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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
3.5
liter V6 & 4.7 liter V8 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
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Torque |
273
lb-ft @ 516 lb-ft |
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HP |
206
hp & 435 hp |
HP/Weight |
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HP/Liter |
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1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
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(from Mercedes-Benz
Press Release) Stuttgart – With the completely redeveloped
SL, Mercedes-Benz continues a tradition that began 60 years ago. The
letters "SL" have ever since been synonymous with a symbiosis of
sportiness, style and comfort – and with groundbreaking innovations.
The new SL has been produced for the first time almost entirely from
aluminium and weighs up to 140 kilograms less than its predecessor.
Its highly rigid all-aluminium bodyshell provides the basis for
agile, sporty handling that has been taken to an entirely new level,
coupled with exemplary roll characteristics and ride comfort. Even
better driving dynamics come courtesy of the new BlueDIRECT engines;
they are more powerful yet at the same time up to 29 percent more
economical than the engines in the outgoing generation. Other new
features include the unique Frontbass system, which turns the luxury
sports car into a concert hall regardless of whether the top is open
or closed, and the highly efficient adaptive windscreen wipe/wash
system MAGIC VISION CONTROL; it supplies water from the wiper blade
as required and depending on the direction of wipe.
Compared with its
successful predecessor, the new Mercedes-Benz SL offers considerably
more comfort and sportiness, setting new standards in the luxury
roadster class. Added to which is uncompromising day-to-day
suitability, which turns the SL into an incomparable all-rounder
among sports cars. In short, anyone that talks about the new SL is
bound to be talking about the ultimate in passionate, refined
motoring.
Dr Dieter Zetsche,
Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of
Mercedes-Benz Cars: "There are around 900 million cars in the world
and thousands of models. But there are only a handful of automotive
icons. Our SL is one of them: it has class, it has style, it is the
ultimate in comfort and luxury. But it combines all that with
incredible sportiness and dynamism. You would struggle to find a car
that embodies Gottlieb Daimler's aspiration more perfectly than our
new SL: the best or nothing."
Lighter and more rigid:
sophisticated all-aluminium bodyshell
The new-generation
Mercedes-Benz SL takes the meaning of the famous letters "SL" –
sporty, lightweight – literally. Consistent weight reduction is one
of the most outstanding design characteristics in the new SL as was
the case in its namesake, the original SL of 1952 with its
lightweight tubular frame. For the first time Mercedes-Benz has
implemented an all-aluminium bodyshell in a series-production model.
Only very few components consist of other materials. The designers
use the even lighter magnesium for the cover behind the tank.
High-strength steel tubing is integrated in the A-pillars for safety
reasons.
The new aluminium
bodyshell weighs around 110 kilograms less than it would using the
steel technology from the predecessor. "The effect is rather as if a
heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car" says Dr Thomas
Rudlaff, responsible for the aluminium bodyshell at Mercedes-Benz.
"The result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means more
dynamism and less consumption. In other words: the motoring
enjoyment increases, the environmental burden sinks."
The aluminium structure
is not only lighter but also proves superior to the predecessor's
steel construction in terms of rigidity, safety and comfort. This is
achieved thanks, among other things, to its intelligent lightweight
construction with components optimised for their specific task.
Thus, diverse processes are used to make different kinds of
aluminium depending on the use the component is to be given: the
parts are made by chill casting or vacuum die-casting, worked into
extruded aluminium sections or into aluminium panels of different
thicknesses. The result: high rigidity, high safety levels and
better vibration characteristics.
Although the new SL is
even more comfortable and has more assistance systems on-board than
its predecessor and therefore does actually sacrifice some of the
weight saved through the aluminium bodyshell, the scales show some
astonishing figures: the new SL 500 (1.785 kg) weighs around 125
kilograms less than its predecessor. On balance, the SL 350 (1.685
kg) is even 140 kilograms lighter – all thanks to a host of other
intelligent enhanced details to reduce weight, which Mercedes-Benz
has also implemented in the new SL in addition to the aluminium
bodyshell.
