The legend – now even more dynamic
New appearance for an automotive icon: the beginning of 2016 will see the start of customer orders for the Mercedes-Benz SL which will be available from April 2016 with a host of significantly enhanced technical and visual features. More powerful engines, the automatic transmission 9G-TRONIC, DYNAMIC SELECT with five transmission modes and Active Body Control with the curve tilting function all take the legend to a new dynamic level. The high suitability for everyday use has been enhanced with the vario- roof, which can now be operated at up to 40 km/h, and the automatic boot separator. Visually the front end in particular has been made significantly sportier. As a result the bonnet, bumper and headlamps, among other features, are all new.
The Mercedes-Benz SL is the top performer in a wide variety of disciplines: an elegant roadster for relaxed, comfortable cruising or a dynamic coupé for sporty trips on winding roads. “The SL is an all-season roadster that is fully suited for every-day use. Whatever its owner desires – it fulfils the expectations with technical perfection,” says Selvin Govender, Marketing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
A particularly eye-catching feature of the new SL is the revised front end: the standard, unique diamond radiator grille extends downwards. Two powerdomes accentuate the long, drawn-out bonnet. Also adding to the unmistakable new appearance of the SL is the new standard-fit LED Intelligent Light System with headlamp housing extending far to the outside. The sporty silhouette is emphasised by the enlarged cosmetic air outlets with wing-like chrome inserts in the dynamic, broad vehicle wings and the exterior mirrors positioned on the beltline.
The model range now comprises the SL 400 with V6 engine uprated to 270 kW and 500 Nm (additional 25 kW and also 20 Nm) as well as the
SL 500 with the powerful 335 kW V8 engine. As standard the power transfer is handled by the new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. With DYNAMIC SELECT the vehicle characteristics can be adjusted in seconds at the touch of a button, as the system modifies the setup of the engine, transmission, suspension and steering at the driver’s behest.
Additional variants include the two Mercedes-AMG models in the guise of the SL 63 and SL 65, the latter with a V12 engine.
Exterior design: new appearance for the athletic aesthete
The Mercedes-Benz SL has always been athletic and aesthetic at the same time. Now the designers have worked on bringing these characteristics even more to the fore. A particularly eye-catching feature is the revised front end of the new edition of the SL: for its new appearance, traditional elements have been enhanced in an innovative and unmistakable manner. Inspiration came from the legendary 300 SL Panamericana racing car with its steeply raked radiator grille. This extends downwards, thus creating a completely individual “face” for the SL within the Mercedes-Benz model range. The grille is executed as the diamond radiator grille as standard.
The sculpted shape of the radiator grille harmonises perfectly with the now standard AMG bodystyling with the front apron in an A-wing design, which features a front splitter in the vehicle colour. Two powerdomes on the bonnet invoke the sporting heritage of the SL, while light-catching contours give additional structure to the bonnet.
Also adding to the unmistakable new appearance of the SL is the new standard-fit LED Intelligent Light System with headlamp housing extending far to the outside and torch-shaped unit comprising the daytime running lamp/position lamp and direction indicator. The edge area and other design components of the headlamp housing are retained in black – conveying a high-level of perceived quality and an effective sense of depth.
The side view of the SL reveals iconic sports car proportions, characterised by the long bonnet, the AMG side sill panels, the broad wheelbase and passenger compartment positioned towards the rear. Fine details create additional highlights. These include enlarged cosmetic air outlets with wing-like chrome inserts in the dynamic, broad vehicle wings.
With the roof down the SL shows off its attractive roadster contours with short, steeply angled A-pillars and frameless side windows. There is nothing to disrupt the clear lines: all aerials, as well as the roll-over bar, are fully integrated and thus not visible, while the electric draught-stop (optional extra) can be extended and retracted at the push of a button.
The rear end points to the high driving dynamics of the SL. The basis for this is the sense of width created by the large track gauge, accentuated by the AMG rear apron with side air intakes. The lower section of the diffuser incorporates the integral tailpipe trim elements as well as the centrally arranged rear fog lamp and reversing light.
