Though the SLS influence is debatable, the numbers certainly aren't. Fitted with two 552-cubic inch (that's a little over 9.0-liters) twin-turbo Mercury Racing engines that are good for 1350 hp (1007 kw) each, the Rider has more than five times the power of its road-going inspiration and a top speed of over 130 mph (209 km/h).
Among the many guests at the SLS AMG E-Cell presentation in Norway was retired Formula One driver, David Coulthard, who was given the chance to test drive the electric-powered Gullwing model. The Scottish pilot tried out the SLS AMG E-Cell on an airstrip as well as on the road. View the video [in high-definition] after the break.
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On the E-Cell prototype, Stuttgart's engineers replaced the standard SLS AMG's 571HP 6.3-liter V8 petrol engine with four electric motors placed near the wheels effectively making it a four-wheel drive model. Mercedes notes that this solution substantially reduces the unsprung masses compared to wheel-hub motors.
The electric motors produce a combined output of 392kW or the equivalent of 526HP and a maximum torque of 880 Nm / 649 lb-ft, the latter available right from the start. One transmission per axle transmits the power.
From the videos of the incident we found on the net, it is revealed that a black Nissan Murano crossover was also somehow involved in the crash.
Interestingly, the license plate number of the car tells us that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing was a press / demo car used in many photo shoots and videos in Russia (see the last clip after the jump).
Unfortunately, the famous tuning firm is keeping the details to itself for now, but there's a strong possibility that the Hamann-prepped SLS AMG will make its world premiere at next week's Tuning World Bodensee motor show in Germany, so stay... tuned.
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The event saw a collection of classic Gullwing models including the original Le Mans-winning 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL which formed the base for the production model that followed in 1954.
Over the course of three years, only 1,400 examples of the 300SL Gullwing were built for the road making it one of the most sought after classics of all time.
The chief differences between the two SLS AMG variants concern the retractable soft-top and, judging by the position of the door handles, the conventionally opening doors of the Roadster model - even though there's a possibility Mercedes may use scissor-type doors like those found on the older McLaren SLR roadster.
Being a supercar and all, there was no need for Mercedes to fiddle around with the mechanical recipe so the new F1 safety car features the same 571HP V8 engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, suspension and brake system as the standard-production SLS AMG but gets an all-new rear silencer, that is said to allow the naturally aspirated V8 to breathe more easily and offer improved acoustics.
The new alloy wheels and the decorative trim on the B-column and the air-vents on the front fender complete the package.
Notably, the SLS AMG's chassis and aluminum body-shell are produced by Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH in Graz/Austria, while the supercar's 571HP 6.3-litre V8 is hand-built at the AMG engine workshops in Affalterbach.
Once finished, the components are then transferred to the Sindelfingen factory for assembly.
The price of the two-seater Gullwing model that accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 3.8 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 317 km/h (197mph) in Germany is €177,310 or about US$249,000 (including 19% tax) with sales set to commence on March 27, 2010.
In addition to matt gold paintwork, all the decorative and mounted features like the Mercedes star at the front and the fins on the bonnet and flanks that are in shining chrome or Silver Shadow in the standard SLS AMG have been given a deep-black paint finish on the show car.
The same goes for the black-painted AMG light-alloy wheels in size 9.5 x 19 at the front and 11.0 x 20 at the rear that are embellished with a golden ring on the rim flange.
Mercedes chose to leave the interior of the 571HP gullwing-supercar intact, opting for black leather and carbon fiber trim.
The Stuttgart automaker noted that while the AMG Desert Gold treatment has been used only for the display vehicle at the Dubai show, if there's enough interest generated, the special gold paint finish could become available as an individual optional extra from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO.
And if not, we're pretty sure that those SLS AMG owners that find the gold finish alluring will find a way to do it anyway...
Just to be clear, there's nothing new - or at least nothing we haven't seen before at other shows- for Mercedes-Benz at the forthcoming 2009 LA Auto Show in December. The major attraction at the firm's booth will be the 563-horsepower SLS AMG 'gullwing' supercar that will make its North American debut in Los Angeles along with the diesel-powered E350 BlueTEC and the fuel-cell-powered F-Cell.The SLS AMG, which is the first-ever car designed and developed from the ground up by Mercedes' AMG division, is due to go on sale Spring of 2010 with a Roadster version following towards the end of 2011.
The new E350 BlueTEC that will be available in all 50 states in Spring 2010 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel producing an output of 210 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Mercedes, it returns approximately 30 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine.
As for the F-Cell, it runs on compressed hydrogen and has a range of around 240 miles. Next year, 200 production F-Cell cars will be delivered to customers in both the the U.S. and Europe as part of a special lease program.
Starting from Monday, 16 November 2009, Mercedes-Benz outlets as well as the brand's sales partners in Germany will begin taking orders for the new SLS AMG. The sales price for the 571HP supercar with the characteristic gullwing doors in its home market is €177,310 (including 19 per cent VAT), which comes to about US $264,000 at today's exchange rates.
"Following a high-profile world premiere at the IAA, we are very excited about the SLS AMG's commercial release on Monday. There is huge interest in our new super sports car and we are convinced that the SLS AMG will captivate our customers," said Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of the Management Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
SLS AMG buyers may also choose from a variety of options including special paint finishes, carbon fiber trims and ceramic brakes. You can check out some of the main options in the list below.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Optional Equipment
