mercedes-benz will continue its long legend of devising legendary sports cars when it launches the new-generation sl-class in spring 2008. the world's most flourishing premium roadster in its class visage a innovative design with the emphasis firmly upon sportiness and effortless assurance. these traits are also reflected in the handling qualities of the two-seater mannequin ,  which now delivers horizontal added athletic functioning thanks to the innovative direct-steer system as well as offering enhanced comfort and safety. the sl 350 is powered by a newly developed ,  extremely high-revving sports engine boasting an impressive output of 232 kw/316 hp yet returns a fuel consumption form that is 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers leer than that of its predecessor (nedc). the sl range will now feature two six-cylinder models in the form of the sl 350 and the innovative sl 280 (170 kw/231 hp) as well as the intimate sl 500 with a v8 engine and the top-of-the-range sl 600 with a v12 powerplant. the mercedes sports car extends its lead in the safety stakes courtesy of bi-xenon headlamps ,  included as ordinary ,  and the intelligent light system whose light functions are designed specifically for typical driving situations. further innovative visage upon board include airscarf neck-level heating. this system – invented by mercedes-benz and available as an optional additional – enhances comfort when driving with the roof down ,  extending the roadster season until well into the winter months. sl passengers are kept informed and entertained by the standard-fit comand multimedia system ,  which has also been fully redeveloped and visage additional functions.

The new-generation sl caps a glorious history of mercedes sports cars ,  which began in 1954 with the introduction of the legendary 300 sl "gullwing" ,  followed in 1957 by the launch of the introductory sl roadster. to date ,  the stuttgart manufacturer has produced a total of over 630 , 000 sl sports cars.
Like its predecessors ,  the new-generation sl also merits its "incomparable" tag. no other sports car in this market segment offers such a perfect remainder of sportiness ,  safety and comfort. these three qualities are the cornerstones of highly eventful ,  nimble motoring that supplies a profound sense of well-being – for hallmark mercedes refinement at the highest ,  sportiest horizontal.

New design idiom with ostensible fun overtones

When it came to devising a concept and design for the new-generation sl‑class ,  the mercedes-benz engineers set out with the intention of accentuating the roadster's fun attributes horizontal added strongly than before. this aspiration is reflected in the innovative front-end design featuring as its centrepiece a wide and ,  consequently ,  very dominant radiator grille whose v‑shape symbolises fun virtues such as forwards thrust and functioning potential.

A horizontal louvre makes the radiator grille appear wider and ,  in doing well ,  emphasises the stalwart aspect of the sl's front intention ,  making it seem surprisingly innovative yet also very intimate. by using expressive stylistics in this way ,  the mercedes designers are capable to create a append with the sl's history and create a front-end design that is reminiscent of the earlier sl roadster models ,  which also expressed their poise and assurance through wide ,  very distinct radiator grilles. consequently the front-end design of the new-generation sl shows mercedes-benz taking the styling of the legendary sports car to the next horizontal.

The designers also fee homage to the forefather of the sl mannequin series: the two powerdomes upon the bonnet and the gill-style air outlets in the front wings are ostensible hallmarks of the 300 sl from 1954 and have been given a contemporary interpretation for the innovative mercedes sports car.

These classic design visage drawn from five decades of roadster legend are in stylish concord with innovative elements of the contemporary mercedes design idiom ,  including the distinct v-shape of the front fraction and ,  above all ,  the headlamps ,  which are drawn deeply into the flanks ,  consequently further emphasising the impression of breadth at the front intention. as well as giving the sl a highly contemporary look ,  this striking headlamp design also sees the roadster continuing its traditional role as a trendsetter. apparently love its predecessors ,  the new‑generation sl visage a front-end design that will serve as a template for future mercedes passenger cars.

At the raise ,  too ,  the new-generation sl demonstrates its fun nature horizontal added clearly than before. this is achieved above all by a innovative ,  diffuser-look bumper which adds a motorsport touch. in conjunction with the well innovative trapezoidal weary tailpipes this design constituent emphasises the width of the corpus ,  further symbolising the force apparently waiting to be unleashed by the roadster.

Direct-steer system: consummate fun driving pleasure

The sl denomination is synonymous with driving happiness as well as design. these mercedes sports cars have always offered a scintillating driving experience that does not deal in compromises – neither in terms of handling dynamics nor by whatever means when it comes to comfort or safety. it was under this premise that the mercedes engineers modified and perfected the sl engineering Science ,  one specimen being the innovative ,  optionally available direct-steer system ,  which is as naive as it is ingenious and supplies a whole innovative driving experience when cornering.

This innovative development is based upon the intimate standard-fit speed-sensitive force steering system with leer steering forces – the profit of which is signal above all when driving slowly ,  manoeuvring or parking. innovative visage include a variable rack ratio ,  which adjusts in line with the steering angle ,  incrementing sharply as soon as this reaches five degrees. all of which means that ,  compared to a steering system with a constant ratio ,  the driver does not have to move the steering wheel as much when cornering. the car's rejoinder is consequently noticeably added instruct ,  allowing the driver to steer added spontaneously or ,  in other words ,  added sportily.

When driving slowly or parking ,  the innovative engineering Science combines with the speed-sensitive force steering to provide horizontal added comfort than before because the gigantic ratio further reduces the steering crusade required.

In addition ,  the sl calm offers a Great Deal Of of the very finest chassis engineering Science available in the form of four-link front suspension and multi-link independent raise suspension. meanwhile the nimble corpus control (abc) system ,  specified as ordinary for the sl 500 and the sl 600 ,  is a unique masterpiece. it compensates flip ,  schedule and yaw upon the fraction of the corpus and adapts the suspension settings automatically to suit the current driving office. this makes for excellent agility upon the one hand and optimum driving stability upon the other ,  without compromising the car's super levels of comfort. mercedes‑benz has further fine-tuned the abc shock-absorber settings for the new-generation sl in instruct to fetch a whole innovative quality to this unique weld of sportiness ,  comfort and safety.

Size 255/45 r 17 wide-base tyres and 17-inch light-alloy wheels are fitted as ordinary upon the innovative sl 280 and sl 350 models ,  whereas the v8-powered sl 500 roadster runs upon 18-inch wheels shod with 255/40 r 18 tyres. and the exclusive character of the twelve-cylinder sl 600 mannequin is accentuated by 18-inch ten-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with 255/40 r 18 tyres at the front and 285/35 r 18 tyres at the raise.

Engines: innovative ,  extremely fun six-cylinder powerplant

Mercedes-benz is extending the sl-class line-up by introducing an attractive entry-level mannequin in the form of the sl 280 devising 170 kw/231 hp. the six‑cylinder powerplant delivers its peak torque of 300 nm from 2500 rpm and accelerates the roadster from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds ,  whilst fuel consumption (nedc) is apparently 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers.

For the sl 350 ,  the mercedes engineers have developed a v6 powerplant that brings the fun qualities of the innovative sl generation right to the fore. the term "sports engine" could not be added apt: through a procedure of meticulous engineering Science ,  the stuttgart specialists have further enlivened the temperament of the six-cylinder unit ,  enhancing its dynamic rejoinder dramatically. the engine responds instantaneously to movements of the accelerator pedal and can rev up to 7200 rpm in instruct to create full implement of its force reserves in certain driving situations. compared to the preceding 3.5-litre engine ,  the output has been boosted by 16 percent to 232 kw/316 hp (at 6500 rpm) ,  while the peak torque has been increased by 10 nm and now stands at 360 nm. this powerplant accelerates the innovative sl 350 from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 6.2 seconds ,  making it 0.4 seconds faster than the outgoing sl 350.

In this case ,  however ,  the additional force does not come at the expense of fuel economy: with a consumption form of 9.9 liters per 100 kilometers (nedc) ,  the innovative sl 350 undercuts the preceding mannequin devising 200 kw/272 hp by 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers.

