SLS [Official] Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C197 / R197) is a front mid-engine, 2-seater, limited production sports car developed by the Mercedes-AMG division of Mercedes-Benz, with the assistance of David Coulthard. The car is the successor to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. SLS stands for "Super Leicht Sport" (Super Light Sport).
The SLS in real life has to have one of the BEST presences in the world. For me, nothing even comes close. My heart literally beats faster when I see it. It's actually breathtaking.
 
Indeed. It looks like a modern classic, which is exactly what it is. At initial viewing, I think a classic rare sports car is in my line of sight, as new cars just don't have that captivating presence of older cars, then I notice the modernized twists and compliments as well.
 
Or a CL65,and an SLS.

Ohh, i´m close to have the perfect fleet, just change to 63 :D

Ok, besides of this, the SLS IRL is still a stunner!
I have everytime i see my Alubeam-Beast raised pulse and it takes a few kilometers to calm down (overall already 5000 Km behind me).
I never expected the SLS to be so much faster than the CL63.
I´m always surprised, that the people still take pictures when i drive around.
I never felt sorry about spending the money for it.
I now understand, that the SLS Roadster and the upcoming new SL are absolutely no competitors.
I never will sell this car (I hope :D )

Ok, this list can be continued endlessly, but there are some things i have to get over with as an early adopter: There have been many little modifications made in the first year, one thing i´m really not happy about is the new adjustable suspension, wich was not available when i bought it.

But hey, in Germany we say: This is complaining on a high level ;)
cu
 
spotted somewhere in the middle of America recently ;)
 

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AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension for Mercedes SLS AMG now available


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AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension with adaptive damping: New optional extras for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Groß-Dölln/Affalterbach, Sep 09, 2011

Groß-Dölln/Affalterbach - The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is now even more attractive and individual. The new high-tech option of the AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension with adaptive damping combines concerted performance-orientation with optimal comfort on long journeys. Blind Spot Assist improves active safety on board the gull-wing model. Further optional features such as AMG 10-spoke forged wheels painted in matt black, red-painted brake callipers or AMG high-gloss black trim make for even more exclusivity.

A glance at the centre console of the SLS AMG not only reveals the stylishly designed, new E-SELECT lever with its embossed AMG emblem, but also a new shock absorber symbol in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. This key symbolises the new AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension with variable, electronically controlled damping. Depending on the driving situation, speed and road surface conditions, this optional system almost instantly varies the damping characteristics and automatically reduces the body roll angles. For the driver this means immediate and variable adaptation between the greatest possible agility and the best possible ride comfort - for any driving style and route.

Maximum individuality: "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus"

A small key with a major effect: pressing the shock absorber symbol allows individual, convenient adjustment of the damping characteristics. There is a choice of three modes: "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus". The currently selected mode is shown in the AMG main menu.

"Comfort" is automatically active whenever the engine is started, and provides a sensitive damper responce with comfort-oriented characteristics. "Comfort" is recommended for cruising at moderate speeds - e.g. in urban traffic or on motorway sections with speed restrictions. But even on poor, bumpy road surfaces, "Comfort" mode will be the first choice of many SLS AMG drivers by virtue of the softer damper setup.

To select "Sport" mode the key in the AMG DRIVE UNIT is pressed once. The left control lamp in the key and the AMG main menu display tell the driver that "Sport" mode has been manually activated. In "Sport" mode the shock absorbers have a tauter response depending on the driving situation, which not only ensures better road contact when driving in a sporty manner, but also more effectively reduces body roll and pitching. In most driving situations, "Sport" mode provides the best compromise between satisfactory suspension comfort, low body movements and high agility.

"Sport plus" is recommended for fast lap times on a race circuit: apart from higher damping forces, this mode has special control algorithms configured for a decidedly sporty driving style on uneven road surfaces. The driver is able to store his personal setup using the AMG key in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. Sustained pressure on the AMG symbol stores the currently selected suspension mode and also the selected transmission mode. As before, the driver has four different transmission modes available: fuel economy mode "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual). Brief pressure on the AMG key quickly and conveniently activates the preferred combination.

