The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, with its striking gullwing doors, is more than just a modern supercar; it’s a direct descendant of a long and fascinating lineage of high-performance Mercedes vehicles. To truly appreciate the SLS and its iconic doors, we need to delve into the history that paved its way.
For decades, Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts yearned for a true, no-compromise supercar. After a 40-year wait, the arrival of the C199 SLR McLaren in 2003 finally signaled Mercedes’ return to the pinnacle of automotive performance that customers could actually purchase. Prior to this, the dream of a production Mercedes supercar had been kept alive only by tantalizing concepts and prototypes.
The last series-production supercar to proudly wear the three-pointed star was the legendary W198 300 SL. Initially crafted as a Gullwing coupe from 1954 to 1957, and subsequently as a Roadster until 1963, the 300 SL set a high bar. Its successor, while still a fine SL, targeted a broader market and a more accessible price point, moving away from the out-and-out supercar territory.
Alt text: Classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing with doors open, showcasing iconic gullwing design, a symbol of automotive innovation and luxury.
The late 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show witnessed the unveiling of the C111 concept car, boasting attention-grabbing gullwing doors. It appeared Mercedes was poised to reclaim its position at the forefront of performance car manufacturing. However, Mercedes remained committed to their stated purpose: the C111 was strictly an experimental platform, dedicated to exploring and developing cutting-edge technologies rather than production.
Two decades later, the C112 concept of 1991 emerged, further fueling supercar anticipation. Sadly, this project too was shelved due to insurmountable production and economic hurdles. Mercedes, primarily geared towards mass production, lacked the infrastructure for the hand-built assembly demanded by a true supercar.
Alt text: Mercedes-Benz C111 prototype with gullwing doors, displayed at IAA 1969, representing Mercedes’ experimental venture into rotary engine and supercar technology.
These production challenges ultimately led Mercedes-Benz to collaborate with McLaren, their Formula 1 partner at the time. Together, they embarked on the journey to create a worthy successor to the W198. The AMG facility lacked the capacity for the anticipated production volume, so McLaren, based in England, took on the responsibility of producing the all-new SLR McLaren.
While the SLR McLaren was met with considerable acclaim, its high price tag and deviation from the anticipated 3500 unit sales target tempered initial expectations. Nonetheless, the SLR program served as a valuable brand-building exercise, and even as production was underway, plans for its successor were already in development. This successor would eventually materialize as the Mercedes SLS AMG, finally bringing back the iconic gullwing doors to a production Mercedes supercar and fulfilling the long-held desires of enthusiasts worldwide.
