2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Mercedes-Benz's SLS definitely needed more power. Even in a world of excess, we need our idols, and AMG continually steps up to the plate to remind us that while more isn’t always needed, it’s always necessary.
For 2013, that means the company's SLS-Class monster will get another 20 hp, thanks to a pressure increase and a larger intake manifold on the giant 6.2-liter V8, bumping the total to 583. Torque stays the same at 479 lb-ft, but only a masochist would want more. In addition, there’s a firmer suspension and some new wheels to roll on as part of a GT package. It’s optional elsewhere, but in the States it’s the only flavor of SLS AMG we’re getting. Unfortunately, the extra power won’t make much of a difference, as the SLS AMG was unable to put all of its power on the ground before the power increase. No car is so willing or able to ruin its tires quicker.
If you utilize all the electronic wizardry that AMG could provide, you’ll still be able to hit 60 in just 3.7 seconds, and the suspension tweaks do actually improve handling, as the SLS consistently breaks 1g in lateral acceleration during figure-8 runs. There’s no other way to say it—the SLS is a brutal machine.
Getting the SLS through a slalom is no small feat. After all, this is a car that’ll bring its rear around faster than a dog in heat. The biggest problem is actually those suspension settings, however. The default Comfort setting is gone, and the new default Sport setting is stiff. Perhaps too stiff. Certainly too stiff for everyday enjoyment. And it gets worse from there. Sport+ might as well be named SansShocks, since you’re going to feel every pebble and imperfection you roll over. In this way, the SLS is a lot like cars used to be, in that you couldn’t just open the door, sit in the seat, turn the key and go. You had to know what you were doing to drive them, and really know what you’re doing in order to drive them well. Here, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you might just end up dead.
So take it easy. Further changes include smoked glass on the head- and taillights, some GT badging and a ton of red thrown around. Brake calipers, seatbelts and stitching are all in glorious crimson, in case you thought the car didn’t stand out enough before.
But the biggest change comes in software, rather than hardware. And what’s better, it’s possible that previous owners may benefit as well. The 7-speed transmission has been treated to a tweaking that drops cog swaps down to 60 milliseconds—a claimed 50% improvement. This is the biggest change in the SLS, and the one most needed as well. The fact that Mercedes just might offer it to owners already out tearing up tires is something to be applauded. Let’s hope it follows through. Even with the improvements it still can’t touch the twin-clutch offerings from some of its competitors, but I doubt that’ll make potential buyers change their minds.
Here you’ll have to choose between Roadster and Coupe, the latter with its iconic gullwing doors. Impractical in parking lots, but necessary in fantasy. Sure, you can hear the engine much better with no roof, but somehow that doesn’t outweigh the cool factor of those giant wings.
An extra 20 horses won’t convince anyone to buy this beast, and the same can be said of red accents. It’s a shame that Comfort mode was dropped from the suspension settings, especially with the stiffer springs and dampers now making the ride even less forgiving, but forgiveness was never what the SLS AMG was about. From inspiration to execution, this is nothing more than unapologetic fantasy, and it comes with a price tag to match.
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2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS Pricing
Trims & 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
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: carbon · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: alloy · 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: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · 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
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler 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
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
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: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation
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
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: carbon · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: alloy · 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: proximity entry system · 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: audio · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler 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: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
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: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation