New 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL revealed at LA Auto Show

• Mercedes-Benz has given its iconic SL roadster a big refresh for the 2016 model year. Debuting at the LA Motor Show this week, the new range has been enhanced outside, within and underneath to make it crisper, posher and more dynamic.

•  The 2016 SL has a sharper Mercedes AMG GT-style front end, with a standout diamond radiator grille, enhanced LED lighting and enlarged air intakes. 

• The folding hard-top vario roof of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL has been reengineered: it can now be operated on the move at speeds of up to 25mph.  

• Mercedes-Benz may have made the headlights slimmer, but it’s made the side air outlets bigger. Pity they’re still purely cosmetic. As we’ll see, Mercedes-Benz has also revised the sporty AMG 63 and AMG 65 models” the sit at the top of a four-engine range also comprising 367hp SL 400 and 455hp SL 500 – now with nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard. All versions, it says, are sharper and more agile to drive.

• Inside, Mercedes-Benz has sweated on the details. It offers three-colour ambient lighting (red, white or blue), revised dials and, in a neat tough, a central TFT display screen that flashes up a front view of the new SL on start-up.

•  Check out the powerdomes on the bonnet: they’re new for 2016 and feature on all revised Mercedes-Benz SL models. They’re there to evoke the sporting heritage of the SL, says Mercedes. Rear lights of the revised SL are now all-red, with wedge-shape indicator at the top and both tail and brake lamps below.

• Mercedes-Benz reckons the new 2016 SL is smoother and more appealing both roof down And roof up. It also offers two new colours – this brilliant blue (a colour that’s becoming a Mercedes-Benz feature hue) and design selenite grey magno. There’s a broad range of new alloy wheel designs as well.  

• A new feature for 2016 is optional Active Body Control with curve tilting function. This ‘leans’ the SL into corners, reducing the cornering effects on occupants. It means the driver can take bends much faster without the passenger noticing! 

• The two supercars of the SL range, the SL 63 and SL 65, have also been revised for 2016 – now wearing Mercedes-AMG branding. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 AMG is the more focused of the two.  

• Packing an enhanced 585hp 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, the SL 63 can do 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds and is limited to either 155mph or, if you choose the AMG Driver’s package, 186mph.

• Interior treats include a flat-bottom steering wheel, IWC analogue clock and standard nappa leather.  

•  As well as fitting a rear-axle differential lock as standard, Mercedes-AMG has also enhanced the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed automatic – even the aluminium shift paddles behind the steering wheel work more quickly. 

• As with the regular 2016 SL, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 has a totally new front end with AMG-specific twin-bar radiator grille, air intake-packed front bumper and complex front splitter.  

• But if it’s power you want, the only choice is the new Mercedes-AMG SL 65. Why? A 6.0-litre biturbo V12 producing a monster 630hp, that’s why! 

• The new SL 65 can run from 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds and, again, is either limited to 155mph or 186mph. It’s the monster pulling power that really sets the SL 65 apart though: it has an astonishing 1,000Nm of torque spread between a huge 2,000rpm rev range. It’s a force field, not a car.

• Uniquely, the SL 65 has 20-inch wheels at the rear, wearing 285/30-section tyres. It retains the 19-inch wheels of the SL 63 at the front; clearly, transmitting all that pulling power demands plenty of rubber on the road… 

• The bespoke Mercedes-AMG interior stretches to unique performance dials in the central infotainment screen. And if it’s carbon fibre you want, the AMG is the car for you: do note, though, a lot of it pictured here is optional…