2013 Mercedes-Benz SL unveiled, loses 308 pounds and gains performance

For a little more than 6 decades the letters ‘SL’ have been synonymous with sport, comfort and downright sexy looks. Today Mercedes-Benz took the covers off of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL continuing that tradition.

Big news this year? Besides getting a total redesign that will definitely turn some heads, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL has been produced almost entirely from aluminum for the first time – helping it weigh around 308 pounds less than its predecessor.

“There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models. But there is only a handful of automotive icons,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Our SL is one of them: It has class, it has style, it is the ultimate in comfort and luxury. And it combines all that with an incredibly sporty and dynamic character. You would struggle to find a car that embodies Gottlieb Daimler’s aspiration more perfectly than our new SL – the best or nothing.”

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 will be available in dealers in the United States starting this spring. Power comes from a 4.6 liter V8 engine producing 429-hp with a maximum torque of 516 lb-ft. Mated to a 7-Speed Driver-Adaptive automatic transmission, the new 2013 SL550 will go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds – eight tenths less than the previous SL550. The transmission, along with the ECO stop/start function (standard equipment) helps keep fuel-efficiency in check as well.

Other new features for the 2013 model year include FrontBass – which turns the SL into a concert hall with the top up or down – and the MAGIC VISION CONTROL – a transparent panoramic roof that switches between light and dark at the push of a button.

Prices and other details of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 will be announced closer to launch date.

– By: Omar Rana