Driving pleasure: frugal, powerful
engines and agile suspension
Powerful while
accelerating, effortlessly superior across all speeds, nimble on
winding roads – the new SL provides ample driving pleasure. Apart
from the powerful engines, the sportily tuned yet comfortable
suspension, which also boasts intelligent lightweight construction,
proves outstanding. For instance, the steering knuckles and spring
links on the front axle are also made out of aluminium to reduce the
unsprung masses. The same also applies to virtually all the wheel
location components on the rear axle.
The new SL is available
with two different suspension systems: the SL features semi-active
adjustable damping as standard. The optional active suspension
system ABC (Active Body Control) is available as an alternative.
Both suspension variants
are combined with a new electromechanical Direct-Steer system
featuring speed-sensitive power steering and a ratio that can be
varied across the steering wheel angle. This ensures excellent
straight-line stability and, therefore, a high degree of assuredness
when travelling at motorway speeds and makes the SL very agile. It
also reduces the amount of steering required when parking and
manoeuvring.
The new V8 in the SL 500
develops 320 kW (435 hp) from its displacement of 4663 cc and thus
around 12 percent more than its predecessor despite some 0.8 litres
less displacement. The fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 22
percent. At the same time, the torque has increased from 530 Nm to
700 Nm – a gain of 32 percent. Although the displacement remains the
same at 3499 cc, the new V6 engine in the new SL 350 develops 225 kW
(306 hp) and delivers 370 Nm of torque. It uses just 6.8 litres of
fuel per 100 kilometres, making it almost 30 percent more economical
than its predecessor. Both engine variants come with a standard-fit
ECO start/stop function. The 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission,
which has been optimised in relation to fuel consumption and
comfort, also contributes to the exemplary, low fuel consumption.
The fuel economy of the BlueDIRECT engines takes nothing away from
the roadster's raciness. Quite the contrary: the SL 350 accelerates
from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, making it three tenths of a
second faster than its predecessor. The SL 500 takes just 4.6
seconds – eight tenths less than the previous SL 500.
Interior: aesthetic, stylish,
sporty
The new SL combines its
aesthetically honed profile, which follows the Mercedes-Benz
tradition, with a luxurious feel. Fine materials, perfectly finished
with great attention to detail, distinguish the style and character
of the interior.
Compared with its
predecessor, the new generation of the SL is much longer 4612 mm
(+50 mm) and wider 1877 mm (+57 mm), providing more room for more
comfort in the interior, too. Shoulder room (+37 mm) and elbow room
(+28 mm) have been increased, exceeding the dimensions normally
found in this vehicle class. Clear lines create a formally coherent
internal space within this comfortable interior. Generously used
wood trim extends from the centre console across the dashboard into
the doors, creating a pleasant wrap-around effect. Three types of
wood along with two different aluminium trim finishes are available.
Perfectly in tune with the roadster's character, it combines the
unpretentious atmosphere of a high-performance sports car with a
comfortable, stylish ambience one comes to expect in a luxurious
touring car.
Design: classic SL proportions
The designers have
brought the latest generation of the SL unmistakably to life on the
basis of tradition but added new perspectives and visions. The
result is a stylishly sporty and elegant luxury sports car with the
classic hallmark SL balanced proportions: the long bonnet gives way
to a compact passenger compartment that is set well back. A wide,
powerful rear end giving the impression of raciness provides the
finishing touch. A handful of elaborately styled lines define the
powerfully sculpted and yet calm surfaces of the flanks. Finely
worked details, a striking rear end as well as ventilation grilles
with chromed fins from the dynamic traditional Mercedes-Benz design
heritage visually emphasise the SL legend.
An upright classic
sports car radiator grille clearly marks out the new SL visually as
a prestigious member of the current Mercedes-Benz sports car family.
The centrally positioned star is a contemporary reinterpretation of
the famous trademark, which now extends into the centre section with
its organically flowing contours.
