Detroit Auto Show 2012: Mercedes SL Slimmed down for 2013
As it is, the Mercedes SL is already a car known for high performance and gorgeous design. The 2013 version was released at the Detroit Auto Show on Monday and promises improvement on those two key advantages.
Unlike previous editions of the Mercedes SL, the 2013 model has been touted as a lighter-weight version of its predecessors. Compared to earlier models, the 2013 SL550 weighs 240 pounds lighter and handles even better with a body shell made solely of aluminum. The body shell is also believed to be safer than the steel construction found in previous models.
The car’s other features include a powerful 4.6-liter, 429-horsepower V-8 engine with direct injection, which propels the new SL550 from zero to 60 at 4.5 seconds. Indeed, this is an improvement over the 2012 SL550, which went from zero to 60 at 5.3 seconds.
Top speed is estimated at 130 miles per hour. In terms of design, the 2013 SL offers more room despite its lighter weight, as the chassis is now close to two inches longer and two inches wider. Fuel economy figures have yet to be released, but the car’s lightweight design is likely to boost these numbers.
There are several extras available for the SL550, such as the retractable hardtop roof, which is available in glass and panoramic versions. The latter type makes use of a switch to toggle between bright and dark settings.
The availability of two retractable roof options marks a first for the SL series, and motorists can also select from two available wood trims that add to the car’s exquisite design.
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