Official New SL55 Details Released

[ClayJ]

MBZ has released its official new SL55 details on 14 February, 2006. OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE New from Mercedes-AMG: SL 55 AMG: yet more dynamism and attention to detail The SL 55 AMG has now been made even sportier and more exclusive than ever. The exceptional high-performance roadster from AMG has made further substantial advances in terms of technology, design and appointments and now offers an even more unforgettable driving experience. A reengineered AMG sports suspension based on second-generation Active Body Control, more direct steering and new AMG high-performance brakes bestow the two-seater with prodigious handling abilities. Meticulous attention to detail is also a feature of the new-look body and interior, with highlights including new AMG steering-wheel shift paddles and an AMG main menu with a RACETIMER. The improved AMG 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine at the heart of the SL 55 AMG is equipped with a new, higher-speed supercharger compressor and a larger throttle valve to optimise the fresh-air supply. These modifications plus the installation of an even more efficient engine management unit have boosted the output of the AMG V8 powerplant from 368 kW/500 hp to 380 kW/517 hp, while the peak torque has been increased from 700 to 720 Nm. The electronic engine management now features cylinder-selective pilot control of the firing angle: this function sets the optimum combustion point individually for each cylinder, resulting in a further improvement in the efficiency of the AMG V8 engine. The new SL 55 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (outgoing model: 4.7 seconds) and goes on to reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed automatic transmission with AMG shift paddles As in many of the high-performance models from AMG, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission is responsible for transmitting the engine's power to the wheels of the SL 55 AMG. Drivers are able to choose between fully automated gearshifts or changing gear manually: manual gear-changes can be performed either by using the selector lever or by pulling on the silver-coloured aluminium AMG shift paddles marked "up" and "down" for that true Formula 1 feel. In the manual drive mode "M", the driver is able to capitalise on the tremendous pulling power of the V8 supercharged engine as the transmission will not shift down automatically, even at full throttle; the selected gear will be retained even with the accelerator in the kickdown position. In manual mode, AMG SPEEDSHIFT will not automatically shift up a gear either when the rev limit is reached, enabling sportily-minded drivers to harness the immense power reserves even more effectively. The transmission will shift down a gear when the engine speed approaches the lower limit of the rev band. The technical credentials of AMG SPEEDSHIFT also include torque converter lock-up from first gear, active engine-braking downshifts plus an "optimum gear" function, which combine with spontaneous, lightning-quick gearshifts to produce a truly thrilling motoring experience. An optimised torque converter has also been added as part of the facelift package. Not only has the new torque converter been adapted to handle the increased torque of the V8 supercharged engine but its smaller diameter produces a lower inertia; this in turn sharpens the engine's responsiveness, particularly when travelling at slow speeds. AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control for extra agility The AMG sports suspension based on second-generation Active Body Control has been specially reengineered for the AMG Roadster. The specific measures that have been implemented reduce body movements in dynamic driving situations to levels even lower than those achieved by the outgoing model, without impairing the excellent ride comfort in any way. The SL 55 AMG now offers an even sportier drive, especially in extremely dynamic situations such as those encountered on the race track. Another special feature of Active Body Control is the variable roll moment distribution between the front and rear axles, which the system adjusts automatically to suit the vehicle's current speed. The modified control produces even greater agility than before, particularly when travelling at typical country road speeds. The superior agility and handling precision can also be attributed to the revised elastokinematics at the front axle as well as to the modified speed-sensitive power steering. A steering ratio that is now seven per cent more direct gives the SL 55 AMG even greater manoeuvrability. The modified valve control logic for the power assistance translates into faster response when the steering is centred. The AMG engineers have also fitted a new power steering pump with a higher rate of delivery that guarantees an optimum degree of power assistance no matter how quickly the steering wheel is turned. Finally, the inclusion of a new steering damper makes for peerless driving comfort. Newly developed AMG high-performance composite brakes The SL 55 AMG is equipped with newly developed AMG high-performance brakes which ensure optimum metering of braking power, extremely short stopping distances and even better resistance to fading. Large, internally ventilated and perforated composite brake discs with six-piston aluminium fixed callipers are fitted at the front wheels, while the rear wheels are slowed down by internally ventilated and perforated discs with four-piston fixed callipers. Exterior design characterised by even more striking dynamism On a visual level, the new-generation AMG Roadster is distinguishable by its discreetly updated AMG bodystyling, including a more dynamically styled AMG front apron with a more pronounced wedge shape and fog lamps ringed in chrome. Further unobtrusive yet highly effective model enhancement measures include an AMG-specific radiator grille with three black louvres and chrome highlights, new tail lights as well as a 3rd brake light with special AMG tinting. New high-sheen AMG 18-inch light-alloy wheels featuring new multi-spoke styling dominate the side view. Measuring 8.5 inches and 9.5 inches across at the front and rear respectively, the wheels are shod with wide-base tyres with the dimensions 255/40 (front) and 285/35 (rear). A tyre pressure loss warning system based on ESP® technology will also make up part of the standard specification of the SL 55 AMG from now on. Restyled interior with carbon-fibre trim and AMG RACETIMER The array of subtle modifications is continued inside the car, where meticulous attention to detail has been exercised to enhance the quality feel yet further. As a result, the interior of the AMG Roadster now sports an even more dynamic and high-class look. New genuine carbon-fibre AMG trim elements add just the right degree of sportiness and reflect AMG's successful involvement