Ask someone to name a Mercedes AMG model and chances are the first model that will pop into their head is the SLS AMG, and for good reason. It is a car that is in a league of it’s own, as much a sculpture as it is a race car, it epitomizes the luxury Mercedes is known for and the performance AMG is known for.
The Mercedes SLS AMG previously came in five different variants, but apparently that wasn’t enough, because now Mercedes has added two additional variants to the SLS AMG lineup – and we’re glad they did.The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series and the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive. This means that the SLS AMG now comes in a total of seven different variants, model diversity unmatched by competitors. No matter which SLS AMG you choose, a Coupé, Roadster, GT, Black Series variant, electrically powered gullwing model or thoroughbred GT3 racing version – the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is simply the best
We’ll be taking a more in-depth look at both the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series and the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive throughout the day but read on below for a quick overview.
First off, the questions we get the most. When can I buy it and how much does it cost?
Thankfully, for those eager to purchase one of the new SLS AMG Coupes, you won’t have to wait long. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series and SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive will have their market launch in June 2013. The prices in Germany (incl. 19% VAT) will be:
- SLS AMG Coupé Black Series: €249,900
- SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive: €416,500
The SLS AMG Coupé was the first car to be developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG and was first unveiled at the 2009 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt/Main. The gullwing model was followed a couple years later in 2011 by the SLS AMG Roadster as well as the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car. The racing version of the gullwing car proved to the world the performance abilities of AMG during the 2012 motorsport season when the SLS AMG GT3 Race Car racked up nine championship titles and 43 race victories.
2012 marked the premiere of the SLS AMG GT, which is available in Coupé and Roadster versions, followed later by the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series and the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive. This means that the model range has now grown to seven variants in all. Not only does Mercedes-AMG boast the widest model range in the super sports car segment, its diversity is also unprecedented and covers all manner of customer requirements and preferences. The power outputs of the road-going models range from 420 kW (571 hp) up to 552 kW (751 hp).
Production in Sindelfingen and Affalterbach
The specific assembly area for the SLS AMG is located in the largest Mercedes-Benz production plant in Sindelfingen. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine comes directly from the AMG engine workshop in Affalterbach, where it is hand-assembled according to the traditional “one man, one engine” philosophy.
The SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is being built in an exclusive production run directly at Mercedes-AMG company headquarters in Affalterbach, where a team of highly qualified specialists assemble the purely electrically powered super sports car by hand in a newly installed Manufaktur hand-finishing section.
An overview of all SLS AMG models
| Model | Engine/ cylinders | Displace-ment | Output | Max. torque | Acceleration 0-100 km/h | Top speed |
| SLS AMG Coupé | V8 | 6208 cc | 420 kW (571 hp) at 6800 rpm | 650 Nm at 4750 rpm | 3.8 s | 317 km/h* |
| SLS AMG Roadster | V8 | 6208 cc | 420 kW (571 hp) at 6800 rpm | 650 Nm at 4750 rpm | 3.8 s | 317 km/h* |
| SLS AMG Coupé GT | V8 | 6208 cc | 435 kW (591 hp) at 6800 rpm | 650 Nm at 4750 rpm | 3.7 s | 320 km/h* |
| SLS AMG Roadster GT | V8 | 6208 cc | 435 kW (591 hp) at 6800 rpm | 650 Nm at 4750 rpm | 3.7 s | 320 km/h* |
| SLS AMG Coupé Black Series | V8 | 6208 cc | 464 kW (631 hp) at 7400 rpm | 635 Nm at 5500 rpm | 3.6 s | 315 km/h |
| SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive | 4 electric motors | – | 552 kW (751 hp) | 1000 Nm | 3.9 s | 250 km/h* |
| SLS AMG GT3 | V8 | 6208 cc | approx. 367 kW (500 hp)** | n/a | *** | *** |
* electronically limited; ** depending on Balance of Performance; *** depending on transmission ratio
40 major accolades for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
The SLS AMG has succeeded in winning numerous comparison tests against a host of international competitors conducted by the world’s motoring press – both as the gullwing model and the Roadster. Since its world premiere at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 2009 and the presentation of the SLS AMG Roadster in May 2011, the super sports car from Mercedes-AMG has picked up over 40 awards – including such major accolades as the “German Design Award”, the “Red Dot Design Award”, the “Golden Steering Wheel 2009”, the “iF product design award”, “Classic of the Future”, “Sports Car of the Year”, “Best Performance Car” and “Legends on Wheels”.
