Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG.
The name first appeared in 1926 but traces its origins to Daimler's 1901 Mercedes and to Karl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, widely regarded as the first automobile.
The luxury car manufacturer is planning to launch a new model, 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL, and here's a preview of the amazing car, based on carscoop information.
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The new SL, code-named R321, is the first mass-production Mercedes car built almost entirely from aluminium, with the same material used for the multi-link front and rear suspensions, says carscoop.
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Mercedes claims that, thanks to the new technology, the new model is up to 140 kg lighter than its predecessor.
"The effect is rather as if a heavyweight-class passenger had got out of the car and taken his heavy flight luggage, too," says Thomas Rudlaff, the man responsible for the aluminium bodyshell, according to carscoop.
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"The result is perceptible and measureable. Less weight means more dynamism and less consumption. In other words, the motoring enjoyment increases and the environmental burned sinks," Rudlaff added.
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The bodyshell is 20 per cent more rigid than the steel one used in the preceding series. It is made up of 44 per cent cast aluminium, 17 per cent aluminium sections, 28 per cent aluminium sheet metal, eight per cent steel and three per cent of other materials.
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In the new SL, the bass loudspeakers are not placed in the doors, as is the common practice, but in the footwell in front of the driver and the passenger, in two openings on either side of the firewall.
Thus, the chassis itself is used as a resonance chamber, minimising distortion and providing a crisper sound - and, at the same time, using less energy, therefore contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions, says carscoop.
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Norbert Niemczyk, who was responsible for the new FrontBass system, said: "Our objective was not mere sound volume - although in this respect, too, the system performs amazingly - but a clear sound instead, one that never becomes 'mushy'," according carscoop.
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"We have achieved this. All those who experienced the sound with the FrontBass system for the first time got out of the car with a big smile on their face - in-house we call that 'the FrontBass smile'," he said.
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Another new feature of the SL is what Mercedes calls Magic Vision Control. It's a new windshield wiper system that sends water into two channels integrated along the wiper blades that feature laser-cut openings, says carscoop.
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Mercedes says that the windshield is cleaned much more efficiently, without leaving any smears or dirt that is a common problem with conventional systems.
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The innovative windshield cleaning system is electronically controlled and features three programmes.
In "summer" mode, smaller quantities of water are used to remove light dirt, while the "winter" mode uses a higher volume of water mixed with de-icing salt.
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Being electronically controlled, the system also operates of its own accord, regardless of the season, according to carscoop.
For instance, if the windshield is badly soiled it will use the "winter" mode even if it's the middle of summer.
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The new SL will make its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
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The 2013 SL will be available with two different suspension setups, both of which will feature the Agility Control Suspension system as standard and the Active Body Control system as an option, says carscop.
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They are combined with a new electromechanical, speed-sensitive power steering called Direct-Steer that reduces the effort required by the driver in low-speed manoeuvers and increases its weight and feel at high speeds, it says.
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The SL 350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 with an output of 302HP and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque.
Despite being less powerful than the previous SL 350, the increased torque along with the reduced weight make it 0.3 seconds faster in the 0-100 km/h sprint while, at the same time, recording an average consumption of 6.8 lt/100 km, says carscoop.
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The second unit is a twin-turbocharged 4.7-litre V8 "borrowed" from the current S-Class, with 429HP and 699.6 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, which powers the SL500.
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The 4,663 cc V8 is 12 per cent more powerful and produces 32 per cent more torque than its predecessor, despite losing almost 0.8 litres in displacement, says carscoop.
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It accelerates Merc's latest roadster from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.
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Mercedes-Benz claims that the new SL could have been even lighter, if not for the extended use of advanced systems, says carscoop.
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These include the driver drowsiness detection system Attention Assist and the Adaptive Brake, both of which are standard.
The Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control and the Pre Safe autonomous emergency braking system are optional, says carscoop.
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The retractable hard top sports a rigid and light magnesium frame and it takes less than 20 seconds to open or close the roof completely, it says.
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It is available in two versions: glass or the panoramic "Magic Sky Control" introduced in the 2012 SLK that changes its transparency at the touch of a button, says carscoop.
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Mercedes-Benz will also offer a limited-edition version of the 2013 SL named the "Edition 1". It features AMG 19-inch alloy wheels, designo exclusive leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF and a Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system.
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It will be painted in an "Edition 1"-exclusive "designo crystal silver magno" colour, while the interior upholstery is designo classic red/black exclusive with designo black piano lacquer wood trim.
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The SL is a connected car, with Internet apps built into the navigation system. Along with Internet browsing, the car offers Google Local Search, Yelp and Facebook.
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The car comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission, and like other new Mercedes-Benz models, it should have a lock-up clutch for tight, efficient gear changes.
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The new SL still has the traditional design features of its predecessor, but with added perspective and vision to update its look.
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It combines a long bonnet with a wide, powerful rear end giving the impression of raciness.
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The car's front is also dominated by dynamically slanting headlamps offered with standard Intelligent Light System.
The ventilation lamps have received chromed fins from the dynamic traditional Mercedes-Benz design heritage, while an upright classic sports car radiator grille clearly marks out the new SL.
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