Baby SLS Gets Green Light



After the first indication last week Mercedes-Benz has given its AMG division the green light for a second stand-alone model to sit alongside the new SLS. The new two-seater will be cheaper and much smaller than the SLS. It will arrive in showrooms in 2013.

“Mercedes’ management has been very supportive of AMG’s efforts in developing the SLS,” a senior official indicated to Autocar. “The feedback we’ve received since showing the car at the Frankfurt motor show has been extremely encouraging. A second model that will project a similarly exclusive image but be more accessible in terms of its pricing is already in planning.”

It is said that the ‘baby’ SLS will encapsulate the spirit of the 1928 SSK, whose name is taken from the German words Super Sport Kurz (‘kurz’ means ‘short’). The new AMG will come in a choice of two body styles: coupé and roadster – preferably with a cloth roof to keep weight down. The SLS’s gullwing doors will be absent in the design and be replaced by ‘normal’ doors.

The setup consists of a lightweight aluminium spaceframe and double wishbone suspension. The engine is an all-new 500bhp twin-turbocharged 5.4-litre V8 engine, currently developed for the upcoming CLS55 AMG. It is placed in a front-mid arrangement and will drive the rear wheels via a seven-speed double-clutch transaxle and locking differential. Performance benchmark is Porsche’s 911 Carrera S. That would mean 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of around 180mph.

Priced from £80,000 – a price difference of £70,000 with the SLS – its main rivals will be the Porsche 911 and Audi R8.

Autocar also indicates a full electric version of the new car is being planned, employing a similar set-up to the SLS eDrive, with four in-wheel motors and lithium ion batteries. It should provide a range of up to 112 miles on a single charge, with 0-62mph acceleration in under 4.0sec and a top speed of 120mph.

 

This sounds like a bad idea. When most car company's are scaling down their model line ups, Benz decides to make another one, one that competes with its own models for sales. So if this baby SLS makes production, where does that leave the SL? Or more closely the SL65? As if MB really needs another two door car in the lineup, the SLS, SLK, CL, SL, E Coupe, soon to be C coupe and even rumblings of bringing back the CLK as an in between model to the E and C coupes.

Here's an idea MB. Just detune the SLS giving it a lower base price and make two models out of it, one a "stock" version and the other an AMG version. No need to make a whole new car and you will still get new sales. Ala Corvette, Z06, ZR1, seems to be working for GM.

 

Mario Spitzner, head of AMG, denied any chance of a baby SLS at the LA Auto AMG reception...He said, "Why would you make a copy of a signature automobile". He did however say the SLS E-drive is definitely going to happen...

 

Well, this is a disappointment! I would look forward to a more compact (measurement-wise) sports car from Mercedes. There is nothing wrong with variety, so long as core lines continue as strong as always. After all, you buy your chosen model, not the family ties.

 

looks too much like a bmw z8 to me

 

The Z8 looked good but would have been more of a success if it had performed well. The SLS performs well but would be more of success if it looked better. I think this SSK is the right car.

AMG always seems to get it better the second time around: the CLK 63 Black Series is cheaper yet more rewarding to drive that its CLK DTM forefather.

Please, Damiler, make this SSK happen. And give it a moonroof! That would steal sales from all Aston Martins, Porsche Caymans, Bentleys etc.

 

+1000

especially the "moonroof"