Mercedes moves on up with new SL roadster

According to Germany's auto, motor und sport magazine, the new R 230 - to quote the official designation - will replace the current model which has been in production since 1989. It bows out with a black special edition.

With its retractable hardtop, cooling vents and brushed aluminium trim instead of the more staid chrome of the limousines, the new SL 500 Roadster is designed to be a dynamic amalgam of cabriolet and coupe at home as much as in Beverly Hills as much as in Bad Homburg.

The car is three centimetres longer than its predecessor with an extended wheelbase but actually looks shorter owing to less overhang at both ends.

First on the block after the debut at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show will be the SL 500 with 306 brake horsepower for around 180,000 marks (78,200 dollars). A 3.2 litre V6 version with 224 horsepower on demand is due is out 18 months after the new car's introduction.

The young, well-heeled clientele being targeted by Mercedes will no doubt make full use of the innovative electrohydraulic brake system being offered by the Stuttgart-based firm for the first time.

Sensotronic Brake Control SBC means the brake pedal activates the brakes electronically and not using mechanical pressure. When the driver applies the brakes the system measures wheel revolutions through four sensors and activates the hydraulics.

The artificially-generated feeling at the pedal can be varied to suit the driver and there's a manual override on the front brakes should the system malfunction.

(la/dpa)