Unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2009 and launched the following spring, the SLS AMG was Mercedes-AMG's first car developed independently from the ground up, following Daimler's move to bring AMG fully in-house in 2005. Its proportions and upward-swinging doors were a deliberate reference to the 300 SL 'Gullwing' of 1954; the SLS did the same job for a new generation, its aluminium spaceframe chassis and front-mid-engined, rear-transaxle layout built specifically around AMG's own naturally aspirated V8 rather than adapted from an existing Mercedes platform. That engine, the hand-assembled 6.2-litre M159, produced 563bhp and was, at launch, the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 in the world, driving the rear wheels through a Getrag seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle for a 3.9-second 0-62mph time and a 197mph top speed. Ride and handling were tuned with AMG's characteristic stiffness, evo comparing its directness to 'a very big Caterham' despite a 1620kg kerb weight. The SLS AMG's ability and durability saw it appointed the official Formula 1 safety car for five consecutive seasons, from 2010 to 2014. Chassis WMX1973772A004252 was supplied new to the UK in April 2011 through Mercedes-Benz Milton Keynes, finished in Benitoite Blue Metallic over Brown leather. Factory options include Wood Ash Silver centre console trim, aluminium AMG trim, memory package, AMG Performance steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, Comand with DVD changer and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Now with its sixth keeper, the car has been serviced exclusively by Mercedes-Benz main dealers throughout its life, most recently at Brooklands in November 2024 at 27,974 miles. Full service history available upon request.