Spied: 2013 Mercedes SL

The new Mercedes SL is taking shape! Our spies captured the clearest pictures yet of the new roadster, and the slim black camouflage on this prototype does little to cover the shape of the two-door.

With only small pieces of black tape concealing its shape, it’s clear that the new SL’s wide, low front end is inspired by both the CLS four-door and the SLS, and the reshaped headlights – which now include a pair of LED running lights – are clearly visible beneath the black masking.

Reportedly being benchmarked alongside key British rivals from Aston Martin and Jaguar in the form of the Vantage Roadster and facelifted XK. Entry-level versions will be powered by a 305bhp, 3.5-litre V6 engine, while hardcore AMG versions of the SL will feature the all-new 540bhp 5.5-litre V8 twin-turbo, from the CL.

The SL 500 will be powered by a smaller 4.6-litre unit that combines strong performance with greatly improved fuel efficiency, and it could also benefit from similar fuel-saving technology to the forthcoming SLK55 AMG, which can shut down up to four-cylinders when cruising.

Thanks to extensive use of lightweight reinforced plastics and carbon-fibre components the 2012 model is expected to be lighter than its predecessor too, with the newcomer set to make it’s motor show debut at Geneva next year. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express