The design highlight of the new SLS AMG is the gullwing doors that swing up by 70 degrees as well as the wide radiator grille with the large Mercedes-Benz star and the wing-like fin, paying tribute to the 300SL.
The SLS AMG has aggressive proportions, with nearly two-metres of bonnet, low and far back cabin and short tail. The weight distribution is still 47 per cent in the front and 53 per cent in the rear.
The interior design and layout is simple, with much of the switchgear borrowed from other Mercedes models like the E-Class. The cockpit is dressed in high quality materials, and buyers being able to choose from five different leather colors including black, classic red, sand, porcelain and light brown.
Both the chassis and body of the SLS AMG are made of lightweight aluminium. Its curb weight is 1620kg, which is close to 150kg less than the old SLR McLaren.
The heart of the beast is a front/mid mounted 6.3-litre V8 engine, reworked with a new intake system, different valve gear and camshafts. This, as well as other upgrades, result in a reported 571hp at 6800rpm and a maximum torque of 650Nm at 4750rpm.
A newly developed AMG dual-clutch seven-speed sports transmission is located at the rear in the transaxle position. Four different driving programmes are available: C (Controlled Efficiency), S (Sport), S+ (Sport plus) and M (Manual), as well as a RACE START function.
Mercedes says that the gullwing supercar accelerates from 0 to 100kmh in 3.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 317kmh. And, the SLS AMG returns a combined fuel consumption of 13.2lt per 100km.
Other features include the double wishbone suspension, the rack-and-pinion steering gear, as well a 3-stage ESP. It also gets lightweight ceramic brakes and special high-performance sport tyres.
