Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R231

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class interior

It's been almost six decades since the 300SL came out in 1954, serving as the genesis of the Mercedes-Benz's SL, and for years and for years and for years, it spawned five generations of the SL-Class to keep it up with its tradition. Now, in the year 2012, we have this, the sixth SL-Class. It's the evolution of the perfect long-distance cruiser Mercedes-Benz has ever made. For the first time in SL history, it has been now been made almost entirely from aluminum that weighs around 110 kilograms less than it would use the steel technology from the predecessor. This is somewhat of an engineering achievement but how's the design?

First of all, the new R231 looks somewhat like an enlarged version of the current generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R172. Yep, it still has the SLK front, SLK back, and the same SLK interior that was heavily inspired by the SLS AMG. If you parked this car next to the latest SLK, you wouldn't see the difference between the nimble one and its big brother. Heh, it's everyone's game right now. Even though it still has the same MAGIC SKY CONTROL that you get on the latest SLK, the new SL now has a brand new feature called MAGIC VISION CONTROL, a new intelligent, high-efficiency windscreen wiper/washer system that supplies water to the windscreen just in front of the laser-cut wiper blade lip. As a result, when spraying, there are no gushes of water on the windscreen to disrupt visibility, and yet the windscreen is kept clean. Also new is the Frontbass system uses the free spaces in the aluminum structures in front of the footwell for housing the bass loudspeakers. As a result, the new SL features clear, crisp bass sounds that facilitate a concert hall ambiance even with the top down.

At first, you would start with two variants such as the SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and SL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY. The SL 350 BlueEFFICIENCY comes equipped with the M 276 engine that produces 306 PS of power and 370 Nm of torque. 0 to 100kph, it will do it in 5.9 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250kph. The SL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, on the other hand, is armed with the M 278 engine that produces 435 PS of power and 700 Nm of torque. 0 to 100kph, it will do it in 4.6 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250kph. They're both equipped with the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission that allows the driver to shift manually with the flick of the flappy-paddle gearbox. Let's not forget that those SL models do come with an idling stop system to shut the engine off when stopped and start again when the driver hits the accelerator, to save petrol.

I also forgot to tell you that the new SL comes with the new DIRECT SELECT gearshift in the center console - the first vehicle with an automatic transmission to receive this feature. It's a new generation of central gearshift for vehicles featuring shift-by-wire (ShW) transmission technology and the small control lever has a driver-oriented position, being installed on the centre console.

When the new SL comes standard with semi-active adjustable damping, customers may also have an option of an active suspension system ABC (Active Body Control) for enhanced handling but if you go for the AMG Sport Paket, the sports suspension lowers the roadster by ten millimeters, the spring strut and torsion bars are configured to be ten percent more rigid and the parameterization of the adjustable damping is selected in such a way that the sprung mass vibration is dampened more strongly.

Available in 14 colors; Schwarz, Feueropal, Cavansitblau metallic, Cerussitgrau metallic, Diamantweiß BRIGHT metallic, Dolomitbraun metallic, Iridiumsilber metallic, Magnetitschwarz metallic, Obsidianschwarz, Palladiumsilber metallic, Perlbeige metallic, Tenoritgrau metallic, designo magno kristalsilber, and designo zirkonrot.

My Comment;

Although it may be just an enlarged version of the latest version of the SLK, in a terribly confusing way, the new SL-Klass still stays true to its roots after being in service for almost 6 decades and this sixth-generation would stand out from the crowd with its crowning glories. What makes it unique is the new MAGIC VISION CONTROL, front bass, aluminum body, and the new DIRECT SELECT gearshift. Now, if you weren't satisfied with these choices, be patient because the latest SL63 AMG or an SL65 AMG is on the way in the Summer and it will look better as cars can get.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz