The SLR’s replacement is caught with its doors open.
A year has past since we last reported on sightings of the so-called Mercedes-Benz SLC. Now, though, the purported SLR McLaren supercar replacement has been spotted again—this time in quite different guise.
Thanks to our friends over at eMercedesBenz.com, we now have three very crisp photos of the SLC showing off its sleek shape, complete with confirmation of gullwing doors. That’s right, this new super-Benz will make use of the legendary entry system made famous by the 300SL of yore, and it appears to sport an opening mechanism very similar in operation to the original 1950s design.
While the aforementioned doors are certainly the major development revealed by the shots, it’s also apparent that other major changes have been made in the past 12 months. Complete with smoother body panels, more cockpit space, and a more streamlined look, the latest SLC mule looks more like a Mercedes-Benz now and less like the FrankenViper it once was. Clear behind the crosshair-style grille camo are the F1-inspired wings that characterize modern Mercedes sports cars, including the SLK and SL.
Powertrain details are still very sketchy at this point, but rumors continue to suggest that the vehicle will be powered by a turbocharged version of the automaker’s 6.2-liter V-8 engine. We wouldn’t be surprised, however, if Mercedes used a beefier version of the 661-hp, twin-turbocharged V-12 that recently debuted in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series.
Ultimately—as progress has been slow in the vehicle’s development—we don’t see this on showroom floors any time in the near future. Expect an auto-show debut in Geneva next year followed by a finished product sometime in 2010.