Spotted: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in Sydney
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Sometimes you are at the right place at the right time. After a busy afternoon I was walking down Martin Place, Sydney towards George St. From the corner of my eye I noticed what looked like the taillight of an SLS as I was crossing Pitt St. As I have been wanting to see this car for quite some time, I had to make a quick detour and see what this exactly was, parked at the Westin Sydney Hotel valet.
As I walked closer, I could see that one of the cars’ doors was open and it was pointing at the Valet ceiling…. YES, it is the mighty SLS AMG!
Out came the camera and the owner and his wife were laughing and told me these were normal scenes for them as wherever they take it, they get quite a bit of attention. No surprise of course, as this car is something rather special, with the unique design, spiritually modelled after the 1950′s Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.
The car was unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 , and the first sales began in Europe in 2010. Now at the start of 2011, the car has finally made its way Down Under and a few have been spotted around the country.
At the Australian International Motor Show 2010 the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Designo Magno Night Black was unveiled to the world, in a stunning matte black with red highlights. This one-off car, the SLS AMG “Blackbird” has its weight reduced by as much as 300kg’s and will be sold to a private owner.
Specifications from Wikipedia:
Data
- Wheelbase: 105.5 in (2680 mm)
- Length 182.6 in (4638 mm)
- Width 76.3 in (1939 mm)
- Height 49.7 in (1262 mm)
- Rims: 9.50 × 19 in (front), 11 × 20 in (rear), forged aluminium
- Tyres: 265/35 R 19 (front), 295/30 R 20 (rear)
- Kerb Weight: 3562.48 lb (1620 kg)
- Power-to-weight ratio: 348 bhp/tonne
- Weight-to-power ratio: 2.78 kg (6.1 lb)/ 1 PS (0.74 kW)
Engine
- M 159, liquid-cooled V8 Four-stroke engine, cylinder bank angle 90°
- Four valves/cylinder, DOHC
- Forged and balanced crankshaft
- Forged pistons
- Two 74 mm (2.91 in) throttles
- Bosch ME 9.7 ECU, electronic fuel injection
- Tubular steel exhaust headers
- Bore x stroke: 102.2 mm (4.02 in) × 94.6 mm (3.72 in)
- Displacement: 378.835 cu in (6.20799 L)
- Power: 571 PS (420 kW; 563 hp) at 6800 rpm
- Power per litre: 92 PS (68 kW; 91 hp)
- Torque: 650 N·m (480 lb·ft) at 4750 rpm
- Torque per litre: 104.7 N·m (77.2 lb·ft)
- Max. 7200 rpm
- Engine lubrication: dry sump
- Weight: 206 kg (450 lb)