The fun character of the v6 force unit is also clearly audible. its powerfully loud sound is the result of meticulous drudgery carried out by sound designers. fittingly these specialists also contribute to the fun driving happiness. in this esteem ,  the standard-fit seven-speed automatic transmission also has an crucial role to play: upon the one hand by allowing celeritous multiple downshifts when accelerating ,  upon the other hand by providing a innovative double-declutching function that is activated during manual downshifts. as well as devising a fun sound ,  this function also enhances comfort and safety as the double-declutching equalises the rotational speeds of the crankshaft and transmission. this set-up gives the driver the virtue of horizontal added harmonious gear changes. plus there is a signal discount in load-change reactions.

The flagship engines in the sl line-up dwell the eight-cylinder unit in the sl 500 devising 285 kw/388 hp and the v12 powerplant in the sl 600 ,  which develops 380 kw/517 hp thanks to its twin turbochargers. the mercedes engineers also worked meticulously upon these models to further mitigate fuel consumption by up to 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers.

Safety: lights for every driving office ,  whatever the weather

For five decades ,  mercedes sports cars have been setting the march when it comes to innovative developments in nimble and passive safety for open-top cars: in the 1960s the sl was the introductory sports car to feature a safety corpus based upon béla barényi's principle ,  while in the 1970s the sl pointed the way ahead with its three-point inertia-reel seat belts fitted as ordinary. these developments were followed by abs and the airbag in the 1980s ,  while the automatic roll-over bar and the stalwart integral seats celebrated their earth premieres in the early 1990s. the comprehensible range of safety equipment available for the mercedes sports car was rounded off in 2001 following the introduction of innovations such as adaptive front airbags and head/thorax sidebags.

The new-generation sl continues this legend ,  the main focus of the engineers' efforts this time being to improve driving safety at night and in fog. consequently the sports car is equipped as ordinary with stalwart bi-xenon headlamps ,  which are considerably added stalwart and added energy-efficient than comparable led headlamps. in addition ,  the optionally available intelligent light system supplies five unalike light functions designed specifically for typical driving situations and weather conditions: country fad ,  superhighway fad ,  enhanced fog lamps ,  cornering light function and nimble light function. the variable-control bi-xenon headlamps activate the varied light functions automatically. superhighway fad is activated in two stages when the dispatch exceeds 90 km/h ,  incrementing the driver's range of vision by up to 60 percent.

When the nimble light function is activated ,  the headlamps pivot to the side in line with the steering angle when the driver enters a bend ,  allowing them to witness around 25 metres further into a long bend than is the case with traditional dipped glitter. the cornering light function is activated automatically at speeds below 70 km/h when the driver steers and/or indicates. this means that ,  as well as enhancing safety when turning at junctions or upon error roads ,  this light function is also nimble when cornering at servile dispatch and improves illumination of the areas at the side of the carriageway. the enhanced fog lamps ensure better illumination of the verges ,  making it easier for drivers to gain their bearings. the intelligent headlamp engineering Science installed in the sl can consequently create an crucial contribution to road safety.

Interior: fun ambience and hallmark mercedes comfort

A look inside the new-generation sl shows what mercedes designers mean when they prate regarding the "balance of sportiness and comfort". the integral seats ,  the new-look three-spoke leather steering wheel and the completely restyled implement cluster immediately create it lucid that this is a thoroughbred sports car. everything fits well ,  all the controls are easy to witness and within apparently as easy reach. the speedometer and rev counter sport a classic chronometer design with new-look dials that promise unerring precision.

As soon as the ignition is switched upon ,  the cockpit instruments grab the driver's attention: the red speedometer and rev counter needles are aroused from their "six o' clock position" ,  spin once around the dials to their maximum values and then revert to their zero positions. the message these needle movements convey to the driver is unmistakable: "start your engine".

A wide range of colors and materials allows mercedes customers to design and appoint the interior of the new-generation sl to their individual tastes. there are two types of leather to cull from ,  as well as five unalike aluminum or fine-wood trims and five color combinations. the interior looks especially luxuriant and refined when specified with the innovative natural beige/black color design and the innovative wood urbane elements in cadaverous burr walnut with a high-sheen complete.