in the world of motorsport. The AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with its specially moulded rim is now fitted with silver-coloured aluminium AMG shift paddles marked "up" and "down". Further new features include the AMG main menu in the instrument cluster, which permanently displays the currently engaged gear and recommended upshifts, plus either the engine oil temperature, the battery voltage or the RACE-TIMER. The new RACETIMER function allows the driver to record lap times on private racing circuits, for example, storing not only the time for the fastest lap but also the average and top speeds as well as the lap length. The package of facelift measures for the SL 55 AMG includes high-quality metal door sill panels with AMG lettering, a new-look instrument cluster shroud trimmed in nappa leather with double topstitching above the classic chronometer-design round dials, as well as a new digital clock plus ventilation outlet cover. The interior door trim, armrests and AMG sports seats are upholstered in nappa leather to create a highly exclusive air. The power-adjustable AMG sports seats are made particularly eye-catching by their exclusive AMG perforation pattern and special seat upholstery layout; additional features include multicontour and memory functions, plus seat heating and an AMG badge. The switch for operating the vario-roof now has a chunkier design with a metallic finish. It takes just 16 seconds to open or close the folding hard-top, a glass version of which can be specified as an optional extra. Even greater ease of use than before is available by opting for the electric remote boot lid closing feature which enables the boot to be opened and closed with the minimum of effort. Standard equipment includes a removable luggage cover which increases the boot capacity by 22 litres to 339 litres – more than any other competitor in this segment. The luggage cover can be removed in a few simple steps, a feature which frees up extra boot space as well as making loading easier and boosting the boot's utility value. AMG Performance Package optionally available for the SL 55 AMG Motorists with an extra-dynamic streak can opt to enhance their SL 55 AMG with the highly exclusive AMG Performance Package from Mercedes-AMG GmbH, comprising: -AMG front apron with enlarged cooling air intakes -Extra engine oil cooler -Even sportier set-up for the ABC-based AMG sports suspension -New composite brake discs at the front wheels measuring 390 x 36 millimetres -AMG 19-inch light-alloy wheels in twin-spoke styling, multipiece (front: 8.5 x 19 with 255/35 R 19 tyres, rear: 9.5 x 19 with 285/30 R 19 tyres) -Multi-disc limited-slip differential with 30 per cent lock factor and strengthened final drive -AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel wrapped in leather/Alcantara -Limited maximum speed increased to 300 km/h The SL 55 AMG Facelift Exterior: -New-look AMG bodystyling with more dynamically styled front apron, new radiator grille with three louvres and fog lamps ringed in chrome -Tail lights with clear-lens design and special AMG tinting -New 18-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels -19-inch five-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels * Interior: -Genuine carbon-fibre trim -AMG main menu with RACETIMER -New silver-coloured aluminium AMG shift paddles on steering wheel -Instrument cluster shroud trimmed in nappa leather with double topstitching -Aluminium-look operating switch for vario-roof -Digital clock with new display and new cover for ventilation outlet -Higher-quality metal door sill panels with AMG lettering Technology: -Uprated AMG 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine with an output of 380 kW/517 hp and a peak torque of 720 Nm -AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission with new torque converter -Steering with more direct ratio, including new valve control logic and modified elastokinematics at the front axle -Second-generation ABC -New AMG high-performance composite brakes at the front wheels -Removable luggage cover -Remote boot lid locking* -Tyre pressure loss warning system -Tyre pressure monitoring system* *Optional The extensive standard specification for the SL 55 AMG: -Adaptive front airbags -Adaptive brake lights -Active Service System (ASSYST) -Anti-lock braking system (ABS) -Pre-installation for a car phone -AMG carbon-fibre trim -AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel -AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission -AMG high-performance brakes -AMG 18-inch light-alloy wheels in new multi-spoke styling -AMG aluminium shift paddles with manual drive mode -AMG instrument cluster with RACETIMER -AMG bodystyling -AMG sports exhaust system with two sets of chromed twin tailpipes -AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control -AMG sports seats with seat heating, multicontour and memory functions -Outside temperature display -Courtesy lights in the doors -Wide-base tyres, 255/40 R 18 (front) and 285/35 R 18 (rear) -Brake Assist -COMAND APS incl. DVD navigation, radio and telephone keypad -Cup holders -Anti-theft alarm system -Entry aid -Electronic Stability Program (ESP) -Automatic headlamp activation -Power windows -Luggage cover, removable -Belt tensioners and belt force limiters -Head/thorax sidebags in the doors -Remote boot lid release -Automatically dimming interior mirror and driver's side exterior mirror -Integral seats, power adjustable -Child seat recognition, automatic -Automatic climate control -Convenience closing and opening feature for vario-roof and side windows -Electrically adjustable steering column -Memory function for seats, steering wheel and mirrors -Metallic paintwork featuring nano-particle technology -Multifunction steering wheel -Nappa leather upholstery -Fog lamps -Speed-sensitive power steering -Rain sensor -Tyre pressure loss warning system -Trip computer -Headlamp cleaning system -Surround sound system -Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC Touchshift -TIREFIT with electric air pump -Rollover bars, sensor-controlled -V8 KOMPRESSOR lettering at the sides along the front wings -Vario-roof, electrically operated -Tinted glass -Draught-stop -Xenon headlamps -Central displays in instrument cluster -Central locking with remote control and crash sensor The principal optional extras at a glance: -DISTRONIC proximity control -AMG 19-inch light-alloy wheels -Car phone or mobile phone -Bi-xenon headlamps with headlamp cleaning system, dynamic headlamp range control and cornering light function -CD changer -designo appointments -Remote boot lid closing feature -KEYLESS-GO -Luxury seats incl. seat ventilation and heating -Panoramic vario-roof -Tyre pressure monitoring system -LINGUATRONIC voice control system -TV receiver I LOVE THIS CAR!!! All of the specs and photos are at this link: http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Feb06/1...esSL55AMG.html

