 |
The disguised Mercedes- Benz SL with the undisguised one under wraps in the background.
|
By: BusinessDay, was given an exclusive look at the next generation Mercedes-Benz SL while in California, ILOVE talking to designers. They have this passion that you do not always get when talking to other people in an automotive company. After all, when the wraps come off a new car, it is their baby, their creation that they have put all their energy into for the past couple of years. So it was I found myself at the Mercedes-Benz global design centre in Carlsbad, north of San Diego in California, last week to meet not only the team behind the next generation Mercedes-Benz SL, but also the car itself. Unfortunately I cannot show you pics of the actual car. Our cameras were taken away from us for the actual reveal because it will only
make its official debut at the Detroit auto show in January. However, I can tell you that it remains true to the first SL, or Super Leggera (super light) that was the Gullwing 300SL back in 1954. It has that wide single slat grille dominated by the three-pointed star, the classic long bonnet resplendent with chromed embellished air intakes reminiscent of the McLaren SLR and a sculpted rear end that has LED taillights in a design similar to those on the new CLS. The side features intakes up front and a long curvature in the profile that is both pretty and aerodynamic. Up front the new headlights have been inspired by the eyes and profile of a Golden Eagle and it is easy to see when you face it head on — you will have to take my word for it for now, of
course. Internally the Merc people call the SL "the S-Class amongst roadsters". It is true to all that a true roadster should be, offering plenty of power, an open top, space in the boot for the weekend luggage as you head to your Alpine chalet and plenty of creature comforts. The team also claims that it remains very much a driver focused car, perhaps the most important aspect for many. The new model is also all about technology and innovation. The new body-in-white, that is the unpainted body and chassis, is 90% aluminium, reducing its weight alone by 110kg. There are also self-filling rivets that provide a cleaner surface, hydroformed components for strength and lightness and a unique extruded profile within the floor pan that again improves strength while reducing the weight. In fact while the whole body is lighter, torsional rigidity is said to be up by 20%. The body-in- white alone is something of an engineering tour de force and as Gunter Fischer, strategic project manager for the SL, said: "If the engine is the heart, then the body-in- white is the spine." The new model, due in SA next in September , also features a number of innovations.Read Full: BusinessDay - EXCLUSIVE: Look into crystal ball
 The Silver Lightning design concept. |
course. Internally the Merc people call the SL "the S-Class amongst roadsters". It is true to all that a true roadster should be, offering plenty of power, an open top, space in the boot for the weekend luggage as you head to your Alpine chalet and plenty of creature comforts. The team also claims that it remains very much a driver focused car, perhaps the most important aspect for many. The new model is also all about technology and innovation. The new body-in-white, that is the unpainted body and chassis, is 90% aluminium, reducing its weight alone by 110kg. There are also self-filling rivets that provide a cleaner surface, hydroformed components for strength and lightness and a unique extruded profile within the floor pan that again improves strength while reducing the weight. In fact while the whole body is lighter, torsional rigidity is said to be up by 20%. The body-in- white alone is something of an engineering tour de force and as Gunter Fischer, strategic project manager for the SL, said: "If the engine is the heart, then the body-in- white is the spine." The new model, due in SA next in September , also features a number of innovations.Read Full: BusinessDay - EXCLUSIVE: Look into crystal ball
