The SLR McLaren may have bitten the big one, but a much more capable machine is coming to take its place. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is cooler to behold, more satisfying to drive and a lot less expensive to buy, though not cheap at an estimated $183,000.

Modeled after the old school Mercedes-Benz 300SL, which also featured the signature gull wing doors, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is a force to be reckoned with. It features a 571-horsepower V8 engine and blasts from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds-fast enough to keep pace with a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

Thanks to superb engineering, the latest performance technology and the aluminum space frame body, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG excels on both the road and track. In fact about every test driver that has gotten behind the wheel of the prototype has been floored by its awesome performance abilities.

Combined with supreme luxury and the look-at-me styling, it's easy to see why auto writers are so excited.