Often regarded as two of the most collectible modern Mercedes-Benz flagships, the SLR McLaren and SLS AMG combine exclusivity with supercar-level performance. Both draw inspiration from the iconic 1950s Gullwing, yet they reflect very different philosophies shaped by their creators—McLaren and AMG. To see which was quicker in a straight line, CarExpert lined them up for a series of drag races.
The SLS AMG, built from 2010 to 2014, was the first car developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG. It features a front mid-engine layout, aluminum spaceframe, rear-wheel drive, and a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 producing up to 571 horsepower. Its dramatic gullwing doors and long hood made it an instant modern classic, with variants ranging from the Roadster to the hardcore Black Series.
Opposite it was the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, produced between 2003 and 2010. Developed jointly with McLaren Automotive, the SLR is a carbon-fiber grand tourer powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 delivering over 600 horsepower, blending Mercedes luxury with Formula 1–inspired engineering and paying homage to the legendary 300 SLR.
The races took place on a low-grip airport runway, making traction a major issue. From a standing start, the SLR immediately took control. While the SLS struggled with wheelspin and inconsistent launches, the SLR hooked up cleanly and pulled away every time. Repeated runs showed the same result, with the SLS’s launch control proving ineffective on the surface.
A rolling race was intended to narrow the gap, but it only reinforced the conclusion. Starting from roughly 30 km/h, the SLR once again edged ahead and then disappeared into the distance, its torque-rich delivery exposing just how effortlessly it outpaced the SLS.
