Cars Reviews

Update: Mercedes’ upcoming SL gullwing successor may not be a Mercedes’ after all, according to the latest reports. The car will be the first production road car to be badged exclusively under the brand of Mercedes’ performance arm, AMG, perhaps to highlight the AMG Gullwing’s performance prowess.

The AMG Gullwing is expected to be shown in production trim at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, while a concept is expected to be shown at Frankfurt next year. A convertible variant, most likely sporting a cloth roof, is expected to be unveiled in 2011.

The car’s exact dimensions have also been reported to be 4.65 meters long, 1.95 meters wide and just 1.25 meters tall, with a wheelbase of just 2.7 meters.

Mercedes’ decision to use only the AMG brand on the new car will also coincide with the release of the company’s first supercar since the end of its partnership with McLaren for the SLR.

Original: Mercedes’ successor to the original SL gullwing coupe has been spotted once again in prototype form and this time one of the car’s new vertical lifting doors has been revealed. Until now prototypes for the car, which is tipped to be called the SLC, have been heavily camouflaged, even wearing mock Dodge Viper panels.

The latest images give us a much better indication as to what the final version may look like, with a long hood, truncated rear cabin and short rear deck highlighting the design. An adjustable rear spoiler is also present, although the final design will almost certainly change before production.

The SLC has already been touted as the replacement for the outgoing Mercedes-McLaren SLR but its expected price tag and performance levels will position it closer to the current SL63 AMG. According to latest reports the final price of the SLC will be around €150,000 (approximately $234,196) and its world debut is slated for next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year and first sales should start in mid 2010.

Power will come from AMG’s familiar hand-built 6.2L V8 engine and is expected to top out at 580hp (433kW). The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. Drive will be sent to the rear wheels via a newly developed dual-clutch transmission sitting in front of the rear axle. The SLC’s final kerb weight will be around 1,650kg and with the V8 engine the car should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h.


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