The Mercedes-Benz Gullwing super sports car that pays homage to the five decades-old 300 SL that was first launched at the New York Motor Show in 1954 is now available in Bahrain.

A ceremony was held to mark the unveiling at the Al Haddad Motors showroom in Tubli. It was attended by company chairman Rasool Al Haddad, general manager Dr Ulf Ausprung, other company officials and guests.

"This highly desirable interpretation of one of the world's greatest sports cars will certainly become a classic in its own right and we have had considerable interest in the supercar since its debut at the Dubai Motor Show last December," said Dr Ausprung.

The first Mercedes-Benz with an aluminium body and chassis, the new SLS is the first vehicle independently developed by AMG and not only takes the brand into a new era, but also demonstrates considerable development expertise, the company says.

Its designers claim the new car makes for an alluring proposition with its unri-valled technology package that includes an aluminium space-frame body with Gullwing doors, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine developing 571 hp peak output, 650 Nm of torque and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed double-declutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones and a kerb weight of 1,620kg.

The front/rear weight distribution of 47 to 53 per cent and the vehicle's low centre of gravity are testimony to the uncompromising sports car concept. The Gullwing accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to an electronically limited top speed of 317km/h.

The vehicle features a long bonnet and the short rear end with its extendable rear aerofoil stand for dynamism, as do the long wheelbase, the wide track and large 19 and 20-inch wheels. It is not only the gullwing doors that are reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, as the wide radiator grille with its large Mercedes star, the wing-shaped cross fin and the fins on the bonnet and flanks also hark back to the legendary sports car of the 1950s.

Eyecatching features of the side view include the accented wheel arches and the pronounced shoulder line.

Dynamism and power are also communicated by the rear view of the SLS AMG. The gentle slope of the boot lid with the automatically extending aerofoil accentuates the impression of width, as do the flat LED tail lights.

The new Gullwing is available for around BD80,000.