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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

AMG's first clean-sheet car: gullwing doors and a 563-hp V8.1

Researched November 1, 2026 from 34 sources

Also called

  • GullwingThe coupe's roof-hinged doors salute the 300SL Gullwing.23

At a glance

0510
3.6–3.9 s0–100 km/h
0175350
250–320 km/hTop speed
05001,000
635–1,000 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,549–1,659 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.591112

Engine
6.2 L M159 NA dry-sump V8 (M156-based; 6.3 badge); Electric Drive: 4 motors1513
Layout
V8: front-mid, RWD, 48:52 split; Electric Drive: AWD35
Gearbox
V8: rear 7-speed DCT transaxle; Electric Drive: two single-speed units5
Built at
Sindelfingen, Germany; body/chassis: Magna Steyr, Graz, Austria5

The story

Created to pit AMG against the Ferrari 599 GTB, the SLS took 37 months to develop. It pairs an aluminum spaceframe with a front-mid engine and rear transaxle, with a 48:52 front/rear weight split.134

2009: Frankfurt debut after 37 months20092010: January production starts · Bernd Mayländer leads the F1 field20102011: Roadster opens up at Frankfurt20112012: GT raises output to 583 hp20122013: Black Series: 8,000-rpm redline · Electric Drive: 4 motors, 741 hp · 7:56.234 at the Nürburgring20132014: 350 GT Final Editions close the run2014 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racer (W194): 1952W194Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198): 1954–1963W198Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199 / R199 / Z199): 2003–2010Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C197 / R197): 2010–2014AMG GT: 2015–AMG GT 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1451819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1952Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racer (W194)
1954–1963Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198)
2003–2010Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199 / R199 / Z199)
2010–2014Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C197 / R197)
2015–AMG GT
2009Frankfurt debut after 37 months
2010January production starts
2010Bernd Mayländer leads the F1 field
2011Roadster opens up at Frankfurt
2012GT raises output to 583 hp
2013Black Series: 8,000-rpm redline
2013Electric Drive: 4 motors, 741 hp
20137:56.234 at the Nürburgring
2014350 GT Final Editions close the run
  1. 2009

    Frankfurt debut after 37 months

    AMG's first car developed from scratch arrives with gullwing doors and a design saluting the 1954 300 SL.1

  2. 2010

    January production starts

    Model years span 2010-2015. The C197 coupe is 4,638 x 1,939 x 1,252 mm on a 2,680 mm wheelbase; 0-100 km/h takes 3.8 seconds, top speed 315 km/h.5

  3. 2010

    Bernd Mayländer leads the F1 field

    From Bahrain, Mayländer drives the SLS as F1 safety car, retaining road-car running gear and adding a new rear silencer.6

  4. 2011

    Roadster opens up at Frankfurt

    The R197 uses conventional doors and an 11-second fabric roof. At 1,659 kg it is 40 kg heavier than the 1,619 kg coupe.5

  5. 2012

    GT raises output to 583 hp

    Coupe and Roadster gain quicker gearbox responses and firmer AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension; 0-100 km/h falls to 3.7 seconds.57

  6. 2013

    Black Series: 8,000-rpm redline

    AMG's fifth Black Series car delivers 622 hp while shedding 70 kg versus the regular SLS.589

  7. 2013

    Electric Drive: 4 motors, 741 hp

    Electric Drive reaches customers with four motors, a 60-kWh battery and individual wheel-torque control: 741 hp and 1,000 Nm.51011

  8. 2013

    7:56.234 at the Nürburgring

    Electric Drive becomes the first series-production EV to lap the Nordschleife in under eight minutes.12

  9. 2014

    350 GT Final Editions close the run

    Coupe and Roadster share a 350-car farewell, with a carbon hood and fixed carbon rear wing; sales begin in March as production draws to a close.511

Every generation

  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racer
    W1941952
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
    W1981954–1963
  • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
    C199 / R199 / Z1992003–2010
  • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
    C197 / R1972010–2014
  • AMG GT
    AMG GT

Power over the years

From 563 hp to 741 hp in 3 years.

