Mercedes Pumps Up SLS AMG with New GT Spec

MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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has had significant racing success with the SLS AMG GT3Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3Germany, 2011 > present19 photos
, and it is bringing that success to the road with the new SLS AMG GTMercedes-Benz SLS AMG GTGermany, 2012 > present5 photos
available as coupe or RoadsterMercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT ...Germany, 2012 > present5 photos
. The major change to the car is an additional 28 horsepower, but it also features retuned transmission and suspension. 

The exterior of the car has been changed slightly with smoked headlights and tail lights, red brake calipers and gloss black trim on the the side mirrors and side gills. The gloss black trim is also carried into the interior. 

The engine gets a 28hp boost over the standard SLS AMGMercedes-Benz SLS AMGGermany, 2010 > present15 photos
to 591hp but torque remains the same at 650Nm. To get the improvement in power, Mercedes increased the engine's compression ratio, which it says has the added benefit of improving throttle response. 

The seven-speed dual clutch transmission has also had some changes. In the manual mode especially, Mercedes has made the car shift faster. 

The suspension also gets an upgrade to the AMG Ride Control Performance suspension. It gets dual aluminum wishbones and stiffens the spring and damper tuning. It also removes the Comfort setting from transmission. That leaves the Sport and Sport Plus settings. Mercedes recommends the Sport setting for normal roads, but the Sport Plus setting is so hard that it should be used on the track only. 

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 2010 379 cu in 571 hp @ 6800 rpm 196 mph 3.80s

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT 2012 379 cu in 591 hp @ 6800 rpm 199 mph 3.7s

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The interior gets a few upgrades with the package as well. The center portions of the seats are upholstered in Alcantara with the AMG badge embroidered on the seats. It also has red seatbelts. The seat stitching and trim on the center console and doors is also red. The rest of the center console and door panels are done in the same gloss black as the side view mirrors. 

Even though this car is supposed to be the ultimate road-going SLS AMG, Mercedes is still making a long list of options available. Among them are uprated leather, Alcantara roof lining, carbon fiber exterior mirrors, carbon fiber engine compartment cover, carbon fiber interior trim, ceramic brakes, forged 10-spoke wheels, Airscarf on the Roadster and Bang & Olufson sound system. 

The price for the base SLS AMG GT coupe is €204,680; the Roadster costs €213,010; the uprated leather costs €5771.50. Pricing is for Germany including 19% VAT. The GT will go on sale in October.