Dynamically slanting
headlamps set well to the outside flank the striking front end and
give the new roadster its own unmistakable face. The headlamps come
as standard with the Intelligent Light System (ILS). With five
different lighting functions that are tailored to typical driving
and weather conditions, and are activated depending on the driving
situation, they offer the driver a much better illuminated field of
vision. The striking sidelights and the horizontal strip of the
daytime running lamps in the far ends of the bumper feature LED
technology.
Vario-roof: MAGIC SKY CONTROL as
an option
The sixth generation of
the SL also offers a vario-roof that can be retracted into the boot
using an electrohydraulic mechanism to save space, which converts
the SL in a few seconds into a roadster or a coupé, depending on the
driver's wishes and the weather. Unlike its predecessor, three
versions are available for the new SL: painted, with glass roof or
with the unique panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. The
transparent roof switches to light or dark at the push of a button.
When light it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air
experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides
welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up in bright
sunlight. The frame of the three roof versions is made of magnesium,
making the roofs around six kilograms lighter than the roof on the
predecessor, thus providing a lower centre of gravity for the
vehicle and, in turn, better agility.
The engineers have refined the operating mechanism for the roof and
boot lid. It now takes less than 20 seconds to open or close the
roof completely.
Aerodynamics: new standards
The design of the new SL
not only meets high aesthetic demands but it also boasts exemplary
aerodynamic qualities.
As such, the roadster merits best marks in its segment in four
important disciplines:
• With the lowest
drag coefficient (cd = 0.27 in the SL 350);
• With the lowest wind noise that is virtually on a par with a
closed saloon;
• With the best comfort for open-top motoring so that you can
still have the roof down even at high speed;
• With virtually no accumulation of dirt on the side windows.
Two world premieres: Frontbass and
MAGIC VISION CONTROL
With two innovations,
the new SL remains true to its tradition as technological
trendsetter:
MAGIC VISION CONTROL
is a new, intelligent and highly efficient wipe/wash system. The
innovative wiper blade concept always applies the washer fluid
just in front of the wiper blade lip via the channels integrated
into the blade – in both directions of wipe. As a result, no
water is splashed onto the windscreen during spraying to disrupt
the driver's visibility, while at the same time cleaning the
windscreen perfectly. The water also remains on the windscreen,
thus ensuring it is cleaned without troubling the occupants,
even with the roof down. For the first time a fully heated wiper
blade is available as an option that prevents snow or ice from
forming on the blade in winter. This heating function also
allows warm water to be applied directly onto the windscreen for
the first time, even in cold temperatures.
The likewise unique
Frontbass system intelligently uses the free spaces in the
aluminium structures in front of the footwell as resonance
spaces for the bass loudspeakers. As a result the new SL
features clear, crisp bass sounds that make possible a concert
hall ambience even with the top down, and frees up space in the
doors.
Both innovations are
part of the extensive standard equipment of the new SL.
HANDS-FREE ACCESS: 'kick' to open
The HANDS-FREE ACCESS
system is another Mercedes-Benz innovation which provides
hands-free, contactless operation of the boot lid. The driver simply
moves their foot in the vicinity of the rear bumper. Mercedes-Benz
is the only car maker to offer a system which not only automatically
opens the boot lid but closes it as well.
The safest roadster
Thanks to the crash-optimised
aluminium structure, standard-fit PRE-SAFE® and assistance systems
on the same high level as the S-Class, the SL is the world's safest
roadster. The rigid aluminium bodyshell forms a sturdy passenger
compartment along with precisely defined deformation zones in the
front and rear ends. In the event of the vehicle overturning,
A-pillars made out of a mix of steel and aluminium and two roll-over
bars protect the passenger compartment. The restraint systems
including the two-stage driver and front passenger airbags have been
further developed. A headbag integrally covers the side head-impact
area. An additional thorax airbag in the seat backrest can protect
the upper body in the event of a side impact. Another new feature is
the crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints developed by
Mercedes-Benz which are fitted as standard in the SL.
