MONTVALE, N.J. — A new-generation Mercedes-Benz SL coupe/roadster — the first in over 12 years — will debut in Europe this fall and arrive in the U.S. next spring. Perhaps the best-known Mercedes model ever, the new SL convertible will mark the fifth generation of the highly successful series, which began in 1954 with the legendary "gullwing" 300SL.
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL is a technological tour de force, with ABC active suspension and ESP stability control to the world's first electronic brake system. The new SL also features breathtaking styling, capped by a retractable hardtop that combines the open-air fun of a convertible with the quiet comfort of a coupe.
FASTER, SMARTER BRAKING WITH WORLD'S FIRST ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM
The company that invented ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control and ESP stability control will launch the world's first production car equipped with an electronic brake system, which provides faster, more sure-footed brake response, especially in emergencies.
The brake pedal on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 works with a computer that tells four fast-acting valves exactly how hard to apply the brakes on each wheel. A backup hydraulic master cylinder comes into play only if there's a serious problem or electrical failure.
With split-second accuracy, the system can change brake pressure on each wheel over uneven surfaces and can even increase brake pressure on just the outside wheels when braking in turns, taking advantage of the higher loading during cornering. Even ABS anti-lock and ESP stability control work more efficiently since they are more deeply integrated with the brakes, instead of functioning as parallel systems.