What's all this about?
With the Los Angeles Auto Show running over in the States, Mercedes-Benz has taken the opportunity to reveal its facelifted SL models for 2016.
Are there any major changes?
Not huge ones, but then as the SL is one of the finest grand touring open-tops around, Mercedes hardly needed to redesign it from the ground up. The chief additions are the curve-tilting function (in which the car leans into bends at speeds between 10- and 112mph) as part of the optional Active Body Control adaptive springs and dampers, the ability to now drop the 'vario-roof' on the hoof (as long as you're not going any quicker than 25mph) and a new version of the Comand infotainment system for the interior.
Is the rest of the update all about minor styling overhauls?
Yes, with the exterior look taking more than a little inspiration from the Mercedes-AMG GT; the now-LED headlights, for instance, are very reminiscent of those on Stuttgart's flagship. Two new body colours, some fresh alloy wheel designs and primping of the bumpers along an AMG theme are the main things to note for the exterior, while the interior gets fresh colour schemes and materials.
Any updates to the engines?
The 3.0-litre V6 SL 400 is uprated by 35hp and 20Nm, to end up at 367hp and 500Nm. The V8 SL 500 (455hp, 700Nm), biturbo V8 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 (585hp, 900Nm) and the outrageous V12-engined SL 65 (630hp, 1,000Nm) all remain as they were, although the 400 and 500 models now get a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic as standard; also, the two AMGs have the rear axle differential lock from the factory.
Is performance brisk?
We'll say. All cars are limited to 155mph, unless you get an AMG Driver's Package on the two big boys, which raises that restrictor to 186mph. However, with even the SL 400 capable of 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds (and the SL 65 recording a staggering 4.0 seconds dead at the other end of the scale), acceleration is not something the SL lacks.
I bet they're not great on fuel, though?
Um, no, but then that's hardly the point of an SL. The 400 can return 36.7mpg combined and 175g/km CO2. The SL 65 achieves bests of 23.7mpg and 279g/km. The other two SLs sit in the middle of these.
When will they go on sale?
All four should be available to order in early 2016, following their LA debut.
Matt Robinson - 18 Nov 2015