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[ClayJ]

Five more pics-

[Vik888]

Already posted in http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=137175
but thanks for posting the pics.

Not entirely sure about that new carbon fibre interior .. I want to see it in person.

[AMG_55]

if the cf interior and lsd is available in the clk63 then we're onto something

[JackStraw]

Does the 2007 SL have the brake-by-wire or did MB get rid of it in favor of conventional brakes?

Also does anyone know if the engine is the new 5.5 liter engine that is in the S550 or is it the old 5.0 liter engine that AMG bored out to increase displacement to 5.5 liters?

[vixapphire]

those 14 spoke rims rule. do SL rims fit on the e55 (same offset?)?

[IanSL55]

Originally Posted by JackStraw

Does the 2007 SL have the brake-by-wire or did MB get rid of it in favor of conventional brakes?

Also does anyone know if the engine is the new 5.5 liter engine that is in the S550 or is it the old 5.0 liter engine that AMG bored out to increase displacement to 5.5 liters?

Same engine. It's not the new 5.5 that is in the S550... and the SL will not be getting the N/A 6.3 V8...

~ Ian

[cappuccino]

Does anyone know why AMG replace the Front eight-piston callipers with six-piston callipers? Does the Six work more efficient than eight?

[RU_MATRX]

Who knows how the 2003-2005 SL55 AMG button speedshifters can be replaced with the new 2006 paddle-style speedshifters. From pics on the AMG MB-USA website it seems that the paddles are just a direct replacement. Any insights?
It truly would be cool to be able to swap them out. Of course, MB would probably design it internally for a customer to have to buy the whole steering wheel for this replacement option at some inflated price.

[JosanK]

Sigh. Will they ever get rid of the speed limiter?

Delimited my 2003, I get tired of thinking about doing this again.

Why sell a car like this and cripple it? MB really needs an attitude adjustment.

goes on to reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

[seattlecarfreak]

i notied you live in san jose.. where in the world can you possibly use that much more speed? especially with that traffic

Originally Posted by JosanK

Sigh. Will they ever get rid of the speed limiter?

Delimited my 2003, I get tired of thinking about doing this again.

Why sell a car like this and cripple it? MB really needs an attitude adjustment.

[ClayJ]

Originally Posted by cappuccino

Does anyone know why AMG replace the Front eight-piston callipers with six-piston callipers? Does the Six work more efficient than eight?

My understanding is that they determined that the six-piston ones did the job; and that the eight-pistons were overkill, or just too much more (unecessary) weight, or something like that....

I don't have any 8-piston systems on any of my supercars that I am aware of, and the largest of the sytems usually use 4-piston calipers -- not even 6-pistons.

