2013 Mercedes SL Details Officially Confirmed
Mercedes-Benz promises that we’ll see the next-generation SL in all its glory before the year is over, and more details have been released as they work towards their goal. The revamped SL roadster will feature a body shell made of 89-percent aluminum, making it almost 310-lbs lighter than its predecessor.
In addition to the lightweight body, the new SL will also feature Magic Vision Control, a new intelligent, high-efficiency windscreen wiper/washer system. The system channels water to the windscreen just in front of the wiper blade lip in the direction the wiper is moving. The result will probably be something revolutionary when we witness it in person; we’ll no longer have to see water splashing on the windshield while it cleans itself.
Mercedes will also be utilizing the free spaces in the aluminum structures in front of the footwell as resonance spaces for bass loudspeakers, giving the new SL a unique FrontBass system. The result will give the SL a concert hall ambience even with the top down.
The aluminum body won’t just be lighter, it’ll also be safer and more rigid. Mercedes employed different processes to make different various types of aluminum based on what the component’s function would be. In a complete breakdown, the body shell features 44-percent cast aluminum, 17-percent aluminum sections, 28-percent aluminum sheet metal, 8-percent steel and 3-percent of other materials. Mercedes also addressed the potential sound issues of aluminum with plenty of consistent sound insulation.
GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes SL Concept
Comments
Join the conversation
Looks like M/B has been folowing the leader again!! Porsche...There is no substutute!!
I sold my sl 55 in October 2008 to aquire a porsche twin turbo cab and can not wait to go back to the sl. They are are both fast and have impressive statistics regarding handling but are both missing the visceral expirence of a real sports car. They are great cruisers. . if you want a real sports car nothing compares to my Ferrari .