AMG Mercedes #04

Mercedes has a state-of-the-art supercar named the Mercedes SLS. With starting prices of around 180,000 bucks it's priced to directly compete with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and of course Aston Martin. Besides all the distinctive overall performance comparisons there's one factor the super car has that the other ones don't - the gullwing Mercedes is back.

Entertainment: well, there is a 6.2 litre engine located in the front offering a rumble to match nearly anything to leave Detroit. With over 550 horse power the Mercedes SLS is an enjoyable drive even if the handling was a little poor. It is poised, dexterous and although its feels pretty stiff on the roads the actual combination of engine of handling offers a wonderful drive. The Mercedes SLS GT3 - which is the sports version - caters even greater handling.

Mercedes-Benz have vividly recognized how this car is going to be used and the SLS is available with common functions to cater every day usability like satellite navigation and also a more than decent stereo. However the gull-wings, as iconic as they're, certainly make it a pain to get in and out of the car, even make the vehicle quite wide and you really have to stretch to actually pull the doors down once you're inside.

The gearbox is a dual clutched affair which works notably well. There's a slight delay whenever you flick the paddles yet in general it feels very responsive and sharp. The car is quite definitely rear wheel drive. The seating position is very back and harks back to old school, honest GT's and blended with the sharp steering you've whole faith in exactly where the front of the vehicle is gonna go. This super car can easily go round edges very, very quick - in case you try hard enough you could actually compete with a four-wheel drive 911 Turbo. It's also really quick in a straight line - indeed outstanding for a heavy, front engined Grand Tourer.

Looking at value for cash - can any car at this selling price be regarded as fair value? Probably not but put along with its peers it is well priced. Let's look at it one other way - against the Mercedes McLaren SLR, the Mercedes SLS is quicker, handles better and is less costly to the tune of nearly 200,000 dollars.