2013 Mercedes-Benz SL: Spy Pics & Info

[ZicZachZo]

yea weiiirrrrd, if you look at the top photo it has SLK-like roll bars... Wonder what's going on...

 

[Der Hofmeister]

Autobild

 

[SKY]

Sewriously, I don´t understnad waht MB is doing with the SL, why have we seen two different test mules?.

 

[batosai]

Ontop of that, it seems like the SL will be too similar to the new SLK in terms of front end design and interior. Current SL / SLK are quite different.

Sewriously, I don´t understnad waht MB is doing with the SL, why have we seen two different test mules?.

Don't tell me they're going to launch another facelift by the end of this year or 2011, before bringing the new SL in 2013 ?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[NarutoRamen]

^^Damn, it looks the same car but in cammo. LOL

 

[MBFanToDeath]

 

[Family Guy]

Sewriously, I don´t understnad waht MB is doing with the SL, why have we seen two different test mules?.

is it possible that there is a coupe version as well as the original roadster?

 

[Pagani]

What is so wierd with two test mules? Aren't there usually an entire fleet? For various components of the car? I.e. one for suspension bits, the other for the engine, another for the electronics, etc.?

 

[SKY]

What is so wierd with two test mules? Aren't there usually an entire fleet? For various components of the car? I.e. one for suspension bits, the other for the engine, another for the electronics, etc.?

 

[bum-man]

So it's obviously two completely different designed prototypes, and if you look closely the bottom one has exposed roll bars which has never been in an SL while the top does not. Could this be a model that Mercedes is introducing between the SLK and SL??

 

[Wolfgang]

looks like it will get a carbon fiber diet, in cooperation with Toray:

The Carbon Fiber Diet: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL to Slim Down

Automakers are looking for ways to strip weight out of cars, allowing them to improve performance and fuel economy with a single step. Mercedes-Benz’ solution, it seems, is to use more carbon fiber composite materials -- and it seems the next-generation 2012 SL-Class will do just that.

Read more: The Carbon Fiber Diet: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL to Slim Down - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine

Toray In Carbon Fiber R&D Pact With Daimler For Use In Cars

By Hiroyuki Kachi Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

TOKYO --Toray Industries Inc. said Wednesday it has reached a deal with Germany's Daimler AG to jointly develop carbon fiber composite materials for use in Mercedes-Benz SL vehicles from 2012.

The agreement would be the first application of the costly, but strong and lightweight material in mass-produced auto bodies. It would also be a major advance for Japan's largest synthetic fiber maker by sales in strengthening its presence in the global market for carbon fiber products. By its own estimate, Toray holds the biggest share in the market at 34%.

Toray also hopes this deal will be a springboard to expanding its carbon fiber customer base among automakers, which consider lightweight materials essential to developing more fuel efficient vehicles.

"We will realize an outstandingly short molding process to allow the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics in Daimler's Mercedes-Benz passenger cars within three years," Toray said in a press release.

UPDATE: Toray In Carbon Fiber R&D Pact With Daimler For Use In Cars - WSJ.com

 

[Merc1]

Could one of those be the SLK and the other the SL?

M

 

[Yaz]

So it's obviously two completely different designed prototypes, and if you look closely the bottom one has exposed roll bars which has never been in an SL while the top does not. Could this be a model that Mercedes is introducing between the SLK and SL??

Good eye. It might be that mini SLS some were talking about.

This might be the interior:

Looks like the steering is from the SBC:

 

[picsoubmw]

 

[Wunderkind]

is it possible that there is a coupe version as well as the original roadster?

A good idea, but probably not as the global economy, and hence the global car market, is still very fragile and will not be able to absorb two SL's.

But Mercedes has done it before with the SL and SLC.

yea weiiirrrrd, if you look at the top photo it has SLK-like roll bars... Wonder what's going on...

I think it is just a matter of the testing mules running without the pop-up roll bars as some high-speed SL test mules have fixed roof and roll cage installed. These mules can only use the SLK's permanent roll-hoops.

 

[SKY]

I still don´t see the way this car is gonna end up looking like, the sides aparently has not lines, like the SLK, but the front looks more recharged. The worst thing is that it looks very similar to the SLK, and what we have seen about that car is not specially promising.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I still don´t see the way this car is gonna end up looking like, the sides aparently has not lines, like the SLK, but the front looks more recharged. The worst thing is that it looks very similar to the SLK, and what we have seen about that car is not specially promising.

I know what you mean, but it's still HEAVILY cammo'd. So, let it shed some cover before we start on the design.

 

[bum-man]

I have a feeling this car will be Epic. Just think, if the current R230 was developed in the Schrempp era and is still one of the best large convertibles money can buy what will a Zetsche era SL behold??!

 

[SKY]

I just need a little bit of Huck´s magic to make me believe. Instead of that we are seeing in the latest AB covers stupid cars like the VW Lupo.