The Mercedes SLS AMG went into production in 2010 having been unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Penned by Mark Fetherston, it was conceived from the outset to be a spiritual successor to the now legendary 300 SL Gullwing, as well as a literal successor to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, after production of that had come to an end in 2009. Like the 300 SL, the defining elements were its iconic gullwing doors, relatively lightweight body and phenomenal powerplant, the latter of which endowed it with genuine supercar performance and one of the most evocative V-8 soundtracks of the modern era.

The engine itself was a development of the 2010 International Engine of the Year award-winning 6.2-litre naturally aspirated “M156” V-8 that AMG had developed for its “63”-variant models of car. Despite sharing the “M156” block, the extent of the upgrades bestowed upon it for the SLS earned it its own engine code and it became the “M159”. Compared to the standard “M156”, the “M159” adopted a revised freer-flowing intake system, an upgraded valvetrain with camshafts that had a greater range of adjustment, revised tubular steel exhaust manifolds and dry sump lubrication, which enabled the engine to be mounted very low to improve the SLS’s overall centre of gravity. This configuration unlocked 563 brake horsepower at 6,800 rpm, which made it the most powerful naturally aspirated production engine at the time and capable of propelling the SLS AMG to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed just shy of 200 mph.

Production of the SLS AMG ran from 2010 to 2015, culminating in the 350 examples of the SLS AMG GT Final Edition, among them this particular example. Compared with the standard SLS AMG, the Final Edition cars benefitted from the same engine and handling upgrades that had allowed the SLS GT to operate on a much higher level than the earlier model. Specifically, the engine was fettled to unleash an extra 20 brake horsepower, while the AMG division also breathed on the Speedshift DCT seven-speed transmission to deliver even faster changes both up and down the gearbox. The suspension too was tuned, with stiffer bushings and thicker rollbars to give the car more direct and performance-focused handling characteristics.

Aside from the electrical and mechanical upgrades, the Final Edition cars also received unique cosmetic enhancements. On the outside a carbon fibre bonnet, carbon fibre splitter, fixed carbon fibre rear wing and lightweight forged alloy wheels allude to the car’s potency and individuality, which is reaffirmed in the cabin by diamond quilted seats and carbon fibre trims. The “standard” Final Edition specification was occasionally upgraded further with the addition of the desirable and rare Bang & Olufsen sound system; this is one such case.

More remarkable though than its enviable specification is the fact that this car has covered just 76 km at the time of cataloguing, having never been registered for the road. Interested parties should be aware that—due to the engine being built to older “Euro 5” emissions standards at the time of installation—buyers should check that the Mercedes-Benz can be legally driven on the road in their intended country of registration prior to bidding.

The car is offered for sale with a European Certificate of Conformity issued by Mercedes-AMG GmbH in December 2013, a factory build sheet confirming it was built to Swiss specification, and an invoice for servicing work completed in January 2022. This Mercedes-Benz presents wonderfully in its matte graphite and carbon colour scheme, complemented by a Designo black leather interior. Few cars have as much stage presence as the SLS AMG and the Final Edition may well be the ultimate incarnation; a perfect mix of traditional elegant design and modern muscle. The chance to acquire a “delivery mileage” example may never be repeated.