Mercedes-Benz has announced their latest project. Their zippy SL roadster is set to get a power boost. The company has announced that the twin-turbocharged SL 400 will be rolling in, replacing the naturally-aspirated SL 350.
The SL, which is in its sixth generation blends Merc's new styling language with the grand-tourer lines of its predecessor, gaining the upright grille design and swept back headlights of the brand's latest models. But apart from styling what also warrants attention is the power play involved here. The previous engine, a 3.5-litre, petrol producing 316bhp with 370Nm torque at 6,500rpm, is being replaced by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 producing 328.5bhp and 480Nm.
With this move to turbocharging comes greater low-end torque as the SL 400 produces peak torque from between 1600 and 4000rpm. Consequently the 0-100kmph sprint is reduced from 5.9 seconds to just 5.2 seconds.
News is that the new SL 400 will make its debut in a right-hand drive market - Australia, by the third quarter of this year. This means that the SL 350, which retails in India at Rs 98.50 lakh will also be replaced with the SL 4OO and its price will be fixed somewhat closer to this price point. However, whether or not this will happen can only be confirmed when we get official word on this change.
In other developments related to the SL, before the year is out, Mercedes-Benz will present a completely redeveloped SL Roadster made for the first time almost entirely from aluminium. The full aluminium bodyshell of this newly developed vehicle weighs around 110 kilograms less than a comparable bodyshell constructed with the technology used for its predecessor.
