happen? Well, perhaps we should cut Mercedes some slack, as it has only owned its high-performance arm since 1999, so perhaps the appropriate thing is to look at the SLS' 2009 rollout as something of a tenth anniversary present to itself. In that light, the folks from Stuttgart know how to throw one hell of a party.
More Than Simple Nostalgia
Just look at it – even without the theater of its avian-inspired doors, the SLS AMG would have major presence. Oh, it borrows heavily from the legendary 300SL of the '50s and '60s – justifiably the automaker's most celebrated design ever – but this isn't purely a retro pastiche. It has its own proportions, form vocabulary, and detailing that makes it much more than a Xerox'd yellowed blueprint sourced from somewhere deep within the bowels of the Mercedes-Benz Museum's archives.
Despite its nostalgic cab-backwards design – the hood is so long you could land a Bell JetRanger on it – its low, wide stance and modern detailing (complex headlamps, colossal disc brakes, etc.) means that it's also a thoroughly contemporary design. This is just as well, because the SLS is the most advanced production car the company has ever fielded. It's not as classically delicate and desperately pretty as the 300SL, but that car was built when accommodating the dark art of good aerodynamics was more of a suggestion than a mandate, when safety regulations bordered on the nonexistent. We're told that the face of the SLS will significantly influence volume models to come, so expect to see variations of this mug on everything from future SLKs to the S-Class.
Blip the key fob and the flush door handle pops out to greet your outstretched hand. A gentle tug sends the gullwing dramatically skyward without much effort, but those looking for power actuation will have to seek out someone in the halls of SEMA, as AMG's boffins wisely didn't want to add the weight and complexity of a motorized assist – particularly in the roof. Climbing aboard isn't too difficult – the sill is definitely wider than in a conventionally doored car, but it isn't silly convoluted, and you can enter butt or legs first, your choice. That said, if you aren't on the tallish side, you're advised to grab the door handle on your way down, as the awkward reach will dash any hopes of a graceful getaway. Of course, if you're a taller guy, you might be looking at a different purchase altogether. While the accommodations are supportive and beautifully stitched whether you go for the standard power seats or the thinner, rigid-back racing bucket, there isn't a ton of space inside for lankier types. At five-foot, nine-inches, this driver was able to find a comfortable perch with good sightlines, albeit without a lot of room to spare. Our significantly taller co-driver would complain of a bit of back pain just 120 miles into our drive, but claustrophobia didn't appear to be an issue."
Full article and pics -->> First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right — Autoblog
"On one hand, it may seem like an odd time for Mercedes to be jumping back into the ultra-premium end of the car market, particularly in light of its recent less-than-standouts efforts (think: McLaren SLR and the salesproof Maybach). But this isn't the case with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In fact, this isn't really a Gottlieb and Karl joint at all – at least not by any traditional definition.
The SLS is actually an Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach project. Huh? It's AMG's first bumper-to-bumper, start-to-finish project – and having just torn around the California countryside and hot-lapped around Laguna Seca, we're left wondering only one thing: Why did it take more than 40 years for this to happen? Well, perhaps we should cut Mercedes some slack, as it has only owned its high-performance arm since 1999, so perhaps the appropriate thing is to look at the SLS' 2009 rollout as something of a tenth anniversary present to itself. In that light, the folks from Stuttgart know how to throw one hell of a party.
More Than Simple Nostalgia
Just look at it – even without the theater of its avian-inspired doors, the SLS AMG would have major presence. Oh, it borrows heavily from the legendary 300SL of the '50s and '60s – justifiably the automaker's most celebrated design ever – but this isn't purely a retro pastiche. It has its own proportions, form vocabulary, and detailing that makes it much more than a Xerox'd yellowed blueprint sourced from somewhere deep within the bowels of the Mercedes-Benz Museum's archives.
Despite its nostalgic cab-backwards design – the hood is so long you could land a Bell JetRanger on it – its low, wide stance and modern detailing (complex headlamps, colossal disc brakes, etc.) means that it's also a thoroughly contemporary design. This is just as well, because the SLS is the most advanced production car the company has ever fielded. It's not as classically delicate and desperately pretty as the 300SL, but that car was built when accommodating the dark art of good aerodynamics was more of a suggestion than a mandate, when safety regulations bordered on the nonexistent. We're told that the face of the SLS will significantly influence volume models to come, so expect to see variations of this mug on everything from future SLKs to the S-Class.
Blip the key fob and the flush door handle pops out to greet your outstretched hand. A gentle tug sends the gullwing dramatically skyward without much effort, but those looking for power actuation will have to seek out someone in the halls of SEMA, as AMG's boffins wisely didn't want to add the weight and complexity of a motorized assist – particularly in the roof. Climbing aboard isn't too difficult – the sill is definitely wider than in a conventionally doored car, but it isn't silly convoluted, and you can enter butt or legs first, your choice. That said, if you aren't on the tallish side, you're advised to grab the door handle on your way down, as the awkward reach will dash any hopes of a graceful getaway. Of course, if you're a taller guy, you might be looking at a different purchase altogether. While the accommodations are supportive and beautifully stitched whether you go for the standard power seats or the thinner, rigid-back racing bucket, there isn't a ton of space inside for lankier types. At five-foot, nine-inches, this driver was able to find a comfortable perch with good sightlines, albeit without a lot of room to spare. Our significantly taller co-driver would complain of a bit of back pain just 120 miles into our drive, but claustrophobia didn't appear to be an issue."
Full article and pics -->> First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right — Autoblog
Nov 9, 2009 | 02:29 PM
#5
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
From: Omaha, NE
Thats my problem exactly... 500k and I get plastic in the interior?
A zonda is one off aluminum... same for the 'segg, a spyker builds custom billet everythings for less money, yet in the MB - you get crappy plastic. I just don't get how they can rationalize that at this price.
A zonda is one off aluminum... same for the 'segg, a spyker builds custom billet everythings for less money, yet in the MB - you get crappy plastic. I just don't get how they can rationalize that at this price.
Nov 9, 2009 | 02:43 PM
#7
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
Thats my problem exactly... 500k and I get plastic in the interior?
A zonda is one off aluminum... same for the 'segg, a spyker builds custom billet everythings for less money, yet in the MB - you get crappy plastic. I just don't get how they can rationalize that at this price.
A zonda is one off aluminum... same for the 'segg, a spyker builds custom billet everythings for less money, yet in the MB - you get crappy plastic. I just don't get how they can rationalize that at this price.
Nov 9, 2009 | 03:10 PM
#8
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
From: Omaha, NE
You're right - my bad. So its supposed to be around 250k right? I don't know - maybe its just the fake chrome - but I feel like the vents are out of a 2006 mustang.
