The letters "SL" have been part of Mercedes-Benz history for 60 years as a synonym for sportiness, style and comfort. Now the German brand gives the model a new generation which is said to offer even more comfort and sportiness, while setting new standards in the luxury roadster class.

One the biggest feature of the new generation SL can be found in weight reduction, continuing the legacy of the original SL of 1952 with its lightweight tubular frame. The new SL has been developed with an all-aluminium bodyshell, a first for Mercedes-Benz. The new aluminium bodyshell weighs around 110 kilograms less than it would using the steel technology from the predecessor. According to Dr Thomas Rudlaff, responsible for the aluminium bodyshell at Mercedes-Benz "the result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words: the motoring enjoyment increases, the environmental burden sinks."

The final calculations say it all: the new SL 500 with 1785kg is lighter than its predecessor around 125kg and the number grows to around 140 with the SL 350 weighting 1685kg.

The new SL generation will be available in two different versions: the SL 500 and the SL 350.

The SL 500 is powered by a new 4663cc V8 engine which develops 435 hp. It is around 12 percent more powerful than the previous generation despite some 0.8 litres less displacement. Torque has been increased from 530Nm to 700Nm, while fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 22 percent.

As for the new V6 engine powering the SL 350 it has an output of 306hp and maximum torque of 370Nm. Its fuel consumption has been lowered by almost 30 percent to 6.8 litres per 100km.

Both versions have been fitted with a standard ECO start/stop function and combined with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, also contributing for fuel consumption reduction. But although the efficiency in the new SL generation has been increased thanks to the BlueDIRECT engines, the roadster’s raciness has remained untouched. In fact the SL 350 is three tenths faster than its predecessor in terms of the acceleration from 0 to 100km/h. The SL 500 saw its acceleration improve 4.6 seconds, eight tenths faster than the previous SL 500.

Compared with its predecessor, the new generation of the SL is much longer 4612 mm (+50 mm) and wider 1877 mm (+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.