Automotive News - March 31, 2008 - (Page 32)

32 • MARCH 31, 2008 Mercedes SL: A fresh face — with 1 flaw Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG The SL series gets minor sheet-metal changes for 2009. The most significant changes come under the hood for the SL63 AMG, which replaces the SL55 AMG. 2009 MODEL SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL hard-top roadster will have a fresh face when sales begin in May. The basics: The U.S. version of the SL was redesigned for the 2003 model year; the 2009 model receives mid-cycle upgrades. Styling changes are limited to a new hood with twin power domes and a wider, single-bar grille that makes a symbolic visual connection to the 1954 300SL. The 2009 SL’s model designation and engine family are carried over from 2008, with one exception. The high-performance AMG model is now called the SL63 AMG and packs a 525-hp, 6.3liter V-8 and 630 pounds-feet of torque. That engine and model designation replaces the 2008 SL55 AMG, which has a 510-hp, 5.5-liter V-8 and 530 pounds-feet of torque. The 2009 SL model lineup consists of the SL550, SL600, SL63 AMG and SL65 AMG. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard on the SL63. The new transmission shifts faster and offers a 1 percent increase in fuel economy over the five-speed on the 2008 SL55, Mercedes says. Notable features: The SL’s new navigation system has a 6.5-inch screen and uses a hard drive. “We had a DVD-based system,” said Rob Moran, a Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman. “Now it is digital so you can get upgrades flashed at your dealers rather than ordering CDs.” Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight Base engine Horsepower Torque Base price 100.8 in. 178.5 in. 71.5 in. 51.0 in. 4,178 lbs. V-8 518 @ 6,800 rpm 465 lbs.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm $133,000 est. A new SL feature is Mercedes’ Airscraf, an option on the SL550 and standard on other SL models. A heater and fan are incorporated in each headrest. Warm air is blown onto the neck of the driver and passenger. Mercedes says Airscraf, combined with the car’s heater and heated seats, extends the open-roof convertible season. The hard top retracts in 16 seconds. What Mercedes-Benz says: “This is a car that evolves over time. This is an evolution, not a revolution,” said Moran, who was interviewed at a Mercedes event in Santa Monica, Calif. “There’s more standard equipment than we had in the past on the 550 model. For example, the AMG body styling is standard.” That package, a former $4,000 option, is essentially The Mercedes emblem on the 2009 SL roadster with adaptive cruise control has black plastic behind it. The plastic protects the sensors but mars the car’s appearance, making it look cheap. wheels and restyled fascia and rocker panels. Compromises and shortcomings: A styling issue cheapens the car’s head-on look. Vehicles ordered without the adaptive cruise control system have a large, open, circular Mercedes-Benz star in the center of the grille. But the Mercedes star for cars ordered with the optional system is positioned on a large, circular, solid black — and obviously plastic — base. The system’s sensors are hidden behind the solid base to protect those sensors from snow, ice and other elements. The result: The emblem and black plastic base look like a cheap knockoff. Nuts and bolts: The SL’s price has not been announced; an estimated $133,000 sticker is expected, a spokesman said. Mercedes sold 6,126 SL models in the United States last year, slightly over half of global production. The skinny: An otherwise attractive two-seat roadster is marred by that black base for the circular Mercedes emblem in the center of the grille. This could be a deal-breaker. But Mercedes thinks only 30 percent of SL buyers will select that cruise control option. c AUTO SHOWS March 28-April 6 — Bangkok International Auto Show, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, 66 2 229 4310, www.bitec.net March 28-April 6 — Zagreb International Auto Show, Zagreb Fairground, Zagreb, Croatia, 385 1 6503 111, www.zv.hr/autoshow March 30-April 1 — Central Illinois Auto Show, Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, Ill., 309-693-9867, www.peoriaautoshow.com April 2-6 — Dallas Auto Show, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, 214-637-0531, www.dallasautoshow.com April 17-21 — Pittsburgh International Auto Show, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, 866-575-3040, www.pittautoshow.com April 19-27 — Atlanta JournalConstitution