Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster - this time it's undisguised
Despite the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster not being due to launch until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Mercedes has issued official photos.
You might have thought that the photos of the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster we published a couple of weeks back were the official reveal of the soft-top SLS. But you’d be wrong.
Those photos were in fact of a disguised SLS Roadster (although you’d have to look hard to see what was hidden). But today – and typically from Mercedes we get them on a Sunday to keep us awake – we get the first official photos of the undisguised 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster.
What we don’t really get is massively more information than we’ve already had, but what we know of the SLS Roadster is very appealing.
Unlike most Roadster the SLS doesn’t need a couple of RSJs bolted through the middle to keep the front and back in the same plane, as it was designed from the outset to be a Roadster as well as a coupe.
So the sills get beefed up a bit and there are struts off the centre tunnel to support the cross car beam in the dash and a strut between the soft-top and the tank. But that all adds up to just 40kg extra – about the weight of the size 6 model you’ll have in the passenger seat.
All of which means there is no discernible change in performance from the Gullwing, with 62mph coming up in 3.8 seconds and – as near as makes no difference – a 200mph top speed. Although whether the model in the passenger seat will appreciate 200mph with the top down is another question.
But you will have room in the boot for all her (or his – depending on what floats your boat) paraphernalia as Mercedes has managed to leave the boot size almost unchanged, despite the roof disappearing at the touch of a button – and at up to 30mph.
Almost more appealing than the SLS Gullwing.
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