All new Mercedes-Benz SL class unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show

Carrying on a tradition that has been there for over six decades with Mercedes-Benz, the SL or ‘Sport Leicht’ class of grand tourer gets an all-round redevelopment from the blokes. Synonymous with a symbiosis of sportiness, style and comfort, the new SL class has been produced for the first time almost entirely from aluminium and weighs up to 140 kg lighter than its predecessor that provides the basis for and agile, sporty handling. The new BlueDIRECT engines that will be available in two versions – the new V8 that develops 441 PS from its 4663 cc motor and thus has around 12 percent more than the earlier version while improving efficiency by up to  22 percent. At the same time, the torque has been increased from 530 Nm to 700 Nm. The second version is a new V6 engine that churns out 310.2 PS of power and 370 Nm of torque out of the 3499 cc mill and returning a fuel efficiency of 17 kmpl according to fuel prices in the US.

Both engines come with a standard ECO start/stop function and a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission that has been optimised in relation to the fuel consumption and comfort. But, this is no way means taking away the punch of the brutal engines. On the contrary, the SL350 accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds and the SL 500 taking just 4.6 seconds. "There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models. But there are 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. But it combines all that with incredible sportiness and dynamism. You would struggle to find a car that embodies Gottlieb Daimler's aspiration more perfectly than our new SL: the best or nothing," said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz has implemented an all-aluminium bodyshell in a series-production model and only a few components consist of other materials. The designers use the even lighter magnesium for the cover behind the tank. High-strength steel tubing is integrated in the A-pillars for added safety. "The effect is rather as if a heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car," says Dr Thomas Rudlaff, responsible for the aluminium bodyshell at Mercedes-Benz. "The result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words: the motoring enjoyment increases, the environmental burden sinks," added Rudlaff.

Apart from the powerful engines, the sport-tuned yet comfortable suspension, which also boasts intelligent lightweight construction, proves outstanding. The steering knuckles and spring links on the front axle are also made out of aluminium to reduce the unsprung masses. The same applies to virtually all the wheel location components on the rear axle. The new SL is available with two different suspension setups. The SL features semi-active adjustable damping as standard. The optional active suspension system ABC (Active Body Control) is available as an alternative. Both suspension variants are combined with a new electromechanical Direct-Steer system featuring speed-sensitive power steering.

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Other new features include the unique Frontbass system, which turns the luxury sports car into a concert hall regardless of whether the top is open or closed, and the highly efficient adaptive windscreen wipe/wash system MAGIC VISION CONTROL. It supplies water from the wiper blade as required and depending on the direction of wipe. The MAGIC SKY panoramic that comes in as an option is also available, similar to the one seem on the new SLK class that was launched in India recently. The North American International Motor Show in Detroit is from January 9 to January 22, 2012.