The SL Roadster family from Mercedes-Benz is raring to go with a new engine. The SL 400 is now endowed with a six-cylinder biturbo drive system. Despite half a litre less displacement the output has risen by 20 kW (27 hp). Plus there are 110 newton metres more torque at its disposal. The price of the SL 400 starts from 97,282.50 euros (for the German market incl. 19% VAT).

As an automotive icon the Mercedes-Benz SL blends accomplished motoring at the highest level with exquisite style. Manufactured virtually completely from aluminium, the roadster also sets the standards in the category of luxurious roadsters with its numerous technical innovations. Not forgetting that the SL is entirely suitable for everyday use thanks to its retractable vario-roof. This makes it the all-rounder amongst sports cars.

In contrast to its predecessor, the SL 400 is not fitted with a naturally aspirated engine. Instead it boasts a six-cylinder unit with two turbochargers. Although its displacement has been reduced to three litres, the biturbo drive system develops a high full-load output potential with a charge pressure of 1.8 bar, and facilitates an extremely high torque of 480 newton metres at low engine speeds. It achieves 20 kW more than the SL 350. Its torque increases by 110 newton metres and is available in the engine speed range of 1600 to 4000 rpm. Plus the efficient six-cylinder meets the EU6 emissions standard.

Like all BlueDIRECT petrol engines the biturbo engine in the new SL 400 also works with a direct injection system with spray-guided combustion, which Mercedes-Benz was the first car manufacturer to offer in series production. The system pressure is up to 200 bar, the pressure being variably optimised according to the engine’s mapping. Piezo injectors enable optimal mixture formation with up to five injections per power stroke. The third-generation direct injection is supplemented by rapid multi-spark ignition, MSI. How it works: Following the first spark discharge and a brief combustion period, the coil is recharged very rapidly and a further spark is discharged. The MSI system enables up to four sparks to be discharged in succession within one millisecond, creating a plasma with a larger spatial expansion than conventional ignition.

The rapid multi-spark ignition can be controlled to vary both the timing of the sparks and the combustion period to suit the relevant operating point. This provides scope for optimising the centre of combustion and improved residual gas compatibility. The result of this is excellent utilisation of the fuel with minimum emissions.

The SL 400 also offers two extraordinary innovations as standard: the unique Frontbass system developed by Mercedes-Benz transforms the luxury sports car into a concert hall, when the top is up and down, and the highly efficient MAGIC VISION CONTROL wipe/wash system takes water from the wiper blade to the windscreen as required and irrespective of the direction of wipe.

MEC Design, know for unusually ostentatious styling – anyone remember the 2FACE Bodykit for the CL-Class – is at it again. This time MEC Design tuned the old Mercedes SL (Type R230). Their latest design for the Mercedes SL is very in your face and daring, definitely pushing the envelope. Perhaps MEC wanted to sent the no longer produced R230 off in style, and they did just that.

The kit comes with a multitude of options and you can pick and choose what details you’d like installed according to your taste. You of course get the standard bumpers and wide wheel arches, but you get to choose the front spoiler; big lips or small, carbon finish or not.  It’s totally up to you.

There are also new side openings, which again you can have in carbon or not. Around at the back, you get MEC’s diffuser, optionally in carbon, with MEC exhaust’s tailpipes. They also offer a diffuser that matches AMG’s stock tailpipes. Another feature here is lateral fins right and left. A rear spoiler is also available, and yes, it can be had in exposed carbon fiber.

MEC will only create 15 units of this kit, which additionally offers a unique wheel/tire combination for, 11×20 with 285/25 ZR 20 + 14×21 with 375/20 ZR 20.

Press Release

MEC Design world premier of their Widebody Bodykit based on the Mercedes Benz SL R230 as well as one of the eight new concave wheel designs. Available from February 2013.

The MEC Design Widebody Bodykit consists of:

MEC Design Front Bumper (incl. mesh), with 2 different front spoiler lips Optional:

• big spoiler lip
• big spoiler lip in Carbon-Finish
• small spoiler lip
• small spoiler lip in Carbon-Finish
• Cover with side openings
• Cover with side openings in Carbon-Finish
• MEC Design engine bonnet (incl. mesh)
• MEC Design front fenders right + left
• with side covers for MEC Design logo. Optional also available in Carbon-Finish.

MEC Design Side skirts right + left Optional:

• with LED’s underneath
• with LED’s laterally in the sill groove

MEC Design Rear Bumper with 2 different diffusersOptional:

• Diffuser for MEC Design Exhaust System
• Diffuser in Carbon-Finish for MEC Design Exhaust System
• Diffuser with square AMG tailpipes
• Diffuser in Carbon-Finish with square AMG tailpipes
• lateral fins right + left
• lateral fins right + left in Carbon

*For cars with AMG exhaust system, It can be used! Otherwise, we recommend the use of the huge sounding MEC Design exhaust and muffler!

MEC Design Rear Spoiler Optional:

• Rear Spoiler in Carbon-Finish
• MEC Design Rear Fenders right + left

All parts are suitable for SL280-SL65 AMG / R230 1999-2012. For models up to 2008 (pre-facelift) Headlights, grill and aluminum beams at the front are required!!

We present also the first of eight new concave wheel designs that MEC Design will be releasing in 2013.

One of the many possible wheel and tire combinations for the MEC Design SL R230 Widebody body kit is the following:

11×20 with 285/25 ZR 20 + 14×21 with 375/20 ZR 21

Limited Edition, limited production of 15 units. Available from February 2013.

To see more photos of the SL R230 Widebody Bodykit from MEC Design please click on the Photo Gallery below.

BRABUS today unveiled their latest tuning progam for the sixth generation Mercedes-Benz SL. Included in the kit is a dramatic designer outfit, alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, pro suspension tuning for even more agile handling, a power increase to 520 hp (512 bhp) / 382 kW for a top speed of up to 300 km/h (186 mph) for the 500 SL, and interior options custom-tailored to the owner’s personal style.

Sporty-elegant body styling components, tuned in the wind tunnel for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, are the BRABUS designers’ specialty. With or without AMG Sport package: Custom-tailored front fasciae, add-on components for the side sills and rear fasciae were developed for both body styles of the SL. There is also a BRABUS rear spoiler and side air vents for the front fenders. For a perfect fit all components are manufactured in OEM quality from high-grade PUR plastics.

Just as important for a custom look are the OEM-quality BRABUS Monoblock wheels, which can be mounted on the new roadster in four different designs and with diameters of 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest combination to fit the R 231 model series SL features BRABUS Monoblock F, Q or R wheels in size 9J x 20 in front with size 255/30 ZR 20 tires and size 9.5J x 20 wheels with 295/25 ZR 20 tires on the rear axle. BRABUS recommends high-performance tires from Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA.

To be able to further improve upon the already high level of driving dynamics of the new Mercedes roadster BRABUS has developed custom-tailored suspension components in collaboration with technology partner BILSTEIN. BRABUS sport springs are available for the SL 350 with conventional steel suspension. For all SL models with active ABC suspension the BRABUS suspension engineers have developed an electronic module that lowers the ride height by about 25 millimeters.

This makes the SL 500 the perfect beneficiary of even more power. The BRABUS B50 – 520 PowerXtra CGI power kit wrestles an additional 85 horsepower from the 4.7-liter eight-cylinder Biturbo engine. BRABUS recommends using fully synthetic high-performance motor oil from MOTUL.

The BRABUS PowerXtra module with plug-and-play design is integrated into the engine electronics to generate more power as a result of special mapping for injection and ignition as well as of moderately increased boost pressure. But that’s just one part of the equation. The conversion also includes an auxiliary water-to-air intercooler powered by an auxiliary electric pump. The drop in charge air temperature benefits not only power yield but also engine life even under extreme operating conditions such as in the desert, for example.

After the conversion the engine puts 520 hp (512 bhp) / 382 kW instead of the standard 435 hp (429 bhp) / 320 kW on tap, accompanied by a peak torque of 820 Nm (604 lb-ft). Consequently the two-seater accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. The BRABUS Vmax unit, another component of the engine tuning, allows limiting the top speed electronically to 250, 275 or 300 km/h (155, 172, 186 mph).

A BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system with four chrome-plated tailpipes is indispensable for an SL with BRABUS high-performance engine. It is also perfect for all roadster owners longing for a sportier exhaust note and a more striking rear appearance of their two-seater. BRABUS will offer a version with butterfly valve for the SL 500 shortly. It will allow choosing between a soft and a thrillingly sporty exhaust note via a button on the steering wheel.

