Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

New York/Affalterbach, USA/Germany, Apr 24, 2009

Technical details and appointments: Perfectly tailored for two

The low seating position typical of a sports car, perfect ergonomics and great functionality were the very demanding parameters when developing the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.


A seating height of only 369 millimetres above the road surface guarantees
that typical sports car feeling. At the same time the intentionally steep angle of the windscreen ensures good all-round visibility. The feeling of comfortable spaciousness is in large measure due to the generous shoulder-room of 1483 millimetres and elbow room of no less than 1606 millimetres. In conjunction with the generous maximum headroom of 990 millimetres and effective legroom for the driver of 1058 millimetres, the result is a low but extremely relaxed seating position.

Wide-opening swing-wing doors for easy entry even in garages

One important criterion for customer satisfaction is ease of access and egress through the exclusive swing-wing doors. At the design stage great attention was paid to the widest possible opening angle – it is a full 70 degrees. Equally importantly, the distance between the open doors and the road surface is a generous 1.50 metres, while the entry aperture between the open doors and the upper edge of the door sills measures no less than 1.08 metres. The entrance height, i.e. the distance between the road surface and the door sills is a very low 45 centimetres. As another important criterion for dignified access and egress, two gas-pressure struts positioned next to the door hinges require only very little pressure when opening and closing the doors – even at very low ambient temperatures.

The swing-wing doors require less opening space than conventional coupé doors, and can be fully opened in a normal garage. The door is opened from inside by a handle finished in Silver Shadow. The grip section of the armrest moulded into the interior door panel ensures problem-free door closing even for small passengers. The operating keys for the power windows, central locking system and exterior mirror adjustment are also located in the interior door panels for easy access.

Electrically adjustable sports seats with magnesium backrests

The sports seats with integrated head restraints feature so-called two-zone seat cushions. Prominent side bolsters with a harder foam filling provide optimal lateral support, while the inner areas of the seat cushion and backrest are softer for a high level of comfort on long journeys. The backrests are made from magnesium, a high-tech material that combines light weight with high strength. This leads to significant advantages where weight distribution and a low centre of gravity are concerned.

The fore-and-aft position, seat height, backrest angle, seat depth, squab angle and steering column are electrically adjustable, and the side bolsters and lumbar support can also be adjusted. The Memory package allows three individual configurations to be stored. Three-stage seat heating and seat occupany/child seat recognition in the passenger seat are also standard equipment.

The adjustment range of the Performance steering wheel is 60 millimetres axially and 2.3 degrees upwards or downwards – this applies to both manual and electrical adjustment. The 365-millimetre, leather-covered steering wheel features a high-quality full metal insert and a flattened lower rim section whose specially formed cross-section ensures the best possible vehicle control. Metal shift paddles are used to shift the seven gears of the double-declutch transmission. A brief pull on the left (–) or right (+) shift paddle is enough to engage the next gear.

Multifunction keys in the left and right steering wheel spoke allow rapid access to the audio, telephone and navigation functions, as well as the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system. The main manu in the instrument cluster can also be accessed using the ergonomically designed steering wheel keys. The rotary light switch and the keys for the electric parking brake and remote boot lid opening function are located to the left of the Performance sports steering wheel.

AMG DRIVE UNIT with new E-SELECT lever

One of the visual and functional highlights in the interior of the SLSis the solid centre console, which immediately calls an aircraft cockpit to mind. All the central control functions including the AMGDRIVE UNIT, which is inclined towards the driver, are grouped on this striking, solid-metal feature also optionally available in genuine carbon fibre. The new E-SELECT shift lever for the 7-speed sports transmission also has a jet aircraft look: the one-touch drive-by-wire system enables the driver to shift between P, R, N and D extremely rapidly. When the car is stationary, simply pressing the P-key activates the parking position – this also happens automatically when the engine is switched off. To the left are the rotary controls for the transmission's driving modes, including RACESTART, as well as the keys for engine starting, the ESP®functions, the AMGmemory function and the extendable rear aerofoil.

The instrument cluster provides a wealth of information

The instrument cluster is ideally located in the driver's field of vision. The two dial instruments provide information about the vehicle speed and engine speed, and have two small, integrated displays showing the fuel level and the engine oil temperature. When the ignition is switched on, the needles of the rev counter and speedometer simultaneously spin around to their maximum position, then instantly return to zero. Between the dial instruments there is a 4.5-inch central display for information such as the odometer reading, range, fuel consumption, trip mileage, driving time and average speed.

The AMGmain menu not only shows the tyre pressure for each wheel, but also has three modes providing comprehensive driver information: "Warm Up", "Set Up" and "RACE". Warm Up shows the coolant and transmission oil temperature, Set Up shows the currently selected ESP®mode. Race activates the RACETIMER, which enables the driver to measure lap times on the racetrack. All the functions of the central display can be conveniently operated via the multifunction keys in the steering wheel.

Permanently active displays not only include the current gear and the driving mode "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) or "M" (Manual) of the SPEEDSHIFT double-declutch transmission, but also the clock, ambient temperature or digital speed. The information from the navigation system, audio functions and telephone, individual vehicle settings and the ASSYST PLUSservice interval display can also be accessed in the central display.

Bang&Olufsen sound system available on request

The centre console is also desgned with the best possible ergonomics in mind. The upper section has an array of keys for the COMAND APSmultimedia system. All the functions of the radio, DVDplayer, telephone and navigation system can be controlled from here. When switched on, the 7-inch colour display in the dashboard shows the unmistakable AMGlogo for ten seconds – and depending on the function, a high-resolution map or other information such as the radio station, music track or telephone keypad. The Europe-wide navigation system has a 30‑gigabyte hard disc on which the navigation data are stored, which means that route calculation is extremely rapid.

The car radio with integrated CD/DVDplayer features an FM/MW/SW and LW twin tuner with automatic station search, RDS, a 4 x 25 watt amplifier and a total of 6 loudspeakers. In addition, COMAND APSincludes a music server with a memory capacity of 6 gigabytes, which enables the driver to store up to 1000 music files. A DVDplayer for video and audio is also on board, and an integrated 6-disc DVDchanger is available on request. Below the DVDaperture the unit has an adapter that enables various PC memory cards for the reproduction of music files to be used. External audio devices such as an "iPod" can be connected to COMAND APSvia the optional Media Interface.

The new sound system realised by Mercedes-Benz and AMG together with the famous Danish audio specialist Bang&Olufsen was developed specifically for the SLS. The surround-sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1 provides an exclusive listening experience at the highest level. This is not only thanks to the amplifier with a total output of 1000 watts and 11 loudspeakers, but also to the sound processor's precise distribution of the music signals to selectable driver, passenger or central positions. The digital sound processor (DSP) also makes it possible to choose between a high-end studio sound ("Reference") and surround-sound. All the functions are controlled via a special Bang&Olufsen menu in COMAND APS. Particular highlights
are provided by the two 250-watt subwoofers integrated into the parcel shelf and the illuminated 50-watt tweeters on the dashboard.

The Controller directly integrated into the centre console operates the mutimedia system COMAND APS. This turn/push control can be moved in seven directions: turning the controller selects the main menu and submenus on the display, while pushing it activates or confirms the displayed function or setting. The buttons next to the Controller marked with "R" and "C" symbols are used to quit submenus quickly or delete entries.

THERMOTRONIC comfort automatic climate control as standard

Where climatic comfort is concerned, the new swing-wing sports car likewise meets the high expectations that await a super-sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG. The sophisticated THERMOTRONIC two-zone comfort automatic climate control system is included as standard. A powerful air conditioning compressor ensures rapid cooling of the interior; the cooled air flows from the four multi-adjustable vents in the dashboard, two apertures in the A-pillars, three on the windscreen and one in each footwell. Sensors constantly monitor the interior temperature, the temperature of the air flowing from the air vents, the air moisture content and the intensity and angle of the sun. A pollutant sensor recognises excessive carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide concentrations in the outside air, and automatically closes the air recirculation flap if levels of these pollutants increase rapidly.

The interior of the SLSalso impresses with the practical stowage space that makes for the day-to-day suitability typical of a Mercedes. The 3.7-litre glove compartment with a spectacles compartment is integrated into the dashboard on the passenger side. To the right of the E-SELECT shift lever there is a small stowage compartment with a 12 V socket, or an ashtray with cigar lighter. The armrest behind the centre console not only serves for Controller operation: at the touch of a button, the armrest can be moved in two stages to reveal a stowage compartment underneath. This has two cupholders and the telephone cradle (optional), and a holder for the ignition key in the rear section. Other items can be stowed on the rear wall between the seats and in the parcel net in the passenger footwell. Two fixed clothes hooks are attached to the seat backrests, while those in the roof lining fold down and are silicon-insulated.

Eight airbags meet the highest standards in passive safety

The very latest restraint systems meet the traiditionally high standards of
Mercedes-Benz where passive safety is concerned. Three-point seat belts with belt tensioners and belt force limiters are provided as standard for occupants of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. These are complemented with eight airbags: two adaptive airbags for the driver and passenger, a kneebag for each, two seat-integrated sidebags and two separate windowbags deploying from the waistlines of the swing-wing doors.

Overview of the comprehensive standard equipment (selection):

*
AMG entry sills painted in the vehicle colour
*
Cord floor mats with AMGlogo
*
Burglary and theft warning system
*
Electric parking brake
*
Headlamp Assist
*
KEYLESS-GO
*
designo leather upholstery
*
PARKTRONIC
*
Rain sensor
*
Heated seats
*
Sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with black rubber studs
*
Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC
*
THERMOTRONIC

Optional extras include the following:

*
Bang&Olufsen sound system
*
DVD changer
*
Anti-theft warning system
*
Electric seat adjustment with Memory package
*
Interior Carbon package
*
designo Exclusive leather
*
Media Interface
*
Seats in natural leather/woven leather

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.