|
Price |
|
€134,096
(SL 600) |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
V12 |
Weight |
-- |
|
Aspiration |
twin
turbos |
Torque |
612
lb-ft |
|
HP |
517
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
-- |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
4.5
seconds |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from DaimlerChrysler
Press Release) 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 an-other 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
uphol-stery, 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
