2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: New photos

Mercedes-Benz is using the long holiday weekend in America to tantalize enthusiasts with fresh photographs of the 2012 SLS AMG roadster.

We've seen this car with the top up, or in a less revealing manner, but these new shots show the true potential of this instant open-air icon. Weekend food for thought while driving your lesser convertible, no?

The roadster arrives this fall in the United States and will pack 563 hp from AMG's 6.2-liter V8, which also produces 479 lb-ft of twist. All of this juice enables this Benz to hit 60 mph in 3.7 en route to a top speed of 197 mph.

Also vital, the soft top can be electrohydraulically closed at speeds of up to 31 mph, a task accomplished in 11 seconds.

The roadster is the companion to already-launched gullwing version of the SLS, which harkens back to Mercedes' dream sports cars of the 1950s.

PRESS RELEASE

The 2012MY Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Open sensuality: roadster performance

in its perfect form

MONTVALE, NJ – AMG is presenting a new dream-car: the 2012MY SLS AMG Roadster. This super sports car thrills with a perfect combination of open-top driving pleasure, outstanding driving dynamics and sophisticated lightweight construction. The 2012 SLS AMG Roadster will make its U.S. debut in Fall 2011.

The technological highlights of the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster include an aluminum spaceframe body, an AMG 6.3-liter V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication developing a peak output of 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque, a seven-speed dual clutch transaxle transmission and a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones – all of which will raise the pulse of sports car enthusiasts while providing outstanding driving dynamics and driving pleasure.

The compact fabric soft top of the SLS AMG Roadster opens and closes in just eleven seconds, and can be operated on the move at speeds up to 31 mph.

The new Adaptive AMG Sport Suspension with electronically controlled damping is available as an attractive optional extra. It enables the damping characteristics to be modified at the touch of a button. Using the AMG DRIVE UNIT, the driver of the SLS AMG Roadster is therefore able to choose his own suspension setup. Three modes are available: "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus".

"AMG Performance Media" is a unique new feature: this innovative, motorsport- inspired multimedia system offers an unrivalled combination of numerous telemetric displays such as lateral and linear acceleration, various engine data and lap times on a racetrack.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "The SLS Roadster is a super sports car, cruiser and highly desirable dream-car all in one. In its distinctive way, it continues the succession of iconic and exciting sports cars from Mercedes-Benz."

Ola K

By Greg Migliore