STUD or DUD: Will This Mercedes Gull Wing 40 MPG Hybrid Be A Hit?

STUD or DUD: Will This Mercedes Gull Wing 40 MPG Hybrid Be A Hit?
A stunning new Mercedes sports car is about to take flight, feast your eyes on the SLK Gullwing! Auto Express has learned that the German firm is planning a baby brother to its forthcoming flagship SLC supercar and what's more, it's going to be a hybrid, too.

 

The model draws on the legendary Mercedes 300SL ‘Gullwing’ and imminent SLC – as previewed in Issue 941 – with a pair of doors that are hinged in the middle of the roof. And it will sit at the very top of the next-generation SLK range, providing a striking and desirable rival to Porsche’s Cayman S and Audi’s TT RS.

As you can see from these pictures, the new SLK will be much more muscular than the current car, with a sharper look previewed by the new E-Class (see right). The bonnet is long and features faired-in lights and a large three-pointed star, while underneath is a Formula One-style splitter.
 

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GTR35GTR35 - 1/28/2009 12:04:59 PM
+7 Boost
The sketch looks awesome! If it's built and it looks anything like this I will stare at it until I can't no more.


THESCOOTERTHESCOOTER - 1/28/2009 12:39:22 PM
-1 Boost
Great concept and innovation in terms of using the door sills for battery space. That is simply good thinking. I would however like to see this developed using a more efficient diesel hybrid and create a supercar that is truly innovative and drives new technology further. Regardless awesome looking car and great to see that performance is being measured differently in terms of overall vehicle design.


KthornKthorn - 1/28/2009 5:58:45 PM
+3 Boost
I highly doubt the production car will have the battery units in the door sills. From a safety aspect, having that much voltage running through an extract point would subject potential first responders to a considerable safety hazard. Not to mention containing hazardous materials on side impact. Nothing like having your leg burned off after getting T-boned by a BMW fanboy flaming people on autospies from his new 7 series with inet access.


Designer1Designer1 - 1/28/2009 1:11:26 PM
+2 Boost
Simply beautiful!


cericceric - 1/28/2009 1:16:10 PM
+3 Boost
It will be a challenge to design such a car that can pass today's safety standard.
Think side-impact.


downtoearthdowntoearth - 1/28/2009 10:20:53 PM
-1 Boost
Diesel? In a roadster? Sorry, Chunk, roadsters don't run on agriculture fuel in the same way you don't launch a garden party close to a septic tank. Harsh and clattery boxes that meet the game-over revline @ 3500rpm are usually found in diggers.


PorschinatorPorschinator - 1/28/2009 2:58:07 PM
+1 Boost
Interesting to see ZR1 inspiration on the hood. Great looking ride BTW!


BigShow50BigShow50 - 1/28/2009 4:01:54 PM
0 Boost
This concept looks intersting hottt...hope they stick to their guns and actually pull the trigger based not only style but the supposed performance specs to go with it.


SVXXXSVXXX - 1/28/2009 4:33:20 PM
+2 Boost
Whatever everyone compares this to and however it came about it certainly looks AWESOME! Would love to see this on the streets.


KthornKthorn - 1/28/2009 4:49:34 PM
-3 Boost
Stud! Who ever is in charge of this program should have had some input with the new E Class. Mercedes, whatever you are woeking on right now, run it by this guy first. This is the hottest looking car you've considered in 20 years.


LexusLexus - 1/28/2009 5:04:01 PM
-4 Boost
Funny how everyone like because it has a MB logo on it, and it actually turn out to be a combine design from Toyota Celica and Toyota HT-FS concept mush together. I guess time has change the German are now copying Japanese design, LOL.....




3pointstar3pointstar - 1/28/2009 5:53:32 PM
-1 Boost
It's just an OK design with gimmicky doors. I agree with many on this board. I am a Mercedes fan, but there is nothing other than the 3 point star that says it is a Mercedes. It looks like a Celica/Supra/Nissan Z derivative. The designers could have taken the current SLK's shark nose and continue that theme for the next generation.


shabarushabaru - 1/28/2009 6:24:59 PM
0 Boost
I dont know about the rest of the world but sure why not.... heck buy 2 and even get a discount ;]


FerrarisR4meFerrarisR4me - 1/28/2009 8:43:00 PM
-1 Boost
It looks dumb. I'm glad this is NOT what it will look like.


Agent63Agent63 - 1/28/2009 9:18:30 PM
+1 Boost
If anything they should use the Gullwing for the next generation SL. No point wasting it on an SLK. Cool concept but I disagree with this move.


AnthonyAnthony - 1/28/2009 9:38:28 PM
+2 Boost
The SLK being the spiritual embodiment of what the original 300SL was (a LIGHTWEIGHT 2-seater grand-tourer), it is easy to follow the mindset of the Mercedes board with this decision. And of course it will look much better than this horrible rendition.


Type707Type707 - 1/28/2009 11:15:22 PM
0 Boost
Total STUD! Its very unorthodox for Mercedes to come out with the gull wing concept. I hope production will go through.


DenaliDenali - 1/29/2009 3:27:00 AM
0 Boost
nice Photoshop...STUD


JUGNUJUGNU - 1/29/2009 5:30:09 AM
+1 Boost
looks very catoonish. The cabin(in the above pic with doors open) looks like an SUV cabin, so much above the ground, would require a step bar to get in. The grille, healdights, the whole car doesn't look like a MB. DUD

JUGNU


snatchandgrabsnatchandgrab - 1/30/2009 1:04:45 PM
+1 Boost
As a gullwing lover, I always hoped MB would bring this car back out...hopefully, not like this. It just doesn't have that "classy" look.


KthornKthorn - 1/30/2009 1:16:58 PM
+1 Boost
The more I look at it, the more it reminds me of a Bricklin with a benz grill and visiable headlights.


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