The new Mercedes SLS AMG was launched in Jeddah on Wednesday. "Mercedes-Benz is presenting an exhilarating super sports car in the new SLS AMG, which is bound to set the pulses of all car enthusiasts racing that extra bit faster and is set to become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era," said Safi Kobeissi, GM, Juffali Automotive Company.
Of all the truly iconic mnemonics attached to individual car manufacturers the Parthenon radiator and gull-wing doors are probably widely known.
Mercedes introduced the gull-wing configuration in its 1954 300 Sport Leicht (SL) which was also the first petrol powered car with direct fuel injection into the combustion chamber. It was the fastest production car of its day. Available from March 1955 to 1957, the car quickly became a classic and the doors automotive history. Since then the Briklin SV1 from the 1970's, De Lorean in the 1980's and the UK's Bristol current Fighter range have used the configuration. Although officially called the SLS-AMG, it will inevitably be known, as its predecessor was, as the Gullwing.
Propelled by a 6.2 liter V8 that delivers 571 horsepower down a carbon-fiber drive shaft to the 7-speed rear mounted gearbox, Mercedes' first twin-clutch sequential-shift transmission. Each engine is assembled by its own technician at AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany. Final assembly of the car takes place at Mercedes' Sindelfingen factory. AMG has further modified the V-8 for the SLS. About 120 changes to the standard power plant include forged pistons, modified cams, a new exhaust system and a new dry sump system that helps lower the car's centre of gravity.
The aluminum and carbon fiber car weighs 1330 kg and with the power-weight ration that yields it sees off the zero-100 kph mark in something around 3.8 seconds and it trundles rapidly upwards to 320kph. Like it's forebear, the new SLS is certain to become a classic marque.
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