Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The hormone associated with human happiness is called serotonin. We know how to

produce it.

It is what Mercedes-Benz said. Let’s look at one of their car: The SL-Class

Innovations

SBC - Take a short and safe brake

The innovative braking system SBC enhances safety when braking during cornering, by optimising the brake force distribution between the wheels. Sensor controlled intermittent drying of the brake discs makes for a faster braking response in the wet, while the Soft Stop function ensures that the car always comes to a standstill as smoothly as possible.

ABC irons out the bumps

Active Body Control (ABC) transforms difficult stretches into decent roads. The electrohydraulically controlled steel springs of this active suspension system suppress pitching and rolling movements almost entirely when driving on uneven surfaces, cornering or braking.

COMAND with navigation system: plain sailing every trip

Available as an option, the COMAND control and display system provides a single interface for the radio and navigation system. The latter works in conjunction with the satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to guide you to your destination.

KEYLESS GO: wave goodbye to car keys

Carry the optional KEYLESS GO smart card and the car will unlock itself automatically as soon as you touch the door handle. The engine can then be started by pressing the button on the automatic transmission selector lever.

DISTRONIC - helps stop you sailing into trouble

Another item of optional equipment, DISTRONIC, helps you maintain the required distance from the vehicle in front at speeds from 30 to 180 km/h. This electronic copilot continuously monitors the actual distance and automatically eases off the throttle, applies brake or accelerates as required. At the same time, both vehicles and the distance between them are shown on the display in the intrument cluster. If stronger braking is required, DISTRONIC provides a visible and audible warning to indicate that the driver must intervene.

Technology

ESP - helps keep you on track

If the car is in danger of skidding, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) - which is fitted as standard - intervenes instantly and applies the brakes on one or more of the wheels. If necessary, the engine power is reduced or increased as well.

5-speed automatic transmission with touchshift

It detects whether the car is cornering, climbing or descending and optimizes the shift points in line with your driving style. If you prefer manual gear selection, a light sideways push on the selector lever is all that is required. And at all times, the adaptive accelerator pedal analyses your driving style and makes the accelerator pedal easier to modulate. As a result, the SL reacts more sensitively to a relaxed driving style and more dynamically to a sporty one.

A very strong contender - passenger compartment cross members and side members

Drive a roadster while enjoying the safety levels of a saloon? The extremely strong design of the passenger compartment of the SL-Class Roadster makes it possible. A particularly rigid floor assembly with high-strength steel cross members and side members ensures the highest level of torsional stiffness and strength.

A team that responds in record time: the 4 airbags

In the event of a collision, the driver and passenger airbags deploy within milliseconds. In a side impact, the occupants are protected by high-volume head/thorax sidebags, which deploy above the door-mounted armrests to provide a cushioning barrier between door and body.

Always ready to spring into action: the automatic roll-over bar

In the event of a roll-over, the vehicle's occupants are protected by the high-strength windscreen frame and the roll-over bar which deploys automatically. Made from high-strength steel and firmly secured to the body of the vehicle, the automatic roll-over bar is extremely rigid. It can also be raised or lowered at the touch of a button, regardless of whether the vario-roof is open or closed.

The wildest river, the most forbidding rock face, the fastest bobsled run - there is something irresistible about an extreme sporting challenge. And now there is a new, irresistible sporting experience which takes sheer enjoyment to new extremes: The SL-Class Roadster.

Taken from Mercedes-Benz website.