The Mercedes SLS AMG Supercar Is Here — But It’s Ugly!

It seems the wolf has finally shed its cloak — and if I’m honest, I kind of wish it hadn’t. Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the long-awaited SLS AMG, the spiritual successor to the iconic 300SL Gullwing. And while many fans are celebrating its arrival, I, for one, am not convinced.

This car is pure Marmite. Die-hard Mercedes enthusiasts will likely love the throwback styling and bold proportions. But for those of us more accustomed to Merc’s sleek, understated elegance, the SLS feels like a bit of a miss. Yes, you could argue it leans heavily into retro inspiration — but I’d rather keep the retro theme for a lounge wallpaper, not a £200K supercar that looks, dare I say it, like a scaled-up Mazda.

From its blocky, Lego-like front end to its stubby rear and overly square proportions, the design doesn’t quite come together for me. The iconic gullwing doors are a neat nod to the past, but they feel more like a gimmick than a genuine design triumph here.

Still, Mercedes-AMG insists this is all about the driving experience. Beneath the bonnet is a front-mid-mounted 6.2-litre V8 that produces 563bhp at 6,800rpm and 479lb-ft of torque at 4,750rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed twin-clutch transaxle, dubbed AMG Speedshift DCT, promising rapid gear changes and engaging dynamics.

It’s built for performance, no doubt about that. But for those of us who’ll never drive one — and wouldn’t particularly want to — there’s a sense that Mercedes has been outdone. Audi’s R8 feels sharper, more cohesive, and ultimately more desirable.

Not every icon needs to be reborn. In this case, maybe the cloak suited the wolf better.