When over-eager adolescent males prematurely released photo of LiLo’s underwhelming Playboy shots onto the Internet, Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner felt forced to release the magazine early as well. Well, a certain publication *cough*Autocar*cough* decided to jump the gun and release details on the all-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL. Why Autocar felt it had the keys to the castle is anybody’s guess, but it may have decided there wasn’t much to hide after the so-called “accidental” Mercedes SL posting as reported yesterday.
“The result is perceptible and measurable. Less weight means improved performance and efficiency. In other words, the driving pleasure increases and the environmental impact decreases.” Combined with other changes, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL dropped around 275 pounds total compared to its predecessor.
Other changes for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL include:
- The Mercedes SL is nearly two inches longer and more than two inches wider than its predecessor and offers more shoulder and elbow room.
- Lighter but more powerful direct injection 4.6-liter V-8 turbo engine which generates nearly 430 horsepower. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL has not been tested by the EPA for fuel economy at the time of this post, but the engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and stop/start system for better fuel economy.
- Direct-Steer system that adjusts the Mercedes SL’s suspension depending on the steering wheel’s angle.
- The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL can be equipped with either a standard glass hardtop or Mercedes’ Magic Sky Control which darkens the glass for privacy or simple shade or leaves it transparent for open-air experience without the accompanying wind and noise.
- Standard “magic vision control” windshield wiper that sprays wash fluid directly on the wiper blade without affecting the driver’s view of the road.
- The optional “hands-free access” feature allows Mercedes SL owners to open the trunk lid with a simple step (literally) near the back of the convertible. Note the system closes the lid automatically as well.
- The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL can automatically park itself courtesy of the optional Active Parking Assist system.
Color-wise, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL is offered in Black, Magnetite Black, Shadow Grey, Mars Red, Steel Grey, Iridium Silver, Palladium Silver, Pearl Beige, Diamond White, and Lunar Blue. Leather is standard and wood trims include burl walnut and black ash. The 2013 Mercedes Benz SL goes on sale in the second quarter of 2012. Pricing has not yet been released at the time of this post, but we don’t expect the price to significantly rise from the 2012 model figures. Mercedes will herald the all-new SL with sale of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Edition 1 special edition, which will be equipped with such features like AIRSCARF neck-heating system and 19-inch wheels as standard.
