Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL

Tycoon · 07-20-2007, 04:16 AM

Mercedes’ new super sports car being developed with its racing partner HWA and the next-generation SL due in 2012 will adopt aluminum bodywork construction in an effort to save weight. Similar to the construction of Jaguar’s XJ and Audi’s A8 saloons, the adoption of lightweight aluminum will improve the handling, ride, performance and fuel economy of Mercedes’ new models.

The new sports car, which is rumored to be called the SLC, will arrive in 2010 and will be followed two years later the by the new SL, according to AutoWeek. Both cars will be front-engined and RWD and share most of their components, including drivetrains, suspension and electrical systems.
The SLC will be built in low volumes at a new factory in Germany by HWA and feature a welded-aluminum spaceframe. The final design of the car is still under wraps but it’s thought that it could either feature a retro look based on the 300SLR of the 1950s or a more modern design similar to the SLR.

Meanwhile, McLaren is said to be working on its own supercar project in the UK. Codenamed P11, the new McLaren model is due to hit the streets in 2010 and is rumored to be an unfinished project started by F1 designer Gordon Murray, who left the company in 2004 to start his own firm.

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Now, this is indeed nice to hear!

Mr. M · 07-20-2007, 04:59 AM

Great news. Weight has always been the SL's problem IMO.

SDNR · 07-20-2007, 05:15 AM

Excellent. Actually I kind of expected the current S/CL would be aluminum ...maybe next time.

The Artist · 07-20-2007, 06:53 AM

super newz

Imhotep Evil · 07-20-2007, 07:13 AM

Great news.
Now BMW seems to be the last of the bunch.

Well at point due to competition, they'll say
"Dude, we've got to shave some weight.
and
Did we just did a 1650 kilo porker M3 ?!
What the hell were we thinking ?!".

Tycoon · 07-20-2007, 07:13 AM

Marcus, where are you? This news doesn't interest you?

SDNR · 07-20-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imhotep Evil

Great news.
Now BMW seems to be the last of the bunch.

Well at point due to competition, they'll say
"Dude, we've got to shave some weight.
and
Did we just did a 1650 kilo porker M3 ?!
What the hell were we thinking ?!".

I'm willing to bet the new 7er will have an aluminium body

Merc1 · 07-20-2007, 07:46 AM

Great news, a lightweight SL. Wasn't it supposed to be Sport Light from the start...lol?

M

SDNR · 07-20-2007, 07:49 AM

Yep Marcus,

SL = Superleggera

Merc1 · 07-20-2007, 07:55 AM

I either read or imagined at one time that Mercedes was against using aluminum for a production car due to safety concerns? This might be one instance where MB let others do the innovating first in order to make sure they don't have another costly mistake (i.e. SBC).

M

07-20-2007, 04:16 AM	#1
Tycoon Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,811 Thanks: 3,263 Thanked 3,647 Times in 1,986 Posts	Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL Mercedes’ new super sports car being developed with its racing partner HWA and the next-generation SL due in 2012 will adopt aluminum bodywork construction in an effort to save weight. Similar to the construction of Jaguar’s XJ and Audi’s A8 saloons, the adoption of lightweight aluminum will improve the handling, ride, performance and fuel economy of Mercedes’ new models. The new sports car, which is rumored to be called the SLC, will arrive in 2010 and will be followed two years later the by the new SL, according to AutoWeek. Both cars will be front-engined and RWD and share most of their components, including drivetrains, suspension and electrical systems. The SLC will be built in low volumes at a new factory in Germany by HWA and feature a welded-aluminum spaceframe. The final design of the car is still under wraps but it’s thought that it could either feature a retro look based on the 300SLR of the 1950s or a more modern design similar to the SLR. Meanwhile, McLaren is said to be working on its own supercar project in the UK. Codenamed P11, the new McLaren model is due to hit the streets in 2010 and is rumored to be an unfinished project started by F1 designer Gordon Murray, who left the company in 2004 to start his own firm. Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Now, this is indeed nice to hear!

07-20-2007, 04:59 AM	#2
Mr. M Connoisseur Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 6,103 Thanks: 2,036 Thanked 1,722 Times in 925 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL Great news. Weight has always been the SL's problem IMO.

07-20-2007, 05:15 AM	#3
SDNR Connoisseur Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,985 Thanks: 1,319 Thanked 870 Times in 534 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL Excellent. Actually I kind of expected the current S/CL would be aluminum ...maybe next time.

07-20-2007, 06:53 AM	#4
The Artist Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Gothenburg Posts: 13,186 Thanks: 257 Thanked 1,235 Times in 678 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL super newz

07-20-2007, 07:13 AM	#5
Imhotep Evil Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,382 Thanks: 402 Thanked 279 Times in 198 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL Great news. Now BMW seems to be the last of the bunch. Well at point due to competition, they'll say "Dude, we've got to shave some weight. and Did we just did a 1650 kilo porker M3 ?! What the hell were we thinking ?!".

07-20-2007, 07:46 AM	#8
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 7,272 Thanks: 1,561 Thanked 2,270 Times in 1,044 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL Great news, a lightweight SL. Wasn't it supposed to be Sport Light from the start...lol? M

07-20-2007, 07:49 AM	#9
SDNR Connoisseur Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,985 Thanks: 1,319 Thanked 870 Times in 534 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL Yep Marcus, SL = Superleggera

07-20-2007, 07:55 AM	#10
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 7,272 Thanks: 1,561 Thanked 2,270 Times in 1,044 Posts	Re: Mercedes to adopt aluminum construction for next SL I either read or imagined at one time that Mercedes was against using aluminum for a production car due to safety concerns? This might be one instance where MB let others do the innovating first in order to make sure they don't have another costly mistake (i.e. SBC). M

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