On the horizon

The Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing. Photo / Supplied

Mercedes' latest power-meister is an AMG built in-house - a departure from tradition for the company's performance brand.

And what a departure, for the SLS AMG is a gullwing tour-de-force. The two-seater, aluminium supercar will launch in late 2010, initially in left-hand-drive, according to Mercedes NZ marketing manager Coby Duggan. Right-hand drive production hasn't been confirmed. If it is, NZ allocation will depend on customer demand.

For around a million dollars, buyers get an AMG-tuned, 6.3-litre, V8 engine mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission putting power to the rear wheels via a mechanically lockable diff. That powerplant is mounted low, its position imparting the slight rear bias that suits its super-sport application.

Mercedes has designed the SLS with aluminium for both chassis and body to cut wet weight to 1620kg. The driver sits low in the car, entry eased by gullwing doors, to fire a powerplant that will offer breathtaking performance.

The naturally aspirated engine delivers 650nm at 4750rpm, with 420kw arriving at 6800ropm, for a zero to 100 time provisionally claimed at 3.8 seconds. Fortunately, traction control is standard - though the driver can opt to deactivate it. Mercedes says design and development began back in 2006 and track testing is already well under way.