| Press Release |
The 2012MY Mercedes-Benz SLS
AMG Roadster
AMG is presenting a new dream-car: the 2012MY SLS AMG
Roadster. This super sports car thrills with a perfect
combination of open-top driving pleasure, outstanding
driving dynamics and sophisticated lightweight
construction. The 2012 SLS AMG Roadster will make its
U.S. debut in Fall 2011.
The technological highlights of the 2012 SLS AMG
Roadster include an aluminum spaceframe body, an AMG
6.3-liter V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication
developing a peak output of 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of
torque, a seven-speed dual clutch transaxle transmission
and a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones –
all of which will raise the pulse of sports car
enthusiasts while providing outstanding driving dynamics
and driving pleasure.
The compact fabric soft top of the SLS AMG Roadster
opens and closes in just eleven seconds, and can be
operated on the move at speeds up to 31 mph. The new
Adaptive AMG Sport Suspension with electronically
controlled damping is available as an attractive
optional extra. It enables the damping characteristics
to be modified at the touch of a button. Using the AMG
DRIVE UNIT, the driver of the SLS AMG Roadster is
therefore able to choose his own suspension setup. Three
modes are available: "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport
plus".
"AMG Performance Media" is a unique new feature: this
innovative, motorsport-inspired multimedia system offers
an unrivalled combination of numerous telemetric
displays such as lateral and linear acceleration,
various engine data and lap times on a racetrack.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management
of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "The SLS
Roadster is a super sports car, cruiser and highly
desirable dream-car all in one. In its distinctive way,
it continues the succession of iconic and exciting
sports cars from Mercedes-Benz."
Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH:
"Systematic lightweight construction, outstanding
performance and a breathtaking design combined with
sensuous open-air driving pleasure – the new SLS AMG
Roadster perfectly embodies the AMG philosophy of German
engineering and craftsmanship. The gullwing model has
already thrilled sports car fans all over the world, and
now the convertible version is bound to cause a
sensation."
Pure roadster design with perfect proportions
The new Roadster adds a second exciting dream-car to the
SLS AMG family. Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz, Gorden
Wagener: "As in the gullwing model, the pure, athletic
design immediately catches the eye. Whether with the
roof open or closed, the SLS AMG Roadster is an
impressive visual delight!" The perfect proportions are
particularly memorable: a long hood, the greenhouse
positioned well to the rear and a short rear end. Plus
the automatically extending rear wing, long wheelbase,
wide track and short overhangs – in short, the
convertible SLS AMG exudes effortless performance and an
authentic charisma. The pronounced shoulder sections are
reminiscent of tensed muscles, and suggest sheer power
in combination with the large wheels – 265/35 ZR 19
(front) and 295/30 ZR 20 (rear). The attractive AMG
Sepang brown metallic paint finish and weight-optimized
forged wheels in a 10-spoke design, painted in matte
black with a high-sheen rim flange, are available as new
optional extras.
Features reminiscent of the 300 SL Roadster, the classic
dream-car from the 1950s, include not only the wide
radiator grille with its large Mercedes star and the
wing-shaped cross-fin, but also the fins on the hood and
on the vehicle sides. Like the SLS AMG Roadster, the 300
SL Roadster appeared slightly later than the original
gullwing 300 SL, but unlike the SL's both AMG dream cars
are available at the same time.
Interior atmosphere like an aircraft cockpit
The interior continues the breathtaking design idiom of
the exterior, and awakens associations with an aircraft
cockpit: prominent features include the dashboard in the
shape of a wing and the air vents with adjustable,
cruciform nozzles reminiscent of jet engines. The
extended center console of matte, solid metal and the
new E-SELECT lever in the shape of an aircraft's thrust
control are also design features adopted from the world
of aviation. Another discreet, fine detail is the
embossed AMG emblem on the leather-lined selector lever.
The AMG DRIVE UNIT – which like numerous other interior
features is available in genuine carbon-fiber – is the
central control unit in the center console: it allows
the driver to choose a personal vehicle setup, including
adjustment of the optional Adaptive AMG Sport
Suspension. The AMG Performance steering wheel with its
high-grade premium leather lining and flattened bottom
rim section provides perfect vehicle control. The shift
paddles and lower steering wheel bezel are made of solid
metal.
Fully automatic, weight-optimized soft top
The sensual experience in the 2012MY SLS AMG Roadster is
further enhanced when the soft top is open, and the
powerful, naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine with
563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque asserts itself and
makes the heart beat faster with its distinctive AMG
eight-cylinder sound. The fabric soft top can be opened
and closed while on the move at speeds up to 31 mph; the
fully automatic opening/closing process takes only
eleven seconds. The driver only needs to operate the
roof control unit conveniently integrated at the front
of the center armrest. When open, the soft top is
space-savingly retracted behind the seats in a folded
Z-configuration. Three soft top colors – black, red and
beige – are available to suit the nine exterior and
eight interior colors.
