Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

At a glance: technical highlights* of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Aluminium spaceframe: this design realised for the first time by Mercedes-Benz combines intelligent lightweight construction with great strength – thereby supporting the outstanding driving dynamics of the SLS AMG. The bodyshell weighs a mere 241 kilograms.

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Adaptive front airbags: the front airbags can deploy in two stages, depending on the severity of the impact.

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Aerodynamic balance: the SLS AMG combines optimum handling stability with a low drag coefficient and low wind noise.

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AMG alubeam silver: this new process - a world first - makes the paint finish shine like liquid metal, with specific light reflections that give even more life to the painted surface. Thius effect is made possible by microscopic, 30 to 50-nanometer small pigment particles.

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AMG DRIVE UNIT: integrated into this are the rotary control for the transmission modes, the engine starter button and keys for the ESP® functions, the AMG memory function and the extendable rear aerofoil.

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Bi-xenon headlamps: gas-discharge lamps for low and main beam improve safety at night.

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Carbon-fibre drive shaft: as in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM racing touring cars, the drive shaft is of carbon-fibre. Although the shaft has to transfer 650 newton metres of torque from the engine to the double-declutch transmission, it weighs only 4.7 kilograms.

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Differential lock: the mechanical multi-plate differential lock ensures improved traction in any road conditions.

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Diffusor: integrated into the rear bumper, the diffusor directs the airflow from the underfloor upwards, acting together with the aerofoil to prevent unwanted uplift at the rear axle.

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Double-declutch transmission: the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7‑speed sports transmission has four driving modes including the RACE START function. Other attributes: fast gearshift response with virtually no interruption in tractive power, a tailor-made control strategy and increased gearshifting comfort.

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Double wishbone suspension: with this technology familiar from motor racing, the wheel location and suspension functions are separate.

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E-SELECT lever: its shape is reminiscent of a jet plane's thrust control. The driver is conveniently able to change between R, N and D by touch-control of the drive-by-wire system.

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3-stage ESP®: the three modes "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT" and "ESP OFF" are available at the touch of a button.

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Flow-formed light-alloy wheels: the manufacturing process allows lower wall thicknesses in the area of the rim base, while improving long-term rigidity. The weight saving versus conventional light-alloy wheels is around 1.1 kilograms per wheel.

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Gullwing doors: with an opening angle of 70 degrees, the unique gullwing doors allow convenient access and egress.

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Front-mid-engine: the AMG V8 engine installed behind the front axle provides the ideal conditions for perfect handling dynamics, with precise self-steering characteristics, first-class agility, low inertia during fast directional changes and outstanding traction.

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Generator management: whenever the engine is on the overrun, kinetic energy is used to charge the battery rather than being uselessly converted to heat in the usual way. Conversely, the generator is switched to load-free mode when accelerating, which relieves the engine load. The result is a reduction in fuel consumption.

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Smooth underbody: the almost completely panelled underbody reduces aerodynamic drag and helps to avoid uplift at the rear axle.

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Rear aerofoil: attractively integrated into the boot lid, the aerofoil extends at 120 km/h aus and avoids unwanted uplift at the rear axle.

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High-performance composite braking system: with this composite technology derived from motor racing, the grey cast iron discs are mounted on an aluminium bowl. This ensures perfect heat conduction and first-class fade resistance even in the gruelling conditions of the racetrack.

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LED gearshift indicator: seven LEDs coloured white, yellow and red indicate the need for an upshift if the SLS AMG driver has selected the manual transmission mode and the engine speed is approaching its maximum.

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High-performance ceramic composite braking system: by virtue of their greater hardness, the ceramic brake discs have even higher temperature resistance, and also contribute the benefits of 40 percent less weight.

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Kneebag: in the event of a frontal impact, an additional airbag can help to protect the legs of the vehicle occupants.

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Twin-wire arc spray coating (LDS): the advantages of this technology patented and exclusively used by AMG are extremely low friction and wear, as well as long-term durability of the cylinder walls.

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Magnesium backrests: the backrests of the sports seats are of magnesium, a high-tech material that excels with low weight and high strength. This has considerable advantages in terms of the weight balance and a lower centre of gravity.

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Matt paint finishes: with their matt silk surface, "designo magno allanite grey" and "AMG monza grey magno" reinforce the sporty character of the Gullwing model through specific contouring of the crease lines.

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Performance suspension: with an approx. ten percent stiffer spring setup and 30 percent stiffer damper setup, the Performance suspension is recommended for the racetrack.

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Forged pistons: the eight forged pistons of the AMG M159 engine weight a total of 0.5 kilograms less than the cast pistons of the basic M156 engine.

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Forged wheels: forged AMG light-alloy wheels are 14 percent lighter than the Flow Forming wheels fitted as standard, thereby reducing the unsprung mases even further.

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Tubular steel exhaust headers: with their precisely coordinated tube lengths, these improve the gas cycles for a considerable increase in output and torque. These exhaust headers are another technology borrowed from motor sports.

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Superplastic forming: this enables multi-part components to be dispensed with during the production process for the outer door skin and interior. This not only saves weight, but also simplifies the production process.

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Surround sound system: the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1 provides an exclusive listening experience at the highest level. The system has an amplifier with a total output of 1000 watts, 11 loudspeakers and a digital sound processor.

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Transaxle arrangement: locating the double-declutch transmission at the rear axle allows a weight distribution of 47 percent (front) and 53 percent (rear) which benefits handling dynamics.

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Dry sump lubrication: this technology derived from motor racing allows a lower installed position for the V8 engine. As a positive side-effect, the engine is reliably lubricated even under the high lateral acceleration encountered on the racetrack.

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Topology optimisation: the cast components of the aluminium spaceframe are specifically weight-optimised: ribbed structures precisely follow the force paths, and wall thicknesses are reduced to a minimum in less highly stressed areas.

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Torque tube: this forms a rigid connection between the engine and transmission, ensuring the best possible transfer of forces.

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Ultra-high strength, hot-formed steel: this is used in the A‑pillars to improve occupant safety even further.

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Four-way lumbar supports: these provide the driver and passenger with effective lower back support.

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Two-zone seat cushions: prominent side bolsters with a harder foam filling provide optimal lateral support, while the inner areas of the seat cushion and backrest are softer for a high level of comfort on long journeys.

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