Autoblog: Gullwing-America's "new" 2009 Mercedes Gullwing

[Blind_Io]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/g...ercedes-300sl/

They don't build 'em like they used to. Actually, they usually built them better, but they don't design 'em like they used to. Or so Gullwing-America figures. The classically-enamored garage is planning on relaunching the original SL's iconic shape with modern technology and fabrication in what could very well be the ultimate blend of old and new.

The 2009 Gullwing-America 300 SL Panamericana is the brainchild of Arturo Alonso, the same engineer behind the Bentley S3 E concept. With that model already on its way to market, Alonso has turned his attention to the Gullwing. With a body of fiberglass-reinforced aluminum over a powder-coated steel chassis, the Panamericana will apparently draw its power from Mercedes' own M-133-55 engine, the same 5.5-liter V8 underpinning the SLR McLaren's supercharged unit, albeit tuned to produce 370 horsepower. Plans are also afoot to make a smaller V6 available, either mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-ratio Speedtronic automatic transmission.

Riding low on 17-inch AMG wheels with a custom independent suspension, to our eyes, the 300 SL Panamericana looks a lot hotter than the camouflaged versions of the forthcoming AMG-tuned Gullwing, but they'll need some orders to get the project off the ground and on to the street. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the renderings in the high-resolution image gallery below.

[watto]

The wheels don't do it for me, but apart from that, brilliant!!

[Aston Martin]

Needs chrome bumpers

[Crazyjeeper]

That is awesome.

[Lupin_IV]

I agree with the above responses. It is awesome, but it needs proper bumpers and different wheels.

[Heyl]

It's a bit meh =/

[CrazyRussian540]

When I first saw the white one on Autoblog I was 'ehhhhh...' but that black one is a serious case of WANT (minus the huge wheels).

[Spectre]

Can I get one without the "certain to kill you" swing axles of the original?

[MadCat360]

Gorgeous.

[Vette Boss]

Apart from the wheels, it's excellent. I love the headlamps, they appear to be giving a suspicious gaze.

[Shawn]

Originally Posted by Heyl

It's a bit meh =/

I concur... it's like a comedy Gullwing.

[starfox07]

I'll take a silver roadster model with 722 on the front.

Either way though, that is magnificent if only a rendering.

[MattD1zzl3]

It looks just like the old one only uglier at the front...

[Shawn]

^ Dude, that's automotive blasphemy. The front of the 300SL (especially the grille) looks great, even though the Gullwing's great bubble butt is simply superb.

I don't like this new one though, it deviates too much from the original. It deviates very little, but I just think the Gullwing is too perfect.

[Nabster]

I certainly have cars I'd prefer, but I'd have one.

[darkshark0159]

I'm not incredibly enthusiastic about the design. Perhaps it is just the horrible colour scheme of the first image throwing me off.

[DTMracer]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Can I get one without the "certain to kill you" swing axles of the original?

I want one in silver built on top of a current SL63 chassis.

*Starts drooling.

[SL65]

I'm going to go against the trend here and say that I don't like it

I prefer the original.

I guess I'm not use to seeing different versions of the 300SL and anything different from the original isn't 'pure' in my books.

That said - it isn't ugly or anything. Certainly way cooler than most modern cars!

[starfox07]

Obviously the original is better looking, but comparing this to basically anything in production today....

[stiggles]

The wheels are way too pikey, and without bumpers it looks like an MG. Nice idea, but I'd prefer the original, with proper suspension.