We’ve already told you about the pricing for the 2013 Mercedes SL, but Mercedes made it official prior to the car’s market launch in Europe, on March 31. Let’s cut to the chase then. The Mercedes SL350 powered by 306 hp V6 engine costs  93,534 euros, and the SL500 with its 435 hp V8 engine 117,096 euros. These prices are for the German market and include 19 % VAT.

Still, that is pretty expensive. The new Mercedes SL is indeed a very perfect car, especially in the SL500 guise, but 120 grand? Scarier than that is the 93 grand you have to pay for the 350!

The new SL boasts an all-aluminium body-in-white into volume production for the first time. Together with a host of other intelligent improvements to points of detail, this leads to an overall weight reduction of up to 140 kilograms in comparison to the predecessor model. The light weight not only makes the car more fuel efficient, it also helps with handling. The SL is now more of a sports car than ever.

What’s more, it is the most frugal one in its class. The SL350 consumes 6.9 litres over 100 kilometres, which is virtually 30 percent less than its predecessor (CO2 159 g/km). The SL500, too, posts a persuasive set of efficiency figures: 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres (minus 22%) correspond to 212g/km CO2.

There is only one thing wrong with the new SL in fact, the looks. It could have been better.