HARTFORD, Conn., June 6, 2011 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Already an object of envy and lust among auto enthusiasts, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar is causing a stir as the first official pictures of its new topless body circulate the internet. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships like New Country Mercedes-Benz this fall.
By shedding its trademark gull-wing doors and donning a folding fabric top, the newest Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is following the path of the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL that inspired it, starting as a hardcore racer and then opening up as a convertible. The 2012 SLS AMG Roadster will share most of the features of its hardtop namesake, including the raucous exhaust note and road-gripping handling.
“The SLS AMG Roadster captures the spirit of the classic 300SL Roadster in a way that does justice to the impressive pedigree of the Mercedes-Benz brand,” said M. Todd Pancavage, general manager of New Country Mercedes-Benz, a Hartford, Connecticut Mercedes-Benz dealer. “That said, the SLS AMG Roadster won’t ever be confused with its original inspiration; its incredible supercar performance was inconceivable in the 1950s.”
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster will be powered by the same fire-breathing 6.2-liter V8 found in the coupe. Paired with a seven-speed transaxle, the convertible supercar’s 563-horsepower powerplant can accelerate it from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and upward to an electronically limited top speed of 197 mph. Bringing the car back down to legal speeds is a task expertly handled by the optional ceramic brakes with red-painted calipers.
Of course, the main appeal of buying the SLS AMG Roadster instead of the coupe is the convertible top, which comes with a heated glass rear window and is available in black, red or beige. The car’s top comes down in roughly 11 seconds and at speeds of up to 31 mph, opening the leather-upholstered interior to the sun. Hartford Mercedes-Benz customers that want the top down this autumn will have no problem staying warm with the Roadster’s optional AirScarf heating system, which blows warm air around the occupant’s neck from vents in the headrests.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster’s abundance of features and top-level performance do come at a price, and sources are saying the vehicle will likely be priced around $200,000 when it debuts. Car buyers that want open-air style and luxury in a more conservative package can turn to less expensive Mercedes-Benz convertibles available throughout the automaker’s lineup, like the 2011 E-Class Cabriolet.
With room for four passengers, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class whisks along its occupants with one of two powerful yet efficient drivetrains. The E350 Cabriolet packs in a refined 268-horsepower V6 that returns 25 mpg on the highway, while the more powerful E550 Cabriolet features a 382-horsepower V8 that still manages to deliver 22 mpg on the highway.
“There are a lot of choices for the Mercedes-Benz fan looking for fun in the sun, ranging from four-seaters to supercars,” Pancavage added. “The SLS AMG Roadster is the bad boy of the lineup and unapologetically fast. Meanwhile, the E-Class Cabriolet is the perfect vehicle for Connecticut drivers who can’t afford a supercar but who still want to embrace summer driving in the best possible way.”
About New Country Mercedes-Benz:
New Country Mercedes-Benz is a premier Connecticut Mercedes-Benz dealership, and they’ve proved their excellence by receiving the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best award for 2010. They have an impressive selection of new and used Mercedes-Benz models to choose from, and their skilled service technicians ensure Mercedes-Benz owners get the most out of their vehicles. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group family of dealerships, New Country Mercedes-Benz is located at One Weston Street in Hartford, Conn. They can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewCountryMercedesBenz , reached by phone at 888-267-2959, and their extensive Mercedes-Benz inventory can be viewed at www.newcountrymercedes.com.
Media Contact:
Robert Maizner, of New Country Motor Car Group, 518-584-7700
