Sneak Peek at the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

A recording-breaking turnout of spectators at Sunday morning were treated to a very rare sight: a 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, the spiritual successor to the 1954 300SL Gullwing and sister to the 2011. 

The car has only been seen in very limited venues, according to Peter Bush, who told Patch the car was delivered to New Canaan from a Mercedes Benz' warehouse in New Jersey, then put back under wraps after Sunday's gathering at on Pine St. Bush touted the sheer "awesomeness" of the super sleek SLS AMG which, he said is loaded "with every conceivable advanced technology."

The SLS AMG purports to have supercar performance, sharp handling, everyday functionality with SL proportions of a long hood and short rear deck, according to the Mercedes Benz website. With an all-aluminum chassis and weighing in at 3,600 pounds, the SLS cranks out 563 horsepower and can go from 1-to-62 mph in 3.8 seconds. The hand-built 6.2 liter V8 engine with racing-style dry-sump oil system has a  7-speed dual clutch with automated manual transaxle sending power to the rear wheels. 

Billed as the ultimate automobile, the SLS AMG can be yours for around $200,000, when the car becomes available for purchase.

Also making a brief but stunning appearance was a 1955 300SL Gullwing. The 300SL was introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show to attract the American post-war market and is credited with changing Mercedes' image of a manufacturer of solid but staid automobiles to that of the sporty fun-to-drive cars it is known for today, according to Todd Brown, one of Caffeine & Carburetor's organizers. Seeing the old with the new was a rare treat indeed.

Check out Thursday's Patch for all the highlights of Caffeine & Carburetors.