Whilst Mercedes’ PR machine will be busy showing off their new SLS AMG Gullwing this weekend at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, our spies have caught their engineers putting its convertible sibling through its paces at the Nurburgring. See it in our video player below.
Haven’t we seen the Mercedes SLS roadster before?
CAR brought you spy shots of the SLS roadster in May 2010, but this is the first time we have been able to see and hear it in action. Mercedes’ engineers are keen to retain the coupé’s strength and rigidity, hence the punishing laps; there’s even a hint of a nervous shimmy out of the corners as the test drivers try to keep the big V8-engined supercar in check. A pared-back boulevard cruiser this is not.
Aside from the fully electric fabric roof and now-conventional doors, the SLS roadster will share all mechanical aspects with the Gullwing, including that engine, coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Look out for the new Mercedes SLS at the Goodwood hillclimb this weekend at the Festival of Speed. CAR Online will be there providing you with the very latest news, pictures and insider information from the festival.