0200400600800 201020122014 hp 2010 · 563 hp · SLS AMG2012 · 583 hp · SLS AMG GT2013 · 622 hp · SLS AMG Black Series2013 · 741 hp · SLS AMG Electric Drive 741 hp SLS AMG Electric Drive 563 hp SLS AMG
5
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2010563SLS AMG
2012583SLS AMG GT
2013622SLS AMG Black Series
2013741SLS AMG Electric Drive

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    SLS AMG Coupe

    2010–2015

    563 hp
  • SLS AMG Roadster

    Standard

    SLS AMG Roadster

    2011–2014

    563 hp
  • SLS AMG GT

    Performance

    SLS AMG GT

    2012–2015

    583 hp
  • SLS AMG GT Final Edition

    Limited

    SLS AMG GT Final Edition

    2014

    583 hp

    350 built

  • SLS AMG Coupe Black Series

    Performance

    SLS AMG Coupe Black Series

    2013–2015

    622 hp
  • SLS AMG GT3

    Racing

    SLS AMG GT3

    2011–2014

    543 hp

  • Limited

    SLS AMG Matt White Edition

    2012

  • SLS AMG Matt Black Edition Roadster

    Limited

    SLS AMG Matt Black Edition Roadster

    2012

  • SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary

    Racing

    SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary

    2012

  • SLS AMG Desert Gold

    Special

    SLS AMG Desert Gold

    2010

How to spot one

Look for

  • The coupe's gullwing doors hinge in the roof and open upward.3
  • An exceptionally long hood, rear-set cabin and short tail define the silhouette.114
  • Slashed vents interrupt the long hood.13
  • A relatively upright, wraparound windshield sits behind the long hood.2
  • The original coupe combines a black rear diffuser with two chrome-finished exhaust tips.5

Year by year

  1. 2011

    The Roadster joins the range with conventional doors and a fabric soft top.1

  2. Late 2012

    GT cars add darkened lights, red calipers, gloss-black grille, mirrors and vent fins, plus a GT suffix on the rear badge.7

  3. 2013

    Black Series brings widened wheel arches, a vented carbon hood and an optional fixed carbon rear wing.911

  4. 2013

    Electric Drive adds a carbon front splitter, body-color honeycomb intake grilles and a revised rear bumper with an integrated diffuser.1011

  5. 2014

    Final Edition adds an exposed-carbon hood with a central outlet, a carbon splitter and a fixed carbon rear wing.11

Don’t confuse it with

  • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

    Check the doors: the SLR McLaren uses butterfly doors; the SLS coupe's gullwings hinge in the roof.318

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
    SLS AMG
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz SL
    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    The SL has a hardtop convertible roof; the SLS Roadster uses a fabric soft top.5

Against its rivals

  • Aston Martin V12 Vantage

    SLS AMG vs Aston Martin V12 Vantage

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    SLS AMG3.5 s
    Aston Martin V12 Vantage4.2 s
    20
  • Audi R8 V10

    SLS AMG vs Audi R8 V10

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    SLS AMG3.5 s
    Audi R8 V103.7 s
    20
  • Ferrari 458 Italia

    SLS AMG vs Ferrari 458 Italia

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    SLS AMG3.5 s
    Ferrari 458 Italia3.3 s
    20
  • Porsche 911 Turbo S

    SLS AMG vs Porsche 911 Turbo S

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    SLS AMG3.5 s
    Porsche 911 Turbo S2.7 s
    20

