Mercedes-Benz SL

Sixty years ago, the brand of Mercedes-Benz dared to launch a range of two-seater cars sporting aspirations that still lives on. We talked about the Mercedes-Benz SL , and next spring will hit the market a new generation.

One of the main features of the new Mercedes-Benz SL , it is first built almost entirely of aluminum and weighs up to 140 kilograms lighter than its predecessor . And that’s a clear homage to the original name, whose lyrics SL came from Sport and Light .

But not only reduce weight and a facelift we can talk about a new Mercedes-Benz SL. There is much more, starting with BlueTec that are now more efficient and saving , although in most cases power increases compared to their counterparts in the previous generation.

Keeping the guidelines that characterize and make it unique to any Mercedes-Benz SL, the designers of the brand with the star has made ??an effort to give it the sleek and modern to be expected of a car in this class, called to compete in the market with other myths such as the Porsche 911 .

A long bonnet grille chaired by both enjoying it in the next generation Mercedes gives way to the cabin located in a very delayed. The back is broad, strong and looks very sporty.

In side view, highlights the shape of the front wings branquilas , marking the profile that defines the characteristics of the doors ways. The optical front and rear, but not too avant-garde, if they have a new style in the oblique forms and triangular front and rear.

Retractable Roof

The Mercedes-Benz SL, takes less than 20 seconds to go from coupé to ??cabrio and vice versa .And all this thanks to the retractable hardtop allows us to travel the open sky when it is hidden in the trunk, or feel at the controls of a coupe when deployed on the body.

And for the first time in the history of Mercedes-Benz SL, it can choose from three options : painted ceiling, glass roof or panoramic Magic Sky Control . If you opt for the latter system, the transparency of glass can be adjusted with the press of a button.

The retractable roof structure is now made ??of magnesium , which saves seven kilos compared to the previous version.

Interior Design

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz SL has always been very high both in terms of finish and the comfort of its occupants. So if something works, it is best not to change too. What has happened in the new Mercedes-Benz SL is that it has grown in size and it shows in the cockpit .

The new one is 50 mm. longer, 57 mm. wider and that translates to 37 mm. more in width to shoulder height and 28 mm. more in width between elbows. Otherwise, the dashboard design follows the trend already seen in the Mercedes SLS AMG , and his brothers CLS 350 and SLK 250 we tested last year.

The air vents are four propeller-shaped plane . The center console is attached almost in one piece to the dashboard, conveying a feeling more comfortable for the occupants of the seats.

Weight Reduction in Key Areas

The new Mercedes SL is almost entirely made ??of aluminum. Only some elements such as front protection bars are made ??of steel. And for security protection after the fuel tank is made ??of magnesium .

The overall weight reduction, was also found with another handicap . And is that the new modelincropora more technology , more elements of driving assistance also weighed. However the new SL 500 weighs about 125 kilograms in total less than its predecessor, while the SL 350 is 140 pounds lighter.

But more important than the total weight is that it has been reduced in unsprung . For example aluminum manufactured in the spindles and arms portamuelles front axle as well as almost all components of the rear axle.

Powerful and efficient engines

The new SL has a sporty rear undercarriage, and optionally you can choose between semi-active control dampers or active regulation of the suspension Active Body Control . To this we must add a new direct steering with variable assist in electromechanical function of speed and a gear whose gear ratio changes with the angle of rotation of the wheel.

To this we must add some of the most striking engines. On one hand the Mercedes-Benz SL 500rides a 4663 cc V8, 0.8 liters less than the previous model. However, the output increases by 12% to435 horsepower . Thanks to this increased power, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.6 seconds.The former did so in 5.4 seconds.

The torque of the Mercedes-Benz SL 500 goes from 530 to 700 Nm. And with all the German manufacturer announced that the lower consumption neither more nor less than 22%. Although not indicate the exact number.

On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz SL 350 delivers 306 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque . It accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.9 seconds, three tenths less than the model it replaces.

And in this case if they are announced official consumption, staying at a staggering 6.8 l/100 km . This represents a savings of 30% over its predecessor, really impressive consumption figures for a car of this potential.

All engines are combined with the automatic transmission 7G- TRONIC PLUS , which has also received upgrades to help get those numbers as low consumption.

For now, these are all the details of the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL to arrive in showrooms in spring . For with all that is not enough, they can wait for the arrival of more powerful versions signed byAMG , and even believe that some version can reach into the small diesel SLK . time to time .