Yesterday we learned that the SLS AMG would be phased out soon, with its role as the flagship Mercedes-Benz sports car to be taken up by a smaller and more agile model likely to be called the AMG GT. Fans of the big gullwing needn’t be too sad, however, as a direct replacement is planned, though it may be some time before we see it.

The information was revealed to Car Sales by outgoing AMG boss Ola Källenius. He explained that the SLS AMG was a huge success for AMG and helped put the Affalterbach tuner on the map, in terms of standalone sports car manufacturing. At the same time, it is such an iconic vehicle that AMG doesn’t want to launch a direct successor straight away.

“It’s not something you just do one after the after,” Källenius said. “I am not suggesting we should wait 55 years to do the next gullwing car [a reference to the gap between the launch of the original 300SL and the SLS AMG], but certainly not straight after the one we have done now.”

The SLS AMG, which first went on sale in 2010, is the spiritual successor to the legendary 300SL of the 1950s. It was the first standalone model built by AMG and rides on a unique aluminum chassis. Both a gullwing coupe and a roadster with regular doors were launched, and AMG has even built an electric version. In GT3 trim, the SLS AMG has been thoroughly successful in the motorsport arena, and in Black Series trim the car will even scare some of the hottest supercars.

_______________________________________

Follow Motor Authority on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.