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)
