23 Votes

STUD or DUD: Mercedes' SLS AMG, How Does It Look On The Road?

Agent00R submitted on 10/23/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 6:30:45 PM

27 user comments | Category: Spy Shots | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Links: mercedes-benz, sls amg, sls, gullwing

**Thanks to Ken Abel for the photographs and his eagle eyes!

Although we have seen numerous studio photographs and images of the SLS AMG, we have yet to see one on public roads.

Until now.

I was sent these from a friend who ran into three(!) SLS AMG's on the New Jersey Turnpike around Woodbridge. Ken's a man of few words but did make sure to mention the silver SLS had carbon brakes.

The glory of living in New Jersey: seeing plenty of yet to be released vehicles on the road. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari -- to name a few -- have headquarters in northern New Jersey.

This is not the first NJ sighting either. Another friend of mine was traveling on the 'pike and ran into a camouflaged SLS after its introduction at Frankfurt.

So, what do you guys think STUD or DUD?

STUD or DUD: Mercedes' SLS AMG, How Does It Look On The Road?

About the Author

"There are two opinions in this world. Mine and the wrong one." -- Jeremy Clarkson
— Agent00R (View Profile)

User Comments

Dated IMO. This car was a let down to me
— GreenPlease (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 6:53:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Wasn't that the whole point of this SLS? it was 300SL Gullwing inspired. I am going to hop on the other bandwagon and say I like it. Everyone finds different reasons to hate on a car but I think it's rather unique for a supercar. Sure it doesn't have the more exotic styling like the SLR did but I don't think Mercedes ever intended to be Lamborghini. While some style cues I disagree with I am certain the car is a great performer. It's an acquired taste in my opinion. Either you like it or you don't. Retro isn't a bad thing IMO. The domestic muscle cars can do it why can't Mercedes which was the company to make the first true super car? Deboost me all you want but I stand behind my comment.

Most of you don't like it because it doesn't look like a Ferrari or Lamborghini be realistic. Doesn't mean the SLS won't be a good car.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 5:52:43 AM | | Votes: 6

SC430 rear? I think some of you kids should look at a photo of an original 300SL Gullwing and then see where the design inspiration for the SLS rear came from.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 7:35:02 AM | | Votes: 3

the road presence is extremly awkward and not enough thought into the design ques to make it a little more modern looking and alot less dated looking

THIS IS WHAT THE SL SHOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE OR SOMETHING CLOSE TO THIS:

http://benzinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/new_300sl_gullwing_side.jpg
— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2009 7:43:16 AM | | Votes: 0

Front half of this car is good. The rear end is some weird combo of BMW 6 Series and Lexus SC 430, and that is truly bad.
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 7:06:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I saw the SC430 at the back too.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 10:25:45 AM | | Votes: -5

Dud, as far as looks go I was really hoping for a true Mercedes Supercar... this thing looks more like it could be an $80,000 car slotted in between the SL and SLK.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 8:10:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I like it, looks like no other. Not that much retro.
— MSP6 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 8:11:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

There is something Honda del Sol about the roofline. And that is definitely retro.
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 9:15:42 PM | | Votes: -4

I saw three of them road testing in Arizona south of the Grand Canyon in August. Very Viper-esque in real life.
— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 8:36:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

It was because of MB that the Viper has that look not vice versa. So it belonged to MB anyways lol. Same goes for the 300 and the horrible Crossfire.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 5:54:03 AM | | Votes: -2

Those Chryslers were based off of Benzes, but the look was all-American.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 10:37:01 AM | | Votes: 2

I'm still not a fan.
Retro is so 2000-and-late
— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 12:03:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

dud
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:17:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Dud. Outgoing SLR looks lot better. Step back design wise.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 8:40:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I think all mercedes are looking dated. They need to go in another direction.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 10:27:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I like it. I think it's a little late to the retro game though.
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 12:35:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The details are nice - gullwing doors, some minor touches in the styling - but the overall design looks awkward and disproportionate.
— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 12:41:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Something looks off about the door panel gaps, other than that I neither love nor hate it. This car just reminds me of the Moen commercail where the people ask the guy to design a house around a faucet, only MB asked its designers to design a car based on gullwing doors. They are probably shooting themselves in the foot a bit because it is not really easy to make a convertable out of a gullwing car and most super cars take their tops off to sell more cars. So MB can you do a folding metal roof with hinges for the gullwing doors?
— rigid (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 12:50:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I like it, though I would not call it a stud.
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:12:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

The middle of the car (roof,doors) looks identical to a Mazda RX8' side profile. Weird.
— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:34:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I find it hilarious how so many people here, who've never seen the car up close and personal, base their comments on a bunch of rather poor photos. Seeing the car in person is everything. And even then, if YOU don't like it, it doesn't mean that it will be a dud.

It's also amusing to see so many people come out with their theories about why this vehicle will be a failure because of this and that. Really amusing. Really.

Mercedes-Benz has the market research data. They know what the prospective customers want in an SLS. This vehicle was also designed for a specific market, which might differ from the market who like the R8 or 911 Turbo etc.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 7:33:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Actually saw it yesterday on the A5 Autobahn, it looked good to me even though it raced past me. I was able to catch up to it somewhat and take a couple pics from behind. Wish I was driving the M3 and not the family vehicle, i probably could have taken some more pics.
The one thing I did notice/hear was the incredible sound the engine made!
— Sam1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 10:15:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I have mixed feelings about this car. I love the original Gullwing, thus the tie-in is cool, but the car is huge. I would like to have seen a smaller model, just a bit larger than the original would have suffice. Second, the gestation period and constant exposure in the print and web media makes it feel like its been on the market for a long time, I'm already use to the car and the excitement is gone. Its ok, I'm not thrilled about it and I truly was looking for this rendition to come to market.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 10:17:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Today, here in Dubai, i have seen my first SLS on the road, a white testing model. Only it's rear bumper was covered with camouflage tape and it had no badges. I was on the opposite direction of highway, from far it looked like R8 (low front end and daylight LEDs were on) but as it started coming nearer it looked like regular SL. The first thing i noticed was huge bonnet and grille. It was nice but still i think many other Supercars like Ferraris, Lambos even MB's own SLR look better and got more presence and wow factor.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 12:22:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

You still saw a "partially covered" SLS and comment on the wow factor? How about commenting on it when you see the whole car without the rear bumper covered in camo?
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 1:54:56 PM | | Votes: 2

Only the rear bumper was covered. You could clearly see the lines and especially profile which i didn't like very much.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 6:14:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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STUD or DUD: Mercedes' SLS AMG, How Does It Look On The Road?

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