- Eager 6.2-litre M159 V8 engine sounds great
- Outstanding dynamics
- Accurate, well-weighted steering
- Suspension lacks low-speed compliance
- Double clutch transmission gearshifts can be abrupt
- Challenging ingress and egress
- Limited legroom for taller drivers
Overview
Released in January 2012, the Mercedes-Benz A197 SLS AMG Roadster was a two-seat, high-performance convertible. Manufactured in Sindelfingen, Germany, the A197 SLS AMG was powered by a 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to a seven-speed double clutch transmission (Mercedes-Benz’s ‘SPEEDSHIFT’) in a transaxle configuration; the transmission itself featured selectable shift modes and steering wheel gearshift paddles.
M159 engine
The 6.2-litre M159 V8 petrol engine had double overhead camshafts, a forged and balanced crankshaft, four valves per cylinder, dry sump lubrication, a compression ratio of 11.3:1 and a 7200 rpm red line.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLS AMG Roadster | 6.2-litre petrol V8 (M159) | 7sp DCT | 420 kW at 6800 rpm | 650 Nm at 4750 rpm |
Chassis and dimensions
Like the C197 SLS AMG Coupe on which it was based, the A197 SLS AMG Roadster had an aluminium space-frame chassis with aluminium double-wishbone suspension front and rear. The power-operated three-layered fabric fabric soft top could open and close in eleven (11) seconds and be operated at speeds up to 50 km/h.
Relative to the SLS AMG Coupe, the A197 Roadster was the same length (at 4638 mm) and width (1939 mm), but was 10 mm taller (1262 mm); wheelbase length was unchanged at 2680 mm). The SLS AMG Roadster was also 40 kg heavier with a kerb weight of 1660 kg.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz A197 SLS AMG Roadster included dual front airbags, dual front knee airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, head-protecting airbags (mounted in the door beltlines), ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. The SLS AMG Roadster was also fitted with Blind Spot Assist that provided a visual warning symbol and acoustic alert if a possible collision with another vehicle was anticipated when changing lanes.
Brakes
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster had 390 mm front brake discs with six-piston aluminium calipers and 360 mm rear disc brakes with four-piston aluminium calipers.
Features: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster included 19-inch front and 20-inch rear seven-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND APS (Cockpit Management and Data Auto Pilot System) with a seven-inch colour display, satellite navigation, an eleven speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a six-disc CD/DVD player, MP3/WMA-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod/MP3), 6GB hard drive for music storage, Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, AIRSCARF neck-level heating, Nappa leather upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats with memory settings, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime driving lights and washers, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped ‘AMG Performance’ steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and retracting mirrors, a power adjustable steering wheel (tilt and reach), trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring, a motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser.
The SLS AMG Roadster was fitted with a mechanical rear axle differential lock as standard.
Brochure
Related links
- Press Kit: Mercedes-Benz A197 SLS AMG Roadster (September 2011)
- Specifications: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe and Roadster (July 2012)
- Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz A197 SLS AMG Roadster
