Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT (2013)
The last years name SLS AMG has been upgraded to SLS AMG GT, other than that there are very little changes. A slight leap in the horsepower, better tuned suspension, few styling touches and more standard equipment are among the changes.
Introduction
The changes to the 2013 SLS AMG GT are almost invisible to the eyes of ordinary people. It might take a trained and keen eye of a Mercedes-Benz historian to notice the minor changes given to the grille, headlamps and taillights. Under the hood Mercedes has given the SLS AMG GT around 120 adjustments which has resulted in a boost of horsepower by 20.
The SLS AMG GT according to tradition is designed and hand built by the high-performance team of the company. The 6.2 liter V8 provides 583 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. AMG has a well tuned seven-speed automated manual transmission which gives short and smooth shifts.
The SLS’s suspension has been recalibrated making the springs stiffer. This has made the ride firm however the SLS is quite a good ride as a sports car. Along with all this the interior materials and quality has being preserved at high levels expected from Mercedes.
However for people who are willing to buy at this rates there are more exciting cars out in the market such as Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C and Audi R8 V10.
Trim level options
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT comes as a coupe as well as a convertible. Standard features include all the typical features, some of the features that stand out are the blind-spot monitoring system and auto-dimming mirrors.
New options included this year are; different forged alloy wheels, carbon ceramic brakes, a wide range of carbon-fiber parts (both exterior and interior), interior color combination options, improved leather options.
Power and Performance
The 6.2 liter V8 produces 583 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is from a seven-speed manual gearbox which comes with aluminum shift paddles that are mounted on the steering wheel.
The performance of the SLS AMG GT is heart pounding. 0 to 60 in just 4.0 seconds. Estimated fuel consumption is 13 mpg in the city, 19 mpg in highway and 15 mpg in average.
Safety
SLS AMG GT comes with the standard safety features which include antilock disk brakes, stability control, traction control, airbags (side, side curtain, head protection, knee airbags) and blind spot monitoring. Also the SLS AMG is armed with the “mbrace” which is the emergency telematics system of Mercedes.
Interior
The coupe is equipped with doors that swing upward and the roadster features hinged doors. The high and wide still makes it pretty hard to get inside and lower yourself into the seat.
The full interior houses fine leather workmanship in line with the tradition of Mercedes. Driving space and seating position is very good. The coupe has 6.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity where as the roadster has 6.1 cubic feet. The roadster is able to raise or lower the top at any speed lower than 30 mph within 10 seconds.
Driving feel
Mercedes SLS AMG GT is a combination of an engine of a muscle car, balance of a sports car and look and feel of a classic. Which means SLS is quite the catch to a driving enthusiast.
The SLS AMG GT has proven to be trickier to handle than its competitors such as Audi R8 and Porsche 911 GT3. The stability control of the SLS AMG GT should be left entirely on or at least on “ESC Sport” in order to keep control of the vehicle.
The V8 engine of the SLS roars making an exotic sound with a strong disjointed rumble. The SLS is amazingly able to be very tame and quiet and relaxed and quickly change from that in the manual shift mode to a race car like feel.
