2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: First Look

The roadster will debut this fall and features a soft-top power-folding roof that’s available in black, red and beige. The top can open and close in 11 seconds and operate at speeds of up to 31 mph.

The soft-top doesn’t really inhibit the SLS’s already small trunk space — the convertible has 6.1 cubic feet of trunk space and the coupe has 6.2 cubic feet — but we wonder if the lack of gullwing doors, which make the coupe so unique-looking, will damage its allure. Probably not.

The model comes with the same 563-horsepower V-8 found in the hardtop; all other mechanics in the car are identical.

A blind spot warning system is standard for both the 2012 coupe and convertible. New options include a three-mode AMG adaptive suspension and a driving telemetry and g-force measurement system. The roadster goes on sale this fall; the coupe goes on sale in July.

Continue below for more photos.