Road Test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has caused history to repeat itself with the release of the SLS AMG Coupe in 2009 and its Convertible sibling in 2012. The trend of releasing a convertible model based on their range-topping sports car continues with the brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster.

Finally, we got the chance to test drive the new roadster. Unfortunately the weather spoiled all the fun of driving open-top constantly, but nevertheless we got the option to drive and experience the roadster variant of the gullwing. Awaiting our arrival and parked in front of us for a single day was a designo mystic white SLS AMG Roadster trimmed with a two-tone red/black designo leather package and a red soft-top. There are worse combinations possible, and some would call it a bit tacky, but at least we were easily noticeable in local traffic.

In terms of design, there are some differences with the Coupe. You may have noticed there are no gullwing doors anymore. They were dropped by the Germans in favor of more traditional units, meaning the Roadster doesn’t have any gimmick that sets it apart from its competition. Instead there is a power-operated triple-layered fabric roof that can be raised or lowered automatically in about 11 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h. Mercedes-Benz says the Roadster and Coupe were designed together from the start, which is why boot space remains relatively unchanged (173 liters for the Roadster against 176 for the Coupe) despite stowing a folding roof between boot and occupants.

The powerplant at the front resembles its coupe family member. The same AMG-engineered, hand-built 6.2 liter V8 producing a total of 563 horsepower and 650Nm of torque. As expected, the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with shift paddles on the steering wheel is paired to the wonderful sounding powerhouse. The rear-mounted automated manual transmission is bolted directly to the front/mid positioned engine via a torque tube running down the center of the car.

The transmission has four driving modes: “C” stands for controlled efficiency, in which the car sets off in second gear. “S” (sport) rips off shifts that are 20 percent faster, while “S+” (sport plus) is again 20 percent quicker. “M” (manual) is fully 50 percent faster than “C” . In addition, it features a race start function, but the gearbox never made us completely happy. It’s a bit too slow and less responsible. Still S+ is the best option.

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