Do not adjust the clarity of your screens, this is not a test, nor has your computer gone bust. That is indeed the brand new SL two-seater convertible, in a bad quality but leaked way ahead of the official debut, thanks to some brochure scans from GermanCarForum and first caught by Carscoop.
Our first impression is it looks good but nowhere near as good as wedge-like version from say 2003. If you ask us, the designers were clearly looking at the first generations from the 50s and 60s, since this has a back end that slopes down much more abruptly and the front is much more upright.
The design carries many features from the new SLK, especially at the front, where a bigger grille dominates the fascia and is flanked on either side by large ‘eyes’.
The big story with this car right now is that is made up almost entirely out of lightweight aluminum. This has resulted in a total weight that is reduced by 140 kg (308 lbs).
“The effect is rather as if a heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car and taken his heavy flight luggage, too,” say Thomas Rudlaff, the engineer responsible for the chassis development. "The result is perceptible and measureable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words, the motoring enjoyment increases and the environmental burned sinks,”
The engine range will of course start with the same 3.5-liter 300 hp or so V6 unit as the SLK. But the one everyone will want is the top-of-the-range SL 63 AMG version with the new 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8.
We expect the full reveal to take place at the Detroit Motor Show at the beginning of January next year.
The design carries many features from the new SLK, especially at the front, where a bigger grille dominates the fascia and is flanked on either side by large ‘eyes’.
The big story with this car right now is that is made up almost entirely out of lightweight aluminum. This has resulted in a total weight that is reduced by 140 kg (308 lbs).
“The effect is rather as if a heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car and taken his heavy flight luggage, too,” say Thomas Rudlaff, the engineer responsible for the chassis development. "The result is perceptible and measureable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words, the motoring enjoyment increases and the environmental burned sinks,”
The engine range will of course start with the same 3.5-liter 300 hp or so V6 unit as the SLK. But the one everyone will want is the top-of-the-range SL 63 AMG version with the new 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8.
We expect the full reveal to take place at the Detroit Motor Show at the beginning of January next year.