About half of the real-high-speed cars utilize an airbreak to enable haul-down from excessive speeds; and the rest 'just' have four piston-calipers. Like I said, very few of them utilize a 6-piston system.

Of course, the SL is a heavier car, and most of the supercars are quite a bit lighter LOL - so I could see where 6-pistons may be necessary in a 150mph haul-down in the SL55.....

[vixapphire]

maybe the 8-caliper system was handier for when the electronic braking system failed and you were left with the strength of your leg and the pad to the disc; perhaps it's a sign of their confidence that they've gotten the bugs out of the system that they have reduced the calipers to 6...

[sprins]

Originally Posted by ClayJ

My understanding is that they determined that the six-piston ones did the job; and that the eight-pistons were overkill, or just too much more (unecessary) weight, or something like that....

Well, overkill or not, I'm really impressed by, and happy with, the brake performance of my 2002 BY (2003 MY) SL55.

What I not quite understand is that my 2002 BY (2003 MY) S55 brakes noticably less good (disks & pads are OK though). Could this be the difference caused by the infamous SBC (sensotronic brake system)? If so, I'll have SBC any day (as long as it works and is properly debugged).

[ClayJ]

My understanding is that they are also on their third braking system software version with this new SL55 -- haven't confirmed that, maybe someone who is a tech could confirm that for us?

[sprins]

Originally Posted by ClayJ

My understanding is that they are also on their third braking system software version with this new SL55 -- haven't confirmed that, maybe someone who is a tech could confirm that for us?

I know that in MY 2004 or 2005 they made some upgrades (HW and SW).

It should for example be possible (on cars in Europe anyway) to put the car (e.g. in front of a stop light) on brake by pressing the brake all the way and then letting go quickly, so that you can put your foot on the accelerator (sort of poor mans launch control). This and the minor HW upgrades.

So with the facelift that makes three revisions.

[phonetics]

i am so glad i did not wait for the facelift SL55... nothing has changed.

[ClayJ]

Thanks sprins -- I always like to double-check my thinking....

In any event, this braking system should just get better and better.... I know that I have heard that they are debating/working on improving (or replacing with another system) the brake-by-wire system as it was released in its original incarnation -- not enough feel, and too many complaints....

I'd like to see them improve it!

[JosanK]

I go out to the Nevada desert a lot.

And, maybe it's irrational, but it bugs me that the Porsche Turbo, the Corvette Z06, the Ford GT or any Ferrari does not have this "nanny" software.

It bugs me so much that, if I had no way to remove it, I might just buy one of the cars mentioned above instead of the SL.

The nanny speed limiter and "performance car" just seems to be a major contradiction.

Originally Posted by seattlecarfreak

i notied you live in san jose.. where in the world can you possibly use that much more speed? especially with that traffic

[IanSL55]

I was under the impression that the new composite brakes transferred heat far better, meaning less fade and better braking performance - thus allowing for the piston reduction.

~ Ian

[ClayJ]

Very good point IanSL55 that alone could explain it.

[vraa]

Pistons are more for stopping power. Six pistons are enough to lock the brakes especially with all the extra nannys you have on board.

It's the heat that's getting everyone

[blueSL]

It's a comprehensive makeover and they've freshened the car up to its replacement in 2009/10/11. All this talk in the past about an F1 nose, all the photoshopped pictures was nonsense. Same for the talk of Mercedes dropping supercharging - They may well have been planning to at one point but the volume of SL55 sold was much more than they expected so best left alone.

The yawning performance gap between the old SL500 and SL55 has been closed a little. As an early SL55 owner, the car has moved on quite a lot now, but not enough to make me actually realise the significant depreciation hit and buy a new one. If I had an original SL500, I'd be more tempted. Was exactly the same for the previous SL. By the time the facelifts had happened (1 mid-life like this one, 1 last gasp), the earliest cars were looking a bit old. Just beginning to think Berry Red was not such a good idea...

In the meantime, I've just placed my deposit of $17000 on a 997 TT...

[vixapphire]

actually, i never saw any photoshopped pictures but i did see a new SL55 with a SLR/SLK hood/nose on it. thought it was bizarre and it did make everyone i saw in the showroom while i was there do double-takes when they saw it (there had been a real SLR in the same spot a few weeks beforehand).

the nonsense turns out to be the salesperson's explanation that this was a genuine MB part (the hood) from europe, and would constitute the "refresh" for 2007.

so, right now there's someone driving around in that thing. pretty nifty one-off if you ask me (it was a really well-executed mod, that much can definitely be said).

[api3]

does the 6 piston callipers brakes look smaller thenthe 8 piston brakes.? or are they the same size! love the massive brakes on the cls55 and sl55... hopefully, they dont look smaller or anyhing with the 6 piston.