Mercedes SLS

[Pup]

I seem to remember from the early days of the merger, talk of AMG doing some co-branding projects with Chrysler as part of the whole 'synergy' thing. Later, I remember some of the images of the Viper/SLS prototype bearing some subtle Dodge AMG logos embossed in the bumpers. I have no doubt that the two projects were related. Whether it was at first solely a Dodge project, or if it was always a shared chassis, or if it was a pure AMG project is really irrelevant. At the end of the day, the SLS is indeed a twin of what was to be the next gen Viper, which of course says nothing about its worth as a car. In fact, I'm surprised that anyone would be surprised at the link. All three companies specialize in overweight, over-engined vehicles - why wouldn't they cooperate in their efforts?

My guess though, is that AMG 'owned' the project, which was to be a Dodge AMG Viper, and in the split, the project naturally went to Merc along with AMG. I'd go further to guess that Merc taking up the Viper as their own had something to do with their split with McLaren (auto, not F1).

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Its all speculative, but to say its a dodge/chrysler is plain wrong.

As NewtonMeter said, its a fine car with rave reviews and full order books for the next 2 years. That is enough.

[Pup]

Either way, it's just a badge unfortunately. Cars with real DNA are few and far between these days, especially anything affordable. It's been a while now since we've had what I'd call a real Mercedes.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Either way, it's just a badge unfortunately. Cars with real DNA are few and far between these days, especially anything affordable. It's been a while now since we've had what I'd call a real Mercedes.

I agree with that wholeheartedly. The 1991 behemoth S-class was the last of the old school Mercs, but its not endemic to Mercedes SLS. My heart sank when I heard in late 2008 that Honda had canned the S2000 replacement and HSV10 supercar. Technical auto houses like Honda and Mercedes used to mean so much more back in the day, but with time, they have to change. The cost/development/sales/lifecycle formula that makers use nowdays means that corners have to be cut somewhere.
The sad fact of western life is that bottom lines mean more than anything else.

The irony here is we have to be grateful, to an extent, that there are rich wankers, i mean bankers that can actually run these beasts.

[segedunum]

It depends how many people read this forum.

It doesn't really matter. It's all about feel in this market and creating two models just has wrong written all over it strategy-wise.

The SLS is overweight and overdone in so many ways and Mercedes is going to have to try and persuade people that this is what they really want, as opposed to a MP4-12C or 458 or something. They don't want it to compete with these cars, but it will. In order to counteract that they're diluting things by building a smaller mid-engined car to give people that option without treading on the SLS. Yes, it'll be cheaper but I can't see people dumbing down when they have the money. If you want a 'driver oriented' car as JET positions the SLM then you'll go the whole hog and buy the MP4-12C or something similar where rivals have put their effort rather than see the price difference.

I see xpensive's position on the SLM being Mercedes's "Ooooops, we do actually need one of those" reaction.

[Richard]

JET - The SLK gave them a new lease of life within a moderately affordable price.

Unfortunately it is morphing into an overwieght limosine, the next one is going to be even longer and wider and heavier.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

JET - The SLK gave them a new lease of life within a moderately affordable price.

Unfortunately it is morphing into an overwieght limosine, the next one is going to be even longer and wider and heavier.

SportLichKurz, which the SLK is definatley not I agree.

Mercedes is going to have to try and persuade people that this is what they really want, as opposed to a MP4-12C or 458 or something

They really are struggling arent they?

[xpensive]

You know what JET, if Vettel had been driving an MGP W01 this year, this here thread would probably be utterly unbearable.

I think.

[Belatti]

How can you people even compare that heavy boat to real sport cars? I bet an Elise would destroy that tank!

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

How can you people even compare that heavy boat to real sport cars? I bet an Elise would destroy that tank!

The 458 overweight too? 3400 pounds to the Mercs 3600.

[Giblet]

So after reading a few pages of this thread I have come to the sound conclusion that some people like this car, and others do not.

While this may seem a pointless thing to say, it has a point. A good car design is one that polarizes people. If someone looks at it and says "Meh" then to me it is a failure.

[segedunum]

They really are struggling arent they?

Well you said it.

We'll see what happens when these things actually start getting on the road but diluting your product line to avoid crossover is never a great sign for any company.

[Belatti]

How can you people even compare that heavy boat to real sport cars? I bet an Elise would destroy that tank!

The 458 overweight too? 3400 pounds to the Mercs 3600.

Does the SLS have a V12? So compare that to the Enzo with 3000 pounds or a McLaren F1 with 2500 pounds...

I mean, the SLS looks fine but its not a hardcore supercar. I know that is way cheaper, too but as far as I see when you look at the purely performance point of view there is a segment between track day cars and hordcore supercars that sucks

[Richard]

Belatti - I detect that you prefer cars that are related to pure bred track cars such as the Elise or Enzo?

The SLS is more of a grand tourer that happens to have the performance data of a sports car, just like the other MB two seaters, ie SLK & SL.

The SLS is competing against cars that allow you to drive fast and arrive in comfort, ie Aston Martin or Maserati. Look for the plush leather trim, some luggage space, and space for someone more than 1.85m or 6 feet tall.

[NewtonMeter]

How can you people even compare that heavy boat to real sport cars? I bet an Elise would destroy that tank!

The 458 overweight too? 3400 pounds to the Mercs 3600.

Does the SLS have a V12? So compare that to the Enzo with 3000 pounds or a McLaren F1 with 2500 pounds...

I mean, the SLS looks fine but its not a hardcore supercar. I know that is way cheaper, too but as far as I see when you look at the purely performance point of view there is a segment between track day cars and hordcore supercars that sucks

Since when does the SLS compete with the Enzo or McLaren F1? Completely different markets. Even Mercedes themselves will laugh at that statement.

Compare it to the 911 or R8 or something like that if you want to, but the Enzo? Are you kidding me?

Edit:
What richard leeds said. He just managed to phrase it in a more politically correct way. Good on you richard!