Mercedes-Benz Showcases SLS AMG Roadster in New Video
Mercedes-Benz has released a video highlighting the SLS AMG Roadster, its fastest convertible, ahead of the model’s showroom arrival in autumn 2011.
Mercedes-Benz has released a new promotional video for the SLS AMG Roadster, bringing fresh attention to its flagship open-top performance car as it prepares to reach showrooms in autumn 2011. The film puts the spotlight on the car’s fabric roof mechanism and the naturally aspirated V8, positioning the Roadster as the most powerful convertible in the Mercedes range at launch.
Performance and drivetrain
The SLS AMG Roadster uses the same 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 as its coupé sibling, producing 563 bhp and 650 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 317 km/h. The combination of engine and transmission is identical to the SLS AMG coupé, ensuring the Roadster maintains the model’s supercar credentials despite the absence of a fixed roof.
Soft-top mechanism and usability
A key feature highlighted in the new video is the Roadster’s soft-top. The fabric roof opens or closes in 11 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 50 km/h, according to Mercedes-Benz. This keeps the SLS AMG Roadster practical for everyday use, allowing quick transitions between open and closed configurations without stopping. The roof’s compact design minimises impact on boot space, a point Mercedes-Benz has emphasised in its marketing material.
Pricing and showroom arrival
Mercedes-Benz set the SLS AMG Roadster’s European price at €195,160, placing it at the upper end of the open-top supercar segment for 2011. The car was scheduled to reach dealerships in autumn, with the video serving as a preview for potential buyers and enthusiasts ahead of its arrival. The SLS AMG Roadster joined a market that included rivals such as the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible and the Ferrari California, offering buyers a distinct blend of Mercedes engineering and AMG performance.
Context in the Mercedes-AMG range
The SLS AMG Roadster’s launch followed the coupé’s debut, expanding the SLS line-up and giving Mercedes-AMG a direct answer to open-top supercars from rivals. The Roadster’s arrival also set the stage for future AMG models, including the more extreme Black Series and later GT models. For those interested in how the SLS AMG compared with its contemporaries, the car featured in head-to-head media coverage, including appearances alongside the Lexus LFA and others in popular automotive programmes.
- 6.3-litre V8 delivers 563 bhp and 650 Nm
- Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
- 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds
- 317 km/h top speed (limited)
- 11-second soft-top operation at up to 50 km/h