With immediate effect, the new AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension is available on request for the SLS AMG Coupé and Roadster. Alternatively the gull-wing model is available with the basic AMG suspension or the AMG Performance suspension, both without variable damping characteristics.

Numerous parameters monitored by electronics

The electronic damper control is based on acceleration sensors which register dynamic vehicle body and wheel movements, both absolutely and in relation to each other. Other factors relevant to the driving dynamics, such as drive and braking moments, the steering angle and lateral/linear acceleration are continuously registered and evaluated. The current vehicle speed, wheel rotation speeds and selected gear ratios are also continuously analysed. High-performance control electronics in permanent dialogue with the engine and transmission control unit ensure that the forces of the four newly developed shock absorbers are adapted practically instantly.

Depending on the selected suspension mode, different control configurations and parameter weightings are active to strike the best possible balance between comfort and dynamic performance. Electromagnetically actuated valves in the shock absorbers control the oil flow between the lower and upper chamber. In "Comfort" mode more oil flows through the valves, and less in "Sport" and "Sport plus" mode.

Double wishbone suspension of forged aluminium

All four wheels are located on double wishbones with a track rod, a technology that has proven itself in motor racing right through to Formula 1. With a double-wishbone axle, the wheel location and suspension functions remain separate; the spring/damper struts are supported on the lower wishbone. The double-wishbone concept with its high camber and track rigidity positively locates the wheel with minimal elastic movements, providing the driver with an optimum sense of road contact when driving at the limits.

Wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers at the front and rear are made entirely from forged aluminium - substantially reducing the unsprung masses; this configuration also notably improves the suspension response. The long wheelbase of 2680 millimetres not only results in outstanding straight-line stability but also low wheel load shifts, significantly reducing the vehicle's tendency to dive and squat when braking and accelerating. The broad track width - front 1682, rear 1653 millimetres - ensures lower shifts in the wheel loads from the inner to the outer wheel when cornering, enabling the tyres to retain more grip.

The chosen solution with a front-mid-engine plus transaxle configuration ensures an ideal front/rear weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent. Mounting the engine behind the front axle has created the ideal conditions for consummate driving dynamics with precise steering, first-class agility, low inertia with spontaneous directional changes and outstanding traction.

Direct steering, differential lock and 3-stage ESP®

The rack-and-pinion steering gear provides a consistently direct steering feel with a constant mechanical ratio of 13.6:1, in tune with the high expectations placed on a super sports car. The power steering provides speed-sensitive assistance and improves feedback for the driver as the road speed increases: an indispensable factor for high-speed straight-line driving. Mounting the steering gear in front of the engine on the integral subframe enables the engine to be set down very low. The SLS AMG comes with 3-stage ESP® as standard, providing the driver with access to the three "ESP ON", "SPORT Handling mode" and "ESP OFF" modes at the touch of a button. In "ESP OFF" mode too, vigorously operating the brake pedal restores all the normal ESP® functions.

The acceleration skid control (ASR) system's traction logic is active in all three ESP® modes. If one of the drive wheels starts to spin, specific brake pressure is applied to improve traction significantly - especially in conjunction with the standard-fit mechanical multi-disc limited-slip differential. This means that the engine power is transferred to the road even more effectively when driving in a particularly dynamic style.

Blind Spot Assist increases active safety

The new, optionally available Blind Spot Assist is able to increase active safety. This visual and acoustic warning system uses the close-range radar sensors of the standard PARKTRONIC system to recognise vehicles in good time where visibility is restricted. When the system registers another vehicle in the blind spot, this is indicated to the driver by a red triangle lighting up in the relevant exterior mirror. An acoustic warning also sounds if the driver operates the indicators despite the visual warning.

Blind Spot Assist is operational from a speed of 30 km/h. It monitors the area around the vehicle to a distance of around 3.5 metres on each side and three metres beyond the rear. Vehicles in the process of overtaking are shown immediately when they enter the monitored area of the difference in relative speeds between the two vehicles is not more than 16 km/h. Vehicles that have just been overtaken are however shown with a delay of 1.5 seconds after entering the monitored area, thus preventing distraction by unnecessary warnings.

