Mercedes-Benz SL

Source: Lyndon Bell (Examiner.Com)


At once common and extraordinary, the Mercedes SL has enjoyed iconic status since it was first offered as a production car in 1955. Strongly associated with style, glamour and the good life, nothing says, "I‘ve made it y‘all!" quite like a Mercedes-Benz SL.

And even though you see them practically every day, they‘re still appreciated for the exotic automobiles they truly are.

From the intensely coveted 300 SL Gullwing coupes of 1954 to today‘s 604 horsepower SL 65 AMG, the SL has also always represented the pinnacle of performance for the sports luxury-touring automobile. And while you might be tempted to think SL stands for sports luxury, it is actually an acronym for the German phrase sport leicht, or sport light in English.

Now in its sixth generation, many will argue that the modern SL is not truly a sports car, nor is it a light car, citing its size and overarching emphasis on luxury. And while I agree the car is a bit on the heavy side and that it does indeed offer palatial accoutrements, when it comes to driving and being driven, the Mercedes-Benz SL definitely deserves a spot in any sports car enthusiast’s dream garage.

I recently spent two days with the 2009 SL models and came away from the experience with a newfound sense of respect for the depth and breadth of the range of these exceptional automobiles.

Like the other cars that wear the three-pointed star, the SL is a device with many personalities. Through your choice of engines, you can actually tailor the car to fit your attitude and personal style. From middle-aged Beverly Hills matrons shuttling from boutique to boutique, to testosterone fueled German robber barons who drive the autobahn like their testicles are on fire; there is a Mercedes SL to suit just about every psychographic.

For 2009, four engines are offered in the US; a 382-horsepower, 5.5-liter V8 that makes 391 foot-pounds of torque; a 517-horsepower, 6.0-liter twin turbocharged V12 that makes 612 foot-pounds of torque; a 525 horsepower AMG designed and assembled 6.2-liter V8 producing 518 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque; and last, but nowhere near least; a twin turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 producing an eye-bucking 604 horsepower and 738 foot-pounds of torque.

For laid-back cruising, with the occasional high-speed blast, go with the SL 550. For that rumbly V8 sound and more of a pure sports car experience, the SL 63 is what you’re after. For quiet, sophisticated touring with an abundance of power, choose the SL 600. And if all-out, damn the Highway Patrol, full speed ahead is your thing––but done on the down low without a lot of noise and drama––the SL 65 AMG will accumulate speed with a hushed rush that has to be experienced to be believed.

The truly brilliant part is that all these engines are exceptionally powerful while offering levels of refinement that cannot be duplicated by any other manufacturer.

The first luxury roadster to offer the convenience of going from hardtop coupe to open roadster, the SL has always lead the way down a path others inevitably followed. In fact, Mercedes almost seems to have the formula patented. When you’re in other luxury cars you often think, “Wow, this is nice.” but when you get back in a Benz you immediately see, and feel, where the competition fell short. Thoughtful touches like the AirScarf, a device that forces warmed air through the headrest to alleviate the chill you might experience while enjoying your SL with the top down on a less than optimal day are but one of the innovations that set the SL apart.

For 2009, in addition to the body modifications designed to freshen the car’s exterior as well as make it more compliant with Eurpoean pedestrian safety regulations (which explains the upright stance of the front end of so many of the new cars from Europe these days), the SL gets a new steering system, a new audio system, and a new seven-speed transmission.

The Direct Steer system uses a variable ratio rack to provide quicker steering response just off center. This improves the Mercedes’ ability to change direction and makes it more responsive to steering inputs. It also makes parking easier, as the steering wheel doesn’t have to be turned as far to get the SL to change directions acutely.

The new audio system builds upon the one introduced with the current S Class models to provide even more functionality and ease of use. It incorporates a four-gig hard drive that can store about 1000 songs and also has an interface for iPods as well as USB devices and memory sticks. And finally, there’s no more need for a proprietary cell phone in a Mercedes-Benz. Any Bluetooth enabled phone will interface with the system for hands free use. (At last!)

The new seven-speed Multi-Clutch Technology (MCT) transmission offered with the SL 63 AMG does away with the torque converter found in a conventional automatic transmission in favor of a start up clutch. This helps the transmission respond more quickly and with no slip. This has obvious benefits for acceleration, and also reduces time between gear-shifts as well. The transmission can be set to shift gently or aggressively through the use of four drive modes; Comfort (C), Sport (S), Sport plus (S+) and Manual (M). In the sport-oriented modes, downshifts are accompanied by a rev-matching throttle blip and double clutching, which both sounds wonderful and transfers less shock to the driveline during deceleration.

Over the road, no matter which engine you’re sitting behind, one word comes to mind repeatedly (OK, maybe two, but “damn” doesn’t really count––since it can’t be used in polite company). Capable is the one I'm thinking of here. It astonishes how a car the size of an SL goes over the road so quickly with so much agility and poise. Part of the credit goes to the Active Body Control suspension system that keeps the car flat during cornering. That it still communicates feedback to the driver as to what’s going on down below is an amazing accomplishment. The beauty of the system is that it is adjustable so you can make the car ride smoothly when chilling, or bite aggressively when dealing.

It’s the best of both worlds.

Which frankly sums up the entire Mercedes-Benz SL experience. Whether you prefer a luxurious personal coupe, an open roadster, a two-seat grand touring car, or an all-out loud and proud sports roadster whose engine note will set bystanders’ envy levels on red alert; a Mercedes-Benz SL can be just as sophisticated, or just as raucous, as you need it to be.

Long ago it was established that no one aspect of a Mercedes-Benz motorcar would outweigh any other aspect. It was decreed by the powers-that-be at Daimler-Benz that a Mercedes would brake just as strongly as it would accelerate, corner with commensurate agility, and offer equitable creature comforts. Style, beauty and grace were afforded equal measure as well. And while there are instances when one or two aspects don’t measure up exactly, (say, in the beauty department; RL, ML, GL…) when it comes to performance, that equation is always in perfect balance.

With the new SL models, you might love or hate the way the new face looks on the car. But you cannot deny the updated SLs offer levels of performance commensurate to, or in excess of, any competing automobile on the market. And, they do so while managing to be gracefully stylish automobiles.

No wonder they’re legendary.

Well, that, and the fact that they ain’t cheap either––SL pricing starts at around $95,000.