Mercedes-Benz’s SLS AMG Gullwing is a superstar supercar and it’s now on sale in Australia.

The $464,000 price tag isn’t a heart-stopper with the lowest-priced Ferrari (the California) now stickered at $472,000.

By any measure the Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing is jaw-dropping. From its aluminium spaceframe body, to the 420kW/650Nm 6.3-litre V8 with race-bred dry-sump and seven-speed double declutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, the Gullwing pushes the boundaries of supercar technology. 

AMG is Mercedes-Benz’ wholly-owned performance car subsidiary and for sure, with the SLS Gullwing, the team had a remarkable base vehicle to start with. The star of the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Gullwing uses substantial Formula One technology.

The aluminium spaceframe bodyshell weighs just 241 kgs (total weight for the car is 1620kgs). For occupant protection, the A-pillars are made from ultra high-strength heat-formed steel but of the rest – 45 per cent is made from aluminium sections, 31 per cent from sheet aluminium, 20 per cent from cast aluminium and four per cent from steel. 

The naturally-aspirated V8 engine drives the rear wheels via that remarkable seven-speed transmission in a transaxle (combined gearbox and differential at the rear) with a carbon fibre driveshaft. AMG fitted a new intake system and headers and modified the valve train, camshafts and exhaust to deliver an extra 34kW over the ‘standard’ SLS Gullwing.

AMG also went to the dry sump arrangement which allows the engine to sit lower in the chassis for a lower centre of gravity.

All of that propels the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing to a limited top speed of 317km/h and zero to 100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds. 

Fuel consumption of 13.3l/100kms is actually one of the best in the supercar league.

Inside, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing looks like a cross between a jet fighter cockpit and a racing sports car from the Le Mans 24-Hour. The long center tunnel is made from carbon fibre and the wide-opening gullwing doors actually require no more space than a conventional coupe (those paying $464,000 for this car won’t have to widen their garage to fit it).

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing runs a front/rear weight distribution of 47/53 per cent – just about ideal for a sports car - and uses Formula One-style double wishbone/track rod suspension. Wheels are 9.5 x 19-inch (front) and 11.0 x 20-inch (rear). 

Brakes feature composite front discs or you can option a ceramic composite system.

Naturally there is a massive armada of high-tech driving technologies such as three-stage ESP and four driver-select modes for the seven-speed transmission.