The New SL-Class Arrives in Japan | Mecedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SL Class

New SL Class Arrives in Japan

The epitome of luxury roadsters, the Mercedes-Benz "SL Class." Its sixth generation,New SL Classhas finally arrived in Japan. A launch event was held at Mercedes-Benz Connection in Roppongi.

Text by SUZUKI Fumihiko (OPENERS)
Photographs by ARAKAWA Masayuki
& Mercedes-Benz

Sporty and Light

At an event heralding the opening of "Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo 2012-13 A/W," held from March 18th to 24th, 2012, at Tokyo Midtown, the new SL Class finally made its debut in Japan.

On the stage at the press conference, Nicolas Peter Speeks, President of Mercedes-Benz Japan Co., Ltd., spoke about the new SL Class, which inherits the 60-year history of the SL Class beginning with the "300SL" that debuted in 1952. He stated, "The new SL Class offers a sporty, eye-catching, and enjoyable open-top experience with comfort, style, and safety. SL stands for Sport and Light."

While detailspreviously reportedare deferred to, as Mr. Speeks said, the new SL Class, which is the first full model change in 11 years, can be said to have achieved lightweight construction and high rigidity simultaneously through the adoption of an all-aluminum body shell, which is its greatest feature.

The lineup includes the SL350 BlueEFFICIENCY, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine, delivering a maximum output of 225kW (306ps), 370Nm of torque, fuel economy of 14.7ℓ/km, and 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.9 seconds. It is available with both left and right-hand steering, starting from ¥11.9 million. The SL550 BlueEFFICIENCY, powered by a 4.7-liter V8 twin-turbo direct-injection engine, producing a maximum output of 320kW (435ps), 700Nm of torque, fuel economy of 11.0ℓ/km, and 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.6 seconds, is available with left-hand steering only, starting from ¥15.6 million.

The vehicles will be exhibited at "Mercedes-Benz Connection" in front of Roppongi Midtown during Fashion Week. Additionally, a preview event for early orders of custom specifications will be held starting March 30th. Deliveries are scheduled to begin around June.

SL63 AMG and a Special Edition of 70 Units Also Introduced

Simultaneously, the recently announcedSL63 AMGwill also be released in Japan. This model is equipped with the "M157," a 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbo direct-injection engine, which is the successor to the engine known as "M156". It delivers a maximum output of 395kW (537ps), 800Nm of torque, fuel economy of 10.1ℓ/km, with 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.3 seconds and 0-200km/h in 12.9 seconds. It features left-hand steering, and the price in Japan starts from ¥19.8 million. Deliveries are expected to begin around August. Furthermore, with the optional AMG Performance Package for an additional ¥1.95 million, the maximum output increases to 415kW (564ps) and maximum torque to 900Nm, with 0-100km/h acceleration at 4.2 seconds and 0-200km/h at 12.6 seconds.

Additionally, it was revealed that a special limited edition of 70 units, the "Edition 1," will be available for the SL550 BlueEFFICIENCY. This "Edition 1" features a dedicated "Magnetite Black" body color. The AMG Sports Package and 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, which are normally optional, come as standard. The interior boasts a pre-release of the "Designo Classic Red" Nappa leather, and the retractable hardtop "Vario-roof" includes the "Magic Sky Control" panoramic roof with adjustable transparency via voltage, as standard, similar to the SL 63 AMG. The price is ¥17.3 million.