The Mercedes SLS AMG GT, proving less is more: Motoramic TV

There’s no concrete definition of a supercar, but to me the term conjures Carrera GTs and Bugattis and McLarens—kings of the jungle, with massive horsepower, a top speed measured in Mach and a price high enough to thwart the hoi polloi from ever laying sight on so much as a key. There are still cars that fit that mold, but Mercedes-Benz is one company that actually dared to dial back the outrageousness of its flagship two-seater.

Compared to the old SLR McLaren, the Mercedes SLS AMG GT has less power, a lower top speed and not even half the sticker price ($199,500 before destination charge—why, that’s not even $200,000!). In any given rolling drag race, an SL63 AMG might smoke it. There was never any doubt about the primacy of the SLR McLaren. The SLS is a different proposition.

For 2013, the SLS AMG gains the “GT” badge, which denotes 20 extra horsepower (for 583) and some fine-tuning of the transmission and suspension. And while 583 hp is not a pittance, it’s still barely more than you get with a Chevy Camaro ZL1 and significantly less than that of a Ford Shelby GT500. The 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds is impressive but not uncommon. Top speed is electronically limited to 197 mph, which makes me drastically curious to know what happens at 198.