A few years ago, after the new version of the Mercedes-Benz SL AMG 6.3 came out, we sat down for lunch with one of the directors of the Mercedes-Benz High Performance Division. He said he was satisfied with the new 6.8-litre V8 engines that AMG had just developed as well as the new super-fast shifting transmission that the company had fine-tuned. And, with a little smile, he revealed that their engineers were working on a vehicle that would be exclusively an AMG creation. This new model would be more technologically advanced, lighter and offer better performances than any Mercedes-Benz. And since the two companies are merged, this project would not threaten the other half. The vehicle in question? It seems to be the SLS.
A flash from the past
There’s no doubt that one of the most legendary vehicles of all time is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, developed in the 50s for races such as the Targa Floria and the Mille Miglia. These races were negotiated on roads used by passenger vehicles and required cars that were resilient, agile and powerful. Like any car bearing the Silver Star, the 300 SL went on to have a prestigious racing career, claiming more than its share of victories. In addition, its looks were totally unsurpassed at the time. Its engineers had given it a high, wide rocker panel for maximum rigidity. Since this mechanical configuration meant that traditional doors were impossible, the 300 SL received gull wings doors that opened vertically and gave the vehicle a truly unique look. A legend was born.
Over the years, several tuners have shown up with the same kind of doors, but none was really a classic. And despite the challenge, this is precisely what the engineers at AMG went after. You don’t need to be an expert on classic cars to know that this newbie bears a striking resemblance to its legendary senior. Now, I’m sure that many people would have preferred something a little more original. I have to admit that I was initially a little disappointed by the exterior of the car, as I was expecting something more spectacular and modern. But the more I look at it, the more I realize that this was a viable approach – and it was very well executed. I’d also like to point out that the side air vents look a lot like those used on the SLR built in collaboration with McLaren.
A little like the body design, the interior features modern components inspired by the past. Buyers can choose from two different presentations: carbon fibre s or brushed aluminium. And even though we’re talking about a very high performance vehicle, comfort has not been forgotten. The side support on the seats is markedly better than what you get on even the finest sports cars, and yet they’re comfortable, with excellent support for the lower back and thighs. The dashboard is relatively uncluttered, with only round air vents on the front portion. The indicator dials, which are separated by the Digital Information Centre, are a good size and found within a little module that shelters them from glare. The main control centre is located in a sizeable console between the two front seats. It includes, among others, buttons to control shifting modes, the start button, and the rear deflector button. There’s also a big, central button that controls most of the radio and navigation system functions. The heat and air con controls are located on the lower portion of the dash. While this console is tremendously practical, it is massive and infringes on the driver and passenger space (the passenger enjoying less leg room than the driver).
Let there be no question, the quality of the materials is outstanding, as is the fit and trim. But you need more than that to make an exceptional vehicle. Superb mechanics are the name of the game, and AMG is no slouch in that regard!
Exclusive platform
It would have been easy for the engineers at the two companies to simply take the same platform as the current SL, make it more rigid and lighten it up a bit. But when your goal is to create the ultimate sports car, you have to take it a step further. So, the engineers developed an all-new aluminium space frame chassis (different types of aluminium are used in order to obtain optimal lightness and rigidity). In addition to the chassis, several other parts of the body are also made with this material. When asked about the absence of carbon fibre on the vehicle, Dr. Frank Emhardt, the chief engineer on the project, stated that the difference in weight between these two materials was not as great as we are led to believe and that aluminium had more advantages.
All together, this makes for a type of capsule enclosing the passengers. The suspension is also made of aluminium. The use of forged aluminium gives it the rigidity that a car in this class requires. With the engine positioned front and centre, weight is well distributed: 47% in front and 53% in back. The engine, of course, is the 6.3-litre V8. The engineers used a dry sump to lower the centre of gravity as much as possible and optimize road handling.
Developed by AMG, this V8 has been the most powerful atmospheric engine around since its inception – and once again it’s been improved; now developing 571 hp. And given how light the vehicle is, the power to weight ratio is 2.84 kg/hp, meaning it can do 0-100 km/hr in 3.8 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 317 km/hr (according to the manufacturer). And despite the added power, this engine is lighter than ever at some 205 kg, which is quite impressive for this kind of machine. Since the engine is in the front, the transmission has been placed in the rear. It’s a double-clutch transmission linked to the engine via a torque tube with a carbon fibre shaft rotating inside. Again, the link is both rigid and very light. The new seven-speed double-clutch transmission stands out with very fast gear shifts (less than 100 milliseconds in Sport mode). The driver can choose from four different modes for the transmission. There’s “C” for Controlled Efficiency, “S” for Sport, “S+” for Sport Plus and “M” for Manual.
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