The BRABUS limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent can improve handling even further.

The two-seated cockpit can receive even more individual character and luxury attributes at BRABUS. The product lineup ranges from scuff plates with backlit BRABUS logo and a speedometer with 320-km/h or 360-km/h dial (200 mph or 225 mph) to carbon-fiber or fine wood trim sets in any imaginable color and with a variety of surface finishes.

The company upholstery shop creates exquisite BRABUS interiors from especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara.

German tuner, MEC Design, unveiled photos of their tuning program for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, specifically the SL550.  The SL550 comes with a 4663 cc Direct-injection V8
Bi-Turbo engine with ECO Stop/Start that delivers a total of 429 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque and sprints 0-60 in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 130mph.

The MEC Design SL will keep the Mercedes engine, currently without any updates.  Instead of working under the hood, MEC Design fitted the R231 SL-Class with a custom body kit that includes; AMG bumper conversion, a four-tailpipe exhaust system that is available in two sounds “Daytona” and “Earthquake”.  There’s also an electric lowering module, reducing the SL’s height by up to 55mm and then there’s the 20-inch “MecxtremeI” wheels with a satin finish.

MEC Design has yet to release pricing details but we will update you as it becomes available.

Mercedes-Benz USA will be previewing the newest 2013 models June 2-3 at the 17th Annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.  Included in the lineup is the redesigned SL, GLK and GL.  This year’s Greenwich Concours d’Elegance will feature rare vehicles from past and present and benefits Americares, the private, non-profit relief and humanitarian aid organization.  Greenwich is unique, in that it is actually two concours, back-to-back. Saturday’s Concours Americana is exclusively for American makes, while Sunday’s Concours International is exclusively for imported marques

Greenwich is one of the most beautiful places in the country and is the perfect backdrop for Mercedes to continue the 60 years celebration of the iconic SL-Class.  Mercedes will be featuring the all-new 2013 SL, which evokes the design and performance attributes from the past 60 years including an innovative aluminum bodyshell that weighs nearly 300 pounds less than its predecessor, hitting home its SL “Super Light” designation that was set forth in 1952 with the W194 300SL racecar.  Unveiled in 1954 at the “International Motor Sports Show” in New York was the 300 SL “Gullwing” Coupe, a road version of the 300 SL competition car.  Production started late in 1954 and over the course of three years only 1400 examples were built.  The 300 SL continues to be sought after by collectors for its iconic design and technical innovation.

Packed with innovative technology, the 2013 SL550 is powered by an efficient and refined new V8 engine that delivers up to 14 percent better fuel economy while producing more power.  A luxurious interior and pioneering high-tech features provide an eye towards the future. These include a unique FrontBass system, which turns the SL into a concert hall, and the debut of mbrace2, the next generation of telematics innovation that gives drivers top-of-the-line features related to safety, infotainment, personal assistance, and vehicle care.

In addition to the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, two models from the Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs, the GLK-Class and GL-Class, will be on display:

• GLK-Class – With a fresh new design, exclusive equipment, pioneering safety assistance systems and efficient engines, the restyled 2013 GLK-Class reaffirms its leadership in the entry-level SUV segment. The newly designed exterior provides more dynamic character, combining classic SUV styling with the design language of the current Mercedes-Benz sedans.  The 2013 GLK350 will be in U.S. showrooms this summer, followed by the GLK250 BlueTEC in early 2013.

• GL-Class – The all-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the leading luxury full-size SUV.  Cradling its occupants with the first-class comfort of a luxurious sedan, the all-new GL is perfect for large families with ample space for up to seven passengers, while a host of efficiency measures delivers a substantial improvement in fuel economy. The 2013 GL-Class goes on sale in the U.S. in September 2012.

The Legacy Continues, 60 Years of SL History
In 1952 the DNA of the SL Roadster was formed in the W194 race car and a storied legacy was underway:

• 1954: the W198-series 300SL “Gullwing” Coupe, the production version of the legendary W194 race car and the world’s first car with fuel injection.
• 1957: the W198-series 300SL Roadster, the convertible sports car brethren of 300 SL “Gullwing” Coupe.
• 1963: the W113 series 230SL arrived on the scene. It was dubbed the “Pagoda” because of the characteristic shape of its hardtop roof.
• 1971: the R107-series SL that achieved the highest production volume of all SL series to date with a long production life of 18 years.
• 1989: the R129-series SL featuring numerous passive and active safety innovations that carried the SL-Class into the new millennium.
• 2001: the R230-series SL – the first SL roadster with an electro-hydraulic, steel folding convertible top.
• 2012: the R231-series SL – the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class on display at The Greenwich Concours d’Elegance and on sale at Mercedes-Benz dealers.

For the past 60 years, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has represented the brand with its elegant lines, technical innovations and its speed. The SL’s success stories began with the 300 SL race car in 1952 when it began winning several international races. These victories provided the initial spark for the 300 SL Gullwing (W 198 I, built from 1954) and 190 SL (W 121, from 1955) production vehicles. Later model series of this powerhouse car – the W 113 ‘pagoda’ and the R 107, R 129 and R 230 – brought the SL-Class seamlessly into the new millennium.

The SL sports cars have always sold extremely well, particularly in terms of exports. By the end of the 1950s, the 300 SL gullwing coupé and the 190 SL roadster had already set quite a standard for international sales, although later SL models were also able to match the success of the sports car’s first generation.

The design and engineering innovations of each SL model put it at the forefront of its time. But customers have also benefited greatly in the long-term from the purchase of an SL sports car. And why? Because the models of the 1950s and later generations have long since been regarded as vintage cars of value or coveted modern classics. Mercedes-Benz Classic is committed to helping owners retain and increase the value of their cars. It still supplies genuine spare parts, for example, and sells vintage cars through its Young Classics dealership or under the Mercedes-Benz Classic banner.

The R 231 model being launched in 2012 is the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL. The foundation for its success are 60 outstanding years of Mercedes-Benz sports car history under the Super-Leicht (super lightweight) or SL designation.

Exclusive sports cars for the world

Groundbreaking technology and international triumphs – in 1952, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car (W 194) appeared to pick up where the pre-war Silver Arrow had left off. And just as in those days, the success of the 300 SL brought the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer back to the attention of a motor sport-loving worldwide public. In a period which saw Germany rebuilding after the war, this proved of inestimable value to the company. There was one major difference, however, between the pre-war Grand-Prix racers and the gullwing coupés with their tubular space frames. Whereas the Silver Arrow never broke free from its racing mould, the 300 SL was reborn two years after its competition debut in the form of a breathtaking series sports car.

This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198 I) burst onto the world stage in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York. This luxury coupé – which shared its DNA with the internationally successful SL sports car – did, after all, emerge from a partnership between Germany and America. Mercedes-Benz’s official US importer Maximilian E. Hoffman was the man who convinced senior management in Stuttgart to build a series sports car modelled on the W 194. And so it was fitting for the W 198 I to be publicly unveiled in New York to automotive experts from all over the world, alongside a prototype of the 190 SL (W 121).

Born in Vienna in 1904 as Maximilian Edwin Hoffmann, the automotive enthusiast had previously worked as an importer in Austria in the 1920s and 1930s. Volvo saloons were among the cars that his company sold. Hoffmann, son of a Catholic mother and a Jewish father, emigrated to France in the late 1930s. To escape the Nazis, he fled France for the United States of America in 1941, where he re-established himself as an automotive importer after the Second World War. In 1947, he opened his first showroom on New York’s Park Avenue and had his last name anglicised to Hoffman.

From 1951 onwards, Hoffman sold Mercedes-Benz cars as well. The exclusive German automotive brand matched not only the ethos of his business, but also his personality. A New York Times retrospective described the automotive dealer as follows: “Hoffman was compared to the legendary art dealer of the early 20th century for his ability to captivate clients with his salesmanship, superb taste and forceful personality.”

On top of all this, Hoffman had a keen nose for trends. This made itself felt in September 1952, when he secured the contract to become the official importer of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars for the eastern United States – a sales territory that later expanded to cover the west coast as well. Crucially, Hoffman did not restrict himself to merely selling Mercedes-Benz cars in America. His influence on the Stuttgart-based company was much more direct than that; most notably, he demanded that they offer sporty, good-looking cars.

In September 1953, at a meeting with the board of directors of what was then Daimler-Benz AG, he pressed for the introduction of new sports cars. Hoffman correctly judged the market for such an extraordinary series sports car as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, but even in 1954 he would still much rather have been selling the open-top roadster version. This followed in 1957 in the form of the 300 SL Roadster (W 198 II).

