When is a gullwing not a gullwing? When the trademark swing-up doors are lopped off, along with the rest of the roof. The result is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, a long name for a simple concept: a chopped gullwing.
As with its hardtop sibling, the SLS Roadster is built on an aluminum space-frame chassis. In place of the fixed roof is a folding soft top, folding in a Z-shaped formation into the vehicle’s trunk, with hardly any penalty in trunk space versus the gullwing. The chassis has been reinforced to compensate for the missing roof: thicker side skirts, a dashboard cross-member braced against the windshield frame and center tunnel, and a curved strut between the soft top and the fuel tank. A reinforcing crossmember behind the seats serves to support the fixed roll-over protection system, while still leaving enough room for the Bang & Olufsen subwoofer. The weight penalty is reportedly at a scant two kg more than the gullwing’s spaceframe.
Powering the SLS is Mercedes’ 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8, dubbed as a 6.3-liter for sentimental reasons. What’s not in dispute is its 571 bhp output, and its 650 Nm of torque. That’s enough to power the SLS Roadster to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and on to a top speed of 313 km/h. The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and channels all the torque to the rear wheels.
It’s enough to compel one to seek out the nearest tunnel, all to hear the rumble of the V8 reflected back by close-cropped walls. The soft top can be operated on the run, at up to 50 km/h.
Interior amenities include leather and metal trim, ready for customization. There’s an Airscarf system that blows warm air from the headrests to keep the occupants warm. The car also boasts of high-speed mobile internet access; the system is powered by Android OS.
Perhaps more than any other supercar, the SLS trades on its looks, and the transformation to Roadster has left it looking better than ever. The photos here show it in the delicious metallic shade called Sepang brown.
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