Mercedes-Benz Gullwing to set motor show pulses racing

Making its Middle East premiere at the December show, the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will come to market in the spring of 2010 and will serve up an exciting proposition with its unique technology package of an aluminium space-frame body with gullwing doors and the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine developing 571 hp peak output and dry sump lubrication.

"The SLS AMG is emotion pure and simple for the Mercedes-Benz brand and will become one of the most alluring sports cars of our era", says Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes- Benz Cars Middle East.

"Our loyal Middle East customers will experience with the SLS AMG the expertise of our sports car manufacturer Mercedes-AMG, built up over 40 years of motor racing, along with the kind of scintillating design that only a top athlete from the Mercedes-Benz stable can offer," he added.

The newly developed bodyshell comprises an aluminium space frame which, naturally, meets all the requirements in terms of passive safety and the hallmark Mercedes-Benz body quality that applies to any car sporting the Mercedes-Benz star. Despite the low sitting position in typical sports car fashion, the wide-opening gullwing doors make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle.

The fine-tuned AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine achieves a peak output of 571 hp at 6800 rpm, thus turning the SLS AMG into one of the most powerful sports cars in its segment. A power-to-weight ratio of 2.84 kg/hp comes courtesy of the low vehicle weight. The eight-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine delivers maximum torque of 650 Nm at 4750 rpm. The 'Gullwing' accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a provisional top speed of 315 km/h.

Also making its first appearance in the region will be a special Middle East-only version of the much-loved G-Class SUV that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Limited to just 79 vehicles - to mark the 1979 date of production - this G-Class will come in G55 AMG guise and feature special mango allanite grey paintwork, 19 inch titanium finish alloy wheels and a unique interior that will make this regional best seller even more desirable.

Mercedes-Benz will display 17 cars on its stand, highlighting its sporty range of AMG models but will also show off its 'green' credentials with the S400, the first series production car to feature a hybrid drive system with a lithium-ion battery to go on sale in the Middle East & Levant.