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The new Mercedes-AMG SL: the interior design
The interior of the new SL transforms the tradition of the first 300 SL roadster into modern times. With its performance genes from Mercedes-AMG, the new edition serves the sporty target group as well as customers who are geared towards the highest level of comfort. Fine materials, meticulous workmanship and attention to detail also underline the high level of luxury in the interior. The cockpit design through to the electrically adjustable central display in the center console is focused on the driver and impresses with a harmonious overall impression. The completely redesigned dimension concept with 2 + 2 seats offers more function and space in the interior at the same time. With the MBUX infotainment system there are several specific display styles and different modes to choose from.
The first 300 SL Roadster is one of the most famous automobile icons. Its minimalist and high-quality interior inspired the designers when designing the interior for the new Mercedes-AMG SL. For the new edition of the icon, they created a mix of analog geometry and the digital world - called "hyper-analog". A good example of this is the fully digital instrument cluster that is integrated into a three-dimensional visor.
“The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL spoils the driver and passengers with sophisticated luxury. The interior of the new SL combines the highest levels of comfort and quality, coupled with the right amount of sportiness. The high-quality combination of analogue world and state-of-the-art digital equipment makes it clear: The new SL is the rebirth of an icon for the modern age ”, says Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“The SL is the icon of our brand: This roadster has stood for automotive fascination and desire for decades. A great opportunity and challenge for design, because every designer wants to create icons, ”says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group. “The result is a revolutionary interior experience in the field of tension between digital and analog luxury. We have always created the most iconic SL, the luxury icon of the 2020s. "
For the first time since 1989 (Mercedes SL series R 129), the new dimension concept enables a 2 + 2 seat configuration. This makes the new SL even more versatile. The rear seats increase the suitability for everyday use and offer space for people up to 1,50 meters tall (with a child seat up to 1,35 meters). If the additional seating is not needed, an insertable wind deflector behind the rear seats can protect the passengers in the front seats from drafts in their necks. Or the second row of seats is used as additional storage space and holds a golf bag, for example.
Instrument panel inspired by aviation
The symmetrical instrument panel is designed as a powerful wing and structured into an upper and lower area. The highlight are the four newly developed, galvanized turbine nozzles. Their surfaces merge into the dashboard in the form of powerful power domes. The lower area of the dashboard develops seamlessly from the center console and seamlessly connects the two elements.
Despite the symmetry, the cockpit design creates a clear focus on the driver: the high-resolution 12,3-inch LCD screen of the instrument cluster is not designed to stand alone, but is integrated into a high-tech visor. This prevents reflections from solar radiation.
Center console with adjustable touchscreen
The center console separates the driver and front passenger. As wide as possible and rising sharply towards the front, it flows into the lower area of the instrument panel. The functional and visual center of the center console is the metallic plate that breaks through the leather surfaces at the front and rear. With the NACA Air Intake signature, it carries on the genes of the AMG GT and GT 4-door Coupé. This is how this design element becomes a typical AMG stylistic device in the interior. The NACA-Air-Intake merges almost seamlessly into the 11,9-inch multimedia touchscreen in portrait format. In order to avoid annoying light reflections from different positions of the sun when the roof is open, the tilt of the touchscreen can be adjusted electrically from 12 degrees to 32 degrees. Its portrait format offers clear advantages, especially for navigation, as well as more ergonomic freedom. The touchscreen hovers between the two central, high-quality processed ventilation nozzles, which elegantly quote the history of the SL, as a digital contrast to emotional design elements.
The door panels are integrated into the well-balanced balance of the interior
Analogous to the center console, the surfaces in the doors also develop fluently from the dashboard. The result is a gradient accentuated with decorative stitching that frames the entire interior and runs past the turbine nozzles on the side. The door center panel is designed as a sensual layer topography. Also designed in the same way as the center console and another “eye-catcher” is the handle. The materiality and modeling of the surfaces are repeated in the doors and thus ensure balance in the interior. High-quality Burmester loudspeakers in real metal, whose perforation pattern also stands out optically, are integrated into the doors.
Sculptural seat design with integrated headrests
The avant-garde seat design of the standard, electrically adjustable AMG sports seats skilfully plays with layers and enveloping surfaces. This makes the seats appear lighter and less voluminous. The headrests are integrated into the backrest and thus contribute to the sporty proportions of the seat. Perfect ergonomics and various progressive seam and filing patterns complete the symbiosis of high-tech, performance and luxury.
AMG performance seats optional
The standard sports seats offer not only pronounced comfort but also a high level of lateral support. The optional AMG performance seats with integrated headrests are even sportier. The side bolsters of the optional multicontour seats are automatically tighter in the Sport, Sport + and RACE drive programs to ensure optimum lateral support at all times.
The large selection of different covers also reflects the range from comfortable to performance-oriented equipment. One and two-tone nappa leather are just as much a choice as particularly fine STYLE nappa leather with diamond quilting or the sporty combination of nappa leather with DINAMICA RACE microfiber and contrasting topstitching in yellow or red. On request, the multicontour seats can be equipped with inflatable air cushions for the driver and front passenger three massage programs for excellent long-distance comfort. And the ENERGIZING Package Plus combines, among other things, seat functions such as massage and various lighting moods to create stimulating or relaxing comfort programs.
