A few days ago news emerged that Mercedes-Benz will soon replace most of the 350 models in their range with a new 4.0 liter engine. It turned out to be true, as the company today announces the launch of the new Mercedes SL 400, powered by a bi-turbo six-cylinder engine.

Mercedes SL 400 offers 245 kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm of torque from just 1,600 rpm. It is about 30 horsepower more powerful than the SL 350, and effectively delivers the kind of power you’d expect from a similarly-sized naturally-aspirated V8. It is a lot more economical though.

The six-cylinder turbo engine in the SL 400 returns 7.3 liter/100 km or 32 mpg, and emits 172 grams of CO2 every kilometer. Performance-wise, it enables the big roadster to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, while the top speed is, as usual, limited to 250 km/h.

The rest of the Mercedes SL 400 is similar to the 350, meaning that if you spec it well you get advanced features like the Frontbass audio system and MAGIC VISION CONTROL wipe/wash system. Prices for this new model start from 97,282 euros in Germany, which is a kind of number we call eye-watering.

One rumor we hope is not true about the Mercedes SL is one that suggests it, along with the SLK, will lose its folding hardtop in the next generation model for the sake of lightness. It’s like fitting a Rolls-Royce with plastic interior because leather and wood are too heavy!