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Mercedes Benz SL 500
It takes precisely 16 seconds to transform this gorgeous coupe into a road-ripping roadster. And you know what, from a driver's perspective you basically just sit here with your thumb on a button and the whole lot folds down into the back without any assistance or aggravation. As soon as the deck lid shuts we're ready for this weeks Test Drive.
The item that impresses about the SL500 is not so much its flashy looks but more the level of technology packed beneath its sensuous lines. Take the engine for example, the 5.0-litre V8 pumps out 302 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque anywhere between 2,700 and 4,250 rpm. Enough to blast the SL500 to 100 km/h in six and a half seconds. Needless to say there is never a lack of go when the driver tromps the gas. Usual technology aside, it is the intelligent software powering the engine management system that impresses. This software automatically senses if the driver has a sporty style or a more relaxed approach. The electronics then adapt the drive dynamics to suit.
Climb behind the wheel of the SL and you'll find the opulence the price tag suggests you should find. First of all the navigation system actually works when you're driving down the road. Naturally, however, it's the passenger that's playing with it. You also get a good radio, a hook-up for your telephone and the climate control: they are either fully automatic or manual.
The seats themselves, fully articulated, heated and cooled and when combined with the tilt and telescopic feature on the steering wheel, the driver can find the perfect driving position. On the subject of safety, the SL comes with 5 airbags: One in each of the 2 doors, one for the passenger, one for the driver and a fifth under the steering wheel which prevents you from knee-capping yourself in the case of a t-bone accident. Then you get to these two things.
Now, believe it or not, these things are suppose to be the coffee cup holders, that just shows you how low a priority there are in Europe. Leave them folded away. There is a third, however, and it sits beside the front passenger seat.
Now as well as successfully peeing off your passenger by dribbling coffee down their leg, it drives the driver to distraction. When you turn left it smacks off the seat, when you go right it bangs off the center console, when you brake and accelerate it bangs all over the place, take the bloody thing and throw it away!
From the engine, the power is relayed to the wheels through an electronically-controlled five-speed automatic transmission, that features two shift settings and the ability to change gears manually. It works wonderfully well.
Now we'll take a look at the AMG version, the SL55. The car comes with a host of AMG upgrades including much bigger brakes and beneath the hood, a 5.5 litre supercharged V8. That means 469 horsepower and an incredible 516 pounds feet of torque. It really does make a tremendous difference in performance. However, that performance does come at a premium, because this SL55 comes at a cool $40, 000 more than the SL500.
The power and the ability to switch gears through a pair of steering wheel mounted buttons makes the SL55 feel more sophisticated. It also drops the time needed to reach 100 km/h down to a bewildering 4.7 seconds. It really does transform a good car into a great one.
With only 8 cubic feet of cargo space with the roof down, you can't put much into this car. There isn't even enough room for my little overnight bag.
However, Mercedes-Benz addressed that, by the touch of a little button, the whole thing lifts up and now you're ready for that exotic get away.
Both models use Mercedes-Benz Active Body Control suspension. For years, the dream of a "sky-hook" has been the Holy Grail of suspension engineers. Suspending the car on something other than the wheels would allow them to move independently of the body, and without the problems associated with the usual rock and roll and ensuing weight transfer, meaning superior handling and a comfortable ride. ABC achieves this by regulating the hydraulically controlled servo cylinders that are incorporated with shock absorbers and coil springs in the suspension struts. Practically, it delivers a plush ride that is devoid of body roll. This brings outstanding handling as was witnessed through the pylons.
The brake system on this SL, well it's more than a little different primarily because it's brake-by-wire. What that means is, there is no physical connection between the brake pedal and the brake system itself. Rather a computer controls the brakes based on the information you feed it through the brake pedal. As well as controlling all brake function, it also looks after the anti-lock, traction control, electronic stability control package as well as the panic assist. When you stomp on the brake pedal it applies maximum brake effort. The whole package is really the best way of controlling the system and is certainly the way of the future. However, for you worrywarts, don't panic because if there is a catastrophic failure, either power or computer, the system returns to a normal hydraulic breaking system.
For the record, I recorded stopping distances of just 102 feet from 80K with the SL55. The SL500 adds about 3 feet to the space needed. That aside, the systems work exactly as advertised, and that is exceptionally well.
So there you have it: two cars for the price of one Test Drive and two very different cars at that. The one thing they've got in common, with the top up you've got the comfort of a coupe. With the top down, you've got one serious roadster. As for the two cars, you can think of the SL500 of being the automotive equivalent of a kid glove, as for the SL55, it's got the same kid glove exterior but beneath, it's got one big set of brass knuckles.
Tire Tally
Performance - 5
Ride/Handling - 5
Interior - 5
Touchy-Feely/ Cargo - 3
Safety - 5
Bang for Buck - 3
Immediate Competition
Acura NSX-T
BMW Z8
Dodge Viper
Lexus SC430
Porsche 911 Convertible
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