An anonymous CAR reader spotted the new Mercedes SLS pounding round the Nurburgring recently – blazing its way round the Nordschleife with a dazzling display of get-outta-my-way day-running LEDs clearly visible under the disguise.
Our man, who requested not to be named, said the V8 sounded pretty damn loud and reported that the SLS was haring past everything else on track that day. It’s only a few weeks since CAR published the first pictures of the SLS (well, official Merc sketches and a handful of interior photos) but the prototypes are still firmly ensconced in layers of disguise panels.
The £135,000 SLS nabs the gullwing door design from the eponymous 1950s star but marries yesteryear style with thoroughly modern engineering:
• 6.2-litre AMG V8
• Front-rear 48-52% weight distribution
• Four modes for the auto gearbox
• Efficiency, Sport, Sports-Plus, Manual
• Aluminium double wishbone suspension
• 0-62mph in 3.8sec, 196mph flat out
When will we see the SLS sans disguise? It’s due to bow in at the September 2009 Frankfurt motor show, with a soft-top roadster version tipped for 2012.
>> Don’t forget you can upload your own scoops and news stories direct to CAR Online by scrolling to the foot of each article page and following the instructions