Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL is still the daddy

It's the eve of press days at the Detroit Auto Show, and Mercedes-Benz has kicked off the week in fine style with the premiere of its 2013 SL. While the 60-year-old franchise has periodically undergone radical revisions, the sixth-generation should look familiar to anyone who has seen the outgoing model, but that doesn't mean that Benz hasn't tugged and pulled the SL every which way. While the general form looks very similar to the fifth-generation roadster, there are subtle tweaks everywhere, the most noticeable being the eagle's-eye LED daytime running lamps.

As before, the two-seat roadster relies on a power folding hardtop, though the folding roof can now be had with Magic Sky Control, the trick bit of electrochromatic glass with variable opacity first offered on the SLK. The original SL nomenclature stood for Sport and Lightweight, but in recent years, the latter descriptor hasn't really applied to the big coupe. The 2013 model seeks to reclaim some of that featheriness with a new all-aluminum structure and body, and Mercedes says the new SL550 weighs about 275 pounds less than the exiting model.

Powered by Mercedes' 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8, the SL550 delivers 429 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and a whopping 516 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm. As before, that power is routed through a seven-speed auto to the rear wheels. Apart from its lightweight aluminum construction and downsized engine, Mercedes has made a few other concessions to greener motoring including standard stop/start. Despite this, the 32-percent swell in torque and 12-percent bump in horsepower means that 60 miles per hour hits in just 4.5 seconds – the old car required 5.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 130 mph, and judging from the engine, it sounds like you'll be able to say hello to the governor rather quickly.

Over the years, Mercedes has made many contributions to the art of year-round top-down motoring, with items like heated seats, HVAC systems with dedicated top-down modes, Airscarf, and so on. For 2013, the SL gains a new wiper blade system dubbed Magic Vision Control that streams wiper fluid along the blade to avoid overspray into the interior when the top is dropped. The entire wiper is heated as well.

The model seen here is the limited edition "Edition 1" launch specification, which wears 19-inch AMG alloys, Designo leather, Airscarf, Harmon Kardon surround audio and available Designo crystal silver magno paintwork. We should know a bit more about pricing before the car arrives in dealers this spring.

Galleries:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-...photo-4724855/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-...photo-4679853/

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/08/2...-detroit-2012/

RXSF

4.5 seconds? wow. wonder what the mpg numbers are. old one was at 14/19/17

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

weighs 275lb less well done. I must admit, for a car of this caliber with this sort of power the governor at 130mph is a bit low. Even a lowly 328i can have its top speed upped from 130 to 155 with a sports package

RXSF

since when are the governors set at 130? I thought it was always 155 and then increased if you get the AMG performance package

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

few who buy one care about mpg. only mb has to due to govt gun to the head.

since when do drivers go over 130 on public roads? those who do should be in jail.

Blackraven

I do wonder if the SL will get an AMG version as well (or if it will just be like the CL class)

P.S.
hehe wait a moment (need to calculate)

130 mph x 1.6 kilometer/1 mph = 178 km/h (?)

Yeah, that is dangerous on village roads (or any road outside of a freeway/highway/expressway/motorway or any limited access roadway)

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Are you saying that the Philippines don't have the AMGs?

Over here, MB AMGs everything-look at the R amg

UDel

The previous version looked much better, sleeker, and more exotic. I am not a fan of this new Mercedes pushed in snout with the big headlights. I liked the previous versions with the smaller circular headlights. The weight reduction and performance is nice but looks wise it does not stand out and is too bland.

rogers2

I doubt the car won't stand out anywhere in the U.S. Just look at the snout/eyes on that car. I used to think the SLS or SLR didn't stand out until one day I saw both cars at the dealership and my eyes light up like a Christmas tree. This is exactly what I love about Mercedes whatever you want they got it.

This car will be a hit once it hit the street.

I8ABMR

anyone think it looks like a 6 series convertible

DustinV

I think the car is limited to such speeds in the North American market because of the tires they're delivered with. I recall reading something about a lot of North American Mercedes' being slower than their European counterparts in terms of top speed due to most of them being sold with "all-season-tires".

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.


Also, 130 mph is a speed that many people won't be (and shouldn't be) driving, particularly in the US.

DustinV

130 mph is 208 kph.

The winter tires on my BMW 118d are limited to 210 kph. I believe all-season-tires are also limited to such speeds.

spwolf

well right, SL and 118d are right there, competing.

:-)

of course, there are all seasons with Y rating (over 300kmh) as well as W rated tires from every major brand out there.

Gojirra99

Front end looks bolder , but the previous SL with the peanut headlights is the best looking SL ever ......

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Modern fast cars take 3 seconds to get to 130, tons of people do.