Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster with B&O sound system, AMG CF exterior and interior trims
Price as tested: CDN$232500
Performance: Remove the Gullwings, Mercedes has beautify the SLS with its a gorgeous ragtop with only added 40 kg to coupe’s curb weight. Given all the additional stiffness needs to add to roadster’s body rigidity, this kind of weight addition on top of the porky weight has to be considered quite amusing by today’s standard. On top of that, roadster still using coupe’s 6.3 liter DOHC 32-valve V8 with a whopping 563 stallion and 479 lb/ft of torque. Having this kind of power is nothing short of amazing by anyone’s standard. Stomp onto SLS’s heavy Mercedes-esque electronic throttle, it takes off like a rocketship with 479 lb/ft of torque. On top of that, along with advanced technology like variable valve timing ensure strong middle to top-end performance. SLS also comes with a handy 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox which works like a champ. Not only does the paddle shifters work, regardless of gears. It has exceptional gear ratios which mated with this AMG powertrain extremely well. Add to the fact that it shifts crisply and smoothly, as any gearbox we expect from the land of Stuggart.
Handling: The main reason for SLS AMG handles so well begins with its near perfect rear-wheel-drive weight distribution. With its front midship engne layout creates close to 50/50 perfect weight distribution, along with a world-class chassis rigidity and superb suspension geometry. It doesn’t come as a surprise SLS AMG handles like a diggin’, both on the track or begging for open roads. The suspension has been calibrated with a sense of suppleness without feeling too bouncy, as it absorbs all the bumps and roughness exceptionally well. The biggest dividend paid by the stiffened roadster body shell, however, its the completely lack of any cowl shakes usually associate with driving a convertible. Even when driven hard over railroad track or expansion joints, SLS roadster remains planted and solid as a rock. While steering still has some usual Mercedes off-center numbness, its already far improved over all the Mercedes steering racks we used to drive. Both the steering response and feedback are on par with anything in exotic car class. Put the AMG Drive Select unit into “Sport” mode, its able to transform SLS from a really good sports car into a great car, by enhancing its suspension to steering to firmer setting. The beauty is none of them have sacificed Mercedes’s usual comfort. The change of setting also change ESP’s instrusiveness to higher degree by allowing some oversteer when throwing it throuugh a corner on a racetrack. Wrap things up, there are minimal body rolls while under to oversteer are well-tempted by all those state-of-the-art technologies.
Brakes: With large 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, SLS stops as well as any world-class sports cars. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feels solid and crisp. ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily is truly an added bonus.
Interior: With the roadster, you won’t need to deal with coupe’s annoying Gullwings. Latter has driven me nuts when its time to close and get into the vehicle. Roadster’s conventional doors make getting in and out much easier. However, roadster’s downside is making SLS’s already tiny trunk even smalller. You better perpare on what to bring on, even a short weekend getaway, because there aren’t much else can fit into this comical trunk.
On top of that, its the same interior as its coupe silibing. That means it looks too much like an E-Class without any exclusivity. Another problem is the annoying navigation system, which is far from anything initutive. On the flip side, instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, while those sports cars are awesomely comfortable.
Conclusion: So, at the end of the day, would I choose an SLS coupe or roadster? I would take this roadster in a heartbeat, simply because it offers none of coupe’s annoying trait while retaining its performance prowess. What really seals the deal for me, is how it handles and stunning looks. Those are enough to justify the premium over its Gullwing silibing.
Competitions:
Audi R8 V10
Ferrari 458
Porsche 911 Turbo S
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5
