The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detriot on Monday, January 9th. You can see it live on the Mercedes-Benz Facebook Page. The countdown has begun!

The 2013 SL-Class is now on www.mbusa.com in the Future Vehicles section. You can see some gorgeous official photos of the interior and exterior. I am sure there will more to come as we get close to the launch!

Key Highlights

- All-new exterior design featuring standard sport bodystyling
- Lightweight aluminum bodyshell
- 4.6-liter Direct-Injection biturbo V-8 engine
- 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds*
- Enhanced driver-adaptive seven-speed automatic transmission
- Retractable hardtop with available MAGIC SKY CONTROL
- AGILITY CONTROL suspension with adaptive damping
- Wholly reimagined interior with exclusive new sport-seat design
- Standard FrontBass® audio technology

There have been lots of pictures of the 2013 SL-Class in the automotive news in the last few days. Here is an official video of the vehicle from Mercedes-Benz.tv. We expect the car to debut in Detriot in January and to arrive in showrooms May 2012.

It is an exctiting time for Mercedes-Benz! We have lots of new engines, technology and vehicles for the 2012 model year. Here is a quick rundown.

2012 C-Class Sedan – C350/C300/C63 August/C250 October

• Facelifted – more than 2000 new parts!
• C250 with 1.8L inline 4-cylinder direct injected, turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower
• C350 with 3.5L direct injected V6 with 302 horsepower
• New standard equipment including automatic transmission, rain sensing wipers, auto dimming mirrors, garage door opener, compass, HD radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, ATTENTION ASSIST amd adaptive brakes with HOLD function
• New paint and upholstery options
• Parktronic available
• New Lane tracking Package
• LED daytime running lights standard fro both sport and luxury models
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Updated version of 7-speed transmission which provides better fuel economy

2012 C-Class Coupe – C350/C63 September/C250 October

• Same redesigned interior and improved standard features as the C-Class Sedan
• Standard Panoramic Sunroof
• Steering Wheel Shift Paddles
• 10-way power driver seat with memory
• Split folding rear seats
• Unique wheel 

2012 CL-Class – August

• New colors – Lunar Blue and Andorite Grey
• New 19″ AMG triple 5-spoke wheel

2012 CLS-Class – CLS550/CLS63 June/ CLS550 4matic August

• All-New bi-turbo engines with direct injection 402 or 518 hp
• World’s first fully-active all LED headlamps
• Electromechanical steering system
• Standard sport body styling
• Standard Navigation, Pemium sound and SiriusXM

2012 E-Class Sedan – October

• New direct injected engines – V6 with 302 hp and V8 with 402 hp
• New wheels and steering wheels for some models
• Wood/Leather steering wheel now availabel for both sport and luxury models
• New Lane Tracking package
• LED running lights for both sport and luxury
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Updated version of 7-speed transmission which provides better fuel economy

2012 E-Class Wagon – October

• The E63 AMG wagon is coming!

2012 E-Class Coupe – E350 July/E550 October

• New direct injected engines – V6 with 302 hp and V8 with 402 hp
• LED daytime running lights standard
• New wheel for E350
• New interior colors – Red/Black and Natural Beige/Black leathers
• New Lane Tracking Package
• Standard shift paddles
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Electromechanical steering on V8

2012 E-Class Cabriolet – E350 July/E550 October

• New direct injected engines – V6 with 302 hp and V8 with 402 hp
• LED daytime running lights standard
• New wheel for E350
• New interior colors – Red/Black and Natural Beige/Black leathers
• New Lane Tracking Package
• Standard shift paddles
• Color instrument cluster
• Media Interface relocated to center console
• Electromechanical steering on V8
• New Red soft top option

2012 GL-Class – GL450/GL 550 August/ GL350 October

• Acoustic Signal when locking/unlocking
• Improved Rearview camera software
• New ESP off icon
• New garage-door opener concept (multicolor LEDs)
• New paint colors – Dakota Brown & Pearl Beige
• New rear chrome trim for rear control panels

2012 GLK-Class – July

• Acoustic Signal when locking/unlocking
• Improved Rearview camera software
• new ESP off icon
• New garage-door opener concept (multicolor LEDs)
• Media Interfact port moves to center console
• New 20″ 5-spoke wheel with Appearance Package
• New Colors – Lunar Blue, Sapphire Grey, Diamond White & Cuprite Brown
• Keyless-Go is reduced to $640 