The new sports car was an immediate success, particularly in the USA. Within 17 months, 996 gullwings had been sold, of which 850 went to the USA. That was 85 percent of all the models produced in 1954 and 1955. The US export ratio did level off afterwards, but it remained impressive. Up to 1963, Mercedes-Benz exported more than half of its 300 SL W 198 models to the USA, exactly 51 percent of all the 1,400 coupés and 1,858 roadsters that were produced. The export ratio for all international markets put together was 86 percent.

Even before the launch in New York, there was a sense at Mercedes-Benz that this exceptional sports cars had huge potential to be a style icon. In February 1954, Friedrich Nallinger and Rudolf Uhlenhaut registered a design patent for the gullwing on behalf of Daimler-Benz AG. In December 1955, the United States Patent Office published the relevant document (design number 176,278), which protected “the ornamental design for an automobile, substantially as shown and described herein”. The patent serves both as the birth certificate of the Mercedes-Benz’s SL series sports cars and as and as evidence of the designers’ awareness that this pioneering vehicle was truly original.

Introduced in prototype form in 1954 and built as a production vehicle from 1955, the 190 SL became just as captivating a symbol of the sporty motoring ethos of Mercedes-Benz as the 300 SL coupé – the car from which the designers borrowed so heavily. From 1955 onwards, almost 80 per cent of the 25,881 vehicles produced were exported, and nearly 40 percent of all 190 SL models were sold in the USA. 1956 is thought to be a record year: from January to December, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 3,109 passenger cars in the United States – and no fewer than 1,849 of these were SL 190 sports cars, almost 60 percent of the company’s entire US exports for the year.

The manner in which the SL sports car – from a standing start – established itself as a sought-after automobile for sporty and style-conscious drivers in key export markets was instrumental in Mercedes-Benz’s success. Most important of all, of course, were sales to customers in the USA and other foreign markets, which generated huge revenues from cars in the upper range of the Mercedes-Benz price list. In addition, the SL sports car conveyed the image of a modern automotive brand whose vehicles united a sporty aesthetic with groundbreaking technology. Millionaires, actors, artists – it was often celebrities who proudly turned out in their 300 SLs and other Mercedes-Benz cars, raising the profile of the brand in the public eye.

This international success was reflected time and time again in the exceptionally high export ratios of the various SL model series. For some vehicle generations, four out of every five cars went abroad. And – as remained the case down the decades – the biggest market for them was almost always the USA.

It was no different for the W 113, which appeared in spring 1963 as the replacement for the 300 SL Roadster and 190 SL. The designers and engineers at Mercedes Benz struck a delicate balance to position the car, which became known as the ‘pagoda’ because of its distinctive, slightly concave hardtop, between the high-performance 300 SL Roadster sports car and its ‘baby brother’, the 190 SL. The result was a luxurious, two-seater tourer boasting great performance and optimum handling safety. Nearly 70 percent of all pagodas were exported; once again, this model sold best in the USA (40 percent of the entire production).

For the W 113, Mercedes-Benz responded to the specific demands of the export markets through specific modifications. Customers in the United States ordered far more cars with automatic transmission, air conditioning and whitewall tyres than their counterparts in Europe. The USA even supplied the name for a special version of the Mercedes-Benz roadster – the ‘California Coupé’, which had two fold-down seats instead of the soft top. This edition could only be driven open-top or hard-top.

The 107 series roadster, made between 1971 and 1989, has the highest US export rate of any SL model to date: 62 percent of all cars in this series went to the United States and almost four fifths of the 237,287 vehicles produced in total were exported. Mercedes-Benz developed a low-compression version of the 350 SL solely for export to North America, which had a 143 kW (195 bhp) 4.5 litre V8 engine adapted to meet US legislation regulating exhaust emissions. In April 1973, both versions of the 107 series, the roadster and the coupé, were introduced to other markets as well in the 4.5 litre V8 format, which now had an output of 165 kW (225 bhp).

Another special edition for North America, Japan and Australia arrived in 1985 in the form of the 560 SL, whose 5.6 litre V8 engine delivered 170 kW (230 bhp). It was sold in these markets instead of the 500 SL. This spectacular sports car had the same V8 engine as the 500 SL but with an extended stroke.

Modifications of this kind were necessary to meet the strict regulations on emission reductions in the USA. The bulky rubber bumpers, introduced in 1974, were also a byproduct of North American legislation. In the case of the SL R 107, this protection against collision was around 20 centimetres thick. Together with the modified headlamps of the export version, this gave the US model series a highly distinctive look.

The R 129 SL Roadsters gave a whole new meaning to the term ‘special model’. For the first time, the company produced exclusive editions for specific markets instead of merely adapting the cars to meet the legal requirements and aesthetic preferences of the export countries. This included, of course, the ’40th Anniversary Roadster Edition’ of the SL 320 and SL 500, released in the US market in 1997. Producing 750 vehicles in total, Mercedes-Benz commemorated the launch of the 300 SL Roadster (W 198 I) in 1957. The ‘Silver Arrow Edition USA’, made in 2001, comprised 1,515 vehicles in the SL 500 and SL 600 formats.

But the focus was not exclusively on the USA. There were special versions for the UK and Japanese markets as well, such as the one-off ‘designo MB UK’ series (150 cars) and ‘designo MB Japan’ (67 cars), and the ‘designo-Vintage Edition UK’ and ‘designo-Heritage Edition UK’ (49 cars each). As in North America, Mercedes-Benz sold the R 129 in the UK market as a final one-off series limited to 100 vehicles – the ‘Silver Arrow Edition UK’.

The R 230 series, the first SL Roadster with a steel vario roof, appeared in the summer of 2001. By October 2011, almost 170,000 of these sports cars had been sold. And with an export ratio of 78 percent (USA: 45 percent), this vehicle generation was an international bestseller in the great SL tradition. For both the R 230 and the R 129, there were few special models with modified engines. Although developed for the European market, the models had long since fulfilled the strict emissions standards of North America and other export markets as well. Nevertheless, there were still subtle differences between the US versions and the series models for Europe. The European SL 500, for example, was not renamed after being given a facelift in 2006, even though its M 113 5-litre V8 engine had been replaced by a 5.5 litre equivalent. In North America, the sports car’s cubic capacity increased by 10 percent (engine output rose as well from 225 kW/306 bhp to 285 kW/388 bhp), and its new name was worn proudly on the boot lid – the SL 550.

In 2012, a new SL in the R 231 series arrived on the market. Sports cars enthusiasts around the world heralded the latest generation of a legend that had been established 60 years earlier by the 300 SL racing car.

“Better than shares”: The SL as a classic car and long-term investment

The strong values of the SL-Class apply not only to Mercedes-Benz’s current sports cars generation, but also to the veterans of the series. Within a short time after production had ended, the iconic 300 SL was thought of by many as the ultimate dream car – so it was only fitting that in 1999 it was voted sportscar of the century by an expert panel of judges.

But also the 190 SL, the W 113 ‘pagodas’ and the R 107 and R 129 SL Roadster have long been sought-after as vintage cars or modern classics. The timeless appeal of these extraordinary sports cars is reflected not only in the passion that they inspire in people, but also in how much they retain their value. In November 2011, Motor Klassik magazine described certain classic cars as being “better than shares”. Included in this category is, of course, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL gullwing. Examples of this model series in good condition have grown in value by 171 percent since 2001.

This is not a flash in the pan, but a long-term trend. And on this basis, experts at Mercedes-Benz Classic believe that prices will continue to rise for well-looked-after SL classics. The January 2012 edition of Motor Klassik magazine gave the following piece of advice to potential buyers of the 300 SL, series W 198 I: “For most classic car fans, owning a gullwing coupé will remain a dream. Top-of-the-line models reach prices of more than one million euros at auction.”

The classic car magazine also took a close look at the other SL models. Its top performers were cars that offer “something for all tastes” (R 107) because of the many different types that were made, and those that are regarded as “future classics” (R 129). But for a classic sports car to retain its value – and this is the crucial point – it must be maintained to an adequate standard.

In this respect, Mercedes-Benz Classic lends its help to owners both of vintage SL sports cars and modern classics. The outstanding availability of spare parts, including the central star on the radiator grill of the 1950s 300 SL, is securing the future of these vehicles as mobile museum pieces. Mercedes-Benz Classic provides knowledgeable, expert advice to owners of classic cars. But this is about more than just providing a service. It also helps to preserve a special chapter in the story of automotive engineering.

