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MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 5
First production year: 2010
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Coupé (two-door)
MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG Black Series photo gallery

Following legendary special edition models like the SLK 55 AMG Black Series, CLK 63 AMG Black Series, SL 65 AMG Black Series and the C 63 AMG Black Series, the SLS AMG is the first gull-winged model to feature the Black Series moniker. Harking back to the successful SLS AMG GT3 race car, the fifth Black Series car from Mercedes-AMG is also the most track-focused car in the series. The 6.2-liter V8 used on both the standard SLS AMG and the GT3 race car has been massaged to offer even more power and torque, while the aluminum space frame comprising the chassis has been further lightened to give the SLS AMG Black Series a DIN curb weight of just 1,550 kilograms.

With no less than 631 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 635 Nm of torque, the limited edition model is not only the most powerful but also the fastest accelerating Mercedes gull-wing car in history, with a 0-100 kph (62mph) time of just 3.6 seconds. The SLS AMG Black Series' 2.45 kg/hp power-to-weight ratio is also the best compared with any other Black Series model to date. Various upgrades that benefit nimbleness have been made to the ultra-wide car, including the replacement of its aluminum torque tube with a carbon fiber one, installing the dual-clutch transmission lower into the chassis and replacing some components with much lighter versions.

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MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG GT photo gallery

When someone mixed a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" with a McLaren AMG SLR, the 2009 SLS AMG GT resulted. In just three years, it evolved.

It is hard to look at an SLS AMG GT and not see the glorious past 300 SL from the mid-'50s. The Gullwing doors, long hood, and side vents on the front fenders are all icons from the past that kept the original supercar's spirit alive. Other details were resembling the magnificent, 2003 SLR, a supercar inspired by the same charming and revolutionary coupe built by Mercedes-Benz.

In 2012, the German carmaker brought an enhanced version of the SLS. There was a new set of headlights and a new front grille with a slimmer slat to support the three-star badge. An additional GT badge was added to the trunk lid.

Inside, a new set of high-gloss black trims on the center console and the door panels were installed. The sport-bucket seats featured Alcantara on the middle segment, and the GT lettering embroiled on the headrests. An AMG instrument cluster was fitted with a black fascia, while the upshift indicator featured seven green LEDs.

The magic part was under the skin, where AMG tweaked the engine to offer 20 more ponies than its predecessor from the 6.2-liter V8 engine. It was paired to a 7-speed (dual-clutch) automatic gearbox. A newly developed suspension with more damping controls found its way inside the car.

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MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG Roadster photo gallery

Adding a roadster version to an already known supercar was never a bad idea, and Mercedes-Benz knew that.

When Mercedes-Benz started to build the Mercedes-AMG brand, it started with the SLS. A sports-car built by AMG, which had nothing in common with the rest of the German carmaker range. It was a huge success, and in the same year, it introduced the roadster version.

While its coupe brother could benefit from the “Gullwing” doors, the roadster had to use regular doors. The German designers faced the same problem with the original 300 SL, and it worked well. Without any hesitation, they bolted the new doors and chopped the roof. Some additional reinforcements were required, but those were planned since the SLS's first lines were drawn. At the back of the car, the GT silver lettering on a red background was added before the AMG badge.

Inside, the designers added a new set of high-gloss black trims on the center console and the door panels. The sport-bucket seats featured Alcantara on the middle segment, and the GT lettering embroiled on the headrests. An AMG instrument cluster was fitted with a black fascia, while the upshift indicator featured seven green LEDs.

The magic part was under the skin, where AMG tweaked the engine to offer 20 more ponies than its predecessor from the 6.2-liter V8 engine. It was paired to a 7-speed (dual-clutch) automatic gearbox. A newly developed suspension with more damping controls found its way under the car.

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MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG Roadster (C197) photo gallery

While the original Mercedes-Benz SL was the fastest car in the world when it appeared, the SLS wasn't. But it was very fast and in the roadster version, the driver could hear the sound of the mighty V8 under that long hood much better.

What use of a big, loud, engine, that could scare the whole neighborhood if the driver cannot hear it properly? This, and maybe the roadster frenzy, made AMG build the SLS Roadster. Even if there are Mercedes-Benz badges on the wide grille and on the steering wheel, the car's name is Mercedes-AMG, not Mercedes-Benz. The German car manufacturer had decided to transform AMG in a separate sub-brand to compete in Porsche's segment, not with other premium cars like the old friend/foe BMW.

The outside look is purely a roadster. A very long hood, a short cabin and a little bit of trunk with short front and rear overhangs. The long hood was needed because the engine is midship installed, entirely behind the front axle. That made the car more balanced. The soft-top could open and close in just 11 seconds, close to the 11.5 seconds needed for the car to do a quarter-mile drag race.

Inside, the classic look of the instrument cluster is nicely done with two big round analog dials. The dashboard design is inspired by an airplane wing and the air-vents cruciform nozzles were reminiscent of jet engines. The infotainment system is placed on top of the center console and could be controlled via a rotary knob next to the armrest.

And yes, the most important part is the 571 hp, naturally aspirated engine that roars with a powerful note from the rear exhausts, which couldn't be heard as clearly in the coupe version from the driver's seat.

REVIEW: MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG Roadster   full description and technical specifications
MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG (C197) photo gallery

The SLS traced its roots back to the glorious 300 SL "Gullwing" from the '60s and was introduced by Mercedes-Benz in coupe form in 2010.

The German automaker threw its gloves off when it launched the SLS and suddenly jumped from being a competitor for BMW's sports cars to be a contender in the supercar segment fighting against Ferrari and Porsche. The SLS made that possible with major help from AMG, the German carmaker's sports department. This car paved the way for creating the Mercedes-AMG brand.

With a design that screamed performance in all of its lines, the SLS AMG featured a low hood and a flat front fascia that resembled the one used on its illustrious predecessor from the '60s. On the front fenders, the automaker placed a set of wide vents with two horizontal chromed slats, which confirmed the car's legacy. In addition, the short greenhouse with its gullwing doors and the short deck at the back drew their inspiration from the former 300 SL.

Inside, the classic look of the instrument cluster was nicely done with two big round analog dials. The dashboard design was inspired by an airplane wing, and the air-vents cruciform nozzles were reminiscent of jet engines. The infotainment system was placed atop the center stack and could've been controlled via a rotary knob next to the armrest.

Under the hood, Mercedes-AMG installed a hand-built naturally aspirated V8 engine. Its power was sent to the rear wheels via an AMG SPEEDSHIFT seven-speed automatic gearbox.

full description and technical specifications