STUD or DUD: Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG "Gullwing" -- Right Car, Wrong Time?

In a downbeat economy with cratering auto sales, you would not expect a serious performance machine, with a price tag to match, to spring up and debut itself now would you?  Well, if you have plenty of disposable income and a desire for doors that go up, Mercedes-Benz can fulfill that void for you.

Thanks to Auto Bild, we introduce the new SLS AMG "Gullwing." 

Yet another retro-inspired design in 2009 unveils itself and I will be the first to admit that I am starting to become sort of jaded by this.  Granted, I adore the original Gullwing, so, I do have a sincere appreciation for what this vehicle represents.

Observing the new SLS makes me think that this is a fantastic, modern interpretation of the original vintage wunderkind.  When you compare this to an SLR it just makes the SLR look cartoonish and absolutely juvenile.  The SLS makes a statement without really trying and that's what the original Gullwing did.  Because of this, the Gullwing blows the SLR out of the water; at least stylistically.

Speaking from a performance standpoint, it will be interesting to see if the SLS trumps the SLR.  With 563-horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque coming from a 6.3 liter AMG V8, 60 miles per hour comes in a brisk 3.8 seconds. 

Mated to this brilliant motor is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.  This car is going to be a rocketship. 

But, will it sell?  With a launch in Spring 2010, the economy should have begun exiting the trough.  If not, I'll just sell any spare organs and possibly my domicile just to get one. 

You can live IN a car, right?


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sdcarguy - 7/13/2009 8:17:36 PM

+3 Boost

A case can be made that in times like this, cars like this do indeed sell, as the few qualified purchasers do not vary as much "peak to trough" as the broader market appeal cars like the E class.

Look at all the fantastically expensive cars built during the Great Depression for the super rich. In fact, if you were a car company today and you wanted to turn a profit, a case can be made that this is the only type of car to make these days.

MSP6 - 7/13/2009 9:14:06 PM

+7 Boost

Well, Toyota is probably more worried than MB right now ..
Toyota is back to the drawing board, don't expect the LF-A before 2013

Agent00R - 7/13/2009 11:05:31 PM

-1 Boost

2013, eh?

I think it is possible we will see it as a 2011 model.

darzav - 7/14/2009 4:48:11 AM

+4 Boost

Hahaha, Benz worried about Lexus? I would still take the old 'Gullwing' rather than the Lexus. Once your spending that much on a car, it really is about the herritage and class it portrays. Im afraid Lexus isnt quite there yet. They will be...one day. Not for a long time though. Don't get me wrong, based on rumours, the LF-A seems to be a brilliant piece of engineering but look at the supercar market. People still buy Ferrari's even knowing it would break down on them. Oooo...Lexus supercar..where is the passion..the soul...?

EL34 - 7/14/2009 11:01:09 AM

+1 Boost

Since when did ToyLex offer a car with gullwing doors?

This Mercedes is like a fine Swiss Made time piece and will sell out.

The ToyLex will not make the sports car club, but will make the gang banger club.

Anthony - 7/15/2009 12:48:35 AM

+1 Boost

"Once your spending that much on a car, it really is about the herritage and class it portrays."

It's phrases like these that are naive and simply dumb. People spend that much on Koenigseggs and Paganis all the time without questioning their "herritage and class." Heritage is fine, but if those brands have proven anything, it's that heritage is not everything. A company resting on heritage to sell performance cars is silly.

Yonder7 - 7/13/2009 8:43:48 PM

+2 Boost

That's right, you will build cars for the people that can afford them...
In the other side, I love MB, but I am disapointed with this one....is so ugly that it reminds me the BMW Z8....and I am almost 100% sure that it will follow same destiny: Failure.

Yonder7 - 7/13/2009 8:46:20 PM

+4 Boost

Hey I know I said it will be be a failure but that do not mean that you can compare it with a Toyota.....ja ja....lol.

BondMI6 - 7/13/2009 9:25:04 PM

+6 Boost

The original Gullwing was such a classic but this............ is just a modern copy- not very inspirational nor uplifting.

