Mercedes
SL Mille Miglia 417 Edition
Mercedes-Benz
celebrates the 60th anniversary of a memorable motor racing success with an
extraordinary special model of the SL Roadster. Its name commemorates the
unexpected victory of a 300 SL in the production sports cars class at the 1955
"Mille Miglia", one of the world's most challenging long-distance
races. What's more: the SL Special Edition "Mille Miglia 417"
provides a special experience of the unique symbiosis of maximum comfort and
motor racing spirit that traditionally characterises every SL. The Special
Edition adds a distinctive note, among other things, with red exterior
highlights and fine materials in the exclusively appointed interior.
The
Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster is more than an icon. Passion shapes its character
and its charisma - in the past and today. Legendary vehicles and their stories
dominate the model history. One of them is told by the SL that started the
famous "Mille Miglia" in 1955 with race number 417 at 4:17 am. After
11 hours, 29 minutes and 21 seconds it had completed the race distance of 1597
kilometres on public roads from Brescia to Rome and back. Driven by the
American private driver John Fitch with assistance from his co-driver Kurt
Gessl, it crossed the finish line to great acclaim in fifth place of the
overall standings and as the winner of the production sports cars, leaving
numerous racing prototypes behind. Production 300 SL cars also took second and
third place in this class.
After
60 years the new SL Special Edition "Mille Miglia 417" now expresses
the laudatory proclamation about this victory and the car with race number 417.
For this reason Mercedes-Benz also integrated the legendary number
"417" into the badge of this special model as a reminder - a symbol
for the passion that helps shape the charisma of every SL Roadster.
Performance,
pronounced sportiness and innovative roadster comfort are hallmark fundamental
features that also distinguish the Special Edition "Mille Miglia
417". The 6-cylinder engine in the SL 400 with 245 kW (333 hp) and the
eight-cylinder in the SL 500 with 335 kW (455 hp) enable top sporting
performance. As standard, ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist, an adaptive adjustable
damping system, and in particular the optionally available unique Active Body
Control ABC deliver sporty lateral dynamics while offering outstanding comfort
at the same time.
The
design of the Special Edition meets high aesthetic standards and underscores
its spirit with stylish red highlights. Red is the colour of the lip on the
front spoiler, and a red trim strip on the rear spoiler contrasts with the
matte carbon. Red brake callipers gleam through the spokes of the black AMG
Performance wheels, which sport subtle red surrounds and have diameters of 19
inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear.
The
Special Edition "Mille Miglia 417" comes as standard with a magnetite
black metallic paint finish. Optionally the two designo night black magno and
designo cashmere white magno matte paint finishes or the designo diamond white
bright shiny paintwork are also available. The designo paintwork lends the
vehicle an individual and exclusive character.
Mercedes-Benz
has further upgraded the luxurious yet sporty interior with fine materials and
meticulous master craftsmanship. The AMG Line seats as well as the black centre
console with contrasting inlays and red edging are eye-catching features. The
leather headrests sport an embossed carbon structure and an embroidered
"SL Mille Miglia" label. Red edging also outlines the black door
centre panels with red armrests. The easy-to-grip steering wheel is wrapped in
red and black nappa leather with sporty embossed carbon structure and bolsters
the sporty ambience. The trim elements have a matte carbon finish. The black
floor mats with red edging sport an embroidered "1000 Miglia" label.
The
SL Special Edition "Mille Miglia 417" is available as an SL 400 and
as an SL 500 model. The price premium for the classy and extensive optional
extras that lend the SL Roadster a special flair is EUR 14,800 for the SL 400,
and 12,800 Euros for the SL 500 (net). The Special Edition can be ordered from
7th April, 2015.