Released on: August 21, 2008, 3:02 am

Press Release Author: Mercedes-Benz

Industry: Automotive

Press Release Summary: Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong today marked the launch of the new
generation Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre.

Press Release Body: These two latest offerings from Mercedes-Benz both feature
stylish and elegant exteriors that cut powerful, sleek silhouettes. The
fashion-forward nature of the SL and SLK was also the perfect foil for international
fashion designer, Barney Cheng, to create a couture collection inspired by the SL
and SLK.

This exceptional collection was an added surprise for guests who witnessed the
unveiling of the latest Mercedes-Benz cars on a fashion catwalk specially designed
to bring focus onto the stylish curves of the two stars - the SL and SLK.

\"Mercedes-Benz has a long tradition of producing legendary sports cars, and we are
proud today to be presenting the latest in the line of these celebrated roadsters,\"
said Dr. Claus Weidner, Chief Operating Officer of Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Limited,
\"The SL needs very little introduction: since we launched the \"Gullwing\" in 1954,
the SL has remained a favourite amongst car enthusiasts. And with the latest SLK,
Mercedes-Benz has taken the roadster and put it into a sexy new design category that
matches with the aesthetic values that have put the Mercedes-Benz roadster on the
map today.\"

The New Generation SL
The latest SL has been given more than a normal facelift to become sportier than
ever. Indeed, the world's most successful premium roadster in its class features a
new design with the emphasis firmly on sportiness and effortless superiority.

These traits are also reflected in the handling qualities of the two-seater model,
which now delivers even more athletic performance thanks to the new direct-steer
system as well as offering enhanced comfort and safety. The SL 350 is powered by a
newly developed, highly responsive sports engine boasting an impressive output of
316 hp yet returns a fuel consumption figure that is 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres
lower than its predecessor (NEDC). SL 350 features a V6 engine, SL 500 with a V8
engine and the top-of-the-range SL 600 with a V12 powerplant. The Mercedes sports
car extends its lead in the safety stakes courtesy of bi-xenon headlamps and the
optional Intelligent Light System whose lighting functions are designed specifically
for typical driving situations.

Further new features on board include AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This system -
invented by Mercedes-Benz and available as an optional extra - enhances comfort when
driving with the roof down, extending the roadster season until well into the winter
months. SL passengers are kept informed and entertained by the standard-fit COMAND
multimedia system, which has also been fully revamped with a host of additional
functions.

The new generation SL caps a glorious history of Mercedes sports cars, which began
in 1954 with the introduction of the legendary 300 SL \"Gullwing\", followed in 1957
by the launch of the first SL Roadster.

Like its predecessors, the new-generation SL also merits its \"incomparable\" tag. No
other sports car in this market segment offers such a perfect balance of sportiness,
safety and comfort. These three qualities are the cornerstones of highly eventful,
active motoring that provides a profound sense of well-being and for hallmark
Mercedes refinement at the highest level.

For the SL 350, the Mercedes engineers have developed a V6 powerplant that brings
the sporty qualities of new-generation SL right to the fore. Compared to the
previous 3.5-litre engine, the output has been boosted by 16 percent to 316 hp (at
6500 rpm), while the peak torque has been increased by 10 Nm and now stands at 360
Nm. This powerpack accelerates the new SL 350 from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 6.2
seconds, making it 0.4 seconds faster than the outgoing SL 350.

The flagship engines in the SL line-up remain the eight-cylinder unit in the SL 500
developing 388 hp and the V12 powerplant in the SL 600, which develops 517 hp thanks
to its twin turbochargers. The Mercedes engineers also worked meticulously on these
models to further reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres.


The decidedly sporty character of the V6 power unit is also clearly audible. Its
powerful sonorous vocals are the result of meticulous work carried out by sound
designers. So these specialists also contribute to the sporty driving pleasure. In
this respect, the standard-fit seven-speed automatic transmission also has an
important role to play: on one hand by allowing fast multiple downshifts when
accelerating, on the other hand by providing a new double-declutching function that
is activated during manual downshifts. As well as producing a sporty sound, this
function also enhances comfort and safety as the double-declutching equalizes the
rotational speeds of the crankshaft and transmission. This set-up gives the driver
the advantage of even more harmonious gear changes. Plus there is a noticeable
reduction in load-change reactions.

The SL 63 AMG is powered by an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 525 hp and 630 Nm
- which makes it today's most powerful model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine in
its class. The SL 63 AMG sets new standards in the open-top sports car segment
thanks to the outstanding drive combination and the retuned, even more agile AMG
sports suspension based on Active Body Control.

The New Generation SLK
The hugely popular SLK allows drivers to rediscover the driving pleasure of the
roadster, being more powerful, more economical and more intense.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadsters have long captured the hearts of sports car
enthusiasts. The new generation SLK models are even more dynamic and now offer an
even more emotionally charged driving experience. Key visual enhancements include
new-look front and rear sections, as well as a meticulously modified interior with a
new instrument cluster and three-spoke sports steering wheel.

The high-revving V6 sports engine in the SLK 350 developing 305 hp and an optionally
available direct-steer system truly bring the bold, dynamic character of the
two-seater to the fore. Furthermore, all of the engines in the line-up are now far
more economical on fuel and therefore emit even less CO2 despite a substantial
increase in output in some cases.

Since their first appearance in 1996, the compact SLK Roadsters have come to
symbolize Mercedes-Benz\'s dynamic brand image. Already a familiar sight on our
roads, the second-generation two-seater is to be further enhanced with the
implementation of a raft of measures in 2008, the aim being to further emphasize the
car\'s sporty character and continue the SLK success story by introducing new dynamic
and powerful elements.

A newly developed direct-steer system with variable power assistance that elicits
the very best from the suspension's sporty capabilities is optionally available. It
combines agility and manoeuvrability on twisting roads with light steering forces
when parking and sure steering characteristics at high speeds.

The second-generation SLK has retained the car\'s quite unique status in this market
segment blazing a trail of new sporty highlights, bestowing yet greater appeal on
this thriving two-seater with the trendsetting vario-roof that transforms the car
from a roadster into a weatherproof coupé in a matter of seconds


Web Site: http://www.mercedes-benz.com.hk

Contact Details: 59/F Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
+852 2594 8174
Gavin Chan
gavin.chan@daimler.com