2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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If it feels like a race car, sounds like a race car and zips down the road like a race car, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class must then be a race car. Correct?
Well, no, as a matter of fact, but this high-end performer does a darn nice job of imitating one and wears the label of a supercar or luxury sports car quite comfortably, all the while paying homage to its lofty predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL of the 1950s.
Started in the late ’60s by a couple of former Mercedes engineers—Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Mercer—for the purpose of designing and testing race engines, AMG hit one out of the park with the SLS-Class AMG in 2011. This year, they added a roadster to go with the coupe with gullwing doors that got things going.
Reviewers line up to offer compliments on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class AMG, the lone offering in the SLS Class lineup: “Thrilling,” “spectacular,” “truly world class” and “exotic” are just a few of the words and phrases the experts throw out when talking about this speedy and spiffy supercar.
They rave about its interior and its smooth ride and the way it hugs the road through the turns, and some say they had a blast on their test drives, more fun in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class AMG than they’ve ever had putting a car through its paces, in fact.
A hand-built 6.2-liter V8 powers both of these rear-wheel-drive cars, the coupe and the roadster. The engine is good for 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque and teams with a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel. Mercedes says both the coupe and roadster are rated to get from zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 197 mph.
For all the accolades tossed its way and all the admiring eyes the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class AMG catches, it does draw some criticism from the experts.
Its pricey $200,000 neighborhood, to be sure, puts it out of the reach of the masses. Beyond the price tag, some find the automated manual transmission a bit on the sluggish side. Others note that there’s not a whole lot of room in the cabin of the 2-seater for riders or storage. And while some prefer the roadster and its soft top for its design and looks, they also are less than thrilled with the gullwing doors of the coupe, which can make getting in and out of that version of the car a challenge.
Still, those drawbacks take little away from the overall appeal of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class AMG and its hallmarks of performance and excitement. AMG, the experts point out, worked hard to assure the vehicle is comfortable for long hauls, ready to offer a nice ride and not just to show off.
For example, it can be set up with an optional new AMG Ride Control sports suspension that lets the driver choose, through the use of electronically controlled dampers, between three different suspension settings. Comfort features a relatively soft mode for longer trips. Sport balances responsiveness and comfort by tightening the shock absorbers to cut down on body roll. Sport Plus is designed for those looking to get out on a race course, or at least to get the feel of being on a race course.
Perforated leather-wrapped AMG seats and the high-tech look of the dashboard add to the appeal of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class AMG cabin, which is packed with goodies. Besides COMAND infotainment controls, blind-spot monitors and carbon-fiber trim found on other Mercedes-Benz models, the SLS AMG features its own Performance Media channel. The system shows data such as oil and transmission fluid temperatures, acceleration times and racetrack lap times, if needed. Mercedes-Benz also offers a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo as an option.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class comes with traction and stability control and a full array of airbags.
The SLS AMG Roadster also gets AirScarf technology. This Mercedes feature can blow warm air on the head and neck of anyone who chooses to ride with the top down on a cool day. Mercedes-Benz, by the way, says the soft top on the Roadster can be raised or lowered in 11 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph.
In fact, this is how the company puts it: “The compact soft top opens and closes in just 11 seconds.... Falling in love with the AMG Roadster takes less than one.”
They may be right.
Published May 31, 2022 by A. Lessels
User reviews for 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS
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by Frank S
Feb 25, 2021
Best bang for the buck of any super car I have ever driven. Has DNA from 50s-60s 300SL. Destined to become a classic. I bought one & have been most pleased!Feb 25, 2021
by Jonathan S
Mar 05, 2012
It's a sls !!! What more can be said !!! It's rather fast , has a dry sump
do needs to warm up before giving it any real stick , it's awesome to
drive , can't wit for the sun to take it out properly !!!!! Mar 05, 2012
by Jurgen A
Dec 23, 2011
when it comes to performance this car is amazing it appearance is top notch and i
havent driven anything to this day more fun. build quality is typical mercedes and
eats gas like a fat kid eats cake. interior is beutiful Dec 23, 2011
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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS Pricing
Original MSRP
$189,600 to $196,100Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: carbon · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: alloy · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Side door type: gull-wing
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: premium leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: jack · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: leather · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: alloy
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: alloy · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: premium · Rear bumper color: body-color · Side door type: gull-wing
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Parking sensors: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: premium leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing