SLS AMG Another Mercedes Death Car?

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

You may remember Mercedes’ last attempt at a “price no object” supercar: the Mercedes McLaren SLR. It was a thundering achievement, but the big Merc’s brakes were as touchy as an seventy-year-old Argentinian security officer at a Truth and Reconciliation hearing. That’s a guardrail of not good. There were other “issues”: leg room, trunk space (or a complete lack thereof), steering feel, road noise, autobox only and the fact that Paris Hilton owned one. Truth be told, the SLR was compromised from the git-go; McLaren designers were hamstrung by the car’s front mid-engined layout. The project left a bitter taste in both companies’ metaphorical mouths. McLaren went its own way and built its own supercar (whose American debut has been delayed). Mercedes took a clean sheet of paper to their in-house tuning wizards, AMG. For some unfathomable reason, TTAC wasn’t invited to the press event to drive the SLS AMG. But we can read. And when Car and Driver complains about a car’s handling, you know there’s trouble in fluss stadt.

The SLS has plenty of grip from its fat Continental tires (265/35-19 front, 295/30-20 rear), the speed-sensitive, variable-assist power steering delivers feel and accuracy that approaches perfection, the brakes are formidable, and, of course, there’s no shortage of power. But for all that, there was sliding about that came on with little or no warning. This chassis is exceptional, but for some reason it wasn’t telling us everything we needed to know about its limits.

We hasten to add that these little episodes of slippin’ and slidin’ weren’t remotely fraught with peril or even excessive drama. Still, they did add seconds to our lap times. And the responses of the transmission in pure manual mode seemed a little slow compared to other dual-clutch units we’ve encountered. Perhaps more track time would improve our performance, and thus our reaction to the SLS as a track-day ride? We’re happy to volunteer.

If there’s a better example of Car and Driver‘s mealy-mouthed craven capitulation to advertiser sensibilities, I’m sure it’s easy enough to find (open the magazine for a start). And if SLS drivers don’t care about their car’s on the limit handling, perhaps they should. Note: the original Gullwing had a nasty reputation for on-the-limit instability. What goes around . . . ?

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Cwmoo740 Cwmoo740 on Nov 07, 2009

    Edmunds seems to like it, and that's good enough for me. Edmunds Inside Line mentioned that they were using the racing TC setting for all their laps, and that it was pretty lenient with the throttle oversteer. Maybe C&D is just too used to having TC save their ass and needs some more sensitivity training.

  • Accs Accs on Nov 07, 2009

    Maybe Im getting old.. Maybe Im losing "faith" in all things MB being fantastic.. But this.. just doesnt strike me as a vehicle I even want a picture or a 1/18 diecast of.. Looks as boring as a E Class, with more nanny features than any one person should have. The car's design is a retro one.. where the doors are where the design as started. Just like the current Camaro.. What is going to be more valuable in 2050.. a 2010 model or a 1967? On top of.. Im sure every trampy, coked up celeb, who really has no actual driving ability (and normally drives a Slade / GL) will love this.. for the fact of just "buying" errr leasing it.

  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
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