SLS AMG Roadster

STORY

The SLS AMG was an important milestone: the first car designed and built entirely in-house by AMG, and a deliberate modern revival of the 1950s 300 SL Gullwing. It was unveiled in 2009. Its long doors swung upward as a direct reference to the 300 SL, and a lightweight aluminium spaceframe sat under the body.

Its core was the M159, a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 reworked with over 120 changes and dry-sump lubrication, producing 563 hp. At launch AMG claimed it as the world's most powerful naturally aspirated production engine. It had no turbo lag and no supercharger whine, just a loud, high-revving V8 driving the rear wheels through a transaxle for balance.

It succeeded the SLR McLaren and preceded the AMG GT. The SLS proved that AMG could build a complete supercar alone. Its gullwing doors and analogue engine made it a modern classic from the start.