ITALIA all the way I had an SL55 AMG and dumped it after 4 months. Whoever said "pseudo-sports car" totally hit the mark. It was nice looking and luxurious but NOT a sports car. Heck, my daily driver 3 series was so much more fun to drive than the Benz it was depressing
I think this is right. The SLS is more along the lines of the Aston Martin DB9 and the California. Isn't it priced at like $175K in the US? At that price point they can probably sell a lot of them whereas at $225K the California is a reach.
Base price in Europe is something like 177k Euro, without CCM that is. If you add these and some other extras, SLS is not that far away from the 458.
Perhaps the magazine/internet photos of the SLS have been unflattering, but if I am not mistaken, this is a no brainer, whether or not you're an apple or broccoli fan. 458, hands down. The SLS misses the mark entirely. It could have been so much more, but is terribly disproportionate. Again, the gullwing doors are the only 'distinguishing' feature, and if that's what you desire, a DeLorean is a much cheaper option. I love the original 300SL, but this SLS is a horrible looking 'tribute' IMHO... -Tad
LP640 for pretty much the same money as a 458 italia (with some sensible options you're on the same cash IIRC!). the SLS is bloody ugly, what where they thinking! I liked the 458 at first but after seeing the unveiling pics I didn't like it anymore. Maybe the scuderia version will take to my liking... LP640 needs 0 options. Pearl white paint, black/red interior and black hercules wheels is all one needs. no stupid 10K carbon fibre plastered over the engine bay (since it'll literally be a bit of a cover over the 'normal' bay), no satnav, no quadroH20draulic stitching... Just a manual gearbox please.
To me the SLS is a gimmick car. Honestly, it's an embarrassment to the original styling- wize. Nothing about it is superior to the original from a styling point of view. If I were Mercedes, I would have rejected the project. To the contrary, the Italia is fresh. Sure, it follows the typical super car look but there are a lot of innovations in it such as the elimination of side scoops, the flexible vains in the front vents, and the triangulated rear glass deck. Given the Italia's performance, it's difficult to see these two competing. If someone is seriously looking at deciding between these two, it's because they are big fans of Mercedes' AMG cars. I can't see a Ferrari fan even thinking the two were compariable.
How did AMG get the bean counters to spring for a new Getrag 7 speed dual clutch transmission? What was wrong with the old 5 speed transmission already available. So what if there were lots of warranty claims on that transmission. Just tell the service guys to reduce claims submitted or else that nasty word 'audit' will be invoked. Those AMG guys were up to more duplicity when they snuck the 9 pound carbon-fiber drive shaft past the bean counters to. How could they miss that one; it's 5 and a half feet long! Being lazy the bean counters also probably didn't notice they built the SLS out of aluminum. Maybe the bean counters should keep a closer eye on the AMG budget. It seems they did when the styling budget was discussed. AMG spent all their money by the time that only half the styling job was done... CH
So they fitted the kind of thing you expect to find on this kind of car. It's still a lazy crib that exists for no other reason than if you make it look like a classic of old there's a guaranteed number of buyers who'll spring for it.
All 7 speeds are not created equal. SLS is the first Mercedes to use the new dual clutch 7 speed transmission. The SL63 has less horspower than the SLS and can get by with the older 7 speed transmission. The 5 speed transmission is still used for the higher horsepower top of the line SL65AMG model. The 5 speed was also used for the limited SL65AMG Black Series version. CH
To be honest, I feel that may be incorrect. AMG really put their heart and soul into this car. I think it is going to be an amazing car, with Merc's new standard of quality. The interior is beautiful and it looks to be one of the most comfortable interiors out there. With Merc's new Command and the 7-Speed pulled from the SL63, I think this is going to be a big hit! Many people do not like the way it looks, but I think it will grow on everyone. Maybe not as much soul as the Ferrari, but it will be one hell of a car. -Steve
