In the wake of the leaks of a bunch of grainy images first and then a full official gallery right after that, Mercedes-Benz made official the last missing details of the new, fully redeveloped SL (code-named R231), which comes out exactly 50 years after the original SL was released. We have already been through some of its most significant innovations such as its brand new aluminum body-shell (first time ever that this solution is adopted by a production Merc), FrontBass system and Magic Vision Control in a previous post, so let’s focus on what we did not know.

First off, the rumors circulating these last few days about the engine range were right: the SL350 will come with a 3.5-litre V6 producing 306 hp and 370 Nm of torque, while the SL500 will use a 4.663 cc V8 unit delivering 435 hp with no less than 700 Nm of maximum torque. The former accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (three tenths of a second faster than its predecessor), while the latter needs just 4.6 seconds to do that (eight tenths less than the previous SL 500). Besides, as predicted, both engines will come with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, which has been optimized in terms of low fuel consumption and will feature the obvious start/stop function.

Thanks in most part to the new aluminum structure, the new SL350 weighs in at 1,685 kg and the new SL500 at 1,785 kg, making them 140 kg and 125 kg lighter than the models they are about to replace, respectively. Still in comparison with the previous range, the new generation of the SL is quite bigger, measuring in length 4,612 mm (+50 mm) and 1,877 mm in width(+57 mm), providing more room for more comfort in the interior, too. Shoulder room (+37 mm) and elbow room (+28 mm) have been increased, exceeding the dimensions normally found in this vehicle class.

View the full 2013 Mercedes Benz SL Roadster photo gallery

Continue reading: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL last details officially confirmed

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Just a few hours after a handful of grainy images of the model leaked on the internet through GermanCarForum.com, the same website has unleashed a massive official photo gallery of the long-awaited Mercedes SL Roadster, now exposed to the world in all of its glory. The aesthetics of the SL are quite different from the model it is about to replace, bearing some resemblance with both its smaller sister SLK and the SLS AMG. Please note the upright grille, the shape of the light cluster and the overall boxier sheetmetal. As for the cabin, we see a nice mix of modern materials, leather and genuine wood trim. Besides, we have no doubt that all sorts of entertainment and connectivity options that you would expect in a car of this rank will not be missing.

At the moment it is still unclear which sort of engine range will equip the newborn SL (although rumor has it that it will include a 3.5 litre V6 unit for the SL350 and a turbocharged 4.6-litre V8 for the SL500), but we do know for a fact that the car will be no less than 140 kg lighter (308 pounds) than its predecessor, thanks in most part to its brand new aluminum bodyshell. The new SL is also the first mainstream Merc ever to use this solution - which we had extensively introduced in a dedicated post we published a while ago - and it will surely be beneficial to the car’s handling, accuracy, stability, fuel efficiency and performance as well.

Mercedes-Benz will officially unveil the new SL m.y. 2013 at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, in January. As for now, quite obviously, no word on price. Click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below to find out more about the new SL roadster.

View the full 2013 Mercedes Benz SL Roadster official photo gallery

Continue reading: 2013 Mercedes SL Roadster: official photo gallery available

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