The three-layered fabric soft top is a weight-optimized
magnesium/steel/aluminum construction, and contributes
greatly to the car's low center of gravity. The soft top
has a seamlessly bonded rear window of heated
singlelayer safety glass. The flush, gap-free transition
between the outer roof skin and the rear window keeps
wind noise low. A continuous, flexible water pocket
running under the soft top catches rainwater and directs
it to the underbody via two apertures on each side. The
trunk capacity is 6.1 cubic feet with the roof either
open or closed, and therefore roughly equal to that of
the SLS AMG Coupé (6.2 cubic feet).
Outstanding material quality and finish
The finest leather, matte-finished solid metal or
optional, genuine carbon-fiber trim create an exclusive
ambience and correspond with the authentic feel of the
cockpit. Precisely executed decorative and contrasting
stitching enhances the visual impression, heightens the
hand crafted look and reflects the attention to detail
which is the hallmark of Mercedes design.
The standard appointments of the SLS AMG Roadster
include black designo leather, heated AMG sports seats,
a detachable glass windstop, COMAND with Navigation and
DVD player, anti-theft alarm system with tow-away
protection and interior monitoring, dual-zone automatic
climate control and the KEYLESSGO starting function. The
standard AIRSCARF® system exclusive to Mercedes- Benz
acts like an invisible scarf warming the head and neck
areas of the occupants. It is integrated into the
backrests of the AMG sports seats, and blows warm air
from vents in the head restraints. The airflow can be
adapted for different occupant sizes by means of
adjustable louvers, and the level of warmth can be
selected in three stages at the touch of a button.
Leather-lined roll-over bars with integrated mesh in a
"Silver Shadow" look are available in conjunction with
designo Exclusive leather to reduce turbulence in the
cockpit. Ambient lighting is integrated into the
electrically folding exterior mirrors. Single-tone or
two-tone designo leather in espresso brown is available
as a new interior color – this dark shade of brown
perfectly matches the new metallic paint finish AMG
Sepang brown.
AMG Performance Media and Bang & Olufsen as
optional highlights
In addition to the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround
sound system, another optional entertainment highlight
is the AMG Performance Media. In an unprecedented way,
this racing-inspired system combines numerous telemetric
displays such as engine data, lateral and linear
acceleration and lap times on a racetrack. AMG
Performance Media is activated by pressing the AMG key
in the AMG DRIVE UNIT, and operated using the COMAND
Controller. Key functions at a glance:
Real-time display of engine oil, coolant and
transmission fluid temperature
Real-time display of engine output, torque and
accelerator position
Real-time display of individual tire pressures
Real-time display of acceleration time from 0-60 mph
(alternatively: quarter-mile)
Real-time display of lateral and linear acceleration
combined with braking performance and accelerator
position, including memory function
Recording of individual lap times on a closed racetrack,
with sector times and memory function
Integration of DRIVE UNIT functions to save setup data
to memory and initiate RACE START
The different functions of AMG Performance Media are
shown by the color display integrated into the
dashboard. Three displays are shown at any one time,
with the most important information positioned in the
center. Digitally simulated dial instruments with red
needles ensure outstanding legibility.
Specifically reinforced aluminum spaceframe, low
curb weight
In addition to maximum comfort, the key factor for
driving pleasure in the new SLS AMG Roadster is the
outstanding performance. The basis for this is the
innovative body design: the chassis and body are made of
aluminum, a design combining intelligent lightweight
construction with high strength. With a curb weight of
3,661 pounds (estimated), the Roadster is only 88 pounds
heavier than the Coupé. The result is a remarkable
power-to-weight ratio of 6.5 pounds per hp.
To achieve the same level of driving dynamics – without
a fixed roof, the SLS AMG Roadster incorporates several
features specifically designed to strengthen the
bodyshell, including side skirts with greater wall
thicknesses and additional chambers. The dashboard cross
member is supported against the windshield frame and
center tunnel by additional struts, and a curved strut
between the soft top and the tank reinforces the rear
axle. The lack of a roof and gullwing doors means that
the open-top SLS AMG has a reinforcing crossmember
behind the seats to support the fixed roll-over
protection system. This also accommodates the 250 watt
subwoofer of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end
sound system.
All this prevents unwanted vibrations right from the
start, and makes it unnecessary to use the additional,
weight-increasing vibration dampers that are often found
in open-top sports cars. The weight-optimized aluminum
spaceframe weighs 536 pounds, tipping the scales at just
4.5 pounds more than the gullwing model.
Intelligent material mix and low center of
gravity
50 percent of the intelligently designed,
weight-optimized aluminum spaceframe is made of aluminum
sections, 26 percent of sheet aluminum, 18 percent of
cast aluminum and 6 percent of steel. Maximum occupant
safety requires the use of ultra-high-strength,
heat-formed steel in the A-pillars.
The entire vehicle has been designed to achieve the
lowest possible center of gravity. This applies both to
the low connection points of the powertrain and axles,
as well as to the arrangement of the rigid bodyshell
structure, which has been kept as low as possible.
Examples include the rigid flexural and torsional
connections between the front and rear section and the
passenger safety cell, which have been designed to use
force paths that are as low as possible. |
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