2003 SL55 was a milestone car: gorgeous styling, power retractable hard top, expanded interior dimensions, and almost 500hp. A massive departure from the prior R129 series SL.

2011 Night Edition pricing announced
2013 SL under cold weather testing

We don’t want to forget about the current and soon to be released offerings from Mercedes-Benz. The current lineup of new models available from your local dealer ranges from the stylish, crisply drawn C-class models to the sophisticated and edgy new E series. The new SLS Gullwing is garnering much of the automotive press today but a bone stock new SL550 is a very competent, stylish personal roadster. And there is the Smart car program if you need something in which to toodle around town. What a fabulous line-up of cars.

SLs: 2010

What’s going on with the SL range? The current car arrived in 2002 to enormous acclaim. This author feels the 2003 SL55 to be the most technically and visually significant SL since the original Gullwing. Almost 500hp in a gorgeous off-the-showroom floor SL. Quite an audacious SL from Mercedes-Benz.

The superbly balanced, voluptuous original R230 series shape was spot on and immediately rendered the squarish previous generation positively prehistoric. However, this car is approaching the end of its production life, nine years and counting. The recent facelift to align the nose design with the “face” of the rest of the models stimulated sales but buyers are beginning to look toward the next generation.

2011 Night Edition

Will the hip 2011 “Night Edition” signal the end of the series? We have some new data on what may be the last of the R230 generation SLs. We learned from 35 year Mercedes sales veteran, Tony Spencer, that the Night Edition’s matte finish black will be a metallic. Very interesting. After the matte satin black color is applied, the final clear coat will contain the metallic matter. The paint code for this “designo Night Black Metallic” is 056.

100 examples of the Night Edition SL550 scheduled to arrive in spring of this year. Price will be about $119,255.

Here is the order data and codes for this unique new SL:

• Paint: 056 designo Night Edition Black Metallic (Matte Finish)
• Upholstery: 831 Black Premium Leather with Silver Contrast Stitching
• Trim: 736 Hand-Polished Black Ash Wood Trim

Packages:

• P01 Premium 1 Package
• 321 Wheel Package

Options:

• 067 Illuminated Door Sills
• 220 Parktronic
• 413 Panorama Roof
• 831 Premium Leather Upholstery

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Spring of this year with pricing around $119,255. And remember, only 100 units will be constructed.

2012 and Beyond

The next generation SL is largely finalized and definitely under hot/cold weather testing in various parts of the globe. The images below verify this and signal the beginning of the speculative game centering on the new car’s final shape. Current Mad Max road warrior camouflage betrays little of the new shape but automotive artists are beginning to challenge their rendering software to give us glimpses of possible designs.

Not much to be learned from this heavily camouflaged cold weather test hack. We can see side view mirrors sitting on separate stalks rather than integrated into A post as on current cars.

Speculation has the next generation SL debuting at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and production moving from Bremen to Stuttgart. Did the sensual sculpture we saw in January at the Detroit Auto Show give us a secret glimpse of the “face” for the new SL? Many insiders think so. And the more upright nose profile seems logical in light of new EU pedestrian-protecting laws that will influence many new designs.

We have plenty to look forward to in the next generation SL. If it is half as dramatic and groundbreaking as the R230 series was in 2002, we will see another world beater from the Silver Star.

Grille profile of Mercedes sculpture presented at the Detroit Auto Show may give us a glimpse of new SL's face.

Tony Spencer (408-345-2255) can answer any questions you may have regarding current and future Mercedes-Benz products.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Mercedes-Benz, MercedesHeritage.com, Detroit News, Auto Express

Read more about the 2013 SL.

View the current SL’s Video section.

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Photography from Mercedes-Benz and Carlsson

(Please note this will be a 2011 model. We apologize for the error in the email.)

Mercedes-Benz continues to recognize the trend toward tough looking matte finishes with the release of the gorgeous SL550 “Night Edition.” One of two special editions under the theme of “masterpieces to dream of,” the elegant Night Edition SL550 joins the new SLK Grand Edition as alternatives for buyers wishing to eschew Mercedes’ flashier finishes.

"Night Edition" SL550 a result of "masterpieces to dream of" theme.

While it’s hard to discern in these low light studio press images, this new SL550 variant is a study in various black textures and finishes complemented by metallic surfaces in both chrome and highly polished aluminum. The special silky matte “designo magno night black” paint set against polished two-tone 19′ alloys with silver brake calipers shining through the slim wheel spokes looks smashing – elegance with a slightly hard edge.

Matte black "designo magno night black" paint finish contains a fraction of the gloss content found in traditional paint applications. Darkened tail lights and polished 19' wheels part of the package.

The interior continues the theme featuring black nappa leather covering newly designed seats – with arrow shaped seams – set against carefully executed detail brightwork. We would love to see some interior images.

09 SL63 AMG “Edition IWC” featured Mercedes’ first matte finish offering: designo magno Kashmir white. This special edition SL63 celebrated the exquisite watches of Swiss watchmaker, IWC Schaffhausen.

Darkened headlight/tail lights further enhance the softly sinister look of the car. A study in blacks and various metallic finishes, this special SL looks to be a dramatic alternative to the glossy finishes found on the standard cars. With a large segment of European automobile enthusiasts having “crossover” interests in the Hot Rod genre, I wouldn’t be surprised to find some new Night Editions sharing garage space with flat black chopped ’50 Mercurys. Brilliant car.

With only one hundred examples to be constructed, you’ll need to get an order in soon. For more information, call Tony Spencer @ 408-345-2255.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com

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