The broad, one-piece tail lights are entirely coloured in red and pick up the flowing lines of the vehicle sides and carry them into the rear. As is typical of the brand, they feature a horizontal design with the wedge-shaped direction indicator at the top and the tail lamp and also brake lamp below.
Brilliant blue and designo selenite grey magno are available to choose from by way of new colours, plus the range of light-alloy wheels in the size 48.3 cm (19 inches) has also been extended significantly. New additions include a 10-spoke wheel and a 5-spoke wheel, both with a high-sheen finish in high-gloss black. On top of this there are six additional new AMG wheels as part of the accessories range.
Comfort appointments: convenient operation of the vario-roof
SL fans also appreciate the sports car icon on account of its high suitability for everyday use. With the facelift Mercedes-Benz has improved the comfort appointments even further. These include operation of the electro hydraulic vario-roof. If when opening or closing the roof the vehicle has to move off due to the traffic conditions, the process which was started when at a standstill can be continued up to a speed of approx. 40 km/h.
Equally new is the automatic boot separator. If the separator is in the upper position for increased boot capacity, it automatically moves down when the top is opened. Conversely, the automatic boot separator returns to the upper position, also by means of electric operation, as soon as the boot flap is opened.
A further practical detail in the boot is the loading setting – the roof stowed in the boot can be swung upwards by approximately 25 degrees at the press of a button. The KEYLESS-GO Convenience package includes remote closing of the boot lid as well as HANDS-FREE ACCESS. With this, the lid opens or closes automatically after making a kicking motion with the foot beneath the rear bumper. The automatic boot separator additionally moves into the upper position when opening the lid to provide clear access to the loading aperture. Another feature which has been retained is the unique optional extra MAGIC SKY CONTROL: when closed, the panoramic vario-roof automatically changes from dark to transparent or vice-versa within just a few seconds.
When it comes to ambient lighting, Mercedes-Benz has opted for LED technology and has extended the colour range: in addition to solar red, the colours polar blue and polar white can also be chosen. A further practical finishing touch: the stowage compartment in the centre console now features two USB ports. One of the highlights is ambient lighting with projection of the brand logo.
A further special feature comes in the guise of MAGIC VISION CONTROL, the intelligent and highly efficient wash/wipe system. The innovative design of the wiper blade always delivers washer fluid immediately in front of wipe lip, via the water feed line integrated into the blade – and it does this in both wiping directions. The result is that there is no gush of water when spraying fluid, which can impair visibility, and at the same time the maximum cleaning effect is achieved. In addition, the water stays on the windscreen, thus also enabling convenient cleaning of the windscreen even with the roof open. When the roof is open, the water is dispensed in such a way that no moisture gets into the interior. Optionally the wiper can be heated to prevent ice from sticking in winter. It is with such details that the Roadster-Coupé underscores its exceptional position as a comfortable sports car suitable for all-year-round use.
The new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 and SL 65
High-performance roadsters now even more attractive
Mercedes-AMG is further enhancing its SL 63 and SL 65 high-performance roadsters with updated technology and expressive design. The front section features a completely new design, with a radiator grille which broadens out towards the bottom and the A-wing front spoiler. The stylish light signature and the highly comprehensive scope of standard equipment and appointments underscore the high-quality impression. The engines set the benchmark in the high-performance roadster segment: the 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine on board the SL 63 generates an output of 430 kW and peak torque of 900 Nm. The SL 65 is powered by a 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine rated at 463 kW and delivering 1000 Nm of peak torque.
Outstanding performance, impressive driving characteristics and the expressive, stylishly honed design are the hallmarks of the new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 and Mercedes-AMG SL 65. The technical highlights include the sports suspension based on Active Body Control, the rear-axle differential lock which now features as standard, the even more responsive AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission (SL 63) and the five AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programmes.
“Our updated SL 63 and SL 65 high-performance roadsters offer a unique driving experience, combining hallmark AMG “Driving Performance” with the pleasures of open-air motoring and superior comfort on long journeys, notes Selvin Govender, Marketing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
