2013 Mercedes SL

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The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL has been revealed today, with Daimler releasing its details for the USA and European markets. The 2013 SL will be unveiled publicly at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January next year. The 2013 Mercedes SL has been completely redeveloped, and is now 140 kilograms lighter and thirty percent more efficient than its predecessor. Mercedes completely re-worked its exterior, which now has a lower drag coefficient of just Cd = 0.27. The new body of the 2013 SL creates less wind noise inside the car, and Mercedes says it can't get dirt on its side windows while running.

In terms of design the 2013 Mercedes SL features a re-styled front fascia, with new headlights, grille and bumper. The roadster features the new Intelligent Light System (ILS) which offers five different lighting functions. Even though it's been re-designed, the 2013 SL manages to keep the overall feel of the model, thanks to its long bonnet and its cockpit, which is set well back. A nice design touch is the optional panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This special glass roof is able to switch between light and dark at a push of a button.



The 2013 Mercedes SL has more generous dimensions in comparison to its predecessor. It's 50 mm longer (4612 mm) and 57 mm wider (1877 mm). This means it offers more interior space. In fact, the 2013 SL has 37 mm more shoulder room, and 28 mm more elbow room. For the interior of the 2013 SL, Mercedes chooses wood and aluminum finishes. This creates and elegant and comfortable atmosphere inside the cockpit.

The Mercedes SL 2013 is built upon an aluminum bodyshell, which reduces the car's weight quite considerably. For instance, the 2013 SL500 is 125 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, weighing 1.785 kg, while the 2013 SL350 weighs 1.685 kg (140 kg less than before). This improves its efficiency and performance.

The 2013 Mercedes SL comes with two world premieres. The MAGIC VISION CONTROL is a newly developed wipe/wash system, which sprays water just in front of the wiper blade, in both directions. The second novelty is the FrontBass system, which uses the empty spaces of the SL's aluminum structure as resonance boxes.

The new SL-Class will be available in Europe, and the UK, in two versions: the 2013 SL500 and the 2013 SL350. The new Mercedes SL500 is powered by a 4663 cc V8 engine, which outputs 320 kW (435 hp) and 700 Nm of torque. This is 170 Nm more than before. Even though it has more torque, the 2013 SL 500 is 22% more efficient in terms of fuel consumption. The new 2013 SL500 is rated with zero to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time of 4.6 seconds.

The 2013 Mercedes SL350 is powered by a 3499 cc V6 engine, which is good for 225 kW (306 hp) and 370 Nm of torque. The new SL350 is 30% more economic, with a fuel consumption of 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers. The 2013 SL 350 can get from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds.

In the United States, the new SL Class will be marketed as the 2013 SL550. The new Mercedes SL 550 is powered by the same V8 as the SL500, but is has an output of 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The U.S. version of the 2013 SL has a zero to 60 mph acceleration time of 4.5 seconds.

All three versions of the 2013 Mercedes SL come with a 7-Speed Driver-Adaptive automatic transmission, which is called 7G-TRONIC PLUS, an ECO start/stop function and BlueDIRECT technology.

Mercedes is offering two choices when it comes to suspension. The 2013 SL will come as standard with the Agility Control Suspension system, but optionally, you'll be able to fit it with the ABC (Active Body Control) suspension system.

The 2013 Mercedes SL comes with a long list of equipment, out of which we'll mention just a few (the full equipment list is available here). The HANDS-FREE ACCESS system, which is called 'kick' to open, enables the driver to open the boot just by moving his / her foot in front of the rear bumper. The 2013 SL550 will also be equipped with the AIRSCARF system, which is able to keep the driver and the passenger warm at the neck level during open-top motoring.

In terms of safety, the 2013 SL offers the NECK-PRO head restraints, the PRE-SAFE system, the ATTENTION ASSIST system and the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system.

In Europe, the 2013 Mercedes SL price list starts at 93,534.00 Euros for the SL350 BlueEFFICIENCY and at 117,096.00 Euros for the SL500 BlueEFFICIENCY. Here the new SL can be ordered from today (15 December 2011). The new SL comes with the "Edition 1" optional package, which will cost you 19,028.10 or 22,598.10 Euros, depending on the model.

The 2013 Mercedes SL price and specifications list for the UK are not finalized yet. In Britain, the new SL will go on sale in July 2012. In the United States, the 2013 SL550 will go on sale next spring. Mercedes-Benz USA has not finalized its price list.


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Source: Mercedes