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Compared to the previous R129, the R230 offers many innovations, both stylistic and content, but also some news that may be included in both categories. Among the latter is certainly remembered the metal hardtop, power retractable slot formed inside the luggage compartment. This allows you to turn in just 16 seconds into the stunning R230 roadster an equally stunning two-seater coupe, and while going to close the era of traditional Mercedes-Benz roadster soft top.

But even as regards the rest, the R230 offers a stylistic innovations in profusion: the front, for example, looks much sharper than the previous one, and sports optics circular split, according to tradition, the beginning of the new Mercedes-Benz century. These lights contain both sides of the large radiator grille with four horizontal bars, where stands the great "three-pointed star" logo history of Mercedes-Benz.

The side appears more slender and streamlined than the R129 model, and features front fenders with air intakes "on gill", as in the now legendary 300 SL "Gullwing". The entire side view is even more streamlined when you consider the sinuous waistline.

The tail is characterized by tail lights instead of triangular shape, this a stylistic choice that reflects what has been seen on other cars of the German manufacturer launched until a few years earlier (W203, R170, W220, etc.).

In general, in short, was created a silhouette very effective aerodynamic profile, just think that the Cx of R230 was, in his debut, only of 0.29, compared with 0:32 in the R129.

Very elegant as the two-seater cockpit, where the finishes and materials used are top notch. The dashboard features a soft and sinuous, and includes as standard satellite navigation system. The luggage compartment has a maximum load capacity equal to 317 liters, down to 235 in case of open car with a hardtop that folded itself subtracts luggage space.

The structure of R230 has been designed and made by the technicians Mercedes-Benz in order to obtain high values ​​of stiffness, without penalizing the car with a resulting mass excessive. For this reason, use was made of high strength steel for about one third of the total sheet metal, but also of aluminum, used for example in the production of the front fenders, doors and the bonnet. The latter, in particular, was the largest engine hood made of aluminum produced at its debut, just think that its length was about 1.4 m.

The mechanical chassis of R230 included a front end to 4 swinging arms and a rear end of multilink type, the latter realized for the first time in the history entirely in aluminum alloy. On both axes are mounted coil springs and gas shocks. This suspension system is made active by the ABC (Active Body Control), which acts automatically on the stiffness of the dampers and the height from the floor of the car body, drastically reducing body roll in corners (up to 78% smaller than the R129) . Moreover, this electronic system automatically resets the height and the rigidity of the suspensions according to the load of the car, that is, to what differs from the empty weight every time that there salt one or more persons and if they have luggage or less.

The braking system, fully ventilated disc (also referred to as the front punched) uses a device, the SBC (Servotronic Brake Control), had its world premiere right on the R230. The SBC is a device that uses sensors that detect the vehicle speed and the force of the braking, communicating them to a suitable control unit, which manages the situation appropriately distributing the braking force on all four wheels. This device is completely electronic and is not interfaced in any way with any mechanical part of the car, a feature that prefigures the much-ballyhooed guidance systems "drive by wire".

Both the SBC that the ABC "work" in harmony with the ESP, to receive the most accurate values ​​on these parameters useful guide for action to ensure safe driving at the highest levels.

At its debut, the R230 has been proposed only in a single engine, consisting in M113 by V8 4966 cm ³, capable of delivering a maximum power of 306 bhp at 5600 rpm / min. However, at the time of the debut of the new roadster German, has also been announced the imminent commercialization of the first version AMG, equipped with a V8 5.4 liters supercharged by means of volumetric compressor and capable of developing up to 476 bhp at 6100 rpm / min.

In any case, the R230 was equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission