After a few grainy brochure shots were leaked yesterday, we can now bring you the official 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class images and details.
Visually, the new SL receives bolder, more muscular styling, specifically that upright grille – reminiscent of the SLK and SLS AMG models, and those extrusive Bi-xenon headlamps equipped with active curve illumination and Adaptive Highbeam Assist, and bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights. It also gets the same Magic Sky Control panoramic transparent roof as the SLK, which allows the driver to switch between light and dark at the touch of a button.
Lighter and 20 percent more rigid than its predecessor, an aluminium bodyshell, plus the use of magnesium for the panel behind the fuel tank and roof, helps to weigh around 140 kg (308 lb) less than the outgoing model. The SL 500 also features aluminium steering knuckles and suspension components, which helps to reduce unsprung weight.
Propelling the SL 500 model is a 4.7 L V8 which develops 320 kW (435 hp) and 699 Nm (516 lb/ft) of torque and transfers power to the road via a 7-speed automatic gearbox, resulting in a 4.5 second sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) – eight tenths faster than the previous SL 500. Even though displacement is reduced by 0.8 L, the new SL not only uses less fuel, but also churns out 32 percent more torque and 12 percent more power.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]