The sl 600 underlines its top billing in the sl line-up horizontal added clearly than before. inside the passengers are cosseted by extremely soft exclusive nappa leather and urbane elements in bland poplar wood. v12 emblems upon the seat backrests ,  upon the centre steering wheel spoke and upon the door sills ,  as well as the uniquely designed interior door panels orbicular off the refined twelve-cylinder ambience well. upon the external ,  the flagship sl mannequin is distinguishable by its exclusive 18-inch ten-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels and discreet yet highly effective detailing such as the matt-silver-painted louvres of the side air outlets and the centre divider in the trapezoidal weary tailpipe trims. mercedes-benz has upgraded the already gigantic standard-equipment package by adding the keyless-go system and a remote-locking boot lid.

Airscarf: mercedes invention extends the open-air season

The long schedule of structures that second to provide an neat horizontal of comfort in the roadster includes a further innovation in the new-generation sl. airscarf – the neck-level heating system developed and patented by mercedes engineers – is well called because it distributes air at apparently the right temperature through the head restraints ,  forming a warm ,  invisible "scarf" around the driver and front passenger.
This mercedes-benz invention allows the occupants to enjoy open-air driving happiness for longer and horizontal added frequently than before. the roadster season lasts until well into the winter months as airscarf supplies the sl occupants with all the warmth they want.

The optionally available heating system ,  which celebrated its earth premiere in the slk roadster in 2004 ,  has been modified by the mercedes engineers for the innovative sl generation. now the blower and heating are incorporated in the head restraints of the integral seats: two small ventilators suck in air backside the head restraints and channel it through the electric heating constituent to ensure celeritous heating. the temperature-controlled air then flows out of special openings upon the front of the head restraints and warms the occupants' head and neck areas. both driver and passenger can cull the heating temperature using a three-position flog in the door lining; the system then controls the desired temperature automatically depending upon the dispatch at which the car is being driven.

Infotainment: latest multimedia engineering Science in the centre console

The new-generation sl is also suitable for the future when it comes to information ,  fun and communications: mercedes-benz has further modified the standard-fit comand system ,  equipping it with additional functions. the result is infotainment par excellence: the multimedia device combines a car radio including a dual tuner with telephone controls ,  a cd/dvd changer and a slot for sd memory cards. further innovative additions include a bluetooth receiver ,  which connects a mobile phone to the standard-fit hands-free system wirelessly ,  and a gigantic color evince (6.5") ,  which enhances user-friendliness and serves as a high-resolution shield for playing dvd films – though not whilst the car is being driven ,  for ostensible safety reasons.

An horizontal wider range of high-tech electronics is available ex factory: mercedes customers can now instruct the optional comand aps system. its additional visage include a europe-wide navigation system whose information are stored upon a tough disc and consequently allow extremely celeritous route calculations. for playing music ,  there is an integrated six-disc cd/dvd changer and a music schedule for around 1000 mp3 tracks. a saved database enables automatic recognition of the music tracks and their artists. this information is then posted upon the color evince.

The ordinary comand aps package also includes the latest-generation linguatronic voice-operated control system ,  which controls the navigation ,  telephone and audio structures based upon its capacity to know entire words. this system is of gigantic profit as drivers no longer want to spell out their commands. instead ,  they apparently affirm what they lack ,  if it be a destination for the navigation system ,  a radio station or a denomination in the stored phone book.

For the introductory time ,  it is also possible to append an ipod ,  usb stick or other external audio device to the comand system thanks to a newly developed ,  universal media interface in the centre comfort (optional). this uci (universal consumer interface) is added than apparently an electronic "socket" ,  however; it also includes an ecu that links the external music memory to the sl's on-board electronics and control system. in this way ,  the ipod music tracks can also be indicated upon the implement cluster and upon the comand evince in the centre comfort. plus they can be called up easily using the buttons upon the multifunction steering wheel. the audio device's battery is charged for as long as the portable music memory is connected to the car via the uci.

For a complete in-car music experience ,  mercedes-benz can equip the new-generation sl with the harman kardon "logic7" sound system (optional extra) ,  which is also used in the s-class and whose functioning has been chronic in a Great Deal Of tests. the sound system has an output of 510 watts and converts the sl interior into a mobile concert corridor – if the vario-roof is up or down – courtesy of ten high-performance loudspeakers and state-of-the-art encircle engineering Science.

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