2013 Mercedes-Benz SL: Feast Your Eyes on 60 High-Res Photos and the First Official Videos

The last couple of days, the sixth-generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL roadster has been one of the hottest subjects on the web – and rightly so, as it introduces several new technologies that will eventually trickle down to the premium automaker's other models.

There's a lot to mention, but one of the highlights is the aluminum bodywork, which significantly reduces weight and has a positive effect on both agility and handling as well as fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

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Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz Dishes Out Official Details on the 2013 SL Roadster

After the first official photos of the all-new 2013 SL hit the web on Tuesday, it was only a matter of time before Mercedes-Benz itself disclosed all the juicy details about its new luxury roadster model, which will make its official world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
For starters, the new SL, code-named R321, is the first mass-production Mercedes car built almost entirely from aluminum, with the same material used for the multi-link front and rear suspensions. As a result, its weight has been reduced by up to 308 pounds (140 kg) compared to its predecessor.
Using aluminum has not only reduced weight, but also increased agility providing sportier handling characteristics.
Dr. Thomas Rudlaff, who was responsible for the new aluminum bodyshell, said: "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."
The 2013 SL will be available with two different suspension setups, both of which will feature the Agility Control Suspension system as standard and the Active Body Control system as an option. They are combined with a new electromechanical, speed-sensitive power steering called Direct-Steer that reduces the effort required by the driver in low-speed maneuvers and increases its weight and feel at high speeds.
In Europe, the new SL will initially be offered with two direct injection gasoline engines, both of which send power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The SL 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with an output of 302HP and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque. Despite being less powerful than the previous SL 350, the increased torque along with the reduced weight make it 0.3 seconds faster in the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint while, at the same time, recording an average consumption of just 5.6 lt/100 km (42 mpg US).
The second unit is a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 “borrowed” from the current S-Class, with 429HP and 699.6 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, which powers the SL500 (SL550 in the US market, where it will available next spring).
The 4,663 cc V8 is 12 percent more powerful and produces 32 percent more torque than its predecessor, despite losing almost 0.8 liters in displacement. It accelerates Merc’s latest roadster from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz claims that the new SL could have been even lighter, if not for the extended use of advanced systems.
These include the driver drowsiness detection system Attention Assist and the Adaptive Brake, both of which are standard. The Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control and the Pre Safe autonomous emergency braking system are optional.
The retractable hard top sports a rigid and light magnesium frame and it takes less than 20 to open or close the roof completely. It is available in two versions: glass or the panoramic “Magic Sky Control” introduced in the 2012 SLK that changes its transparency at the touch of a button.
The FrontBass system, which uses the aluminum chassis for enhancing the audio system’s bass output and optimize acoustics, and the Magic Vision Control windscreen cleaning system that houses the water injectors inside the wiper blades, have already been revealed in detail in Merc’s earlier release.
Mercedes-Benz will also offer a limited-edition version of the 2013 SL named the "Edition 1". It features AMG 19-inch alloy wheels, designo exclusive leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF and a Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system.
It will be painted in an “Edition 1”-exclusive “designo crystal silver magno” color, while the interior upholstery is designo classic red/black exclusive with designo black piano lacquer wood trim.
In the U.S., the 2013 SL550 will arrive in showrooms in the spring of 2012.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-Benz Dishes Out Official Details on the 2013 SL Roadster

After the first official photos of the all-new 2013 SL hit the web on Tuesday, it was only a matter of time before Mercedes-Benz itself disclosed all the juicy details about its new luxury roadster model, which will make its official world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

For starters, the new SL, code-named R321, is the first mass-production Mercedes car built almost entirely from aluminum, with the same material used for the multi-link front and rear suspensions. As a result, its weight has been reduced by up to 308 pounds (140 kg) compared to its predecessor.

Using aluminum has not only reduced weight, but also increased agility providing sportier handling characteristics.

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Official Photos of 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster Hit the Web

At first, it was the brochure shots and now, it's an Armageddon of official photos of the brand-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL that have spilled onto the internet ahead of the hardtop roadster model's scheduled world premiere at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Aside from the obvious when it comes to the boxier styling language, which is closely modeled after the smaller SLK, what we now about the new SL is that it is the first mainstream Mercedes model to feature an almost exclusively aluminum construction that make it some 140kg (308 pounds) lighter than the car it replaces.

The 2013 SL keeps the current model's folding top with Mercedes-Benz's Magic Sky Control roof with a glass structure being offered as an option.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster Brochure Scans Leak onto the Web

It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz has almost completed work on the next iteration of its SL roadster, as the German company itself recently published several technical details along with official shots of the car, albeit still wrapped up in camouflage.

However, if these leaked scanned images of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL brochure turn out to be true – and from what we can tell, they seem genuine, you can get your first gander at Stuttgart new roadster model in the gallery after the jump.

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Rare Classic Cars Including a DB5 Owned by George Harrison Going Under the Hammer

An Aston Martin DB5 or a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster is, no doubt, a sought-after classic that commands a high price. The bill, however, rockets skywards when a celebrity has owned the classic, as is the case with some of the 36 cars going under the hummer in the Coys True Greats auction that will be held in London on December 7.

“There are some extremely interesting cars on offer which could be the ultimate Christmas present,” said Managing Director of COYS, Chris Routledge. “The classic car market is one that is still buoyant and many people are looking at cars as an investment that is also fun.”

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