ALL-NEW 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL OFFICIAL DETAILS AND PICS

After a couple of leaks, first showing a scanned brochure, and then small pictures, it was inevitable that Mercedes-Benz would soon follow with official pics and info. Whether on schedule or in reaction to these leaks, we aren’t sure. Nevertheless we are quite happy to now show you the full spectrum of the all-new Mercedes-Benz SL range.

Starting with the two launch engines, Merc will unveil the SL 350 and SL 500 before all else. The smaller of the two uses the trusted company 3.5-litre V6 with natural aspiration. In this instance it makes 225kW and 370Nm of torque, helps the car accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, and reach a top end of 250km/h. They say it will only return 6.8 litres per 100km in fuel consumption.

The SL 500 (called SL 550 in the United States) has a 4.7-litre twin turbo V8 pushing out 320kW and 700Nm of torque. So talented is this one that it will take just 4.6 seconds to move from 0 – 100km/h. A 7-speed automatic gearbox is installed. Later an SL 63 AMG and possibly an SL 65 AMG, as well as an insane Black Series model can be expected.

So, the SL has a metal roof with a magnesium frame, which makes it 6kg lighter than its predecessor’s. It takes just 20 seconds to close it down through the touch of a button in the console. Most of the bodywork is made from lightweight aluminium, and despite it being longer, and wider than before, it weighs less.  As with the smaller SLK, Magic Sky Control can be ticked off the Options list.

The SL features a number of world firsts, including Hands Free Access which allows you to simply place your foot just under the rear bumper area to open the boot.

We’ll see the new SL in South Africa in 2012, hopefully sometime in the third quarter. The United States gets its allocation in the spring or before June 2012.