(Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the much anticipated convertible version of its SLS AMG supercar.
The 2012 SLS AMG Roadster trades the signature gullwing doors of the coupe for a lightweight fabric top that takes away some of its uniqueness, while lending it a more elegant shape when retracted.
Both are built on a lightweight aluminum spaceframe that was engineered from the start with a topless version in mind. As a result, the Roadster weighs just 88 pounds more than the coupe and the two use an identical drivetrain: a 563 hp 6.2-liter V8 connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
The biggest mechanical change comes in the addition of an optional active suspension system that should give it a more compliant ride than the track-tuned coupe.
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The Roadster also comes standard with Mercedes-Benz's AIRSCARF system, which uses vents located at the top of the seats to blow warm air down over the shoulders of passengers to enable top down motoring in cooler temperatures.
Pricing has not been set, but the SLS AMG Roadster will likely cost more than the $183,000 price of the coupe when it goes on sale in the fall.