Mercedes-Benz SL 400 unveiled
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the latest addition to its SL roadster series with the SL 400 which will come with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 as opposed to the naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 in the SL 350.
Set to replace the SL 350 by the end of 2014, the latest soft top from Mercedes will retail in Germany for 97,282.50 euros including 19 per cent VAT (Rs 80.5lakh).
The SL 400 carries the same 3.0-litre V6 engine as the E400 and produces 333PS and 480Nm of torque, which is 110Nm more than the 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6.
0-100kmph is achieved in 5.2 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250kmph. The engine has a direct injection system with spray guided combustion. The third generation of this direct injection gets Multi Spark Ignition (MSI) technology which allows four sparks to be discharged within an impressive one millisecond timeframe. Five injections per power stroke are achieved due to the use of Piezo injectors. The MSI technology along with the Piezo injectors enables complete combustion of fuel with just 172g/km of carbon emissions and a fuel-efficiency of 13.7kmpl.
The SL 400 also features a Frontbass system developed by Mercedes-Benz which takes the audio experience to another level. A Magic Vision Control wipe/wash system is also equipped which takes water from the wiper blade to the windscreen irrespective of the wiping direction. Both these features are equipped as standard on the new car. The car is manufactured entirely from aluminium and is equipped with a retractable vario-roof to add to practicality and convenience.
The new Mercedes-Benz SL 400: Start-up with new vigour
| Stuttgart The SL Roadster family from Mercedes-Benz is raring to go with a new engine. The SL 400 is now endowed with a six-cylinder biturbo drive system. Despite half a litre less displacement the output has risen by 20 kW (27 hp). Plus there are 110 newton metres more torque at its disposal. The price of the SL 400 starts from 97,282.50 euros (for the German market incl. 19% VAT). As an automotive icon the Mercedes-Benz SL blends accomplished motoring at the highest level with exquisite style. Manufactured virtually completely from aluminium, the roadster also sets the standards in the category of luxurious roadsters with its numerous technical innovations. Not forgetting that the SL is entirely suitable for everyday use thanks to its retractable vario-roof. This makes it the all-rounder amongst sports cars. In contrast to its predecessor, the SL 400 is not fitted with a naturally aspirated engine. Instead it boasts a six-cylinder unit with two turbochargers. Although its displacement has been reduced to three litres, the biturbo drive system develops a high full-load output potential with a charge pressure of 1.8 bar, and facilitates an extremely high torque of 480 newton metres at low engine speeds. It achieves 20 kW more than the SL 350. Its torque increases by 110 newton metres and is available in the engine speed range of 1600 to 4000 rpm. Plus the efficient six-cylinder meets the EU6 emissions standard. SL 400 technical data Displacement: 2996 cc Bore x stroke: 88.0 x 82.1 mm Output: 245 kW (333 hp) at 5250 to 6000 rpm Torque: 480 Nm at 1600 to 4000 rpm Fuel consumption: 7.3 l/100 km CO2: 172 g/km 0-100 km/h: 5.2 s Top speed: 250 km/h Like all BlueDIRECT petrol engines the biturbo engine in the new SL 400 also works with a direct injection system with spray-guided combustion, which Mercedes-Benz was the first car manufacturer to offer in series production. The system pressure is up to 200 bar, the pressure being variably optimised according to the engine's mapping. Piezo injectors enable optimal mixture formation with up to five injections per power stroke. The third-generation direct injection is supplemented by rapid multi-spark ignition, MSI. How it works: Following the first spark discharge and a brief combustion period, the coil is recharged very rapidly and a further spark is discharged. The MSI system enables up to four sparks to be discharged in succession within one millisecond, creating a plasma with a larger spatial expansion than conventional ignition. The rapid multi-spark ignition can be controlled to vary both the timing of the sparks and the combustion period to suit the relevant operating point. This provides scope for optimising the centre of combustion and improved residual gas compatibility. The result of this is excellent utilisation of the fuel with minimum emissions. The SL 400 also offers two extraordinary innovations as standard: the unique Frontbass system developed by Mercedes-Benz transforms the luxury sports car into a concert hall, when the top is up and down, and the highly efficient MAGIC VISION CONTROL wipe/wash system takes water from the wiper blade to the windscreen as required and irrespective of the direction of wipe. | |
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