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$200K$400K$600K$800K 2010201520202025 2012 · $199,700 · US estimated base, Roadster2014 · $250,000 · US est. base, Black Series 2011 · $185,750 · US base price, 2011 model year 2025 · $124,500 · 2013 SLS AMG GT Roadster, 15k miles, BaT2025 · $676,000 · 2014 SLS AMG Black Series, 4,823 miles, Monterey2026 · $165,000 · 2012 Roadster, 10k miles, BaT2026 · $505,000 · 2015 SLS AMG GT Final Edition, 4,700 miles, BaT2026 · $295,000 · 2011 SLS AMG, 20k miles, BaT2026 · $195,000 · 2012 SLS AMG Roadster, 6k miles, BaT2026 · $405,000 · 2013 SLS AMG GT, 1,700 miles, BaT2026 · $222,000 · 2015 GT Final Edition Roadster, 11k miles, BaT $676.0K Monterey, 2025
5814202728293031323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Launch price$185,750US base price, 2011 model year
2012Price when new$199,700US estimated base, Roadster
2014Price when new$250,000US est. base, Black Series
2025Auction sale$124,5002013 SLS AMG GT Roadster, 15k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$676,0002014 SLS AMG Black Series, 4,823 miles, Monterey
2026Auction sale$165,0002012 Roadster, 10k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$505,0002015 SLS AMG GT Final Edition, 4,700 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$295,0002011 SLS AMG, 20k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$195,0002012 SLS AMG Roadster, 6k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$405,0002013 SLS AMG GT, 1,700 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$222,0002015 GT Final Edition Roadster, 11k miles, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “7:56.234 for the electric gullwing”
    • “Road-car running gear led the F1 field”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Mercedes SLS AMG Buyers Guide, Blog | Romans International romansinternational.com
  2. Archived First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG roadandtrack.com
  3. 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG First Drive caranddriver.com
  4. Mercedes Benz SLS AMG shown for the first time in Japan at the Tokyo Game Show - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  5. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG voert het Formule 1-veld aan media.mercedes-benz.be
  7. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT: nog meer dynamiek media.mercedes-benz.nl
  8. 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series First Drive – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  9. De nieuwe Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series media.mercedes-benz.nl
  10. Meest exclusieve en dynamische elektrische sportwagen ooit: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive: de krachtigste supersportwagen ter wereld media.mercedes-benz.nl
  11. SLS AMG GT FINAL EDITION media.mercedes-benz.be
  12. SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive bedwingt Nordschleife in recordtijd media.mercedes-benz.nl
  13. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (2010 - 2015): Germany's answer to the Ferrari 599 | evo evo.co.uk
  14. 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster – First Drive Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  15. Top Tips for Buying a Used Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (2010-14) - Retro Rides retrorides.com.au
  16. メルセデス・ベンツ、つや消しペイントの限定車「SLS AMG マットエディション」 - Car Watch car.watch.impress.co.jp
  17. Premiere mundial: SLS AMG GT3 “45th ANNIVERSARY” é destaque da Mercedes-AMG no Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo | Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans Brasil - Imprensa imprensa.mercedes-benz.com.br
  18. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. 2011 European Supercar Super Test caranddriver.com
  21. Mercedes-Benz’s Gorden Wagener Talks About The Timelessness of the SLS AMG thedrive.com
  22. The European Signature Edition Event Champion is Presented with a Real Life SLS AMG - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  23. $2 Million Will Get You The Camaro, Aventador, SLS AMG, And Mustang From Transformers | Carscoops carscoops.com
  24. Temporada automobilística de 2012 foi um sucesso para equipes da AMG: 9 títulos e 43 vitórias com a SLS AMG GT3 | Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans Brasil - Imprensa imprensa.mercedes-benz.com.br
  25. HTP Mercedes outmuscles Manthey Porsche for victory in the 65th Total 24 Hours of Spa | GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS gt-world-challenge-europe.com
  26. Used car buying guide: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG motors.al
  27. 10k-Mile 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $165,000 on July 21, 2026 (Lot #253,301) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. 4,700-Mile 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $505,000 on October 19, 2026 (Lot #268,756) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 20k-Mile 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $295,000 on September 17, 2026 (Lot #263,684) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 6k-Mile 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $195,000 on August 14, 2026 (Lot #257,746) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1,700-Mile 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $405,000 on July 22, 2026 (Lot #253,006) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $222,000 on February 19, 2026 (Lot #230,646) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 15k-Mile 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $124,500 on December 16, 2025 (Lot #223,740) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  • romansinternational.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • gran-turismo.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • media.mercedes-benz.be
  • media.mercedes-benz.nl
  • evo.co.uk
  • retrorides.com.au
  • car.watch.impress.co.jp
  • imprensa.mercedes-benz.com.br
  • thedrive.com
  • carscoops.com
  • gt-world-challenge-europe.com

Photo credits

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