Mercedes-Benz SLS overall verdict

A finely judged super GT from Mercedes and AMG. A thumping great 6.2-litre V8 and gullwing doors equals maximum joy.

Comfort

Sure, the ride might be a little stiff, but more than anything, the SLS comes across as a GT car; the clutch is good enough to totter around town in, and if you're not massively committed on the throttle, you can keep the V8's burble just the right side of head turning.

Cool

Very. You get the impression the SLS doesn't take itself too seriously, and at the end of the day, it's still a big Benz.

Handling

The steering is good but not truly great, and the sensation of peering out over acres of bonnet doesn't helop to make the SLS shrink around you, but get into a loping rhythm, and the SLS can cover ground very quickly indeed. It's a joy. In fact, it feels very much like a V8 muscle car, all slithery goodness and apolcalyptic soundtrack, and it's all the better for that.

Running costs

21.4mpg (if you're lucky) and emissions of 308g/km of CO2, so yeah, it'll be expensive. But look at it. And listen to it.