The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a luxury grand tourer automobile developed by Mercedes-AMG to replace the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The car is the first Mercedes automobile designed in-house by AMG and is described by Mercedes-Benz as a spiritual successor to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing,[2]300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 IAA. Sales began in mid-2010 in Europe with MSRP of €177,310 (including taxes) and will begin in the United States in mid-2011 for less than $200,000. The SLS AMG is featured as the cover car for the PlayStation 3 racing game Gran Turismo 5, and is the safety car for the 20102011 Formula One seasons.
The SLS AMG will be made in at least four different versions. The first to launch is the coupe with gullwing doors. In 2009 a Desert Gold version debuted at the Dubai International Auto Show, in mid-2010 a FIA-GT3 racing version. For 2011-2013 Mercedes will also be releasing a roadster (with conventional doors and a soft top), an electric powered E-Cell version (most likely to be a coupe), and there will be a Black Series version, which will see its weight being reduced by as much as 300 kg (661 lb).
SLS AMG GT3
A GT3-spec racing version of the SLS AMG was unveiled at the 2010 New York Auto Show. It is set to compete in national GT3 championships before being allowed race in the FIA GT3 Championship in 2011. At VLN Nürburgring, the SLS AMG GT3 was admitted into the SP9 class with "Balance of Performance" set to 1350 kg and 556 PS, and won its first race in October.
SLS AMG "Blackbird"
The SLS AMG "Blackbird" was a unique, special edition SLS AMG created by Mercedes-Benz's Australian subsidiary specifically for the 2010 Australian International Motor Show. The one-off vehicle will eventually be sold to a private customer.
