Harking back to the 1954 300SL - one of Mercedes' most iconic cars - the SLS blends retro styling with the very best of modern technology.

Like the original 300SL, the SLS takes innovation straight from the racetrack and combines it with the luxury and creature comforts expected of a car bearing the three-pointed star. Designed and built by AMG, the SLS also offers some interesting contrasts with Mercedes' last supercar - the McLaren-built SLR.

Like the SLR the SLS uses an AMG-built V8 engine. But this one is based on the 6.2-litre unit used in various other AMG cars and relies on sheer cubic capacity rather than a supercharger to deliver its 571hp and 479 lb/ft of torque - considerably more than the 525hp and 465lb ft this engine boasts in cars like the recently launched E63.

At 3.8 seconds to 62mph the SLS matches the SLR for acceleration too, though its electronically limited top speed of 197mph means it can't quite match the McLaren's lunatic 207mph top-end pace. Few will complain though, the SLS being nearly 150kg lighter than the SLR and coming in at least half the McLaren's £300K-plus price tag.

That puts it head-on with another supercar debuting at Frankfurt next week - Ferrari's new 458 Italia, not to mention the likes of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. But while the SLS can compete with the mid-engined Italians on pace it's cars like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage that most closely match the new Merc's combination of luxury and performance.