| Year |
2012 |
| Engine |
6.3
litre V8 |
| Transmission |
7-speed,
dual-clutch RWD |
| Max
speed |
197
mph (electronically limited) |
| 0-60
mph |
- |
| Horsepower |
571
hp @ 6,800 rpm |
| weight |
- |
5th May 2011 (UPDATED with new images 29th May 2011):
Mercedes-Benz have finally taken the covers off the soft-top
version of the SLS AMG supercar.
The SLS AMG Roadster is currently in the final-testing phase
of its three year development. The car's official unveiling,
in full production form, is scheduled for the 2011 International
Automobile Show in Frankfurt this September. Sales will start
for the 2012 model year.
The engineers are primarily focused on making sure the drop-top
SLS AMG's chassis is as rigid as possible, and the handling
dynamics aren't spoiled by the lack of a solid roof section.
One of the defining features of the SLS AMG hardtop are its
dramatic gullwing doors. Clearly they are impossible to integrate
into convertible, so they've been ditched in favor of more conventional
doors.
As the Roadster variant's production was already guaranteed
during the conceptual phase for the SLS AMG, the lightweight
and extremely rigid aluminum spaceframe was specified at a correspondingly
early stage. Since there's no roof to span the cockpit area,
it was necessary to engineer stronger, more rigid sideskirts,
not just for crash performance, but because test drives showed
that the driving dynamics could be enhanced by strengthening
this area.
In order to achieve handling characteristics almost identical
to the Coupe, the SLS AMG Roadster has two features designed
to increase the rigidity of the chassis. The cross-member carrying
the dashboard has additional supporting struts at the windshield
frame and at the center tunnel, and a structure between the
soft top and the fuel tank stiffens the rear axle. Amazingly,
the Roadster's bodyshell is only 1.8 kgs (4lbs) heavier than
the Coupe's.
Engineers working on the SLS AMG Roadster paid special attention
to the durability of the soft top, making sure it could withstand
sustained assaults from water, sand, dust, heat and cold. One
special feature of the compact soft top is the continuous water
pocket: this is attached below the soft top to catch rainwater
and direct it down to the underbody via two openings on each
side.
The rain test at the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Sindelfingen
is particularly demanding. Extreme amounts of water are used
to ensure that the result of the development work is watertight
- which is a particular challenge in the case of roadsters or
convertibles.
Tests include the hose test - when all soft top, door and flap
seals are sprayed with a water-hose; the continuous overnight
rain test, the fording test, the icing, swirl and high-pressure
tests, and a final session in an automatic car wash. The rain
test simulates every conceivable situation that can occur on
any continent.
Similar and related vehicles:
Mercedes SLS AMG GT3
Mercedes SLS AMG
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