Since the 300 SL gullwing and the 190 SL made their debuts, the SL series sports cars have consistently set standards in terms of technical excellence and aesthetics. Top engineering innovations include the direct injection in the W 198, the safety bodyshell of the ‘pagoda’ and the pop-up roll bar of the R 129. And as a style icon that moves with the times, the sports car can still be seen today at international classic car rallies, in films and in prestigious collections all over the world.

“The Masters has a special status in Mercedes-Benz’ sports sponsorship portfolio. Our brand committment ‘The Best or Nothing’ fits perfectly with the world’s most prestigious golf tournament. It’s a great honour for us to be part of the Masters as both brands are connected by the passion for perfection,” says Lüder Fromm, Director of Global Marketing Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Joining long-time Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador Bernhard Langer, Australia’s Adam Scott is expected to tee off for the first time as a new Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador at the Masters. The two golfers are part of an exclusive Meet & Greet for Mercedes-Benz customers. The get-togethers with Scott, last year’s runner-up (T2), and Langer, a two-time Masters champion, are part of an exclusive experiential programme in Augusta for selected Mercedes-Benz customers from around the world.

Lüder Fromm: “In addition to all our golfing activity during Masters week, we will exclusively preview the new Mercedes-Benz SL, which officially launches in the US on April 28, to invited Mercedes-Benz guests. The new SL is the physical representation of ‘living the perfect legend’ and, therefore, ideally suited to be previewed during Masters week.”

Following its success during last year’s Masters week, the Mercedes-Benz Performance Center will once again be open to the public at Mercedes-Benz of Augusta. Two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans serve as a home for the overall US PGA Performance Center incorporating high-tech golf teaching technologies to improve important skills such as putting and swing mechanics.

Mercedes-Benz has been involved in the professional sport of golf since the 1980s and now in 2012 Mercedes-Benz is extremely proud to be an international partner of three Major tournaments. On a national market level, Mercedes-Benz also supports a variety of professional tournaments around the globe.

In amateur golf, Mercedes-Benz created and still organises the MercedesTrophy, a worldwide premium tournament series for amateurs, it will take place for the 23rd time in 2012. More than 60,000 golfers in over 60 countries play each year in MercedesTrophy events. These participants compete to enter the MercedesTrophy World Final in September. The best individual players and teams are honoured in Stuttgart, the “birthplace of the automobile”, where they also have an opportunity to gain exclusive insight into the world of Mercedes-Benz and in addition, as do all MercedesTrophy players worldwide, take part in the “Drive to the Major” competition.

Mercedes-AMG is launching itself into the 2012 roadster season with a vengeance. Arriving in U.S. dealerships in November, the new MY2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG V12 Roadster is making its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The AMG 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine generates a peak output of 621 hp and a maximum torque of 738 lb-ft. The use of an all-aluminum body-in-white delivers a drastic weight reduction as the MY13 SL65 AMG is 254 pounds lighter than before. The distinctive front end is dominated by the new “twin-blade” grille with two blade-shaped fins and the lower horizontal bar in the front skirt in high-gloss chrome.

The SL65 AMG joins the SL550 roadster and the SL63 AMG roadster. The SL550 has a starting retail price of $106,375 and arrives in U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships in May. The SL63 AMG arrives in July.

“The combination of exclusive V12 dynamics and cultivated roadster pleasure was already unique in the previous model. We are certain that, with the new SL65 AMG, we have developed a stunning high-performance automobile beyond compare for a small, but loyal fan base,” says Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The intelligent lightweight design of the bodyshell also contributes to the reduction of fuel consumption. A key element in the improved fuel efficiency is the result of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7-Speed transmission, the ECO stop/start function, and improvements to the internal efficiency of the engine and alternator management. Despite a considerable improvement in fuel economy, the peak output of the AMG 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine is up from 604 hp to 621 hp. The maximum torque stands at a mighty 738 lb-ft.

This unparalleled output provides amazing propulsion for the new SL65 AMG – acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 3.9 seconds. Top speed in the U.S. market stands at 186 mph. The key attributes of the AMG biturbo twelve-cylinder include its heart stopping acceleration, and seamless power delivery combined with a distinctive AMG V12 soundtrack. In short, the SL65 AMG captures the imagination with its refined, stylish performance.

Overview of key data:

* electronically limited.

AMG 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine with new technology

The AMG 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine (M 279) is based on the previous M 275 unit and has been extensively developed for its application in the new SL65 AMG. New turbochargers with an enlarged spiral cross-section, new manifolds and wastegate channels optimized for airflow deliver an additional 17 hp. The multi-spark ignition with twelve twin ignition coils not only makes for smoother running, but also works together with a new, more powerful engine management and optimized cylinder heads to provide even more effective combustion. The outcome is fewer exhaust emissions, which is also in large part due to the optimized catalytic converter system.

The redeveloped AMG sport exhaust system incorporates a modified pipe layout for improved flow coupled with a weight reduction of seven pounds resulting from reduced wall thicknesses.

And it is not just the inner attributes of the AMG 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine that are stunning – the engine also looks inspiring. The carbon-fiber and aluminum engine cover further underscores the exceptional nature of the powerful twelve-cylinder that lies beneath.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7-Speed transmission

For the first time, AMG is combining the 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7-Speed transmission. The wide ratio spread of the seven-speed automatic transmission delivers significantly lower revving and helps in the reduction of fuel consumption. A new fuel-economy torque converter, reduced-friction bearings and transmission oil thermal management further increase the efficiency of transferring power to the wheels.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7-Speed transmission features four individual drive programs that can be selected at the touch of a button on the center console – Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S), Sport plus (S+) and Manual (M). The ECO stop/start function is always active in C mode. For the greatest sense of involvement and dynamics, there is the automatic double-declutch function for downshifting, as well as brief and precisely defined retardation of ignition and injection during upshifting under full load. The latter also reduces shift times.

Intelligent lightweight design featuring all-aluminum body-in-white and carbon

Compared to the steel construction of the previous model, the all-aluminum body-in-white of the new SL65 AMG delivers weight savings, as well as superior stiffness, safety and comfort. Intelligent lightweight design also means optimizing components for their specific application. For instance, an array of different aluminum processes come into play – components are made using gravity die casting or vacuum pressure casting, worked into extruded profile or used as aluminum sheet with varying wall thicknesses. The results are a high degree of stiffness and safety and improved vibration characteristics. Engineers made use of the even lighter magnesium for part of the cover behind the fuel tank. High-strength steel tubes are integrated into the A-pillars for reasons of safety.

Further weight reduction comes courtesy of the rear decklid. The internal frame is made from carbon composite material. The plastic exterior shell is then fastened to the extremely stiff carbon component with adhesive. The result is a weight saving of eleven pounds compared with a conventional rear lid. The innovative solution is being used initially in AMG’s SL models. The outcome of the many lightweight design innovations is that the curb weight of 4,299 pounds for the new SL65 AMG is 254 pounds less than that of the previous model.

AMG sport suspension based on Active Body Control

When it comes to the chassis, Mercedes-AMG is focused on lightweight engineering. The four-link front suspension incorporates steering knuckles and control arms in aluminum, which also features in almost all suspension parts on the multilink rear axle. Agility is not the only aspect to benefit from the reduction of unsprung masses; the response characteristics of the spring-and-damper units are also improved. Like the previous model, the new SL65 AMG is fitted with the ABC active suspension system as standard. The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control is a further developed version of the setup in the SL63 AMG with the eight-cylinder engine, tuned specifically for this application.

Handling and performance were the top priorities during conception, development and testing. Two chassis settings are available for selection at the touch of a button – a very sporty setting with reduced roll rate and tighter body damping (“Sport”) and a program offering a high degree of long-distance comfort (“Comfort”). More negative camber on both axles, plus completely re-engineered elastokinematics deliver increased agility and higher cornering speeds.

New electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive steering

Combined with the all-new, electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, the V12 top-of-the-range model offers a stunning ride with excellent dynamics and very clear feedback at the edge of the performance envelope. The steering ratio is constant and direct, while the power assistance adjusts in line with the chassis mode. Standard equipment also includes the 3-stage ESP®, a specialty exclusive to AMG with “SPORT Handling” mode for enthusiastic drivers. The enormous engine power is harnessed with the aid of AMG rear-axle locking differential, which is also standard equipment.

