Mercedes SLS AMG created on a supporting structure of aluminum alloys. All-aluminum Space Frame - like Audi and Jaguar designs; The windshield racks are reinforced with high-strength steel profiles. The outer panels are also made of aluminum glory, and the entire body "in metal" weighs some 240 kg. The execution of a steel sheet and profiles will pull on all 4 centners, so that the difference is obvious. Moreover, the rigidity of the structure of the “winged” metal is even higher than that of a similar steel structure. After all, a sheet and profiles go to the aluminum Space Frame much thicker (in cross section) than sheet steel.
WHAT IS OUTSIDE?
The original design of the Mercedes SLS AMG in a new way reproduces the look of the legendary sports car Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which has become one of the most outstanding among Mercedes-Benz. At the heart of the Mercedes SLS AMG design is the principle of creating modern sports cars: an almost two-meter hood, a flat, rear-mounted driver's cab and a short rear with a retractable rear wing are the same expression of dynamics as a long wheelbase, wide track and large wheels. Short overhangs to the same extent determine the proportions of the car as the supercar concept itself, which provides for a deep and rearward anteromedium engine arrangement and a spaced layout of drive units - a dual-clutch gearbox. The mid-engine arrangement of the engine with an offset to the front axle in combination with the spaced layout of the drive units provides an ideal distribution of weight between the front and rear axles - 47 versus 53 percent.
The highlight of the Mercedes SLS design is, without a doubt, gull wing doors that are unique to this segment and give the SLS AMG a unique charm. However, not only the doors resemble the famous Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. The characteristic wide radiator grill with a large Mercedes-Benz logo and a wing-shaped transverse fin also evokes the appearance of a motorsport legend. The three-dimensional expressive front part of the body with a rushing downward, pointed and laterally as if pinched front bumper causes a feeling of stability of the car on the road. Six large air intake openings and far-reaching sides, vertically oriented headlights with a spectacular play of light inside look very impressive: in the center are bi-xenon dipped headlights, on top of them are two LED direction indicators, and at the bottom there are daytime running lights with LEDs. When looking at the car from the side, you immediately pay attention to the expressive shoulder line of the SLS sports car, which stretches along the entire body. Expressive alloy wheels are inscribed in powerful widened wheel arches: 19-inch in front and 20-inch in back.
CAR OR PLANE?
The range of paint options for Mercedes SLS has nine exclusive shades. The highlight of the color program is designed to become the unique AMG Alubeam silver paintwork: thanks to the new paint method, the body sparkles like liquid metal. No less attractive are both matte body finishes - “Designo Magno Gray Allanite” and “AMG Magno Gray Sylvanite”.
The aircraft theme in the cockpit design is determined by the elongated center console made of brushed metal. Among other things, the AMG DRIVE UNIT central control unit is integrated in it with a shift towards the driver, which provides the Mercedes SLS pilot with a lot of individual settings. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports gearbox is controlled by the E-SELECT selector, the design of which resembles a jet airplane traction control. All controls are made of real metal with a sparkling “Silver Shadow” surface.
Concave door trim surfaces, high sides and powerful sills reinforce the feeling that you are in the cockpit and at the same time evoke the ergonomic feel of racing cars. For individual design, there are five different “Designo” leather colors to choose from: black, classic red, sand, porcelain and light brown. Despite the low (369 mm above the ground), typically sporty seating arrangement, the high swing open doors make it comfortable to sit in and out of the car. When developing the design, special attention was paid to the maximum
to open doors - it reaches 70 degrees. Doors such as "gull wing" take up less space than ordinary doors of cars with a coupe body and can be fully opened in a standard garage.
WHAT SLS AMG MOVES?
The heart of the Mercedes SLS is the eight-cylinder unit from Mercedes-AMG. The upgraded V8 engine, "squeezing" out of 6.3 liters of fuel, a hefty 420 kW / 571 liters. sec., the rated torque of 650 Nm the atmospheric engine produces at 4750 rpm. From zero to 100 km / h, the supercar accelerates in 3.8 seconds, and its maximum speed is electronically limited at 317 km / h.
Thanks to a sophisticated exhaust gas aftertreatment system, the car meets current and even future toxicity standards, in particular, the Euro 5, LEV 2 and ULEV environmental standards.
The new seven-speed sports transmission AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT is responsible for torque transmission. This dual-clutch gearbox features fast gear changes - with virtually no gaps in traction (the longest is 100 milliseconds). The driver has four different control modes: "C" (from the English Controlled Efficiency = controlled economy), "S" (Sport = sport), "S +" (Sport + = sport plus) and "M" (Manuel = manually) as well as the RACE-START function. In the "Sport", "Sport +" and "Manual" modes, the automatic rebase function is activated.
An extensive set of Mercedes SLS safety devices includes three-point seat belts with pretensioners and tension limiters, eight airbags: two adaptive frontal airbags, a knee airbag for both driver and passenger, two side airbags integrated in the backrests seats, as well as two window cushions hidden in the window sill of the door.
The creators of the novelty are absolutely sure - it is so dynamic and light on the road that the driver has a complete sense of flight. On the "wings of a seagull."
