MERCEDES SL CLASS

With a 60 year heritage the Mercedes SL roadster still holds dear to its true appealing characteristics; style, sportiness and comfort.  

Mercedes SL

‘SUPER-LIGHT’

The new model is out true to its character its more comfortable and sportier compared to the outgoing model. It has also been lightened thanks to the use of an all aluminium bodyshell. The aluminium structure weighs around 110 kilograms less compared to the outgoing model. The less weight means less fuel consumption.

Rear LED lights

The weight saving measures has made it possible for the SL to have new assistant systems that make the ride more comfortable. The total weight of the new SL 500 is 1,785 kgs. This is 125 kilograms less than its outgoing sibling. The SL 350 weight is now listed as 1,685 kgs. This is an impressive 140 kilograms lighter than it relative. 

STYLISH AND LOVELY EXTERIOR 

It has classic styling characteristics visible in its forefathers. The design consists of a long bonnet that gives way to a compact passenger compartment that is set well back. At the front is an upright classic sports car radiator grill.

Side gills

The centrally positioned star is a contemporary reinterpretation of the famous trademark, which now extends into the centre section with its organically flowing shapes. The grill sits in the middle of the dynamically slanting headlamps.  The headlights together with the grill give the new roadster its own unmistakable face. 

SL gear knob

The headlamps come as standard with the Intelligent Light System (ILS) with five different lighting functions that are tailored to typical driving and weather conditions. They are activated depending on the driving situation and offer the driver a much better illuminated field of vision.

Rear wind deflector

The striking sidelights and the horizontal strip of the daytime running lamps in the far ends of the bumper feature LED technology. Elaborately styled lines define the surfaces of the sides.

View from the top

Finely worked details together with a striking rear end as well as ventilation grilles with chromed fins give it legendary SL characteristics. At the back LEDs adorn the rear lights. They give it an amazing appeal at night. A high break light seats above the rear three pointed star while twin exhaust pop out at the back. 

Restyled instrument dials

The new SL also comes with a vario-roof. The roof can be retracted into the boot using an electro hydraulic mechanism to save space. It only takes 20 seconds to convert it from a roadster to a coupe. The roof is available in three different variants. There is the painted with glass roof or panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. With MAGIC SKY CONTROL transparent roof switches to light or dark at the push of a button.

Comfortable sporty seats

When in light state 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 roof frame is made of lightweight magnesium that saves around 6 kilogram compared to the outgoing model. 

Luxurious cockpit

The SL now comes with a new feature called MAGIC VISION CONTROL. The system has wipers with outlets that spray the washer fluid in front of its lip. As a result, no water is splashed onto the windscreen during spraying to disrupt the driver's visibility.

Aggressive front 

The windscreen is hence cleaned effectively while no water is sprayed to the occupants when the roof is down. Another benefit of this new system is that water for the wiper can be heated to clean the windscreen even in cold weather. The wiper is also heated to prevent ice forming on the wiper blades. 

SPORTY AND LIVLEY ROADSTER

The SL 500 comes with a 4.6 litre V8 BlueDIRECT engine under the bonnet. It has a maximum output of 435 hp. It can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. The SL 350 3.4 litre V6 BlueDIRECT engine has an output of 306 hp.

Side with the roof down

It will hit 100km/h from standstill in just 5.9 seconds. Fuel consumption has been reduced to 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres covered. Both versions of the SL come with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission which has been optimised to improve fuel efficiency and offer smooth gear changes. 

Massive V8 heart

It has an agile sportily tuned yet comfortable suspension, which also boasts intelligent lightweight construction. The steering knuckles and spring links on the front axle are also made out of aluminium.

Sexy rear with restyked exhaust tips

The same also applies to virtually all the wheel components on the rear axle. One can choose between two different suspension systems. There is the standard semi-active adjustable damping suspension and the optional active suspension system ABC (Active Body Control).  

Panorama vario-roof

Both suspension systems are married to a new electromechanical Direct-Steer system. What this system does is does is to monitor speed-sensitive power steering and its ratio. It can then either tighten the steering or loosen it depending on the amount of steering force required. 

SOPHISTICATED AND LAVISH INTERIOR

Its interior consists of fine materials perfectly finished with great attention to detail. The interior space has also been increased by 50mm in length and 57 mm in width. This provides more room to the interior thus boosting comfort. Clear lines create a formally coherent internal space within this comfortable interior. Generously used wood trim extends from the centre console across the dashboard into the doors, creating a pleasant wrap-around effect. 

Classy wheels

Three types of wood along with two different aluminium trim finishes are available. Its wide opening doors ensure easy exit and entry into the SL. It also has the AIR SCARF feature, heated seats and ambient interior lighting.

Infotainment system

It also has a high-resolution COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data System) 800 x 480 pixels TFT colour display located at the side, next to the instrument cluster. The COMAND system has numerous functionalities like Bluetooth connectivity, telephone, DVD changer and Internet browsing capabilities that enables one to use news app and also access social network like Facebook. With the internet service one can also get weather reports, maps and Mercedes Services online. 

With the roof up

The system has been incorporated with a FrontBass system. The system uses free spaces in the aluminium structures in front as resonance spaces for the bass loudspeakers. As a result the new SL features clear, crisp bass sounds that gives occupants a concert hall feeling even with the roof down. It also frees up space in the doors.

HANDS FREE ACCESS feature in action

The boot can also be opened handsfree thanks to a new system called HANDS-FREE ACCESS system. The driver simply moves their foot in the vicinity of the rear bumper. The difference between this system and the rest in the market is that it can open and close the boot automatically.  

SUPERIOR AND LIFE SAVING SAFETY EQUIPMENT

The SL just like any other Mercedes has numerous safety features and equipments. First it’s made of a crash optimized crash-optimised aluminium structure. The rigid aluminium body shell forms a strong passenger compartment.  It also has accurately defined crumple zones in the front and rear.

large doors for easier entry and exit

In the event of the vehicle overturning, A-pillars made out of a mix of steel and aluminium and two roll-over bars protect the passenger compartment. It also has restraint systems like the two-stage driver and front passenger airbags. There is also a headbag that covers the side head-impact area. An additional thorax airbag in the seat backrest can protect the upper body in the event of a side impact. The head rests feature crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints that help reduce neck injury. An active bonnet and a front end with a large, yielding impact area help ensure pedestrian protection. 

Side with the roof up

PRE SAFE is on hand to ensure occupants are at a safe position before the impact. The doors also unlock themselves after a crash to facilitate rapid rescue. PRE-SAFE® Brake warns the driver initially and can initiate autonomous braking if the driver fails to react, and so either prevent the accident or at least mitigate its severity. There is the standard-fit drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST.

Long front bonnet

Another is ADAPTIVE BRAKE that features ABS, acceleration skid control (ASR) and active yaw control. It also works with the equally adaptive brake lights. In emergency braking situations, it warns vehicles behind with flashing brake lights. The Active Parking Assist is new in the SL. Using ultrasound sensors it can identify parking spaces and automatically steer the vehicle into the space while parking. All this systems make the SL the safest roadster in the world. 

PRICE

Prices for the SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY start from around €93,534 (Kshs. 11 million) while the SL 500 is priced at €117,096 (Kshs. 14 million).