2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster #1
Had a nice afternoon with my auto journalist buddy, driving out to the lake and taking photos of a new SLS Roadster.
This thing is a contained beast, though it felt like any other modern car under normal driving conditions, but with muffled NASCAR sounds. There's quite a bit of electronic control going on, which given the market it's aimed at is understandable. We didn't use the "Sport Plus" mode of the DTC 7-speed transmission (no place to do so) but "C" (Controlled Efficiency) felt like a classic American slushbox, and "S" (Sport) allowed very satisfying sub-4-second 0-60 times. The interior is rather cramped but comfortable, and as for the boot... well, you'll be traveling light.
Who cares? The front-mid layout and glorious 6.3 V8 (kindly assembled by Herr Günther) cranking out 563HP is worth giving up luggage space.