2013 All-New Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Fully Detailed Before Detroit Grand Debut

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has been unveiled and detailed ahead of its grand launch at the Detroit Auto Show on January 9, and it has been confirmed for sale from the third quarter of 2012. The big news is that the sixth-generation SL is constructed almost entirely from aluminium, on top of an all-new platform. Like before, V6 and V8 engines power the Mercedes two-seater coupe, which continues to boast the latest technology.

The all-new Mercedes SL retains the sleek looks of its predecessor, but carries an SLS AMG-inspired grille that brings it in line with the rest of the Mercedes family. Inside, inspiration from an aircraft cockpit appears to have worked wonders, imparting a sense of luxury not seen in the current SL's rather sedate cabin. The best exterior aerodynamics in the class, as claimed by Mercedes, enhance the overall cabin refinement.

Doing justice to the origins of its name—Super Leggera or Super Light, the all-new Mercedes SL is comprehensively different beneath its skin, being up to 140 kg lighter than before depending on trim level. That significant weight-saving is accomplished thanks to extensive—and almost exclusive—use of aluminium, whether in cast, extruded or stamped forms, throughout the entire car including the multi-link front and rear suspensions.

In fact, the all-new Mercedes SL is all-aluminium except for the plastic “soft nose” grille required for pedestrian protection, the magnesium rear bulkhead, tubular steel A-pillars, and a folding roof with a frame made of magnesium. Taking less than 20 seconds to open or close, the retractable hard top is available in glass or the optional Magic Sky Control electro-chromic glass that changes its transparency at the touch of a button.

The weight-saving is not at the expense of dynamics, however: the all-new Mercedes SL is at least 20 percent more rigid than its predecessor, reducing torsional chassis flex and improving the ride-and-handling. The newfound lightness, combined with Mercedes' latest engine technologies such as direct injection, boost fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent. (The new SL 350 returns a commendable 14.7 km/litre, for example.)

With 302 HP and 370 Nm from a 3.5-litre V6 channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, the new SL 350 does the century sprint in 5.9 seconds, 0.3 second faster than before, thanks to increased torque and a reduced weight. Despite losing almost 800 cc in displacement compared with its predecessor, the new SL 550's 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 still produces 429 HP and 700 Nm, increments of 12 percent and 32 percent, respectively. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes just 4.6 seconds.

Technology is abundant on the all-new Mercedes SL, from the standard Agility Control Suspension system and optional Active Body Control system, to the new FrontBass system, which mounts speakers in the footwell/firewall rather than door panels to improve sound resonance and acoustics, and also the new Magic Vision Control windscreen wiper system, which makes use of two rows of laser-drilled holes within each wiper blade to dispense the cleaning fluid in a high-precision manner. Enjoy videos of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class below, including one with supermodel Lara Stone (pictured above)!