Top deceleration figures, perfect modulation and excellent stability – all standard features of an AMG high-performance brake system. The same applies to the all-new brakes on the SL65 AMG – on the front axle are 15.4 x 1.4 in. compound discs with six-piston fixed calipers, while the rear axle boasts 14.2 x 1.0 in. integral discs with single-piston floating calipers. An electric parking brake is standard equipment. The even more powerful and weight-optimized AMG carbon ceramic brake system familiar from the SLS AMG is available as optional equipment.

New AMG “face” with two blade-like fins

The SL65 AMG is clearly recognizable as a stylish and exclusive high-performance roadster not just technically, but also visually. The SL65 AMG is presented for the first time with the new AMG “face”. The two dominant visual elements – the grille and the lower air inlet – remain, but have been reinterpreted to give them a more distinctively dynamic and premium look. The central styling feature is the new twin-blade grille finished in high-gloss chrome. The Mercedes star is mounted on two blade-like fins with aerofoil profiles. The stronger arrow-form of the grille optimizes the vehicle’s longitudinal proportions, adding even more visual emphasis to the aerodynamic, minimalist design.

The stylized “A” that is a hallmark of AMG vehicles is retained beneath the twin-blade grille. Along the lower edge of the air intake is a slit beneath a fine black fin for optimum airflow to the cooling modules – a perfect combination of design and high technology. The lower horizontal bar on the front skirt is finished in high-gloss chrome and is lent significant visual depth by the slit above it, creating a premium visual accent. The twin-blade grille and lower horizontal element are two corresponding design features that emphasize the new AMG brand “face” – this look will be further developed in forthcoming AMG models, increasing even more the visual recognition of the AMG performance brand.

The top-of-the-range model is distinguished from the SL63 AMG by carefully placed applications in high-gloss chrome – as well as the twin-blade grille and the lower horizontal bar on the AMG front skirt, the bezels in the AMG-specific LED daytime running lights, the side fins on the fenders and fins on the hood all have the same surface finish. The characteristic AMG styling of the SL65 AMG also includes the front skirt with large openings for cooling the engine oil, water, charge air and transmission oil, the specially designed sill panels, the AMG spoiler lip and the rear skirt with a diffuser visual and body-color inlay.

Typical V12 features are not only the two chromed, standalone dual end pipes of the AMG sports exhaust, but also the V12 BITURBO lettering on the fenders and the titanium grey painted and polished 5-spoke AMG alloy wheels with 255/35 R 19 tires on the front and 285/30 R 19 on the rear. Optional AMG forged alloy multi-spoke wheels from the AMG Performance Studio with 255/35 R 19 tires at the front and 285/30 R 20 at the rear reduce unsprung mass are also available. The forged wheels are also available in matte black with polished outer rims.

Retractable hard-top with MAGIC SKY CONTROL

The sixth generation of the SL offers a space-saving electro-hydraulic retractable hard-top that converts the SL65 AMG from a roadster to a coupe in less than 20 seconds. In contrast to the previous model, the new SL comes with the unique MAGIC SKY CONTROL. Its transparency can be switched from light to dark at the touch of a button.

Interior – pleasure for all the senses

Inside, the SL65 AMG is distinguished from its eight-cylinder sibling by highly exclusive design and equipment features. One particular eye-catcher is the electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with one or two-color upholstery in exclusive leather featuring AMG-specific V12 diamond stitching. This distinctive upholstery also appears on the center door panels. The AMG logo embossed on the seat backs is a standard feature, as are AIRSCARF neck-level heating, the multi-contour function, seat memory and seat ventilation. The designo headliner in leather featuring AMG V12 diamond stitching provides a perfect finish that is both visual and tactile.

The cockpit design is reminiscent of the SLS AMG – the four air vents in jet-engine style, the E-SELECT gear lever and the AMG DRIVE UNIT are all evocative of the super sports car. The selection of exquisite materials and high quality of workmanship in the interior of the SL65 AMG creates a truly sensual masterpiece. This is underscored by the AMG trim elements in carbon, the analog clock in IWC design, the chromed and white illuminated AMG entry trim and the AMG performance steering wheel incorporating an AMG logo in the lower metal spoke. A 225 mph scale in the AMG instrument panel and the AMG start-up display with exclusive AMG V12 BITURBO animation hints at the phenomenal dynamics of the SL65 AMG.

The twelve-cylinder roadster comes with an extensive list of standard equipment:

• AIRSCARF neck-level heating system
• PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• DISTRONIC PLUS with Pre-Safe Brake
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG Surround Sound System
• Frontbass
• Carbon fiber trim
• COMAND with 40 GB hard-drive GPS navigation
• In-dash 6-disc DVD changer
• Multi-color ambient lighting
• IWC-design analogue dashboard clock
• Anti-theft alarm
• Power trunk closer with hands-free access
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• LED daytime running lights
• Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination Page 8
• KEYLESS-GO
• Enhanced voice control for audio, telephone and navigation
• MAGIC VISION CONTROL (heated)
• NECK-PRO Active Head Restraints
• Mercedes-Benz mbrace2TM
• Retractable hard top with easy pack feature
• MAGIC SKY CONTROL
• Power wind screen
• Soft-close doors
• Automatic pop-up rollover protection for driver and passenger

Even more individuality is available from the AMG Performance Studio:

• AMG Carbon Ceramic Braking System
• AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package (transverse element in front skirt, exterior mirrors and spoiler lip in genuine carbon fiber)
• AMG Performance Media

Standard paint finishes for the new SL65 AMG in the U.S. include Black, Shadow Grey (matte finish), Dolomite Brown, Mars Red, Steel Grey, Iridium Silver, Palladium Silver, Pearl Beige, Diamond White and Lunar Blue.

As well as Obsidian Black, further paint finishes are available for the SL65 AMG from the designo range. Two matte paint finishes designo Magno Cashmere White and designo Magno Alanite Grey and the metallic paints designo Mocha Black and designo Graphite.

Selected to match the exterior paint choices is a fine range of interior leather upholstery options – Black Exclusive Leather, Beige/Brown Exclusive Leather, Red/Black Exclusive Leather, Porcelain/Black Exclusive Leather. Trim is available in Carbon FiberBrown Poplar Wood (satin finish), Burl Walnut Wood and Black Ash Wood.

One of the world’s safest roadsters

Thanks to its collision-optimized aluminum structure, standard PRE-SAFE® System and assistance systems on a par with the S-Class, the SL is one of the safest roadsters in the world. The stiff aluminum body-in-white forms a stable occupant cell and provides precisely defined crumple zones front and rear. In the event of a rollover, the A-pillars in a steel/aluminum material mix and two automatic pop-up rollover bars offer outstanding protection for the passenger area.

The restraint systems that include two-phase driver and passenger airbags have been further developed. Head/thorax side impact airbags in the backrests protect the upper body in the event of a side impact. The NECK-PRO Active Head Restraints designed by Mercedes-Benz also feature as standard equipment. Pedestrian protection is enhanced by large surface-area, compliant impact surfaces.

Added value: the new Mercedes-Benz SL offers a considerably extended range of standard equipment. With a wide range of optional extras available, individual requirements can also be met.

New standard equipment over and above that of the predecessor

Active bonnet

ATTENTION ASSIST

Spectacles compartment

Cup holder and shift-by-wire module in the centre console

ECO start/stop function

Electric parking brake

Electromechanical steering

Suspension with adjustable damping

Frontbass system

Intelligent Light System

NECK-PRO head restraints

PRE-SAFE®

Tail lights with LED technology

Shift paddles

Windscreen wipers with MAGIC VISION CONTROL

Umbrella holders in the doors

LED daytime running lamps

Torque Vectoring Brakes

All aerials stowed out of sight

New optional equipment over and above that of the predecessor

Active Parking Assist with a function to aid entering and exiting parking spaces

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Active Blind Spot Assist

Active multicontour seat package

Ambient lighting, 3 colours selectable

AMG Sports package

Analogue clock on the dashboard

Bang&Olufsen sound system

Driving Assistant Package with DISTRONIC PLUS, Brake Assist PLUS (BAS+), PRE-SAFE® Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist

Door sill panels illuminated

Electrically operated draught-stop; fully integrated

Speed Limit Assist

Glass roof with selectable transparency, MAGIC SKY CONTROL

ISOFIX attachment system

KEYLESS-GO package with HANDS-FREE ACCESS

Reversing camera

Seat covers with heat-reflecting leather, for reducing the extent to which the interior heats up in bright sunlight

The latest photos of the 2013 Mercedes SL63 AMG made their way to the web today, thanks to the hand photogs over at MotorAuthority. Dressed in less camouflage then ever before, we are able to get a good look at the lines and details of the new Mercedes roadster.

