Though falling far short of a complete redesign, the Mercedes Benz SL-Class will get a few upgrades this year
not the least of which is a new engine lineup. The SL’s trio of powerplants will include a new 272-hp V6 for the
SL350, the company’s new 5.5L V8 making 388 hp for the SL500, and finally a reworked biturbo V12 in the SL600
that offers its opulent owner 517 hp.
Other improvements include a new exhaust system for each engine, new
steering set up, a revised Active Body Control System and new 7G-TRONIC sport shifter that changes cogs 30% faster
thanks to shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The sheetmetal that wraps this expensive gift has also been
reworked at both the front and rear ends, although only the most discriminating connoisseur could tell. Inside the
cabin Mercedes has only tweaked a few color choices and splashed some chrome and aluminum trim about.
All
the pics and the full press release after the jump.
[Source: Mercedes Benz and eMercedesBenz]
The new
generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: Synergy of dynamism and emotion
Stuttgart, Jan 18, 2006
Four
years on from its launch, the successful Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has undergone a number of enhancements, the most
significant being in the areas of technology, design and interior appointments. The engines, powertrain and chassis
have been optimised to deliver a sportier response so that the unique Roadster now offers an even more enjoyable
dynamic driving experience while perpetuating the “SL legend” which has existed for over 50 years. New V6 and
V8 engines, as well as an uprated V12 powerplant, deliver assured driving pleasure. Second-generation Active Body
Control and the more direct steering make for noticeably sportier handling without compromising the high level of
comfort which is one of the hallmarks of the SL. The redesigned front section, new rear light units and new light-alloy
wheels reflect the more dynamic character of the revised SL even when it is stationary. New interior appointments as
well as painstaking attention to the details of the new materials and colour schemes give the interior an even more
luxurious look and feel. Shift paddles on the steering wheel – which form part of the optional 7G-TRONIC Sport
package – underline the dynamic character of the enhanced SL-Class.
With an output of 285 kW/388 hp
and 530 newtonmetres of torque, the newly developed V8 engine in the SL 500 offers everything that is expected of a
powerful sports car. The eight-cylinder unit has a displacement of 5.5 litres and is one of the most powerful engines
in its displacement class. The SL 500 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (predecessor model: 6.2
seconds). Despite the 26 percent boost in performance, the fuel consumption (NEDC combined) matches that of the
predecessor model at 12.2 litres per 100 kilometres. The six-cylinder engine in the SL 350 is another new unit.
Although this 200-kW/ 272-hp V6 powerplant achieves fuel savings of over one litre per 100 kilometres, its output is 11
percent higher. The combined NEDC fuel consumption is 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres.
The SL 350 accelerates
from zero to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, making it more than half a second faster than the predecessor model. At the top
of the model range is the SL 600 with its V12 biturbo engine. The output and maximum torque of this unit have been
increased to 380 kW/517 hp and 830 newtonmetres respectively. This twelve-cylinder engine accelerates the SL-Class from
zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds (predecessor model: 4.7 seconds).
All three engine variants of the
SL-Class have newly developed exhaust systems: the particularly stirring and powerful engine note has been specially
tuned to enhance the driving experience while still offering exceptional comfort on even the longest trips.
Mercedes-Benz equips the V6 and V8 models of the new SL-Class with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission as
standard. 7G-TRONIC Sport, which is available as an optional extra, allows shifting to be performed up to 30 percent
faster in manual “M” mode; furthermore, this package features steering-wheel shift paddles similar to those
used in Formula 1.
More dynamism and comfort: second-generation ABC
The ABC (Active Body Control)
active suspension system (standard in the SL 500 and SL 600), which is regarded as one of the milestones of automotive
technology, has been refined even further for the new SL-Class. Compared with the predecessor model, body movements in
dynamic driving situations have been reduced by up to 60 percent. This takes the SL-Class into a new dimension of
driving dynamics, yet the Roadster still offers the same high level of comfort. Standard in the SL 500 and SL 600,
Active Body Control is available as an optional extra for the SL 350. A new steering set-up with a more direct ratio
and new valve control logic makes the SL-Class even more responsive. In addition, the brake systems of the SL 350 and
SL 500 have been optimised for the increased engine output.
Only subtle updates to the body design were
required to prepare the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for the future. A new bumper with three large
cooling air intakes and a more pronounced “V-shape” as well as fog lamps with chrome surrounds emphasise the
power of the two-seater and give it a wider look. These features are complemented by the newly designed,
matt-silver-painted radiator grill with three louvres and chrome highlights. The side view is enhanced by new
light-alloy wheels whose powerful appearance emphasises the sporty character of the SL. New rear light units complete
the styling measures: with their horizontal divisions and red/white clear-lens design, they accentuate the width of the
muscular rear of the SL. The new body details harmonise perfectly with the widely acclaimed design of the SL-Class whose
exciting and elegant lines are unique and unmistakable.
Enhanced interior: even more attention to detail
Faced with the task of updating the interior of the SL-Class, the Mercedes designers again found that only
discreet changes were required. Measures taken to accentuate the characteristic combination of Mercedes comfort and
uncompromising sportiness include the use of even softer leather upholstery, new interior colours, high-quality metal
doorsills with Mercedes-Benz lettering and embossed aluminium trim elements. Other interior highlights characterised by
their particularly attractive look and feel include classic, chronometer-style gauges housed within the redesigned
instrument shroud with double topstitching, the new digital clock and the cover of the adjacent ventilation outlet, as
well as the new aluminium-look switches for operating the vario-roof. The two-seater can be converted from a
Coupé to a Roadster – and vice-versa – in next to no time. Opening or closing the folding roof, a
glass version of which is available as an optional extra, takes just 16 seconds.
An even higher level of
operating comfort than that offered previously is provided by the optional remote boot-lid release system which
provides access to the boot at the touch of a button. The standard equipment includes the removable luggage cover which
increases the capacity of the boot by 22 litres to provide 339 litres of luggage space – more than any other
vehicle in this segment. The luggage cover, which can be removed quickly and easily, not only increases the capacity of
the boot, but also makes loading considerably easier and enhances usability. When it comes to individualisation, an even
wider designo range is available to SL customers with immediate effect. For the first time, the new line-up includes two
designo Edition interior appointments packages offering an extremely attractive array of colours and materials. designo
Edition I features a classic combination of colours while designo Edition II has a sporty character.
Success
story: the original SL with gullwing doors made its debut in 1954
For over 50 years now, the Mercedes models
bearing the famous “SL” designation have fascinated sports-car enthusiasts all over the world. The direct
descendant of the original “Gullwing” SL which made its debut in 1954, the SL-Class echoes its design and
perpetuates the incomparable success story of the model series. With a worldwide market share of 33 percent, the
SL-Class is the clear market leader in its segment – a position which the model update will help to consolidate.
The new-generation SL-Class will have its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006; it will appear in
the showrooms of Mercedes-Benz outlets and authorised dealerships from March 2006.
The German retail list
prices of the SL-Class models are as follows (incl. VAT):
SL 350: 81,548 euros
SL 500: 102,544 euros
SL 600: 134,096 euros