As sporting as the new SLS AMG may be to drive, it should be a reasonably nice—if not snug—place to spend time. The cabin is surprisingly free of conspicuous design flourishes, with a clean, simple dash most notable for its horizontal linearity and subtle secondary controls. The round vents and center stack look downright plebeian in pictures, however rendered they may be in top-shelf materials. Top-stitched Nappa leather and Alcantara, however, surround both occupants, while the driver faces a flat-bottom steering wheel that frames the tunneled gauges and info display.
Standard features include navigation, push-button start, parking sensors, stainless-steel pedals, radar cruise control, and more. Our favorite interior feature of all, however, is the bank of racecar-inspired shift warning lights top dead center in the cluster. Optional are a six-disc DVD player, a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG surround-sound system, mono- or duo-tone designo leather, designo light brown natural leather/braided leather, and more.
Other nifty options that will be available in Europe, and likely here, include paintwork using that cool liquid-metallic “Alubeam” silver or one of two matte finishes; carbon-fiber pieces like exterior mirrors, hood, and various interior bits; forged 10-spoke wheels; and an “uprated” performance chassis for “optimized dynamic transverse movement.” That last one sounds rather fun.
Clearly, then, the SLS is a modern sports car that takes delight in evoking the past visually, but not so much dynamically. It will spawn a gullwing-less roadster, like the original, as well as a fully electric version. No matter what form the SLS takes, however, it will be highly sought after from the start.