International Auto Show, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, 770-916-1741, www.ajcautoshow.com April 20-28 — Auto China 2008 (press days: April 20 and 21), New China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, www.autochina.auto-fairs.com April 23-27 — Tallinn Motor Show, Rocca al Mare Exhibition Centre, Tallinn, Estonia, 372 682 8990, www.orangetime.ee/expo April 24-May 4 — Lisbon International Motor Show, Parque das Nacoes, Lisbon, Portugal, 351 21 303 53 00, www.acap.pt May 15-18 — Budapest International Motor Show, Budapest Fair Center, Budapest, Ford of Europe CEO John Fleming poses with the Mondeo at the last Paris auto show in 2006. The next Paris show opens to the public on Oct. 4. Hungary, 36 1 263 6884, www.automobil.hungexpo.hu July 12-20 — Indonesia International Motor Show, Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia, 62 21 315 7178, www.indonesianmotorshow.com July 23-Aug. 3 — British International Motor Show, Canary Wharf, London, 020 76540600, www.britishmotorshow.co.uk Sept. 11-15 — Nitra Motor Show, Vystavnictvo Agrokomplex, Nitra, Slovakia, 421 37 6572 301, www.agrokomplex.sk Oct. 2-5 — San Antonio Auto & Truck Show, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, 210-732-9647, www.saautodealers.com Oct. 4-19 — Paris International Motor Show (press days: Oct. 2 and 3), ParisExpo – Porte de Versailles, Paris, 33-1-56-88-2240, www.mondial-automobile.com Oct. 31-Nov. 9 — Johannesburg International Motor Show, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, 27 12 323 2980, www.naamsa.co.za Nov. 21-30 — Los Angeles Auto Show (press days: Nov. 19 and 20), Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, 310-444-1850, www.laautoshow.com Dec. 3-7 — New England International Auto Show, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, 800-258-8912, www.paragonexpo.com Dec. 5-14 — Bologna Motor Show, Bologna Exhibition Centre, Bologna, Italy, 39 051 6451 011, www.motorshow.it GENERAL April 14 — Automotive News PACE Awards, Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit, 313-446-6039, www.autonews.com/pace April 14-17 — SAE World Congress, Society of Automotive Engineers, Cobo Center, Detroit, 724-776-4841, www.sae.org April 17-20 — Automotive News China Conference, China World Hotel, Beijing, 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents April 23 — REACH Symposium, Automotive Industry Action Group, Centerpoint Marriott, Pontiac, Mich., 248-358-3570, www.aiag.org April 30-May 2 — i2 Planet, Desert Ridge JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Phoenix, 1-877-475-2638, www.planet.i2.com May 6-8— CTI Symposium and Exhibition, “Automotive Transmissions North America,” Car Training Institute, Westin Southfield Detroit, Southfield, Mich., +49 (0)69 244 327-0, www.transmission-symposium.com May 14-16 — World Automotive Congress: Plastics-in-Motion, Corinthia Towers Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic, 734-737-0507, www.executive-conference.com May 19-20 — Automotive News Europe Congress, Lingotto Fiere, Turin, Italy, 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents May 28 — Automotive News Marketing Seminar, Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles, 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents May 31-June 3 — SME Annual Meeting: A Passion for Manufacturing, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Marriott Renaissance, Detroit, 313-271-1500, www.sme.org June 3-4 — Automotive CRM Summit, Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Ray, Calif., 415-553-4142, www.tlsummits.com June 24-28 — NIADA Convention and Expo, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, 817-640-3838, www.niada.com June 25 — Auto Russia (conference), Astoria Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia, +44 (0) 20 7368 9465, www.wbr.co.uk/autorussia July 22-24 — Plug-in 2008 Conference & Exposition: A Short Drive to Tomorrow, San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, Calif., 408-395-0059, www.plugin2008.com Aug. 11-15 — Management Briefing Seminars, Center for Automotive Research, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Traverse City, Mich., 734-662-1287, www.cargroup.org Aug. 13-14 — Next Generation Automotive CRM Summit, Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif., 866-599-1189, www.usaautocrm.com Oct. 20-22 — Convergence, Society of Automotive Engineers, Cobo Center, Detroit, 724-776-4841, www.sae.org Nov. 4-7 — SEMA Show, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, 909-396-0289, www.semashow.com