The AIRSCARF is standard on the eight-cylinder models: warm air flows from air outlets in the headrests into the passenger compartment and wraps around the neck and neck of the driver and front passenger like a scarf. The temperature of the seat heating for the driver and front passenger can be regulated separately for the seat surfaces and seat backrests. A three-stage seat ventilation is also available.
AMG Performance steering wheel in double-spoke design
The AMG performance steering wheel with the seamlessly integrated buttons also offers tangible and visible added value. The three rounded double spokes combine stability with lightness. The steering wheel rim, which is flattened at the bottom and is covered in nappa leather or nappa leather / DINAMICA microfiber, can optionally be heated. In addition, a sensor mat for the detection of "hands-on" is included. If the driver does not keep his hands on the steering wheel for a certain period of time, a warning cascade is started which, if the driver continues to be inactive, activates the emergency stop assistant.
Optical and technical highlights are the buttons that are seamlessly integrated into the surfaces of the horizontal double spokes. Haptic sensing aids in the area of the symbols facilitate operation. The instrument cluster is operated via the left sensor surface of the upper steering wheel spokes, and the media display is operated via the right sensor surface. The lower spokes contain the controls for cruise control / DISTRONIC (left) and telephone / speakerphone / volume control (right).
The two round, standard AMG steering wheel buttons impress with their intuitive operation, brilliant, colored LCD displays and modern icons. This enables important driving functions and the driving programs to be controlled without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. They work by turning (the setting ring) or pressing (on the display button), which is well known. The selected setting is shown on the display, which is integrated directly into the respective button. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission can also be shifted manually, precisely and quickly, using the aluminum shift paddles located on the left and right behind the steering wheel rim.
Intuitive to use and capable of learning: the latest generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience)
Some of the functional contents and the operating structure of the second generation MBUX system correspond to those of the S-Class. They have been extensively supplemented or replaced by AMG-specific content and views. The five variants Classic, Sport, Supersport, TRACK PACE and Subtle are available as display styles. The AMG-specific Supersport style offers the option of displaying various content, for example current engine data, temperature data for various vehicle components, current vehicle settings and an audio / media menu. In addition, the other display styles have also been adapted to AMG concerns. This makes the new SL very independent in terms of communication and information. Exclusive menu items such as "AMG Performance" or "AMG TRACK PACE" emphasize the sporty character.
The independent content reserved for the SL includes the staging of the opening and closing of the convertible top, racetrack settings, and different vehicle views depending on the model. In addition, there is the configuration of various driving parameters such as manual gear shifting, vehicle sound, chassis settings, ESP® or active rear spoiler.
In the AMG Performance menu, the driver can call up a wide range of data at the touch of a finger on various tiles: from power, torque or lateral acceleration to the power distribution of the all-wheel drive to the current vehicle condition with tire pressure and fluid temperatures. The wheel angles on the front and rear axles or the oil pressure in the active roll stabilization system can also be read off.
The interior is becoming even more digital and intelligent, because hardware and software have been extensively developed. Brilliant views on the LCD screens make it easier to control vehicle and comfort functions. The driver and central display are holistically coordinated. The appearance of the instrument cluster can also be personalized with different display styles and individually selectable main views.
Using the capacitive display button on the control bar below the central display, the driver selects various functions such as media volume, assistance systems, vehicle functions or the appropriate driving mode from “Comfort” to “RACE”.
The optional head-up display contributes to relaxed driving because the driver does not need to take his eyes off the road. It shows relevant information and actions three-dimensionally in the real driving situation and surroundings. Here you can also choose between several style variants. Depending on the equipment or personal taste, the ambient light frames the exclusive interior in 64 different colors. The "subtle" display style is linked to the ambient light. There are a total of seven background colors to choose from, each of which is assigned to one of the 64 colors. This also includes two exclusive AMG background colors.
AMG TRACK PACE: data logger for use on the racetrack
AMG TRACK PACE, the virtual racing engineer, is standard on board the SL 63 4MATIC + and optionally available for the SL 55 4MATIC +: The software is part of the MBUX infotainment system and records more than 80 vehicle-specific data (e.g. speed, Acceleration, steering angle, brake pedal actuation) ten times per second. In the "Telemetry" screen, 40 parameters can be displayed live, up to four of them at the same time.
In addition, there is the display of lap and sector times in the multimedia display, head-up display and in the instrument cluster as well as additional training and analysis tools. Selected race tracks such as the Nürburgring or Spa-Francorchamps are already stored. It is also possible to record your own routes. The race navigation in the head-up display shows cornering angles and braking points, thus helping to find the ideal line. MBUX's augmented reality function also enables the racing line of a saved recording to be shown on the multimedia display. In this way, the driver can improve his lap times like with a virtual instructor. Acceleration and deceleration values can also be measured and saved.
With the optional dashcam (not available in all markets), videos can also be recorded on a USB storage medium with the HD camera integrated in the vehicle. Different data can be integrated into the recording as an overlay, for example lap and sector times, a mini-map of the route and vehicle-specific data such as speed, acceleration, steering angle or brake pedal actuation.