Standing out are the larger air intakes, cross-drilled and larger brake rotors, upgraded calipers, and updated front spoiler shape, as well as the quad exhaust pipes and new rear diffuser design.

What is still hiding under the camouflage is the SL63’s nose and while still hidden under a thin sheet I am going to go out on a limb and say that it will have a strong influence from the SLS.

You can expect to see the world debut of the 2013 SL63 AMG at the Geneva Motor Show in a few weeks but if that is a little out of your way, the very first U.S. delivered 2013 Mercedes SL63 AMG will be up for auction at the 6th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance on February 25th.  Last year’s 2011 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance auctioned off a 2012 SLS AMG and a 2012 CLS63 AMG Limited Edition, so the 2013 SL63 AMG being auctioned off will be in good company.

As always, stay tuned as we will bring you the latest photos and information as it comes in.

MBUSA announced their 2012 Fashion Collaboration that combines the new SL Roadster with supermodel Lara Stone in Calvin Klein Collection and photographed by Alex Prager. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Icons of Style images by Alex Prager can be described as:

“A beautiful woman stands alone in the desert, suitcases in hand. Yet in this 21st century update on classic Film Noir, the blonde is her own getaway driver, outpacing a tornado in a sleek SL Roadster by Mercedes-Benz.”

Alex Prager, an American photographer and filmmaker, is most well-known for her ability to crate surreal and enigmatic movie moments that are inspired by Frederico Fellini and David Lynch. Yet in her versions – heady with mystery, lust and desire – the woman is in control. Of her enigmatic images for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Icons of Style, Alex Prager said she chose cinematic greats as her Icons of Style. “I constantly reference Fellini characters and Hitchcock as well,” said Prager.

Dutch supermodel, Lara Stone plays the update on the Hitchcock blonde, a strong protagonist who overcomes loneliness and fear. This inner strength is underscored by a timeless and elegant dress worn by Lara Stone and designed by Calvin Klein Collection’s Women’s Creative Director, Francisco Costa.

The SL Roadster featured in the latest Mercedes-Benz Icon of Style campaign, combines technical innovation with sleek sportiness and classic luxury and reinterprets the legendary Mercedes-Benz classic of the 1950s for today.

Lara Stone commented, “It’s an honor to work with Mercedes-Benz on a project like this. Both Mercedes-Benz and Calvin Klein Collection brands represent great luxury and timeless elegance and it was a really unique experience.”

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Collaboration, Icons of Style, is making its US debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2012 from February 9-15, 2012.

The 2012 Icons of Style key visual is the latest in a stunning series of outstanding visuals celebrating the unique combination of design and style that is Mercedes-Benz. Nick Knight has posed Julia Stegner in Gareth Pugh with the SLS AMG; Miles Aldridge photographed Milla Jovovich wearing a spectacular hat from Philip Treacy next to the Mercedes E-Class Convertible; Craig McDean and David James staged Karolina Kurkova next to the new CLS and last season, Terry Richardson captured Jessica Stam on the roof of the A-Class concept car.

The all-new 2013 SL continues a tradition that began 60 years ago. For six decades the letters “SL” have been synonymous with a blend of sport, style and comfort – infused with groundbreaking innovation. For the first time, the SL is being produced almost entirely from aluminum and weighs as much as 308 pounds less than its predecessor. Its highly rigid all-aluminum bodyshell provides the basis for agile, sporty handling that has been taken to an entirely new level, coupled with outstanding bodyroll and ride characteristics. Even better driving dynamics come courtesy of the new direct injection engine, which is more powerful and economical than the outgoing generation. Other new features include the unique FrontBass system, which turns the luxury sports car into a concert hall – with the top down or up – and the highly efficient MAGIC VISION CONTROL. The 2013 SL550 will be available in U.S. showrooms this spring.

Compared with its successful predecessor, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL offers considerably more comfort and athletic character, setting new standards in the luxury roadster class. This includes amazing everyday usability, making the SL the most versatile of all sports cars. In short, anyone talking about the new SL is surely talking about the ultimate in passionate, refined motoring.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models. But there is only a handful of automotive icons. Our SL is one of them: It has class, it has style, it is the ultimate in comfort and luxury. And it combines all that with an incredibly sporty and dynamic character. You would struggle to find a car that embodies Gottlieb Daimler’s aspiration more perfectly than our new SL – the best or nothing.”

Lighter and more rigid – sophisticated all-aluminum bodyshell

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL takes the meaning of the famous letters “SL” – sporty, lightweight – quite literally. Weight reduction across the board is one of the most outstanding design characteristics of the new SL, as was the case for its namesake, the original SL of 1952 with its lightweight tubular frame. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz has implemented an all-aluminum bodyshell in a series-production model. Only very few components are made from other materials. The designers used even lighter magnesium for the cover panel behind the fuel tank and roof. High-strength steel tubing is integrated into the A-pillars for added safety.

The new aluminum bodyshell weighs around 242 pounds less than it would using the steel technology of its predecessor. “The effect is as if a large passenger has stepped out of the car” says Dr. Thomas Rudlaff, responsible for the aluminum bodyshell at Mercedes-Benz. “The result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means improved performance and efficiency. In other words, the driving pleasure increases and the environmental impact decreases.”

In terms of rigidity, safety and comfort, the aluminum structure is superior to the previous model’s steel construction. One contributing factor is its intelligent lightweight construction with components optimized for their specific task. As a result, diverse processes are used to make different kinds of aluminum depending on component use. The parts are made by chill casting or vacuum die casting, worked into extruded aluminum sections or into aluminum panels of varying thickness. The outcome – high rigidity and excellent safety combined with low resonance and vibrations.

The new SL is even more comfortable and has more assistance systems on-board than its predecessor, sacrificing some of the weight saved through the aluminum bodyshell as a result. Nevertheless, the scales show some astonishing readings – the 2013 SL550 weighs around 275 pounds less than its predecessor. This is due to a host of other intelligent details that Mercedes-Benz has also implemented in the new SL in addition to the aluminum bodyshell.

Driving pleasure – powerful engine and agile suspension

Powerful acceleration, effortless at all speeds, nimble on winding roads – the new SL delivers outstanding driving pleasure. As well as a powerful engine, the SL550 boasts a fine suspension that is both sporty and comfortable, and also features intelligent lightweight construction. The steering knuckles and suspension arms on the front axle, for instance, are also made from aluminum to reduce the unsprung masses. The same applies to virtually all the suspension components on the rear axle.

The new SL is available with two different suspension systems – with the Agility Control Suspension as standard equipment. The ABC (Active Body Control) suspension system is available as an option.

Both suspension variants are combined with a new electromechanical Direct-Steer system featuring speed-sensitive power steering and a ratio that can be varied in accordance with steering wheel angle. This provides excellent directional stability and safety when traveling at highway speeds, and adds to the SL’s agility. It also reduces the amount of steering effort required when parking and maneuvering.

The new V8 in the SL550 develops 429 hp from its displacement of 4663 cc, which is around 12 percent more than its predecessor despite some 0.8 liters less displacement. Fuel consumption has been reduced while at the same time the torque has increased from 391 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft – a gain of 32 percent. The engine features an ECO stop/start function as standard equipment, while the 7-Speed Driver-Adaptive automatic transmission has been optimized for fuel consumption and comfort. The fuel economy of the direct injection engine does not detract in any way from the roadster’s sporty character. Quite the opposite in fact – the SL550 takes just 4.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph – eight tenths less than the previous SL550.

Interior – aesthetic, stylish, sporty

The 2013 SL combines its finely honed profile with a luxurious feel. Premium materials, perfectly finished with great attention to detail define the style and character of the interior.

Compared with its predecessor, the new-generation SL is much longer (+1.97 inches) and wider (+2.24 inches), providing more room for greater comfort in the interior, too. Shoulder room (+1.46 inches) and elbow room (+1.10 inches) have been increased, exceeding the norm for this class of vehicle. Clear lines create a coherent look & feel in this comfortable interior. A generous sweep of fine wood trim extends from the center console across the dashboard into the doors, creating a pleasant wrap-around effect. A choice of two wood trims is available. Perfectly in tune with the roadster’s character, the interior combines the unpretentious atmosphere of a high-performance sports car with the comfortable, stylish ambience you might expect from a luxurious touring car.