New optional appointments for more style and design

Available as an optional extra, the car's visual appearance is enhanced by weight-optimised AMG 10-spoke forged wheels shod with tyres in size 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear). Their matt black paint finish corresponds perfectly with the high-sheen rim flange. Optional red-painted brake callipers all-round provide a further visual highlight.

Single-tone or two-tone designo leather in espresso brown is available as a new interior colour - this dark shade of brown perfectly matches the new metallic paint finish AMG Sepang brown. New AMG high-gloss black trim (optional) is an exclusive alternative to the standard centre conslole in solid metal or the optional carbon-fibre trim.
All prices for the new features at a glance (incl. 19 % VAT):


•AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension with adaptive damping: € 2320.50
•AMG 10-spoke forged wheels with matt black paint finish and high-sheen rim flange: € 3272.50


•Red-painted brake callipers: € 714.20
•Blind Spot Assist: € 773.50
•AMG Sepang brown metallic: € 2439.50
•AMG high-gloss black trim: € 2320

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AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension for Mercedes SLS AMG now available
 
^^^ Exactly. No reason that the E class and C class have a color center screen and the SLS doesn't.
 


Officials at Mercedes-Benz’s in-house tuner AMG have confirmed to Motor Trend that the street-legal version of the SLS AMG GT3 racer will not come to the U.S. We’re also told that the company is still debating bringing the SLS E-Cell to America. They also confirmed that a hardcore Black Series version of SLS is in the works.

“We absolutely have to do a Black Series” SLS AMG, Member of the Board of Directors and Head of Vehicle Development for AMG, Tobias Moers, told Motor Trend.

The other hardcore SLS variant, the upcoming street-legal version of the GT3 racecar, is not coming to America, Moers said. While it’s needed for homologation in Europe, it doesn’t race in the U.S. so it isn’t essential. AMG doesn’t think the low potential sales volume justifies the massive expense of re-certifying the car for the U.S. market.

It’s a similar issue for the upcoming SLS E-Cell electric sports car. Mercedes plans to launch the car in 2012 as a 2013 model in Europe but hasn’t decided whether the car will head to our shores. The company is again concerned about the low predicted volume and the cost of certifying the car. The price hasnt been announced but Moers says it will certainly be less than double the standard car’s price, but how much less is still unknown. We’d guess anywhere between $250,000 and $350,000 is realistic.

“AMG does not do money losing projects,” Moers said. “We can’t afford to.”

The E-Cell replaces the engine and related equipment in the standard SLS with a carbon-fiber battery cell running up the middle of the car between the seats. The battery and electric motor are expected to add 1100 to 1300 pounds to the curb weight, but weight savings in other areas could offset the gain by 175 to 220 pounds. Mercedes is targeting a curb weight of no more than 4400 pounds. Moers says the advantage of a lower center of gravity thanks to the battery helps offset the weight gain’s effects on the handling.

“The E-Cell is not far away from the standard SLS on the track,” he said.

The massive battery will power an electric motor at the rear axle with an estimated 525 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The motor is being co-developed with High Performance Engines, Mercedes’ F1 engine builder and the only engine builder to win an F1 World Championship with a KERS system.

Mercedes says its battery will be able to handle repeated charging with a Level 3 440-volt power supply, something other companies have indicated could damage a battery over time. Mercedes says its liquid cooling system will protect the battery and in fact the company has been charging prototypes on 440-volt power for over a year with no ill effects.

On the other end of the spectrum, Mercedes is also concerned about how customers experience the E-Cell. The car will make some kind of noise, but not a spaceship sound. Moers says it needs to have a deep, low-frequency sound befitting an AMG. He said they might introduce some vibration to the otherwise smooth car to give the driver more emotional feedback.

Both gullwing and Roadster variants of the E-Cell are being developed, but whether they will roll out together or separately depends on customer demand. In the meantime, Mercedes is busy courting current and prospective Tesla owners and getting their feedback on what the high-performance electric car buyer wants.

Read more: Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series in Works, GT3 Version Not for U.S., E-Cell Unclear - WOT on Motor Trend


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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach. Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes and Carl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile. The slogan for the brand is "the best or nothing".
Official website: Mercedes-Benz (Global), Mercedes-Benz (USA)

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