It's a bird... it's plane... it's a Mercedes SLS AMG!?
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. Mercedes hoisted their new supercar to the roof terrace of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Resting 42 meters (137.8') above ground, the car is part of a new exhibit dedicated to the awe-inspiring SLS AMG.
According to the Museum's Managing Director, Michael Bock, "This super sports car stands for excitement, passion and high-tech. As museum for the past, present and future of the automobile, we provide an ideal setting for the exclusive presentation of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG."
Despite appearances, Mercedes didn't modify the COMAND system to allow the gullwing doors to act as real wings. Instead, they hired a 120-ton hydraulic crane to do the heavy lifting.
As we have previously reported, the SLS AMG features a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 420 kW (571 hp) and 650 Nm of torque. Backed up by a seven-speed double clutch transmission, the V8 enables the car to rocket from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 317 km/h (197 mph).
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: A new Gullwing in the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Between the 6th and 16th of October 2009 the Mercedes-Benz Museum will have another attraction to show: the new Gullwing, which had its world premiere just recently at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, will land 42 metres up on the museum's roof terrace. For a few days visitors then can take in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in an open-air setting.
"This will be a very emotional experience for our visitors," says Michael Bock, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH. "This super sports car stands for excitement, passion and high-tech. As museum for the past. present and future of the automobile we provide an ideal setting for the exclusive presentation of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG."
A unique vehicle calls for exceptional surroundings: the roof terrace of the Mercedes-Benz Museum normally is not open to visitors. The 465 square metre outdoor area can be accessed through Legend Room 1 on level 8. At a dizzy height one has a grandstand view of the surrounding vineyards and the Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim plant. To place the SLS on the stage set for it, a 120-ton hydraulic crane will let the car float down onto the roof terrace - an ultra-precision job.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has an exciting technology package to offer: aluminium spaceframe body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with a maximum output of 420 kW/571 hp, 650 Newton metres of torque and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones, and a DIN kerb weight of 1620 kilograms - this combination guarantees driving dynamics on the highest level.
The Gullwing accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically governed 317 km/h. The fuel consumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) ranks it at the top of the competitive field (all figures provisional).
The Mercedes-Benz Museum can be quickly and conveniently reached by public conveyance. Apart from the No. 56 bus line, which plies between the Bad Cannstatt train station and the "Mercedes-Benz Welt" bus stop, it is also possible to use the "Neckarpark (Mercedes-Benz)" suburban railway station. The multi-storey car park of the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the P4 car park are open to guests of the Mercedes-Benz Museum arriving by private car. The address of the Mercedes-Benz Museum: Mercedesstrasse 100, 70372 Stuttgart. Visitors can reach the Classic Customer Center by calling +49 (0)7 11 / 17 - 30 000. Further information is available at www.mercedes-benz.com/museum
p2c
October 7, 2009 5:00 PM
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