Mercedes Clips the Wings of Its $183,000 Supercar
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(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.
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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.
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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.