102 August 2012 BTM The new Mercedes-Benz SL has been produced, for the first time, almost entirely from aluminium and weighs up to 140 kilograms less than its predecessor. Its highly rigid allaluminium body shell provides the basis for agile, sporty handling, coupled with exemplary roll characteristics and ride comfort. Even better driving dynamics come courtesy of the new BlueDIRECT engines; they are more powerful yet at the same time up to 29 per cent more economical than the engines in the outgoing generation. Other new features include the unique frontbass system, which turns the luxury sports car into a concert hall regardless of whether the top is open or closed. There’s also the highly efficient adaptive windscreen wipe/wash system; it supplies water from the wiper blade to the windscreen — as required and depending on the direction of wipe. “There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models; but there are only a handful of automotive icons,” said Graeme Newport, general manager of Al Haddad Motors, at the launch event. “Our SL is one of them; it has class, it has style, it oozes comfort and luxury. It also blends all of this with unbelievable sportiness and dynamism. Virtually no other car can meet Gottlieb Daimler’s standard as perfectly as the SL.” Driving pleasure Powerful while accelerating, effortlessly superior across all speeds, nimble on winding roads, the new SL provides no end of driving pleasure. Apart from the powerful engines, the sportily tuned yet comfortable suspension, which also boasts an intelligent lightweight construction, proves outstanding. The new V8 in the SL 500 develops 435 hp; the torque now stands at an impressive f700 Nm — a 32 per cent over its predecessor. The new V6 engine, in the new SL 350, develops 306 hp and delivers 370 Nm of torque, allowing this model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The SL 500 breaks the 100 km/h mark in just 4.6 seconds. Hands-free access The innovative system provides hands-free, contactless operation of the boot lid. The driver simply moves their foot in the vicinity of the rear bumper. Mercedes-Benz is the only carmaker to offer a system which not only automatically opens the boot lid but closes it as well. The SL is available at the Haddad Motors showroom in Isa Town. E Call 17 785-454. The letters ‘SL’ are synonymous with a symbiosis of sportiness, style and comfort — and with groundbreaking innovations from this German automaker. motoringshowcase AL HADDAD MOTORS A Luxurious Athlete
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