| Vehicle | |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | SLS AMG |
| Style | 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl 7A) |
| Base MSRP | $185,800 |
| Options on test vehicle | Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System ($6,400 -- includes dual subwoofers, illuminated tweeters and 1,000 watts); Carbon Fiber Trim ($4,500); Design Mago Alanite Grey Paint ($3,950); AMG 10-Spoke Wheels ($2,400); Alcantara Steering Wheel |
| As-tested MSRP | $203,500 |
| Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Rear-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | V8 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 6,208cc (379 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 11.3 |
| Redline (rpm) | 7,200 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 563 @ 6,800 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 479 @ 4,750 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission type | Seven-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=3.40; II=2.19; III=1.63; IV=1.29; V=1.03; VI=0.84; VII=0.72; R=2.79; Final=3.67 |
| Chassis | |
|---|---|
| Suspension, front | Double wishbone |
| Suspension, rear | Double wishbone |
| Steering type | Speed-proportional power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 13.1 |
| Tire brand | Continental |
| Tire model | Contisport Contact 5P |
| Tire type | Regular Summer |
| Tire size, front | 265/35 ZR19 P 98Y |
| Tire size, rear | 295/30 ZR20 P 101Y |
| Wheel size | 19-by-9.5 inches front -- 20-by-11 inches rear |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Ceramic disc |
| Track Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 1.7 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 2.6 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 3.8 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 5.2 |
| 1/4-mile, mfr. claim (sec. @ mph) | 11.6 @ 122.7 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 3.5 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 25 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 98 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 67.6 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.96 |
| Test Driver Ratings & Comments | |
|---|---|
| Acceleration comments | Even default mode in Drive, the SLS is deceptively quick and obviously fast. Speed comes on gradually then piles on endlessly. Once "RS" is selected, the car rolls slightly off the line, allows slight wheelspin and it cuts 3/10 from 0-60 and about as much from the quarter-mile time (trap remains the same). Upshifts in S+ are very quick but not harsh at all. Manual mode offers shift lights, but proved slower. Wheelspin with ESC off was virtually impossible. |
| Braking rating | Excellent |
| Braking comments | Immediate bite and crazy effectiveness. Flat, short, consistent, straight, amazing. Pedal effort remained moderate-to-high, but not brutal. |
| Handling rating | Very Good |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: ESC off and resolute understeer sets in -- lifting the throttle diminishes it, but the car doesn't rotate as a result. With ESC Sport, the understeer goes away and I could feel the rear stepping out slightly all the way around. Funny thing is, I couldn't detect/feel any brake application. Steering is magical, delicate and informative. Excellent weight and response. Slalom: This is a tough car to slalom -- it's obviously tuned to drive/steer from the rear and you must enter slowly and gradually squeeze the throttle to keep the rear planted. Otherwise, it gets loose, I catch it, but find myself late at the next cone. With ESC Sport, however, the car feels reined in and electronically limited (mostly closing throttle). The result is you can't steer it with throttle. |
| Testing Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 67.81 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 20.19 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 11.4, crosswind |
| Fuel Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 22.5 |
| Dimensions & Capacities | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,571 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,787 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 46.7/53.3 |
| Length (in.) | 182.6 |
| Width (in.) | 76.3 |
| Height (in.) | 49.3 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 105.5 |
| Track, front (in.) | 66.2 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 65.1 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 39.0 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.7 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.1 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 58.4 |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 6.2 |
| Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | Unlimited |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Free for first 3,000 miles |
| Safety | |
|---|---|
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front |
| Knee airbags | Dual front |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Pre-collision safety system |
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