2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS-CLASS | WDDRK7HA7CA007636

Body Styles

The SLS AMG was available in two primary configurations: a two-door gullwing coupé and a two-door roadster with a fabric soft-top. The coupé paid homage to the legendary 1954 Mercedes 300 SL, featuring front-hinged gullwing doors that opened dramatically upward. Its profile was dominated by a long, sculpted hood, compact cabin, and short rear deck — proportions that reflected its front mid-engine layout and classical GT inspiration.

The SLS had a low roofline, wide rear haunches, and minimal overhangs, sitting on a bespoke aluminum spaceframe chassis. The roadster version maintained the same proportions but replaced the gullwing doors with conventional ones and featured a soft-top roof that folded in just 11 seconds. Despite losing the dramatic door design, it preserved chassis rigidity and offered open-air V8 symphony.

The Black Series coupé took the base shape and added wider front and rear fenders, a fixed carbon rear wing, aggressive diffusers, and vented front fenders — transforming the elegant GT into a full-fledged supercar with visual intent to match its track prowess.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

“SLS” stands for “Super Leicht Sport” (Super Light Sport), referencing the car’s lightweight aluminum construction and performance-focused development. It continues the lineage of the 300 SL, Mercedes' original supercar and the first with gullwing doors.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class was a dramatic fusion of motorsport heritage and modern luxury, and its palette of body colors, cabin finishes, and wheel designs reflected this dual identity with precision and flair. At launch, the SLS Coupé was offered in a spectrum of elegant metallics and bold performance shades, including Iridium Silver, Obsidian Black, Alubeam Silver, Magnetite Black, Designo Mystic White II, and the iconic AMG Le Mans Red. More expressive options such as Imola Grey, Solar Beam Yellow, and Designo Magno Alanite Grey (matte) were added later, particularly for special editions and the more aggressive Black Series.

The Roadster variant introduced exclusive two-tone and softer paint treatments to complement its open-top character, while the Black Series expanded the palette with assertive matte finishes like Designo Magno Graphite and AMG Sepang Brown, often paired with exposed carbon fiber elements. The rare Final Edition added unique color and trim combinations such as Designo Magno Platinum with carbon roof accents.

Inside, the SLS offered a richly appointed cockpit tailored to high-speed touring. The cabin featured Designo leather upholstery in Classic Red, Black, Porcelain, or Sand, with optional diamond stitching, extended leather trim, and AMG embossed headrests. Alcantara inserts, especially on performance variants, appeared on the steering wheel, seat bolsters, and headliners. For clients seeking visual drama, two-tone interiors — such as Black with Red, Porcelain with Brown, or Titanium Grey with Black — created bold contrasts that matched exterior styling.

Trim options ranged from brushed aluminum and piano black lacquer to carbon fiber matte (standard in Black Series) and glossy Designo wood veneers for more refined configurations. Signature jet engine-inspired air vents, real metal toggle switches, and the upright COMAND infotainment screen reinforced the aviation-inspired design language of the car’s interior.

Wheel offerings played a major role in defining each SLS variant. Standard models came equipped with 19-inch front / 20-inch rear AMG twin 5-spoke forged alloys, available in Titanium Grey, Silver, or Matte Black. Optional designs included 10-spoke Y-style lightweight forged wheels, cross-spoke racing wheels, and Black Series-specific forged alloys with extended aero blades. The AMG Final Edition introduced unique lightweight alloys in dual-tone machined and matte finishes.

Behind the wheels, massive AMG carbon-ceramic brake rotors with 6-piston calipers (optionally painted in gold, red, or silver) added stopping power and visual contrast. The wide wheel arches and staggered setup emphasized the car’s long-hood, rear-biased proportions and motorsport pedigree, grounding its styling in performance function.

Top Expensive Options

• AMG Carbon Ceramic Braking System: $12,500
• Designo Exclusive Leather Interior Package: $7,500
• Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 1,000W Audio System: $6,400
• Carbon Fiber Exterior Package (Mirror Caps, Diffuser, Front Splitter): $9,000
• AMG Performance Media with Track Telemetry and G-Force Display: $3,800
• Lightweight Forged Wheels with Painted Centers: $4,200
• Adjustable AMG Ride Control Suspension (non-Black Series): $2,500
• Heated & Ventilated AMG Performance Seats: $2,000
• Soft-Close Gullwing Door Assistance: $1,200
• AMG Exterior Final Edition Kit (2014 models): $8,000

vs Competitors

The SLS AMG competed with the Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Audi R8 V10, and Aston Martin V12 Vantage. While the Ferrari offered sharper track dynamics and the Porsche had better all-weather usability, the SLS stood out for its dramatic styling, naturally aspirated V8, and heritage-infused design. The R8 was easier to drive, but the SLS felt more special. It occupied a unique space between supercar drama and luxury GT, with both track credibility and long-distance comfort.

Its biggest strength was emotion — from the doors, to the sound, to the proportions. And the Black Series variant firmly placed it among the era’s greatest analog performance cars.

Fun Fact

The SLS AMG was the first Mercedes-Benz developed entirely in-house by AMG, making it a landmark in the division’s history. Its gullwing doors required gas struts and dual-locking hinges, but were also equipped with pyrotechnic hinges that exploded outward in the event of a rollover — ensuring the doors would still open for emergency escape. Only 1,500 units of the SLS AMG Black Series were produced, making it one of the rarest and most revered modern Mercedes performance cars.