2013 Mercedes-Benz SL: Spy Pics & Info

[SKY]

I have the honour of creating this thread, first spy pics:

 

[Deleted member 25]

About time this car shows its face, i lost a lot of my affection for the current car after the FL.

 

[PHYBENZ]

That is quite an honor to start this thread.

Almost scared to start seeing spy photos of this.

 

[SKY]

The rear seems to have a similar treatment than the CLS. Proportions look rare from the side profile, and the front reminds me to the SLK spy pics we´ve been seeing. I guees the next frist page of Autobild will be Huck PS of this new SL.

 

[Zafiro]

I have said it before that SL is one of the most beautiful cars on the planet. But when the facelift came I was worried but now I like the facelift as well.
I hope the next SL wont be as boxy as the new E-class, elegant lines please.

 

[LaArtist]

I was just about to ask where the spy pics of this car are..

To early to say anything..

PS
We should see spy pics of the W222 soon..

 

[Yaz]

Wonder if this is just another major facelift or a new generation SL. But since the SL already had two facelifts, this should be the next gen. SL.

 

[Shining Star]

It'll be interesting to see the SL as it progresses through development. It's a bit too early to make any judgements however.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The next couple of years will see an onslaught of new Mercedes-Benz models launched, with the recently revealed SLS AMG, brand new versions of the A- and B-Class, SLK, CLS and ML, as well as a possible new C-Class Coupe all in the pipeline.

One of the most exciting prospects, however, is the launch of a brand new SL-Class, which has been spied here for the first time in prototype form. Though its proportions seem similar to the current model, a closer inspection reveals that this is in fact the next-generation SL due in 2012.

Set to go on sale as a 2013 model, the new car will adopt styling influences seen on previous SLK prototypes as well as the SLS AMG and even the next-generation CLS, which will share a similar tail-light design.

A side-by-side comparison of the current SL and this latest prototype also reveal several clear differences. The new SL will sit lower and feature a wider stance than the current model. A glimpse of the interior also shows a boxier design, though it’s still much too early to speculate on such fine details--anything can change between now and the 2012 launch date.

As for what's lurking beneath the heavily clad sheet metal, expect to see a brand new aluminum spaceframe chassis. The adoption of lightweight aluminum will improve the handling, ride, performance and fuel economy of the new Mercedes-Benz SL, which in current form weighs between 3,860 and 4,500 pounds depending on which model and options are chosen.

Much of the new SL’s components will also be shared with the SLS AMG, including drivetrains, suspension and electrical systems. This means that the SLS AMG’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is almost a certainty for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL.

A choice of V-6 and V-8 engines will be on offer, possibly with forced-induction and even hybrid technology, though everything is still largely a matter of speculation.

motorauthority

 

[LaArtist]

Its really low..
This will no doubt be a stunner..if there are 2 cars MB never **** up..
Its the SL and the S..

 

[Shining Star]

Its really low..
This will no doubt be a stunner..if there are 2 cars MB never **** up..
Its the SL and the S..

And now, as it has been confirmed, the CLS.

Anyway...I heard that the next SL is supposed to be based on the SLS platform...but the spy shots show a very short car.

 

[LaArtist]

^We dont know about the CLS yet..
there has only been 1..

The SL and S history is long and rich..

 

[Merc1]

Oh god...fingers crossed....now it starts all over again. I really hope they don't mess up this car. A goofy E-Class sedan is bad enough. Goof this one up and we'll have to live with it for 10 years.

M

 

[klier]

Gigantic overhang so far....

 

[GBOY]

Wow, it's 'revealing' so much already. I like it.

 

[Wunderkind]

Much of the new SL’s components will also be shared with the SLS AMG, including drivetrains, suspension and electrical systems. This means that the SLS AMG’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is almost a certainty for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL.

I doubt the new SL will use the SLS's 7-speed dual clutch transaxle. The transaxle takes up a lot of space in the backend of the monocoque and that would leave no room for the fuel tank and the retractable metal roof.

Maybe the new Mercedes 8-speed automatic transmission (with a wet clutch similar to the one found in today's SL63 and E63) will be good enough for AMG SL models.

Another thing I want to add is that double clutch trannies are good for incremental shifting (i.e. from one gear to the next), but it cannot jump gears say from 6-3 in one step like the Mercedes epicyclic tranny can. A double clutch tranny has to go from 6-5-4-3, so the Mercedes epicyclic tranny could actually be faster for multiple shifts upshifts or downshifts.

 

[batosai]

Could the gigantic overhang (read : covering) simply means that the new car will actually be smaller than the current one ?

Could anyone put a side profile comparison of the two cars please, thank you in advance! I notice the windscreen is a bit too upright and the window line is too low..

 

[NarutoRamen]

It's just a chassis mule guys, the body panels (although covered up) are from the current SL, so let's talk about proportions just yet.

 

[GBOY]

Pretty much the same overhang as the current 1.

 

[ALI]

Pretty much the same overhang as the current 1.

If its not broken, dont fix it .