Thanks to a lightweight aluminum space frame, the roadster gains only 40 kg (or 88 lbs) over the coupe, yet seems equally stiff, thanks to extra carbon and steel bracing. Surprisingly, it matches the coupe's 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, while delivering a fractionally better fuel consumption of 13.2 L/100km.
Suspension goodies include AMG ride control with adaptive damping in three settings. In town, we motor along contentedly in Comfort, but switch to Sport when we hit the open road. The tighter settings are a bit firm for relaxed cruising, but just the ticket for "spirited driving". The car becomes noticeably tighter, with reduced body roll while turning.
Once in the alps, our route spirals upward with hairpin switchbacks. These roads, like the race track, are made for Sport Plus. The firmed-up suspension is trigger-taut, the body flat through the sharp bends. This is a car that lives to be pushed hard, hunkering down, growling and daring you to take it faster. Thankfully, there are (optional) platter sized carbon-ceramic brakes at each corner – ask them to stop, and stop they will. Sensitive, they take some getting used to – but they're capable of hauling the roadster down from warp speed to a dead halt.
For track-day enthusiasts, there's the AMG Performance Media - accessed through the Nav screen. Essentially, it adds digital gauges recording lap times, lateral g measurements, horsepower output and brake performance.
Fittingly, at the end of the day, we returned our SLS AMG Roadster to a private dock at the harbour. Surrounded by yachts, it looked at home.
Coupe or Roadster? Like the age-old argument of dogs vs cats, it comes down to personal preference. Certainly the roadster sacrifices none of the raw performance of its hard-top sibling, and satisfies the hedonists among us.
The SLS AMG Roadster arrives in Canadian showrooms late this fall. Prices have yet to be announced, but should be slightly more than the coupe.
Suspension goodies include AMG ride control with adaptive damping in three settings. In town, we motor along contentedly in Comfort, but switch to Sport when we hit the open road. The tighter settings are a bit firm for relaxed cruising, but just the ticket for "spirited driving". The car becomes noticeably tighter, with reduced body roll while turning.
Once in the alps, our route spirals upward with hairpin switchbacks. These roads, like the race track, are made for Sport Plus. The firmed-up suspension is trigger-taut, the body flat through the sharp bends. This is a car that lives to be pushed hard, hunkering down, growling and daring you to take it faster. Thankfully, there are (optional) platter sized carbon-ceramic brakes at each corner – ask them to stop, and stop they will. Sensitive, they take some getting used to – but they're capable of hauling the roadster down from warp speed to a dead halt.
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| The roadster sacrifices none of the raw performance of its hard-top sibling, and satisfies the hedonists among us. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
For track-day enthusiasts, there's the AMG Performance Media - accessed through the Nav screen. Essentially, it adds digital gauges recording lap times, lateral g measurements, horsepower output and brake performance.
Fittingly, at the end of the day, we returned our SLS AMG Roadster to a private dock at the harbour. Surrounded by yachts, it looked at home.
Coupe or Roadster? Like the age-old argument of dogs vs cats, it comes down to personal preference. Certainly the roadster sacrifices none of the raw performance of its hard-top sibling, and satisfies the hedonists among us.
The SLS AMG Roadster arrives in Canadian showrooms late this fall. Prices have yet to be announced, but should be slightly more than the coupe.
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