Mercedes Considering Smaller SLS-based Porsche 911 Rival?
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is barely on the global scene and already there are whispers about a possible smaller SLS derivative to do battle with the Porsche 911. The current $300,000-plus, 571-horsepower SLS AMG could only be seen as a potentially competiting against the highest-end models of the 911 range, like the GT2.
But a smaller, lighter, slightly less powerful car could tackle the more mainstream realm of the high-end sports car arena head on. Or at least that's what Mercedes-Benz executives are thinking according to a report from an SLS AMG launch event in California.
The executive put the timing of such a car at least five years out, however, leaving much room for changes in course and outright reversals. Even if it is too early to start counting this chicken as hatched, it's an intriguing idea: a seriously sporting, powerful, competitively priced Mercedes. Currently, Mercedes' offerings are mostly limited to two of those three characteristics at any one time.
If it does come along, it could get its motivation from a 5.8-liter variant of the 6.2-liter engine that powers the SLS AMG. With the typical high-tech addition like direct injection and cylinder deactivation, the car might me able to compete on fuel efficiency as well as power. Output of such an engine would likely be tuned to span the 350-500 horsepower range, much like the 3.8-liter turbocharged and naturally-aspirated flat sixes of its ostensible rival, the Porsche 911.
There's also been previous talk of a potential Black Series SLS AMG, which would push power well beyond the 600-pony mark, and lift the SLS even further into true supercar territory.
Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1038313_mercedes-considering-smaller-sls-based-porsche-911-rival Rumormill: Mercedes considering more affordable "baby" SLS AMG gullwing?
The folks over at Mercedes appear to be pretty excited about their newest supercar. For starters, the SLS AMG Gullwing is the first ever home-grown AMG supercar, and it replaces the ho-hum McLaren SLR. And of course, the nearly $200,000 German hot rod comes equipped with retro-tastic gullwing doors and a 6.2-liter V8 capable of 563 horsepower and 0-60 mph times of 3.8 seconds – both of which we certainly like. But will the SLS AMG be the one-and-only purpose-built vehicle to come from Mercedes' performance group? We kinda doubt it, and so do the scribes over at PistonHeads.
While attending the SLS drive event in Monterey, California, the
PistonHeads crew spoke off-the-cuff with company execs who said that an additional AMG model could be in the works. We already know that a convertible version of the SLS is in the works, and a Black Series and dedicated racing version have also been mooted. However, the rumored second AMG Pistonheads is speaking about could be a Porsche 911 hunter based off of the same platform of the SLS AMG, with a front engine layout and smaller overall proportions. Further speculation is that the smaller, presumably less expensive SLS sibling would also carry a V8 engine between 5.8 and 6.2 liters with direct injection and cylinder shutoff tech.
If a smaller, lighter AMG model sounds good to you and you can afford the presumably high price tag, we hope you have some patience. The same executive who spilled bean on the possible smaller AMG also stated that such a car isn't likely to see the light of day for another five years
Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/rumormill-mercedes-considering-more-affordable-baby-sls-amg-g/ 
13th November 2009, 15:33
