Official pictures of the all-new sixth generation Mercedes SL have been leaked online, ahead of the car’s official debut at the Detroit motor show in January.
As seen from the images, the new SL’s styling is inspired quite a bit from the smaller SLK. These include a large, open grille, angular headlamps with distinctive LED graphics, a heavily contoured bonnet and tail-lights that wrap right around to the body sides.
The leaked pics also include a first look inside the SL’s cabin, which, in the spec pictured here, features plush leather seats, door cards and centre arm rest.
As with the third-generation SLK, the new SL will offer Mercedes-Benz’s Magic Sky Control roof as an option. The roof’s glass structure, integrated into the hard-top’s aluminium frame, uses an electronically controlled process to alter the level of tint and intensity of the UV light entering the cabin at the press of a button.
Among the petrol engines set to appear in the new upmarket roadster are Mercedes-Benz’s new naturally aspirated 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 and a 429bhp twin-turbocharged 4.6-litre V8.
The new SL is to be the first large-scale production Mercedes to use an almost exclusively aluminium lightweight construction, which has saved 140kg compared with the previous steel-bodied model.
Mercedes is also claiming that the aluminium monocoque is stiffer than that of its rivals, the Jaguar XK being a good example.
Image courtsey: German Car Forums