Among the reasons we like Mercedes-Benz is that the company still brings the show business to the business of auto shows.
For the introduction of the SLS (which, incidentally, we drove two months ago), Mercedes had huge lighted balls on 20-foot-tall posts, out of which oddly painted humans rose and then descended for absolutely no reason. There was a woman playing the saxophone on center stage. And as the new gullwing sports car pulled onto the stage, it did so in a thick blanket of smoke -- old-school, dog-and-pony-show smoke. Yes!
Hit the jump for a full rundown on the SLS and a photo gallery.
And the thing looks good in person. The nose doesn't look as blocky as it appears in photos. And, despite a generous number of vents (on the hood and the front fenders), the car looks modest and relatively unadorned. Of course that might only be in contrast to the Vegas-style flash and over-exuberance that is the SLR. As for the doors, they work and feel great. But if you're tall you will probably want to do some stretches before attempting entry. The hood rises to an almost 90-degree angle to the fender line, to allow some access to the 571-hp 6.3-liter V8 engine, which is set well back in the vehicle.
Nice work, Mercedes. One suggestion for your next auto show press conference: flash pots.
Check the shots below, including several of a cutaway chassis showing the V8, the rear-mounted transaxle and carbon-fiber driveshaft.
hondacura4 says:
02:30 PM, 09/15/09
Ive never been a fan of Mercedes sports car but I really like this SLS, just not in red. Instant classic!
cwc1 says:
06:22 PM, 09/15/09
That cutaway version would be a great candidate for a suspension walk around, and an entire mechanical walk around.