Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the SL 400 which is now endowed with a six-cylinder biturbo drive system and serves as a replacement for the SL 350.

Increased power

In contrast to its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz SL 400 is not fitted with a naturally aspirated engine, instead it is equipped with a six-cylinder unit with two turbochargers. And despite having its displacement reduced by three litres, the output has risen by 20 kW. Its torque has increased to 480 Nm and is available from 1 600 rpm.

Like all BlueDIRECT petrol engines the biturbo engine in the new Mercedes-Benz SL 400 also works with a direct injection system with spray-guided combustion, which Mercedes-Benz was the first car manufacturer to offer in series production.

In addition, the Euro 6-compliant engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and enables the aluminium-made roadster to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The SL 400 is also capable of returning 7.3 litres/100 km with corresponding CO2 emissions of 172 g/km.

If all goes according to plan, we’ll see the Mercedes-Benz SL400 reach South Africa in July 2014.