 The Stuttgart-based brand Living sports car legend
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The new Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Driving dynamics: combination of sophisticated systems unique to the world
Design: stylish mix of traditional and modern Impressive lines symbolise the new SL sports car's technological superiority and, at the same time, ignite feelings of passion, enjoyment and excitement at the prospect of open-top motoring. The designers have captured the spirit of the great grandfather of the SL family from 1954 discreetly yet effectively. And, in so doing, they have given the SL a bright future to go with a past steeped in tradition. Classic SL features stylishly and harmoniously combine with more recent Mercedes forms which propel the roadster far into the future. The headlamps are one example, a new and markedly more dynamic variation on the familiar "four-eyed" theme. The sophisticated clear glass look adds an extra quality to the headlamps and ensures a distinctive lighting design. Vario-roof: from roadster to coupé in just 16 seconds
Engine: 306 hp and 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds
Safety: new head-thorax bag for optimum side impact protection Thanks to an integral vehicle safety concept, the SL-Class is on course to set the standard for a whole new generation of sports cars. The concept encompasses every aspect of vehicle safety - from crash avoidance by means of electronic safety systems such as SBC, ABC, Brake Assist or ESP®, and the high-strength body structure, to the fastest possible rescue of the car's occupants in the event of an accident. Occupant protection is optimised by the high-strength body structure and, among other things, two-stage airbags for the driver and passenger, new head-thorax bags in the doors, new integral seats, seat belt tensioners, belt force limiters and the sensor-controlled roll-over bar. Equipment: innovative systems and maximum exclusivity as standard
Interior: reminiscing in the Mercedes-Benz sports car tradition
Technical specifications Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
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Autumn
2001 will see Mercedes-Benz continue its long SL-Roadster tradition with
the launch of a stylistically scintillating and technically sophisticated
sports car. The new open-top two-seater is the fifth generation of this
successful Mercedes series, a series which began its quest for world glory
in 1954 with the legendary "gullwing-door" 300 SL. Since then, the Stuttgart
brand has produced some 490,000 of these exclusive sports cars which dreams
are made of. A combination of state-of-the-art electronic chassis systems,
which is unique to the world, enables the new SL to serve up an unparalleled,
dynamic driving experience and, at the same time, provide maximum active
safety. Making the SL a new breed of sports car.
Of all
the technical milestones on display, it is Sensotronic Brake Control ( SBC
) - the electro-hydraulic braking system - that leads the way. Mercedes-Benz
is the first automobile brand in the world to offer this system. SBC works
together with ESP® - the proven electronic stability program - and with
Active Body Control ( ABC ) suspension. The latter reduces body roll to a
minimum when cornering or braking. All of which means that the new SL-Class
comes with a unique package of high-performance electronic control systems
fitted as standard. These innovations revolutionise chassis design, active
safety and drive dynamics. And, in the medium term, they may well change
the entire concept of automotive development. Sensotronic Brake Control pushes
open the door to the future world of "by-wire" systems. This technology
communicates the driver's commands electronically via cable, rather than
mechanically or hydraulically, as has traditionally been the case. Among
the foremost performance characteristics of SBC are the extremely fast build-up
of pressure and the precise observance of driver and vehicle behaviour by
a complex sensory system. If the driver switches his foot quickly from
accelerator to brake pedal, SBC recognises the early signs of an emergency
situation. With the help of the high-pressure reservoir, the system automatically
raises the pressure in the brake lines and instantaneously presses the pads
onto the brake discs, which can then spring into action with full force as
soon as the brake pedal is pressed. This system can reduce emergency stopping
distances by up to three percent.
Further
proof of the sheer design quality of the new SL can be seen in the perfect
integration of the newly developed vario-roof which communicates the same
messages whether open or closed: uninhibited driving pleasure and unmistakable
elegance. The vario-roof transforms the sports car into an adventure car
without compromise, combining the driving pleasure of an open-top roadster
with the comfort of a Mercedes coupé. At the push of a button, the
roof can be opened or closed within 16 seconds, during which time a new,
intelligent tilting mechanism ensures that the roof components retract into
the top section of the boot to save even more space. Under this is a luggage
compartment with 235 litres of capacity ( VDA measuring method ). When the
vario-roof is closed, the boot of the new SL-Class ( including the luggage
box in the spare wheel well ) holds a total of 317 litres, 52 litres more
than the predecessor model. A glass version is planned from mid-2002, giving
the vario-roof that typical roadster feeling of freedom. Not to mention a
bright interior ambience by virtue of the glass expanse.
A further
guarantee for that dynamic sports car experience comes in the form of the
powerful V8 engine. Squeezing 225 kW/306 hp and 460 Newtonmetres of torque
from its five-litre capacity, it ranks as one of the most potent engines
in this vehicle class, meets the strict EU-4 emissions requirements and propels
the new SL 500 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. And with a fuel economy
of 12.7 litres per 100 kilometres, the new model is on a par with its
predecessor, despite a host of new comfort and safety equipment. These fuel
consumption figures are thanks in no small part to the SL sports car's
sophisticated, lightweight body: the bonnet, front wings, doors, boot lid,
fuel tank partition and other components are made from aluminium, the most
prominent lightweight component being the bonnet measuring some 1.40 metres
in length. Never before has such a large and complex component been mass
produced using aluminium alone. It is about 15 kilograms lighter than a
comparable steel bonnet. Another fuel-saving feature is the perfect aerodynamic
form of the SL body. The cp value of 0.29 is more than nine percent lower
than in the case of the predecessor model.
The
comprehensive package of standard equipment in the new Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
meets the requirements of the discriminating car driver who, besides technical
perfection, attaches great importance to comfort and exclusivity. Automatic
climate control, xenon headlamps, leather-covered integral seats, multi-function
steering wheel, stereo car radio, memory function for the electrically adjustable
seats and numerous other invaluable details are all part of the standard
equipment package in the SL 500. Optional equipment includes innovative
assistance systems such as DISTRONIC autonomous intelligent cruise control,
TELEAID automatic emergency call system, COMAND control and display system
and the electronic tyre pressure monitor.
Leather,
fine wood and aluminium are the materials used to guarantee classic SL
exclusivity and quality in the interior. Mercedes customers can choose from
two types of leather, four high-quality trims and five interior colours.
Shimmering matt chrome provides the surround for the four individual instruments
in the SL cockpit, and adorns other lovingly crafted interior details. The
cockpit immediately catches the eye by virtue of four individual instruments
in the classic chronometer design, evoking images of the sports cars from
days gone by. The automatic climate control continues this theme, sporting
aesthetically-pleasing aluminium rings around its user-friendly controls.