EL34 - 7/14/2009 11:02:19 AM

0 Boost

Just what until you see the high definition photos and read the details before speaking ;-)

bfghemicuda - 7/13/2009 10:14:46 PM

+5 Boost

Nice rims

nguyenvuminh - 7/13/2009 10:15:05 PM

-2 Boost

"The original ... was such a classic but this ... is just a modern copy - not very inspirational or uplifting." Dead on, and applicable to all of the recent Ford GT40, Mustang, the GM Camaro, the Mini, as well. I can't imagine paying hundred of thousand of dollars to these designers to lift an old car and smooth out the edge and resell to the buyers that just want to relive the glorious past. What a sad state of affair the auto industry is in over the last 10 years.

LUXCAR32 - 7/13/2009 10:40:18 PM

+3 Boost

One thing that really bothers me about this car is the greenhouse. It's far too upright and retro. It almost looks better with the sheet over the back half. Also, the interior looks completely thrown together without much thought, like they just picked several units from their stock and pieced them together with carbon fiber.
I'd take an aston martin or audi R8 over this for sure.

Agent00R - 7/13/2009 11:04:21 PM

-1 Boost

Well, the R8 is an extraordinary vehicle and that would be hard to pass no matter how you slice it.

theman - 7/14/2009 8:41:35 AM

0 Boost

I agree.I would take the Audi R8 over this, but no way an aston. Astons are pathetic really..But generally this new SLS is a very nice looking car, with an amazing interior..I am also happy about the dual clutch..

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/13/2009 11:03:08 PM

+5 Boost

All that has changed is that Easy Credit is Gone and the days when people competed to pay the highest price for poor quality products is gone.

If you produce a High Quality Vehicle and set reasonable sales targets you will have no problem Selling it and making a profit.

If you try to produce Yankee Style Look Good but no Substance Vehicles you will find that buyers will loose interest quickly.

3 years ago Barret Jackson auctions seemed like Idiots R Us conventions with people vying to show how stupid they were. I think you will find a lot less idiots there now.

Agent00R - 7/13/2009 11:07:09 PM

+3 Boost

Are you referring to the spike in prices for vintage muscle cars?

rxh8me9000 - 7/14/2009 2:34:19 AM

+4 Boost

I like it a lot.It'll sell no matter what. The rich are still rich.

HSCenterconsole - 7/14/2009 7:59:04 AM

+2 Boost

I think this car looks awesome. The 300SL Gullwings have always been one of my all time favorite cars.

That being sad, I would take a Ferrari 430 over this.

fatandsassy - 7/14/2009 8:28:52 AM

+3 Boost

Love it. There is always room for the Gullwing. If I was in the market I would be putting my deposit down now.

fatandsassy - 7/14/2009 8:31:03 AM

+1 Boost

Not likeing the interior as much as I should. After seeing the new Jaguar XJ interior I think all cars are plain inside. yes, even AUDI. The new XJ really looks expensive, classy, and sporty

db350z - 7/14/2009 9:03:13 AM

+2 Boost

I think Mercedes has jumped the shark on this one. It doesn't feed the gotta have it factor. Would rather have an SLR.

Agent00R - 7/14/2009 12:58:26 PM

+2 Boost

Surprising to hear.

Is its styling too subdued?

sdcarguy - 7/14/2009 9:40:53 AM

+4 Boost

White is the new Silver

Agent00R - 7/14/2009 12:57:15 PM

0 Boost

I believe it was voted most popular color last year.

Personally, I prefer Pearl White.

PlanB - 7/14/2009 2:59:37 PM

+2 Boost

I say STUD. It'll still turn heads when it hits the streets. And it may be copying a legend but thats always a good place to start right? The "old money" won't care for this, they will still prefer the original. But the "new money" will be all over this. It'll be in every pro athletes garage and in every rap video made next year.

thstone - 7/14/2009 5:09:43 PM

+1 Boost

DUD. As nice as it looks, its underwhelming. I would have rather seen something truly original from MB.