We're about 28 hours away from being able to wear white without getting dirty looks, and Mercedes-Benz has dropped official production data on its new SLS AMG Roadster. Does that mean we can break out the seersucker suit two days early?
Naturally, the SLS AMG Roadster recalls the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster of the 1950s. As the company notes in the press materials, the 300 SL Roadster arrived after the original gullwing 300 SL, but unlike the SL's of the 1950s, both AMG models are available simultaneously. Also, and obviously, the Roadster has conventionally-opening doors instead of the wing'd type.
Merc says the Roadster's fabric soft top — backed by a structure of magnesium, steel and aluminum — can open and close in eleven seconds, and can be operated at speeds up to 31 mph. The Roadster also gets the company's AirScarf neck-warming system along with a glass wind-breaker and roll bars covered in leather.
One new-tech note. The Roadster introduces AMG Performance Media, a multimedia system that can display a number of motorsports-related data points, including engine oil, coolant and transmission fluid temperature, engine output, torque and accelerator position, individual tire pressures, acceleration time from 0-60 mph or quarter-mile time and lateral and linear acceleration combined with braking performance and accelerator position — all in real time. It can also record and remember lap times.
It also comes with a new espresso-brown interior color, which matches the new metallic paint finish AMG Sepang brown. As you already know, brown is this season's silver.
In all other areas, the Roadster is a veritable hardware double of the SLS AMG coupe. Expect its arrival this Fall, also known as off-white season.