Car performance

Mercedes Germany has released pricing on their all-new flagship supercar.

Available for pre-order today, the SLS AMG starts at €149,000 (€177,310 with 19% VAT) in Germany. Options include a ceramic composite high-performance braking system at €9,500, AMG performance suspension at €1,200, light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design at €950, and forged wheels in a 10-spoke design at €2,000. Other goodies include a carbon-fibre engine cover (€4,000) and "Alubeam Silver" (€10,000) and "Monza Grey Mango" (€3,250) paint schemes.

Inside, the SLS can be outfitted with an AMG performance steering wheel in leather and Alcantara (€400), sport seats (€3,300), carbon-fibre trim (€3,500), exclusive nappa leather upholstery (€2,500), memory package for the front seats and steering wheel (€1,225), six-disc DVD changer (€660), and a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system at €5,900.

While the car won't be launched until Spring 2010, prospective buyers can configure their SLS at the AMG website (www.mercedes-amg.com) or go to a local Mercedes dealer for more information.

The SLS AMG is powered by a 6.3 litre V8 engine that produces 571bhp and 650Nm of torque. Mated to a 7 speed double-declutch transmission, the SLS accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed 197 mph.

Combined fuel economy is rated at 13.2 litres/km/21.4mpg UK/17.8mpg U.S. UK sales start in July 2010.

Press Release:

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG can be ordered from 16 November: The Gullwing is in the starting blocks

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the absolute highlight at this year's International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, is now available to order. From Monday, 16 November 2009, company-owned sales and service outlets and sales partners of the Mercedes-Benz brand in Germany will be taking orders for this super car with its characteristic Gullwing doors. The sales price is €177,310 (including 19 % VAT).

"Following a high-profile world premiere at the IAA, we are very excited about the SLS AMG's commercial release on Monday. There is huge interest in our new super sports car and we are convinced that the SLS AMG will captivate our customers," says Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of the Management Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

As of the commercial release on 16th November 2009, prospective buyers will be able to obtain high-quality informational material which provides details of the paint finishes, leather colours, standard equipment and optional extras available for the SLS AMG. It will also be possible to configure your dream vehicle online at www.mercedes-amg.com and www.mercedes-benz.com. To bridge the time until the market launch in Spring 2010, it is worth watching the web specials at www.mercedes-benz.com/sls-amg.

These offer a comprehensive insight into all the top features of the SLS AMG. Both online magazines cover performance, technology, design and equipment in exciting video material, as well as in words and pictures.

Mercedes-Benz and AMG active on online platforms:

Mercedes-Benz and AMG are exploring new ways of communicating with customers on social media platforms: at www.sls-amg-reporter.com fans of AMG will find short video clips and articles by Matthew K., the SLS AMG reporter. This 36 year old car enthusiast is following the market launch of the SLS AMG and provides information about various events worldwide at which the Gullwing model is presented to the public. Matthew K. is also active at http://twitter.com/sls_amg , reporting live on his travels with the SLS AMG, as well as about his experiences and thoughts on the super sports car. Up-to-date information about the SLS AMG is also available from www.facebook.com/MercedesBenz - fans can communicate with other users and even upload their own photos and videos that express their passion for Mercedes-Benz.

A new legend delivering exceptional performance:

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dazzles with its purist design, intelligent lightweight construction and superior handling dynamics, and is bound to cause a sensation in the super sports car segment. The new SLS AMG is nothing short of a masterpiece by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. As its first completely independently developed vehicle, the super sports car is the highlight in the company's more than 40-year history. It not only takes AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, into a new era, but also demonstrates development expertise of the very highest order.

The SLS AMG's unrivalled technology package is an alluring proposition:

Aluminium spaceframe body with Gullwing doors, AMG 6.3 litre V8 front-mid-engine developing 420 kW/571bhp peak output, 650Nm of torque and dry sump lubrication, 7 speed double-declutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones and a kerb weight of 1,620kg based on the DIN standard - this superlative combination guarantees driving dynamics of the highest order. The front/rear weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent and the vehicle's low centre of gravity are testimony to the uncompromising sports car concept. The 'Gullwing' accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 317 km/h (electronically limited). Fuel consumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) makes it one of the best among its competitors.

The SLS AMG sells at €149,000 net and €177,310 gross (including 19% VAT). Thanks to a diverse range of optional extras, the Gullwing model can be enhanced to suit any personal taste.

Some of the main options include:

AMG ceramic composite high-performance braking system: €9,500 net/ €11,305 gross

AMG performance suspension with a stiffer setup for optimum lateral dynamics: €1,200 net/€1,428 gross

AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design, size 9.5 x 19 inches (front) and 11.0 x 20 inches (rear), tyre sizes 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear): €950 net/€1,130.50 gross

AMG forged wheels in a 10-spoke design, size 9.5 x 19 inches (front) and 11.0 x 20 inches (rear), with tyre size 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear): €2,000 net/€2,380 gross

AMG performance steering wheel in leather/Alcantara: €400 net/€476 gross

AMG sports bucket seats: €3,300 net/€3,927 gross

AMG carbon-fibre engine compartment cover: €4,000 net/€4,760 gross

"AMG alubeam silver" paint finish: €10,000 net/€11,900 gross

"AMG monza grey magno" paint finish: €3,250 net/€3,867.50 gross

AMG carbon-fibre trim (front stowage tray and rear stowage compartment including lid, AMG DRIVE UNIT surround, surrounds for the centre console, shiftgate and rear, trim strips for centre console and door armrests): €3,500 net/€4,165 gross

AMG interior carbon package (carbon-fibre trim, trim on seat backrests and sides, door sill panels): €3,500 net/€4,165 gross

Leather nappa exclusive single-/two-tone: €2,500 net/€2,975 gross

Memory package with electric seat and steering column adjustment, as well as four-way lumbar support: €1,225 net/€1,457.75 gross

6-disc DVD changer: €660 net/€785.40 gross

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround sound system: €5,900 net/ €7,021 gross