The new-face Mercedes SL – a dream car for those special moments as a couple?

The Mercedes SL will be available in 2016 with enhanced visual and technical features, getting a new sportier face, some even more powerful engines, and the latest top technology.

New face for SL

The new designer at Mercedes who drew cars like the CLA, S-Class coupé and Mercedes-AMG GT expressed his wish to design the next generation of SL… and looking at his current portfolio, it would be a stunner (as a Mercedes SL should be).  But an SL needs to live a long life cycle of at least 1 decade, so he cannot re-create it, yet:  the current generation Mercedes SL – only the 6th generation since the 1950s – was introduced to market in 2012. 

Not heralded as one of the best-looking SL designs due to its square upright face and large rear, it is likely the first one not to be earmarked to become another SL classic.  Too soon to replace the SL, the company now redresses the looks by adding the new more streamlined and more shapely Mercedes face to their Mercedes SL, just 3 years after launch (this has never happended on the SL timeline).  The headlamps, bonnet and front bumper are all new, ditching the previous slab items for a new smoother front-end, more closely resembling recent cars like the AMG GT.  Customer orders start early in 2016.

Dream car for those special moments as a couple

The Mercedes SL has become known for being a top performer in various disciplines:  an elegant roadster for supremely comfortable cruising, and a dynamic coupé (with the folding hardtop raised) for sporty trips.

The Mercedes SL is fully suited for all seasons and for daily use, “but above all it is a dream car for those special moments as a couple.  Whatever its owner desires – it fulfils the expectations with technical perfection” is how a management board member describes the SL.

The Mercedes-Benz / Mercedes-AMG SL finds themselves in a class of their own:  while rival BMW has the 6 Series / M6 Convertible, Porsche the 911 Cabriolet and Maserati their GranCabrio, these are all 2+2-seater convertibles, while Jaguar has axed the XK, and the F-Type is much smaller.  Also, none of these offer a V12 engine.  Higher up is the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, but also as 2+2.  This leaves the Mercedes SL as the only big comfortable roadster on the market, offering the personal driving experience of just 2 occupants and no rear seats, hence the earlier words “special moments for a couple”.

They will be inside a special refined comfortable-sporty interior – traditional Mercedes SL finishes like the minimal gap dimensions and fully padded beltline, and just those 2 big seats, create a unique atmosphere.

More power for non-AMG models, and 9G-Tronic gearbox

Not shy in the power stakes, yet the SL has seen power increased across the V6 and V8 non-AMG engines, starting at the SL400 which has its 3.0 supercharged V6 uprated from 245 to 270kW and torque upped to a round 500Nm, while the SL500 V8 turbo is increased from 320 to 335kW.

In line with other newer Mercedes, the 7G-Tronic gives way to the new 9G-Tronic (yes, 9-speed) automatic transmission.

To add even more power to the Mercedes-AMG supercar-fast models would have been overkill:  already making huge numbers, the Mercedes-AMG SL63 5.5 V8 turbo has 430kW/900Nm and the flagship Mercedes-AMG SL65 6-litre V12 turbo shifts 463kW and 1000Nm.

Latest technology from S to SL

As part of the upgrade, the SL gets the latest toys from bigger brothers S-Class Coupé and S-Class Cabriolet. 

The brilliant (pardon the pun) LED Intelligent Light System is now standard, and formed to created a smaller light for enhanced aesthetics.  When unlocking the SL, the welcome light greets with LED fibre optics lit up in blue which transitions to white locator lighting.

Active Body Control active curve tilting, as experienced when the AMG S65 Coupé was reviewed, is now available on the SL.  It physically tilts the car by leaning into a corner, keeping the lucky couple away from unwanted sideways G-forces.

Distance Pilot Distronic and Steering Pilot assists the driver in keeping a safe following distance, automatically, and will keep the SL in the centre of the lane by adjusting the steering.

The Vario-roof folding hardtop can now be moved up to a road speed of 40km/h.

As debuted on S-Class Cabriolet, the automatic boot seperator is now fitted to the new-face SL:  the traditional boot seperator (dividing panel in the boot which makes way for more boot space when the roof is up) is now automated, operated electrically – no more manual labour of lowering or lifting the boot seperator.

SL in SA

Current SL pricing ranges from R 1.3 million for the SL400 to R 2.8 million for the SL65, so the new-look car would likely be priced slightly higher.  These should arrive in SA by mid 2016.