WHEEL SWAG: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing

The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG dazzles with its unparalleled package which includes: an aluminum space frame body with gullwing doors; an AMG 6.3-liter, front-mid V-8 engine with top power of 571 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque, and dry sump lubrication; seven-speed dual-clutch in a transaxle configuration; a sports chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension; and a curb weight of 3,571 pounds. It's a combination that guarantees supreme handling dynamics. The car's ideal weight distribution between the front and rear axles (47-to-53 percent respectively) and its low center of gravity emphasize the concept's pronounced sports car nature. The gullwing accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 197 mph (electronically limited).

The distinctive design of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dazzles with its passionate sportiness and reinterprets the breathtaking design of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, one of the most recognized design icons of the Mercedes-Benz brand. The nearly 6.5 foot bonnet, the low, far back positioned cabin, and the short rear with the extendable rear spoiler symbolize dynamism, as do the long wheelbase, the wide track, and the large wheels.

Drivers who raise the gullwing doors of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and sit down in the sports seats will experience a very special interior. In its conception, the Mercedes-Benz designers took their cue from aircraft construction to create an ambience that immediately evokes associations with plane cockpits. The defining stylistic element is the dashboard, whose powerfully extended wing-like profile creates the impression of great width. The main feature between the dashboard's two center air vents is the COMAND multi-media system with its 7-inch screen.

The backrests of the sports seats are made of magnesium, a high-tech material that is strong as well as light. The three-spoke performance leather steering wheel with a 14-inch rim, gearshift paddles and a metal detailing emphasize the vehicle's authentic hand-crafted character and provide the best possible assistance in maintaining control of the car.

The SLS is also taking a new approach in its body concept. For the first time ever, Mercedes-Benz and AMG are presenting an automobile, where both chassis and body are made of aluminum. This leads to significant weight savings compared to the traditional steel construction.

The heart of the new SLS is a high-powered eight-cylinder engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. The advanced 6.3-liter V-8 engine, which has an output of 571 hp at 6,800 rpm, makes the gullwing vehicle one of the most powerful sports cars in its segment.

The AMG 6.3-litre V-8 engine transmits its tremendous power to the rear axle via an especially lightweight drive shaft made of carbon. The new AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission is responsible for the power transmission. This dual-clutch transmission is characterized by quick shifting without any interruption of traction—minimum speeds of 100 milliseconds are possible.