Design – classic SL proportions

The designers have brought the latest generation of the SL to life with a firm foundation in tradition, but with new perspectives and visions. The result is a stylishly sporty and elegant luxury sports car with balanced proportions that are classic SL. The long hood gives way to a compact passenger compartment that is set well back. A wide, powerful rear end with a strong racing character provides the finishing touch. Just a few carefully drawn lines define the powerfully sculpted, yet calm surfaces along the flanks. Finely crafted details, a striking rear end plus ventilation grilles with chromed fins from the dynamic tradition of the Mercedes- Benz heritage evoke the SL legend.

An upright classic sports car radiator grille clearly identifies the new SL as a prestigious member of the current Mercedes-Benz sports car lineup. The centrally positioned star is a contemporary reinterpretation of the famous trademark, and now extends into the center section with its organically flowing contours.

Dynamically slanting headlamps set well to the outside frame the striking front end and give the new roadster its own unmistakable face. The Bi-xenon headlamps come with active curve illumination and corner illuminating lamps as a standard feature, as well as Adaptive Highbeam Assist. With different lighting functions tailored to typical driving and weather conditions and activated in accordance with the driving situation, they offer the driver a much better illuminated field of vision. The striking sidelights and the horizontal line of the daytime running lamps in the far ends of the bumper feature LED technology.

Retractable hard top – with optional MAGIC SKY CONTROL

The sixth generation of the SL also offers a retractable hard top that can be operated using a space-saving electrohydraulic mechanism, converting the SL from coupe to roadster and back again in a matter of seconds. In contrast to its predecessor, the new SL offers two versions of the retractable hard top – glass or the unique panoramic roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. The transparent roof switches between light and dark at the push of a button. In the light setting it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up in bright sunlight. The frame of both versions is made from magnesium, reducing weight by around 13 pounds compared with the outgoing model, lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity and delivering greater agility.

The engineers have refined the operating mechanism for the roof and trunk lid. It now takes less than 20 seconds to open or close the roof completely.

Aerodynamics – new standards

The design of the new SL is not only aesthetically beautiful, it also boasts outstanding aerodynamic characteristics, giving the roadster top marks in its segment in three crucial areas:

• the lowest wind noise, virtually on par with a closed sedan;

• the best comfort during open-air driving, meaning the roof can stay down even

at high speed;

• virtually no accumulation of dirt on the side windows.

Two world premieres – FrontBass and MAGIC VISION CONTROL

The 2013 SL remains true to its tradition as technological trendsetter with two innovations:

MAGIC VISION CONTROL is a new, intelligent and highly efficient wipe/wash system. The innovative wiper blade judiciously dispenses wash fluid just in front of the wiper blade via channels integrated into the blade – in both directions of travel. The result is no water splash on the windshield to disrupt driver visibility and a perfectly clean windshield. The water also stays on the windshield, with no risk of overspray into the passenger cabin when the roof is down. A fully heated wiper blade is included as standard equipment, preventing the build-up of snow and ice on the blade in winter. This heating function also allows warm water to be applied directly onto the windshield for the first time, even in cold temperatures.

Equally unique is the FrontBass system, which makes intelligent use of the Page 7 spaces in the aluminum structures forward of the footwell. These spaces function as resonating chambers for the woofers and mark the first time ever that a sound system has been integrated into the body-in-white. As a result, the new SL features clear, rich bass sounds that deliver a concert hall ambience even with the top down. The new layout has the added bonus of freeing up space in the doors and interior.

Both innovations are part of the extensive standard equipment of the new SL.

HANDS-FREE ACCESS – swipe to open

The HANDS-FREE ACCESS system is another Mercedes-Benz innovation that provides easy, hands-free operation of the trunk lid. The driver simply moves their foot in the vicinity below the rear bumper. Mercedes-Benz is the only car maker to offer a system that not only automatically opens the trunk lid but closes it as well.

The safest roadster

The SL is the world’s safest roadster, thanks to the collision-optimized aluminum structure, standard equipment that includes PRE-SAFE® and ATTENTION ASSIST, plus further assistance systems on the same high level as the S-Class. The rigid aluminum bodyshell forms a sturdy passenger compartment along with precisely defined deformation zones at the front and rear ends. The passenger compartment is protected in the event of the vehicle overturning by two roll-over bars and A- pillars made from a mix of steel and aluminum. The restraint systems including the two-stage driver and front passenger airbags have been further developed, while a head airbag covers the side impact area. An additional thorax airbag in the seat backrest protects the upper body in the event of a side impact. Another new feature is the crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints developed by Mercedes- Benz which are also standard equipment in the SL.

One safety highlight in the standard equipment package is the unrivalled anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® developed by Mercedes-Benz. If the system detects the imminent threat of an accident, it reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, ensuring that the seat belts and airbags are able to provide maximum protection during an impact.

Additional post-impact measures supplement the integral safety concept and facilitate rapid assistance. Regardless of the severity of the impact, the doors are automatically unlocked after an accident, the interior lighting is activated and the side windows lowered by 2 inches to ventilate the interior more effectively. The steering wheel also moves upward.

Standard – ATTENTION ASSIST and ADAPTIVE BRAKE

A unique combination of driver assistance systems in the new SL helps prevent accidents. These include the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST and the ADAPTIVE BRAKE, both of which are standard equipment. The latter features ABS, acceleration skid control (ASR) and active yaw control, and offers comfort and convenience functions in addition to safety features.

PRE-SAFE® Brake – autonomous partial and emergency braking in response to the serious risk of a rear-end collision

Optional equipment includes DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control with PRE- SAFE® Brake, which is already well proven in other Mercedes-Benz models. The systems use radar sensors to detect the serious risk of a rear-end collision. The PRE- SAFE® Brake warns the driver and can initiate autonomous braking if the driver fails to react, thus either preventing the accident or at least mitigating its severity. PRE- SAFE® can also activate occupant protection measures.

Active Parking Assist – automatically maneuvers into a parking space

Active Parking Assist is new in the SL. Using ultrasound sensors it can identify parking spaces and automatically steer the vehicle into the selected space.

Infotainment – COMAND with internet access

COMAND with Internet access capabilities and DVD changer is standard equipment in the new SL. It provides Web browsing while the vehicle is stationary, along with access to Mercedes-Benz Apps – such as Google Local Search, Yelp and Facebook – with a paid subscription to Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 in-vehicle connected services after the complimentary trial period ends. There are also the options to send individual routes to the vehicle from Google Maps and destinations from iPhone® and Android® phones using the Mercedes-Benz mbrace Mobile App.

The COMAND system features a high-resolution 7-inch TFT color display (800 x 480 pixels) next to the instrument cluster. This screen arrangement helps to avoid driver distraction.

The 2013 SL550 will be available in U.S. showrooms this spring.

To coincide with the launch of the 2013 SL, Mercedes-Benz will also be offering a special-edition model, the “Edition 1”, for a limited period. The “Edition 1” is superbly equipped and comes standard with AMG 19-inch alloy wheels, designo exclusive leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF, the Harman/Kardon® Logic7® surround sound system and much more. The designo crystal silver magno special paintwork is available exclusively for the “Edition 1”. Interior upholstery is designo classic red/black exclusive with designo black piano lacquer wood trim.

The interior of the all new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is designed beautifully with SLS inspired elements that include crosshair vents, a perfect combination of leather, wood and carbon fiber, as well as a center console that blends simplicity and elegance. Mercedes-Benz wording is engraved in aluminum on the bottom of the flat-bottom steering wheel that matches the silver gauges perfectly.

The roof comes in either standard glass or the Magic Sky Control which is also available on the Mercedes SLK. According to Mercedes the roof stows away in a mere 20 seconds and weighs 13 pounds less, due to its partial magnesium construction, adding to the SL’s 300 pound weight loss..

The SL550 comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 4.6-liter V8, outputting 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque which is a major increase of the prior model’s 384 hp and 391 lb-ft. The 0-60 sprint takes around 4.5 seconds, a speedy sprint considering the fuel economy on the 2013 SL has been improved by up to 10 percent thanks to a modified seven-speed automatic gearbox and start/stop tech.

Speed-sensitive, electromechanical steering joins two suspension options: the standard Agility Control Suspension or the Active Body Control setup.

Two new technologies come standard on the SL-Class, the Magic Vision Control that combines the spray nozzles with wiper fluid into the wipers themselves, and the new FrontBass system that mounts two subwoofers in the driver and passenger footwells. And it wouldn’t be a Mercedes if all of the safety options weren’t available, including, Pre-Safe, NECK-PRO Active Head Restraints, Adaptive Brakes, Automatic pop-up rollover protection and several others.

Read on for the full equipment lest and technical data.

