2009 300 SL Panamericana replica
We have just been given a pretty sweet inside look at a proposed update to the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing. If built, the 2009 300 SL Panamericana from Gullwing-America promises to update the original "with technology from 50 years later."
Word of the car comes from Arturo Alonso, who says he raced the Mercedes 300SE in the past. You may remember Alonso when we told you about the Bentley S3 E design concept. Alonso, an engineer, teamed with Bentley Boys USA when conceptualizing the concept. If built, it would have a 300 hp 4.4 liter V8 and five-speed ZF automatic transmission from BMW, while riding on 20x9.5 inch forged wheels. Cost of the Bentley would be around $150k.
If you liked the Bentley, you'll be doubly impressed by the Panamericana. Based on a reproduction produced by Germany's Hoope'r, Gullwing-AG, the 300 SL uses a powder coated RHS steel reinforced chassis. The body is comprised of a sprayed aluminum layer about a half millimeter thick, coated with an epoxy, and covered with multiple layers of 7oz woven glass cloth.
Performance wise, the car uses a 5.5 liter Mercedes M-133-55 engine, also found on the SLR as well as the AMG models. With new tuning, the engine produces 370 hp and a huge 530 Nm of torque. In a year, the car could also get the new, smaller V6 Mercedes M-272-E35. Horsepower would drop by 50hp as well as torque to 360 Nm. The engine is paired to a six-speed transmission, with an independent suspension to keep things together. Both manual, and speedtronic should be available. A custom radiator and exhaust, as well as adjustable coilovers help add exclusivity and improves operations.
Other great items on this low-riding car include the removal of the bumpers, the addition of side mufflers, and a new grille. The car also has a four-spoke leather wheel, a start button, top-shelf radio, and a four-point harness. The car rides on 17x8 inch AMG wheels wrapped in Continental Sport tires. Red AMG calipers will look great with the red-accented paint job. Blacked-out wheels will look good on the black painted car, but there is a definite argument for chrome or even matte-silver on the cream with red. With the HID lights, this car looks fantastic.
Bringing the retro feel full circle, this car maintains the original instrument panel from the 300SL.
We can only hope that Arturo gives us a shot at driving this thing, and not just writing about it!
For more information please email: info[at]gullwing-america.com
Source: Gullwing-America
Press Release (Click to expand)
Here is the the rebirth of an Icon, the 2009 300 SL Panamericana, based on a Reproduction from Hoope'r, Gullwing-AG in Germany, who produce the closest model you can get to the real thing. Arturo Alonso and his company, Gullwing-America , modified this already outstanding automobile into an exotic for the 21st century.
A combination of the Glorious Carrera Panamericana cars of the 50's and new technology, they came out with this incredible sports car, Alonso himself raced the Carrera for years in a Mercedes 300SE, where the passion for this legendary Race and the Mercedes was born.
The 300SL body is constructed with the use of aircraft composite technology. This construction comprises of a sprayed layer of aluminum to a thickness of .5mm into the mold over which an epoxy adhesive is laid and several layers of 7oz woven glass cloth are then applied with epoxy resin.
Chassis is made from RHS steel reinforced and powder coated, has independent suspension with adjustable coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, a 5.5 liter Mercedes engine, (M-133-55) the one used on the AMG Mercedes models and the SLR, mated to a six speed transmission, special made radiator and exhaust system.
The Panamericana will have a re tuned electronics raising the HP about 370, 530nm of torque @5400RPM. The car will sit lower, have speedtronic transmission, side mufflers, no bumpers, a special grill, four spoke leather steering wheel with power assist, a start button, A/C , a four point harness, Becker Mexico Radio with CD and I pod adapter, and fitted leather luggage. It also includes specially made old school 17 X 8 AMG wheels all around with 235/45/17 Continental Sport contact tires, AMG calipers painted in red, HID headlights, and stripes on the fenders like the "Works" Cars from La Barrera.
For 2010 there will also be the option for the new V6 Mercedes engine (M-272-E35) used on the 350 Models, which has almost the same power of the V8 ( 320HP And 360nm torque @4900RPM)) and could be ordered with a manual six speed.
The cars will all be painted in silver with blue accents in the front fenders like the race cars of the Panamericana, there is the option of a white with red stripes and a Black version. The interiors will be red cover in leather and plaid cloth, typical from that model; The instrument panel is identical as the original 300Sl.
Gullwing-America thinks that this is a true rebirth of the legendary 300SL Gullwing. Updated with technology from 50 years later, the car will be more powerful and handle better than the original. It will be a very drivable car with all the convenient accessories like air conditioning, power steering, etc. from modern cars.
For price and more information contact Arturo Alonso at info@gullwing-america.com
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Edited by user on April 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM