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
per cent 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.
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 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
weighs around 125 kilograms
less than its predecessor.
On balance, the SL 350 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 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 per cent. 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 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 62 mph
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.
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.
UK Specifications and
pricing are still to be
confirmed. The SL-Class
will go on sale in the UK in
July 2012.
