Mercedes-Benz has announced a novelty of its best-known car: the SL convertible.
Descendants of the three hundred galloping SLs gullwing that were the first fashionable supercars, and now order millions at auction, the original mass-produced SLs gained importance in popular culture in the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in films such as Bridget Jones’ Diary and Casino, for television screens such as Hart to Hart.
The SLs of this era were characterized by their short wheelbases, prominent hoods and flat trunks, removable hardtop, 4 easy-to-use circular headlights and elongated taillights. Its interiors were elegantly undeniable and comfortable to use for driving; their trunks turned out to be giant enough to carry the week’s provisions and weekend luggage. Performance in several variants of V6 and V8 engines hovered around two hundred circular horsepower, which was enough for a delightful trip given the car’s proper nickname: “SL” derives from the German term Sport-Leicht, or “sport-light” in English. Their sleek bodies weighed far less than 4,000 pounds, 1,000 pounds less than other Mercedes convertibles today.
Affordable and reliable antique cars, vintage SLs inhabit the Silverlake neighborhoods of Fort Greene with their cherry reds, snow whites, champagne golds, and military blues dotted with hipster alleys and coffee shop windows. Driving examples can be received from any local broker for less than $25,000.
But those old cars are a thing of the past. With its curved edges, top shoulder line, longer frame (almost 20 inches), prominent air intakes and an initial value of at least double that of the old models, the exact value will be announced next year, the seventh generation 2022 SL will suit a particular other visitor than the first models.
“The SL had a very established visitor base, but with this new model, I think we’re going to win a lot of new visitors,” Gorden Wagener, Daimler’s design director, said on a conference call with reporters on Oct. 19. We expect them to be younger visitors than those who have already bought the previous SL, as the car is young and fresh. “
The new SL comes with a handmade 4. 0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that can be had in two variants, either with an adjustment from Mercedes’ high-performance AMG division: the AMG SL 55 and the AMG SL 63. The AMG SL 55 will produce 469 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a race time of 0 to 60 mph in 3. 8 seconds. feet of torque, with a time of 0 to one hundred km / h in 3. 5 seconds.
SL’s new family circle will also stay in line with Mercedes’ recently stated purpose of spending more than $46 billion through 2030 to electrify its product line. During the October 19 call, Mercedes-AMG CEO Phillipp Schiemer said the logo would also be released. a capable hybrid edition of the SL at an unspecified later date.
The SL has an active rear spoiler that has six settings, depending on the speed of the car and the driver’s preferences; anti-roll stabilization; and a multitude of systems to avoid the turn of fate. It comes with a completely virtual tool cluster built into a three-dimensional anti-glare display. The center console has an adjustable touchscreen and presentations that set it apart from other Mercedes models.
For the first time in its nearly 70-year history, the SL will feature all-wheel drive, rear axle guidance and a high-performance ceramic braking system, all connected through an all-new lightweight composite aluminium chassis. the hydraulic elements update the traditional mechanical stabilizer bars and compensate for the rolling movements of the new SL; this improves driving comfort when driving in a direct line and when navigating potholes. A padded fabric roof on either unfolds in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 37 mph; The modern SL will not offer a folding hardtop edition like the SL it had in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Company executives temporarily noticed that none of the parts of the new SL came here since the predecessor SL or any other similar styling like the AMG GT Roadster. Wagener said, “It’s time to restart. “