New Mercedes is a street-legal race car


Those roof-hinged gullwing doors look spectacular and they are the most distinctive aspect of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG's appearance. But don't be fooled, say the ultra-sensitive types who work at Mercedes' in-house tuner division.

“We do not build a retro car, at all! In fact, we think it is the most advanced super sports car you can buy today,” says Kai Marten, director of AMG operations.

The SLS may not be a retro car, but it certainly represents a bit of delicious homage to the iconic 300SL Gullwing. Just 3,258 of them – coupes and roadsters – were built from 1955 and 1963. We are talking production cars, of course, not the race cars of 1952-53.

Mercedes won't put a Canadian price tag on the car until the SLS hits North American showrooms some time near the middle of the year, as a 2011 model. In Europe the car lists for €149,000 (about $230,000). At that price, Mercedes will have no trouble selling 5,000 or 10,000, or even more, SLS cars. (more...)