Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Now you would probably remembered Mercedes-Benz's Super Bowl ad that this SLS AMG Roadster made a surprise appearance along with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, new SLK, and the new CLS. Does that Super Bowl ad shocked the world? Worry no more, because the SLS AMG Roadster has arrived.

After last year's success of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it seems that this ultimate AMG exotic wants to spawn a new sibling but this is a different sibling because the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster ditches the signature Gullwing doors in favor of a soft top roof. It may sound to be disappointing to the Mercedes-Benz fans but this is for their own right. Even though the Roadster model doesn't have the wings as its Coupe brother, the main mission is to deliver open-air goodness to those who own it, but hey, it's Autumn season, you may save the soft top for next Summer.

One major catch is that the SLS AMG Roadster's soft top roof can be opened or closed in as little as eleven seconds. That's a one second gap against the Renault Wind so consider it one heck of a fastest finger to the roadster enthusiasts.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster interior

Despite the differences, the SLS AMG Roadster offers the same interior comfort as for the SLS AMG coupe version. It can still accommodate up to two people only so as a matter of fact, only a middle-aged man can get through the driver's seat while for the passenger seat at his left (or to the right if the SLS AMG Roadster is RHD), anything goes. Even though it has an available HDD Navigation System and the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround sound system, a special AMG Performance Media is added to keep the drivers informed about what's what on the SLS AMG Roadster such as real-time displays, recording of individual lap times, and integration of DRIVE UNIT controls.

The SLS AMG Roadster is powered with the M159 6.2L V8 engine that delivers 571PS/6.800rpm of power, 650Nm/4.750rpm of torque, top speed limited to 317 km/h, 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds, and combined fuel economy of 7.6km/L (estimated 18 MPG). It even comes with the all new AMG Ride Control suspension that gives the driver a wide variety of choices depending on the track conditions. It can be set to either COMFORT, SPORT, or SPORT +, varying on track conditions this car face. I might say that the SPORT + on the AMG Ride Control suspension is the best to tackle technical corners, especially at the touge. Use it wisely though because some settings can be a little bit frustrating.

The SLS AMG Roadster's color variation includes AMG alubeam silber, AMG alubeam silber, AMG Le Mans rot, AMG Monza grau magno, AMG Sepang braun, Iridiumsilber metallic, and Obsidianschwarz metallic. It can be outfitted with four different rims to choose from such as AMG LMR 5-Doppelspeichen-Design, 48,3 cm (19'')/50,8 cm (20''),AMG Schmiederäder 10-Speichen-Design, 48,3 cm (19'')/50,8 cm (20''), AMG Schmiederäder im 10-Speichen-Design 48,3 cm (19'')/50,8 cm (20''), and AMG LMR 7-Speichen-Design, 48,3 cm (19'')/50,8 cm (20'').

My comment:
To be fair, it's all about choice for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG range. For those who want some Gullwing doors should prefer the coupe version but for some who want some open-air goodness should consider the all new SLS AMG Roadster. Either way, they have the new AMG Ride Control suspension that adapts to various corners of the earth. Considering the corners of Monaco, Belgium's straight roads, the forests in Canada, and the Eiger in Switzerland, good to know that the new AMG Ride Control suspension tackles them all.

Photo: Daimler AG