New Mercedes-Benz SL -- in detail

We showed you the first leaked pics of Mercedes-Benz's SL last week (more here), but now here's a little more insight into the technical nitty-gritty of the Stuttgart mob's heavily facelifted flagship production roadster.

As previously reported, the guts of the R230 Series SL (which debuted internationally in 2001) are carried over, but the totally revised nose is complemented by an array of tech upgrades that are said to yield "more athletic performance" and boost comfort.

This means the car feels more responsive through the really twisty stuff, and there's no need to wind on armfuls of lock in congested shopping-mall car parks. Merc says it has also fine-tuned the ABC (Active Body Control) shock-absorber settings for the latest SL to deliver an improved comfort/sportiness balance.

Perhaps most notable, though, is the appreciable power hike reaped by the SL350, as its 3.5-litre V6 has been fettled to eke out 232 kW -- an improvement of 32kW -- yet fuel consumption is said to be 0.4L/100km better than before. Peak torque also rises from 350 to 360Nm, and Merc claims the SL350 sprints to 100km/h in 6.2sec, trimming 0.4sec off its predecessor's time.

The seven-speed auto features a new 'double-declutching' function that's activated during manual downshifts. What this means is that the engine management system automatically blips the throttle on downshifts to match the rotational speeds of the crankshaft and transmission for smoother (and more sonorous) shifts.

Further up the scale, the familiar 5.5-litre SL500 and twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 SL600 carry over their existing engines (with 285kW and 380kW respectively), but Merc is so far keeping quiet about the eagerly anticipated SL63 AMG, which will feature the hand-built, high-revving 6.2-litre already sampled locally in the E and CLK 63 AMGs.

There's a suggestion that the SL 63 could get a few more kilowatts, however, torque will remain at 630Nm.

The heating system -- which premiered in 2004 in the SLK -- has been modified by Merc's boffins for the new SL. Two small ventilators suck in air behind the head restraints and channel it through the electric heating element to ensure rapid warming, according to Merc.

The temperature-controlled air then flows out of special openings on the front of the head restraints and warms the occupants' neck and head. Both driver and passenger can select the heating temperature using a three-position switch; the system then controls the desired temperature automatically depending on the car's speed.

Bi-xenon headlamps are standard across the range, but you'll need to fork out extra loot for the Intelligent Light System on lower level models. The system has five modes -- country mode, motorway mode, enhanced fog lamps, cornering light function and active light function.

The variable-control bi-xenon headlamps activate the various light functions automatically. Motorway mode is activated in two stages when the speed exceeds 90km/h, increasing the driver's range of vision by up to 60 per cent.

When the active light function is activated, the headlamps pivot in line with the steering angle around bends, which Merc claims enables drivers to see 25m further into a long bend than is the case with conventional dipped beam. The cornering light function is activated automatically at speeds below 70km/h when the driver steers and/or indicates.

The speedometer and rev counter embrace a classic chronometer design with new-look dials, and after the fashion of many sporties these days, when the engine is fired up the red speedometer and rev counter needles are "aroused from their six-o-clock position", spin around the dials and then revert to their zero positions.

The standard COMAND APS package (Merc's more user-friendly version of iDrive) also includes the latest-generation LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system, which controls the navigation, telephone and audio systems based on its ability to recognise entire words -- you basically just ask for what you want, whether it's a destination for the navigation system, a radio station or a name in the stored phone book.

The updated COMAND system can also be hooked up to an iPod, USB stick or other external audio device, thanks to a new universal media interface in the centre console (optional).

Audiophiles can specify the optional Harman Kardon 'Logic7' sound system (optional), which has an output of 510 watts and converts the SL interior into a "mobile concert hall", thanks to 10 high-performance loudspeakers and state-of-the-art surround technology.

The derriere is largely as before, but there's a new, diffuser-look bumper, which "adds a motorsport touch", and new trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes that are designed to emphasise the width of the body.

The updated SL lands here in July, and Merc says it will announce exact spec and pricing closer to the launch.

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