New drop-top Benz blasts in

OKAY, you can stop drooling now.

These are the first official pictures of Mercedes-Benz's fifth-generation SL, which goes on sale in Europe later this year.

Mercedes-Benz Australia passenger car product manager Andrew Harlock said the new SL was expected here in mid-2002 - "provided everything is ramped up correctly with right-hand drive models".

Mr Harlock said only one model - the 5.0-litre V8-powered SL 500 - would be offered here initially, although a 5.5-litre AMG version and a six-cylinder model may follow further down the track.

He suggested pricing for the new SL 500 would remain under $300,000 (the current car retails for $282,700).

Around 50 to 60 examples of the SL have been earmarked for Australia next year, but Mr Harlock said the majority of these are already spoken for.

The new-age roadster introduces some interesting technology, including Sensotronic Brake Control - essentially a drive-by-wire braking system - while its styling draws its inspiration from the CL and C-class as well as the legendary 300 SL from the 1950s.

Like the smaller and significantly cheaper SLK, the SL is now genuinely a roadster and coupe rolled into one thanks to its folding steel vario-roof - which can be raised or lowered in 16 seconds with the press of a button.

A new, intelligent tilting mechanism ensures the roof components retract into the top section of the boot - which means 235 litres of luggage capacity is available with the roof down. This grows to 317 litres - 52 litres more than the current model - with the roof up.

A glass-roofed version of the SL - similar in concept to the C-class Sports Coupe - will join the range later.

Under the SL 500's bonnet lurks a 5.0-litre V8 engine that cranks out 225 kW and 460Nm - enough to propel the car from standstill to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

This is backed by an overall fuel consumption figure of 12.7 litres/100 kilometres, putting the newcomer on a par with its predecessor, despite a host of new comfort and safety equipment.

Mercedes-Benz says the fuel consumption figure is in no small part attributable to the car's sophisticated, lightweight body. The bonnet, front guards, doors, boot lid, fuel tank partition and other components are made from aluminium.

The German car-maker says the 1.4m long bonnet is about 15kg lighter than a comparable steel item.

"Never before has such a large and complex component been mass produced using aluminium alone," trumpets Stuttgart's finest.

The SL also slides through the air with great efficiency as its drag coefficient figure of 0.29 is more than nine percent lower than that of the current model.

On the technical front, the SL is notable for being the first car equipped with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC), which communicates the driver's braking commands electronically, rather than mechanically or hydraulically, as has traditionally been the case.

Mercedes says SBC provides an "extremely fast build-up of pressure and the precise observance of driver and vehicle behaviour by a complex sensory system".

If the driver switches his foot quickly from accelerator to brake pedal, SBC recognises the early signs of an emergency situation.

With the help of the high-pressure reservoir, the system automatically raises the pressure in the brake lines and instantly applies the pads onto the brake discs.

Mercedes says this system can reduce emergency stopping distances by up to three per cent.

Variable brake force distribution means SBC can also provide increased safety when braking in corners by enhancing the performance of the electronic stability program.

A high-strength body structure is said to provide high levels of occupant protection and it is complemented by two-stage airbags for the driver and passenger, new head-thorax bags in the doors, new integral seats, seat belt tensioners, belt force limiters and a sensor-controlled roll-over bar.

Standard equipment will include automatic climate control, xenon headlamps, leather-upholstery, multi-function steering wheel, premium stereo and a memory function for the electrically adjustable seats.

DISTRONIC autonomous intelligent cruise control, TELEAID automatic emergency call system, COMAND control and display system and an electronic tyre pressure monitor will be offered as options.

The interior ambience promises to be opulent thanks to an abundance of leather, fine wood and aluminium trim. Buyers can choose from two types of leather, four high-quality trims and five interior colours.