Mercedes Gullwing: Spy shots of new Merc supercar

Is now the right time to be launching a super-exclusive supercar? Probably not, but Mercedes has learned all about slow supercar sales with the McLaren SLR, which didn't reach its sales targets with the abandon some might have expected.

This effort is all Mercedes, though, and may even be badged AMG-only. The reborn Gullwing is likely to use a V8 or V10, with upwards of 550bhp - enough to scare most super coupes into submission, with the addition of a trick automatic gearbox and the inevitable luxury a top-end Merc brings giving it a different hand to play against supercar rivals.

Expect to see the car in some form at the 2010 Geneva motor show.