Nov. 19 — Automotive News Green Conference, Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Ann Arbor, Mich., 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents autonews.com For a complete listing of events, see our Web site. To see our online list of auto shows and other events or to add your event to the list, go to www.autonews.com/ calendar. E-mail calendar information, including Web site address, to: autonews@crain.com Or send it to: Deputy Managing Editor Automotive News 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207-2997 http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://www.wbr.co.uk/autorussia http://www.aiag.org http://www.plugin2008.com http://www.bitec.net http://www.planet.i2.com http://www.zv.hr/autoshow http://www.cargroup.org http://www.peoriaautoshow.com http://www.transmission-symposium.com http://www.usaautocrm.com http://www.dallasautoshow.com http://www.sae.org http://www.automobil.hungexpo.hu http://www.executive-conference.com http://www.naamsa.co.za http://www.semashow.com http://www.pittautoshow.com http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://www.indonesianmotorshow.com http://www.laautoshow.com http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://www.ajcautoshow.com http://www.britishmotorshow.co.uk http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://autonews.com http://www.paragonexpo.com http://www.agrokomplex.sk http://www.autochina.auto-fairs.com http://www.motorshow.it http://www.sme.org http://www.autonews.com/ http://www.orangetime.ee/expo http://www.saautodealers.com http://www.tlsummits.com http://www.autonews.com/pace http://www.acap.pt http://www.mondial-automobile.com http://www.sae.org http://www.niada.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 31, 2008

Axle strike leads GM to alter production plan Industry expert Ferron joins Automotive News Group Hummer adds E85 models Lear expands in China Ford spills the beans on car seats Concern ... confidence ... curiosity — welcome to America, Tata Expect most Ford-bred executives to stay put Tip for Tata: Let British brands be British brands Dana CEO sees need for growth in Asia Chrysler: Any deal for partner would be done by Cerberus Farley retools Flex marketing strategy Malibu attracts import-minded buyers European purchasing execs to suppliers: Costs must fall Reynolds removes dealership modems New Saturn ads will promote Aura, Vue, Outlook This Spring Hill launch is a fraction of the first one GM works on small global car Hal Riney, Saturn campaign creator, dies Dealer sours on China importer Secret computer lets Nissan planner peek into future XM-Sirius merger: Lower prices, more choices? Key Chrysler product developer resigns Ford's new boss in HR plans no major changes Wagener to replace Pfeiffer as Mercedes design chief It's time to break the glass ceiling Autos don't cause all global warming Toyota plumbed the depths of Scion Customer loyalty is serious business Future bright for Tata brands Dauch sends wrong signals as Axle strike drags Yanase opened Japan to Western cars Fewer dealers, sure, but more brands What if Ahn falls short? Want to inspire Lori Queen? Just say no Hanwha to build GM Powertrain assembly line Toyota enters untapped Korea, home of Hyundai James O'Rourke Jr. Picture This -- March 31st, 2008 Lexus pays dealers for innovations Suppliers to the 2009 Dodge Journey Ricardo center has battery focus Howa USA opens interior parts plant in Kentucky N.Y. show suggests a future of smart powertrains, muscle BMW sees new models as sales saviors Ford contract has unique take on core jobs 6 more PACE-setters in auto innovation Buy-here, pay-here may grow Dealers Mercedes SL: A fresh face — with 1 flaw Ex-Chrysler design chief John Herlitz dead at 65 Future could be bright for Jag, Land Rover Land Rover in good shape, but challenges remain Fuel economy fines loom for Tata As segment shrinks, Chrysler minivan output takes a big dip Mercedes names 27 AMG dealers Continental to cut jobs Cobalt SS price: $22,995 Kia opens Ga. training center Nissan idles Mexico plant Plastech legal bill: $1 million for a month Magna will add 3 plants in Mexico El Camino diehards say Pontiac G8 should have been a Chevy No 2nd chance for Nasser, other Ford alums Buick grabs a name from the past After short list, a short stay for Laymon Lori Queen or Ellery Queen? Daimler's mum on BMW Southern supplier strategy Tracing the Camaro's bloodline Alfa searches for a U.S. factory

Automotive News - March 31, 2008

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