Currently reading: Detroit motor show 2012: Mercedes SL pics leaked

Leaked brochure pics of the all-new Mercedes SL show the car's exterior and interior styling

Pictures of the all-new sixth generation Mercedes SL have been leaked online, ahead of the car’s official debut at the Detroit motor show in January.

These grainy brochure images of the new drop-top show the clearest indication of the car’s styling yet (following spy images we showed you in October), which closely follows the design language used on the new Mercedes SLK. These include a large, open grille, angular headlamps with distinctive LED graphics, a heavily contoured bonnet and tail-lights that wrap right around to the body sides.

See leaked images of the all-new Mercedes SL

The leaked pics also include a first look inside the SL’s cabin, which, in the spec pictured here, features plush leather seats, door cards and centre arm rest.

As with the third-generation SLK, the new SL will offer Mercedes-Benz’s Magic Sky Control roof as an option. The roof’s glass structure, integrated into the hard-top’s aluminium frame, uses an electronically controlled process to alter the level of tint and intensity of the UV light entering the cabin at the press of a button.

Among the petrol engines set to appear in the new upmarket roadster are Mercedes-Benz’s new naturally aspirated 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 and a 429bhp twin-turbocharged 4.6-litre V8.

The new SL is to be the first large-scale production Mercedes to use an almost exclusively aluminium lightweight construction, which has saved 140kg compared with the previous steel-bodied model.

Mercedes is also claiming that the aluminium monocoque is stiffer than that of its rivals, the Jaguar XK being a good example.

See all the latest Mercedes-Benz reviews, news and video

Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you’ll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here.

Add a comment…