2012 ML-Class – ML350s September/ ML550/ML63 2012

• All New! Same Price! See previous posts for details

2012 R-Class – R350 gas August/R350 Bluetec October

• New direct injected V6 with 302 hp
• Acoustic Signal when locking/unlocking
• Improved Rearview camera software
• new ESP off icon
• New garage-door opener concept (multicolor LEDs)

2012 G-Class – October

• Edition Select Package available. See previous post for details

2012 S-Class – July/S350 September

• New direct injected V8 with 402 hp means no Gas Guzzler tax
• The S350 Bluetec arrives with an estimated 20 city/ 31 highway MPG
• New colors – Lunar Blue and Andorite Grey
• The Sport Package gets a new 19″ AMG triple 5-spoke wheel

2012 SL-Class – July

• Premium 1 Package now standard
• Limited production in anticipation for the all-new 2013

2012 SLK-Class – SLK350 July/SLK250 2012

• All new for 2012
• New direct injected V6 with 302 hp
• Updated NTG 4.5 is amazing technology for nav and music
• See previous posts for more details

2012 AMG

• C63 AMG coupe arrives
• E63 returnes with 5.5 litre biturbo with 518 hp and 25% better fuel economy
• CLS63 AMG debuted in the spring
• SLS AMG roadster arrives

This is a great time to be a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast!

A few real life pictures of the 2011 SL63 AMG in designo Magno Night Black! This vehicle also has the new designo stone trim in Star Galaxy. I’ve learned quite a bit about the new Magno Matte finishes lately and they are a really interesting alternative to the standard gloss. It is more of a satin finish than a true matte – there is some luster there. Other than handwashing and keeping away from abrasive materials it doesn’t require any additional upkeep. For those of you who have had black, white and silver and want something new, Magno Matte is exciting!

I finally received a vehicle in Magnetite Black! This new color is stunning in person. I tried to take a few pictures that would show the huge amount of metallic sparkle in this color. When the sun is not shining directly on it, it looks similar to Steel Grey but a little bit darker. You could certainly mistake it for Black at night. Once the sun is shining it most closely resembles designo Graphite but isn’t quite the same shade. It is so hard to describe a color like this!

Currently only available on the S, CL and SL it is a standard metallic paint – no upcharge! This particular SL is Magnetite Black with the Natural Beige interior and is absolutely gorgeous! It is by far the most striking SL we have on the lot.

Mercedes-Benz European Delivery is always a popular option for taking delivery of a new vehicle! There are so many benefits!

The European Delivery Program Spring Special Promotion has begun. For a limited time customers who take delivery between May 1 and June 30, 2010 will receive a 2nd night hotel accommodation, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. There is also available 2-for-1 airfare from Lufthansa through the Mercedes-Benz travel department.

Model Year 2011 European Delivery Launch Dates:*

E350 & E550 Cabriolet   May 17, 2010

CLS and SLK-Class   June 21, 2010

C, GLK and E-Class   July 19, 2010

SL550, SL63 AMG   February 22, 2010

S-Class   November 15, 2010

*Launch dates are subject to change should there be a delay in the US retail release dates.

The European Delivery Program would like 90-120 days notice but there are ways to speed up the process! Please get in touch if you are interested in the program. You should also read my European Delivery customer testimonial to get another take on the benefits of this program.

Changes:
Exterior:
New paint: Quartz Blue (230)

Interior:
Black interior (221/811) now features silver contrast stitching
Natural Beige/Black interior (214/804) is now available
Premium Leather steering wheel (Std.)

Technology:
HD Digital Radio &reg (Std.)
SIRIUS &reg Real-Time Traffic (Std.)
Direct Steer system (Std. SL550)

Model Retail Release Pricing:
SL550 – 2/16/2010 – $102,600
SL63 AMG – 2/16/2010 – $139,050
SL65 AMG – 2/23/2010 – $198,750

We just took in a 2009 SL63 AMG with 5400 miles. As there are no more SLs in production until later this spring and probably no AMGs for a few months beyond that…this is a great opportunity!

Black
Black AMG Premium Leather
H73 Carbon Fiber Trim
Distronic
Parktronic
Panoramic Roof
Premium 1 Package:
Active Ventilated Seats
Electronic Trunk Closer
Airscarf
Keyless Go
Original MSRP: $143,845

It hasn’t been offically priced yet but I would love to entertain an offer! Please call or e-mail as soon as possible! …think over $100,000, under $110,000.