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Mercedes SLSNovember 2009

Recommended.

Better and more all-rounded than the SLR McLaren, the SLS is about to give the supercar establishment something to think about

Our rating:

4

User rating:

5
Mercedes SLS
 
 

Fifth Gear Mercedes SLS review

 
 
1. Driver enjoyment; superb handling
2. Lightning-fast acceleration
3. Double-clutch gearbox

WE DON'T LIKE

1. Gullwing doors restrict headroom
2. Er, that's it
 
 

Mercedes has resurrected the 50s Gullwing in the form of the new SLS AMG. Ready to go head-to-head with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and, crucially, the forthcoming McLaren MP4-12C (the Woking-based carmaker collaborated with Mercedes for the promising, but ultimately disappointing, SLR), the German firm's AMG performance division is out to prove that it can compete with the main players in the supercar market.

But this isn't just a retro homage with trick doors: the SLS is so much more than that. Under that long bonnet is a reworked version of AMG's 6.2-litre V8 that produces 571bhp and makes the car capable of the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.8 seconds before pushing on to a top speed limited to 'just' 197mph.

Fire up the big Mercedes by pressing the starter button next to the gear selector and the impressive-sounding 6.2-litre V8 engine roars into life ahead of you. This is certainly not a car for the shy and retiring, with the engine noise just getting better and better as the rev counter climbs ever higher. Even better is the exhaust, which pops and crackles on the overrun, underlining AMG's command of the little details that appeal to driving enthusiasts.

On the road, there's everything that you would expect from a supercar: a spine-tingling, near-frightening rate of acceleration that seems relentless; precise and accurate steering; and a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox that's a joy to use. Those elements combine with massively powerful brakes (the optional carbon ceramic brakes lack feel and probably aren't worth the cost unless you're planning regular track days) and huge amounts of feedback through the wheel and the driver's seat to make the SLS a tremendously confidence-inspiring car to drive hard.

With prices starting from £157,000, it's also considerably cheaper than the SLR. Mercedes is promising an expansion of the SLS family with a soft-top convertible in 2011 and a fully electric model in 2013.

Fifth Gear overall car ratings

STYLING

The gullwing doors evoke the famous Mercedes Gullwing model from the 50s, while retaining a modern style, with the cabin mounted behind a long engine compartment like the outgoing SLR. It's low-slung, with a wide track that gives it a planted look and cuts an imposing dash on the road.

HANDLING

AMG has turned out one of the best-handling supercars on sale today and arguably the best driving machine ever produced with the three-pointed star on the nose. It turns in superbly and the wide track also means that it hugs the road with a great sense of security.

COMFORT

The SLS is supremely comfortable - probably more so for long distances than many cars at this level - and the suspension is clearly very well sorted. It might not be an S-Class when it comes to cruising, but it's very good for a supercar. It really comes into its own when pressing on, though: mid-corner bumps or potholes at speed that would have sent most supercars into the undergrowth not so many years ago are resolutely soaked up and the car remains on its original line.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

Mercedes has made a return to its bulletproof build quality of old and, despite the addition of some familiar Mercedes switchgear from elsewhere in the company's parts bin, the SLS's cabin is exceptionally well screwed together. The only slight hiccup on the cars we drove was the lid of the central compartment situated above the transmission tunnel between the two seats. Irrespective of its finish (alloy or optional carbon-fibre), the lid felt too flimsy for a car wearing a £150k price tag.

PERFORMANCE

The 6.2-litre V8 is an awesome engine is incredibly responsive, with the huge reserves of torque providing more urge than most drivers will know what to do with. For those who do, however, and can find enough road to use it legally, it's bound to raise a smile as the roaring, wailing powerplant revs up to 7,200rpm. The new double-clutch gearbox - also found in the Ferrari California - is equally superb.

ROOMINESS

With the inside of the roof of the doors hollowed out for extra headroom, it can also initially feel a little claustrophobic, but you soon acclimatise. Talking of headroom, anyone over 6ft tall is going to feel a little cosy, especially as you can sometimes brush the (lower) centre roof section when turning round. However, taller potential owners can opt for the sports seats, which sit considerably lower and free up extra space.

STEREO / SAT NAV

The Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment is fitted in the SLS and has been tweaked and updated, so it's now easier to operate.

RUNNING COSTS

Nobody is about to buy a car like the SLS and worry about its effect on their bank balance. However an average fuel consumption of 18.8mpg for a car of this type is pretty respectable. Of course, gun the throttle - an all-too-tempting prospect - and that economy will soon drop to the low teens.

VALUE FOR MONEY

As ever when it comes to supercars, used values can be an inexact science. The fact is, however, that despite the first deliveries of the SLS not taking place until summer 2010, there is already a year-long waiting list and only 150 are due for UK roads in its first 12 months. All that of course, adds up to it probably commanding a premium over and above the £150K list price for at least the first six months (if not more).

ENVIRONMENT

It's a supercar, so the waiting list to buy one is unlikely to be populated by eco-warriors. CO2 emissions of 314g/km are relatively modest - for a 6.2 litre supercar.

This review has been tagged with: Mercedes | Mercedes SLS

 

Average

5

User reviews (12)

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wael
5

wael28 November 2009

The SLS is the most beuteful car on the world

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Maestro11
5

Maestro1122 April 2010

yes find me a super-sports car leasing firm and lets get started

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chris
5

chris07 June 2010

I saw one parked in Arundel, West Sussex a couple of weekends ago with the sport seats option. The owner was taking his little son for a ride, strapped in with no view over the dashboard! It must have felt like a wall of noise sat in there...what a fantastic experience.

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Anonymous
5

Anonymous03 August 2010

I love the looks and I don't care that the gullwing doors afect the headroom because that is the most nown thing about the old 300sl. One of my neighbours have one and it's amazing the sound it makes. There's nothing to rival it's looks.

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Richard
4

Richard02 January 2011

How do you open the doors if the car has flipped over and is laying on the roof?

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Vladimir
5

Vladimir07 March 2011

It is quite obvious that this car can outperform the Porsche 911 Turbo on some racetracks, but I really think it's top speed might have been higher in order to compete with Ferrari and Lamborghini. 317 km/h shouldn't be the limit for such an outstanding car. AMG must raise the bar higher, at least to 330 km/h. Anyway, tuners like Brabus, Renntect, Vath and Carlsson will "fix" this, if they haven't yet.

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FZB
5

FZB22 May 2011

I fully agree with the very first comment, the most beautiful car in the world!!! LOOOOOOOOVE it.

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samiran roy
5

samiran roy19 July 2011

its the most beautifull supercar.as i live in India and i cant afford it anytime soon.thanks to the fifth gear family to give me such treat for my ears.

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KE
5

KE13 November 2011

Beautiful car. Small explosive charges go off in the door hinges when the car senses that it is upside down. It will literally blow the doors off the car.

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Peter Fellowes
5

Peter Fellowes16 November 2011

Ordered my brand new SLS this morning - Silver with red leather, and collect next week, really excited! The dealer didn't have a demonstrator so I have bought on the strength of the test report, so can't wait to discover how it feels, handles and performs - I don't think I'm going to be disappointed though! My other car is an Audi R8 Spyder so it will be interesting to compare the two? I will report back in a couple of weeks with my own opinions.

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sam
5

sam08 January 2012

@Richard Well, the Merc or the AMG guys are not nut heads, they have made a safety system in this car which makes the doors to burst open if the car flips over.

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