Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster debuts without Gullwing doors

Mercedes-Benz has released teasers of their all new 2012 SLS AMG Roadster ahead of its official debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The Roadster is nothing but the SLS Coupe sans the fancy gullwing doors, loosely based on the legendary 300 SL Roadster.

The engine is the same AMG 6.3-litre V8 developing upto 563 hp and 650 Nm of torque, mated to the same seven-speed dual clutch transaxle transmission. However, the Roadster is said to hit 100 kph in 3.7 seconds — 0.1 seconds faster than its Coupe sibling.The SLS roadster comes with conventional doors and a compact fabric soft top with a built-in rear window made out of glass. The soft top can be folded in about 11 seconds and can be operated on the move at speeds up to 50 kph. Other options include an electronically controlled suspension and nothing much else.

The aircraft cockpit inspired interior comprise of black designo leather, heated AMG sports seats, a detachable glass windstop and COMAND with Navigation and DVD player. There is the standard AIRSCARF system which blows warm air from vents in the head restraints to help get your heads heated up. Optionally available is a “racing” inspired entertainment system from Bang & Olufsen featuring a whopping 250 Watt subwoofer, mated with the AMG Performance Media which simply displays real-time engine, speed, performance and vehicle status data.

The SLS Roadster shall be on sale in Europe by the last quarter of this year. A GCC launch is possible too at around the same time. Pricing is expected to be beyond Dhs 800,000 for what is essentially a stretched SL-Class now without the trademark doors.

Keep track of the UAE launch in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG buyer guide.