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Review (2/2)

2013 SL Class: Lightweight, Athletic, Luxurious

Source: Mercedes-Benz | Published: Thu Dec 15, 2011

(continued from the previous page)

SL550's Interior - Aesthetic, Stylish, Sporty

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 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.

Powerful V8 Engine in the New Mercedes SL

The new V8 in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz 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.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is Lighter and More Rigid

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.

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 Mercedes-Benz 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.

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 2013 Mercedes 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.

Retractable Hard Top

The sixth generation of the Mercedes-Benz 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.

Magic Vision Control

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.

Hands Free Access

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.

Standard: Attention Assist and Adaptive Brake

A unique combination of driver assistance systems in the new Mercedes-Benz 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 Emergency Braking

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

Active Parking Assist is new in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL. Using ultrasound sensors it can identify parking spaces and automatically steer the vehicle into the selected space.

Infotainment

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.

2013 Mercedes SL Edition 1

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

Mercedes-Benz SL550: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications

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