An active bonnet and a
front end with a large, yielding impact area help ensure pedestrian
protection.
A safety highlight is the unrivalled anticipatory occupant
protection system PRE-SAFE® developed by Mercedes-Benz which is
fitted as standard. If the system detects a serious risk of an
accident, it reflexively activates precautionary protective measures
for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags are
able to fulfil their protective function to the full during an
impact.
Additional post-crash
measures supplement the integral safety concept and facilitate rapid
assistance: regardless of the severity of the impact, the doors can
be automatically unlocked after an accident, the interior lighting
activated and the side windows lowered by 50 millimetres to
ventilate the interior more effectively. The steering wheel can also
be moved upwards.
Standard: ATTENTION ASSIST AND
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
In the new SL too, a
unique combination of driver assistance systems helps prevent
accidents. These include the standard-fit drowsiness detection
system ATTENTION ASSIST and the ADAPTIVE BRAKE. The latter features
ABS, acceleration skid control (ASR) and active yaw control, and
offers comfort and convenience functions in addition to safety
functions.
The ADAPTIVE BRAKE works
in conjunction with the equally adaptive brake lights. In emergency
braking situations, it warns vehicles behind with flashing brake
lights.
PRE-SAFE® Brake:
autonomous partial and emergency braking in response to a serious
risk of a rear-end collision
As an option DISTRONIC
PLUS proximity control and PRE-SAFE® Brake, which is already well
proven in other Mercedes-Benz models, are available. Both work on
the basis of the same radar sensors. Once a serious risk of a
rear-end collision is detected, the PRE-SAFE® Brake warns the driver
initially and can initiate autonomous braking if the driver fails to
react, and so either prevent the accident or at least mitigate its
severity. PRE-SAFE® can also activate occupant protection measures.
Active Parking Assist:
automatically manoeuvred into a parking space
The Active Parking
Assist is new in the SL. Using ultrasound sensors it can identify
parking spaces and automatically steer the vehicle into the space
while parking.
Infotainment: COMAND with internet
access
Even in the entry-level
variant, the new Mercedes-Benz SL comes with the "Cockpit Management
and Data System" COMAND. Functionality includes Bluetooth telephony
along with simpler operation of the car phone. COMAND Online with
internet access and DVD changer is also available as an option. It
provides unlimited web browsing while the vehicle is stationary
along with high-speed access to a Mercedes-Benz online service – for
instance requesting a weather report or a special destination
search. There is also the option of sending individual destinations
and routes via Google Maps to the vehicle. For the first time,
Mercedes-Benz is also offering new apps for the new SL: in addition
to a free news app and a Facebook app, there are optional
Mercedes-Benz apps for share prices and a car park finder. A Yelp
app to look for restaurants is available for the US market.
Both COMAND versions
feature a high-resolution TFT colour display with 17.8 cm diagonal
(800 x 480 pixels) at the side next to the instrument cluster. This
screen arrangement prevents the driver from being distracted as far
as possible.
The new SL can be
ordered from 15 December 2011. The prices including 19% VAT are as
follows:
SL 350
BlueEFFICIENCY: 93,534.00 euros
SL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY: 117,096.00 euros
To coincide with the
launch of the new SL, Mercedes-Benz will also be offering a
special-edition model, the "Edition 1", for a limited period. The
"Edition 1" is superbly equipped and comes as standard with a
panoramic vario-roof, AMG bodystyling, sports suspension, AMG
19-inch light-alloy wheels, designo nappa leather with contrasting
topstitching, AIRSCARF, heated seats, electric draught-stop, ambient
lighting and Harman/Kardon® Logic7® surround sound system and much
more. The designo crystal silver magno special paintwork is
available exclusively for the "Edition 1", along with trim in wave
or deep white aluminium. Depending on the basic model, the extra
charge is between 19,028.10 euros and 22,598.10 euros.
