The Roadster flagship loses its gull-wing doors to make way for a quick-folding soft-top
For some, you could say so. But the SLS AMG Roadster version you see here in these first official pictures is a continuation of Mercedes-Benz's flagship model series and is designed as a successor to the SLR Roadster. In fact, the original 300 SL also had an open-top body to choose from.
But wasn't the whole idea of the SLS a 'Gullwing'?
The Roadster has a canvas top _ obviously meaning that the roof-hinged door concept had to go _ that can fold away in a Z fashion in an impressively quick 11sec at speeds of up to 50kph.
Mercedes stresses that even when the roof is down, the Roadster's luggage capacity of 173 litres is nearly as capacious as the coupe's 176 litres.
Like with most open-tops, the body shell had to undergo some structural stiffness in the interest of safety and handling. There's an additional cross member and rollover bars behind the seats.
The rag-top takes 11sec to fold away or tuck back.
So it's heavier than the coupe?
Yes. But at a claimed 1,660kg, the Roadster is only 40kg heavier. That's why the performance figures Mercedes has disclosed are practically the same as the coupe's: 0-100kph in 3.8sec and a 317kph top speed.
The Roadster has the same 571hp/650Nm 6.2-litre V8 and six-speed dual-clutch automatic combination powering the rear wheels.
Other highlights include the optional carbon-ceramic disc brakes, adaptive suspension called Ride Control and a motorsport-style telematics display inside the car.
Roadster gets rollover bars behind the seats.
Cool. How much does the Roadster cost?
Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing in Europe already, which comes to around 27.5 million baht in Thailand including tax _ a 10% premium over the 25 million Gullwing SLS.
Although deliveries of right-hand-drive cars start in November, the order books for the Roadster are now open.
Hmm shouldn't I just go for the cheaper SL63 AMG?
Erm OK, the SL63 AMG is cheaper by some 25% at 20 million baht, has a more practical folding tin-top and comes with exactly the same engine and tranny as the Roadster. But in terms of driving sophistication, the Roadster holds the trump card.
Like the Gullwing, the Roadster uses more lightweight materials, explaining why it is a massive 310 kilos lighter than the SL63.
As well, the front-to-mid layout (engine placed behind the front axle) gives the Roadster a more dynamic handling over the nose-heavier SL.
To top it off, the Roadster has more 46hp/20Nm advantage over the SL63. Combine this with the lighter body, the Roadster is a good 0.8sec quicker from 0-100kph than the SL63.
The Roadster has the same performance as the hard-top despite the weight increase.
What about the SL65 AMG?
That highway missile may have a higher 612hp and a stupendous 1,000Nm of twist, thanks to two turbos blowing a 6.0-litre V12. But the SL65 is still slower with a 4.6sec time.
And just like the basic car itself that's fast-approaching the end of its life cycle (we hear the all-new SL is due next year), the SL65's tech is sort of antiquated: 3-valve cylinder head and 5-speed automatic gearbox.
And if you look at the competition, there isn't much to choose from when it comes to an easy-to-drive front-engine two-seat roadster. That 599 Superamerica revealed by Ferrari recently? It's still a one-off.
Because of that, the SLS AMG Roadster is a classic, soft-top roadster that can't really be sized up with any car at the moment _ unless you consider the harder-to-drive, mid-engine LP570-4 Performante from Lamborghini.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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