AMG's first ground-up supercar — gullwing doors, a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 and the spiritual successor to the 300 SL.
Unveiled at Frankfurt in 2009 and on sale from 2010 to 2014, the SLS AMG was the first car designed, engineered and built in-house by Mercedes-AMG from the ground up. Built on an aluminium spaceframe and powered by the hand-assembled M159 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 563 hp, it paired front-mid engine, rear-transaxle layout with a Getrag dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox — and revived the gullwing-door silhouette of the 1954 300 SL for the modern era.
The range expanded over four years to include the Roadster (2011), the rear-drive electric SLS AMG Electric Drive (2013, the most powerful electric car of its era at launch), the track-focused GT and Final Edition variants, and the limited-production Black Series (2013) with 622 hp and significant aerodynamic and chassis revisions. Roughly 8,000 SLS AMGs were built across all variants. The model also formed the basis of the SLS AMG GT3 customer racing car, which became one of the most successful GT3 platforms of the 2010s.
The SLS AMG is the last naturally aspirated front-engined Mercedes-AMG supercar and the only modern road car to revive the gullwing doors of the 300 SL. The M159 V8 is one of the great naturally aspirated engines of its generation, hand-built under the 'one man, one engine' AMG philosophy, and the SLS established the template for the AMG GT that followed. The Black Series is already recognised as a blue-chip modern collector car, and the manual-shift dynamics, transaxle layout and naturally aspirated character of the standard car distinguish it sharply from the turbocharged supercars that succeeded it.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLS AMG Coupe (Gullwing) | 2010–2014 | Not separately recorded | Original 563 hp gullwing coupé; the design icon and volume car. |
| SLS AMG Roadster | 2011–2014 | Not separately recorded | Conventional doors and power soft-top; same 563 hp drivetrain; structurally reinforced. |
| SLS AMG GT (Coupe & Roadster) | 2012–2014 | Not separately recorded | 591 hp, faster shift programming, revised damper tune; the better-developed standard car. |
| SLS AMG Black Series | 2013–2014 | Not separately recorded | 622 hp, dry-sump M159, carbon-fibre body panels, fixed rear wing; approximately 132 UK / circa 1,000+ worldwide; the collector halo. |
| SLS AMG GT Final Edition | 2014 | Not separately recorded | Limited run-out specification with carbon detailing and Black Series-derived aerodynamic elements; 350 units. |
| SLS AMG Electric Drive | 2013–2014 | Not separately recorded | All-electric, four-motor, approx. 750 hp; produced in very limited numbers; technically significant but a niche market. |
| SLS AMG GT3 (racing) | 2011–2020s | Not separately recorded | Customer GT3 racing car; widely campaigned globally; referenced for pedigree, not road-market comparables. |
The models below represent the most significant limited and special edition variants — factory-produced cars that command meaningful premiums over standard examples and warrant specific attention from serious collectors.
An SLS is bought on its service history. Look for continuous Mercedes-Benz / AMG main-dealer or recognised independent specialist servicing, annual oil services regardless of mileage, both keys, original books, the toolkit and any documented warranty work. Cars with full Mercedes-Benz history and a clear ownership chain command meaningful premiums; cars with patchy history or non-specialist service should be priced accordingly.
The GT is the better-developed standard car — sharper shift programming, revised damper tune and 591 hp — and represents the strongest mainstream proposition. Original 563 hp coupés in sought-after colours (Iridium Silver, Obsidian Black, AMG Le Mans Red, Designo Mystic White) remain the design statement. The Black Series operates in its own band as a blue-chip limited-production halo and behaves more like a 458 Speciale or 911 GT3 RS in pricing dynamics. Roadsters are best chosen on condition rather than as an investment.
The Getrag DCT rear transaxle is generally robust but is a known service item; verify the date of the last DCT fluid service (typically every 40,000 miles or earlier on track-used cars) and listen for clunking from the propshaft and driveshaft at low speeds, which can indicate worn centre bearings or CV joints. Track-used cars — particularly those with documented circuit use or aftermarket exhausts — should be priced to reflect more frequent transaxle and clutch service.
The aluminium spaceframe and panels are expensive to repair correctly. Inspect panel gaps, the operation of the gullwing doors (including the pyrotechnic release mechanism's service interval, which Mercedes specifies on a time basis), and the front splitter and underbody for evidence of kerbing. Budget £800–£1,500 for a PPI at a recognised AMG specialist; the inspection should include a full diagnostic scan, fluid analysis and a documented underbody check.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-25 | RM Sotheby's Monaco | 2010 SLS AMG (Lot 177) | — | €331,250 Sold |
| 2026-03-06 | Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction | 2012 SLS AMG (Lot 111) | — | $257,600 Sold |
| 2026-01-28 | RM Sotheby's Paris | 2013 SLS AMG (Lot 126) | — | €275,000 Sold |
| 2026-01-17 | Barrett-Jackson 2026 Scottsdale | 2011 SLS AMG (Lot 1326.1) | — | $244,200 Sold |
| 2025-08-15 | RM Sotheby's Monterey | 2011 SLS AMG (Lot 166) | — | $307,500 Sold |
| 2025-03-07 | Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction 2025 | 2015 SLS AMG GT Roadster Final Edition (Lot 264) | — | $285,500 Sold |
The SLS AMG occupies a clearly defensible position as the last naturally aspirated, front-engined AMG supercar and the only modern revival of the gullwing-door silhouette. Production is closed, the model is supported globally by Mercedes-Benz and an active independent specialist network, and the long-term narrative is well established.
Within the range, the GT, GT Final Edition and Black Series offer the strongest risk-adjusted outlook. The Black Series is already a blue-chip modern collector car. Original-specification gullwing coupés in sought-after colours with full Mercedes-Benz history will continue to appreciate steadily. Cars without documented service history, with significant track use, or with non-reversible modifications should be priced as drivers rather than collectibles.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
