Novelis, a manufacturer of rolled aluminum, has reported that the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL introduced newly, features the company’s aluminum material. The latest model of Mercedes is probably the first full-production vehicle of the company to have an aluminum structure.
Mercedes-Benz SL all aluminum body-in-white
The weight of the vehicle is reduced by around 140 kg with the usage of new all-aluminum body, which enhances driving performance and fuel economy. The company supplies aluminum for use in doors, hood, and a variety of other structural applications. It also provides a three-piece tailored welded blank to the transmission tunnel. Due to the previous partnership existing between Novelis and Mercedes-Benz, Anticorodal-300 (Ac-300), a new alloy from Novelis has been used to develop this new piece fitted by friction stir welding. This new alloy offers improved strength and crash safety and is utilized in other structural applications.
Roland Harings, VP of Global Automotive for Novelis stated that Ac-300 was specifically developed to be utilized in automotive structural applications.
The first Mercedes Super-Light (SL) was created during 1952. Novelis is looking forward to minimize the vehicle’s weight. The 2012 modeled Benz is the lightest of all other models. In addition, Novelis provides aluminum sheet for other nine models of Mercedes.
According to Dr. Thomas Rudlaff, Mercedes-Benz’s Aluminum Body-in-White Manager, the weight of the Mercedes SL aluminum body structure is nearly 254 kg and this has been considered to be an alternative for steel. Aluminum lowers consumption of fuel and offers dynamic driving performance for customers, Dr. Thomas stated.
The new generation of Mercedes SL was exhibited at the Detroit Motor Show, during January 2012. Currently, this model is being manufactured in Germany and sold at its dealerships all over Europe.