The meteoric rise of Mercedes SLS AMG prices

Who says supercars from the modern classic era aren’t collectible. The meteoric rise in the price of Mercedes’ SLS AMG has fascinated and surprised many. The 2010 gull-winged icon now changes hands for almost thrice its list price in India, and that comes as a big surprise to many. However, examine the reasons behind the steep rise in prices of this modern classic, and things get clearer.

Special focus

First up, this car was special from the get-go, and the SLS marked a pivotal moment for the AMG brand. No longer merely a performance arm, the SLS was AMG’s first ground up design that wasn’t based on a current Mercedes. However, taking on the best sports car and supercar makers in the world was no easy task, so AMG and Mercedes brought all their forces to bear for their halo car. And this made all the difference.

Timeless profile            

What’s also clear is that design played a central role in its appeal. Even today, the SLS manages to look both contemporary and rooted in the past at the same time. The long bonnet, short rear deck and compact cabin echo the aerodynamic purity of the 1950s 300 SL. And then there are the gullwing doors, which provide a direct visual link to its iconic predecessor. What makes the design really pop is that the SLS has also aged superbly, its clean lines, large surfaces and sharp edges making it look contemporary even today.

Real muscle

Then there’s what’s under the hood. Beneath the long bonnet lies AMG’s M159 engine, a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre monster of a V8, producing 571hp and 650Nm. Built by hand in Affalterbach, it offers immediate throttle response, sledgehammer-like power delivery and a raw mechanical exhaust note that sets it apart from the increasingly sanitised exhaust notes of modern turbocharged units today.

Analogue drive

Coming to the manner in which the SLS was engineered and the way it drives, it’s built more like AMG’s race cars – an aluminium spaceframe, aluminium suspension arms, aluminium sub-frames and a rear-mounted transaxle for optimal weight distribution. This brings a certain purity and helps make this one of the finest analogue driving experiences. And this gives it yet another leg up over modern cars that increasingly lean heavily on software and driver aids.

The numbers game

Finally, what also helps are its limited production numbers. While you can buy any number of Porsche 911s or Lambo Huracans – making them relatively accessible – AMG had the SLS on sale for only three to four years (depending on the market). And with very few coming up for sale, especially in India where only a small number of cars were sold, demand for this icon has just soared.

Modern Classic rule

Also bolstering SLS prices is the modern classic movement. With shows like the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally and the Modern Classic Rally shining a spotlight on cars from this ‘golden age of motoring’, and few new cars being able to deliver the mechanical feel and immersive driving experience this car delivers, is it any wonder that more and more car enthusiasts want to buy into the SLS experience? On a side note, you can buy tickets for the 2025 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally here. 

Pay to play

So how far have prices risen? In India, the SLS was launched at Rs 1.8 crore, with prices dipping to Rs 80 lakh at one point. Today, well-kept examples command upwards of Rs 5 crore, with further appreciation expected. This is similar to the global story, where early models once traded below their original $175,000 (over Rs 1.5 crore) sticker but now exceed $250,000 (over Rs 2.2 crore), especially for the even more rare Black Edition.

AMG’s winged wonder

There’s no doubt that the AMG SLS sits on an all-new pedestal today. Increasingly recognised as a modern classic icon, with values rising constantly and collector interest intensifying to fever pitch, it sits among not just the pantheon of iconic Mercedes cars but also amongst modern classic supercars in general. It truly is the supercar that has everything: timeless jaw-dropping looks, real heritage and pedigree, an outstanding analogue driving experience and one of the most characterful naturally aspirated engines on God’s green earth. So it’s little wonder that this car keeps flying up in value. And clearly, it’s not just the wings.

Special Partner - Rustomjee