Earlier this month, reports emerged outlining details about a new high-end sports car from Mercedes-Benz that would likely be the spiritual successor to the classic 300 SL gullwing. The car will be developed by Mercedes engineers but there will be many influences from the AMG performance division. Such features will include aluminum tubing for the car’s chassis, several AMG components including its hand-built 6.2L V8, as well as a possible dual-clutch gearbox.

The car’s styling will feature many retro cues, including the gullwing doors of the original model from the 1950s and should hit the market in early 2011, according to AutoZeitung. The new model will sit between the SL and SLR in terms of performance and price.

Mercedes’ racing partner HWA is still on track to launch its own super-sports car powered by the same 6.2L V8 engine, while Mercedes itself is working on a new Black Series edition of the SL roadster. This car will be lightened version of the facelifted SL and will pack a more powerful version of the, you guessed it, AMG’s 6.2L V8. Expect extensive use of aluminum and carbon-fiber to bring down the car’s kerb weight and a final power figure close to 575hp (429kW).