• Mercedes SL ages beautifully

    by  • June 25, 2012 • Motoring News

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    2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class exterior - front

    The new SL converts from roadster to coupe in seconds and has a retractable panoramic sunroof option that switches from light to dark at the push of a button.

    The latest version of the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has arrived on Irish shores but she doesn’t come cheap.

    This legendary roadster’s story began 60 years ago, on the track in 1952, with the introduction of the W194 300SL racecar. This was followed two years later, at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York, with the debut of the 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ coupe, a road version of the 300 SL competition car.

    Sixty years on and several versions later, the latest SL arrives with a longer, wider body than its immediate predecessor, as well as with a restyled grille and headlights and a passenger compartment set well back to accentuate its sporty look.

    However, one of the most notable changes is that for the first time, the roadster is made almost entirely from aluminium. So, depending on the equipment installed, the new SL is between 125 and 140 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

    The latest model is available in two direct injection petrol versions: a 3.5-litre, 302bhp, V6 SL350 version and a 4.7-litre, 429bhp, V8 SL500 twin-turbo version.

    And despite the size of these engines, Mercedes says lower fuel consumption forms a big part of the new SL story. This is due, in part, to a standard ECO start/stop function on both versions. The lighter weight – 125kg on the SL350 – helps cut fuel use by 22 percent, this despite a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. Equally frugal is the more powerful SL500. Despite a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds, fuel consumption still shows a 12 percent drop. Transmission on both versions is 7-speed automatic.

    2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class exterior - front motion

    The all new SL is made almost entirely of aluminium, making it a lot lighter and much more fuel efficient.

    To be expected, the new SL comes with some sexy options, including a retractable panoramic sunroof that switches from light to dark at the push of a button and converts the SL from roadster to coupé in seconds.

    And showing its customary attention to detail, Mercedes also offers a windshield washing system that applies fluid just ahead of the wiper blade to ensure no water is splashed on to the screen and visibility is not disrupted.

    Sales manager Ciaran Allen described the new SL as ‘a worthy bearer of a 60-years old tradition and a car destined to become a classic from the day of its introduction.’

    Prices, which should be confirmed at time of order, begin at €140,000 for the SL350. The road tax bill begins at €481, significantly lower than four-figure cost that applied before.

    For further details, visit the Mercedes Ireland website or on Facebook.