Mercedes unveils one-off SLS and Dubai-spec G55 AMG

Fancy your Mercedes SLS supercar in gold? Then give Merc a call and tell them you're rather keen on this new AMG Desert Gold hue. Unveiled at the 2009 Dubai International Motor Show on a one-off SLS, Mercedes says this gilltering colour scheme will be made available to customers if there's enough demand. Having seen a few gold (and white gold) supercars in the Middle East we reckon production is a dead cert.

Aside from the prolific use of garish gold, black gloss paint also appears on the SLS show car so items like the three-pointed star and wheels come in the contrasting colour. The one-off display model’s interior boasts swathes of carbonfibre and AMG bucket seats, though quite frankly we’re disappointed by the absence of a gold-plated gear knob.

'The premiere of the SLS AMG in AMG Desert Gold at the Dubai International Motor Show is a token of respect for the Middle East,' said Mercedes-AMG CEO Volker Mornhinweg. 'After the USA, Germany and Japan, the Gulf region is the fourth-largest market for AMG.'

Unfortunately not, although power and refinement are hardly lacking. Lurking within the carbonfibre engine compartment beneath the bonnet is the 6.2-litre V8 powerplant from the standard SLS AMG, which churns out 563bhp and 479lb ft - enough to propel the car to 62mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed just shy of 200mph.

Mercedes also displayed a Middle East-only G55 AMG Kompressor, dubbed the 'Edition 79' in reference to the year sales first started. Naturally, just 79 examples will be built, all of them featuring a ‘designo magno alanite grey’ matt finish that is otherwise exclusive to the SLS AMG. There is also a bull bar at the front for bashing lesser mortals out of the way, in addition to carbon-effect exterior trim, 19-inch titanium-finished AMG wheels, plus chrome grilles over the front indicators, rear lights and undertray.

Inside there's plenty of carbonfibre trim, a small plaque denoting each car’s number within the 79-unit production run, and a choice of black or sand-coloured leather seats. There has been no word as yet on how much the G55 Edition 79 will cost but there are sure to be six figures involved, at least two of which will be seven and nine.

By Tim Swietochowski