Mercedes-Benz SL – the design

From the official Press Release:

Mercedes-Benz SL – the design

In the interplay between innovation and tradition we have created a sports car with the classic, well-balanced hallmark SL proportions: the long hood is followed by a compact, set-back passenger compartment. A broad, muscular, racy-looking tail end completes the picture.

Design boss Professor Gorden Wagener: “The athletic, sports star’s physique with its masculine, muscular character says a great deal about the new SL and confidently emphasises its status as the high-performance heart of our brand. At the same time, discerning athletic standards are met by powerfully sculpted surfaces formed by just a few lines and beautifully crafted details.

“The 
traditional design elements from our rich history are more than visual 
quotations. They tell of the courage and the pioneering spirit which have shaped our brand, and reflect these properties in a contemporary way – with enthusiasm and passion. Alongside top technical performance and innovations, it is also this which makes the new SL an unmistakable character.”

Front end

Visually, the new SL is clearly marked out as a member of the 
current Mercedes-Benz sports car family. At first glance this is evident from the very upright classic sports car radiator grille. The central star in the radiator grille is a contemporary reinterpretation of the famous trademark, which now runs into the centerpiece with organically flowing contours.

The designers have waived the classic 
separation of the bumper and the radiator grille. The lower edge of the grille now dips into the bumper, supporting the pronounced V-shape and resulting in more formal presence. In addition to this, the steeply positioned radiator grille lengthens the hood in visual terms.

Two air outlet grilles, each with two chromed fins, have their roots in Mercedes-Benz’s traditional design repertoire. A succinctly sculptured edge – developing from the upright radiator grille – draws across the long bonnet in a taut arch and flows organically into the A-pillar.

Dynamically positioned at an angle, headlamps located far on the outside flank the distinctive front and the broad air intake, giving the new roadster its own inimitable look. It appears masculine and it does also radiate a certain 
restrained aggressiveness.

The standard-specification ILS headlamps have a chrome bracket surrounding the main headlamp and the flared arrangement of the indicator lamps and sidelights. All the further functions feature LED technology – such as the curved sidelights and the horizontal band of the daytime running lamps in the outer sections of the bumper.

Side view

A minimal amount of lines define the athletic yet smooth surfaces of the flanks. The shoulderline rises from the headlamps and stretches like a tensed muscle over the entire length of the vehicle and into the tail lights.

Side grilles with fins in the front wings stylishly cite the classic SL 
legend and form the starting point for a feature line. This structures the 
proportions and lends the vehicle a visual forwards thrust even at a standstill. It tapers out in the tail light as a discreet line.

Free-standing exterior mirrors located on the beltline not only support the modern character of the side view; thanks to this position they also improve vision of the road.

Depending on the engine variant, various light-alloy wheels are available in 
17-inch and 18-inch versions. The wheel arches are 
designed for a maximum size of 19 inches at the front and 20 inches (only 
in the case of AMG) at the rear.

Rear end

A small number of sweeping lines shape the broad tail end. Thanks to the boot lid with its steel interior and plastic panelling, it has been possible to stow the aerials out of sight inside the vehicle so that they do not interrupt the flowing lines in the rear area. This is also the case with the roll-over protection, which lies hidden from view in the body and is only activated in case of 
danger.

Tail lights with LED technology highlight the width of the tail end, tapering inwards to a point and have a discreet kink in the contour. The rear fog lamp is located centrally between two trapezoidal exhaust 
tailpipes. A horizontal swage line in the lower area of the bumper provides added emphasis of the broad effect.

The colour range for the exterior encompasses twelve different paints. These include the BRIGHT paint diamond white and the special colour cerussite grey metallic SHAPE – the first matt paint in the standard-specification paint range for a Mercedes-Benz model series.

(Source:  Mercedes-Benz)