SLS AMG Gets Golden Steering Wheel Award

According to more than a quarter million readers that never drove any of the eleven sports car that were in the finals, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the world’s best sports car. Almost a third of the votes were in favor of the German’s recreation of the past.

“Bild am Sonntag", "Auto Bild" and 25 associated European publications awarded the new Gullwing model the "Golden Steering Wheel" – one of the most important automotive awards in Europe. The award was officially presented to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars, in Berlin yesterday evening.

The result mainly goes to show that the design of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and its gullwing doors is really appealing, because almost none of the readers got to get behind the wheel of that car. The car’s figures are thanks to a lightweight aluminum spaceframe body, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine with dry sump lubrication, a peak output of 420 kW and 650 Newton meters of torque, a seven-speed double-clutch transmission in a transaxle arrangement and a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones.

The SLS has a very good weight distribution of 47:53 percent between the front and rear axles, as well as the low center of gravity. The SLS AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 317 km/h. With a total of 18 victories to date, Mercedes-Benz is among the most successful car brands in the competition for the "Golden Steering Wheel."