far2000
AMG Aficionado
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG arrives in SA
http://www.topcar.co.za/sites/default/files/publish/SLS_AMG-F3Q.jpg
Climbing into the SLS for the first time is a unique experience. The hole in the roof vacated by the up-swinging door makes entry easier than you think. Still, you have a high sill to negotiate, while also not forgetting to grab the door handle on your way down. Once settled in the powered, very supportive AMG sports seat, cabin space is impressive. Many concave surfaces and a double-recessed roof help here. Merc-o-philes will feel instantly at ease with the high number of components common to lesser Mercs, but bespoke air vents, aircraft-style E-SELECT gear lever and a radically sportier dash layout mean it’s still a bit of an occasion. I’d recommend opting for the interior carbonfibre trim at R34 000 as the regular silver plastic centre section doesn’t look special enough. Keyless-go is standard as is the hefty prod in the back that accompanies stamping on the throttle. There’s urge in any gear and virtually right through the rev range too, but paddle shift down a couple of gears, try to hit the thicker indicator stalk instead of setting the cruise control and overtaking is a blast. Your lips curl up at the ends as your ears process the increasingly insistent protestations of an angry V8 – few engines sound as gloriously indulgent. Despite this, Mercedes claim a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 13.2 litres/100km.
Although a Sports suspension is available, where an additional R25 000 buys you stiffer springs and firmer damping, the standard setup is just fine. It offers a well-judged compromise that won’t dislodge teeth or puncture lungs yet will still allow you to fling the SLS into fast corners with absolute confidence.
Standard specification levels are impressive and include things like a reversing camera, full hard disk-based navigation, 6-disk DVD changer, 6GB of audio memory, Bi-xenon headlamps and heated seats. From the unusually short list of optional extras, carbon ceramic brakes at R140 000 and liquid-effect AMG Alubeam silver paint at R125 000 really stand out. Whether they’re worth the extra depends on how much you’d like to shine at braking. More seriously I’d go standard brakes and shell out R50 000 for one of the two designo magno matte paint options.
Much like the Audi R8, driving the SLS AMG is not a daunting prospect. The fact is, it’s as easy to drive as a C-Class and it’ll flatter you all day long. It offers gullwing drama and genuine supercars thrills in a brilliantly engineered package, backed by the hefty brand value and rock-solid ownership aspects associated with the three-pointed star. Naturally Merc’s MobiloDrive 120 maintenance plan is included. At a ‘mere’ R2,45m, this year’s allocation of just over 50 units is already spoken for, with the possibility of more arriving early next year. Get your order in now.
http://www.topcar.co.za/sites/default/files/publish/SLS_AMG-F3Q.jpg
Climbing into the SLS for the first time is a unique experience. The hole in the roof vacated by the up-swinging door makes entry easier than you think. Still, you have a high sill to negotiate, while also not forgetting to grab the door handle on your way down. Once settled in the powered, very supportive AMG sports seat, cabin space is impressive. Many concave surfaces and a double-recessed roof help here. Merc-o-philes will feel instantly at ease with the high number of components common to lesser Mercs, but bespoke air vents, aircraft-style E-SELECT gear lever and a radically sportier dash layout mean it’s still a bit of an occasion. I’d recommend opting for the interior carbonfibre trim at R34 000 as the regular silver plastic centre section doesn’t look special enough. Keyless-go is standard as is the hefty prod in the back that accompanies stamping on the throttle. There’s urge in any gear and virtually right through the rev range too, but paddle shift down a couple of gears, try to hit the thicker indicator stalk instead of setting the cruise control and overtaking is a blast. Your lips curl up at the ends as your ears process the increasingly insistent protestations of an angry V8 – few engines sound as gloriously indulgent. Despite this, Mercedes claim a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 13.2 litres/100km.
Although a Sports suspension is available, where an additional R25 000 buys you stiffer springs and firmer damping, the standard setup is just fine. It offers a well-judged compromise that won’t dislodge teeth or puncture lungs yet will still allow you to fling the SLS into fast corners with absolute confidence.
Standard specification levels are impressive and include things like a reversing camera, full hard disk-based navigation, 6-disk DVD changer, 6GB of audio memory, Bi-xenon headlamps and heated seats. From the unusually short list of optional extras, carbon ceramic brakes at R140 000 and liquid-effect AMG Alubeam silver paint at R125 000 really stand out. Whether they’re worth the extra depends on how much you’d like to shine at braking. More seriously I’d go standard brakes and shell out R50 000 for one of the two designo magno matte paint options.
Much like the Audi R8, driving the SLS AMG is not a daunting prospect. The fact is, it’s as easy to drive as a C-Class and it’ll flatter you all day long. It offers gullwing drama and genuine supercars thrills in a brilliantly engineered package, backed by the hefty brand value and rock-solid ownership aspects associated with the three-pointed star. Naturally Merc’s MobiloDrive 120 maintenance plan is included. At a ‘mere’ R2,45m, this year’s allocation of just over 50 units is already spoken for, with the possibility of more arriving early next year. Get your order in now.
