The new gullwing from Mercedes-Benz
Stuttgart/Affalterbach – Automotive fascination and high tech of the highest order: These are the traits embodied by the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which is making its world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt on 15 September 2009. The super sports car boasts a purist design, the systematic incorporation of lightweight engineering and superior handling dynamics. At the same time, the SLS delivers the high everyday utility and exemplary safety that typifies Mercedes-Benz, making the new gullwing the ideal synthesis of the strengths of Mercedes-Benz and AMG.
The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG dazzles with its unparalleled technology package which includes: an aluminium space frame body with gullwing doors; an AMG 6.3-litre, front-mid V8 engine with a top power of 571 hp, 650 Nm of torque, and dry sump lubrication; seven-speed dual-clutch in a transaxle configuration; a sports chassis with aluminium double-wishbone suspension; and a kerb weight of 1,620 kilograms. It’s a combination that guarantees supreme handling dynamics. The car’s ideal weight distribution between the front and rear axles (47 to 53 per cent respectively) and its low centre 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 fuel consumption of 21.4 mpg (combined) is best-in-class (all figures are provisional).
“With the new SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a fascinating super sports car that will quicken the pulse of any car fan. The SLS AMG bolsters both the Mercedes-Benz and AMG brands equally, and will surely become one of the most alluring sports cars of our time,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
“In the SLS AMG, our customers benefit first-hand from the expertise gleaned by Mercedes-AMG from more than 40 years of motorsport experience. The unparalleled technology package provides extraordinary handling dynamics with moderate fuel consumption-another hallmark of AMG today,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Wide-opening gullwing doors for easy entry
Despite the low seating position typical of sports cars, which means the seats are located only 369 millimetres above the road surface, the wide opening gullwing doors ensure easy entry and exit. The designers made sure that the doors had as large an opening angle as possible, which is why they swing up by 70 degrees. Another consideration that was just as important was that the distance between the opened doors and the road surface is an ample 1.50 metres, while the size of the passage between the opened doors and the upper edge of the side skirts is a generous 1.08 metres. By contrast, the entry height (the distance between the road surface and the upper edge of the side skirts) is a low 45 centimetres. Another important criterion for ensuring an elegant entry and exit is that the opening and closing of the doors requires little effort even when it’s very cold, because of two gas-dampers next to the door hinges.
The gullwing doors require less room to open than conventional coupe doors and can be completely opened in standard sized garages. The gullwing doors can be opened from the interior by means of a “silver shadow” opening handle. Thanks to the linkage system in the door’s armrest, the door is easy to handle when closing. The buttons for the power windows, the central locking system and the exterior mirror adjustment are also easily accessible in the interior trim. The interior has a spacious feeling, due primarily to the large shoulder room of 1483 millimetres and the wide elbow width of 1606 millimetres. In conjunction with the generous headroom of 990 millimetres and the driver’s effective legroom of 1058 millimetres, the deep seating position is also relaxing. The passengers benefit from a relatively steep windscreen that provides a good view.
Sports seats with magnesium backrests
The backrests of the sports seats are made of magnesium, a high-tech material that is strong as well as light. This results in substantial benefits with regard to the vehicle’s weight balance and the lowering of its centre of gravity. The sports seats have two-zone seat cushions. Large side bolsters filled with harder foam ensure optimum lateral support, while the inner zones of the seats and backrests have purposefully been made softer for high long-distance driving comfort. The Memory Package enables the user to electrically adjust the seat’s lateral position and height as well as the tilt of the backrest, seat cushion, and steering column. In addition, the package allows the user to save up to three individual settings.
Four-way lumbar supports provide effective support for the spine, while adjustable side bolsters in the backrests substantially improve lateral support when driving around bends at high speeds. Other standard features include a three-stage seat heating system as well as seat occupancy and child safety seat detection for the front seat passenger.
The sports seats with integrated headrests and sporty transverse piping are covered with designo leather. Two-tone seats are also available in the colours classic red, sand and porcelain. Cars with the interior colour light brown use natural leather with especially high quality braided leather for the centre fields of the seats. Depending on the colour combination selected, the sporty feeling is further enhanced through the use of fluorescent or black piping.
The three-spoke performance leather steering wheel with a 365-millimetre 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.
Multiple stowage spaces for ensuring the car’s suitability for everyday use that is a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz
Other impressive features of the SLS AMG interior are conveniently designed stowage areas for ensuring the car’s suitability for everyday use, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz design. The dashboard on the front passenger’s side contains a 3.7-litre glove compartment and a storage bin for glasses. To the right of the E-SELECT lever, passengers will find a small stowage area with a 12 volt socket or an ashtray with a lighter. The armrest behind the centre console not only serves as the location of the COMAND controller; it can also be shifted in two stages at the push of a button to provide access to a storage bin located underneath. Here, users will find two cup holders and the recess for a telephone (optional equipment). Additional storage space is provided by the stowage system between the seats at the back and the mesh side pocket in the front passenger footwell. Two clothing hooks are fixed to the backrests. Their counterparts in the roof lining can be folded out and have silicone damping.
Dual-clutch transmission in the transaxle configuration with the Torque Tube
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 – similar to the DTM C-Class touring car. The dual-clutch transmission is located on the rear axle (in line with the transaxle principle) and is tightly connected with the engine housing by means of a Torque Tube. In the Torque Tube, a carbon camshaft rotates with the same speed as the engine. The advantages of this sophisticated solution include the rigid connection between the engine and the transmission, which results in an optimal response to forces and torques.
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. The driver has a choice of four different driving programmes: C (Controlled Efficiency), S (Sport), S+ (Sport plus) and M (Manual), as well as a RACE START function. During the Sport, Sport plus and Manual driving programmes, the automatic double-declutching function is active; all of these modes can be comfortably managed via the torque regulator in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. Optimal traction is guaranteed by the mechanical differential lock, which is integrated into the compact transmission housing.
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