Standard Equipment

Comfort/Convenience

12-way adjustable heated seats w/pneumatic lumbar support and memory

Panorama sunroof*

Power Wind Screen*

COMAND System with 40GB hard-drive GPS navigation and SiriusXM realtime traffic

iPod/MP3 media interface (in center armrest)

10-speaker harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround-sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1

HD Radio®

In-dash 6-disc DVD/CD changer

In-dash SD memory card reader

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling

Enhanced voice control for audio, telephone and navigation

Leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel

Multi-color Ambient lighting*

Auto-dimming rear view and driver side mirrors

Heated Windshield

Retractable hard-top with easy pack feature

Leather upholstery

Hand-polished wood trim

Power adjustable tilt/telescoping steering column with easy-exit feature

Electronic cruise control

Electronic parking brake*

SmartKey with panic button and infrared remote roof automation

Integrated garage door opener

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Front cupholders

Performance/Handling

ECO Stop/Start*

4.6-liter biturbo direct-injection V8 engine*

429 hp @ 5,250*

516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-3,500 rpm*

Turbo Boost: 13.0 psi*

Top Speed 130 mph (Electronically Limited)

7-Speed Driver-Adaptive Transmission with Sport, Economy, and Manual Shift Modes and Steering Wheel Shift Paddles

18″ Twin 5-spoke wheels with run flat tires

Safety/Security

MAGIC VISION CONTROL*

ATTENTION ASSIST*

PRE-SAFE®*

NECK-PRO Active Head Restraints*

Headlamp cleaning system

LED Daytime Running Lights*

Adaptive Highbeam Assist*

Bi-Xenon headlamps w/active curve illumination & corner illuminating lamps

Mercedes-Benz mbrace2™*

Advanced tire pressure monitoring system

High strength steel-reinforced cabin with front and rear crumple zones

Supplemental restraint system with occupant sensor

Two-stage dual front airbags

Head-thorax side impact airbags

Driver and Passenger knee airbag

3-point seat belt with pretensioners and dual-stage belt force limiter

Electrohydraulic braking system, Anti-Lock (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS)

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Automatic Slip Reduction (ASR)

Automatic pop-up rollover protection

Anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer

Night security illumination

New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty

24-hour roadside assistance program

Owner information kit

Optional Packages

Driver Assistance Package ($TBD)

DISTRONIC PLUS with Pre-Safe Brake

Active Blind Spot Assist*

Active Lane Keeping Assist*

Premium 1 Package ($TBD)

KEYLESS-GO

Rearview Camera

PARKTRONIC w/Active Parking Assist*

Heated & Active Ventilated Front Seats

AIRSCARF neck-level heating system

Active Multicontour Seats

Power Trunk Closer with hands-free access*

Sport Wheel Package ($TBD)

19″ AMG 5-Spoke Wheels

Sport Brake System

Stand Alone Options

Analog Clock on Dashboard ($TBD)

Wood/Leather Steering Wheel ($TBD)

Active Body Control (ABC) ($TBD)

MAGIC SKY CONTROL Electrochromic Roof ($TBD)

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Surround Sound System ($TBD)

19″ Twin 5-Spoke Wheels ($TBD)

Paint

Black, Magnetite Black, Shadow Grey (Matte Finish)*, Mars Red, Steel Grey, Iridium Silver, Palladium Silver, Pearl Beige, Diamond White, Lunar Blue

Upholstery

Black Leather, Beige/Brown Leather, Red/Black Leather, Ash/Grey Leather, Black Premium Leather, Beige/Brown Premium Leather, Red/Black Premium Leather, Porcelain/Black Premium Leather, Brown/Black Premium Leather

Trim

Burl Walnut, Black Ash

*=highlight for 2013MY

Technical Data

Note: Technical specifications are subject to change.

With less than a month left till the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, we were getting more and more excited to get our first glimpse of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. Today, that excitement comes to a peak, as German Car forum user “Ich” managed to procure the 2013 SL-Class brochure and graciously took the time to publish select pages of it on the web. The brochure shows the exterior of the SL (which sports a new front fascia that closely resembles the latest generation SLK), an interior overview, and a shot of the instrument cluster / steering wheel.

Beneath the updated exterior, look for a much lighter aluminum design that lowers the weight of the roadster up to 310 pounds. Although the SL is lighter, we are told that the new SL is 20 percent more rigid and has the added benefit of being 30 percent more fuel efficient.

As always, we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest 2013 Mercedes SL-Class information, which more than likely will be officially debuting any day now.

Look past its absolutely hideous wheels and golden paint color, and there, below light camouflage, exists the next-generation Mercedes SL-Class.  Expected to makes its debut early next year and hit the market soon thereafter, look for styling closer to that of the current SLK and SLS models, bringing the family into glorious styling harmony.

Under the hood, engine options are likely to include a 306 PS (225 kW / 302 hp) 3.5-liter V6 as well as a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 with 408 PS (300 kW / 402 hp) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. Furthermore, a high powered SL63 AMG powered by a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 with 544 PS (400 kW / 537 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque – bumped up to 571 hp with the performance package – is also on the docket.

We’ll keep you posted when we learn more.  In the meantime, hit the gallery for more pics.

Thanks to Autoblog.nl for the photos.

Yet another round of spy photos have emerged giving us a glimpse of what’s coming in the next iteration of the Mercedes SL-Class.  It’s still too early to discern much of the new SL’s styling thanks to extensive use of false body paneling, but some areas to take note of include a more upright front fascia with single louvre grille, the general headlight shape and the LED running lights.  In the back, a tail light shape is visible, but due to the heavy amount of plastic and camouflage there’s no way to discern how closely the finished product will resemble the shape we’re seeing now.  You know the drill – stay tuned and we’ll keep you updated as we get any new details of the 2013 Mercedes SL.  In the meantime, check out more 2013 SL pics in the gallery below, then head over to Car Advice for the full story.

Daimler AG and Toray Industries announced yesterday they’ll be teaming up to jointly develop carbon fiber composite materials, starting with the next-generation Mercedes SL-Class in 2012.  When effectuated, the collaboration will mark the first time carbon fiber has been extensively implemented in mass-produced auto bodies, and it will hopefully help the SL regain its original meaning of “sport light”.

As Japan’s largest synthetic fiber maker, Toray currently holds (by their estimate) a 34 percent market share of carbon fiber products.  The company has a molding technology that cuts the time it takes to make carbon fiber composites to under five minutes, and through the new partnership with Daimler, seeks to improve the molding process further to scale down costs.  While details of the collaboration are still being finalized, A Toray spokesman said that through joint research and development, the two companies will work out whether to expand the use of carbon fiber to other auto parts or models, and that at present, the two companies haven’t decided what form any R&D operations, joint ventures or other arrangements they’ll undertake together.  A monetary value of the deal is still pending as well.

We’ll keep you posted as new details of the Daimler and Toray deal materialize; in the meantime, you can find more details at WSJ.com.

New spy photos have emerged that give us another glimpse as to what we can expect from the next-generation Mercedes SL-Class – a model that’s said to be coming mid to late 2012 as a 2013 model.  Unfortunately, Mercedes’ false body panels are still in place, masking much of the roadster’s actual contours; however, if you remember the last series of SL spy photos we brought you, it appears as though the model’s profile is notedly similar to that of the current SL.  Things that are said to be changing include a lower weight, thanks to a new lightweight aluminum spaceframe chassis, as well as a lower, wider stance to improve the model’s handling characteristics.  Also rumored is a variety of component sharing with the SLS, including both suspension and the SLS AMG’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

We’ll of course keep you posted if we hear anything new; in the meantime, you can view more of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class in the gallery below, or head over to TMR for the full story.

New spy photos have emerged thanks to the fine gentlemen of Motor Trend that provide some glimpses as to what we can expect from the next-generation Mercedes SL-Class.  Making the spy photos even better is the fact that accompanying the next-gen SL, a current model is also present, thus making comparisons between the two a little easier task.

Overall, it appears the next SL will maintain overall proportions similar to the current model (in other words, this isn’t going to be anywhere near magnitude of changes we saw the SL undergo in 2003).  A flatter nose is visible, even with heavier camouflage up front, while repositioned mirrors are another obvious change.  Inside, new air vents like those of the SLS AMG are present, while the navigation screen has been enlarged and moved up.

As for the rest of the changes, I’ll let you check out the photos and judge for yourself.  To see more of the next-generation Mercedes SL, visit the spy photo gallery below or head over to Motor Trend where you can view the original article in its entirety.