Official: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT ups the supercar stakes

Official: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT ups the supercar stakes:

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Despite the addition of "GT" to its name, and despite the fact that this is indeed a more hardcore version of the tasty Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, there's one thing you need to keep in mind: This is not - we repeat, not - an addition to the SLS range. To pull from the automaker's press blast, "Mercedes-Benz will now exclusively offer the new SLS AMG GT. Available as a Coupe and Roadster, it will go on sale in mid-November 2012, replacing previous SLS AMG versions."

The SLS AMG is dead. Long live the SLS AMG GT.

So, let's dive in to the good stuff. For starters, the GT uses the same 6.2-liter fire-breathing V8 from the current SLS, though there's an additional 20 horsepower on tap - 583 versus the 563 of the outgoing model. Torque output remains the same at 479 pound-feet, and the same seven-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission is on tap. The added grunt shaves a tenth of a second off of the SLS' 0-60 time (3.6 seconds instead of 3.7), and the GT's top speed is electronically limited to the same 197 miles per hour as before.

But it's not just the powertrain that gets some enhancements. Mercedes has reworked its adaptive performance suspension, and compared to the 2012 model, we're told that the 2013 GT rides on stiffer springs and dampers that have been more aggressively tuned. The new SLS still rides on 19-inch alloy wheels up front, wrapped in sticky 265/35-series rubber, while 20-inch rollers are found at the rear, wearing even sticker 295/30-series tires.

A number of enhancements have been made to the SLS' interior with the introduction of the GT model, including a new Designo style package. This optional extra comes in three different color combinations - in both single- and two-tone finishes - and features only the finest leather surfaces with contrast stitching and a diamond quilt pattern on the seats and doors. Sounds plush. Of course, plenty of other optional goodies are also available, including carbon fiber parts for both the interior and exterior, carbon ceramic brakes, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and different wheel options.

We never could find much fault with the current SLS AMG, and it would appear that things are only getting better for 2013, added nomenclature aside. Scroll down to read all of the nitty-gritty details in Merc's release.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT ups the supercar stakes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 03:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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