Mercedes SLS

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

I didn't xactly need to make use of my elbows to get close, but then again, Swedes are known for their good taste.

I saw it at Mercedes Benz world in Surrey. Lets just say the the Porsches and Ferrari's 2 360s and a black 430 in the car park were made to look very average.
And Swedes are responsible for some horrendous calamities of taste including IKEA, the 99% of Volvo designs and of course the horrifc DJ Eric Prydz and Ace of Base..
Im partial to a bit of ABBA and Roxette but please dont tell segedunum or gilgen as this will only escalate into a full blown "camp pop" war!

[Caito]

SLS GT3


I just LOVE it.-

[alelanza]

SLS GT3


I just LOVE it.-

Quite amazing.
There's something terribly right about this video, i couldn't stop watching, the burbling v8 sound along with straight cut gears produces a hypnotizing soundtrack

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNSeZU2M ... r_embedded[/youtube]

[xpensive]

Right, It's actually a Chrysler, add the sidepipes and you've got yourself a Dodge Viper GTS Coupe for the 21st century?

Read all about it here;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Viper

Xcerpt: The replacement for the fourth generation Dodge Viper formed the basis for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Yes I read a similar story in Motortrend.

The whole article did explain that there was an aluminum chassis was being developed by Daimler-chrysler as it was back then.
Mercedes AMG were involved at the end of the development cycle when Chrysler became cerberus, and could not afford to produce its own version.

The chassis is pretty much unchanged from all reports. But lets face it, the chrysler was never going to pack the 6208cc V8. Nor was it going to look as viscious as the SLS(pure fanboy talk ).

[flynfrog]

The chassis is pretty much unchanged from all reports. But lets face it, the chrysler was never going to pack the 6208cc V8. Nor was it going to look as viscious as the SLS(pure fanboy talk ).

you are right it would have the 8.4 V10

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

flynfrog,

the 8litre V10 is a truck engine.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine

The Mercedes V8 is a high Performance(for production) engine from the outset. In terms of design they are worlds apart. As is the more sonorous Mercedes unit in terms of sound and character.

[segedunum]

I was wondering what it reminded me of.........

[Morteza]

And here's a video of David Coulthard driving it:

Hmmmm, that wouldn't be a Red Bull employee driving a Mercedes, would it?

I have no doubt that the car would be brilliant to drive, but as for looks, elegance and class they simply are not in the same league as a Ferrari, Aston Martin or even a McLaren. Mercedes are kidding themselves. They have an image of a stack them high and sell them expensive car manufacturer, like BMW. To sell this car with such competitors they're going to have to change their image and branding somewhat.

I agree with you. Brilliant to drive but the design is too wide and the bonnet is really long. It somehow reminds me of a Doge Viper It lacks some kind of charisma I think compared to McLaren, Ferrari and Aston.

Damn I was right

[DaveW]

Yes I read a similar story in Motortrend.

The whole article did explain that there was an aluminum chassis was being developed by Daimler-chrysler as it was back then.
Mercedes AMG were involved at the end of the development cycle when Chrysler became cerberus, and could not afford to produce its own version.

The chassis is pretty much unchanged from all reports. But lets face it, the chrysler was never going to pack the 6208cc V8. Nor was it going to look as viscious as the SLS(pure fanboy talk ).

Sadly, somebody canned the wrong vehicle.

[NewtonMeter]

I saw one in the flesh for the first time the day before yesterday in a dealership. I will admit to not being impartial, but good heavens the car has got presence even from 20 paces out.

I'm not going to kid you, it doesn't IMHO have more presence than a Lambo or a Ferrari or certain Porsches. BUT...it most certainly doesn't have less either.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

DaveW

The Chrysler wasn't even at mule stage. Mercedes and in particular AMG had more than enough input into this machine to put the Benz badge on it.
Had the platform been unchanged, it would have been nothing less than a Chrysler/Mercedes lovechild. But Mercedes developed it for a further 3-4 years!!!
Right now its the worlds best GT, and when has Chrysler ever had that title?

And NewtonMeter,

There is one parking near London's Ivy restaurant. Silver/Red interior with the uprated alloys. It is presence personified, without needing to be 2 feet high in loud yellow with see through engine covers....

[segedunum]

Well, we shouldn't be too surprised given the kind of mad engine and chassis consolidation we see going on these days. However, it's funny that they're fobbing off that recycled chassis at that price for that kind of car, if indeed it is the kind of car Mercedes are pretending that it is. If they really wanted to compete with what they're up against then Dave is right. They should have had a long look at the Chrysler ME.

It does sound nice and fairly unique though, which should convince a few.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Well, we shouldn't be too surprised given the kind of mad engine and chassis consolidation we see going on these days. However, it's funny that they're fobbing off that recycled chassis at that price for that kind of car, if indeed it is the kind of car Mercedes are pretending that it is. If they really wanted to compete with what they're up against then Dave is right. They should have had a long look at the Chrysler ME.

It does sound nice and fairly unique though, which should convince a few.

The SLS is not in the same class as the 458 or Mclaren, same price, same audience different class. Whatever all the mags say, the SLS is a GranTurismo(GT) class where as the Mclaren and 458 are specialised sportscars.
It could be used everday, serviced at any Mercedes garage(venerable 6.2litre V8 found in all AMG's, despite some internals being uprated) And stop traffic at 50 paces. Job done.
Ferrari's 458 will decimate the SLS on a track, as will the macca no doubt. But I dont half think that this really isnt the sole purpose of the SLS. Its 9 tenths what Ferrari can do, and it can do that all the time.
For some, that will be enough(SLS order books are full for 20 months).

Im looking to the rumoured SLM AMG are said to be preparing. Now that looks like a mid engined lightweight weapon ....
http://www.carsuk.net/mercedes-slm-amg- ... -baby-sls/

[xpensive]

...
The SLS is not in the same class as the 458 or Mclaren,...

How could it possibly be, it's an AMG engined Dodge for crying out loud?